No one could understand?
Xiao Chen felt slightly disappointed to see the empty Profound Dragon Platform. He had been quite happy to share his understanding with others.
No matter what, one would feel conflicted in such a situation.
Even the sect Elders could not see the intrinsic state of the Heavenly Dragon. Why was this?
Xiao Jinyu might have been lying, purposely opposing Xiao Chen. However, Li Luo was not such a person.
Xiao Chen’s observation and understanding conflicted with the other heaven-class core disciples’ understanding.
Otherwise, Li Luo would not have left.
There had to be a reason behind this. Xiao Chen stood up and looked at the Heavenly Dragon statue, at its head hidden behind clouds and mist. It appeared indistinct. Its Dragon Might merged with Heavenly Might, tyrannical and proud, deterring others from looking straight at it.
However, Xiao Chen felt a familiarity when looking at the Heavenly Dragon. Aside from that, there was an ethereal and carefree air that seemed exceptionally obvious.
Strange…strange…
Xiao Chen felt rather interested. As he pondered this, a thought suddenly occurred to him.
The Azure Dragon bloodline!
That’s right. It must be because of my special bloodline, which is much higher than the mixed-blood dragons and True Dragons, even the other Divine Dragon bloodlines.
This allows me to see the intrinsic state of the Heavenly Dragon statue.
Otherwise, it would be impossible for those Elders not to see it.
After thinking about it, Xiao Chen concluded that this was the most likely reason—or something not far from it.
Aside from this, it might have some relation to his experiences.
Xiao Chen did not have the experience of a mixed-blood dragon. He could be said to be looking at this from an observer’s point of view. When he looked at the Heavenly Dragon statue, his seeing some other mysteries was unavoidable.
“Whoosh!”
Just then, a treasure light suddenly appeared.
Xiao Chen turned his head back and saw a seven-colored treasure light at the mouth of the Heavenly Dragon, which was shrouded by clouds and mist.
After a moment, something flowed out of the mouth and came down the waterfall. It shone with a bright light that dazzled the eyes.
“What is it?”
Xiao Chen stepped forward and arrived before the waterfall. Then, he reached out and fished that item out of the water.
When the light disappeared, he saw that it was a fruit emitting a strong fragrance. It was golden and glistening, looking somewhat like a small, coiled dragon.
“Strange.”
Xiao Chen shook his head and stored this fruit before turning to leave.
---
At the same time, below the Profound Dragon Platform, Xiao Jinyu and the others sat together, discussing the Heavenly Dragon’s mysteries.
“This Xiao Chen’s understanding is simply nonsensical and a complete load of crap. To think he actually feels that he sees clearer than the Elders. How arrogant!” Xiao Jinyu exclaimed agitatedly, feeling extremely upset.
When Xiao Jinyu thought of Xiao Chen’s carefree reply of “perhaps,” he felt depressed.
To think that he really considers himself unrivaled just for being able to stand on top of the Heavenly Dragon statue.
He is just lucky and managed to get up there earlier.
At the bottom of his heart, Xiao Jinyu still did not acknowledge that he was not comparable to Xiao Chen. He did not believe that he would lose to a mixed-blood dragon.
Qin Yan frowned and said, “Although he did indeed comprehend the Heavenly Dragon’s mysteries, I feel that he was skipping on the details. He did not tell us about the true mysteries behind it. Senior Brother Zhang Ye, you are more experienced, what do you think?”
Zhang Ye shook his head and said, “It is hard to say. It is too inconceivable, completely different from what I have comprehended. If I continued listening, I might go astray in my cultivation in the future.”
Jue Yun and Yi Xin maintained their poise, not saying anything.
However, based on the two’s expressions, it was clear that they agreed with the comments. Otherwise, they would have said something in rebuttal.
“Senior Sister Li Luo left as well!” Fang Tianyi said when he saw a graceful figure come down.
“Indeed, even Senior Sister Li Luo could not bear it. I knew it; he was just playing us.” Xiao Jinyu spoke louder and with more certainty.
Li Luo frowned slightly upon noticing that the group’s expressions were somewhat off. She said seriously, “Junior Brother Xiao Chen had said from the start that this was just his personal comprehension. He did not guarantee that we would gain anything from it, so stop badmouthing him behind his back.”
“Haha! We are not saying that he is not good. We are saying he is intentionally misdirecting us, not wanting us to catch up to him,” Xiao Jinyu said with a cold smile; he had a strong bias against Xiao Chen.
Just at this moment, a bright light suddenly appeared at the Profound Dragon Platform. When everyone looked up, they saw a clump of seven-colored treasure light coming out of the Heavenly Dragon statue’s mouth and flowing down the waterfall.
Immediately feeling shocked and confused, Qin Yan asked, “What is that?”
“A Heavenly Dragon Fruit!”
Jue Yun’s expression suddenly changed greatly as he said excitedly, “It is definitely a Heavenly Dragon Fruit. It looks exactly the same as how the sect’s ancient texts describe it. A mutated fruit formed in the mouth of the dragon; it gives off a seven-colored light and flows with the water.”
Li Luo’s expression flickered as she muttered, “Junior Brother Xiao Chen did not lie to us. Perhaps his understanding is correct.”
“Senior Brother Zhang, what is a Heavenly Dragon Fruit?” Qin Yan asked as he looked at Zhang Ye.
The veteran core disciple Zhang Ye replied softly, “If one can gain the Heavenly Dragon statue’s acknowledgment by comprehending the Dao at the Profound Dragon Platform, there is a chance that it will spit out a mutated fruit. This fruit is the Heavenly Dragon Fruit. This Heavenly Dragon Fruit can not only increase cultivation but also cleanse the physical body, condense Soul Energy, and strengthen one’s understanding of the Heavenly Dragon’s mysteries. I have only heard some legends about it. Unexpectedly, the Heavenly Dragon Fruit really exists.”
“Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!”
Jue Yun and Yi Xin did not say anything. They directly rushed to the Profound Dragon Platform. Now, they could no longer care too much about anything.
The two only wanted to ask Xiao Chen for a leaf. If they could obtain just one leaf from the mutated fruit, it would already be a great opportunity for them.
The two rushed over very quickly. However, all they saw was a lightning bolt flashing into the clouds. They could no longer catch up.
Even if the two could catch up, they would be too embarrassed to do so.
Soon, Xiao Jinyu and the others arrived as well. When they did not see Xiao Chen’s figure, they felt some regret.
“When the Heavenly Dragon Palace was just established, the Heavenly Dragon Fruit appeared quite frequently. However, for the past ten thousand years, the Heavenly Dragon Fruit has appeared only three times. Each time, the person who obtained the Heavenly Dragon Fruit became an influential, powerful, outstanding talent in the entire Great Thousand Realms.”
Li Luo muttered indifferently, “I’ve already said, even if you cannot understand Junior Brother Xiao Chen’s words, you should not slander him behind his back. Even the spiritual symbol of the Heavenly Dragon Palace acknowledged his Dao. Clearly, he is not wrong.”
Xiao Jinyu appeared embarrassed. He knew that Li Luo’s words targeted him. This face slap felt rather painful.
Even though Xiao Chen was no longer here, Xiao Jinyu still felt a burning pain.
The mutated fruit should have three leaves. After Junior Brother Xiao Chen consumes the Heavenly Dragon Fruit, he won’t have much use for the leaves. We might be able to get them from him.
Jue Yun and Yi Xin’s thinking was rather practical. After further thought, the temptation of the Heavenly Dragon Fruit’s leaves overcame their embarrassment. They decided to thicken their skin and ask Xiao Chen for them. They were still rather hopeful.
---
At Cold Moon Cave, Xiao Chen, who had turned into a lightning bolt and was streaking through the clouds, sensed someone visiting him at his residence.
He resumed his true form in the clouds and looked. Then, he revealed a surprised expression.
His visitors were actually Wei Hongfei, Situ Changfeng, and Murong Yan. Xiao Chen landed right away and rushed over to welcome them.
“Junior Brother Xiao Chen, it has been a long time!”
No sooner did Xiao Chen land than he heard Murong Yan’s loud voice booming from far away.
Xiao Chen’s figure flickered, and he appeared at the waist of the mountain to welcome the three.
Situ Changfeng said softly with a smile, “You arrived really quickly. Brother Xiao, your strength is becoming increasingly horrifying. You could even sense our auras from so far away.”
Since that was not actually the case, Xiao Chen replied softly, “It was just a coincidence. Come with me. Let’s go to my residence and have a seat.”
After entering the residence, Murong Yan saw Xiao Chen personally heat water for the tea and pour it. He smiled and said, “I say, Xiao Chen, your residence is really empty. Why not find some servants?”
One could hire servants to manage the residence. However, Xiao Chen preferred quiet and did not ask the sect for some.
After exchanging conventional greetings, Wei Hongfei said, “Xiao Chen, you still surpass my expectations. Although I felt that it would not be difficult for you to become a heaven-class core disciple, I did not expect you to succeed in practicing the Supreme Dragon Fist.”
“I was just lucky.”
The mention of the Supreme Dragon Fist piqued Murong Yan’s interest. “Come, come, come. Let us exchange moves. I heard that this Fist Technique is quite ferocious. I happen to have recently practiced a forbidden Fist Technique of my Red Dragon Palace, as well.”
Naturally, Xiao Chen would not stupidly start fighting with Murong Yan here. He ignored Murong Yan and looked at Situ Changfeng. “Why are the three of you here?”
Situ Changfeng turned to Wei Hongfei and said, “Brother Wei, you say it.”
Wei Hongfei nodded and said, “The competition between the seven palaces will take place in half a year. I intend to use this half-year to make a trip to Desolate God Valley. After looking up Murong Yan and Situ Changfeng, I came to you.”
Xiao Chen had heard about Desolate God Valley, a forbidden land located at the borders of several empires.
That place was extremely dangerous but also had a lot of fortuitous encounters.
Xiao Chen nodded and said, “I do not have a problem with that. I have been in closed-door cultivation long enough. I happen to need to go out and walk around.”
Situ Changfeng smiled and said, “I just knew that Brother Xiao would definitely agree. We cannot remain in the Heavenly Dragon Palace for too long. Let’s meet in Heavenly Dragon City three days later to discuss the details. You should make your preparations.”
“Wait for a moment.”
Xiao Chen recalled something. Then, he took out the mutated fruit he obtained at the Profound Dragon Platform. He handed it to Situ Changfeng and asked, “Brother Situ, what is this?”
“This…” When Situ Changfeng saw the fruit, he stared at it somewhat blankly. As he took it, he felt shocked. He countered, “Where did you get this?”
Xiao Chen answered honestly, explaining what he experienced.
Situ Changfeng exchanged looks with Wei Hongfei. His expression turned very serious as he said, “Quickly put this away. This is the Heavenly Dragon Fruit. That Heavenly Dragon statue on the Heavenly Dragon Palace’s main peak is extremely ancient. The outer palaces have even fought over this Heavenly Dragon Fruit. You’d better consume it as soon as you can, to prevent anything unexpected from happening.”
It has such a great influence?
Xiao Chen felt rather shocked. To think that two people with Divine Dragon bloodlines actually showed such grave expressions.
It looked like the value of this item surpassed his expectations.
Wei Hongfei said, “It is not just the fruit. The three Heavenly Dragon Leaves are also as valuable as cities, something very precious. You should keep them properly. You can use them to exchange for resources that you need in the future.”
Xiao Chen asked, “Will their effect work with the fruit?”
“It won’t. After consuming the Heavenly Dragon Fruit, the Heavenly Dragon Leaves will have practically zero effect.”
When Xiao Chen heard that, he understood. Then, he said straightforwardly, “In that case, I’ll give the three Heavenly Dragon Leaves to the three of you. The Heavenly Dragon Fruit is sufficient for me.”
“Hehe! I will not stand on ceremony, then.” While Wei Hongfei and Situ Changfeng might reject out of politeness, Murong Yan gingerly accepted a Heavenly Dragon Leaf and put it away. Hence, the other two gave their thanks and carefully put theirs away, as well.
[TL Note: In Chinese culture, it is polite to reject a gift two or three times when first presented with it. One may accept the gift only after the giver insists on it two or three times. Immediately accepting the gift is considered rude.]
Then, Xiao Chen suddenly looked outside. “Someone else just arrived.”