Chapter 1580: Ice Wind Jiao Falls Asleep

"Friend Huang, wait." Wang Qingling called out to Huang Fugui as he exited the auction hall.

Huang Fugui stopped, grinning to reveal two yellow teeth, which made him appear quite shifty.

"Immortal Wang, what a coincidence! I was just looking for you to discuss something. Let's find a place to chat!" Huang Fugui said enthusiastically. As a rogue cultivator, he was unaware of the impending great tribulation, but he was quite perceptive.

The presence of cultivators from the Demon, Barbarian, and Sea races at the auction indicated a significant development: humanity was seeking to ease tensions with other races, meaning no major war would occur in the short term. Humanity and the other races had been fighting for many years, and an unexpected, sudden easing of relations suggested either a Soul Transformation cultivator had given a command or a major tribulation was approaching. Judging by the widespread exchange of rare treasures among cultivators from various major powers, it was highly probable that a great tribulation was imminent, possibly even more severe than the Immortal-Demon War over four thousand years ago.

It was based on this assessment that Huang Fugui frequently traded for treasures, especially life-saving items. He planned to resell the bottle of Golden Vigor Glaze Liquid to acquire elixirs that could enhance spiritual power; just because he couldn't use it didn't mean others couldn't.

Before long, Huang Fugui and Wang Qingling appeared in a secluded courtyard.

After exchanging a few pleasantries, Wang Qingling got straight to the point: "Friend Huang, I am very interested in that bottle of Golden Vigor Glaze Liquid. Would you be willing to part with it? Please name your price; if it's something our Wang family can afford, we will provide it."

Huang Fugui frowned and shook his head. "My apologies, Immortal Wang. That bottle of Golden Vigor Glaze Liquid was acquired for a friend; otherwise, I would have gladly parted with it." He hesitated for a moment, then added, "You actually know the person—it's Fang Mu from the Eastern Barren's Yin Corpse Sect, the one who always carries a coffin."

Huang Fugui traveled far and wide, making many acquaintances. These individuals often entrusted him with finding specific items, and he would receive generous rewards upon success, which was why he traveled so extensively.

Wang Qingling understood. This wasn't surprising, as the Wang family had also commissioned many rogue cultivators at the Core Formation stage to search for rare treasures, with a verbal promise of substantial rewards upon delivery.

"Alright then! Please keep an eye out for any rare treasures that can help a flood dragon advance to the fourth rank. I guarantee the reward will satisfy you." Wang Qingling said earnestly. She was currently dedicating all her efforts to collecting ice-attribute spiritual items, hoping to help the Ice Wind Flood Dragon advance to the fourth rank.

"No problem, you can count on me," Huang Fugui readily agreed. He pondered for a moment, then asked, "Madam Wang, if I may be so bold as to ask, can your Ninth Aunt forge Fourth-rank talismans?"

"I'm sorry, I'm not entirely sure." Wang Qingling shook her head; she hadn't asked Wang Ruyan and truly didn't know.

Huang Fugui was a bit disappointed. He had hoped to purchase one or two Fourth-rank talismans from Wang Ruyan, as he was not short on spirit stones.

"Friend Huang, do you have any other matters to attend to? If not, why don't we leave together?" Wang Qingling suggested. She had acquired many valuable items at this auction, which might have attracted the envy of some malicious individuals. While Huang Fugui wasn't skilled in combat, he was good at escaping, so even if someone tried to attack them, there would be some deterrent.

Huang Fugui's eyes darted about for a moment before he agreed.

After chatting for a while, the two left the courtyard and walked towards the market's exit.

When Wang Qingling and her companions reached the market's exit, she was surprised to see Dongfang Liang.

"Immortal Wang, Friend Guang, Friend Huang, are you leaving the market so soon? Won't you stay a little longer?" Dongfang Liang said enthusiastically.

"Thank you for your hospitality, Friend Dongfang. We have other matters to attend to, so we won't stay longer," Wang Qingling said politely.

"Immortal Wang, we are deeply grateful that you traveled so far to attend the Dao Discussion hosted by our Dongfang family. I will personally see you off!" Dongfang Liang personally escorted them, primarily because the Azure Lotus Immortal Couple had antagonized the three races. If Wang Qingling and her companions encountered any mishap on the Dongfang family's territory, it would be problematic for the Dongfang family.

They believed that those not of their kind were bound to have different intentions, and thus, the Dongfang family had to be vigilant.

Wang Qingling was a little surprised but didn't think much of it and followed Dongfang Liang out.

More than half a year later, Wang Qingling and her companions returned to the Five Dragon Sea Region.

"Immortal Wang, Friend Guang, I have other matters to attend to, so I'll take my leave now. We'll meet again if fate allows." Huang Fugui bade farewell, transforming into a streak of yellow light that shot into the sky, covering hundreds of feet in an instant. Before long, he vanished into the horizon.

As soon as Wang Qingling and Wang Yingjie returned to Azure Lotus Island, they were surprised to see three massive thunderclouds high in the sky, with lightning flashing and thunder rumbling. Thick silver bolts of lightning struck down towards a certain spot on Azure Lotus Island.

"Another python is transforming into a flood dragon! Will it succeed?" Wang Yingjie exclaimed in surprise, his expression tinged with excitement.

Wang Qingling, accustomed to such sights, soared towards Hundred Spirits Peak.

Upon returning to her residence, Wang Qingling released the Ice Wind Flood Dragon, while deafening thunder continued to rumble in her ears.

A short while later, the thunder dissipated, and a loud dragon's roar echoed.

"Little White, you have another companion," Wang Qingling said with a smile. With this, the Wang family now possessed its tenth third-rank flood dragon.

The Ice Wind Flood Dragon let out a huge roar and circled erratically above the courtyard. A moment later, it landed on the ground.

Wang Qingling walked towards a green pavilion not far away. Shortly after, she emerged from the pavilion with a palm-sized green wooden box in her hand.

She approached the Ice Wind Flood Dragon and opened the wooden box. Inside was a pale green demon core—Ao Qing's demon core.

The Ice Wind Flood Dragon let out a loud roar, appearing somewhat excited. Even though their attributes differed, Ao Qing's demon core was still a great tonic for it.

"The great tribulation is coming, though I don't know when. It will be a disaster for us, but perhaps also an opportunity. I hope you can advance to the fourth rank." Wang Qingling tossed Ao Qing's core into the Ice Wind Flood Dragon's mouth, then took out a white jade box, from which she retrieved ice-attribute spirit fruits, spiritual herbs, and elixirs, tossing them into its mouth as well.

Having swallowed so many valuable items at once, the Ice Wind Flood Dragon became exceptionally excited. It circled erratically above the courtyard, letting out joyful roars.

Wang Qingling could sense that the energy contained within Ao Qing's core was too immense; the Ice Wind Flood Dragon was struggling to bear it. Ao Qing was a peak Fourth-rank creature, while the Ice Wind Flood Dragon was a peak Third-rank, a full major realm difference. It was no wonder the Ice Wind Flood Dragon couldn't handle it.

An hour later, the Ice Wind Flood Dragon fell from high above, its massive body crashing into a large lake. White cold air jetted from its nostrils, and the ground quickly froze. Wang Qingling carefully examined it and found that the Ice Wind Flood Dragon had merely fallen into a deep sleep and was otherwise unharmed.

Having consumed so many valuable items, the Ice Wind Flood Dragon's chances of advancing to the fourth rank were relatively high. However, Ao Qing's core contained such vast energy that the Ice Wind Flood Dragon would require a significant amount of time to refine it.

She walked towards the green pavilion, descended to the basement, and sat down cross-legged. A soft white light emanated from her body as she began to cultivate.