The silver light of the winter moon still shimmered on the clearing's surface as Long Tian stood silently, the cold wind brushing across his scaled body. The pact had been made. The Ice Phoenix, once lost in the cold mists of the northern skies, had accepted him.
And with that, the final bond was complete.
A golden light enveloped him again as the system's voice whispered softly in his mind.
> [All Companion Bond Missions Completed.]
Rewards available. Begin transfer?
> [Confirm.]
Three separate pulses of power surged into his core space as treasures manifested—each radiant, ancient, and unmatched in worth.
---
[Claimed Rewards – Companion Bonds]
---
1. Companion: Yunxiao
Yin-Yang Twin Tree Seed (Origin Grade)
Effect: A dual-pole tree that nurtures both Yin and Yang Qi. Enhances balance in Qi circulation and supports dual-aspect cultivation.
Bonus: Accelerates recovery of mental and physical energy simultaneously.
Seven-Colored Spirit Pendant (Sacred Grade)
Effect:
Harmonizes and stabilizes Spirit Qi
Grants full immunity to all illusions and mental interference below Sacred Grade
Allows host to freely alter shape, size, and aura signature at will
Slightly enhances the host's charm and charisma, especially toward intelligent beasts and humanoids
Passive Aura:
Calms beast emotions within a 500-meter radius
Reduces hostility and fear response from weaker beings
Body Tempering Pills (Perfect Grade) – 5 Bottles (50 total)
Effect: Strengthens meridians, flesh, and bones. Reduces pain during body cultivation.
---
2. Companion: Baoyun
Seed of the Primordial End World Tree (Origin Grade)
Effect: A tree that draws from death, time, and endings. Grants powerful death-attribute resistance.
Bonus: Produces Deathshade Fruits that help in enlightenment of mortality Dao.
Core-Swallowing World (Sacred Grade)
Effect: A portable realm fragment that refines Qi cores and breakthroughs.
Passive: May purify impurities from impure or mutated cultivation paths.
Dragon Fruit x10 (Spirit Grade)
Effect: Greatly enhances vitality and Dragon Bloodline purity. Boosts cultivation for Dragonkin.
---
3. Companion: Ice Phoenix
Seed of the Primordial Beginning World Tree (Origin Grade)
Effect: Tree that radiates creation force. Boosts comprehension and elemental affinity growth.
Bonus: Greatly enhances Spirit Qi quality in territory when matured.
Heavenly Reddish-Black Flame (Sacred Grade)
Effect: Dual-natured flame of extinction and rebirth. Can be used for attack or forging spirit items.
Passive Aura: Increases fire and ice resistance drastically.
Qi Condensation Pill (Perfect Grade) – 5 Bottles (50 total)
Effect: Refines loose Qi into True Qi. Guarantees smooth breakthrough from Qi Condensation to Foundation Establishment.
---
Long Tian examined the three Origin Grade tree seeds, each pulsing with the rhythm of ancient worlds. Carefully, reverently, he carried them one by one to the land surrounding the Earth Dew Pond.
---
[Tree Planting – Azure Vein Hollow]
1. Primordial Beginning World Tree – planted to the east, aligned with sunrise.
2. Primordial End World Tree – planted to the west, where shadows stretched longest.
3. Yin-Yang Twin Tree – planted directly north, where balance between cold and warmth was strongest.
As the seeds sank into fertile earth, the Qi in the area changed.
Crystalline mist shimmered in the air, and faint lines of force—Yin, Yang, Creation, Death—threaded through the soil. The territory itself began evolving.
---
[Territory Overview – Azure Vein Hollow]
Core Structure: Earth Dew Pond
Enhancements:
Dragon Spirit Qi Crystal Vein: Triples cultivation efficiency
Spirit Qi Gathering Formation: Increases Qi density
Three Origin Trees: Yin-Yang, Beginning, End
Beast King's Azure Flame Totem: Suppresses all lesser beasts within 1 km
Guardian Beasts: Yunxiao (Celestial Nine-Tailed Fox), Baoyun (Heaven-Earth Turtle), Ice Phoenix
---
Long Tian turned to the Ice Phoenix and led her toward a patch near the Earth Dew Pond, where icy mist naturally gathered.
"This place is laced with frost Qi and moon essence," he said. "It suits you well."
The Phoenix dipped her head and circled twice before settling beside a small stream trickling from the pond. As she curled her wings, cold lotus petals began to bloom around her nest.
---
[Cultivation Begins – Ancestral Dragon Jade Activated]
That night, beneath the glowing trees and starlit sky, Long Tian summoned the Ancestral Dragon Jade gifted by his father.
It hovered in front of him and emitted a powerful draconic hum.
Ancient runes formed a spiraling portal of light, offering access to his ancestral inheritance.
From within, he selected his path:
---
Cultivation Technique: True Immortal Azure Thunder Dragon Body
Grade: Mystic Grade
Type: Body Tempering
Stages: 9
Current Step: Stage 1 – Lightning Bone Baptism
Effect:
Tempers bones with thunder essence
Enhances physical resilience, speed, and raw power
Passive resistance to paralysis and thunder-based attacks
Ultimate Goal:
Near-invincibility in the same realm
Can deflect soul and physical attacks with pure body strength
---
Thunder cracked in the distance as Long Tian's body was surrounded by crackling lightning drawn from the Thunderwood Tree.
His bones vibrated as arcs of blue light coursed through his limbs. Pain flared—then strength followed.
---
Qi Cultivation Art: True Dragon Qi Scripture
Grade: High
Effect:
Converts ordinary Qi into True Dragon Qi
Enhances aura, pressure, and battle capability
Increases Qi density tenfold
Perfect synergy with his bloodline and crystal vein
The Earth Dew Pond shimmered, and Dragon Spirit Qi was pulled into his body like a vortex.
Azure scales glowed like starlight.
---
By the time the sun began to rise again, Long Tian lay coiled near the pond, lightning arcs flickering across his horns, breath deep and steady.
His foundation was no longer that of a mere dragon hatchling.
He was becoming a sovereign.