An upgrade to a superior stage would result in a great transformation throughout the martial artist’s body, their current spiritual body might not suffice.
Therefore, the nine elemental cores are something that one would always need, no matter when.
"That’s right, it is the Golden Spirit Core!"
Lin Bei nodded in agreement.
Ling Xiao hadn’t planned on accepting any favors, but upon seeing the Golden Spirit Core, he immediately changed his mind.
This thing was hard to come by, and he might never have another chance to obtain it in the future; missing this opportunity would mean there would be no other shop .
He wasn’t a hypocrite, since he needed it, he would accept it.
Besides, he was still in the midst of the Moon Blossom Pagoda Climbing Ceremony, which meant that the Golden Spirit Core could also be considered as one of the chances meant for him; others who entered the secret areas might also encounter similar opportunities.
How could he possibly give it up?
"Many thanks to Elder Lin, I’m in need of this very thing, so I’ll accept it," said Ling Xiao as he took the Golden Spirit Core and temporarily placed it into the Storage Ring. Using such an item required finding a relatively safe place, and now evidently wasn’t the time.
Seeing Ling Xiao accept the item, Lin Bei immediately felt relieved.
Clearly, people would think that someone who takes an item wouldn’t harbor other intentions.
"Young Brother, are you also from the Golden Dragon Clan?"
Joshua Long asked anxiously.
Ling Xiao shook his head and replied, "My name is Ling Xiao, a disciple of the Moon Hua Sect! I’ve only inherited some of the Golden Dragon Clan’s bloodline; I can’t be considered a member of the Golden Dragon Clan, maybe just half of one."
He had previously overheard some of the conversation between the young man and the elder and knew that these two were very friendly towards the disciples of the Moon Hua Sect, so there was no harm in revealing his affiliation.
Both Joshua Long and Lin Bei exchanged glances, their expressions filled with ecstatic joy.
"Who could have imagined that a successor of the Moon Blossom Fairy would indeed enter the Land of Dragons, this is wonderful! The conspiracy of the Black Dragon Clan and the Black Spirits can be thwarted," said Lin Bei excitedly.
"Can you elaborate?" asked Ling Xiao.
Having only heard bits and pieces before, Ling Xiao wasn’t very clear on the whole process.
Lin Bei briefly narrated the general situation to Ling Xiao, and concluded, "That’s the situation, Young Master Ling, we absolutely cannot allow the Black Dragon Clan and the Black Spirits to leave the Moon Blossom Pagoda; otherwise, it would spell trouble for both the Moon Hua Sect and the entire Heavenly Dragon Continent."
Ling Xiao nodded thoughtfully, then suddenly asked, "Have you never thought about leaving?"
"Of course, we’ve thought about it, but we would never betray the Moon Blossom Fairy!"
"It’s not necessarily about betrayal. From what you’ve said, it seems that the Moon Blossom Fairy brought you into the Moon Blossom Pagoda just to protect the Dragon Clan from annihilation. If you were to leave, that wouldn’t exactly be a betrayal. But to speak plainly, you’re too weak; if you left now, it’s likely there would be big trouble," said Ling Xiao.
The Dragon Clan within the Moon Blossom Pagoda were nowhere near the powers of ancient times and were even weaker than the Moon Hua Sect; if they truly left, they would probably be annihilated by the martial artists, as the Dragon Clan is seen as a trove of treasures.
"We can fully transform into human form, indistinguishable from humans," Joshua Long urgently interjected.
It was clear to see that the young man was very keen on going out to see the world, for the Moon Blossom Pagoda was only so large, and it couldn’t compare with the wonders of the outside world.
"Moreover, here in the Moon Blossom Pagoda, we cannot cultivate the Dragon Clan’s martial arts, which is why we are so weak. Only by going out can we continue to grow stronger," he added.
The Divine Sword Sect flashed through Ling Xiao’s mind.
If he could have Joshua Long lead the Dragon Clan to join the Divine Sword Sect, it would be a very powerful force for him as well.
"Let’s talk about this matter later. If we can dissolve the conspiracy of the Black Spirits and the Black Dragon Clan, I will try my best to take you out. Once outside, you will have to listen to me, no problem, right?" asked Ling Xiao.
"No problem at all," they replied.
Joshua Long answered.
Lin Bei also nodded his head, although he was somewhat hesitant, but Ling Xiao was the only person in nearly one hundred thousand years to have entered the Land of Dragons, and he also possessed the bloodline of the Ancient Golden Dragon, so whom else could they trust if not him?
"In that case, let’s set off together."
Sky Dragon Mountain, its name reflective of its form, the entire mountain range looked as though it was surrounded and protected by a congregation of dragons, utterly majestic.
It was also known as Dragon Emperor Mountain.
That was because the Dragon Emperors of the Dragon Clan would reside there, and it was also the location of the Dragon Palace.
In the past, Joshua Long’s father had also lived here, but unfortunately, he was later assassinated by the Black Dragon King, who then usurped the throne of the Dragon Emperor.
Although many of the Dragon People knew this fact, the Black Dragon King was too powerful, and with him colluding with the Black Spirits, almost no one dared to provoke him.
Of course, the Black Dragon King was also very adept at dealing with others.
He did not massacre the other Dragon Clans, but instead, adopted strategies of bribery and appeasement, so naturally, there wouldn’t be too many Dragon People who would oppose him.
The road leading to the Dragon Palace was just one.
It was winding and turned, and there were many guard checkpoints set up along it.
On this road, there were quite a few people.
And basically, they were all Dragon People from various tribes.
It is said that the Dragon Clan didn’t really like the human form, and the only reason they were mostly in the Human-Dragon Form was that it was more suitable for living and saved more True Essence.
In the primordial days when Spiritual Qi was abundant between heaven and earth, even a huge body did not have to worry about the consumption of Spiritual Qi, and food was also plentiful.
However, inside the Moon Blossom Pagoda, after all, was just a small space. Living there, if they continued with such a huge body, they would definitely starve to death.
"Young brother, up ahead is Sky Dragon Mountain, now basically controlled by the Black Dragon Clan," Joshua Long said, pointing in the direction of Black Dragon Mountain.
Ling Xiao nodded, apparently deep in thought.
Just then, suddenly, the entire ground shook violently, and a wild wind sprang up on both sides of the road.
From the jungle, there were constant sounds of animals’ screams and roars.
Faintly, one could hear the sound of a huge monster moving, as well as the loud noise of trees breaking and collapsing.
"Someone dares to cause trouble near Sky Dragon Mountain?"
"This aura is so frightening!"
Passersby stopped in their tracks, some lying on the ground, some crouching and holding their heads, while others prepared for battle, warily observing the situation around them with serious expressions.
Ling Xiao’s brow furrowed slightly as he released a True Essence Ball, clearly sensing that, within the dense forest, there was a huge humanoid monster with a single eye, looking very terrifying.
"A Ferocious Beast? And it’s an eighth-level Peak Fierce Beast!"
Before he finished speaking, the huge monster suddenly leaped up, then landed directly in the middle of the road. Thankfully, Sky Dragon Mountain was protected by special restrictions; otherwise, the road might have collapsed.
"One-eyed Giant Beast!"
"An eighth-level Peak One-eyed Giant Beast!"
"My god, how can it be so powerful? We cannot be its match. How can such a monster appear at the foot of Sky Dragon Mountain? Weren’t the One-eyed Giant Beasts tamed by the Dragon Clan?"
As they got closer, Ling Xiao could see even more clearly.
This One-eyed Giant Beast was incredibly massive, standing dozens of meters tall, it stood there like a towering mountain.