Eternal Life by Dual Cultivation-Chapter 179 - 144: Dragon Transformation Pool

In the domain of the Dragon Race, within the palace of the Third Princess, Luo Qingyu.

In a hall suffused with Spiritual Qi and shimmering with iridescent light, several young men and women, magnificently dressed and exuding an air of nobility, were gathered together, conferring in low voices.

"...I still think there’s more to that Human Race Cultivator our sixth sister brought back than meets the eye,"

Luo Qingyu said coldly, "None of you have crossed paths with him. I, on the other hand, almost captured him."

A scholar in a green robe, shrouded in a hazy, aqueous light with a Jade Seal hanging from his waist, gently stroked the Jade Bone Fan in his hand and spoke in a mild tone:

"So what if he’s somewhat extraordinary? If Sixth Sister wants to pin her hopes on him, that’s her own affair. It has little to do with us, does it?"

This was the Fifth Prince of the Dragon Race, Luo Dongshan. He was generally closer to Luo Qingyu and didn’t get along well with Luo Qingxuan.

As siblings grew up, it was inevitable for them to form cliques based on affection and animosity. It was true for the great powers of the Human Race, and it was true within the Dragon Race as well.

Another girl in a blue skirt, who looked no more than twelve or thirteen and was delicately petite, swung her legs and said softly:

"Sixth Sister is about to undergo the Thunder Tribulation Baptism in the Dragon Transformation Pool. She’ll only become a real threat to us after she successfully passes, won’t she?"

She was the eleventh princess of the Dragon Race Leader: Luo Qingning. Furthermore, she and Luo Qingyu shared the same mother, so they were naturally closer.

Another young man with harsh, imposing features, an exceptionally burly build, and a short beard, mused aloud:

"We’ve all been through this Thunder Tribulation Baptism. With Sixth Sister’s disposition and aptitude, passing it won’t be difficult.

The crucial point is... just how much will she gain from this Thunder Tribulation Baptism?"

He was the Fourth Prince of the Dragon Race, Luo Yunting.

Upon reaching adulthood, every member of the Deep Sea Dragon Race’s younger generation undergoes a special ritual: entering the Ancient Heavy Artifact, the Dragon Transformation Pool, to receive a Thunder Tribulation Baptism.

Any member of the Dragon Race who successfully passes the Thunder Tribulation Baptism receives a portion of their progenitor’s blessing, allowing them to purify their bloodline and strengthen their Divine Soul and physical body.

If a member of the Dragon Race possesses exceptional talent and is lucky enough, they even have a chance to awaken one or more of the race’s Talent Divine Techniques.

Such a fortunate individual would naturally be able to go further, becoming a Nascent Soul or even a Divinity Transformation Powerhouse. Progressing even beyond that would not be an impossible dream.

Luo Qingyu toyed with an ink-colored Jade Ruyi, her gaze shadowed.

"It’s true we all passed, but we didn’t gain all that much from it!

Aside from our Divine Souls and bodies undergoing a round of strengthening and gaining a few insights into our progenitor’s Great Dao, none of us awakened any Talent Divine Techniques.

If Sixth Sister is lucky enough to surpass us in this regard, perhaps Father will start to value her more, don’t you think?"

Fifth Prince Luo Dongshan shifted his position, frowning slightly.

"I don’t think Sixth Sister will be that lucky. Her Root Bone and aptitude are on the same level as ours. Why would she be an exception and receive a boon that none of us did?"

It wasn’t just them; across the entire younger generation of the Deep Sea Dragon Race, there were no reports of anyone who had completed the Thunder Tribulation Baptism ever receiving such a singular honor.

Over tens of millions of years, countless powerhouses of the Dragon Race had emerged from the Dragon Transformation Pool, yet those who managed to awaken Talent Divine Techniques were few and far between.

On this topic, these Dragon Sons and Daughters were quite envious of their royal father, the current Dragon Race Leader.

Back when he was still a prince, he had been fortunate enough to awaken a powerful Talent Divine Technique after his Thunder Tribulation Baptism. His strength had soared, allowing him to surpass all his siblings in a single stroke.

Moreover, his was the only case of successfully awakening a Talent Divine Technique in the Dragon Race in the last three thousand years, a testament to the staggering difficulty of the feat.

Luo Qingning nodded in agreement. "There’s no way she’ll succeed. We don’t need to worry too much about that."

In truth, this was not just her opinion; the senior Elders who held the core decision-making power in the Dragon Race mostly shared the same view.

Compared to the golden age of the Ancient Era, when geniuses and chosen ones were as common as carp crossing a river, the Dragon Transformation Pool of today had lain dormant for far too long.

The current Dragon Race Leader’s heaven-defying accomplishment had caused a massive stir among the race’s upper echelons, so much so that many Supreme Elders were startled from their long seclusion.

Thus, in the subsequent competition for the position of Dragon Race Leader, nearly all of his siblings chose to withdraw, because they knew they stood no chance.

Luo Qingyu said in a low voice, "Of course, that would be for the best. But I have a bad feeling.

’Perhaps this time, Sixth Sister will manage to give us a huge surprise?’

She couldn’t explain why, but she just felt that Luo Qingxuan had some kind of special advantage—an ace up her sleeve that was enough to knock all her siblings out of the competition prematurely.

"Third Sister, I really think you’re overthinking this!"

Luo Qingning pouted, her tone dismissive.

The only reason these siblings were wary of Luo Qingxuan was that her mother held the position of Queen of the Dragon Race; the advantage of her status was plain to see.

However, this was no guarantee that Luo Qingxuan would one day inherit the throne. Over tens of millions of years, it had not been terribly rare for someone other than a direct heir to become the Dragon Race Leader.

"Alright, perhaps I am worrying too much!"

Seeing the dismissive looks on her siblings’ faces, Luo Qingyu said with a sigh of resignation.

Luo Dongshan mused, "Third Sister, if you’re truly that worried, then wait. After this is over, the Elders will open the Hidden Dragon Secret Realm for us to enter and seek our fortunes.

Ling Changqing and Sixth Sister will surely participate then. We can devise a foolproof plan at that time."

Luo Qingyu’s eyes brightened. After a moment of thought, she nodded.

"That is indeed an opportunity. We’ll discuss it then!"

...

「In the palace.」

After emerging from his seclusion, Ling Changqing was enjoying a feast with Luo Qingxuan, complete with all manner of delicacies from land and sea, as well as fine Spirit Wine.

The ingredients from the Dragon Palace were, of course, exceptional—all of them were rare treasures seldom seen in the Human Race’s Cultivation Realm, and Ling Changqing was full of praise as he ate.

"...My dear, have you grasped the basics of those Cultivation Method Scriptures?"

Dressed in a fiery red gown that made her look vibrant and sultry, Luo Qingxuan spoke softly, her star-bright eyes brimming with seductive charm.

The more she looked at this husband she had snatched, the more pleased she became.

Ling Changqing nodded. "I have."

’Although the dragon princess had essentially abducted him,’ he thought, ’she really did treat him exceptionally well.’

With these four rare Earth-level Techniques as his foundation, coupled with an unhindered supply of resources, Ling Changqing’s future path of cultivation was set to be smooth sailing. He wouldn’t face any insurmountable bottlenecks, at least not before the Nascent Soul True Monarch Realm.

Even the direct-line core disciples of major Divinity Transformation-Level powers would have a hard time obtaining a similar opportunity, to say nothing of anyone else.

Luo Qingxuan beamed. "That’s wonderful. With your Life Chart and Fate, my dear, cultivating a few more High-rank Techniques and Divine Techniques is no problem at all.

In a few more days, I’m due to enter the Dragon Transformation Pool. You’ll come with me then, alright?"

"Alright."

Ling Changqing agreed. He also wanted to see for himself what was so extraordinary about this Ancient Heavy Artifact passed down through the Dragon Race.

The Dragon Race’s enduring influence in the vast, boundless oceanic world was in no small part due to these Ancient Heavy Artifacts passed down from their progenitor.

Luo Qingxuan’s expression turned slightly regretful. "It’s a pity you don’t have the blood of the Dragon Race, my dear. Otherwise, you could also undergo a Thunder Tribulation Baptism.

With your unparalleled Destiny, you’d absolutely have a chance to awaken more than one powerful Talent Divine Technique. And then... Father’s throne would be yours sooner or later!"

She suddenly recalled that the Dragon Race’s Secret Vault seemed to contain a Secret Technique for transforming one’s bloodline. ’If my dear is willing,’ she thought, ’it wouldn’t be difficult for him to renounce his Human Race identity and obtain the blood of a dragon.’

Ling Changqing chuckled. "Let’s not talk about such things. I have no interest in power or status. All I seek is longevity and to live unfettered."

’I’ve really never considered becoming the one at the helm of a superpower,’ he thought. ’Facing the endless scheming of subordinates and handling ceaseless political affairs every day... that’s not the future I want.’

He picked up the nearby Golden Exquisite Jade Wine jar, which was of an ancient, simple design and gleamed with a radiant light, and drained the Spirit Wine Nectar within in a single gulp.

"This Spirit Wine Nectar is truly exceptional!"

Ling Changqing said with satisfaction. The Dragon Palace’s collection was truly extraordinary, something no major power on the Yuzhou Continent could hope to match.

Luo Qingxuan covered her mouth with her hand and chuckled. "This Drunken Dragon Brew is one of the hundred Top-Grade vintages in the Dragon Palace. Since you like it, my dear, I can let you drink it every day from now on!"

"That would be wonderful!"

Ling Changqing looked delighted.

Not only was the Spirit Wine Nectar exquisitely delicious, but long-term consumption also greatly nourished one’s qi and blood and boosted one’s Cultivation. It was a resource that even Golden Core Masters could only hope to obtain by a stroke of luck.

"Once the Thunder Tribulation Baptism is complete, you should be able to break through to the Nascent Soul True Monarch Realm, my lady?"

Ling Changqing added. She was currently at the Golden Core Peak Level.

Luo Qingxuan thought for a moment. "That part won’t be a problem, but I want more than just that. I’m hoping to awaken a Talent Divine Technique.

That’s what Father did. If I want to succeed him in the future, my performance in this regard can’t be any less impressive than his!"

Ling Changqing’s heart stirred, and he said softly, "That won’t be a problem. You can do it, my lady."

Luo Qingxuan’s expression was joyous. "With your assurance, my dear, it seems this is as good as guaranteed!"

Even without any logical reason, she still felt that Ling Changqing’s judgment could not be wrong.

Once they had eaten and drunk their fill, Luo Qingxuan eagerly pulled Ling Changqing to her bedchamber, announcing that she wanted to continue with a few more rounds of Dual Cultivation.

In truth, she wanted to try the new Dual Cultivation Technique she had just obtained, as well as some of the intimate Seduction Secret Techniques Bai Qingyi had privately shared with her—the surest way to capture her man’s heart and mind.

「Three days and three nights later.」

Outside the brocade bed-curtains, her personal Female Official came to report that everything at the Dragon Transformation Pool was ready and the Elders were waiting for Her Highness, the Princess.

"...Understood!"

On the vast, embroidered jade bed, Luo Qingxuan responded languidly, her beautiful eyes half-closed. She was sprawled atop Ling Changqing, almost unwilling to move a muscle.

"Alright now, my lady, you should get up. Don’t keep the Elders waiting."

Ling Changqing said gently, lightly caressing her snow-white skin, which was as smooth and supple as the finest jade.

"Mmm, alright!"

Luo Qingxuan murmured in agreement, finally opening her lovely eyes and calling for the maids to come in and help her dress.