Chapter 1200: Plucking Dragon Scales

The Way of Primordial Beginning has form but no physical substance, which is why Qin Mu and the others transformed into luminous energy bodies. In contrast, the Way of Taiji is the Way of Yin and Yang, where energy manifests as all things, and the Way of Yin and Yang evolves into the myriad paths of the world.

“The only way to resolve our current predicament is through the Taiji Divine Stone and the Taiji Primeval Stone!”

Thinking of this, Qin Mu immediately took out several Taiji Divine Stones and Taiji Primeval Stones.

He possessed only one Taiji Primeval Stone but hundreds of Taiji Divine Stones.

He used to believe he deeply understood the Way of Taiji and the evolution of Yin and Yang, as his Spirit Embryo Divine Treasure itself was the division of Yin and Yang. However, after encountering the real Taiji ore vein and witnessing the bizarre phenomena within it, he was no longer so certain.

The evolution of Yin and Yang enables matter and the Great Dao to undergo myriad transformations. It can even alter species and modify the rules of the Great Dao, its profundity being truly miraculous and ineffable.

However, his journey to the Taiji ore vein also brought him great benefits, as he absorbed some of the power from the Taiji Divine Stones and the ore vein itself.

His understanding of Taiji's genesis and Yin-Yang evolution had deepened considerably compared to before.

During that time, while he was in the ore vein, the Taiji ore vein, controlling the creator miners, repeatedly tried to kill him. Yet, he repeatedly returned to his original state by employing the divine ability of Matter's Immutability, through which he comprehended the principles for breaking the cycle of Yin-Yang evolution.

During the final attack, the Taiji ore vein directed the Yin and Yang qi to surge wildly into his body, attempting to assimilate Qin Mu.

However, Qin Mu, relying on his incredibly profound Daoist arts and divine abilities, seized the opportunity to devour the invading Yin and Yang qi. As a result, he also gained a portion of the ore vein's power.

“The two ancient gods within the Taiji Divine Egg, by gifting me this Taiji Primeval Stone, can be said to have saved my life.”

Qin Mu first attempted to harness the power of the Taiji Divine Stone. Although he possessed a deep understanding of the Way of Taiji, he was, after all, not an ancient god from the ore vein, so he first needed to discover how to master this power.

The Taiji Divine Stone slowly floated in his palm. Qin Mu felt the energy within his body gradually merge into it, slowly transforming into Yin and Yang qi. This phenomenon was quite extraordinary and wondrous.

The transformation from energy into Yin and Yang qi, with Yin and Yang qi also being a form of matter, meant that the conversion of energy into matter occurred seamlessly, as if by natural flow.

“However, pure Yin and Yang qi alone cannot restore my physical body.”

Qin Mu mused. The Yin and Yang qi he had acquired from the Taiji ore vein contained many complex principles of Yin-Yang evolution. He wished to enter a dream state to deduce, infer, and organize these principles.

However, his current state was highly unstable. Entering a dream state required immense mental power, manifesting into myriad forms, and mobilizing an enormous amount of thought energy. This could very likely cause the energy within his body to spiral out of control.

He had no choice but to temporarily abandon this idea, slowly organize the Way of Yin-Yang evolution, and contemplate the capabilities of the Taiji Divine Stone.

Progressing from the Taiji Divine Stone to the Taiji Primeval Stone meant starting from the shallow and moving to the profound, a process that could only be undertaken slowly.

Unconsciously, over ten days passed. Celestial Venerable Yue still hadn't returned. Qin Mu had gradually mastered the abilities of the Taiji Divine Stone, and his understanding of the principles contained within the Taiji ore vein continued to deepen.

The place was undisturbed and very peaceful.

The Feathered Forest Army strictly adhered to commands, being a force that completely obeyed the orders of its commander. Wei Suifeng was their commander. At his single command, the Feathered Forest Army would sit motionless, devoid of any other thoughts. Their strict discipline was awe-inspiring.

As for the Old Hen Dragon Lin Xiao, Wei Suifeng had brought him into complete submission; he dared not make any sudden moves.

As for Dragon Lord Long Bo, Feng Qiuyun, and others, they grew increasingly restless and agitated as time passed. Fortunately, each time they were on the verge of exploding, they would regain their composure.

“Dragon Lord Long Bo!”

Qin Mu finally stood up, summoned Dragon Lord Long Bo, and said with a smile, “I need some energy bodies from the Long Bo people to test whether my recent progress can resolve our current condition.”

Dragon Lord Long Bo’s expression subtly changed, and he sneered, “Junior, you wish to use us for your experiments? What sort of thing do you think you are...?”

“A dignified Celestial Venerable, yet in your mouth, he is 'what sort of thing'?” Wei Suifeng walked over and sneered, “Dragon Lord Long Bo, you are truly too audacious.”

Dragon Lord Long Bo’s dragon skin twitched on his face. He harbored fear toward Wei Suifeng; it was Wei Suifeng, leading the Feathered Forest Army, who had destroyed the Long Bo Kingdom, suppressed the Long Bo rebellion, and beheaded countless Long Bo people as sacrifices to the Dragon Han Celestial Court!

Even he himself had been captured by Wei Suifeng.

“Celestial Venerable Mu is one of the Nine Celestial Venerables of Dragon Han, having bestowed the grace of spreading the Dao to all living beings in the world. For millions of years, from ancient times to the present, anyone who encounters him, even the Ten Celestial Venerables of the Celestial Court, must address him as ‘Dao Brother’!”

Wei Suifeng said calmly, “He saved your life. Not only do you fail to repay his kindness, but you also speak disrespectfully. You are unworthy.”

Dragon Lord Long Bo’s expression softened slightly, and he said, “I am the ruler of the Long Bo Kingdom, a sacred being born from the Ancestral Court’s dragon vein. My status is a hundred times more noble than any so-called Celestial Venerable! In the grand Celestial Court gathering back then, the Celestial Emperor invited me to the banquet. As for the Nine Celestial Venerables of Dragon Han, they were merely insignificant figures frolicking in the Jade Pool; I truly didn't pay them any mind. However, since the Feathered Forest Army’s commander has spoken, I shall grant you this courtesy.”

He pondered for a moment, then summoned a Long Bo person and said, “Pluck one of your dragon scales and give it to Celestial Venerable Mu for his experiment.”

The Long Bo felt humiliated. Dragon Lord Long Bo let out a cold snort and reached out to pluck a dragon scale from him.

The Long Bo’s face twitched, and he stood aside, feeling wronged.

Qin Mu took the dragon scale and immediately activated the Taiji Divine Stone to test his new findings, paying no mind to the sarcasm in Dragon Lord Long Bo’s words.

Wei Suifeng and Dragon Lord Long Bo watched the dragon scale nervously, their hearts inexplicably excited, quickly suppressing their emotions.

As Qin Mu activated it, the Taiji Divine Stone seemed to lose its fixed form, transforming into two streams of black and white Yin and Yang qi. These revolved around the dragon scale. A marvelous power erupted from the divine stone, altering the dragon scale’s physical structure.

This dragon scale was merely a dragon-scale-shaped energy body, devoid of physical matter. However, under the influence of the Yin and Yang qi, the dragon scale surprisingly began to materialize!

The onlookers found it hard to suppress their excitement but had to, which was truly difficult.

Just as the dragon scale had mostly transformed, the process of its conversion from energy to matter suddenly reversed, transforming from matter back into energy!

The dragon scale quickly began to glow, its light growing brighter and brighter!

Wei Suifeng’s expression changed drastically. He quickly swept and flicked his sleeve, coiling up the dragon scale and sending it high into the sky.

Boom—

Matter annihilated, and energy erupted, causing the sky to appear as if an extra sun had appeared, incredibly terrifying and lingering for a long time.

Qin Mu frowned slightly.

Dragon Lord Long Bo crooked his finger at the Long Bo. The Long Bo’s face was filled with sorrow, and he reluctantly stepped forward, only to have another dragon scale plucked from him.

A moment later, Wei Suifeng swept and flicked his sleeve again, and another sun appeared in the sky, while the previous one had not yet fully dissipated.

Qin Mu did not even lift his head.

Dragon Lord Long Bo plucked another scale from the Long Bo. Qin Mu casually took it, adjusted his technique and force, and experimented again.

Dragon Lord Long Bo had plucked the Long Bo bald. He waved his hand, sending the Long Bo away and bringing in a new one to continue plucking scales.

Over a month passed. The explosions in the sky occurred one after another, wave after wave. Qin Mu had failed countless times, without a single success!

Dragon Lord Long Bo’s face pulsed with green qi, and he nearly exploded on the spot several times. However, having experienced many grand events, he managed to endure.

“Again,” Qin Mu said.

This voice was like a curse urging Dragon Lord Long Bo to explode. He was furious beyond measure, his body growing increasingly bright, and he found it harder to restrain himself.

Wei Suifeng coughed and said, “Dragon Lord Long Bo, be careful not to explode.”

Dragon Lord Long Bo came to his senses, suppressed the fluctuations in his Dao heart, and gritted his teeth as he plucked a dragon scale from his own body. Gritting his teeth, he said, “Celestial Venerable Mu, you can't just keep plucking from us Long Bo people! The leaders of the Phoenix Clan over there have plenty of feathers too!”

Qin Mu said apologetically, “Almost there, almost there. Once I’ve plucked you bare, I’ll go pluck Sister Qiuyun.”

In the distance, Feng Qiuyun’s expression changed drastically.