https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-269-Drawing-the-Blood-of-a-Thousand-Dragons-in-a-Day/12544233/
https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-271-Dragon-Remains-at-the-Lake-Bottom/12544235/
Chapter 270: An Old Friend
Chapter 270: An Old Friend
"Line up, everyone!"
"One at a time, please!"
"Keep your dragon beasts under control, and don't cause any trouble that might delay Uncle Lu."
In the Thousand Dragon Lake, hundreds of dragon beasts and giant pythons lined up obediently in rows, with a cultivator standing by at regular intervals, holding imitation Binding Dragon Ring artifacts, ready to keep their restless charges in check.
To save Lu Xuan time, Huang Yuan took the initiative to call his fellow disciples who occupied other waters in the lake, asking them to bring their dragon beasts and giant pythons for a check-up.
A transmission talisman flew into Huang Yuan's hands, and as he listened to the message, his brows furrowed.
"Brother Zhang, let me tell you again. Uncle Lu is taking time out of his busy schedule to help with the check-ups for the dragon beasts. He won't be able to spare you much time."
"Is your pill concoction more important than this? If any of the dragon beasts or giant pythons you're raising develop health issues later on, don't blame me for not informing you in time."
He left a few words on the transmission talisman before releasing it, allowing it to speed off into the distant mountains.
"Honestly, what a waste of a good opportunity. Even if your pill concoction fails, you can always try again, but if you miss this chance for a check-up, who knows when Uncle Lu will be able to come back," Huang Yuan muttered as he walked to the front of the line. He watched Lu Xuan's deft fingers examining a black dragon beast with a hint of respect in his eyes.
"Come now, have some meat. Don't be nervous, it's just a little blood draw," Lu Xuan said gently to the black dragon beast in front of him.
While offering check-ups to the dragon beasts in the Thousand Dragon Lake was a sincere gesture, the real motive was to collect their blood, which he genuinely believed would benefit their health.
With a quick sweep of his Foundation Establishment cultivator's spiritual sense, Lu Xuan's mind probed every inch of the dragon beast's flesh, bones, and muscles.
Satisfied that there were no issues, he willed a red needle to pierce the dragon's scales, and a stream of hot blood spurted out, filling a white jade vial he had ready, not a single drop wasted.
The amount he took was not excessive compared to the dragon beast's total blood volume, and it would only need a few days of rest to recover.
A little blood was a small price to pay for ensuring one's health.
Compared to the last time he had drawn blood, while he still used the same familiar red-lined needle, Lu Xuan's spiritual power and spiritual sense had increased by at least tenfold.
With the added efficiency and the saved travel time, his blood-drawing process was now incredibly swift. Previously, it would have taken several days to collect blood from all the dragon beasts in the outer waters, but now he estimated that he could accomplish it in half a day.
During the check-ups, he did not find any hidden-scale fish, but he did discover parasitic demon worms lurking in a few young dragons, as well as some lingering illnesses in some dragons that had resulted from fighting over food or territory.
When they saw him pull out the slender parasitic worms from the dragon beasts' flesh, everyone present felt that the trip had been worthwhile, and their hearts were filled with gratitude.
"Brother Lu, please wait," a clear voice called out as Lu Xuan was about to leave after examining all the dragon beasts and giant pythons.
Turning around, Lu Xuan saw a cultured scholar smiling at him. A quick scan with his spiritual sense revealed that the scholar's cultivation level was similar to his own, both in the early stages of the Foundation Establishment realm.
"I wonder what business Brother Tao has with me?" Lu Xuan asked, puzzled.
"I am Tao Zhiqing, and I have heard of your prowess in the way of spirit plants and beasts," the scholar introduced himself.
"I heard that you were coming to help the outer sect disciples with their dragon beasts' health checks, so I came to take a look."
"I raise some dragon beasts in the heart of the Thousand Dragon Lake, mostly third and fourth-grade ones. I stopped you, Brother Lu, because I was hoping you could help me check on them as well."
Lu Xuan was delighted, but his expression remained unchanged.
He had just examined first and second-grade dragon beasts and giant pythons, and he was already quite satisfied. But now, a third and fourth-grade dragon beast had taken the initiative to come to him.
'Blood Guilt Flower is in for a treat,' he mused silently, smiling at Tao Zhiqing.
'Since Brother Tao has invited me, I, your junior brother, dare not refuse. Please lead the way, Brother Tao.'
'Haha, Brother Lu, I'll remember this favor,' the cultivated scholar laughed heartily, leading Lu Xuan into the central region of Thousand Dragon Lake.
Thousand Dragon Lake stretched for hundreds of miles. The first and second-grade dragon beasts and giant pythons that Huang Yuan and the others raised were all kept in the outer areas. Once they broke through and advanced, they would be allowed to live and cultivate in the inner lake.
The dietary issue of the Ink-scaled Flood Dragon that Lu Xuan had solved long ago was being taken care of by Yang Qingfeng, a cultivator at the mid-Foundation Establishment stage, on a small island in the center of the lake.
"Brother Tao raises many dragon beasts in the heart of Thousand Dragon Lake?" Lu Xuan asked curiously as they flew on their swords.
"Not too many, just over ten. Most of them are third-grade, and there are two fourth-grade ones," the cultivated scholar replied.
As they ventured deeper into the inner lake, they encountered more and more array formations and restrictions. Tao Zhiqing busied himself by dismantling the restrictions as he spoke.
"Although there are hundreds and thousands of dragon beasts, giant pythons, and exotic beasts in Thousand Dragon Lake, only a minority will eventually grow to the Foundation Establishment realm. Those with potential are kept separately by a few inner sect disciples."
"Right, Brother Lu, are you and Brother Yang Qingfeng old acquaintances?" the cultivated scholar asked suddenly.
"Yes, I helped Brother Yang with a small problem before," Lu Xuan replied, recalling the uniquely gifted little Ink-scaled Flood Dragon that loved spirit fruits more than flesh and blood.
"He has an Ink-scaled Flood Dragon under his care, with an exceptionally talented bloodline. It's said that it has the potential to advance to a fifth-grade demon beast. But the rumor is that its bloodline was mixed with that of other dragon beasts, which gave it such an extraordinary talent. Have you heard of this, Brother Lu?"
"Not only have I heard of it, but I was also the one who discovered it..." Lu Xuan trailed off, marveling at how the news had spread among the Foundation Establishment cultivators. They certainly had a strong interest in gossip.
"As for how the news leaked, I'm not sure about that," he said with a smile, keeping his lips sealed.
"That guy, relying on his stronger cultivation, took away all those rare Ink-scaled Flood Dragons and treats them like treasures. I wanted to borrow one from him to improve the breed of my dragon beasts, but he refused," the cultivated scholar said, gritting his teeth in frustration.
"And then, they were snatched away by other dragon beasts! What's even more hateful is that the new Ink-scaled Flood Dragons that were born actually had even better bloodlines!"
"Why don't I ever get such good luck?"
Lu Xuan remained silent as he stood by. The cultivated scholar, Tao Zhiqing, clearly had the mentality of rejoicing in the misfortunes of others while feeling aggrieved about his own luck. Lu Xuan thought it best to keep quiet.
"Alright, Brother Lu, we've arrived," Tao Zhiqing said as he passed through a misty array formation that concealed deadly killing intent. He landed on a small island first.
From high above, the island resembled a crescent moon, and the depressed area in the middle was where the dragon beasts were kept.
More than ten dragon beasts with thick auras and massive bodies swam freely in the lake, sinking and rising alternately.
"Hmm? I've run into an old friend," Lu Xuan murmured as a snow-white Chilong with pervasive cold air caught his eye. It felt strangely familiar, reminding him of the days when he had raised it.
(End of Chapter)
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