Refining the Mountains and Rivers

With a resonant roar, the temperature between the heavens and earth began to crazily fall. Pieces of ice appeared all around. Then, dragged together by an invisible force, they formed a massive spirit beast figure in the skies.

Dark star ice serpent!

The dark star ice serpent opened its eyes. The Witchcraft Sect's great scorpion spirit beast let out a wail of despair as if it were being ruthlessly attacked. The black fog that formed it started to disperse as its figure rapidly shrank. It lay prone on the ground, all of its previous aggression and posturing gone.

"Great!"

The constrained Hidden Fog Sect cultivators cheered and applauded.

But the dark star ice serpent's attack didn't stop there. With light cracking sounds, a layer of ice appeared on the surface of the Witchcraft Sect's flying ship.

The revolution of the flying ship's array formation was greatly affected. Its speed rapidly slowed, as if it had really been frozen in midair. In an instant, it was left far behind.

The Hidden Fog Sect Master's calm voice rang out, "I thank the fellow daoists from the Witchcraft Sect for making way for us."

A powerful cultivation supported this voice. Each word rang like thunder, stirring winds and clouds that rolled out in all directions.

In a moment, everyone watching the flying ship revealed looks of awe.

Little Ancestor's complexion darkened and he angrily humphed. Just as he was about to do something, a light voice sounded in his ears.

"It's fine. Let them go a step ahead."

Little Ancestor bowed his head. Normally he was overbearing and ruthless, but that didn't mean he was stupid. He could naturally guess the reason behind this. The Sect Master didn't want to expose too much of their strength in this place. Humph…Hidden Fog Sect, once we enter the arena, we'll settle this score!

The situation instantly reversed and the mocking voices were quelled. As the ship descended and approached Dragon City, numerous cultivators withdrew on their own initiative.

"I knew that if the Hidden Fog Sect was able to establish themselves in the Eastern Plains, they definitely haven't weakened!"

"That's right. That last spirit beast was able to freeze the Witchcraft Sect's flying ship with its aura alone. That degree of strength is terrifying!"

"Humph! I still think that the Hidden Fog Sect was forced to take out their trump card ahead of time. I fear that after they enter the arena, the other six sects will target them…after all, that final spirit beast clearly controls ice-attribute supernatural powers."

"That may be so, but the Hidden Fog Sect hasn't lost any face. As for what the final outcome will be, that can only be proven through battle."

Atop the flying ship, the Hidden Fog Sect cultivators had their chests puffed out and their heads held high. At this moment no one dared to belittle them.

At the tower window, Qin Yu had a calm expression. He didn't care about what happened just now. He looked down at the giant city and the familiar feeling reappeared. And as time passed, it grew increasingly strong.

But it was clear that this was Qin Yu's first time coming here, so why would he develop a familiar feeling for a strange city he had never seen before?

They came closer. Qin Yu could now see the grand city gates. He looked down and his eyes fell atop the two characters above the gates. They were like meteors crashing down from the heavens, leaving behind an unimaginable impact that exploded in his mind!

His entire consciousness was thoroughly flooded with the two characters 'Dragon City'!

At this time, Qin Yu felt his field of vision rise higher and higher. After passing through layers of fog, he started to see an intense battle occurring before him.

A heaven-towering giant stood amidst the endless sea. He held a black staff in hand as he battled a golden dragon.

The golden dragon's body was hundreds of thousands of feet long. Each scale blazed with golden flames on its surface. As it traversed through the sea, it would disappear from time to time. Its giant body caused billions of tons of seawater to splash into the air, forming a horrifying tide that seemed to connect the heavens and earth as it rumbled towards the giant.

"Hahahaha! Come!" The giant wildly laughed. He raised the black staff in its hand. The staff began to grow against the wind, soon reaching a hundred thousand feet in length.

As it came crashing down, it was like a mountain range falling from the heavens. It smashed into the wild waves, breaking through them.

Whoosh -

The golden dragon cried in misery and its giant body sank beneath the waves. The giant received the black staff and leapt forward into the sea.

As he was in midair, he released a bellowing roar, "After today, this world's dragon lineage will be my slaves!"

The scene flickered. The golden dragon's single horn was shackled by titanic chains. The other end of the chains was held by the giant as it was ridden in the highest heavens.

Strong heavenly winds struck the dragon and giant like countless sabers, causing sparks to light up the air. Yet, they weren't able to cause any damage at all.

"Do not resist again, otherwise my staff will show no more mercy. I will make it so that your entire dragon bloodline vanishes from this world!"

The golden dragon beneath the giant roared and flew out from the strong heavenly winds. The dragon's pupils revealed a look of sorrow and submission.

"Hahaha!" The giant laughed. "Today, I will build a great city as the dwelling of the dragon race. In the future, without my order, you cannot take a single step out!"

He pulled the chains and the golden dragon dove down to the earth. Soon, a vast and endless plain appeared in their line of sight.

The giant grasped out a hand and ruthlessly pulled back. With a loud rumbling sound, a city rose up from below the earth.

"This city was built for your dragon bloodline. Then, let's just call it Dragon City."

The giant leapt down from the dragon's back. He stood before the city gates and his finger sn.a.k.e.d forward, dancing about in a beautiful show of calligraphy. The characters 'Dragon City' appeared above the gates.

At this time, the giant suddenly turned around. His eyes seemed to pierce through the veil of space and time, making Qin Yu feel as if this giant were looking directly at him.

After several breaths of time, the giant opened his mouth, a grateful expression on his face, "After so many years, I've finally waited for you. I hope…"

The following words were erased by some invisible strength. The Dragon City in Qin Yu's line of sight began to rise up and shrink, turning into a beam of golden light that rushed towards him.

Hum -

His feet swayed. Qin Yu propped himself up against the window. Yun Die who was appreciating the sight of Dragon City was given a shock and hurried over to support him.

"Teacher, are you alright?"

Qin Yu shook his head, "I've expended too much of my mind recently. I'm fine." His calm voice relaxed Yun Die, but she wasn't able to see the shock that flooded his face.

The one that fought with the golden dragon and subdued it was an Ancient.

And this Dragon City in front of him had been constructed by an Ancient. It really was used to suppress and imprison the dragon race.

No wonder he felt it was familiar!

But, what did that last 'I've finally waited for you' mean?

Within his soul space, a piece of a golden key floated about. It wasn't complete, but it was the most advanced part of the key. This key was what had become of the Dragon City he had seen in his vision. And, it was because of this that Qin Yu was sure that what he saw wasn't an illusion.

Because this incomplete golden key had a pure Ancient aura lingering about it…it was formidable to the point that it left his mind trembling.

As for how formidable it was, Qin Yu wasn't sure. But to break apart the heavens and earth with a single punch shouldn't be difficult. However, while Dragon City still stood, the Ancient who built it had disappeared without a trace. Had he left, or had something else unknown occurred?

The flying ship began to descend. Even if it was one of the seven great sects, it still had to maintain sufficient respect towards Dragon City.

Qin Yu lightly ordered, "Yun Die, after we enter Dragon City, gather some information for me about the origins of this city."

"Yes, teacher."

…

From a long time ago, Dragon City had its own guardians. They were called the Shadow Clan. From the moment their clansmen were born, they were not allowed to take a single step beyond the borders of Dragon City.

Right now, Zhou Li was receiving the highest level of hospitality at the residence of the Shadow Clan. After a luxurious feast, the Shadow Clan Chief invited her to enter their temple.

The doors had been laden with dust for many years. Beneath the prayers of the Shadow clansmen, they slowly opened. Zhou Li stood on the stone street and looked up at the vast temple, hesitation on her face.

"Lord Patriarch, even now I still don't understand why I was chosen by Dragon City. Perhaps you should check again to make sure it wasn't a mistake."

The Shadow Clan Chief was tall and had a dignified expression. He faintly smiled and said, "Miss Zhou Li, there is no need to worry. If Dragon City chose you, it must have its reasons. It would not be wrong."

Fluctuations flashed in the depths of his eyes.

In truth, the Shadow Clan Chief couldn't figure out why Dragon City would choose an ordinary girl after nearly 2000 years of silence.

There was nothing on her body that met the recorded conditions of the clan. The Shadow Clan Chief even suspected that someone around her gave her the ability to interact with and sense Dragon City.

But after inquiring into her history, he found that her background was ordinary. This eliminated the possibility of there being a bloodline connection. And, that man beside her didn't meet any conditions either.

Of course, the Shadow Clan Chief wouldn't question Dragon City's abilities. Since it chose this woman, it had to have its reasons for doing so.

"Miss Zhou Li, please come with me."

After a brief silence, Zhou Li stepped forward. She clenched her fists beneath her dress. In truth, she was excited at this moment.

Before entering the Shadow Clan dwelling, Ji Yun had already given her a brief explanation about Dragon City's true guests. This was an extremely glorious welcoming. From this point alone, her status rose considerably, giving her the chance to appreciate an even higher level of scenery!

Walking across the long stone street, they stood at the entrance of the temple. The Shadow Clan Chief respectfully bowed. He solemnly said, "Miss Zhou Li, please enter the temple now. No matter what happens, there is no need to feel shocked. Afterwards, bring out whatever you find."

Zhou Li took a deep breath, nodded, and stepped inside. When she walked in, her entire being seemed to disappear.

An hour later, Zhou Li came out, wrapped in an invisible bubble. She had already fallen unconscious. A slender dragon scale flashed between her eyebrows.

The Shadow Clan Chief revealed a look of envy. He respectfully placed her down to the side and then looked at the things she brought out.

There were three things in total: one drop of dragon blood, a piece of dragon soul, and a dragon fang.

The Shadow Clan Chief's face filled with surprise. He knelt towards the temple, "Thank you for bestowing my clan the supreme Saintess. May your light be eternal and everlasting!"

Quietly, the front doors of the temple closed.