Plant VS Cultivation

Chapter 168: Awakening the True Dragon Bloodline

On the Crab Archipelago, around the island.

A vortex of spiritual energy formed in the sky, attracting the attention of many cultivators. All eyes were on the swirling vortex in the sky, filled with admiration and awe.

They envied Shi Yuwei for receiving the favor of a True Monarch, and marveled at her talent and comprehension. Everyone on the Crab Archipelago knew who was responsible for the vision of breakthrough to the Golden Core stage.

The legendary story of Shi Yuwei had already spread far and wide. From being a sacrificial offering to a powerful demon to now attempting to break through to the Golden Core and stepping into the realm of Golden Core, her journey was nothing short of legendary.

"It looks like it's finally done," Gu Mo said, gazing at the now stabilized Shi Yuwei who had officially entered the Golden Core realm. He nodded in satisfaction. Gu Mo was not surprised by Shi Yuwei's success in condensing the Golden Core. Besides her innate talent and comprehension, Gu Mo had provided Shi Yuwei with abundant cultivation resources.

He had particularly ensured an ample supply of medicinal pills and even used the perfected Cleanse technique to help Shi Yuwei remove the slight pill toxins from her body. This allowed her to use the pills without worrying about their negative effects on her foundation.

With the consistent supply of pills, Shi Yuwei built a solid foundation. After that, with the help of the Condensing Golden Pill, Shi Yuwei's success in condensing the Golden Core was nearly guaranteed.

"It seems that the Crab Archipelago is about to see another Golden Core!" As the spiritual energy vortex in the sky slowly dissipated, everyone realized that another Golden Core had been born on the Crab Archipelago.

"Hmm?"

Before the crowd could fully marvel, suddenly, the spiritual energy vortex that had previously vanished reappeared, but this time, it was even bigger than before.

"Someone else is breaking through to the Golden Core!"

The cultivators of the Crab Archipelago were stunned at first but quickly reacted. The new vortex had a completely different aura from the previous one.

This meant that two cultivators at the peak of Foundation Establishment were attempting to break through to the Golden Core realm.

The first one, they all knew, was Shi Yuwei, but the second one was unknown, and this breakthrough was much more intense than Shi Yuwei's.

This indicated that the second cultivator was far more powerful than Shi Yuwei.

However, after experiencing the terrifying vortex when Gu Mo broke through to the Golden Core, the cultivators on the Crab Archipelago had grown somewhat resistant to the overwhelming spiritual energy of breakthroughs, especially those far beyond the typical cultivator's level.

After all, this was the True Monarch's dojo, and it wasn't too surprising that there were several talented disciples of the True Monarch. In fact, some had even seen a golden giant koi frequently appearing in the True Monarch's dojo.

Indeed, the one breaking through was Gu Mo's spiritual pet, Xiao Li. Over the years, Xiao Li had reached the peak of the second tier.

After Shi Yuwei's breakthrough, Gu Mo had suggested that Xiao Li also attempt a breakthrough.

With Shi Yuwei successfully entering the Golden Core realm, Gu Mo was preparing to leave for Shennong Valley. Before that, he wanted Xiao Li to break through as well.

It was much safer to break through here than in the sea, and after Xiao Li became a third-tier demon, she would also be able to assist Gu Mo in crossing the sea.

Whether a demon or a spiritual beast, once they reach the third tier, they have a chance to gain the ability to change their size.

Gu Mo planned to have Xiao Li carry him across the sea when the time came. It would be far less tiring than flying.

However, Gu Mo hadn't expected Xiao Li to begin awakening her True Dragon bloodline during the breakthrough to the third tier. Though he had anticipated this moment eventually, he didn't expect it to happen so quickly.

Of course, awakening the True Dragon bloodline was far from fully transforming into a dragon, but it would still greatly enhance Xiao Li's abilities.

The True Dragon was a legendary divine beast, comparable to an immortal.

The moment Xiao Li's True Dragon bloodline awakened, breaking through to the third-tier demon became a certainty. From here on, it was only a matter of waiting.

Gu Mo also remained vigilant, sensing that outside the Crab Archipelago, a demon king might be attracted by the True Dragon bloodline aura Xiao Li was emitting. For sea demons, the True Dragon bloodline was incredibly alluring, especially for those with similar bloodlines who had not yet awakened them.

"Indeed!"

Suddenly, Gu Mo turned his gaze to the distance. He could feel a powerful gaze from afar, surely a demon king.

But the demon king did not approach. After all, Gu Mo had slain the Flood Dragon Demon King a few years ago, and the demon king that was now nearby should be weaker than the Flood Dragon Demon King. Given that the Flood Dragon Demon King had perished on the Crab Archipelago, this weaker demon king would have no courage to come closer.

In the end, the demon king chose to retreat.

Though the aura on the Crab Archipelago was tempting, it was not worth risking one's life for, especially when a stronger demon king was approaching.

"Hmm, there's more..."

Gu Mo also detected the presence of another, even stronger demon king. To his surprise, this aura seemed somewhat familiar.

"It's the Dragonblood Seaweed!"

Suddenly, Gu Mo remembered the source of this aura, which belonged to one of the culprits that had brought him to this sea area in the first place.

The Dragonblood Seaweed was clearly a sea demon with dragon blood, and it should have already awakened its True Dragon blood. These types of sea demons were among the strongest of their kind, and Gu Mo was not yet capable of dealing with such a demon king.

After a moment's thought, Gu Mo transformed into a gust of wind and disappeared. Moments later, the Dragonblood Seaweed suddenly halted its course toward the Crab Archipelago, then swiftly turned and headed in another direction.

The Dragonblood Seaweed had sensed that the thing it had been searching for, the very thing it had been longing for these past few years, had suddenly appeared. Without hesitation, it darted toward its target.

"Finally, it's distracted!" Gu Mo sighed in relief.

After a while, Gu Mo returned to the Crab Archipelago. Upon detecting that the Dragonblood Seaweed's target was indeed the Crab Archipelago, Gu Mo used the Sun Essence to divert the Seaweed's attention.

Years ago, Gu Mo had used the Sun Essence to attract the Dragonblood Seaweed and fought a fierce battle with a Nascent stage from the Fenghua Sect, allowing Gu Mo to escape unharmed.

"Is it over?"

At that moment, Gu Mo sensed the spiritual energy vortex in the sky fade. Xiao Li's breakthrough was successfully completed.

Returning to the island, a golden figure dashed toward Gu Mo, trailing a brilliant glow. A crisp voice followed, "Master, master, look!"

A golden giant koi appeared before Gu Mo, proudly showing off a golden demon core.

"Well done!"

Gu Mo smiled and patted Xiao Li's fish head. Now a third-tier demon, Xiao Li could already speak. Even when she was a second-tier, her intelligence was already high, and now, after advancing to the third tier, she had directly learned to speak.

Moreover, the demon core she showed Gu Mo contained a dragon-shaped pattern and exuded a faint dragon might.

This was not just a demon core; it resembled a dragon pearl.

In truth, this dragon pearl was a crucial step toward Xiao Li's eventual transformation into a True Dragon. Other demon beasts with dragon blood, even if they awakened their True Dragon bloodline, would only take on dragon-like features, like growing horns.

But Xiao Li, although lacking dragon horns, had directly condensed the core of a True Dragon: a dragon pearl.

"Hehe!"

Delighted by Gu Mo's praise, Xiao Li nudged closer to him. Gu Mo gently pressed her head and asked what other changes she had experienced after her breakthrough.

"Changes?"

Xiao Li thought for a moment, then shrank her body. In an instant, she transformed into a small koi fish the size of a palm and happily dove into Gu Mo's sleeve.

Gu Mo smiled. Sure enough, Xiao Li had mastered the ability to change size. Now, she could serve as his mount.

In addition, Xiao Li had gained a new innate divine ability: Cloud Formation and Rainfall.

Yes, this was a divine ability, not a spell. It was a power Xiao Li had inherited from her True Dragon bloodline. Cloud Formation and Rainfall was a legendary ability of True Dragons.

This ability was not a destructive one but instead resembled a divine version of the Cloud and Rain Technique. The spiritual rain created by this ability was rich with spiritual energy and contained some indescribable essence that greatly benefited the growth of spiritual plants.

Gu Mo couldn't help but wonder if the five exclusive spells of the Spirit Farmers also had corresponding divine versions.

This speculation led Gu Mo to believe that his trip to Shennong Valley would answer many of his questions. After all, that was the strongest sect for spiritual farmers, preserving the legacy of Shennong, and they should have relevant materials.

After handing over some third-tier Sun Essences to Xiao Li to help her consolidate her cultivation, Gu Mo called Shi Yuwei over.

"Senior!"

After reaching the Golden Core realm, Shi Yuwei's aura had undergone a significant transformation. However, she did not look pleased with her achievement.

She knew that her breakthrough to the Golden Core meant that Gu Mo would soon leave.

In the past, Shi Yuwei had considered deliberately slowing down her cultivation to keep Gu Mo around longer, but in the end, she chose not to and instead dedicated herself fully to her cultivation, not wanting to disappoint him.

"From now on, this place will be yours to manage," Gu Mo said, patting Shi Yuwei's head. "Focus on cultivating, and as long as you live, we will meet again."

"Mm!"

Shi Yuwei bit her lip and nodded firmly.

Gu Mo then handed her two third-tier top-grade Cherry Bombs for self-defense, and also explained the control of the island's array and the effects of the plants he had left behind.

Gu Mo hadn't left many plants, but they were all of third-tier top quality. He had also left behind the Nut Array, which he had mastered completely and could set up easily, even without the array plates.

He had accumulated many nuts in his black mist space, so if he found suitable spiritual fields, he could easily set up another one.

With the Cloud-Wisp Illusionary Formation, the Nut Array, and third-tier top-grade plants like Pea Shooters, Potato Mines, and Cherry Bombs, Shi Yuwei could defend against even demon kings.

Once everything was arranged, Gu Mo placed the tiny Xiao Li back into his sleeve. His figure transformed into a gust of wind, disappearing without a trace, leaving the Crab Archipelago behind.

...

In the vast ocean, a golden koi the size of a small boat raced across the surface. On its back sat a young man.

"Xiao Li, let's go that way!"

A young man held a map in hand as he directed the koi beneath him.

"Yes, Master!"

At his command, the large koi let out a crisp, melodious sound, then darted off in the direction the young man had pointed.

The young man and the giant koi were none other than Gu Mo and Little Li, who had departed from the Crab Archipelago.

Gu Mo was headed to Shennong Valley. But first, he needed to reach the cultivation world where the valley was located—and to get there, he had to cross the vast ocean that stretched endlessly before him.

However, Gu Mo hadn't chosen to cross the sea directly. That would be far too dangerous. The ocean wasn't just home to Tier 4 Demon Kings; it was rumored that deep within the sea, there were even Tier 5 Demon Emperors.

Beyond that, the sea's harsh and unpredictable environment was perilous in itself. Cultivators at the Golden Core level could barely hold their own. In extreme circumstances, even a Golden Core expert could lose their life. And if one were unfortunate enough to stray into one of the deadly zones scattered across the sea, that would spell real trouble.

That's why Gu Mo was currently searching for the safe sea route marked on the wooden token left behind by Qi Chunde. Once he found it, he could follow that route all the way to Shennong Valley.

These safe routes had been charted through years of painstaking exploration by countless cultivators. They carefully avoided demon king territories, dangerous zones, and extreme weather areas.

Although such a path was more roundabout and not as fast as sailing straight across, it was far safer. And if luck was on his side and he encountered a merchant vessel along the way, he might even be able to hitch a ride.

Months passed.

Eventually, Gu Mo reached the location marked on the map. This meant he had found one of the safe routes. From here on, he only needed to follow the path forward.

But before setting off again, Gu Mo planned to take a short rest. After months of constant travel, both he and Little Li were exhausted. Thankfully, Little Li had awakened her True Dragon bloodline—within the sea, she could continuously absorb spiritual energy from the ocean to replenish herself.

Had it been any other spirit beast, it wouldn't have lasted nearly this long.

The place Gu Mo chose for his break was surrounded by open sea, with not an island in sight. On the surface, it didn't seem like an ideal spot to stop—but for Gu Mo, that wasn't an issue at all.

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