Chapter 1582: Chapter 1582: Golden City, Golden Flood Dragon

Not long after Fang Bai ascended in rank, he sensed the presence of his close female friends Dongfang Rushi, Dongfang Ruhua, and some other friends and relatives.

“I have friends coming from the three thousand Minor Worlds… Li Yu, how about we go find them together?”

On this day, Fang Bai, feeling something in his heart, spoke to Lu Liyu.

After pondering for a moment, Lu Liyu shook her head and said, “I haven’t been in my new realm for long; I need to cultivate for a while to stabilize it. Moreover, someone needs to watch over the Nine Heavens Immortal Emperor Palace, so I’ll stay here.”

Fang Bai, being so clever, understood that Lu Liyu chose not to accompany him to avoid awkwardness should they meet Dongfang Rushi and Dongfang Ruhua.

The women around Fang Bai may seem gentle and docile on the surface, but that’s only towards Fang Bai. In front of others, they are very assertive and proud. If Lu Liyu were to meet them, it could cause friction, and it would be awkward for Fang Bai to take sides.

If Lu Liyu stayed away, such a situation could be avoided.

From this perspective, Lu Liyu was not only wise but also thoughtful of others, truly making Fang Bai admire her even more.

However, Fang Bai was worried about leaving Lu Liyu alone in the vast Nine Heavens Immortal Palace. Therefore, he summoned Lu Dong and Shui Mo, who were training outside, and also brought back He Wujie and Zhao Wanqing to keep Lu Liyu company.

With these four accompanying her, plus the layers of offensive and defensive great formations set up inside and outside the Nine Heavens Immortal Emperor Palace, Lu Liyu had greater security and company to chat with, avoiding feeling too lonely.

Once everything was arranged, Fang Bai, under Lu Liyu’s tearful gaze, soared into the sky, jumping onto the Wind Roc’s back and flying towards the distance.

Although he sensed the presence of Dongfang Rushi, Dongfang Ruhua, and others, Fang Bai didn’t know their exact location, so he could only aimlessly urge the Wind Roc to fly, hoping for the luck to meet them.

Golden City is an ancient city in the Heaven’s Net Realm, with the entire city’s architecture made of Golden Spirit Stone.

During the day, basked in the sunlight, the entire ancient city reflects dazzling golden lights, like a dream city cast in gold.

At night, under the moonlight, Golden City emits a gentle golden glow, making the ancient city look like a city that never sleeps.

With a population of tens of millions, Golden City is bustling and lively, with strong and skilled people filling the city. The only trading market is crowded from morning till night.

Every day, the martial artists appearing at Golden City’s trading market number in the tens of thousands, including Foundation Establishment experts, Golden Pill experts, and Nascent Soul experts, with cultivation resources ranging from Holy Grade to King Grade.

Located at the very center of Golden City, the City Lord Mansion stands atop a mountain peak. It’s the tallest building in Golden City and its most conspicuous landmark.

Surrounding the City Lord Mansion, purple mist rises all day long, with auspicious clouds swirling around. Spirit beasts fly around, making it look like a castle where immortals reside.

The City Lord of Golden City, Sikong Changjian, is a Nascent Soul Perfection expert, over three hundred years old, having ruled Golden City for more than a century.

Sikong Changjian has eighteen warriors under his command, half male and half female, all Nascent Soul mid-stage experts.

Individually, the eighteen warriors are not particularly powerful, but together they form the “Storm Sword Formation,” which is exceedingly formidable, capable of contending with Nascent Soul Perfection experts.

Sikong Changjian rarely appears in public, as he usually secludes himself in cultivation, relying on the eighteen warriors to manage Golden City and maintain its order.

However, the most famous aspect of Golden City is neither the City Lord Mansion nor Sikong Changjian, nor even the eighteen warriors, but the Golden Flood Dragon in Dragon Lake to the north of the city.

It’s said that in ancient times, a flood dragon once dwelled in Dragon Lake, and after thousands of years of cultivation, it ultimately shattered the void, endured the Ninefold Heavy Tribulations, and transformed into a Golden True Dragon, entering the Immortal Realm.

The name “Dragon Lake” was thus called by later generations.

The current Golden Flood Dragon in Dragon Lake is said to be the descendant of that former Golden True Dragon, with now thousands of years of lifespan, having a cultivation level comparable to a half-step Soul Severing expert.

Fortunately, although the Golden Flood Dragon is extremely powerful, it feeds on spirit beasts and has been dwelling at the lake bottom for years, never having ventured out to disturb or attack humans. Otherwise, how could Golden City have its current prosperity?

However, while the dragon has no intention of harming humans, humans do intend to harm the dragon.

Over the years, countless martial artists have attempted to hunt the Golden Flood Dragon, using its Flood Dragon Pill and dragon blood for cultivation, and its tendons and bones to craft spiritual artifacts.

But although the Golden Flood Dragon is mild-mannered, it has times when it is provoked.

Two hundred years ago, ten Nascent Soul Perfection experts joined forces to cause chaos in Dragon Lake, intending to jointly slay the Golden Flood Dragon, but they were all swallowed by it.

Since then, no martial artist has dared to target the Golden Flood Dragon, and Dragon Lake has since been peaceful for two hundred years.

On this day, Fang Bai arrived near Golden City, attracted by the dazzling golden lights throughout the city, and so he entered the city with the Wind Roc, planning to stay for a few days to inquire about Dongfang Rushi, Dongfang Ruhua, and others.

By now, the Wind Roc could transform into human form, though not for long. However, after taking the Transformation Pill that Fang Bai refined, it could maintain human form for several days.

Transformed, the Wind Roc stood two meters tall and followed Fang Bai, its eyes electric and imposing, appearing like a mighty, black, and robust bodyguard.

“Master, there’s a terrifying spirit beast presence in this city!”

Upon entering the city, the Wind Roc seemed somewhat fearful, whispering to Fang Bai.

Fang Bai too faintly sensed a powerful spirit beast’s presence. After inquiring a few locals about the area’s customs and legends, he learned about Dragon Lake and the Golden Flood Dragon.

Upon hearing about the Golden Flood Dragon, the Wind Roc’s fear mingled with excitement, and it communicated telepathically, “It seems that the Golden Flood Dragon does indeed exist! The Flood Dragon Pill and dragon blood are innate treasures. Whether for humans or spirit beasts, consuming them will greatly increase cultivation! Master, should we…”

Before it could finish, Fang Bai smiled wryly and said, “Didn’t you hear what those people said? The Golden Flood Dragon’s strength is comparable to a half-step Soul Severing realm expert. Even if we join forces, we can’t beat it!”

The Wind Roc, unwilling to give up, said, “It’s rare to encounter such a dragon; it’s an opportunity not to be missed. Master, you have vast powers and many life-preserving methods. Why not give it a try?”

Fang Bai sighed, “That Golden Flood Dragon has never harmed innocent lives, showing that it’s mild-tempered and doesn’t like to kill. Even if I could kill it, I couldn’t bring myself to do it!”

The Wind Roc knew its master to be ruthless and decisive with enemies but deeply feeling and thoughtful with friends and family, never quick to engage in battles. Although it felt regretful, it did not continue persuading.

Fang Bai and the Wind Roc wandered Golden City for a while, before entering a city tavern, ordering several Snow Spirit Chickens and a few large bowls of Spiritual Wine made from Thousand-Year Spirit Fruits, planning to eat and drink their fill before continuing on.