My Cultivation Has a Progress Bar

The "Realm of True Dragons" in Lishui Prefecture was the Fifth Realm. This was information Wang Ping had looked up in the Daoist Scripture Hall using his authority after advancing to the Third Realm. Their Fourth Realm was the "Dragon Transformation Realm."

In other words, a Water Cultivator practicing the "Hundred Waters Secret Technique" needed to transform their Jiao Dragon Primordial Spirit into a dragon’s form to reach the Fourth Realm. The Dragon Monarch’s children, however, also had to transform their physical bodies into dragons, and their power would be even greater.

"Two older brothers?"

’He seized on the key point. The Dragon Monarch has nine sons. According to the records in the Daoist Scripture Hall, the eldest and third sons are in the Fourth Realm and can glimpse the "Realm of True Dragons." Rumors have long circulated that the First Prince of Lishui Prefecture, Ao Yi, has already perceived a portion of a True Monarch’s power and is only one step away from transforming into a True Dragon. He’s currently slumbering in the deep sea.’

’If the First Prince of Lishui Prefecture truly intends to intervene, this will become very troublesome. But on second thought, a conflict between Fourth Realm experts is far beyond my concern, so I shouldn’t worry about it.’

Jiangcun seemed to guess Wang Ping’s thoughts and explained freely, "It’s my third and seventh brothers. In any case, you’ll find out tomorrow. My seventh brother achieved his dragon form six hundred years ago."

"The Seventh Prince?"

"Yes. His name is Ao Hong now!"

Jiangcun’s tone was firm.

Whenever one of the Nine Sons of the Dragon Monarch broke through to the Fourth Realm, the Dragon Monarch would personally bestow a new name upon them. The given name was chosen arbitrarily, but the main change was to the surname. Few people knew of this practice, mainly because after reaching the Fourth Realm, the sons would spend most of their time slumbering in the deep sea. Over time, people simply forgot such individuals even existed.

Wang Ping processed this new information, then asked, "When did you all start planning this?"

A nostalgic look crossed Jiangcun’s face. After a long moment, he said, "Before Xia Yao entered Lishui Prefecture, there was a disciple from our Prefecture within the Xia Imperial Family. I don’t know where they heard about the ’True Dragon Mirror,’ but they managed to get in touch with my third brother about it."

"What does that have to do with the ’Realm of True Dragons’?" Yu Lian asked curiously.

"Both the Divine Technique and the ’Realm of True Dragons’ are paths to cultivating one’s spiritual nature. My third brother wanted to observe the changes in the fortune of the masses. Plus, this time, Xia Yao is inheriting it as a Third Realm Water Cultivator."

After answering Yu Lian, Jiangcun turned to Wang Ping and said, "That Mr. Yue you met last time in Shangjing City is a disciple under my seventh brother."

This resolved one of the doubts in Wang Ping’s mind. Although he understood Yue Ziyu, his desire to eliminate the man only intensified. It was a deep-seated instinct.

"Thank you for the reminder, Fellow Daoist!"

Wang Ping said, clasping his fists in thanks.

Jiangcun simply smiled.

For a time, the two of them fell silent.

After a long pause, Wang Ping cupped his hands and asked, "Fellow Daoist, why did you call for me today?"

"No reason..."

A glint appeared in Wang Ping’s eyes at Jiangcun’s reply. Jiangcun then continued, "I just wanted to chat, and then have a good fight tomorrow. Also... Xia Yao has changed so much I barely recognize her anymore. I wanted to meet with you, Fellow Daoist, to see what you’ve become."

Yu Lian quickly asked, "Has he changed?"

Jiangcun chuckled. "Not much. Still as timid as ever!"

Yu Lian reared up, flicking her forked tongue. "What do you mean, timid? That’s called wisdom and caution!"

"Haha!"

Jiangcun laughed heartily, as if venting some inner frustration. Once his laughter died down, he clasped his fists and said, "Well, that’s all. I have no other business."

"Take care, Fellow Daoist!" Wang Ping returned the gesture.

"I’m off!"

With a flick of his sleeve, Jiangcun transformed into a streak of light and flew toward Shangjing City. His two attendants followed him at once.

Wang Ping watched Jiangcun’s departing figure, his mind a whirlwind of thoughts.

Yu Lian murmured, "What a strange guy."

"They say the Ninth Prince of Lishui Prefecture is eccentric and enjoys playing in the mortal world. He often hosts banquets for passing merchants at his mansion, asking them to tell him about the strange people and odd events they’ve encountered. He must be a rather guileless person, I imagine."

Zi Luan’s voice came from behind, and by the time his words ended, he was standing beside Wang Ping.

Xiu Yu, on the other hand, said coldly, "If you had talked with him just a little longer, I could have dispatched people to make sure the three of them stayed here permanently."

With that, he transformed into a streak of light and flew back toward the main camp.

"He’s as obnoxious as ever."

Yu Lian flicked her forked tongue at Xiu Yu’s retreating back.

Wang Ping looked up at the two unyielding golden phantoms beneath the clouds, then at the brilliant, glowing Shangjing City. He lowered his gaze to his own hands. His palms were rosy, but their lines were gone, for he no longer possessed a body of flesh and blood.

For a moment, he felt an inexplicable urge to unleash the desire in his heart, to let the Spirit Veins in his body surge wildly. But the feeling was gone in an instant.

"Let’s head back, too."

Wang Ping looked at Zi Luan.

Zi Luan nodded.

After returning to the camp, Wang Ping immediately entered a meditative trance. Yu Lian took on a massive form, fifty feet long, and coiled around him. After connecting to his Qi Sea and Primordial Spirit Consciousness, she entered a trance as well.

Time slowly passed.

The golden light gathering in the sky made it impossible to tell day from night across the Zhongzhou Continent.

Suddenly, while in his state of profound meditation, Wang Ping sensed a familiar Primordial Spirit aura. A moment later, the Combined Formation he carried with him activated on its own.

"It’s the Lord!"

Yu Lian alerted Wang Ping in his Spirit Sea, then shrank down and slipped into his sleeve.

Wang Ping immediately rose and stepped out of his tent. He was met with a brilliant golden radiance, and particles like golden sand drifted before his eyes. He reached out to touch them, but his hand met only air.

He pinched his fingers together in a quick divination.

It was already 7:45 AM on the sixteenth. In another four hours, the succession ceremony in Shangjing City would officially begin!

Looking up to the sky, he saw that the Xiao Shan Lord had personally arrived at the front line. He still wore his wide-sleeved white Daoist Robe, but now his hair was meticulously bound in a jade coronet. He was accompanied by three other people.

To the Xiao Shan Lord’s left was Wan Zhi Daoist. To his right was a man in the red Daoist robes of the True Yang Sect. He had a square face and a long, salt-and-pepper beard. In his hand, he held a duster, looking exactly like a divine figure from a Taoist myth. This was He Feng Taoist of the "First Heaven."

’What a chaotic Primordial Spirit, yet his karmic connection to the Celestial Dao is benevolent. Very strange.’

As Yu Lian was evaluating He Feng Taoist, the man turned his head slightly. A pair of jet-black eyes met Wang Ping’s. In that instant, his expression was truly like that of a mythological figure—devoid of joy or sorrow, of want or desire.

But Wang Ping dared not observe for too long; the moment the man’s gaze swept over him, he immediately clasped his fists and bowed.

Finally, there was one other person, standing fifty or sixty feet behind the Xiao Shan Lord. Peering through the golden light, Wang Ping could only make out the presence of a person. When he tried to look closer, all he saw was a black shadow.

However, Wang Ping sensed a very familiar aura on this person—it was a Star God’s barrier!

"Come up!"

The Xiao Shan Lord’s voice echoed in Wang Ping’s ears. He then saw Xiu Yu transform into a streak of light and land behind the Lord. Zi Luan followed, landing to the left of the shadowy figure. Wang Ping then rode a cloud up, coming to a stop beside Zi Luan.

"Greetings, Lord. Greetings, Senior Wan Zhi. Greetings, Senior He Feng."

Wang Ping bowed to each in turn. When he got to the shadowy figure beside Zi Luan, Zi Luan made the introduction, "This is Senior Min You of the Star God Alliance."

"Greetings, Senior Min You!"

As Wang Ping bowed, information about this senior surfaced in his mind. He was one of the "Shopkeepers" of the Star God Alliance’s main branch. They were called "Shopkeepers" because the Star God Alliance had originally started out as a commercial alliance.