Duo Bao Pavilion, Suite 4
Keng, congratulations, Host, you've received the technique [Dragon Immortal Sacred Canon].
Keng, temporarily stored in System space.
"Another technique?" Lan An's face twisted oddly. "I haven't even mastered the first layer of Immortal Genesis Scripture, and you give me this ghost of a technique? Damn you, System!"
"Young Master, you're a blind cat catching a fried fish, snagging a treasure and still clueless," Jin'er teased, a rare smirk of disdain on her tiny face.
Her words sparked Lan An's curiosity. He quickly checked the new technique's details.
Dragon Immortal Sacred Canon
Grade: ???
Origin: ???
Function: Dual Cultivation technique. Man as dragon, woman as immortal. United in heart, two become one…
"A dual cultivation technique?" Lan An's eyes gleamed, his heart roaring with triumph.
He'd practiced with Yan Ruo and Yan Hong Lian, a crude form of dual cultivation via intimacy to refine items, requiring external aids and offering no lasting benefits. It wasn't true dual cultivation.
In his past life, a xianxia fan, Lan An envied protagonists wielding overpowered dual cultivation arts like Heart of the Imperial Maiden or Yin-Yang Scripture, skyrocketing cultivation through intimacy. He'd long coveted such power, and now it was his.
"You're dreaming too much," Jin'er doused his fantasies coldly.
"What's that supposed to mean?" Lan An's face darkened. This girl was picking fights today.
"Dual cultivation can boost cultivation speed for both partners, but it depends. The first time with a woman yields stark results, but subsequent sessions only slightly outpace normal cultivation," Jin'er explained, then continued:
"Unless you find a woman with a rare, heaven-born physique. With her, every session retains peak efficiency. But such women are one in a millennium. Easy to find, you think? Plus, both partners must be united in heart and love, or it risks backlash."
"That's still plenty good," Lan An nodded, satisfied. It wasn't the rosy fantasy of novels, but faster cultivation through intimacy with his women was enough.
"This Dragon Immortal Sacred Canon is extraordinary, not as terrifying as a Taboo, but perfectly suited for your future growth," Jin'er said, perched on his shoulder, her tiny legs swinging gracefully.
"Why can't I see its grade? I know Immortal Genesis Scripture is Taboo-grade," Lan An asked, puzzled. Logically, the Scripture was superior, yet he knew its grade while this was hidden.
"Young Master, you're mistaken. 'Taboo' is just a placeholder for the true grade of Immortal Genesis Scripture," Jin'er said, eyes wide, surprised at his confusion.
"Taboo's a substitute?" Lan An's jaw dropped.
"Yes. With your current strength, you lack the authority to know the Scripture's true grade. 'Taboo' is a euphemism to veil its real rank," Jin'er said gravely.
Lan An was stunned. He'd thought Taboo was a grade far beyond Spirit-Grade, not a mere stand-in to obscure the Scripture's true power.
"With your current power, speaking the Scripture's true grade would alert countless cosmic powerhouses, who'd descend on this planet to seize it. 'Taboo' protects you and this world," Jin'er warned sternly, curbing his curiosity.
"Got it," Lan An nodded, his thirst for strength intensifying. Too weak to even know his core technique's grade? It fueled his fighting spirit.
The universe's secrets were vast, and without power, he lacked even the right to probe them.
"But I can make an exception and reveal the Dragon Immortal Sacred Canon's origin. Those two won't mind," Jin'er said suddenly, smiling mysteriously.
"Really? Who're 'those two'?" Lan An perked up. The System and Jin'er usually guarded secrets tightly, so her willingness to share was odd.
"Absolutely, a rare exception," Jin'er confirmed.
"Stop teasing and spill it!" Lan An urged. Knowing the origin of his new technique was a boon.
"The Dragon Immortal Sacred Canon was created by a husband and wife revered across the Immortal Realm…" Jin'er's tiny face glowed with awe, whispering in his ear:
"The woman, a goddess adored by countless immortals, their dream lover… The man, a supreme ruler, shaking all directions, a hegemon even in the Immortal Realm… Their names are…
Holy Empress – Ou Ji
Dragon Sovereign – Lan Long Jun."
Lan An's eyes bulged, his mouth agape. He jolted upright, startling Bai Su Mei and Qin Meng Ying, who stumbled from his embrace.
Ling Wu City, City Lord's Mansion
Muo Jiao sat in a courtyard, drowning his sorrows in wine. Confined by his father, he'd missed the grand auction—a torture for a lively, thrill-seeking youth.
"All because of that damned brat!" The thought of Lan An fueled his rage. He hurled a priceless wine jug to the ground, shattering it, his mood sour.
"Young Master! Young Master!" A servant rushed in, frantic.
"Hmph! What? Careful, or I'll break your dog legs!" Muo Jiao snarled.
"It's the Young Lord! He's at the mansion!" the servant stammered.
"Young Lord? I'm the young lord here!" Muo Jiao sneered, drunk, spiritual energy gathering in his palm, ready to crush the servant.
"No, Young Lord of Tian Mu Sect, not you!" the servant knelt, trembling.
"What? Young Lord Muo Hao? Why didn't you tell me sooner?" Muo Jiao sobered instantly, scrambling to his feet.
"Junior Brother Muo Jiao, why the rush?" a warm voice called. A youth with emerald hair, sharp brows, and bright eyes approached, clad in flowing white robes, his tall frame exuding calm.
"Greetings, Young Lord!" Muo Jiao's usual arrogance vanished, replaced by fawning deference as he bowed.
This was Muo Hao, son of Tian Mu Sect's leader, Young Lord of the Seventh-Grade power. At just over twenty, a Mid-Stage Nascent Soul cultivator, he outshone most Eighth-Grade disciples, the pride of Tian Mu Sect.
"Weren't you at the auction, Young Lord?" Muo Jiao asked, puzzled. Muo Hao should be at Duo Bao Pavilion.
"Let's talk inside," Muo Hao gestured to the courtyard, taking a seat.
"I clashed with the Nan Gong Clan, missing the auction's start," Muo Hao said casually, unperturbed by skipping the grand event.
"Those Nan Gong pests, buzzing around our Tian Mu Sect, impossible to shake off," Muo Jiao growled. The Nan Gong Clan, a Seventh-Grade power near Tian Mu Sect, had feuded over a spirit vein discovered a century ago. Though Nan Gong found it first, Tian Mu Sect seized control, igniting a bitter rivalry.
"Nan Gong's annoying, but their strength is real. It took some effort to deal with them," Muo Hao said evenly, praising his foes without arrogance.
"Who escorted you this time, Young Lord?" Muo Jiao asked respectfully. Muo Hao never traveled without top-tier protection.
"An elder, currently greeting City Lord Muo Heng. I wasn't interested, so I came to chat. It's been a while, brother," Muo Hao said warmly.
Muo Jiao felt bathed in spring breeze, touched. Muo Hao's status drew countless sycophants in Tian Mu Sect, yet he sought Muo Jiao out, making him feel favored by a wise lord.
"Missing the auction and a Heaven-Grade item, won't the sect object?" Muo Jiao poured wine, probing.
"They wouldn't dare," Muo Hao said, shaking his head with quiet dominance, then sighed. "Had I known, I'd have sent spirit stones to Junior Sister Li. She's likely at the auction now." His eyes gleamed at her mention.
"Li Zhu Lan?" Muo Jiao recalled the Fourth Elder taking a Li Clan girl as a disciple three years ago, from a clan near Ling Wu City.
"Indeed. Junior Sister Li, in just three years, earned the title of Tian Mu Sect's top beauty. Even I'm an admirer, haha," Muo Hao laughed, draining his cup, a flash of greed in his eyes.
"Her fortune to catch your eye. Countless sect girls pine for you," Muo Jiao flattered.
"Let's not dwell on that. I heard you stirred trouble, earning the City Lord's punishment?" Muo Hao asked casually.
"Hmph, all that bastard's fault!" Muo Jiao's anger flared, gulping wine and spilling his grievances to Muo Hao.
"His movement art was unpredictable, and he fought above his realm with ease?" Muo Hao's calm face shifted slightly.
"Exactly! I've seen my share, but never such a ghostly movement art. His skills were terrifyingly powerful, and he had a defensive artifact that blocked two Blazing Flame Birds' self-destruction," Muo Jiao said, eyes greedy, then fumed. "His whole body's a treasure. How could I not covet it?"
Muo Hao's interest grew, eyes glinting. Patting Muo Jiao's shoulder, he said sympathetically, "City Lord Muo Heng was right to stop you. Such a person's background can't be ordinary. Even our Tian Mu Sect might not afford to provoke him."
"Father said the same. It made sense, so I backed off," Muo Jiao grumbled, wine-induced sleep overtaking him as he collapsed on the table.
Muo Hao eyed the drunken fool, his warm demeanor vanishing, replaced by contempt. Smirking, he muttered, "Interesting. I hope you truly have a backing worth fearing…"
Rising gracefully, Muo Hao strolled out like a refined noble, leaving the courtyard.