Proud Sword Soaring Clouds

Ling Xiao had made up his mind. He stopped traveling through the forest, and instead took Song Mingyue’s hand. The two of them soared into the air, dashing across the treetops toward the great mountain in the heart of the island.

As they went, Song Mingyue asked, "Husband, which do you think is taller? This mountain, or the Vendia Great Snow Mountain?"

Ling Xiao glanced at Song Mingyue and smiled. "You silly girl. Are you trying to trick me with that? This island is a great mountain in itself, and it’s located in the deep sea. Who knows how much of it is hidden beneath the surface. So, without going down to look, there’s no way to tell which is taller. Still, I’m inclined to believe this mountain is taller than the Vendia Holy Mountain."

Song Mingyue’s lips curved into a radiant smile. "You’re so clever, Husband," she said. "I’ve stumped countless people with that question in the past. Hee hee."

With the scorching sun gone for the night, a briny sea breeze began to blow. The cool wind was comfortable, and a fresh scent wafted constantly from the island’s lush forest.

If not for the knowledge that a powerful Magical Beast resided here, one might even consider it an ideal place to live!

Their brazen, unrestrained flight finally attracted the attention of the island’s master. An immense pressure suddenly descended from the dark night sky. The slightly weaker Song Mingyue found herself unable to stay airborne, and Ling Xiao, too, felt a suffocating weight on his chest, as if invisible boulders were slowly pressing down on it.

"It’s here!" Song Mingyue gasped, her face slightly pale as they landed in a clearing.

Ling Xiao stood perfectly calm. Facing the nearby mountain, he shouted, "Is the one who resides here... the Magic Beast Cultivator, the Thousand-Year Flood Dragon?"

As Ling Xiao spoke, the immense pressure vanished. In its place came a great sigh that seemed to echo from all directions, yet also resonated directly in their minds, as if it could control their very spirits.

Song Mingyue nervously pressed against Ling Xiao’s back, her treasured sword in hand. Ling Xiao smiled faintly. "Put your sword away," he said. "It won’t be of any use."

"Wh-what do you mean it’s useless? Can’t I at least use it for moral support?!" Song Mingyue’s voice was tight with tension, but just talking with Ling Xiao helped calm her heart considerably.

"You two human children... could it be... you’ve come all this way looking for me?"

While the two were on high alert, a human voice like muffled thunder echoed from all directions. It was deep, somewhat hoarse, yet perfectly fluent—as if spoken by an old man.

"Indeed. I have come here hoping to make a deal, Senior. I ask that you show yourself. I believe you’ll be interested!" Ling Xiao said with perfect composure.

"Ohohohohoho... Interested? I’m only interested in the Essence Blood inside you! I’m surprised. For two such young whelps to possess such cultivation... and to deliver yourselves to my door for me to eat. In that case... why should I hold back?"

The deep voice sounded rather excited. Hearing such terrifying words in the dead of night was enough to send a chill down one’s spine.

Song Mingyue instinctively pressed closer to Ling Xiao. Her senses were heightened to their absolute limit, her power circulating at its peak. Because of this, she could clearly feel how steady Ling Xiao’s heartbeat was; it hadn’t quickened or slowed in the slightest. This filled her with a sense of shame. ’In terms of strength, I’m about to reach the Sword Sect Realm,’ she thought, ’but my mental fortitude is still so far behind. I’ll have to work harder on that in the future!’

"Heh. Since we were able to make it here, we naturally came fully prepared." Ling Xiao’s voice was perfectly composed. "Besides, in a few days, a large group of people will be coming here to throw their lives away. Was devouring one last night not enough for you? Must you add the two of us to your meal today?"

"Oh? You know quite a lot for a little fellow! Heh, so tell me, what are you here for? To have a heart-to-heart talk? Ohohohohoh... then again, I might still eat the two of you! You’re right, people are coming to hunt me, and I did eat one yesterday. Oh, oh, oh, now I remember! You’re that fellow with the strong Spiritual Power that I couldn’t catch last night! You’re not bad! Not bad at all! To actually escape my grasp once. But rest assured, I won’t let you escape a second time!"

The ancient voice spoke as if playing a prank, seemingly in a very good mood. It continued, "By the way, what did you call me just now? A Magic Beast Cultivator? Hmm... that’s quite a fitting term! I despise it when humans call me a Tier Nine Magical Beast! Tier Nine, Tier Eight... how can they compare me to that trash? Heh heh, I am a Cultivator! I am destined to become a god! Also, you called me a Thousand-Year Flood Dragon. Though I’ve lived for over ten thousand years... ’Flood Dragon’... that name has a nice ring to it! Mmm, little fellow, based on those two phrases alone..."

The voice paused, as if in thought, before continuing a moment later. "Just for giving me a name that sounds infinitely better than ’great python,’ and for showing more insight than other humans... Mmm, this great python—oh, no, this Flood Dragon... has decided! I will grant you a dignified death! You can just kill yourself. Once you’re dead, I’ll eat you. How about that, hm?"