Chapter 005: The Dragon Descends and Returns to the Heart

"Jingfeng, what have you been doing these past few days? What events have you encountered? Can you share with your master?" asked Master Lingku.

Since you are not going, I can leave now. I will come back to see your little black one, goodbye. Jing Feng waved at Hua She and said

Ah! It is so cold. Ah! My body hurts so much. Jingfeng lay on the ground, shivering incessantly, and gradually lost consciousness.

The transformed snake glanced at Jingfeng, then looked in the direction of Poyun Peak, pondered for a moment, and shook its large head. Clearly, the transformed snake was afraid of being discovered as an anomaly by the celestial beasts of the Tiandao Sect

"Oh? Why is it still you? How did you come here again?" Jing Feng, lying on the stone, turned his head and saw Jiang Longmu standing right behind him, feeling quite puzzled.

Wuwuwu! The transformed snake continuously nudged the weak body of Jing Feng with its large head, as if feeling quite aggrieved. In fact, it cannot be blamed on the transformed snake; the seal produced by the Dragon-Subduing Wood is not something that a superior spirit beast like the transformed snake can withstand.

By the way, Master, I almost forgot to tell you that I met a friend named Xiao Hei on the back mountain of Yunwu Peak. He is quite tall, but he treats me very well. Jing Feng then proceeded to describe the appearance and size of the transformed snake, as well as the events that occurred last night to Real Person Ling Ku.

"Master, I haven't done much. I just finished my training and suddenly felt like going to play in the forest on the back mountain." Jing Feng recounted everything that had happened from last night until now to the real person Ling Ku.

"Alright, Jingfeng, stop hiding. You are very likely unaware that you have obtained a rare treasure. The broken branch you mentioned is probably the ancient spirit wood—Dragon Descending Wood, which is the finest spiritual treasure of the wood attribute." As Lingku Zhenren spoke, he pulled Jingfeng out from his clothes. "Now let me explain the preciousness of wood attribute spiritual treasures to you. Stand straight," Lingku Zhenren admonished. "Between heaven and earth, there exist the forces of metal, wood, water, fire, and earth, along with two other legendary attributes. Metal and fire are primarily offensive, while water and earth are mainly defensive. Only the wood attribute possesses the power of restoration. From this, one can see the preciousness of wood attribute spiritual treasures. In other words, if you possess a wood attribute spiritual treasure, it will greatly aid you in your future cultivation."

"Alright, alright, stop pushing. I have forgiven you, isn't that enough? Honestly, now carry me across to the other side, and this time, don't drop me again. I am still hurting from the last time I fell," Jing Feng said, touching the small head that had hit the ground last time.

When Jingfeng wanted to turn back to see if that strange branch had followed him, the Dragon-Subduing Wood quietly appeared before his eyes

"Then Master, you mean this broken branch is a spiritual treasure of the wood attribute?" Jing Feng asked eagerly upon hearing about the preciousness of wood attribute spiritual treasures

Hmm? Is this... could it be the legendary ancient spirit wood—Dragon Descending Wood? The wood attribute spiritual power is so strong; this is something I have never seen in my life. The Heavenly Dao Sect truly deserves its reputation as the foremost sect in the cultivation world three thousand years ago, with numerous precious books in its collection. Real Person Ling Ku is indeed worthy of being the second figure in the Heavenly Dao Sect, well-read and able to discern at a glance that this branch is extraordinary, very likely the ancient spirit wood—Dragon Descending Wood.

After a struggle, the green light was gradually engulfed by the seven-colored light, merging together. Just as the green light was inadvertently refined by Jing Feng, a round wooden branch gradually appeared beside him.

"Master, Master!" he exclaimed breathlessly, "There is something that always follows me, and I do not know what it is." Jing Feng said, panting.

In fact, Jing Feng was still unaware that, by a stroke of luck, he had refined the Soulwood Heart of the ancient spirit wood known as the Dragon Descending Wood, which led to the reluctant acknowledgment of its master by the Dragon Descending Wood.

Jing Feng heard a long howl that sounded somewhat familiar. Rubbing his pair of expressive large eyes, he carefully examined what the large head that had just appeared before him was.

Jing Feng jumped up from the giant rock and ran wildly, using all his strength this time. He ran for a full two hours, only stopping when he reached the vicinity of the Lingwu Cave

"A branch has been following you; is there really such a strange occurrence?" asked the Real Man Ling Ku in confusion

Jing Feng looked carefully at m.hetushucom.com and observed the branch, saying: "Oh, it's just an ordinary branch. Let's go, Xiao Hei, take me to the other side." Jing Feng paid no attention to the Dragon-Subduing Wood and rode the Transforming Snake to the opposite bank

A long howl joyfully erupted from the mouth of the transformed snake

"Why is my face so wet, as if something is licking me? It feels so itchy," Jing Feng murmured with his eyes closed. "Ah!!!" A ghost! Jing Feng opened his eyes, and a huge head appeared before him, startling him so much that he rolled backward, nearly falling into the water

After approximately six hours, the sky gradually brightened, and Jing Feng began to awaken as time passed and the pain subsided

Very well, it seems that the Dragon-Subduing Wood recognizing its master is not a coincidence; perhaps this is fate. Alright, Jingfeng, you should return to the Spirit Mist Cave, study the Dragon-Subduing Wood carefully, and try to communicate with it. It will greatly assist you in your future cultivation, and I hope you can strive to form your Golden Core as soon as possible. I am now going to Tianlong Peak to discuss some matters with Senior Brother Zhangmen, and I will also mention your request to him for his decision. As he spoke, a swirl of white spiritual mist appeared beneath the feet of Real Person Lingku, who then floated away on the mist.

"Master! The disciple will certainly cherish the Dragon-Subduing Wood," Jingfeng said as he walked over to the Dragon-Subduing Wood and reached out to grasp the wood that was floating in the air

According to your description, the orb you consumed should be the soul of the Dragonwood, known as the Heart of Wood, as mentioned in the book. Yesterday happened to be the first day of the year, a time when the spiritual energy between heaven and earth is at its peak. The Dragonwood releases the Heart of Wood at this time each year to absorb the spiritual energy of the universe for its cultivation, but you inadvertently swallowed it. However, as stated in ancient texts, the Heart of Wood is difficult to refine; with a single misstep, one could easily be integrated with the Heart of Wood and become a part of it. It seems that fate has its own design, and since you have refined the Heart of Wood, the Dragonwood can only recognize you as its master. Upon hearing the situation described by Jingfeng, Master Lingku confirmed with certainty that the branch in question was indeed the ancient spiritual wood, Dragonwood, and that what Jingfeng had swallowed was the soul of the Dragonwood—the Heart of Wood.

Ling Ku Zhenren listened with confusion. According to Jing Feng, the monster he encountered last night was an ancient magical beast known as the Transformation Serpent, which was likely the same one subdued by the left protector of the Evil Sect, Xie Lu, years ago. After that great battle, Xie Lu perished, and the Transformation Serpent, having lost its control, quietly escaped. I had thought it had long fled from Tianlong Mountain, but unexpectedly, it has been cultivating in the back mountain of Yunwu Peak. From your description, this Transformation Serpent has not yet reached the level of a magical beast; it is currently just a spiritual beast. Before evolving into a magical beast, its voice resembles that of a crying infant, and its face is serpentine. The Transformation Serpent, having lost its control, quietly escaped. I had thought it had long fled from Tianlong Mountain, but unexpectedly, it has been cultivating in the back mountain of Yunwu Peak. From your description, this Transformation Serpent has not yet reached the level of a magical beast; it is currently just a spiritual beast. Before evolving into a magical beast, its voice resembles that of a crying infant, and its face is serpentine. Once it evolves into a magical beast, the face of the Transformation Serpent will change to a human form, and its spiritual power will greatly increase. However, the Transformation Serpent has a violent nature and a penchant for killing, making it difficult to subdue. In the past, the protector of the Evil Sect, Xie Lu, battled it for nine days and nights, ultimately subduing it with a magical artifact, and the level of the Transformation Serpent back then should have been far inferior to that of today.

"Indeed! The branch you mentioned is very likely the ancient spiritual wood—Dragon Descending Wood. According to legend, the leaves of Dragon Descending Wood bear dragon patterns and can summon the celestial beast, Azure Dragon. I have seen descriptions of Dragon Descending Wood in the ancient texts collected by our Heavenly Dao Sect, but I have never encountered it in person. However, why has the Dragon Descending Wood been following you all this time? It is truly puzzling," said Master Ling Ku, filled with confusion.

Suddenly, beams of spiritual light emanated from the Dragon Descending Wood. Once all the spiritual light merged into Jing Feng's body, the Dragon Descending Wood vanished from sight. This type of spiritual object, as long as it is in harmony with its master’s intentions, can merge into the master’s body with a mere thought and will automatically manifest when needed. At this point, the Dragon Descending Wood truly recognized its master and fused with Jing Feng.

Just as Jingfeng was gradually becoming blurred, on the verge of being absorbed by the Heart of Wood, a strange event occurred once again. Suddenly, a brilliant seven-colored light erupted from Jingfeng, gradually enveloping the green light that had just emanated from him. The spiritual energy generated by the seven-colored light was something even Jingfeng's master, the real person Lingku, could not match from a distance.

"What happened, Jingfeng? Why are you panting so heavily? Did something happen?" Ling Kuzhen asked, looking at Jingfeng, who was continuously gasping for breath.

The snake used its large head to approach Jingfeng once more, extending its long tongue to lick Jingfeng's small face, and then nodded at Jingfeng.

By the way! Jing Feng suddenly pushed open the large head of the transformed snake and said angrily

It is unclear why this transformed snake did not harm the child, but instead became friends with him. Alas! The fate of this child is becoming increasingly inscrutable to me, thought Ling Ku Zhenren.

"Why did you just throw me out? I hit my head and it hurts so much. Also, it's all your fault for making me accidentally swallow a piece of stone, which caused my stomach to hurt for a long time. What do you think we should do, Xiao Hei?" Jing Feng said, tapping the large head of the transformed snake.

Regardless, the sky has brightened, and I should quickly find my way back to the Lingwu Cave, lest I get lost again when it gets dark; it is too frightening here at night, " Jingfeng said with lingering fear.

After leaving the Serpent Transformation, Jing Feng quickly ran towards the Lingwu Cave. He did not know how long he had been running, but gradually began to feel a hint of fatigue. Thus, he found a flat large stone to lie on and rest.

On the surface, this is an ordinary cylindrical piece of wood, measuring 2 feet in length, with four sections. The topmost section has three slender branches, which bear scattered green leaves. However, upon closer inspection of the veins on the leaves, one can discover that the veins resemble vivid, living azure dragons, which is truly remarkable

"You mentioned that you have eaten a glowing stone. What does that stone look like?" asked Ling Ku Zhenren eagerly

"Alright, Jingfeng, since the Dragonwood recognizes you as its master, you should accept it and cherish it well. A rare treasure like Dragonwood possesses its own consciousness; as long as you can resonate with it, you can unleash its full potential. This will greatly benefit your future cultivation. As for other matters, let them take their natural course; I will not impose any interference," said Master Lingku, stroking his beard.

The unconscious Jing Feng was surrounded by a shimmering green light that flickered continuously, creating a mesmerizing sight. The area of the green light expanded gradually, enveloping Jing Feng as if it sought to merge his physical body and soul. At that moment, Jing Feng was completely unaware, left to be at the mercy of this force.

The heartwood of the Dragonwood was refined by Jingfeng, leaving the Dragonwood with no choice but to follow Jingfeng; otherwise, it would gradually wither away

When Jingfeng ran to the place where the Real Person Lingku was cultivating—Tianling Cave, the Real Person Lingku heard that Jingfeng's cries for help had ceased and came out of his meditation

"Xiao Hei, I am leaving now. Will you come back with me?" Jing Feng asked

"Just like an ordinary branch. I didn't provoke him; he just keeps following me, and I can't shake him off," Jing Feng said, wiping his sweat with a look of helplessness.

"Master, Master, that's it, that's it." Startled, Jing Feng immediately ran behind the Real Person Ling Ku, burying his head in the tattered clothes of Ling Ku.

So it was you! Little Black. You startled me; I thought it was a ghost. Your head is really big. By the way, was it you who just licked me?" Jing Feng asked after seeing that big head was a transformed snake.

As Jing Feng turned around, he saw the Dragon-Subduing Wood floating behind him, which frightened him so much that he lost two of his three souls. He turned and ran, shouting as he went: "Master, come quickly to save me! A broken branch that I don't even know what it is keeps following me! Master, Master, please hurry!"

"Hoo hoo hoo! I ran so fast this time, that broken branch won't be able to catch up with me anymore," Jing Feng said, panting.

Jing Feng jumped down from the back of the transformed snake, stood on the ground, stretched lazily, and twisted his sore neck. Turning his head, he saw that the Dragon-Subduing Wood had actually followed him, and he muttered to himself, "Oh? Isn't this the branch from earlier? How did it come to the shore by itself? Quite strange." Jing Feng looked at the Dragon-Subduing Wood with a puzzled expression.

"What on earth has frightened you like this?" asked the real person Ling Ku, puzzled

What is this?" Jingfeng saw a green branch not far from him

It is a glowing stone, round and reminiscent of the pearls I saw in my childhood. When placed in my mouth, it feels so warm, but as soon as I put it in, it starts to jump, almost as if it has a life of its own. Jing Feng carefully describes the form of the wooden heart.