33 Flying Across
Calling it a dragon head wasn’t entirely accurate. It was more like a Jiao head, with two short, straight horns on its head, flat eyes, and a flattened snout, retaining some serpentine features.
It slowly emerged from the water, revealing its claws, its lower body still submerged in the whirlpool, yet it was still dozens of zhang tall, like a building rising from the river, looming over them. The sight alone was incredibly imposing, not to mention the terrifying draconic aura it exuded.
According to the script, this ancient Jiao was a Mystic Venerable, commonly addressed as “Jiao Venerable,” possessing immense power and status.
The Jiao Venerable’s vertical pupils fixed on the examinees on the water’s surface and the proctors hovering in the air, its gaze quickly settling on Yan Zhen.
“The aura of a dragon…”
Its ancient and powerful voice echoed, making their ears ring. Qi Yuxuan and Chu Nan, in the leading group, covered their ears and knelt on their boats. Huangfu Wenqing also felt dizzy and quickly steadied her mind. Yan Zhen, however, used the Evil Spirit Dragon Breath Fire to resist the Jiao Venerable’s draconic might.
The Jiao Venerable, after all, was a Jiao, not a true dragon. Its draconic might wasn’t as pure as Yan Zhen’s. It looked Yan Zhen up and down, trying to discern his origins.
“Who are you?”
Yan Zhen, feigning fear, bowed respectfully. “This humble one is Yan Zhen. Greetings, Jiao Venerable.”
“Yan… not a member of the God Clans. Do you possess a treasure from the Dragon Clan?”
“No.”
“Then where did your draconic aura come from?”
“Are you referring to this, Senior?”
Yan Zhen didn’t hide anything and summoned the Evil Spirit Dragon Breath Fire.
The Jiao Venerable’s eyes widened, and it exclaimed, “A Dragon Extreme Flame!”
Its excitement caused its massive body to tremble, creating visible ripples in space, making everyone’s scalp tingle.
The Jiao Venerable immediately sealed the surrounding space and expelled everyone except Yan Zhen.
“Is it the Tyrant Dragon Flame?”
It lowered its massive head, approaching Yan Zhen to examine the flames in his hand.
“No! The grayish-black color, the sinister aura… this is the Evil Spirit Dragon Breath Fire!”
The Jiao Venerable abruptly recoiled, its vigilance rising.
The Evil Spirit Dragon Breath Fire was born from the corpse of a true dragon and was extremely effective against dragon-type creatures, especially a half-dragon like itself.
One wrong move, and it would become a slave to the Evil Spirit Dragon Breath Fire.
“The Evil Spirit Dragon Breath Fire, ranked thirteenth on the Extreme Flame List, is difficult even for Demigods to subdue. How did it end up in the hands of a mere Mystic Master like you?”
Yan Zhen blinked and said shyly, “Just lucky, I guess.”
“There must be an expert guiding you. Otherwise, no matter how lucky you are, a Mystic Scholar couldn’t possibly refine the Evil Spirit Dragon Breath Fire.”
“…”
“Well, it’s none of my business how you obtained it. But a Dragon Extreme Flame is very useful to me.” The Jiao Venerable’s voice rumbled. “Don’t worry, I only want a small wisp, and I won’t take it for free.”
The Jiao Venerable opened its mouth and spat out a glowing pearl, which floated into Yan Zhen’s hand.
“This is a ‘Dragon Pearl.’ It has the power to bring the dead back to life and regenerate flesh and bones. Even if one is severely injured and near death, holding this pearl in their mouth can keep them alive.”
Yan Zhen looked at the Dragon Pearl, hesitant.
“What? Not enough? The Evil Spirit Dragon Breath Fire is indeed incredibly rare, but I only want a small wisp. Trading it for this Dragon Pearl is a good deal for you. What else do you want?”
“Ahem, well, Jiao Venerable, could you also give me a dragon scale? I have a use for it.”
“Just one scale? That’s fine.” The Jiao Venerable plucked a scale from its body and gave it to Yan Zhen. “Is that enough?”
“Thank you, Jiao Venerable. Here’s the flame you requested.”
Yan Zhen accepted the scale and the pearl, then separated a small wisp of flame from the Evil Spirit Dragon Breath Fire and offered it respectfully.
The Jiao Venerable swallowed the flame and retreated back into the whirlpool.
“I owe you a favor. If you ever need help, come to the Dragon Gate River, and I’ll protect you once.”
Yan Zhen bowed again, and the spatial seal dissipated, the whirlpool disappearing, and the waves calming down.
“Yan Zhen! Are you alright?” Huangfu Wenqing rowed over and looked him over. “Did that Jiao do anything to you?”
“Don’t worry, I’m fine.” Yan Zhen smiled. “I just made a trade with the Jiao Venerable.”
“A trade?”
“Never mind that. Where are the others?”
“Ahead. They took advantage of the spatial seal and went ahead.”
“Damn it… We have to hurry. We’re almost out of time.”
They quickly rowed forward, trying to catch up.
They had been first and second, but now they were last.
Qi Yuxuan, Chu Nan, and the others were also giving it their all, approaching the finish line at the ferry terminal on the other side.
At this distance, they couldn’t possibly catch up.
And the time limit of one incense stick was almost up.
“Ten seconds left!” The proctor, still shaken, continued his duties and began the countdown. “Ten, nine, eight…”
“Less than ten seconds left! We’re going to be eliminated, Yan Zhen! We have to fly!”
“You’re right! Eh? Y-you can fly?”
“I cultivate Wind Mystic Power. This distance is nothing. What about you?”
“Uh, I’m fine too.”
They smiled at each other, then kicked off their boats simultaneously. The boats shattered, turning into starlight and a whirlwind as they soared into the sky, shooting forward like lightning.
In an instant, they caught up to the leading group, then overtook them, landing on the ferry terminal.
The starlight touched down first, followed by the whirlwind.
A gust of wind swept across the terminal as they landed.
Then, the starlight and the whirlwind dissipated, revealing the figures of the handsome young man and the beautiful young woman, standing together like a perfect match.
The surrounding Inner Academy students were dumbfounded. What kind of movement technique allowed a Mystic Master to fly such a distance?
Even Yu Die, Ling Fei, and Wen Canglan, the top-ranked students on the Rising Star List, were surprised.
Normally, Mystic Masters could only glide. Only those at the Mystic General realm and above could truly fly.
Being able to fly at the Mystic Master realm meant he had learned a special flying technique, which required exceptional talent and Mystic Power control, not something everyone could achieve.
The proctor paused for a moment, then announced, “Time’s up. The special examination is now concluded. Those who crossed the river have passed. Those who didn’t are eliminated…”
Qi Yuxuan, Chu Nan, and the others, who had just arrived, felt their hearts sink.
They were also eliminated?
So, the only ones who passed were Yan Zhen and Huangfu Wenqing?
They felt a sense of injustice. If it weren’t for the Jiao Venerable’s sudden appearance, they would have reached the finish line long ago.
“Wait,” Grand Elder Yu Yan said. “There were unforeseen circumstances during this special examination. Therefore, all examinees who hadn’t been eliminated before the Jiao Venerable appeared are considered to have passed.”
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