[Upon attempting the River Transform to Dragon, a Celestial Thunder Tribulation will descend.
The might of this tribulation is divided into nine ranks based on the Tribulation Crosserâs talent and bloodline.
The highest of the nine ranks is called the Nine Dragon Profound Thunder.
If one can pass this profound thunder tribulation, their dao foundation will be fortified, their bloodline purified, and their chances of becoming a dragon in the future will greatly increase.
Legend has it that for those who safely pass the Nine Dragon Profound Thunder, the heavens will bestow the Dragon Thunder Liquid.
This liquid is condensed from the confluence of the Dragon Raceâs Qi Fortune and the profound mysteries of the Great Dao.
Should a Cultivator obtain it, they can undergo Bone Marrow Cleansing, improve their Root Bone, and extend their lifespan by five hundred years.
Should a mortal drink it, they can prolong their life, adding fifty years to their time.]
Reading this passage, Bai Ruxueâs heart began to beat faster.
"Dragon Thunder Liquid..."
Bai Ruxueâs gaze fell upon those three words.
After committing the bookâs contents to memory, Bai Ruxue hurried to Elder Fuchenâs mountain peak to pay a visit.
"Miss Bai."
At the summit of Luochen Peak, Li Sisi, who was practicing with her sword, saw Bai Ruxue fly over. She put away her Peach Wood Sword and bowed to Bai Ruxue in greeting.
"Greetings, Fairy Li." Bai Ruxue curtsied. "May I ask if Elder Fuchen is present?"
"My apologies, Miss Bai." Li Sisi shook her head. "My master is in seclusion and cannot receive you."
"..." Bai Ruxue lowered her gaze, a trace of disappointment on her face.
Seeing the young womanâs heart-wrenching beauty, even Li Sisi, a woman herself, couldnât help but be moved.
"However, Master foresaw that you would come today and asked me to relay a message to you," Li Sisi said.
Bai Ruxue lifted her head, her eyes brightening. "Miss Sisi, please speak..."
"Master asked me to tell you that the Dragon Thunder Liquid does indeed exist. However, the Qi Fortune of the dragon-kin among the Snake Race is scarce in this world. Countless members of the Snake Race have perished while attempting the River Transform to Dragon, let alone encountered the Nine Dragon Profound Thunder. Therefore, Master is also uncertain about the actual effects of the Dragon Thunder Liquid."
"Thank you for relaying the message, Fairy. When Elder Fuchen emerges from her seclusion, please convey my gratitude to her." Bai Ruxue bowed again.
"You are too kind, Miss," Li Sisi replied with a nod.
"I have other matters to attend to, so I wonât disturb your cultivation any longer."
"Take care, Miss Bai."
Bai Ruxue turned and flew back toward Shiqiao Village.
After Bai Ruxue had left, Li Sisi turned and walked into a Cave Mansion.
Inside the Cave Mansion, on a stone bed, Elder Fuchen was meditating.
She wasnât in seclusion at all, merely resting with her eyes closed.
"Master..." Li Sisi bowed.
Elder Fuchen slowly opened her eyes. "Has Miss Bai left?"
Li Sisi: "Yes, Master."
"You may return to your cultivation," Elder Fuchen said with a wave of her hand.
"Master, your disciple has a question. I hope Master can resolve my confusion," Li Sisi said, puzzled.
"Speak."
"Master, about the Dragon Thunder Liquid... Your disciple has never heard of it. Does such a thing truly exist in this world?"
"It is real."
Elder Fuchen let out a sigh.
"But... it is also fake."
...
Just as Bai Ruxue returned to Shiqiao Village, she saw Xiao Mo already sitting in the courtyard, smiling at her.
Remembering the words she had said that morning, Bai Ruxueâs cheeks flushed slightly.
In the end, however, Bai Ruxue still walked into the courtyard.
The young woman walked up to Xiao Mo and lowered her head. She fidgeted with her slender, jade-like fingers, the blush on her cheeks spreading to the tips of her ears. It looked like she wanted to say something to him.
But she seemed too embarrassed to speak.
Xiao Mo wasnât in a hurry. He simply continued to smile at the woman before him, waiting for her to speak first.
âAfter all, Ruxue and I had a bit of an argument this morning. Itâs only normal for her to feel a little awkward right now.â
After a long moment, Bai Ruxue took a deep breath, her chest heaving once. She mustered her courage, looked up, and spoke earnestly to the man she loved, "Xiao Mo! I... Iâve thought it through... Iâm going to attempt the River Crossing the Tribulation!"
Xiao Mo smiled, his tone teasing. "This morning, you said you wouldnât go."
"I..." Bai Ruxue turned her head away. "I changed my mind..."
"Why change your mind so quickly?"
Bai Ruxue fiddled with her hands. "Itâs... itâs nothing. Books say that women are always fickle."
"But the books also say, âTo decide in the morning and change by evening must mean there is a great reason.â" Xiao Mo looked at Bai Ruxue gently. "Let me guess. The reason you changed your mind... is me?"
Her thoughts exposed, the young womanâs delicate frame trembled slightly, and she lowered her head once more.
She was not good at lying.
Every time she lied, Xiao Mo would see right through her.
So whenever Bai Ruxue encountered something she didnât want to admit, she would fall silent.
Xiao Mo smiled to himself.
âThis foolish girl... doesnât she know that silence is also a form of admission?â
"Ruxue."
Xiao Mo remained seated on the stone bench, looking up into her peach-blossom eyes, and spoke in a heartfelt tone.
"For some time now, you and Xiao Qing have been deliberately avoiding the topic of my lifespan.
Iâve avoided it as well.
All Iâve been thinking about is walking this final path peacefully, with both of you smiling as you see me off.
Having you with me for this last year or two, I will have no regrets in my life."
"But Xiao Mo, I canât do it. I canât imagine a day when youâre gone." Bai Ruxue lifted her head, her eyes red-rimmed. "Xiao Mo, I donât know what meaning my life would have without you!"
Bai Ruxue clenched her small, delicate fists.
"These past few days, Iâve been going to the Tianxuan Sectâs Library Pavilion, poring over all sorts of books, searching for a way to extend your life.
But some of the life-extending treasures are too potent; your body wouldnât be able to withstand them.
Other items are only effective for Cultivators who possess a Spirit Root.
And then there are things that grow in the Desolate Land, but it would take me several years just to get there...
But today, I found it!
As long as I attempt the River Transform to Dragon, I will face a Thunder Tribulation when I enter the sea. If I can trigger the Nine Dragon Profound Thunder Tribulation, the Dragon Thunder Liquid will descend!
The Dragon Thunder Liquid is gentle in nature, a creation of heaven and earth.
Itâs said that if a Cultivator drinks it, they can improve their Root Bone and extend their lifespan by five hundred years.
Even if an ordinary person drinks it, their life can be extended by fifty years!"
"And what about after those fifty years?" Xiao Mo asked her. "After fifty years, Ruxue, what will you do then?"
"Iâll find other life-extending treasures. I will not let you die!" Bai Ruxue insisted.
"Ruxue, itâs no use. You donât have to shackle yourself because of me."
Xiao Mo shook his head.
"I am just an ordinary man.
Itâs true that in my time, I became the Prime Minister of the Qi Kingdom.
Itâs true that I did some things and was fortunate enough to be remembered by the people, to be called a Saint.
But in the end, I am just an ordinary man whose lifespan doesnât exceed a hundred years.
You and Xiao Qing are different.
You have your own Great Dao. Your lifespans are measured in thousands, or even tens of thousands of years."
Xiao Mo sighed. "Ah, Ruxue, your life is like the Vast Sea, and I... I am but a single grain within it."
"But Xiao Mo!"
Bai Ruxue looked directly into Xiao Moâs eyes.
"Donât you know? Of the entire Vast Sea, you are the only grain I want!"