Chapter 282 - 39: The Mountain God’s Summons, A Great Demon’s True Form

Chapter 282: Chapter 39: The Mountain God’s Summons, A Great Demon’s True Form

"You can call me Yuan Lan. As for ’Mountain God,’ that is merely what the mountain folk call me."

Then, before Chen Ye could speak, Yuan Lan continued, "In truth, I have been observing you. In fact, I noticed you the moment you set foot in these mountains."

"I did not invite you here with malicious intent. Do you know why your cultivation has been so smooth for the past two years? Besides the abundant Spiritual Qi here and your own exceptional Talent, it is also because I have been secretly helping you."

Chen Ye was stunned by his words.

’Secretly helping me? I haven’t felt a thing.’

But as Chen Ye thought back, his cultivation path over the past two years had indeed been smooth sailing. He had encountered almost no bottlenecks, and his efficiency in absorbing the Power of the Stars was astonishingly high.

He had originally thought it was because his Cultivation Technique was a perfect match for him, combined with the unique environment of the Southern Wilderness Mountain Range.

’I never would have thought this Mountain God had a hand in it.’

A look of suspicion appeared on Chen Ye’s face. "Forgive my ignorance, sir, but what do you mean? We’ve never met. Why would you help me?"

There’s no such thing as a free lunch. Chen Ye understood this better than anyone.

A Mountain God of unfathomable power helping a mere Sea Condensation Realm Cultivator like him for no reason? He wouldn’t believe for a second there wasn’t some ulterior motive.

Yuan Lan seemed to see through Chen Ye’s thoughts, a faint, almost imperceptible smile gracing his lips.

"You’re very cautious. That’s a good thing! In this world, you need that kind of mindset to live a long life."

"And you are also correct. I am not helping you for no reason." Yuan Lan’s tone turned serious. "I need you to help me with something."

’Here it comes.’

But looking at the unfathomable being before him, Chen Ye was completely bewildered.

"Sir, you must be joking. Your Divine Techniques are so vast you can overturn rivers and seas with ease. I’m merely in the Sea Condensation Realm and can barely protect myself here in Qingzhou. How could I possibly be of any help to you?"

Yuan Lan, however, shook his head. "That is where you are wrong. And you need not sell yourself short."

"This matter can indeed only be done by you. Or rather, only by your saber."

"Only my saber can do it?"

Chen Ye was completely baffled.

Although his Jingzhe Saber had been nurtured by the Sword Nurturing Technique and had gained a spirit of its own through his many battles, it was, in the end, a weapon forged from Mortal Iron, not even qualifying as a Magical Artifact.

’The matter this being spoke of is surely no small affair. Why would something so important require my saber?’

Yuan Lan seemed to sense his confusion. Instead of answering directly, he countered with a question, "Do you know what my true form is?"

Chen Ye shook his head.

Yuan Lan raised a hand and waved it gently.

In an instant, the surrounding scenery changed drastically.

The original mountain cave vanished, replaced by a colossal creature.

It was a Giant Flood Dragon, pitch-black from head to tail!

Its body was larger than a mountain, the visible part alone stretching ten thousand feet.

Its black scales glinted with a cold, eerie light under the dim sky, each one the size of a house.

Majestic dragon horns had already sprouted from its head. Atop its fearsome skull, a pair of enormous eyes, like blood-red lanterns, stared impassively at the world.

A terrifying aura washed over him, making Chen Ye’s very soul tremble.

Before this Giant Flood Dragon, he felt more insignificant than a speck of dust.

"Th-this is..." Chen Ye felt his own voice trembling.

"This is me," Yuan Lan’s voice echoed between heaven and earth. "I am an Ancient Alien Species, a Profound Water Black Flood Dragon. I have occupied this land and engaged in Cultivation for nearly a thousand years."

The illusion before them slowly dissipated, and they were once again back in the Immortal Cave.

Yuan Lan still had the appearance of a handsome man, but the look in Chen Ye’s eyes as he regarded him was completely different.

’I never could have imagined that the Mountain God’s true form was such a terrifying, thousand-year-old Black Flood Dragon!’

"I have cultivated for a thousand years. I have long since passed the lightning tribulation, condensed my Demon Core, and converted all of my Demonic Power into True Essence." Yuan Lan’s tone held a hint of pride. "Now, all beastly features of my body have receded, and draconic features have emerged. I am only one final step away from becoming a True Dragon."

’Becoming a True Dragon!’

Chen Ye’s heart began to pound wildly again.

A flood dragon transforming into a True Dragon was the stuff of legends. But if successful, it could shed its demonic body, become a true Dragon Monarch, roam the nine heavens, and live as long as heaven and earth!

What an incredible stroke of fortune!

"However..." Yuan Lan’s tone shifted, a hint of helplessness creeping in. "On this final step, I have encountered a monumental obstacle."

"Every part of my body has been refined into that of a dragon, except for this flood dragon tail. No matter what Dharma Gate I use, I cannot completely transform it. It is like a shackle, binding me tightly within this demonic body, preventing me from taking that final step."

"So, what you mean is, sir..."

"In five years, the heavens will display the phenomenon of Seven-Star in a Row." A fiery light gleamed in Yuan Lan’s eyes. "That is a prime opportunity to Transform into a Dragon, one that appears only once every few hundred years. At that time, I will harness the Power of Heaven and Earth to charge through the final barrier and ascend to the heavens as a dragon."

"And at the critical moment of my transformation, I need someone with the sharpest of sabers to sever this unrefinable flood dragon tail in a single strike! This will break the final shackle on my body, helping me shed my Mortal Body and ascend to the throne of a Dragon Monarch!"

Yuan Lan raised his head, his gaze burning as he stared at Chen Ye. "And you are the one I have chosen to sever my tail!"

Chen Ye was shocked, but his mind was clear. After a moment’s hesitation, he asked, "Why me?"