Chapter 1990 - 1990: Pet
Chapter 1990 - 1990: Pet
The attitude of Fat Jiao towards Ye Qing made Ye Qing truly feel like a person reborn. Surviving isn't the most crucial thing; what's most important is that such an absolute beast showed such familiarity towards him, something Ye Qing had never imagined.In the current world, although the Corpse Ghost Dragon has resurrected, Ye Qing only vaguely knows about this matter. Since the Corpse Ghost Dragon hasn't appeared, Ye Qing isn't very fearful of him. However, bearing the Buddha's Relic, Ye Qing has long become a target of public criticism, and his situation naturally is extremely dangerous now.
Previously, Fu Qingping the Green Reed Swordsman protected Ye Qing, yet it wasn't safe enough. After all, in this era, hidden masters emerge numerous, one Peak Master after another appears, all rushing to seize the opportunity for life extension and survival. In such circumstances, even with Fu Qingping's strength, he dares not claim invincibility lightly.
In fact, only characters like Shijia Wuji and the Immortal Lord, who surpass the acme, can truly be considered invincible. Unless Ye Qing receives full assistance from these people, he cannot be safe. However, such characters who transcend acme would not always help him. Moreover, the Immortal Lord harbors heavy hostility toward Ye Qing, still wanting to personally deal with Ye Qing. In this situation, Ye Qing's circumstance naturally becomes even more perilous.
Yet at this moment, Ye Qing's relationship with the Fat Jiao has become so familiar. Looking at the posture of Fat Jiao, it's like a pet entirely treating Ye Qing as its master. It's important to note, Fat Jiao possesses power surpassing acme. Although it's just an animal, with its terrifying power, even the Immortal Lord encountering it might not be its match. As for other Peak Masters, there is no need to say more. Ye Qing saw with his own eyes that the Red-robed Archbishop was slapped to death by Fat Jiao with a single claw; what chance could other Peak Masters have against several of Fat Jiao's claws?
So, Ye Qing's excitement is conceivable. With the full assistance of Fat Jiao, who would dare harm Ye Qing as he resurfaces in the world? Even if the Immortal Lord arrives, Ye Qing needn't fear him!
Watching Fat Jiao's plump head rubbing affectionately against him, Ye Qing gradually recalled the previous events, including the Nine Charts of the Innate Skill and the white light that appeared afterward, all remembered. Naturally, he remembered reaching out to save Fat Jiao in the end. Now thinking back, Ye Qing suddenly realized, could it be that Fat Jiao is affectionate due to him saving it?
This thought provided Ye Qing with some relief, having suspected it might be an illusion. Now thinking, this seems very likely, indeed he extended his hand to save it. However, whether he saved it in the end, Ye Qing doesn't remember at all, because as his hand entered the white light, he passed out. The subsequent events remained unknown to him.
Actually, Ye Qing is unaware, Fat Jiao's affection isn't solely due to Ye Qing saving it. Though it was grateful for his rescue, the main reason for its affection is the Karmic Dao flowing from Ye Qing's body into Fat Jiao's.
Bear in mind, Fat Jiao guarded here for thousands of years, always yearning for the Karmic Dao but unable to obtain it. Earlier, attempting a grab, it was nearly killed by the Dao. Fat Jiao is very savvy; realizing the Dao was not for it, it intended to give up. Unexpectedly, through Ye Qing's hand, a part entered its body.
Actually, this isn't the complete Karmic Dao. When Ancestor Chen Tuan attained Dao, he consumed much of it. After his attainment, the Dao was useless to him, thus he left it for future successors. However, the Dao was incomplete, supplemented with Chen Tuan's Dao force. Thus, within the Karmic Dao Ye Qing obtained, a portion was Dao force, not entirely Karmic Dao. The suppressing power over Fat Jiao was not from the Dao, for the Dao itself held no power; the suppressing power came from Chen Tuan's Dao force.
Ye Qing harbors Buddha-Demon power within, naturally causing mutual contention and rejection. While absorbing the Dao, Chen Tuan's Dao force continuously entered Ye Qing's body, immediately rejected by the Buddha-Demon force. In this matter, these forces cooperated to expel the Dao force from Ye Qing's body. Thus, what truly entered Fat Jiao's body wasn't Karmic Dao but Chen Tuan's Dao force.
In truth, it was the Dao force that benefited Fat Jiao; the Karmic Dao left by the Dao in creating the Taoist Sect is meant for destined humans, premised on humanity. Fat Jiao, not being human, solely needed power. The Karmic Dao couldn't enter it, but Dao force could. Once the powerful Dao force entered Fat Jiao, its body underwent significant change. Its internal power surged, its scales vanished, revealing the original plump flesh.
Although Fat Jiao now lacks its former ferocity, its combat power has greatly surpassed previous levels. Furthermore, it senses its transformation; its mind isn't as lucid as humans, ignorant of the cause—only knowing this power entered through Ye Qing's hand. Under normal circumstances, the Dao and Dao force entering Ye Qing's body wouldn't emerge. Thus, in its less sharp mind, it believed Ye Qing deliberately infused it with Dao force.
The kindness of transferring Dao force, coupled with prior lifesaving gratitude, is the main reason for Fat Jiao's affection. Its plump body leans against Ye Qing like an elephant, yet that plumpness looked quite cute.
Ye Qing didn't know why Fat Jiao showed such affection, but since it did, he naturally rejoiced. He petted Fat Jiao's head for a while, recalling a matter. After bowing thrice and kowtowing nine times towards the Stone Platform, why didn't the Dao appear?
Ye Qing glanced around, noticing nothing special in the Stone Chamber or anything resembling the Dao. Actually, Ye Qing doesn't know what the Dao is. After searching and finding nothing, he gave up.
He patted Fat Jiao, which smartly got up, clearing the way for him, following at his heels like a shadow.
Ye Qing once again climbed onto the Stone Platform, sitting cross-legged anew. He gazed around, hoping to re-capture sight of the Nine Charts and Ancestor Chen Tuan's inscriptions, pondering whether he'd made a mistake causing the Dao not to appear. Yet, upon sitting, the stone walls remained silent. Murals and charts vanished, stones lay bare, like everything before was a dream. No matter how Ye Qing adjusted his posture or viewpoint, nothing appeared.
This was indeed a mechanism left by Ancestor Chen Tuan. Once the Dao was obtained, the murals and inscriptions disappeared. The basics of the Innate Skill were visible only to the destined holder of the Dao, not for subsequent entrants to see.
Ye Qing, unaware of the situation, saw nothing, obliged to abandon the attempt. Leaving the Stone Chamber with Fat Jiao, his stomach growled hungrily, unsure of how long he'd been unconscious, now truly hungry.
Listening to Ye Qing's belly growl, Fat Jiao blinked, suddenly sang out a strange chorus, its meaning unclear.
"What's wrong?" Ye Qing asked curiously. Whether Fat Jiao misunderstood him, it didn't respond, quieting after a moment, then followed Ye Qing, returning near the Underground River.
The Underground River lay in ruin, remnants of Fat Jiao's battle with the Great Lord lingered. Yet, the slapped-dead Red-robed Archbishop was gone, perhaps swallowed by Fat Jiao, leaving no trace below.
Ye Qing scanned around for potential exits within the Cave. Just then, a rustling noise arose from the Cave's river-side passage towards open terrain.
Upon hearing, Ye Qing sprang alert, raised his gaze. From the Cave's mouth extended a gigantic snakehead. Ye Qing saw clearly, the serpent head belonged to the Giant Snake he'd seen in the open-ground pond!
Despite Fat Jiao's intimacy, witnessing the Giant Snake left Ye Qing uneasy. While Fat Jiao evolved from a snake, its plumpness seemed cute. But the Giant Snake was different, snakes inherently terrifying.
The Giant Snake slithered from the Cave straight to the shore. Confronting Fat Jiao, it bowed, swept its tail forward. Only then Ye Qing noticed, Fat Jiao's tail wrapped around a milky white Lingzhi!
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