Relying on its faint perception of the Sun-Moon Dragon Spring, the Dragon Fiend Emperor carried Zhang Ruochen, swiftly darting through the area, meticulously searching.
The region was filled with the spring’s aura, but no matter how they looked, they couldn’t find its trace, as if it had long since left.
The Sun-Moon Dragon Spring, sentient and adept at seeking fortune and avoiding calamity, never lingered long in one place after emerging.
“Did we arrive too late?” the Dragon Fiend Emperor said, reluctant to accept defeat.
Having finally found the spring’s trace, missing it was a great pity.
Zhang Ruochen, deep in thought, took out the Secret Tome of Space and Time, infusing it with his spatial laws. Instantly, an invisible spatial ripple spread outward.
This ripple was profoundly intricate, seeping into the surrounding space and underground, carefully probing everything nearby.
Suddenly, a glint flashed in Zhang Ruochen’s eyes. “Three thousand zhang below, there’s an unusual energy fluctuation.”
“So the Sun-Moon Dragon Spring is hiding underground this time—no wonder we couldn’t find it,” the Dragon Fiend Emperor said, realisation dawning.
True Dragon Island’s earth was dense, impenetrable to mental power, making it extremely difficult to discern underground conditions.
Without the Secret Tome, even with Zhang Ruochen’s high spatial mastery, probing three thousand zhang below would have been impossible.
At Zhang Ruochen’s command, the Dragon Fiend Emperor sprang into action, using various techniques to excavate a passage downward.
The deeper they went, the harder the ground became, challenging even the Dragon Fiend Emperor’s methods.
“Crack.”
At one point, the underground rock shattered, revealing a dark cavity from which hazy mist emanated.
This mist was unique, blending extreme yang and yin energies, opposing yet harmoniously united.
Seeing the mist, the Dragon Fiend Emperor grew excited. “Such dense Sun-Moon mist—the spring must be below.”
The spring’s water would greatly benefit it, too. With enough top-tier holy spring water, it could baptise its divine power and holy soul, potentially boosting its strength significantly.
Zhang Ruochen activated the *Nine Heavens Bright Emperor Scripture*, absorbing the mist into his body. Coming from the Sun-Moon Dragon Spring, it surely had extraordinary effects.
As the mist entered, it merged into his limbs and bones without needing refinement.
During this process, Zhang Ruochen faintly sensed his body and holy soul strengthening slightly, his holy energy becoming purer.
Given his current cultivation, feeling even a subtle effect from the mist was remarkable.
“The Sun-Moon Dragon Spring is truly miraculous. If I can obtain some holy spring essence, my body and holy soul will improve greatly,” Zhang Ruochen said, eyes gleaming with anticipation.
With the opportunity at hand, Zhang Ruochen and the Dragon Fiend Emperor didn’t hesitate, plunging into the cavity.
They moved cautiously, concealing their auras to avoid startling the spring.
The underground space was vast, filled with dense Sun-Moon mist, nearly condensing into liquid.
Inside, it wasn’t dark; soft holy light illuminated the area.
The light’s source was a sun and a moon, emitting golden and silver holy light, respectively, intertwining brilliantly.
These weren’t real celestial bodies but visions manifested by the Sun-Moon Dragon Spring.
Using his Divine Seal Eye, Zhang Ruochen peered through the dense mist to assess the spring’s reality.
“Hm? Someone’s ahead.”
His eyes narrowed.
The presence of others at the spring’s location was troubling.
Just one glance at the figure’s back sparked intense unease in Zhang Ruochen, sensing a strong threat.
The Dragon Fiend Emperor also noticed the figure, its voice low. “It’s Dan Huang. That guy’s nose is sharp, always finding where the Sun-Moon Dragon Spring emerges.”
It had encountered Dan Huang when it stumbled upon the spring before, and now they met again.
At the mention of “Dan Huang,” Zhang Ruochen frowned slightly. Having just seen Mu Zu and the Sword Emperor, meeting Dan Huang so soon made him wonder if his luck was good or bad.
Thus, the only overlord he hadn’t met was Stone Emperor.
According to the Dragon Fiend Emperor, Dan Huang was formed from the residual essence of a shattered emperor-grade holy pill. Though no longer an emperor pill, it was far stronger than royal-grade pills.
The Dragon Fiend Emperor said, “Dan Huang has a deep obsession to restore its origin and become an emperor-grade holy pill again. It’s devoured vast amounts of natural treasures, including many royal-grade holy pills, and uses the Sun-Moon Dragon Spring to refine its pill aura.”
Dan Huang was unique, far more adept than the other overlords at finding holy pills. Most high-grade pills preserved in the Dragon God Hall had fallen into its hands.
Of the roughly thirty royal-grade holy pills that emerged over the years, Dan Huang had claimed at least two-thirds—an astonishing fortune that would make Great Saints envious.
Having consumed so many royal-grade pills, Dan Huang’s origin was likely immensely powerful, potentially capable of becoming a full emperor-grade holy pill given time.
“Devouring so many royal-grade holy pills to nurture its aura—truly extravagant,” Zhang Ruochen remarked.
Royal-grade pills were priceless, unaffordable for most Great Saints, who would hesitate to refine even one.
A glint flashed in Zhang Ruochen’s eyes as he stared at Dan Huang’s back. What effects would a near-emperor-grade holy pill have?
Especially since Dan Huang had risen from ruin, its effects might be close to an emperor-grade pill.
Sensing Zhang Ruochen’s thoughts, the Dragon Fiend Emperor quickly said, “Master, Dan Huang isn’t like the royal-grade pill spirit we faced. It’s not only immensely powerful but also masters various mystical pill spirit techniques, making it very difficult to handle. Best not to target it.”
“What are pill spirit techniques?” Zhang Ruochen asked curiously.
The Dragon Fiend Emperor explained, “Pill spirit techniques are secret arts created by pill spirits, tailored for their cultivation, allowing them to perfectly wield their immense power.”
“The Dragon Clan once tamed emperor-grade holy pill spirits with secret methods, teaching them various techniques to become peerless powerhouses. Pill spirit techniques were developed by these powerful spirits, and Dan Huang’s techniques come from the shattered emperor-grade pill.”
Zhang Ruochen’s heart stirred. The Dragon Clan was indeed formidable to achieve such feats.
All holy pills had spirituality, with higher grades possessing greater intelligence. Emperor-grade pill spirits were as intelligent as cultivators, if not more so.
Containing myriad heavenly rules, they cultivated with exceptional efficiency.
“I think now’s the perfect time to deal with Dan Huang,” Zhang Ruochen said, eyes gleaming.
The Dragon Fiend Emperor paused, then understood, silently pitying Dan Huang.
After a moment’s thought, Zhang Ruochen said, “Let’s not alert it yet. Focus on collecting some spring water.”
Though he had a plan for Dan Huang, scaring off the Sun-Moon Dragon Spring would be a loss.
Both Dan Huang and the spring water were his targets.
Zhang Ruochen and the Dragon Fiend Emperor quietly changed direction, cautiously approaching the spring pool from another side.
The elliptical pool, less than a zhang wide, had a central spring eye constantly gushing golden and silver water, distinctly separated like a taiji symbol.
Within the pool, two small dragons swam—one golden, one silver, each a chi long.
These were holy spring essences, rare and meant for top Saint Kings and Great Saints, extremely valuable.
Divine spring water, hidden in the spring eye, rarely surfaced and was usable only by Dragon Clan powerhouses in small amounts.
Though Dan Huang sat by the pool, it wasn’t greedily collecting water, clearly intending to cultivate with the spring long-term.
“Act.”
Zhang Ruochen sent a mental command, deploying the Mercury Gourd.
The Dragon Fiend Emperor didn’t hesitate, using spatial techniques to draw water from the pool.
The gourd appeared in the pool, unleashing powerful suction, nearly draining all the holy spring water.
Zhang Ruochen’s main target was the two essence dragons, so the gourd’s mouth aimed directly at them.
“Roar.”
The pool trembled, emitting a deafening dragon roar.
A hazy holy light enveloped the pool, preventing water loss.
The sun and moon vision above merged into the pool, which then sank into the ground, vanishing.
From deploying the gourd to the spring’s escape, it happened in an instant, too fast for Dan Huang to react.
Dan Huang’s eyes snapped open, locking onto the Dragon Fiend Emperor. It roared, “You dare disrupt my cultivation, Dragon Fiend Emperor? Seeking death?”
The Dragon Fiend Emperor swallowed a large mass of holy spring water it had drawn, unfazed. “The Sun-Moon Dragon Spring isn’t yours. I can take it too. Want a fight? I’m game.”
With Zhang Ruochen present, its confidence was high, dismissing Dan Huang’s threat.
“You won’t leave here unscathed today,” Dan Huang said, eyes blazing with killing intent.
As it spoke, Dan Huang formed intricate seals, releasing powerful pill aura that formed a ferocious demonic dragon, charging at the Dragon Fiend Emperor.
Furious, Dan Huang unleashed a potent pill spirit technique to teach the Dragon Fiend Emperor a harsh lesson.
At that moment, an ancient broken monument flew from behind the Dragon Fiend Emperor, suppressing Dan Huang.
The monument showed no divine traits, yet the demonic dragon formed by Dan Huang’s aura inexplicably dissipated.
“What is this?”
Dan Huang’s expression shifted, staring at the approaching monument.
Without hesitation, it changed seals, forming a divine seal with its aura to meet the monument.
Strangely, the seal dissipated instantly, like the dragon, along with the aura.
Seeing this, Dan Huang felt a chill, sensing danger.
It retreated rapidly to avoid the monument.
“Swoosh.”
Zhang Ruochen emerged from behind the Dragon Fiend Emperor, pressing a hand on the monument, chasing Dan Huang. With no one else around, he could use the Reverse God Monument freely.
Only then did Dan Huang realise someone else was present.
As the monument neared, Dan Huang had to block it with a hand.
Upon contact, its expression changed drastically, eyes filled with shock as its pill aura inexplicably dissipated.
“What is this thing?”
Panicking, Dan Huang tried to pull its hand back.
To its horror, its hand seemed stuck to the monument, unable to break free.
It mobilised its immense power to resist.
But the more it fought, the faster its power drained.
“Who are you? What do you want?” Dan Huang stared at Zhang Ruochen, shouting.
Zhang Ruochen, hand on the monument, looked at Dan Huang calmly, silent.
His plan had worked: using the Dragon Fiend Emperor to distract Dan Huang, then striking with the Reverse God Monument.
The Dragon Fiend Emperor watched, shaking its head. Having experienced the monument’s terror, it knew resistance was futile.
Had it not been for this, it wouldn’t have submitted to Zhang Ruochen.
The Hidden Mountain Demonic Mirror flew from Zhang Ruochen’s body, its surface rippling like water, releasing a black-hole-like suction.
With its power nearly drained by the monument, Dan Huang couldn’t resist, instantly sucked into the mirror.
Retrieving the mirror, Zhang Ruochen smiled with satisfaction. A near-emperor-grade holy pill was worth more than a hundred royal-grade pills.
“Congratulations, Master, on subduing Dan Huang. Refining it will surely forge the most powerful immortal saint body,” the Dragon Fiend Emperor said.
Zhang Ruochen’s heart stirred. “Perhaps this near-emperor-grade pill can help Lan You.”
Kong Lanyou’s immortal saint body was shattered, and rebuilding it was near impossible—something Zhang Ruochen deeply cared about.
With the opportunities in the second gradient of the Endless Abyss and this pill, rebuilding her immortal saint body seemed more feasible.
Storing the mirror and monument, Zhang Ruochen took out the Mercury Gourd, eager to check his haul.
The gourd’s internal space was vast, capable of holding an entire lake.
Upon inspection, Zhang Ruochen’s smile widened. “Over thirty-five thousand drops of common holy spring water, and over two thousand four hundred drops of essence—well worth the effort.”
Given the spring’s wariness, obtaining so much was satisfying, though he regretted not getting divine spring water.
At his current cultivation, divine spring water, meant for peak Great Saints and deities, was unusable.
In a way, he owed Mu Zu thanks. Its reckless attacks had brought them to this area, granting this opportunity.
