Chapter 452: Chapter 437: Zhouyang’s Conditions
After Zhouyang accepted Zhao Hao’s three moves, Zhao Hao did not continue to recruit other cultivators, but directly took Zhouyang and Wang Wei to register for the "Dragon Slayer Conference."
Only then did Zhouyang realize that Zhao Hao’s previous claim of two remaining spots actually meant he planned to recruit only two people...
Upon discovering this, Zhouyang initially felt a sinking feeling, as if he had boarded a pirate ship, with a sense of unease.
However, soon, he seemed to recall something and his face relaxed again.
As a Golden Core Stage cultivator, Zhao Hao undoubtedly understood the strength of a Tier Five Flood Dragon better than those at the Purple Mansion Stage. Since he dared to take only Zhouyang and Wang Wei to slay the dragon, it was clear that Zhao Hao believed this strength was sufficient to deal with the dragon. Thus, Zhouyang indeed had no need to worry too much given his own capabilities.
Furthermore, having fewer people meant that if they succeeded in slaying the dragon, they could claim more spoils. This was presumably Zhao Hao’s own mindset as well.
After registering, Zhao Hao took Zhouyang and Wang Wei to the "Dragon Viewing Pavilion," secured a private room, and ordered a table full of food and drinks, evidently to discuss matters.
"Before discussing business, allow me to introduce myself. I hail from the Cyan Origin Sword Sect of Jinyang Country. I came to Great Yun Country intending to travel the Cultivation Realm to find a spirit elixir. Coincidentally, upon hearing about the Dragon Slayer Conference, I decided to try my luck here."
In the private room of the tavern, after the dishes were served, Zhao Hao raised a glass of wine to Zhouyang and Wang Wei, introducing his background with a deep voice.
Before Zhouyang could speak, Wang Wei reacted first, hurriedly raising his glass saying, "So Elder Zhao is an elder of the Cyan Origin Sword Sect. No wonder your sword technique is so formidable. The Cyan Origin Sword Scripture is renowned far and wide; even in Great Yun Country, its reputation precedes you. Witnessing your divine prowess today proves that the legends are indeed true!"
"Elder Zhao’s sword technique is indeed formidable."
Zhouyang also nodded in agreement, offering praise.
Zhao Hao’s sword techniques were indeed formidable. Zhouyang was familiar with the Cyan Origin Sword Sect’s reputation, knowing it to be one of the Thirty-Six Middle Gates of the Anti-Light Alliance. Within the sect, the Cyan Origin Sword Scripture is both a high-level technique that can be cultivated to the Nascent Soul Stage and a powerful sword technique. Though Wang Wei’s description was somewhat exaggerated, it indeed held considerable notoriety within the Anti-Light Alliance.
After hearing their compliments, Zhao Hao chuckled, "Heh heh heh, I’m well aware of my sword technique’s proficiency."
Then, his eyes focused intensely, looking at Zhouyang. "On the contrary, Fellow Daoist Zhou, I have cultivated for centuries, yet this is only the second time I’ve seen someone display such a sophisticated sword array technique like yours today!"
"May I ask, Fellow Daoist, where you learned your sword array technique? Who taught you?"
Sword array techniques are extremely rare in the Cultivation Realm. Any cultivator who masters it is bound to gain recognition within the realm, known to other cultivators.
Zhao Hao was now wondering if Zhouyang was a disciple of a Golden Core Stage cultivator proficient in sword array techniques.
To his knowledge, those renowned Golden Core Stage cultivators within the Anti-Light Alliance who excelled in sword array techniques were all illustrious late-stage Golden Core cultivators, none less prestigious than those in the Cyan Origin Sword Sect.
"I’m sorry to disappoint Elder Zhao. This sword array technique was obtained by chance, not taught by any elder."
"Moreover, this sword array technique is incomplete and includes sword techniques only below the Golden Core Stage, hardly noteworthy to a swordsmanship master like you!"
Zhouyang shook his head, quickly denying Zhao Hao’s assumption without attempting to boast falsely.
His plan was to make a long-term stay in the Land of the Far West, pretending would only lead to trouble once the truth was exposed, offending not only Zhao Hao but also the Golden Core cultivator he falsely claimed connection to, bringing immense trouble upon himself.
This is not what a wise person would do.
Furthermore, he was unfamiliar with the Golden Core cultivators in the Land of the Far West, unaware of which cultivators excelled in sword array techniques.
Upon hearing that Zhouyang’s sword technique was merely a fragment, Zhao Hao lost interest immediately, shaking his head, "What a pity! Judging by the sword array you displayed today, had this sword technique been complete, it could definitely be refined into an exceptional Sword Dao Divine Technique!"
Sword techniques below the Golden Core Stage, no matter how intricate, offer no cultivation value to someone of Zhao Hao’s Golden Core Stage.
He then stopped mentioning it, suddenly turning serious, looking gravely at Zhouyang and Wang Wei. "Since you two are willing to join me in slaying the dragon, let’s first agree on how we’ll distribute the spoils once we succeed."
"Given my strength, I should certainly defeat the newly advanced Flood Dragon. The reason I am recruiting you two is to prevent the dragon from escaping once outmatched."
"Therefore, if you can hold back the fleeing Flood Dragon for a while, I will take the Jiao Pill and Jiao Soul afterward, and the remaining Jiao Corpse can be divided among you, each getting a tenth."
"If you fail to hold back the escaping dragon, causing the slaying to fail, even if there is a gain, I won’t give you any of it."
"How about it? Do you have any objections to my proposed distribution method?"
After laying out the distribution plan, Zhao Hao turned his gaze to Zhouyang and Wang Wei, awaiting their response.
"The junior has no objections."
After a brief contemplation, Wang Wei shook his head and expressed his stance.
Seeing this, Zhao Hao turned his gaze towards Zhouyang and asked, "Fellow Daoist Zhou, what about you? If you have any objections, it’s best to bring them up now. As long as the conditions are reasonable, I’m open to negotiation."
Upon hearing this, Zhouyang hesitated for a moment, then cupped his hands and bowed to Zhao Hao, saying, "I won’t hide it from you, Senior. The main reason I’m participating in the Dragon Slayer Conference is to obtain the Flood Dragon Spirit Blood. Therefore, I have no major objections to your distribution method, Senior."
"However, I would like a promise from you, Senior, that if the dragon slaying action truly fails, and you manage to injure the Flood Dragon and obtain the Flood Dragon Spirit Blood during the battle, please allow me to purchase it with Spirit Stones!"
Zhao Hao initially thought that Zhouyang was dissatisfied with his distribution method. Hearing his explanation, he immediately felt relieved and nodded in agreement, "Although Flood Dragon Spirit Blood is precious, it is not difficult to find for us Golden Core Stage cultivators. I agree to this condition, Fellow Daoist Zhou."
Upon hearing this, Zhouyang couldn’t help but show a look of joy on his face and quickly expressed his gratitude, "Thank you, Senior, for your understanding."
After that, the three of them carefully discussed strategies for finding the Flood Dragon and responding once it was discovered, agreed on a departure time, and then each returned to their respective accommodations to make preparations.
Back at the Immortal Inn, Zhouyang informed Xiao Ying and Zhou Guangxiang about joining forces with Zhao Hao to slay the Flood Dragon.
Upon hearing that Zhouyang was going to slay the Flood Dragon, Xiao Ying’s face turned pale, and her delicate hands immediately gripped his arm tightly, her eyes filled with worry as she looked at him.
Unable to hold back any longer, she said, "Husband, isn’t this too risky?"
"The Flood Dragon is unmatched among those of the same tier. Although you are powerful, husband, fighting a Tier Five Flood Dragon..."
On the other hand, Zhou Guangxiang, influenced by Zhouyang’s long-standing undefeated record, didn’t react strongly.
"Although this is somewhat risky, compared to the potential gains, it’s all worth it."
"Ying’Er, don’t worry. With my means, as long as I don’t engage in a life-or-death struggle with that Flood Dragon, I’ll surely be able to preserve my life."
"Besides, if things really don’t go well, isn’t Elder Xu accompanying me? If I truly encounter danger, Elder Xu definitely won’t stand by idly!"
Zhouyang patted his Dao Companion’s arm, pulled Xiao Ying into his embrace with a smile, exuding a strong sense of confidence in his words.
Perhaps influenced by his overwhelming confidence, or knowing that persuading wouldn’t change her man’s decision, Xiao Ying didn’t say much more and silently accepted his comfort.
In the following days, Zhouyang continued to take his wife and niece shopping and strolling in the marketplace, during which he purchased some useful Spiritual Objects.
When the agreed departure day arrived, Zhouyang went alone to Zhao Hao’s place of stay.
By this time, Wang Wei had already arrived, and upon seeing Zhouyang, Zhao Hao immediately said, "Since Fellow Daoist Zhou is here, let’s set off now."
After speaking, he formed a hand seal with both hands, and a green cloud rose beneath his feet.
"Both of you come aboard, this way we can travel faster."
The speed of a Golden Core Stage cultivator using the "Soaring Through the Clouds" Divine Technique is far superior to Zhouyang’s Illusory Cloud Ship.
Zhao Hao, carrying Zhouyang and Wang Wei, traveled upstream along the Long River. In less than half an hour, they flew two to three thousand miles, finally stopping at a stretch of calm water.
"According to the information provided by Yunlong Square, the Flood Dragon’s nest should be located between this stretch of river and the upper Flying Dragon Waterfall."
"Lately, I’ve surveyed this section of water several times but have not been able to find any traces of the Flood Dragon."
"However, Yunlong Square’s information is most likely correct. The Flood Dragon must be using some method to conceal the location of its lair. In order to lure it out, we must first locate its nest."
Hovering in the air above the river, Zhao Hao stopped the cloud and pointed towards this section of the river and the upstream area, voicing his plan in a heavy tone.
For prepared cultivators, the hardest part of slaying a Flood Dragon is not the battle, but finding the Flood Dragon hidden beneath the water.
The Long River region is vast, with deep waters and countless hidden caves and dark holes at the riverbed, many of which are connected to underground rivers. Through these caves and subterranean rivers, one could even reach another river or lake thousands of miles away.
Even for cultivators with vast Divine Techniques, locating a hidden Flood Dragon in such a complex aquatic environment is no easy task.
However, since Zhao Hao is determined to slay the Flood Dragon, he surely came well-prepared.