139 - Divine Mastering Dragon System

Chapter 139: The Mark In the real world, the talisman propelled skyward by a surge of spiritual power from Yu Ming had yet to touch the ground, while in Xiang Shi Yan's mind, only a brief moment had passed. Her clothing was thin, and the sleeves fluttered like gauze in the water. The woman's expression was dazed, her consciousness unclear, her exposed arms and legs almost blending with the color of her white garment. Her slender limbs were tightly wound by the creature's elongated body, its dark scales leaving a pattern of red marks on her fair thighs, adding a certain debauched allure. The creature... no, Yu Ming naturally recognized what it was, though she couldn't immediately discern whether the black dragon before her was merely a symbolic totem within Xiang Shi Yan's mind or a real entity entwined in her spiritual sea. Its grayish-black beard intermingled with Xiang Shi Yan's dark hair, the dragon's body coiled around her as if intent on breaking her delicate form, seemingly inseparable from her. As Yu Ming approached, the black dragon bared its sharp teeth menacingly at her, its previously solemn demeanor giving way to a grotesque ferocity. Ancient mythical beasts once dominated the prehistoric era but vanished with time. In the current cultivation world, remnants could occasionally be found in secret realms or through inheritances. Based on Yu Ming's knowledge, records of dragons dated back several millennia, suggesting that true dragons no longer roamed the earth. The black dragon before her proved worthy of its ancient title; unwilling to let Yu Ming close, it let out an irritated howl. The melodious sound waves of its dragon's cry resonated through the water, causing Xiang Shi Yan's spiritual sea to quiver. The vibration penetrated Yu Ming, shaking even her spirit-forged body, showing signs of coming apart. There was no time for hesitation. Seeing the black dragon dragging Xiang Shi Yan's spiritual body deeper, Yu Ming hastily pursued it. In her urgency, she grabbed Xiang Shi Yan from its grasp. The black dragon turned as if to fling her away but froze, seemingly wary of Xiang Shi Yan's safety. This realization deepened Yu Ming's confusion. For some reason, once it had entangled Xiang Shi Yan, the black dragon seemed weakened and sluggish, no longer as agile as when it initially moved through the water. It struck Yu Ming with its tail, yet its attack felt hampered, allowing her to easily evade. Frustrated, it lunged with a furious bite. Yu Ming, holding her sister beneath the arm, could not avoid it in time. In desperation, she lifted her left arm, wedging it into the gaping maw of the approaching beast. Although suppressed within the mind, the black dragon wasn't large; however, its sharp teeth were as big as Yu Ming's fingers, sinking viciously into her arm. Seeing she would not let go, the black dragon violently tossed its head, engulfing her hand and biting down on her shoulder, thrashing to tear her apart. Yu Ming felt as if half of her body might be ripped away. Clutching Xiang Shi Yan more tightly, she kicked against the dragon, using its backward momentum to wrench Shi Yan from its grip. As she held Xiang Shi Yan with one arm, her other remained within its jaws. Furious at losing its prize, the black dragon tightened its grip, its fangs deeply embedded. Even though this body was a construct of spirit, damage still affected Yu Ming. But the priority was to free Xiang Shi Yan from her spiritual sea's torment. With resolve, she severed her left shoulder and a portion of her body with a flash of spiritual light, swiftly swimming upwards with Xiang Shi Yan. The broken edges of the spiritual body were merely blue and white, lacking the texture of flesh or blood, yet Yu Ming's pace in carrying Xiang Shi Yan never slowed. The black dragon chased angrily, but finding Yu Ming's spiritual form indigestible, spat it out in disgust. The spirit light swiftly returned to its master, causing an itch on Yu Ming's shoulder, soon restored to its original state. She curiously glanced back at it. He He wished to reclaim Xiang Shi Yan, but having only temporarily subdued her spirit, he couldn't completely sever her control over her own spiritual sea. Yu Ming, aided by an almost flowing momentum, seemed unimpeded by the water, unlike He He, who was hindered in every movement. With Yu Ming's interference, Xiang Shi Yan's resistance grew stronger. The limited influence He He had over her spiritual sea was even more suppressed now. "Tch, such a nuisance." He He was at a loss on how to handle Xiang Shi Yan. He initially intended to confine her a few more days, then decide whether to consume her spirit or not... Yu Ming's interference thwarted those plans as he watched her guide Xiang Shi Yan's unconscious mind away from the depths of her spiritual sea. "Ugh... cough, cough..." Yu Ming abruptly sat up from the chair, her body convulsing uncontrollably for a moment before nearly falling to the floor. It took her a while to regain her senses. She touched her unscathed left shoulder and finally let out a slow breath. She rotated her shoulder, noticing the subtle lingering discomfort under her skin, like a residual sting. The talisman settled to the ground, and Yu Ming felt a sense of emptiness in her spirit. She had only spent a heartbeat in Xiang Shi Yan's spiritual sea and was grateful that Shi Yan, even in her unconsciousness, could still distinguish friend from foe, offering some aid. Turning to look at Xiang Shi Yan, Yu Ming was shocked. It seemed that during her mental struggle, while entangled by the black dragon, her instinct had fought back. The blanket Yu Ming had carefully tucked in was now in disarray, her nightclothes disheveled. But what alarmed Yu Ming wasn't Xiang Shi Yan's unusually disheveled appearance; it was the red marks on her legs, as if pressed by tight scales. The markings from the spiritual sea's black dragon had followed Xiang Shi Yan back to reality. Yu Ming quickly checked the areas where the dragon's claws had injured her, worried they might have also persisted. "Mm… Senior Sister?" Xiang Shi Yan opened her eyes, bewildered. Strangely, the cuts were gone. Yu Ming's own spiritual form bore no scars. How could it be that only... Xiang Shi Yan's awareness hadn't fully returned, her expression still dazed. Caught off guard by her endearing gaze, Yu Ming's mind was suddenly electrified with forbidden images, her ears flushing red almost instantly. That time when a rebellious disciple had left many marks on her, they took a long time to fade... Such reclusive and hidden positions, known only to two people, marked with intense emotions. Yu Ming suddenly felt as if she had intruded upon a private matter of the heart, yet the black dragon was aggressive, seeming ready to devour Xiang Shi Yan at any moment. It was surely the reason her spirit was trapped, leaving her unconscious. If Yu Ming hadn't been adept in talisman crafting and attuned to spiritual awareness, who knew what calamity might have befallen Shi Yan in the spiritual depths. She shook her head, dispelling the chaotic thoughts, folding her arms with a stern face as she looked down at Xiang Shi Yan. "Is there something you want to tell me?" Xiang Shi Yan coughed softly, her spiritual energy depleted, making every injury feel exacerbated. She sat upright, inhaling deeply to steady herself before calmly addressing Yu Ming, "Long Rui Qing is dead." "That's nonsense. I know you let him go." Yu Ming rolled her eyes. Seeing her attitude, Xiang Shi Yan frowned, speaking earnestly, "I understand why you don't believe me. Long Rui Qing was your own direct disciple. As his master, this concerns your reputation. Additionally, he hasn't committed any heinous deeds, maintaining strong relations with other disciples. Naturally, I wouldn’t want to change Huaiye and the others' opinion of him." "I delayed his execution to give the appearance of an accident on a later date and obtain information from him. I've discussed this with our senior brother and he consented. You can verify if you wish. I also placed a restriction on him, allowing me to take his life from a distance. While his current escape wasn't planned, it has its benefits..." "Xiang Shi Yan." Yu Ming wasn't angry. If she had shown hysterics, Xiang Shi Yan might not have been as shaken. Instead, her sister's calm yet slightly sorrowful demeanor struck a nerve. She said, "I risked my life not half an hour ago to pull you from the depths of your consciousness. I won't ask where the black dragon came from, nor will I probe into what you endured. Whether Long Rui Qing is dead, I know the truth. But where he went and why you let him go... these things I can choose not to ask." She drew out a jade token from her storage pouch, its intricate array activated by Yu Ming's spiritual power, casting a soft white glow. Xiang Shi Yan recognized it immediately as one of the personal talismans, tied to a soul strand, indicating if someone was alive or dead. Xiang Shi Yan also remembered it was a gift from her during Yu Ming's formation, the base for a treasure she would later refine. Evidently, Long Rui Qing herself was unaware of this link, or she would have mentioned it when Xiang Shi Yan severed the dual bond with her disciple's waist token. The jade token was intact, affirming that Long Rui Qing had not encountered harm, and the residence's body was a fabrication by Xiang Shi Yan. "I know you're used to handling matters alone, but since when have we, as sisters, become so distant that you'd rather conspire with a treacherous disciple than be honest with me?" Yu Ming let out a long sigh. "You don't enjoy makeup and, like our master, only apply it out of courtesy when meeting important guests. You wore makeup yesterday—are you trying to mislead me into thinking you went to meet some young suitor? I suspect you went to see Tian Ji." "...Yes." "That child doesn't truly dislike me. Her mind is complicated—I know that. The relationship you two have is indeed complex, and I understand your concerns. Now, tell me truly, was your conspiracy with Long Rui Qing for the benefit of the Taixu Sect?" Xiang Shi Yan remained silent, so Yu Ming pressed, "Was it?" "It was." "You claim it was the demon clan's dissenters who invaded the city, but only the Taixu Sect suffered significant losses. Although Yu Cang Mountain lost an elder and a core golden core disciple, it seems more than likely that Elders Wu and Taixu were targeted deliberately. I suspect the intruders from last night were associated with those who sent Long Rui Qing as an undercover agent to our sect." "Indeed." "In that case, you collaborated with Long Rui Qing intending to use others as your weapon. Before coming here, I spoke with Senior Brother Li, who mentioned encountering demons when he went for reinforcements. While I don't know how you managed it, it seems you persuaded Tian Ji Sect to remain uninvolved in last night's chaos, ordering their disciples to delay support." "......" "The ambush, causing significant casualties among the disciples, is enough to expose Taixu Sect's conspiracy and humiliate them. Killing Bai Jing Huan might give Tian Ji Sect an excuse, claiming invincible enemies, but it brings us no benefit. Yet, you must have had your reasons for insisting—does it connect to the black dragon in your sea of consciousness?" Xiang Shi Yan was taken aback at Yu Ming’s ability to deduce so much from so little evidence and closed her eyes in silence before slowly extending her arm. She clenched her fist, and a layer of scales, like those of a sea creature, swiftly climbed over her entire arm, spreading to her fingertips, transforming into a gauntlet fashioned from sharp, dark claws. The thick, dominant spiritual energy condensed quickly under Xiang Shi Yan's control, but the proximity of the oppressive aura still startled Yu Ming. It was obvious it was a treasure; yet due to the formidable strength of the scale's original owner, its mark couldn’t be entirely erased like other beast-forged artifacts, making it seem even more ferocious. This was the treasure Xiang Shi Yan had seized from Bai Jing Huan. "The artifact is crafted from the black dragon's tendons, bones, skin, and scales, while it still lived—a treasure of deeply embedded resentment. Though it cannot recognize a master, once merged with someone, it cannot be easily separated, even by conventional means." Yu Ming seemed to recall something. "You skinned it alive?!" She reconsidered, realizing that while Xiang Shi Yan wasn't fond of cruelty, she was capable of such bloodshed if the treasure was worth it. Her curiosity was piqued again. "How can there be a treasure that refuses to recognize a master?" At her sister's question, Xiang Shi Yan couldn't help but press her lips together. "Because... the dragon that was made into these artifacts is still alive." Yu Ming looked at her as if she were telling some cosmic joke. "You... Even leaving aside how it survived such torture, if it lives, it would undoubtedly despise its enemies and the cultivators flaunting parts of its body. This treasure cannot be removed without cutting it out... Are you insane? Why invite such trouble intentionally?" The aura leaking from those black scales was just residual power. Yu Ming suspected that if the dragon were alive, it wouldn't be weak. Should it want its scales back, it would need to skin Xiang Shi Yan, leaving no chance for survival. "Couldn't you weigh your options more carefully before deciding?" "I had no choice. The owner of these scales was watching me intently; if I hadn't worn it then, I never would have had another chance." Yu Ming was momentarily speechless, almost questioning her hearing. After a moment of silence, she sighed. "I don't know why you're doing this, but I believe there's a reason. Just be careful." The black dragon's cultivation wasn't insignificant. It could be just a step from ascension, possibly even approaching a heaven-defying tribulation. Xiang Shi Yan's abilities surpassed ordinary Nascent Soul cultivators but would do little against such an opponent. As Yu Ming's worry remained visible, Xiang Shi Yan offered a gentle smile to reassure her. "There's no need to worry. Though I'm temporarily unable to suppress the remnants of her spirit within the scales, my physical body remains unharmed—if she intended to kill me, she could have done so last night. Why allow me to return unharmed?" "True." Yu Ming still felt uneasy, sensing something was amiss. As Xiang Shi Yan clenched and unclenched her fist, she focused on her palm, grappling with her lack of options... Scalebearing—a species shrouded in mystery and possessing extraordinary power, so captivated with Qin Miao's treasure that Xiang Shi Yan was puzzled by her own obliviousness until Xuan Jiu himself confessed. All the treasures originated from the same dragon, a fact glaringly obvious, linking Xuan Jiu's hatred and obsession. Suddenly, an itch crawled over her body, as if only now her senses registered wearing someone's scales. She had a choice. Xiang Shi Yan asked herself: Why did she decline Xuan Jiu's offer to trade the scalemail for altering a celestial physique with an external elixir? In her dealings with Xuan Jiu, she found alliance and rivalry, but ultimately, her aim was to replace Qin Miao, safeguarding what she cherished in her own way. To her, Xuan Jiu was too unstable. While possessing great strength, his current mindset was comparable to a regular person's with impressive reasoning. However, Xiang Shi Yan couldn't truly trust Xuan Jiu. In the original tale, the "reclusive genius" Du Ruo first encountered appeared much the same, prompting Xiang Shi Yan to wonder if Xuan Jiu would inevitably become the antagonist depicted in the story. Anything was possible before events truly unfolded. Yet, when the moment of choice came, Xiang Shi Yan dared not wager that Xuan Jiu would remain reasonable. As the ripple of the water’s surface faced her, she instantly understood: Xuan Jiu's desire to reclaim his lost limbs was solely about regaining his power. Compared to someone whose presence was perhaps fleeting and potentially harbored ill intent, Xiang Shi Yan chose that in a future confrontation, she would not face an unbeatable ancient beast, but rather a fragmented spirit. She didn't know what role she played in Xuan Jiu's plans, but she knew she made the right gamble: Xuan Jiu wasn't in such a rush to piece together his form; otherwise, how could Qin Miao, merely a foundation-building cultivator, have survived, possessing neither cultivation nor leverage? Yet... Glancing at Yu Ming's bewildered expression, Xiang Shi Yan hesitated and pulled back the covers, revealing the provocative red marks as if recently embraced by the dragon's form. Purposefully showcasing such scars, more than a threat, was meant to humiliate, reminding her that the fragments could endanger her life even within the spiritual sea. Childish temper. With a flushed face, Xiang Shi Yan touched the mark through her clothing, clenched in thought. Author's Note: The mark is like a tattoo—one that the mentor cannot remove. He He (pulling petals): So frustrating, how can she be like this, kill, not kill, kill, not kill... I haven’t decided yet, don’t take it away! (No pop-up ads on this site, permanent domain: xbanxia.com)