108: Gift money
Gao De listened quietly, keeping this information in mind, and signaled Turtle Three Thousand to continue.
Turtle Three Thousand showed a rather strange expression and said, "The second matter... is about that Demon King from the Ancient Thunder Pool.
Just a few days ago, shortly after the Nine Dragons Chamber of Commerce's flying ship left, that Thunder Tiger Demon King, who possesses the Dragon Son, associated with law Bloodline, suddenly sent out several Third-Tier Demon Generals under her command to visit various Foundation Establishment and higher-level powers within the Three Kingdoms... to collect 'congratulatory gifts'."
"'Congratulatory gifts?' Gao De's jiao eyebrows rose slightly.
"Exactly."
Turtle Three Thousand's expression became even more nuanced, "According to those Demon Generals, it's to celebrate their 'Young Lord'—the one-year-old cub of that Thunder Tiger Demon King—birthday. They demand that every power must offer a token of 'sincerity'..."
Hearing this, even with Gao De's current mental state, he couldn't help but feel a sense of wordlessness.
This female tiger... her style of doing things is truly... unique.
Having just stabilized her territory, she's already using such a childish reason to scrape for 'gift money'?
This doesn't have the slightest dignity of a Fourth-Tier Demon King; she's more like a money-grubbing female tiger who occupies a mountain and makes up excuses.
"How did the various powers respond?" Gao De asked.
"Most powers, especially those Foundation Establishment families and small Sects, although they found it absurd, were intimidated by the Thunder Tiger Demon King's fierce reputation and the currently powerful forces of the Ancient Thunder Pool. Most chose to pay up to avoid trouble, offering a substantial congratulatory gift.
A few medium-sized Sects that pride themselves on having Core Formation Cultivators or are located further away haven't responded yet, and so far, there hasn't been any follow-up action from the Ancient Thunder Pool's side.
It seems the Thunder Tiger Demon King's move is more like a test and a show of power, while also scooping up some practical benefits," analyzed Turtle Three Thousand.
Gao De fell into thought.
Naturally, he didn't want to be a sucker for no reason, but offending a powerful, rising Fourth-Tier Demon King over a small 'congratulatory gift' was clearly extremely unwise.
He was currently at a critical period for a Breakthrough and needed a stable external environment.
"Money-grubbing female tiger..." Gao De grumbled in his heart again, then made a decision, "Fine, better to avoid trouble. Turtle Three Thousand, you take charge of preparing a generous gift. Its value... should follow the standards of those ordinary Core Formation powers. Don't stand out, but don't be stingy either. When the messengers from the Ancient Thunder Pool arrive, hand it to them politely and send them on their way."
He specifically emphasized "politely," not out of fear, but because he didn't want any unnecessary complications.
This "congratulatory gift" would be treated as paying for peace and maintaining the current balance.
"Understood, I'll prepare it right away." Turtle Three Thousand took the order, not at all surprised by his master's decision. This was the way of stability.
After handling this slightly comical interlude, Gao De returned to the quiet room once again.
These external disturbances, whether the mysterious past of the Dragon Clan or the money-grubbing farce of his neighbor, could not shake his firm heart toward the Dao.
He took out the baxia carapace again, and Purple Lightning rose around his body once more.
"Once my cultivation reaches the Middle Stage, I'll go explore the Dragon Palace Secret Passage again." With this thought flashing through his mind, Gao De quickly sank into deep Cultivation.
Everything was prioritized toward increasing strength. Within the Water Mansion, silence returned, with only power quietly growing.
Within the Water Mansion, time seemed to lose meaning during Cultivation.
Gao De focused entirely on refining the dragon pearl fossil and purifying his Bloodline.
The baxia carapace became his best auxiliary tool. The heavy earth element and Dragon Clan essence it contained, though not directly absorbable, acted like a perfect "whetstone," constantly honing his Purple Lightning Flood Dragon Bloodline, making it increasingly pure and condensed as it climbed toward a higher level.
Turtle Three Thousand faithfully executed Gao De's orders. A valuable "congratulatory gift," enough to make a medium-sized Foundation Establishment Family feel the pinch for a long time, was carefully prepared. When that arrogant Demon General from the Ancient Thunder Pool, a Third Order Early Stage Mengji, arrived, Turtle Three Thousand represented the "Purple Lightning Flood Dragon King" and politely offered the gift. He subtly flattered the unseen Thunder Tiger Demon King and her cub while hinting that his own King was at a critical point of seclusion.
That Thunder Leopard Demon General was clearly satisfied with the harvest of this trip. Especially since Turtle Three Thousand was sophisticated in his dealings, it felt respected. It didn't feel slighted because the other party was also a Demon General; instead, it was satisfied because the gift was precious.
Carrying the heavy gift, it returned to the Ancient Thunder Pool to report, without causing any trouble.
Qianjiao Cliff and the Lake Water Mansion had essentially bought a precious period of peaceful development with Spirit Stones.
Half a year later, in the core Forbidden Ground of the Water Mansion.
Inside the quiet room, the Spiritual Qi had become so dense it turned into a physical mist, enveloping Gao De's massive jiao body.
The earthy-yellow spiritual light on the baxia carapace was brighter than ever, reflecting the purple lightning astral qi roaring around Gao De's body, emitting a low rumble like the pulsation of the earth.
Within his Dantian, that egg-sized dragon pearl fossil shone with ten thousand rays of light, its rotation speed reaching the limit. Pure Dragon Qi, like a river bursting its banks, surged through his Meridians, demon core, and every inch of his flesh.
Deep within his Bloodline, the invisible barrier that had hindered him for a long time was now covered in cracks and teetering under the continuous impact of such colossal power.
"Now is the time!"
With a thought, Gao De pushed the Purple Heaven Dragon Transformation Art to its limit, while simultaneously triggering the trace of "adversity" intent originating from the Reversal Scale Dragon Transformation Chapter dormant deep in his Bloodline!
Instead of using it for Body Tempering through tribulation, he used this intent to turn all his accumulated power into an even more violent and unstoppable force, slamming fiercely against that Bottleneck!
"Boom!!"
A massive sound, like the creation of the world, echoed in his mind!
The obstruction shattered!
An aura several times stronger than before erupted from Gao De's body, instantly dispersing the spiritual mist in the quiet room and even causing the Spiritual Qi of the entire Water Mansion to fluctuate violently!
The purple-black scales covering his body became deeper, their edges flashing with a cold metallic luster. The Dharma-breaking unicorn horn on his forehead was wreathed in lightning, appearing longer and sharper.
The lightning astral qi flowing around him was no longer just purple but was faintly tinged with a noble golden glow, its majesty even greater!
Third Order Mid-Stage, achieved!
Gao De slowly opened his eyes, and within his jiao pupils, it was as if thousands of lightning snakes were being born and dying. A powerful sense of self-confidence arose spontaneously.
He felt the Demonic Power coursing through his body, far exceeding the past in both quality and quantity, and the feeling from his Bloodline, which was closer to the Origin of the world's lightning laws, filling his heart with joy.
The Breakthrough brought not only an increase in power; his control over lightning laws, his use of Dragon Might, and even the range and precision of his Divine Thought had all made significant progress.
If he were to face that Black Water Profound Serpent now, he was confident he could slay it within ten moves!
After stabilizing his Realm for several days, Gao De emerged from seclusion.
Turtle Three Thousand immediately came to congratulate him. Feeling the unfathomable and heart-palpitating aura on Gao De, he was even more in awe: "Congratulations to the Master on your Divine Ability reaching Major Achievement, taking another step on the immortal path!"
Gao De nodded slightly and asked, "While this King was in seclusion, have there been any new changes in the outside world?"
Turtle Three Thousand hurried to report: "Back to Master, all is well. The Ancient Thunder Pool showed no more movement after collecting the 'congratulatory gifts' and seems quite satisfied. Various industries at Qianjiao Cliff are operating smoothly, and income is growing steadily.
Only... regarding that dragon scale, I have found another clue. In a very ancient hide book recording the legends of the Yunmeng Great Marsh from the Green Wave Sect, it mentions that in ancient times, there was a 'Monument-Carrying Dragon' that strictly observed an ancient contract and guarded the Great Marsh's Water Eye. However, its ultimate fate is a mystery; some say it merged into the world, while others say it sank into Guixu carrying the monument..."
A Monument-Carrying Dragon guarding the Water Eye?
Gao De's heart stirred. This seemed to correspond even better with the image of a mythical creature carrying a monument and the sacrifice and sorrowful Concept within the dragon scale.
Could it be that the Dragon Palace Secret Passage, and even the entire water system of the Yunmeng Great Marsh, are related to that legendary 'ancient contract' and 'guarding'?
"Keep an eye on information in this area," Gao De ordered. He felt he was step by step approaching a truth buried by time.
Now that his cultivation had broken through, it was time to delve into the Dragon Palace Secret Passage again.
Areas he hadn't dared to explore before due to insufficient strength could now be attempted. Especially those altar ruins and possible clues related to the 'Monument-Carrying Dragon' and the 'Water Eye'."
"Prepare yourselves. In a while, this King will head out," Gao De commanded, his eyes flashing with the light of exploration and expectation.