Chapter 301: 18: Eastern Emperor Realm, A Necessary Endeavor

The southern expedition had ended, and the Shushan Sword Immortals all returned to Shushan.

Lin Duanshan and the others did not ask for details, given that the Guan Family patriarch’s expression upon his return was quite unsightly, as if he had been fiercely rebuked by Ouyang Zhao.

Upon returning to Qingluo Peak, Ling Yunpo showed the Azure Spirit Divine Bead to An Zhisu.

“I have heard of the Azure Spirit Divine Bead, nurtured from the essence of Yimu,” An Zhisu said softly, “If further refined with a secret technique, one’s Primordial Spirit can be nurtured within for an extended period, transforming it into a second incarnation of oneself.”

“However, the sacrificial refinement method is even rarer than the Azure Spirit Divine Bead. Junior Brother, if you wish to attain this method, you will probably have to start with the Guan Family patriarch.”

“Unfortunately, the quest for swords has been suspended for the time being.” Ling Yunpo sighed, “Trade is trade, and I’m afraid I have nothing of value that could catch the Guan Family patriarch’s eye.”

“Don’t worry,” Senior Sister An consoled him, “I will keep an eye out for you as well.”

After escorting An Zhisu back to her dwelling, Ling Yunpo returned to his own room, a thoughtful look flashing in his eyes.

“Ah Jing,” he said softly, “do you think this might be too coincidental?”

“It’s like someone prepared a raincoat, a bamboo hat, and an umbrella for me in advance, and then suddenly, it began to rain from the clear sky.”

“This is truly a coincidence,” the Kunlun Mirror said tonelessly, “Do you doubt me?”

“Why would you think that I doubt you?” Ling Yunpo asked with a smile.

“Alright then,” the Kunlun Mirror sighed, “This is both a coincidence and not.”

“What do you mean?” Ling Yunpo asked solemnly.

“A coincidence is just what it seems,” the Kunlun Mirror replied, “I don’t have the ability to interfere with all this.”

“Not a coincidence means that you are destined to gather all the pieces of the Heaven-Mending Stone.”

“From the past, to the present, and into the future, I have always firmly believed this.”

Ling Yunpo paused for a moment before asking,

“You have a way to enter the Eastern Emperor Demon Realm without going through the Eastern Emperor Boundary Gate, right?”

“I have the coordinates for that place,” the Kunlun Mirror replied, “Not just the Eastern Emperor Demon Realm, but also beyond the Nine Heavens, Netherworld… any place that might have fragments of the Heaven-Mending Stone, I have the corresponding coordinates.”

“That makes sense,” Ling Yunpo nodded, “After all, you’ve descended to the mortal world for so many years; it would be impossible not to be prepared.”

“So what’s the plan?” the Kunlun Mirror inquired, “Shall we go now?”

“Let’s pick a persona template first,” Ling Yunpo let out a long breath, “Shall we use the drop of Ying Long’s essence blood?”

“Yes,” the Kunlun Mirror conjured a small dragon, “How’s this design?”

Ling Yunpo scrutinized it for a moment and asked,

“Ah Jing, this dragon… from the Dragon Clan’s aesthetic standpoint, does it look handsome?”

“I don’t know much about the Dragon Clan’s aesthetics,” the Kunlun Mirror replied, “I can only speak a little of their language.”

“Let’s skip that for now then,” Ling Yunpo said with a frown, “Although my realm isn’t sufficient for Transformation, Ah Jing, you can help solve this problem, right?”

“Typically speaking, the Demon Race’s Transformation is equivalent to the Human Race’s Core Formation,” the Kunlun Mirror replied, “However, some superior bloodlines, like the Dragon Clan, indeed have exceptions.”

“Corresponding to the Human Race’s Qi Refinement, Marrow Cleansing, and Refining Mansion, the Demon Race’s Bloodline Realm is also divided into three Ranks: Energy Introduction, Bone Expansion, and Blood Ignition.”

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“Drawing the essence of the sun and the splendor of the moon into the body, reshaping the muscles, bones, and meridians, and finally burning away the impurities in the bloodline, one can transform into a human-like shape… That is to say, if the bloodline impurities are already few, one can turn into human form before all the impurities are eliminated.”

“Is the essence blood of Ying Long pure enough?” Ling Yunpo chuckled.

“Of course, it is,” the Kunlun Mirror replied affirmatively.

“Good, show me what I look like after the transformation.”

The little dragon in view quickly transformed into a black-haired teenager.

“Doesn’t this appearance resemble Ling Yunpo too closely?” Ling Yunpo pondered.

“Does it?” The Kunlun Mirror paused, “A bit, how would you like to change it?”

“Qiu Changtian is domineering, Ling Yunpo is resolute, Luo Yan is honest, Wei Dongliu is charmingly wicked. How about we go for a gentle and sunny look this time?” Ling Yunpo thought for a moment, then said, “Firstly, the appearance must be handsome, to embody the charm of my true self.”

“The facial features will not change, only the hairstyle and clothing will, together with the most important aspect, one’s temperament,” the Kunlun Mirror replied, “Temperament comes with innate talent.”

“What impression did you have of the Ying Long trapped in the Demon Locking Tower?”

“Uhh.” Ling Yunpo tried to recall, asking uncertainly, “Unrestrained? Idle? Perverse pleasure?”

“Those are just his superficial disguises,” the Kunlun Mirror reminded, “Think about it, he willingly stayed in the Demon Locking Tower because of a vow of a bet. What does that say about his character?”

“You’re saying that he accepted his duty in the Demon Locking Tower because he lost to the Long Eyebrow Immortal?” Ling Yunpo had an epiphany, “So that means… persistence?”

“Exactly,” said the Kunlun Mirror.

“Persistence and indomitability are somewhat similar,” Ling Yunpo frowned, “What difference do you see between them, Ah Jing?”

“Indomitability is about being more courageous when faced with difficulties,” the Kunlun Mirror analyzed, “Whereas persistence is about sticking to a goal without looking back.”

“This means that with indomitability, as long as there are constant difficulties, one can easily gain Synchronization Value by rising to the challenge,” Ling Yunpo reflected, “While for persistence, choosing the right goal to stick with is the most crucial.”

“That’s right,” the Kunlun Mirror said, “If you choose an unsuitable goal, then to maintain the Synchronization Value, you’ll have to persist through thick and thin.”

“So, just like how an indomitable character shouldn’t easily admit defeat, a persistent character also shouldn’t make promises lightly. This is the key point you need to remember.”

“Alright,” Ling Yunpo acknowledged, “Lastly, what specific innate talent does this character template have?”

“The innate talent is the ‘Ying Long Bloodline’,” the Kunlun Mirror answered, “Ying Long is at the pinnacle of the Jiaolong bloodline, which lives in rivers and seas until the fourth rank, but at the Ying Long stage, it leaves the water to venture onto the land.”

“Hence, the Ying Long Bloodline will endow you with the ability to master water and earth Daoist magic. Besides, all the innate abilities possessed by the Dragon Clan will be yours, and only stronger with this character template.”n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om

“I see, and the name?” Ling Yunpo asked again.

“The name…” the Kunlun Mirror hesitated, “How about you come up with one this time?”

“Hmm, how about ‘Long Long’?” Ling Yunpo suddenly recalled an elder of the Eastern Emperor Path named ‘Hu Li’.

“Alright,” the Kunlun Mirror said, “Then let us teleport.”

It began to chant mechanically:

[Location Five: Eastern Emperor Realm, Cangnan Plain, Hundred Flower Valley.]

[Character identity: Long Long.]

[Mirror Flower Water Moon Template overlayed, time-space travel commencing.]

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