Time flies, and in the blink of an eye, nearly half a month has passed.

In the Quiet Chamber of the Cave Mansion, the ground was cluttered with heaps of shattered jade powder.

A wave of scorching aura filled the air, as if countless sharp arrows were piercing through the void, instilling an atmosphere of deadly tension.

Gu Yuan’s eyes were tightly shut, his mana swiftly converging, striking against the obscure seal text in the void with incredible speed.

"Clang!"

A metallic sound resonated, as if a bowstring had been plucked in the void, creating ripples.

"Finally succeeded!"

The red Dharma Seal took shape, the fiery Dao Patterns swirling densely, exuding an air of ferocity.

Seeing this, a smile of joy finally appeared on Gu Yuan’s face.

After half a month of contemplation and the consumption of twenty Shadow Walls, the Secret Essence Arrow Seal was finally successfully crafted.

This seal, merely floating, emitted flames like a furnace, intense in heat, seemingly increasing the entire Cave Mansion’s temperature.

The spiritual qi of the void seemed eager to penetrate into this seal.

"I’ve got an ace up my sleeve now!"

Gu Yuan smiled with satisfaction, and with a thought, the Secret Essence Arrow Seal descended in a flash, landing in his dantian.

Within the dantian, transparent mana flowed like clouds and mist, amidst which six differently colored Dharma Seals floated, glowing faintly.

"Six Dharma Seals, both offensive and defensive, coupled with my spiritual sense enhanced by the consumption of Spiritual Flood Dragon Celestial Water, should be enough to hold my ground."

Gu Yuan exhaled a long breath, as if to expel the fatigue accumulated over many days.

Pursuing external help is not as effective as strengthening oneself.

Although borrowing from the prestige of the Golden Core and the sect’s edicts ensures temporary safety from oppression, nothing is as stable as one’s own strength.

This gradual growth in power is the most delightful feeling.

"However, it’s about time I find ways to enhance my cultivation."

Looking at the disordered Cave Mansion, Gu Yuan murmured to himself, then waved his hand, and the array lit up, sweeping away all dust and clutter. In a moment, the Cave Mansion was clean and serene again.

While Dharma Seals are important, cultivation is the foundation.

For the past month, Gu Yuan focused solely on cultivating Dharma Seals, neglecting his cultivation, and remained at the Qi Refining Fifth Layer.

But all this was part of his plan.

Given his aptitude, mere hard cultivation might only result in mediocrity among the crowd.

To advance by leaps and bounds, other means are necessary.

In fact, in the Transmission Hall, what Gu Yuan most hoped to find was not Dharma Seals but the "Body Seal" that could alter one’s aptitude.

But unfortunately, he found nothing.

However, fortunately, Gu Yuan had other methods.

Although uncertain of the outcome, he was unwilling to leave it untried.

"The Stone Liquid is fully replenished, this time I’ll take cultivation as an opportunity to see if I can find the right chance!"

With a flip of his hand, a blue-gray stone bottle appeared, and a gentle shake seemed to produce the sound of jade liquid clinking.

Stone Liquid is Gu Yuan’s greatest reliance.

"Clang!"

"Clang!"

"Clang!"

But just as Gu Yuan was about to pour out the Stone Liquid, three bell tolls suddenly resounded within the Cave Mansion, like a melody of gold and jade, spreading far and wide.

"Is that... the Golden Bell Jade Plate of the Hidden Flood Dragon Institute?"

Gu Yuan furrowed his brows slightly.

In Daoist School cultivation, practitioners are generally left to their own devices with minimal oversight.

But after all, it is a major sect with laws and edicts, certainly imposing some constraints on its disciples, of which the Golden Bell Jade Plate is one.

The Golden Bell Jade Plate is a unique Dharma Artifact of the Hidden Flood Dragon Institute, and once sounded, it awakens cultivators across the three islands, summoning them to the Hidden Flood Dragon Hall.

It’s only used for major events.

The last time the Golden Bell Jade Plate rang was fifteen years ago.

"Could something major be happening again?"

Though still in the Qi Refining Realm, Gu Yuan didn’t want to move, preferring stable cultivation.

After all, at the Qi Refining Fifth Layer, he’s still a minor character, needing more time to develop.

But the edict is as firm as a mountain, and once the Golden Bell Jade Plate rings, one must attend.

With no other choice, Gu Yuan temporarily stowed away the stone bottle, mounted the Cloud-Stepping Shuttle, and flew towards the Hidden Flood Dragon Hall.

...

...

The Hidden Flood Dragon Hall is located on the most spiritually abundant of the three islands, Golden Yuan Island. At this moment, it was sunrise, and the morning sun cast its rays, with one escape light after another pulling spiritual qi in its wake, dashing rapidly—a breathtaking scene.

With just a rough glance, there were hundreds of them, all in cyan Daoist robes, exuding an uncommon bearing.

Gu Yuan couldn’t help but sigh inwardly as he watched the increasing number of escape lights surrounding him.

"Truly the grandeur of a major sect, at the sound of the bell, a thousand lights burst forth—what grandeur indeed."

Though the Hidden Flood Dragon Institute consists only of Qi Refining Disciples, this foundation far surpasses that of smaller sects like the Cyan Wood Sect.

The square in front of the Hidden Flood Dragon Hall was vast, capable of accommodating thousands.

Gu Yuan found a corner, descended his escape light, and looked forward.

After a long while, when no more escape lights arrived, a middle-aged Daoist wearing a white Daoist robe, with a dignified face and a golden vertical stripe at the center of his brow, walked out in front of the Hidden Flood Dragon Hall.

The Daoist’s gaze was piercing, and the vertical stripe on his brow glowed with a strange and intimidating light.

Having pored over Daoist School explanations in the Scripture Pavilion, Gu Yuan recognized this person.

This was indeed the Dean of the Hidden Flood Dragon Institute, Zhou Qisheng, known as Daoist Golden Light, possessing a late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivation, from a humble lineage.

Zhou Qisheng glanced over the vast crowd of Hidden Flood Dragon Institute disciples and then spoke coldly:

"The Golden Bell Jade Plate rings, a sign of significant events arising."

"To inform you all, upstream of the Nine Rivers Marsh, the Jade Water Fire-Eyed Ape clan of the Red Moon River has occupied our Daoist School’s Cloud Cliff Shell Field for nearly a millennium. Yet, out of consideration for the hardship of the demon race’s cultivation, we did not contest it. However, they have grown increasingly arrogant, even attempting to flow downstream into the marsh to seize our Star Sand Shell Field."

"These beings fear might but do not respect virtue. Thus, by the honored decree of the Daoist School, selected Hidden Flood Dragon Institute disciples will take the Dragon Tooth Treasure Boat to cross the river and reclaim the Cloud Cliff Shell Field."

With that, Zhou Qisheng paused briefly, indicating a deeper meaning: "The Daoist School only wants the Shell Field!"

Upon these words, the crowd erupted into murmurs.

And Zhou Qisheng did not interrupt, allowing the disciples to freely discuss.

"Cloud Cliff Shell Field? Isn’t that Shell Field originally owned by the Jade Water Fire-Eyed Ape clan?"

"Indeed, as documented in the East Mountain Domain Chronicles, the East Mountain has Nine Rivers, inhabited by nine aquatic clans, each holding precious lands, dominating eighty-one thousand li, with the Jade Water Fire-Eyed Apes originating from the Red Moon River for thousands of years."

"In fact, the Nine Rivers Marsh, where our Daoist School resides, is formed by the convergence of these nine great rivers. We are technically outsiders."

Discussed a disciple well-versed in domain chronicles.

But in a flash, someone sneered:

"Futile minds!"

"Worldly treasures belong to those with virtue!"

"Did you ever wonder why nothing was said about the Cloud Cliff Shell Field for a millennium, yet it’s brought up today?"

"Have you perhaps forgotten the recent blood rain?"

Upon this comment, silence ensued.

The Great Sun dimmed, the Nine Heavens wept blood, thunder loomed like mountains, and all beings mourned.

The True Dragon has fallen!

Could this be the chain reaction caused by the fall of the True Dragon?