Star Martial Soaring Cloud

Wang Xiao sat cross-legged in front of the true dragon, calming his mind and focusing on comprehending the true dragon's fighting techniques.

Every subtle meaning of killing in his moves, every rhythm of the dragon vein's flow, was repeatedly deduced in his mind, his body and his skills resonating endlessly and perfectly in harmony.

But a persistent obsession lingered in his heart: he couldn't let go of those eerie threads that bound the true dragon so tightly.

Even though his previous attempts had all failed, he was still unwilling to give up.

Taking advantage of the break while comprehending the technique, he raised his hand again, gathering his energy in both palms, and even used his newly comprehended True Dragon Fighting Technique.

The outcome remained unchanged.

Those transparent filaments seemed to transcend the rules of this world, impossible to cut with a sword, impossible to tear with force, and impossible to be invaded by primordial energy.

No matter how hard Wang Xiao tried, it was all in vain.

Wang Xiao clenched his fists, preparing to make one last attempt.

"That's Laiwuhao. Don't waste your energy. With your current cultivation level, you have no way to deal with it."

The dragon's voice echoed in the cave, still weak, but much more coherent than before.

It awoke, its dragon eyes half-open, Wang Xiao's figure reflected in its golden pupils.

From those dragon eyes, Wang Xiao read a myriad of emotions: weariness, vicissitudes, and a sorrow that had settled over the years.

"Senior..." Wang Xiao was about to ask when he was gently interrupted by Zhenlong.

"Young friend, listen carefully from now on and try not to interrupt." The dragon's eyelids trembled slightly as he struggled to stay awake. "I don't know how much longer I can stay awake. If it weren't for the Eastern Emperor Sword, I might not have woken up at all."

Wang Xiao's heart skipped a beat, and he subconsciously glanced at the Seven Star Sword stuck in the rock.

The sword was surrounded by a faint golden light, which was even more dazzling than before, and it complemented the mottled golden dragon scales all over the dragon's body.

"The vast天地 (heaven and earth) are boundless." The dragon's voice was soft, as if telling an ancient story, each word carrying the weight of time. "The mountains and rivers and the vast ocean divide the territory into two distinct environments, giving birth to two civilizations with contradictory structures and vastly different ideologies."

Wang Xiao sat down cross-legged and listened intently.

He could sense that what the dragon was about to say would clear up many of his confusions.

The changes in the Nine Provinces, the transformation of the Demon Island, the sealing of the Spirit Gathering Array... perhaps all of this will have an answer.

"Land-based civilizations and maritime civilizations".

The dragon paused slightly, as if sorting out the secrets that had been accumulated in its heart for thousands of years.

Its breathing became more rapid than before, but its words became more and more coherent, as if it were about to pour out all the secrets it had accumulated throughout its life.

Wang Xiao simply listened quietly.

He knew this might be the last time the true dragon spoke.

"The Nine Provinces Continent is the pinnacle of land-based civilization. The land-based races born from this fertile land have a civilization centered on self-sufficiency. Humans use heaven and earth as a furnace, cultivating mountains and rivers with their own hands, battling against the wind, frost, rain, and snow of the heavens, and competing with the earth for the vitality of plants and trees; living beings help each other, unite and coexist, multiplying and prospering through trials, and forging ahead through exploration. With an inclusive heart, they embrace all races and forms, and with the philosophy of symbiosis in mind, they can be compatible with other civilizations."

The dragon's tone was tinged with pride.

That is the glory that belongs to the ancient times and the heritage of the Nine Provinces.

Wang Xiao thought of the ghostly soldiers in the ancient city, and the ancestors who reclaimed land and cultivated the land depicted on the stone carvings.

What they are protecting is not a city or a piece of land, but a spirit, a belief etched into their very bones, an unyielding conviction to live and die with their "home".

This is the essence of land-based civilization.

"And the maritime civilizations..." The true dragon's voice suddenly deepened, carrying an undisguised disgust, "The deep and vast seas are perpetually turbulent and fraught with danger. The harsh environment has forged the extreme nature of maritime civilizations—"

"Plunder." The true dragon paused, then uttered two words, each one as firm as iron: "From beginning to end, it was only plunder."

"The maritime civilization believes in the law of the jungle, where the strong prey on the weak. Everything can be used for their own purposes, and the territories, resources, and products of others are all things they covet. In order to cover up their greedy ambitions and justify their endless encroachment and conquest, the maritime races are arrogant and consider themselves the direct descendants of the gods. Under the guise of acting on behalf of Heaven, they carry out acts of aggression and slaughter."

The dragon's tone grew increasingly cold: "They are prejudiced and xenophobic, considering only their own civilization as orthodox, despising all other living beings, and even different seas cannot coexist. Therefore, it is only a matter of time before the sea tribes attack Kyushu. Or rather, if the Kyushu civilization cannot suppress the sea civilization, then the land civilization will face the crisis of annihilation."

At this point, Zhenlong seemed to remember something, paused for a moment, and then said, "We can't simply distinguish between these two civilizations based on their geographical location. The core of land-based civilizations is self-sufficiency; civilizations that don't prioritize self-sufficiency can be called maritime civilizations."

"The Daqing Dynasty can also be considered a product of this kind of maritime civilization." The true dragon let out a low, cold snort, which sounded like mockery, anger, and boundless hatred.

Wang Xiao's pupils suddenly contracted.

He recalled the actions of Ai Xin's family on Lishan Mountain—draining the cultivators' vital energy sea and depriving others of their cultivation to benefit their own clansmen.

That is plunder.

At its core, that is the logic of maritime civilization.

"By chance, the Ai Xin family established a dynasty on the Nine Provinces continent. They were well aware of the benefits and stability of land-based civilization, but at their core, they were still a maritime civilization, and their fear of the Nine Provinces' underlying civilization was greater than their fear of it. This is because land-based civilization will continue to evolve and surge forward, something that nothing can stop. As time goes by, it will only grow stronger. Their imperial rule, which they obtained through conspiracy and plunder, simply cannot withstand the erosion of the natural evolution of land-based civilization. Once the people of the Nine Provinces awaken and cultivators rise, their rule will inevitably crumble and ultimately perish."

The dragon's breathing quickened, but it did not stop: "In order to maintain the family's eternal rule, the Great Qing Dynasty devised two major evil schemes, running in parallel in the secular and cultivation worlds, wreaking havoc across the nine provinces, harming all living beings, destroying the foundation of civilization, and cutting off the path of cultivators."

"In the secular world, a harsh and extremely strict policy of keeping the people ignorant is implemented. The common people are strictly forbidden from learning to read and write, and the private possession of books and historical records is strictly prohibited. The people are forbidden from knowing about the rise and fall of ancient and modern times, or the past of civilization. Hundreds of millions of people only need to bury themselves in their work, cultivate the land, pay taxes, and support the royal family and nobles. They do not need to think or understand reason. The people are kept ignorant, numb, and enslaved forever."

"In the cultivation world, it launched the 'Dragon Slaying' plan."

"Slaying a dragon?" Wang Xiao's heart skipped a beat. He subconsciously glanced at the dragon's scarred body and at the Laiwu hairs that emerged from the gaps in its scales, continuously drawing life force from it.

Slaying dragons is not a metaphor or a symbol, but a literal massacre.

"Just then, the vanguard of the maritime civilization—the blue-eyed, golden-haired winged race—arrived in Kyushu." The true dragon's voice carried a deep sorrow. "They were very interested in Kyushu's cultivation system and dragons. The two sides hit it off immediately and decided to jointly slaughter all the true dragons of Kyushu, interrupting the path of Kyushu cultivators to ascend to heaven."

"The original cultivation system of the Nine Provinces was 'obeying the mandate of Heaven.'" The True Dragon's voice grew softer and softer, as if he were using his last strength. "The Dragon Clan was originally the medium between Heaven and Earth. The way they summoned clouds and rain was to spread dragon energy. When dragon energy gathered, it could generate the Immortal Epiphyllum Flower. The Immortal Epiphyllum Flower could help cultivators break through the limits of the human body and borrow power from Heaven and Earth. Therefore, emperors all considered themselves Sons of Heaven, and the dragon totem was basically connected with the imperial lineage. That's why dynasties throughout history have attached great importance to the path of cultivation."

A sudden realization dawned on Wang Xiao's mind.

He finally understood why the Epiphyllum could only survive here.

This is because the dragon's aura has long since ceased to exist in the land of Kyushu.

"Without the True Dragon," the True Dragon's voice turned cold, "the cultivators of the Nine Provinces will no longer be able to defy the heavens. Neither the secular world nor the cultivation world will pose a threat to the Great Qing Dynasty."

"Over the years, the true dragons of Kyushu have been almost completely slaughtered. The Winged Clan occupied Ryukyu Island, and as the last true dragon in the world, I was suppressed here and used as an experimental subject. Over the years, foreign races from overseas may have created some terrifying monsters."

Wang Xiao's fists were clenched so tightly they cracked, veins bulged, and nails dug deep into his palms.

He finally understood why the white-winged monsters on those stone carvings stood in the middle of mountains of corpses and seas of blood, why the slaughtered people were at their feet, and why the Demon Island had been isolated from the world ever since.

What they want to erase is not an island or a group of people, but a civilization.

"Later, a hero emerged from Kyushu, and he drove away the Winged Clan." The True Dragon's voice suddenly softened, as if recalling a warm memory. "But before the Winged Clan left, they left behind an extremely powerful curse, causing Ryujima Island to drift aimlessly, without a fixed abode. That curse allows Ryujima Island to be found by the imprints of the maritime civilizations, so that they can return at any time."

"That Demon Island descends upon Kyushu every hundred years..." Wang Xiao couldn't help but ask.

The true dragon remained silent for a long time.

The silence was long, so long that Wang Xiao thought it couldn't hold on any longer.

Then, Zhenlong spoke, his voice softening with an almost humble emotion, like an old man on his deathbed speaking of his children far away: "It's because... I miss Kyushu."

Wang Xiao felt as if something was blocking her throat, and her eyes stung with tears.

He wanted to say something, but he couldn't utter a single word.

"Laiwu not only imprisoned me, but also eroded my mind. I can only regain consciousness for a short while every hundred years. So I carried Liudao back home, firstly because I missed Kyushu, and secondly because cultivators in Kyushu cannot live without the Immortal Epiphyllum. However, what I carried was not the real Liudao, but a Dragon Domain illusion that I had condensed myself. Its appearance was no different from Liudao. Except for the Immortal Epiphyllum, everything else was an illusion."

Wang Xiao's tears finally fell.

The century-old mystery of the arrival of the Demon Island has finally been solved.

It was not fate, nor coincidence, but a true dragon that had been imprisoned, homesick, and adrift in the endless void for hundreds of years, exerted all its strength and exhausted a century of accumulated energy, just to catch a glimpse of its beloved homeland.

A century has passed, and now we must awaken once more.

Every time one regains consciousness, it depletes one's vital energy.

But it returns year after year, tirelessly and never giving up.

Because it wants to go home.

Because it knows that cultivators in the Nine Provinces need the Immortal Ephemeral Flower.

"The Great Qing Dynasty cut off its own path forward. How could the maritime civilization miss such a golden opportunity?" Zhenlong's tone was laced with sarcasm, yet also concealed endless sorrow. "Therefore, foreign races have taken turns invading the Nine Provinces. The land of China has sunk, the mountains and rivers have been torn apart, war has broken out everywhere, the people have been trapped in water and fire, the common people have been displaced, the country has been in turmoil, civilization has been on the verge of collapse, and the land of the Nine Provinces has been plunged into darkness."

It paused, as if recalling the darkest period of time: "Firstly, because it was too far away, and secondly, because the Nine Provinces continuously produced the resources needed by the alien races, the alien races had no intention of destroying the Nine Provinces. They only wanted to keep this place under their control, like raising livestock and harvesting it periodically. The Great Qing Dynasty was powerless to resist the enemy, and in order to protect its own imperial power, it simply colluded with the alien races and became their accomplices."

"But there is one exception among these maritime civilizations—Fusang. It wants to completely exterminate the Kyushu people."

Wang Xiao felt a chill run down his spine.

He thought of the Five Ninjas of Fusang's plot on the Demon Island, and the potential disaster that Junguo's resurrection might bring.

This is not a simple power struggle between sects or a dynastic battle, but a life-or-death struggle between civilizations.

"Just as the foreign tribes overseas were fighting for the divine throne, a large-scale war broke out. Taking advantage of the chaos, Fusang raised an army and invaded Kyushu with its entire nation. At that time, the land was destroyed and hundreds of millions of people were slaughtered. Some people in Kyushu even prepared pen and ink, wanting to write the last history book of Kyushu." Zhenlong's tone suddenly rose, full of excitement and admiration. "At this critical moment of national subjugation and extinction, Ge Weijing stood up."

Wang Xiao held her breath and listened intently.

"With his own strength, he reshaped the cultivation system of the Nine Provinces, ushering in a new golden age of cultivation in the Nine Provinces, and led the people to defeat Fusang. He united his efforts and gathered the strength of the Nine Provinces to resist all enemies, quelled the chaos of separatism within the country, defended against the fierce enemies outside, swept away the smoke of war in the chaotic world, and removed the oppression of the past century."

"Do you know... how he defeated Fusang?"

Zhenlong's tone was full of nostalgia and reverence as he recalled that glorious and brilliant era. His expression was exactly the same as that of his senior brother Song Qing, who had been lost in thought and longing in Liangshan in the past.

"Years in advance, announce to the world, clearly revealing to Japan our strategy for defeating and annihilating the enemy. Then, in a fair and square manner, without a single misstep, follow our plan precisely, crushing the powerful foe and achieving a complete victory over Japan!"

Wang Xiao's eyes widened.

Tell the enemy your strategy years in advance, and then defeat them squarely and decisively.

What unparalleled confidence, what domineering spirit, what timeless heroism!

"This is the Eastern Emperor!"

The dragon's voice grew louder and more impassioned, echoing through the empty cave, causing the stalactites to tremble slightly, and resonating in Wang Xiao's heart.

"Before he came, the soldiers and bandits were considered one and the same; after he came, the soldiers and the people became one."

"Before he came, women were subservient; after he came, half the sky was filled with women in red, and the land was free of brothels and willows."

"Before he came, the people of the land were treated like pigs and dogs; after he came, all the people of the world learned what it means to be human."

"Before he came, the emperor was the one who lived long life; after he came, the people lived long life."

Before he came, the land was torn apart; after he came, the nine provinces were unified and secure, and the people of the land returned to their hearts.

"Before he came, foreign tribes ran rampant and humiliated us; after he came, the land of Kyushu was free from humiliation."

"Before he came, all the land belonged to the powerful and wealthy; after he came, all the farmers had their own land, and the people were able to enjoy food and clothing."

"Before he came, illiteracy was rampant; after he came, education spread to every household, and the people became literate and courteous."

"Before he came, etiquette and law were all shackles; after he came, new customs permeated the land, and all bad habits were eliminated."

"After he comes, the sons of the common people can become leaders, and the sons of leaders can become the common people."

……

Every word is passionate, every sentence is powerful.

The dragon spoke each word slowly and solemnly, as if reciting a timeless eulogy, paying tribute to that glorious era that will never fade.

As the story progressed, Wang Xiao could no longer hear what Zhenlong was saying. Tears welled up uncontrollably in his eyes and slid down his cheeks. His heart was filled with surging emotions and a mix of feelings.

Why couldn't I have been born a hundred years earlier, so I could have met you once?

I am fortunate to know your story, and I am willing to follow in your footsteps.

Guarding the land, protecting the people, continuing the cultural heritage, and serving the nation.

He recalled that when his senior brother Song Qing talked with him in Lishan, he had briefly lost his mind. Was this the person who had captivated him so much?

This was the real reason he went to the brothel to mourn, not only because he was heartbroken for the women there, but also because of the resurgence of brothels throughout the land.

"Of course, the Eastern Emperor also has regrets." The True Dragon's voice lowered, with a hint of a sigh. "He failed to bring Ryukyu back to Kyushu. He fought with all his might, and that was also the time when I had the best chance to return home."

"After that battle, Ryukyu Island completely broke free from the control of all forces and vanished into the void. As for me, I am no longer able to condense the Dragon Domain Illusion. Therefore, this time, what descends upon Kyushu is the true Ryukyu Island."

Wang Xiao's heart skipped a beat: "Were the people of Ryukyu Island also lost in that battle?"

Zhenlong shook his head and let out a heavy sigh, a sigh filled with pity, helplessness, and a hint of inexplicable self-reproach: "They are still on the island; you should have already seen them."

"Huh?" Wang Xiao looked astonished.

"Fusang considers itself the legitimate successor of Kyushu, so during their rule over the Demon Island, they built everything here according to the Kyushu Classic of Mountains and Seas."

"So all those strange beasts are..." Wang Xiao's mind flashed through various ancient strange beasts on the island, their intelligence dulled and their supernatural powers suppressed, making them completely different from the strange beasts from other regions.

He suddenly remembered that he had eaten braised pork, and his stomach churned instantly, causing him to gag repeatedly.

"More than a hundred years have passed. How can a human live that long?" The dragon's voice was full of sorrow. "I don't even know if their descendants can still be considered human. The ones who can truly be called human are those auspicious beasts. They are inherently powerful and have long lifespans, and they can still retain some of their original consciousness and nature."

Wang Xiao instantly thought of Lu Shu.

That aloof and proud deer, who is only close to Lin Yueyao and looks down on all living beings; that deer who stood up at Qingming Cliff, entrusted the Jianmu Flower, and faced the Five Ninjas of Fusang alone.

It turns out he was never a beast.

He is a human being.

No wonder the Five Ninjas of Fusang recognized him.

No wonder Ichiro Ansei said, "We gave you a new life."

No wonder its eyes were filled with anger, hatred, and sorrow.

Wang Xiao gritted his teeth, his hatred surging.

"By the way," the true dragon suddenly asked softly, "how did you end up here by chance?"

Wang Xiao took a deep breath to calm his turbulent emotions and briefly recounted his arrival on Demon Island and the events that had transpired.

The dragon remained silent for a long time, so long that Wang Xiao thought it had fainted again.

Then, the dragon spoke, its voice carrying a hint of confusion and bewilderment.

"Strange... Before the song was finished, the Great Dao of Cultivation was reshaped. Cultivators across the Nine Provinces no longer needed the Immortal Ephemeral Flower to break through their shackles and advance to the Dragon Gate Divine Realm. Why do you need this now that you are cultivating?"

Wang Xiao suddenly stood up, trembling uncontrollably, his face deathly pale.

"Senior... what did you say?"

The news was so shocking that it completely overturned his understanding of cultivation, causing him to lose his composure and become unable to control himself.

Can one advance to the Dragon Gate Divine Realm without the Immortal Ephemeral Flower?

So what is our current cultivation practice all about?

"Ahem... Young friend, please don't be agitated. Let me finish." The true dragon's voice was weaker, yet still steady, carrying a soothing power. "Although I don't know what will happen in the future, this descent of the Demon Island should be the last. Because I..."

"Senior..." Wang Xiao's heart sank, and he understood the unfinished words of the true dragon. His eyes were filled with tears.

"Young friend, the beginning and end of fate are all predetermined. To meet again on my deathbed is something you should rejoice for." The dragon's voice carried a sense of relief and ease, like an old man about to embark on a long journey, comforting and bidding farewell to his junior. "You must remember what I'm about to say."

As soon as he finished speaking, a flash of golden light appeared, and two streams of light flew out from the dragon's forehead and landed directly in Wang Xiao's hand.

First, there is an ancient and simple teleportation array plate, its surface engraved with intricate patterns, shimmering with spiritual light and radiating the fluctuations of spatial energy, both ancient and mysterious.

Secondly, it is a golden dragon pearl that is dazzling and flawless, with a small dragon coiling and swimming inside, and the dragon's aura is vast and boundless.

"You should have two more uses for this teleportation array. Since you're not bound by the Laiwu hair, you can teleport directly away from here. For the second use, I've already adjusted the coordinates for you, which will send you and your companions directly to Yuhang. I've already transmitted the control technique into your mind; you can activate it with a thought."

A surge of profound information suddenly flooded his mind. The method of controlling the array, the nodes for injecting vital energy, and the adjustment of spatial coordinates were all imprinted on his mind, clear and distinct.

"Since the Nine Provinces still need the Immortal Epiphyllum for cultivation, you should bring this Dragon Pearl back. From then on, the Immortal Epiphyllum can grow freely across the Nine Provinces and continue to thrive forever."

"There's one more thing. Back then, the Eastern Emperor failed to completely slay Jun Guo. Aside from the interference of the alien races, the biggest reason was that he discovered Jun Guo had hidden a wisp of her primordial spirit." The True Dragon's voice grew weaker and weaker, each word as if using its last strength. "Without annihilating both body and spirit, one cannot truly slay her. I long to go home... back to the Nine Provinces..."

The sound stopped abruptly.

"Senior? Senior!" Wang Xiao called out hurriedly, reaching out to touch the dragon's body. There was no more dragon breath or soul fluctuation.

He knelt on both knees, his forehead pressed against the cold scales of the true dragon, his body trembling violently.

Tears welled up in my eyes, blurring my vision, dripping onto the dust and splashing up specks of dirt.

The dying dragon, obsessed with his life, with unfulfilled wishes, could not return to his homeland even in death.

That was a lifelong obsession, a journey home that could never be fulfilled until death, and a land from which one could never return.

Finally, Wang Xiao forced himself to stand up, wiped away the tears from his face, and bowed deeply before the remains of the true dragon.

The secrets revealed by the true dragon are too shocking: the confrontation between two great civilizations, the unparalleled achievements of the Eastern Emperor, and the need to break through realms without the Immortal Ephemeral Flower...

Each and every event overturned my understanding, leaving countless mysteries lingering in my mind.

He composed himself and carefully placed the dragon ball into the cellar.

Just as he put away the Dragon Ball, the True Dragon's last words about Jun Guo hiding her primordial spirit suddenly exploded in Wang Xiao's mind.

A chill instantly swept over his body, startling him so much that he broke out in a cold sweat and felt a chill run down his back.

Jun Guo still retains a wisp of her primordial spirit.

Then all their previous guesses about the royal bloodline were wrong!

His bloodline will not be limited to the Five Ninjas of Fusang.

It refers to everyone.