She had cultivated countless medicinal herbs and flowers; the slightly larger ones, once she discovered their miraculous efficacy in treating the wounded and sick, spurred a near-obsessive adoration for them.

Zhou Qiangwei possessed astonishing natural talent in refining medicine and healing people. Merely relying on the Ye family’s collection of medical texts, she independently discovered numerous methods of alchemical preparation. When her talent in this field was finally noticed by the Ye family members, they began purposefully arranging renowned masters to instruct her.

It must be admitted that Zhou Qiangwei’s aptitude was truly staggering. In a mere few years, she managed to completely glean all the pharmacological knowledge from the renowned masters the Ye family had assigned to her. By now, those who had originally taught her medical theory and pharmacology were, in fact, less accomplished than she.

Zhou Qiangwei had a natural affinity for medicinal herbs. Although the Ye family possessed abundant resources, they could not gather every herb in existence. Consequently, Zhou Qiangwei often enjoyed venturing into the barren mountains and wild terrains surrounding the Ye estate to search for medicinal flora.

Alas, any blessed ground bearing rare flowers and strange herbs was invariably guarded by fierce, malevolent entities. After nearly losing her life several times over, Zhou Qiangwei grew considerably more cautious, daring to delve into more dangerous areas only when accompanying high-level experts from the Ye family.

The Poison Dragon Pool was a place notorious throughout the world for its extreme peril, infested with all manner of ferocious beasts and strange creatures. Even for accomplished Heavenly Adepts, the Poison Dragon Pool was a forbidden zone best avoided. Naturally, rumors of the countless rare flowers and exotic herbs growing near the Pool were as famous as its inherent danger.

For Zhou Qiangwei, the Poison Dragon Pool was the singular place she most longed to explore. This sudden opportunity presented itself, and even without Ye You Shan’s caution, she would never let slip such a heaven-sent chance to investigate its depths.

“Move carefully. If you intend to pick any of the strange flowers and herbs here, temper your actions,” Ji Chang Kong, standing near the Heavenly Turtle Wyvern, frowned and cast a cool glance towards the visibly excited Zhou Qiangwei, his tone detached.

The Poison Dragon Pool region indeed boasted a multitude of strange flora and exotic plants. The reason for such an abundance of spiritual herbs from heaven and earth was twofold: the peculiar geography of the area, and the prevalence of ferocious beasts. Ordinary people absolutely dared not linger near the Pool. If it weren't for the surrounding aggressive entities and rampaging beasts, such a treasure trove of spiritual flora would surely have been completely harvested by searching Heavenly Adepts long ago.

Years prior, Zhong Li Jing Yi and Zhong Li Hui had also risked coming to the Poison Dragon Pool. If not for Ji Chang Kong’s sudden appearance, this brother and sister pair might never have left alive. To their credit, the siblings were sensible; they only took the few necessary spiritual herbs, and very few at that.

Ji Chang Kong offered the warning to Zhou Qiangwei precisely because he feared her excitement and greed might overwhelm her judgment, leading her to collect every single rare herb around the Pool. If that happened, no more spiritual flora would ever grow near the Poison Dragon Pool again.

Zhou Qiangwei did not disappoint him. After observing in secret, Ji Chang Kong noted she wasn't recklessly plundering. What truly intrigued him was that she hadn't made a move at all, merely lingering near the rare plants, murmuring softly to herself.

Feeling somewhat relieved, he ceased monitoring Zhou Qiangwei. Ji Chang Kong rested a hand on the rough, broad neck of the Heavenly Turtle Wyvern and spoke softly, “Da Feng, retrieve that long saber from the bottom of the Poison Dragon Pool for me. You know, you retrieved it for me a few years ago.”

The Heavenly Turtle Wyvern understood his words. A blast of hot air hissed from its nostrils, each as thick as an infant’s arm. The beast complied, its colossal frame gradually sinking into the inky, black depths of the Poison Dragon Pool.

The fierce beasts dwelling near the Poison Dragon Pool gradually returned. They did not molest the Ye family members. Upon arrival, they dispersed, circling at a distance to observe Ji Chang Kong, who stood tall by the Pool’s edge. A flicker of complex tenderness—unintelligible to outsiders—crossed their usually savage gazes.

Just as Ji Chang Kong regarded them as kin and companions, these beasts, long accustomed to life by the Pool, had accepted him, viewing him as one of their own. This time, Ji Chang Kong’s intervention, severely wounding the Southern Yi Heavenly Adepts brought by Ba Ge Jiu, had protected their interests, earning the secret gratitude of these ferocious creatures.

Unlike humans, once a beast accepted you, their loyalty never wavered; they would offer all their goodwill.

A faint smile touched Ji Chang Kong’s lips as his gaze swept over the assembled beasts. He knew that communication with them required few words; sometimes, a mere glance sufficed. These intelligent creatures were adept at deciphering the meaning behind one’s eyes, instantly recognizing goodwill or malice.

The Heavenly Turtle Wyvern soon surfaced from the bottom of the Pool. The water, black as ink, churned up immense waves, pressing down like heavy, viscous storm clouds. Amidst the splashing water, the Wyvern’s mountain-sized body settled back down beside Ji Chang Kong.

Thump! The long object clutched in the Wyvern’s grip struck the ground hard. The earth shuddered faintly, and a meter-long depression instantly marred the solid surface.

Upon closer inspection, a flash of delighted surprise sparked in Ji Chang Kong’s eyes. Yes, this was indeed the long saber named Long Yao.

The blade was shaped like a dragon, and its scabbard was covered in intricate, dark-red dragon patterns that gave an impression of profound complexity and mystery. The hilt was fashioned into a ferocious dragon head, bearing a slight resemblance to the Wyvern’s own head. The material of both the scabbard and the hilt was impossible to discern, yet they exuded an ancient, solemn aura.

Two small characters were carved into one corner of the hilt… Long Yao. The saber was named Long Yao. Ji Chang Kong reached out, gripped the hilt, and pulled upward. The immensely heavy Long Yao saber, still sheathed, was lifted. This saber was truly heavier than ten thousand jun; unless one was a master skilled in the Way of the Heavenly Adept, they likely couldn't even lift it, let alone wield it freely.

His hand clamped tightly around the hilt, and a surge of vibrant life force suddenly flowed from the blade. The deep-seated soul-life within the long saber vibrated intensely, emitting a cry echoing from millennia past. It seemed to establish an impossibly profound connection with the Xuanyuan bloodline coursing through him.

In an instant, Ji Chang Kong experienced the illusion of standing on an ancient battlefield. He felt like an ancient warrior steeped in the blood of combat, wielding the Long Yao saber, looking down upon the world, locked in ultimate confrontation with the fiercest, most savage masters of heaven and earth. A series of vivid, wondrous images flooded his mind the moment he grasped the saber.

He had held the Long Yao years ago, but back then, his power was meager. He couldn't even draw the blade, and his divine soul had yet to fully form, preventing him from feeling this deep resonance from the saber’s soul.

“Hao!” With a sharp shout, Ji Chang Kong pulled with all his might. Veins coiled like earthworms on his arm, muscles tensed, and outlines became starkly visible.

The Long Yao saber, having rested in its sheath for countless years, was violently drawn. A dark-red bloody light shot towards the heavens, accompanied by a world-shattering dragon roar that echoed across all creation.

The Heavenly Turtle Wyvern’s eyes glittered with strange light, and it too let out a long, mournful, yet heroic roar toward the sky.

A heavy aura of solemn killing intent radiated from the saber’s body. At this moment, it seemed as if heaven and earth contained only Ji Chang Kong, holding the saber, a primordial war god surveying the firmament, having walked out of the ancient battlefield the instant the blade was drawn.

In the distance, Zhou Miao Shan and the other Ye family members watched with expressions of shock and horror at Ji Chang Kong standing there with the weapon. Even though they were dozens of zhang away, the heavy, murderous, fierce aura emanating from him washed over them like a bursting mountain flood, threatening to shatter Zhou Miao Shan’s spirit and making her desperately wish to flee.

The Long Yao saber was finally unsheathed! The dark-red bloody light flashed and vanished, yet the surging life force within the blade continued its roar, its thirst for blood seemingly uncontrollable.

The Xuanyuan bloodline within him stirred, forming a mysterious resonance with the Long Yao saber. Closing his eyes, Ji Chang Kong emptied his mind, allowing his divine spirit to sink into the blade, merging with the powerful soul crying out within. He used his heart to feel its calls and roars.

After an unknown length of time…

Ji Chang Kong suddenly opened his eyes; they were bright as cold stars on a deep night. He drew the blade across his arm, and a fresh gash appeared on his right forearm, from which crimson blood "drip-dropped" onto the Long Yao saber. With every drop that landed, the blade sucked it in as if it were water absorbed by a sponge.

As the saber absorbed the Xuanyuan blood, its body trembled violently. Strands of dark-red light flowed within the blade’s complex patterns, releasing a potent, nauseating smell of gore.

With a slight rotation of his wrist, the saber swept through a half-circle, and a long streak of bloody light burst forth from the edge, revealing an intensely sharp, fierce killing aura.

Clang! The saber suddenly slid back into its sheath, and all the exposed bloody light vanished in an instant. Taking a deep breath, Ji Chang Kong placed the Long Yao into his interspatial pouch, then walked calmly to the Heavenly Turtle Wyvern, affectionately patting its neck. He murmured, “I know the soul within the Dragon Vessel should be one of your ancestors. From it, I have learned some things. Rest assured, I will not disgrace the formidable reputation of the Long Yao saber.”

The Wyvern’s fist-sized, ferocious eyes shone with a complex light, fixed intently on Ji Chang Kong for a long time, unmoving…

To possess the soul of a Dragon Soul as the spirit weapon—the Xuanyuan of that generation truly lived up to the title of world-shaking prodigy. The power of a Dragon Soul was beyond ordinary control. For that previous generation Xuanyuan to implant Long Yao into a divine weapon while still in the Dacheng realm was an astonishing feat.

This saber, named the Dragon Vessel, represented more than just a blade; it embodied the glory of the Xuanyuan line, hence its name.

Long Yao could only be activated by Xuanyuan blood. Wielded by that essence, its true might could be fully unleashed. With this saber, Ji Chang Kong, being a Xuanyuan, no longer needed to gather rare treasures to forge a divine weapon. Long Yao was the peerless divine weapon tailor-made for him.

The Dragon Vessel contained imprints left by previous generations of Xuanyuan. The sequence of images that just flashed through his mind had allowed Ji Chang Kong to suddenly grasp certain hidden truths…

“Regardless of why the Qian Yi or Huang Yi tribes have come, I will help you resolve your troubles. From now on, anyone who dares to disturb the peace of the Poison Dragon Pool will face bitter consequences,” he muttered softly. He patted the Heavenly Turtle Wyvern again. “All right, I must leave for now. I will return from Southern Yi to reunite with you all.”

The Heavenly Turtle Wyvern seemed reluctant, watching him fixedly.

Walking away from the Poison Dragon Pool, Ji Chang Kong glanced at Zhou Qiangwei, who was still wholly absorbed in the rare flora, and then at the Ye family members standing motionless at a distance. After a moment of consideration, seeing that Zhou Qiangwei seemed oblivious to his presence and remained focused on the plants, Ji Chang Kong deliberately coughed, neither loudly nor softly.

Zhou Qiangwei suddenly snapped back to attention, looked up at him, and replied calmly, “Are you done?”

“Mmm, my business here is concluded. If you wish…” he began, trailing off, “There are many rare herbs near the Poison Dragon Pool. While I asked you to be mindful, I didn't forbid you from picking them. As long as you were moderate, I wouldn't blame you…”

Zhou Qiangwei’s beautiful eyes showed clear delight. She gave a soft laugh. “No need. I was content just to look at them. I’ll only come to pick if there is a genuine need. Well, I have nothing else to do; we can depart now.”

With that, Zhou Qiangwei cheerfully approached the Ye family members, saying with a light smile, “Mother, nothing is wrong now. Let’s go.”

Zhou Miao Shan nodded, gazing deeply at Ji Chang Kong without speaking further, and took the lead in walking away.

Back at the Poison Dragon Pool, some of the ferocious beasts instinctively followed when they saw Ji Chang Kong preparing to leave so soon, emitting soft hissing sounds as if trying to keep him there.

The Heavenly Turtle Wyvern let out a deep, authoritative roar. The beasts that had unconsciously followed stopped in their tracks upon hearing it, merely watching Ji Chang Kong with longing in their eyes—a reluctance even the Ye family servants could clearly perceive.

The Ye family members could only cast glances back at the beasts, shaking their heads in silent wonder. Why would these creatures, so savage and bloodthirsty to outsiders, treat him with such kindness? What remarkable quality did he possess that allowed these beasts to regard him as family and friend?

They could not fathom it.

Ji Chang Kong, Zhou Miao Shan, Zhou Qiangwei, and the rest of the Ye family proceeded toward the Bai Yi tribe as planned. Along the way, Ji Chang Kong was unusually withdrawn, occasionally taking out the Long Yao saber to stroke it with his finger, lost in thought, paying little heed to anyone.

After the ordeal at the Poison Dragon Pool, the Ye family members held a measure of fear toward him. Seeing that he was in no mood for conversation, they dared not disturb him, even keeping their distance, lest they inadvertently provoke him.

The distance from the Poison Dragon Pool area to the edge of the Yunmeng Great Marsh was not short, nor was it negligible. Since he was escorting the Ye family, Ji Chang Kong’s pace could not be too rapid; they had to proceed steadily but unhurriedly.

Three days later, Ji Chang Kong and the Ye family arrived at a swamp permeated with greenish-brown toxic smoke. Wisps of this smoke curled upward from the marsh ahead, swirling in a hazy veil that created the strange, illusory feeling of being in an immortal realm.

However, this beautiful, celestial spectacle was a place of immense danger, capable of killing invisibly! Had Ji Chang Kong not shouted a halt in time, the Ye family members walking ahead would have immediately stepped into it. They would have been corrupted by the greenish-brown poison, quickly losing their minds and turning into savage, bloodthirsty monsters like the beasts. Only after the effects of the toxic smoke dissipated would their rationality return.

Generally, Heavenly Adepts who inhaled the greenish-brown poison would begin to violently attack any living creature nearby. If they had companions, those companions would become their first targets, attacked fearlessly and desperately.

Ji Chang Kong had once witnessed the frantic actions of someone poisoned by the greenish-brown smoke while in the Yunmeng Great Marsh, and the memory still gave him chills. Even though he believed himself immune to most poisons, he dared not risk testing this terrifying toxic fume.

“To reach the other side from here, you must cross this expanse. This toxic smoke is mobile. You should rest here for tonight; by morning, this dark-green smoke should have dispersed. However, you must remain vigilant during the night in case a sudden strong wind blows the smoke over to your location.”

After halting the Ye family, Ji Chang Kong first explained the terrifying nature of the dark-green smoke and then suggested they camp there for the night.

“Is it really that potent?” Ye You Shan exclaimed, clearly skeptical.

Frowning slightly, Ji Chang Kong glanced at Ye You Shan and then at the other skeptical Ye family servants. His tone remained detached: “If you don't believe me, feel free to step in and test it. That way, you can clear up any doubts others might have. Rest assured, given your cultivation level, even if you went mad, it wouldn't matter much. If I couldn't control you, I would kill you to prevent harm to everyone else.”

At his words, Ye You Shan broke out in a cold sweat, forced a laugh, and hastened to say:

“I trust you, Ji Chang Kong. I hadn’t realized this smoke was so sinister. Haha, it seems we really must spend the night here.”

The moonlight fell like water, dotted with twinkling stars. The night in the Yunmeng Great Marsh was particularly quiet. Large beasts usually remained dormant, only the faint chirping of smaller insects filling the air, making the night seem even more silent.

Ji Chang Kong did not stay with the Ye family. He lay alone on the intertwined branches of a towering, ancient tree with lush foliage. He stroked the Long Yao saber in his hand, silver-white light seeping between his fingers, injecting energy bit by bit into Long Yao.

The Dragon Vessel had been dormant for many years and had passed through several owners. Though he was the new generation Xuanyuan of the Ji family, to expertly control and command Long Yao, he needed to slowly communicate with it, to inscribe his own life-mark onto its blade, and to supply it with ample energy.

Although Long Yao was already a finished artifact, he still needed to temper it through this tedious process, allowing it to familiarize itself with his aura and prepare for any battle that might erupt at any moment.