Divine Wilderness Dragon Emperor

"Never tell anyone that you carry the Dragon Bone. Not someone who saved your life, not even your own wife. You cannot speak of it."

Suddenly, Elder Ling's expression turned solemn, and he asked Ling Fei with extreme gravity, "Can you promise me this?"

"Foster Father, rest assured. Fei'Er will never mention this to anyone." Seeing his foster father's serious expression, Ling Fei nodded repeatedly.

In truth, he hadn't told anyone about it.

Even Shangguan Wan'Er didn't know he carried the Dragon Bone.

"Also, you must never reveal the pen within your Dragon Bone to anyone," Elder Ling said, his expression grave. "Otherwise, it will bring you endless disaster. If that happens, I'm afraid even I, your foster father, will be powerless to do anything."

"Then when can I openly use this pen?" Ling Fei asked.

This Dragon Bone Pen was the Pen of Order and contained endless mystical principles. If he could use it to face his enemies, his power would surely skyrocket.

Therefore, Ling Fei still hoped he could use the pen.

"When can you use it openly?" Elder Ling's gaze sharpened. "You can use it when you're in a desperate situation, or when you've reached the pinnacle of Martial Arts and have the ability to protect yourself. Otherwise, using this pen will only bring you disaster—especially in the vast Divine Wilderness Domain. You must never act rashly and use it there."

'Divine Wilderness?' Ling Fei's heart skipped a beat. 'Could it be... the enemy is in the Divine Wilderness?'

"The Martial Arts World is vast, and powerful experts are numerous. Only by becoming strong yourself can you find your place in this world. That is why I hope you will rely on your own efforts to walk the path to the pinnacle, one step at a time," said Elder Ling.

"Rest assured, Foster Father. I will not slacken my efforts," Ling Fei said.

"There are several sects in the Southern Wilderness. You can choose one to join and cultivate in. Whether you can take the next step and experience the vast world beyond will depend on your destiny. If you can't, then staying here and living out your life in peace isn't a bad option either," Elder Ling said, his tone earnest.

'Sects?' Ling Fei's eyes narrowed. He already knew a little about them.

However, becoming a disciple of one of the major sects required passing their entrance examinations.

"Foster Father... my True Dragon Body Refining Technique. Is there a continuation to it?" Ling Fei asked suddenly, his gaze turning upward.

After his battle with Li Chengfeng, Ling Fei had gained a deeper insight into Martial Arts. He was also filled with anticipation for what his True Dragon Body Refining Technique could become.

"That's right." Elder Ling nodded. "After the True Dragon Body Refining Technique comes the True Dragon Transformation Technique. I originally planned to give it to you later, but looking at your strength now, it seems you're ready to cultivate it."

'There really is more!' A jolt of joy went through Ling Fei's heart.

"This True Dragon Transformation Technique was left behind by your father. I'll give it to you now." With a turn of his palm, a Jade Token engraved with a True Dragon appeared in Elder Ling's hand.

The Jade Token was also covered in Inscriptions.

With a flick of Elder Ling's hand, the Inscriptions on the Jade Token began to flash. They instantly transformed into a Qi Dragon that shot into Ling Fei's mind.

This scene made Ling Fei's eyes light up.

It was so similar to how he had obtained the True Dragon Body Refining Technique back at the Dragon Pool.

At that moment, he was completely certain that his foster father had arranged it all.

A wave of warmth washed over him. His foster father had been watching over him all along, never once giving up on him.

The Qi Dragon submerged into his mind, and the text of the True Dragon Transformation Technique fused with his very soul.

'True Dragon Body Refining... Humanized True Dragon...' Ling Fei's consciousness sank into the depths of the True Dragon Transformation Technique.

The True Dragon Body Refining Technique is the foundation.

Only by mastering the Body Refining Technique could one cultivate the Transformation Technique.

...

"Take good care of yourself from now on." As night fell, Elder Ling said his goodbyes.

"Foster Father, rest assured. I will work hard on my cultivation," Ling Fei said, unable to hide his reluctance to see him go.

"Goodbye, Brother Ling Fei!" Xue Xi said, looking just as reluctant to leave.

Finally, Elder Ling turned into a long streak of rainbow light, carrying Xue Xi with him as he flew toward Longtan Town.

'I must become a powerful expert.' Watching their departing figures, Ling Fei's emotions surged as he murmured to himself.

The academy Elders also sighed wistfully.

"This matter is now settled," Han Beihai said to Ling Fei. "In three months, the Four Great Sects of the South Wilderness will come to our Empire to select talented disciples. With your aptitude, you can certainly join one of those major sects. Your journey on the path of Martial Arts will only truly begin once you do. For now, just focus on your cultivation. Strive to shock everyone when the time comes, so the sect Elders recognize your talent. That will be a great boon for your future."

"Yes," Ling Fei nodded, now filled with anticipation at the prospect of joining one of those sects.

Only then could he become a powerful expert and find a way to heal his foster father's injuries.

Ling Fei returned to his quarters afterward.

After he got back, many people came looking for him.

Shangguan Qingmu, Shangguan Yurou, Huang Xiaoman, and others.

The turmoil had subsided, and now his friends were inviting him out. Ling Fei joined them at a lakeside tavern, seeing it as a chance to express his gratitude.

After all, they had all gone to great lengths for him these past few days.

Ling Fei was truly grateful for their efforts.

Regardless of the outcome, these people had ultimately grieved and shed tears for his sake.

...

After they had drunk their fill, the group dispersed.

Ling Fei returned to his Cultivation Room.

Soon, he began to carefully study the True Dragon Transformation Technique.

'To achieve transformation, one must first condense True Dragon Gang Qi... And to achieve a complete transformation, one must at least surpass the Primordial Pill Realm.' Ling Fei's brow furrowed.

As for manifesting the form, that was a matter of Martial Arts techniques.

'It seems truly transforming my body into a True Dragon is even harder than I imagined,' Ling Fei murmured.

The True Dragon Hand that Li Chengfeng manifested was merely scratching the surface.

That wasn't true transformation at all. It was just the transformation of a single limb, which was then evolved into a Martial Arts technique.

However, the True Dragon Transformation Technique included the subsequent cultivation methods for the Celestial Spirit Realm and the Primordial Pill Realm, giving Ling Fei a clear map for his future training.

'Right now, I must first go through Qi Refining and Gang Transformation. However, to truly enter the Celestial Spirit Realm, I'll need a vast amount of Dragon Qi. Without enough Dragon Qi, I can only reach the Half-step Celestial Spirit Realm at best.' Ling Fei felt a twinge of regret. One could only truly set foot in the Celestial Spirit Realm by absorbing a massive amount of Dragon Gang Qi.

As for other cultivators, after condensing their first wisp of Gang Qi, they also had to absorb the corresponding type of Gang Qi from the world to truly enter the Celestial Spirit Realm.

But this worldly Gang Qi was exceedingly rare, making it incredibly difficult to break through to the Celestial Spirit Realm in a single attempt.

'Dragon Qi! Where can I possibly find Dragon Qi?' Ling Fei fell into deep thought.

Suddenly, his eyes lit up. 'Li Chengfeng cultivated Dragon Qi! There must be a place in the Empire rich with it.'

'I'll go look up some information tomorrow.' Ling Fei made up his mind.

The next day, he went to the academy to search for information.

At last, Ling Fei found his answer.

In the Imperial Capital, there was a Dragon Vein that contained dense Dragon Qi.

However, the Dragon Qi was wild and domineering. Only disciples of the Royal Family, with their special cultivation techniques, were able to absorb it.

To ordinary cultivators, Dragon Qi was essentially useless.

Ling Fei's expression grew fervent. 'The Imperial Capital... If I go to the Imperial Capital, I can absorb the Dragon Gang Qi from that Dragon Vein!'

'But first, I need to refine the Cold Chi True Qi in my body into Gang Qi. Only then can I absorb the Dragon Gang Qi.'