Chapter 573: He Meets an Old Friend in a Foreign Land

In the small Dragon Village, Qing Ya saw Qin Mu off, then used vital qi to wrap the true dragon's nest and send it to Qin Mu, who was a thousand miles away. He then turned to Old Ancestor Qing Huang and asked, "Old Ancestor, why did you send Brother Qin away so quickly? Isn't he a descendant of Emperor Kai?"

The other villagers were also very curious. They gathered around and asked, "We heard Old Ancestor say that you and Emperor Kai were sworn brothers. Chasing Brother Qin away like this seems a bit heartless."

Old Ancestor Qing Huang glared at them. "We're not even human; what do we care about being 'heartless'? Besides, it's true I was Emperor Kai's sworn brother back then, but I always ended up taking more losses than gaining any benefits! That fellow Emperor Kai took his wife, children, and elders and happily ran off to that darn Carefree Village, leaving behind a complete mess. He doesn't bother to ask about it, and I'm supposed to clean up after him? Dream on!"

Qing Ya and the others exchanged bewildered glances.

Old Ancestor Qing Huang grew angrier as he spoke, scoffing, "Never heard me swear? I was the most famous foul-mouthed expert in Emperor Kai's Celestial Court back then; I once cursed a Bull God to death! Emperor Kai left behind a pile of problems, and how many fellow Daoists are waiting for him to make a comeback, waiting for him to return in full force? But what happened?"

Carrying his fishing net, he walked out of the village, his voice laced with anger. "He still hasn't shown his face. How many old brothers has he disheartened? This Qin Mu is his one hundred and seventh-generation descendant. A molting phoenix is worse than a chicken, and a hundred and seventh-generation descendant's title is just empty words. Which emperor's one hundred and seventh-generation descendant is still a prince? A true dragon's one hundred and seventh-generation descendant isn't even as good as a little worm! If he wants me to come out, he needs to come out of Carefree Village himself to ask me, otherwise, even if the Crown Prince came, I wouldn't pay him any attention!"

Everyone followed him to a chilly pond.

Old Ancestor Qing Huang cast his net by the shore but was slow to retrieve it. After a moment, he mused, "This Qin Mu actually has some ability, but it's not enough, far from enough... His purpose in coming was to retrieve the military tally and learn the Ancestral Dragon Grand Profound Art, and I've given both to him. Our Azure Dragon lineage doesn't owe him anything, nor does it owe the Qin family anything..."

Qing Ya and the others remained silent. A middle-aged man coughed and said, "Old Ancestor, if you don't pull in the net soon, all the fish will get away."

Old Ancestor Qing Huang murmured to himself, "This Qin Mu is a little troublemaker. I'm excellent at judging people, and I can't be wrong. His temperament is quite similar to Emperor Kai's back then: restless and fond of stirring up trouble and tinkering. I'm worried that if you follow him, your lives will be in danger. We've lived in this village for twenty thousand years; though it's been plain, it's also been harmonious and joyful..."

"Old Ancestor, the fish really are getting away!" Qing Ya said anxiously.

Old Ancestor Qing Huang said, "Although that Emperor Kai fellow is quite annoying, and being with him always meant living in fear, worrying about when I might kick the bucket, for some reason, I always miss those days. Whenever I think about it, my heart feels warm, and my eyes get misty..."

Qing Ya plunged into the chilly pond with a splash and, after a moment, emerged holding a large, bright red fish.

Old Ancestor Qing Huang murmured, "Why do I miss those days? Am I getting old...? No, I can't let you leave the village. That Qin Mu is shifty-eyed; you can tell he's full of bad intentions!"

The Dragon Village inhabitants were roasting fish by spitting fire, leaving Old Ancestor Qing Huang by the pond. Qing Ya whispered, "I, on the other hand, think Brother Qin is quite handsome and refined, with large, clear eyes. He doesn't seem like a bad person..."

The middle-aged man whispered, "Say less. Old Ancestor is having an internal struggle. Besides, Old Ancestor is a master at swearing by nature; what good words could possibly come out of his mouth?"

"Uncle Yan, did Old Ancestor really curse a Bull God to death?" the young people asked, full of curiosity.

The middle-aged man, Qing Yan, hesitated, then nodded and whispered, "It was a True God, who was cursed for three days and two nights straight. Old Ancestor didn't repeat a single curse word. That Bull God couldn't talk back and couldn't win a fight, so he was literally angered to death. It's said he vomited blood like a river and screamed for three days before finally passing away..."

Everyone shuddered. They looked back and saw Old Ancestor Qing Huang still standing by the chilly pond, lost in thought, muttering to himself, "This mischievous brat also has a demonic nature, a very profound one, so much so that even Tu Bo had to suppress him. Tu Bo only ever suppresses the most vicious and wicked individuals, which shows he's indeed not a good sort... However, this kid learns very quickly and has his own ideas; he's an unconventional genius. But being so fond of stirring up trouble, he could easily bring about his own demise..."

The young people of Dragon Village ate their roasted fish. Qing Ya asked doubtfully, "Is Old Ancestor praising Brother Qin or cursing him?"

Old Ancestor Qing Huang was still deep in his internal struggle, murmuring, "I can't let these youngsters waste away here with an old fossil like me. Perhaps letting them leave the village wouldn't necessarily be a bad thing..."

The group finished their fish, leaving a scatter of fish bones on the ground.

Old Ancestor Qing Huang finally emerged from his internal struggle. He shook the water from his fishing net, preparing to pull it in, and chuckled, "Qing Yan, we're having roasted fish today. After we eat, I'll allow you all to explore outside the Great Ruins."

Qing Ya and the others cheered and scattered.

Old Ancestor Qing Huang paused, then shook his head.

Jiang Miao transformed into human form, appearing as a youth somewhat resembling Qin Yu. He followed Qin Mu, diligently cultivating the Ancestral Dragon Grand Profound Art, constantly honing his skills by practicing various techniques and divine abilities.

As Qin Mu walked, he circulated his Hegemon Body Three Elixir Art. Each circulation of the art triggered the Eight Ancestral Dragon Sounds, and the continuous dragon roars incessantly tempered his body.

The two walked towards the Spirit Energy Transfer Bridge, maintaining a swift pace.

Qin Mu refined several batches of Water Element Divine Essence Pills for Jiang Miao, allowing him to replenish his energy when he was tired from cultivation. Jiang Miao wasn't picky; the Water Element Divine Essence Pills didn't actually taste good, but they were compatible with his vital qi, so he ate them with great relish, even praising Qin Mu's craftsmanship.

Qin Mu thought of the Dragon Qilin and sighed inwardly. Just then, he suddenly stopped and looked around. Jiang Miao immediately halted, asking curiously, "Cult Master, what's wrong?"

Qin Mu looked thoughtful and said, "I just felt as if something was approaching, but upon closer inspection, I saw nothing. Strange, could I have been mistaken...?"

He continued walking forward. After they had gone some distance, a peony flower suddenly floated like green smoke, then transformed into the appearance of Ban Gucuo, though he had a deer leg.

"That brat actually detected me! My cultivation and strength have clearly increased significantly, yet he still found me. That little rascal's cultivation isn't improving slowly at all. He also has a little fellow with him, who looks like a dragon. This kid is incredibly lucky to get a true dragon's help... or more likely, he kidnapped a true dragon! Someone's coming!"

Just as Ban Gucuo thought this, his ears twitched. His body swayed, and he transformed into a large tree, with two eyeballs emerging from its trunk, rolling around.

*Whoosh.*

A group of Azure Dragons came roaring on a fierce wind, making him stare wide-eyed. Even the shortest of these Azure Dragons were dozens of meters long, and they moved at incredible speed, seemingly tracking Qin Mu's footsteps.

*Whoosh—*

The fierce wind howled. Dozens of Azure Dragons stopped abruptly, surrounding Ban Gucuo. The shortest among them shook its body and transformed into a maiden in green robes. After a careful inspection, she said, "He just passed by; he shouldn't have gone far! We'll catch up to him in no time!"

Suddenly, the largest Azure Dragon coiled its body, its massive form encircling the tree Ban Gucuo had become. Staring at the tree, it said, "This tree is strange."

Ban Gucuo didn't dare to delay. He immediately revealed his true form and chuckled obsequiously, "Esteemed Dragon seniors, are you perhaps tracking a young man named Qin? This junior just saw him sneak past stealthily; he looked fierce and was accompanied by a kidnapped dragon youth."

"You saw him?"

Qing Ya was both surprised and delighted. He quickly asked, "Where did he go?"

Ban Gucuo said righteously, "This junior can lead the way for you seniors; I'll make sure that fellow has no escape route!"

Everyone was overjoyed and laughed, saying, "If you can lead us to him, it will save us a lot of trouble tracking him all the way."

Ban Gucuo quickly made a show of modesty, then limped ahead, leading the way with a chuckle. "That kid is slippery and runs very fast, but he can't escape my tracking. Please follow me, everyone!"

The many Azure Dragons each transformed into human forms, appearing as young men and women. Qing Yan, a middle-aged man, followed Ban Gucuo as they set off to track Qin Mu.

Qin Mu and Jiang Miao moved quite swiftly, and in the distance, they saw the light of the Spirit Energy Transfer Bridge soaring into the sky. They quickened their pace and entered a town. Qin Mu purchased some medicinal herbs and said, "Once we return to Grand Emperor Heaven, you'll go back to following Qin Yu. I promised Junior Brother Qin Yu that I would only borrow you for a few days, and I still need to return you to him."

Jiang Miao looked troubled. "Before, my intelligence hadn't awakened, which is why I followed him. Now that my intelligence has awakened, I can't bring myself to cling to him again. Cult Master, could you perhaps step in and explain things to him? After all, he showed me kindness, and it's hard for me to say it myself."

Qin Mu thought for a moment, then chuckled, "I borrowed a young dragon from him and then returned a grown man. I can't bring myself to say something like that either. You'll have to tell him yourself."

Jiang Miao frowned, looking worried.

The two arrived at the Spirit Energy Transfer Bridge. Jiang Miao dawdled, reluctant to enter. Qin Mu chuckled, "Once we reach Grand Emperor Heaven, I'll take charge and arrange for you two to become sworn brothers. How about that?"

Jiang Miao finally looked relieved and smiled. "Then I'll trouble Cult Master with that."

Just as the two were about to enter the Spirit Energy Transfer Bridge, Ban Gucuo suddenly limped over, swaggering. He chuckled, "Cult Master Qin, it's a small world, isn't it? Hope you've been well!"

Qin Mu's eyes lit up, and he chuckled, "So it's Great Venerable. Do you remember what I told you last time, when you stood behind me, intending to harm me? The next time I see you, I'll take your head. How do you want to die?"

"You've been exposed! And you still want to take my head?"

Ban Gucuo sneered and shouted, "Look who's behind me!"

Behind him, Qing Yan, Qing Ya, and other powerful individuals from Dragon Village approached. Qing Ya excitedly waved to Qin Mu and chuckled, "Brother Qin, Old Ancestor has allowed us to leave the village!"

Qin Mu was also both surprised and delighted. He quickly said, "Old Ancestor Qing Huang allowed you to leave the village for trials? To be honest, my Heavenly Saint Cult is currently in great need of talent..."

Ban Gucuo was dumbfounded, his face showing a terrified expression. He thought inwardly, *This is bad, this is bad... It turns out this fellow didn't just kidnap one young dragon, but a whole group of true dragons! No time to delay, I must make a quick escape!*

Just as he was about to leave, a middle-aged man appeared behind him.

Qing Yan's large hand rested on his shoulder. He chuckled, "Brother Qin, this young friend is an acquaintance of yours, isn't he? Thanks to him, we were able to find you so quickly."

Qin Mu gave a half-smile and said, "I certainly need to properly thank Great Venerable! Brother Yan, hold him down; this fellow is a god at escaping!"