Chapter 1143: No Longer What It Once Was
Lu Xuan's mind focused on the giant dragon skeleton, and he instantly understood the detailed information about it.
"Azure Dragon Skeleton, a Seventh Grade Treasure Item, is the remains of a Ninth Grade True Dragon, containing a trace of True Dragon's aura. Buried underground, it can influence a region, gradually forming a Dragon Vein Spiritual Land. It can also be used to refine superior Middle Rank Magical Treasures, with the Magical Treasure naturally carrying the majesty of the True Dragon."
"Furthermore, one can extract some Dragon Marrow from the bones, which, after consumption, can greatly enhance a Cultivator's physical constitution and flesh body strength. It can also enhance the True Dragon Bloodline within the body of Dragon Species Demon Beasts, aiding in breaking through their limits."
"Azure Dragon Skeleton! A Seventh Grade Treasure!"
Lu Xuan couldn't help but feel elated.
"It truly is the corpse left by a True Spirit; even without the most important essence, origin, Essence Blood, etc., the rank is still as high as Seventh Grade."
He reflected inwardly with a sigh, his mind suddenly worried, unsure of how to best utilize this Azure Dragon Skeleton.
"Refining Magical Instruments is completely out of the question; my Magical Treasures already suffice, and there are so many High Rank Spirit Plants waiting for me to harvest."
"Besides, I don't possess the corresponding methods to refine such high-level treasures."
"Continuing to deeply remodel the Dragon Vein is, however, a fine choice, because once an excellent alien land appears within my Personal Spatial, whether it's cultivating related Spirit Plants or improving Spiritual Seeds, the benefits are enormous."
"Additionally, I can extract that bit of Dragon Marrow; if the quantity is sufficient, it could help the Fire Separation Flood Dragon and the three Crocodile Dragons break through their own ranks."
Among the Spirit Beasts of Thunder Fire Asterism Cave, only the Fire Separation Flood Dragon, the Crocodile Dragon, and the Demonic Vine still held potential to ascend to higher ranks. The rest, the Rock-shell Turtles, Two-headed Juvenile, and others, faced limitations due to their own bloodlines, essentially lacking the opportunity to advance.
Having made up his mind, with a thought, Lu Xuan placed the Azure Dragon Skeleton inside the cubic inch book.
"First, let's check the quality of this Azure Dragon Tree."
He was about to use this Spirit Wood to fulfill his obligation; as a precaution, he examined every part of it in detail.
Having confirmed that there were no issues, his gaze fell on the Spirit Field where the Azure Dragon Tree had been planted.
"Before meeting with Celestial Cang True Monarch, I must move that Dragon Vein that's starting to take shape into my Personal Spatial."
He chuckled to himself.
By then, whatever the attitude of Celestial Cang True Monarch might be, the rice was already cooked; there was no way he could remove the Dragon Vein anyway.
With a thought from Lu Xuan, he reached towards the Spirit Field, and instantly, an astonishing Spiritual Light flashed by at high speed.
Then, from the depths of the earth came a series of rumbling sounds, as if a mysterious being was turning over.
Rich, deep yellow Spiritual Light surged up from the depths, converging together, eventually forming an earth dragon around ten feet long and dark yellow in color.
The earth dragon seemed to possess vitality as it slowly moved, emitting astonishing earth element essence.
Without hesitation, Lu Xuan brought the earth dragon into the middle of the Spirit Flowers, chose an excellent location, and buried it within the space.
Returning to Thunder Fire Asterism Cave, the place where the Azure Dragon Tree had been growing was in disarray, no longer exhibiting its previously divine appearance.
"Alright, now I can confidently summon Celestial Cang True Monarch over."
"Lu Mou is now a Nascent Soul of Dongxuan Sword Sect; there's no reason I should be the one to personally deliver it."
Lu Xuan thought proudly of himself.
He immediately took out the Communication Talisman left by Celestial Cang True Monarch.
"Celestial Cang Fellow Daoist, the Seventh Grade Azure Dragon Tree you entrusted Lu Mou to cultivate has matured. Please come to Thunder Fire Asterism Cave for a chat."
Celestial Cang True Monarch's arrival was faster than he had imagined; within less than two hours, he was outside the Cave Abode.
"This old man is Celestial Cang Daoist, here to visit Friend Lu."
An elder, holding a Wood Sword and exuding an aura of immortality, called out loudly.
Lu Xuan's Divine Sense swept over him, and with a flash, he appeared at the entrance of the Cave Abode.
"Welcome, Celestial Cang Fellow Daoist. It's been many years, and your Cultivation Level has become even more profound."
Lu Xuan greeted with a complimenting smile.
"Alas, I am old, not comparable to Friend Lu, who is in the prime of youth and with the Great Dao within reach."
Celestial Cang True Monarch shook his head and laughed bitterly as he followed Lu Xuan into the cave abode.
He casually glanced around, a hint of astonishment surfacing in his eyes.
"The Cloud Void Domain is indeed too far from the Sword Sect, making travel rather inconvenient. I intend to move the contents of this cave abode over there, which means I will be coming to the Liyang Region very infrequently in the future,"
Lu Xuan said half-truthfully.
"I see,"
the expression of Celestial Cang True Monarch showed understanding.
"Celestial Cang Fellow Daoist, this is the very same Azure Dragon Tree you entrusted to me for cultivation,"
Lu Xuan took out the Azure Dragon Tree and presented it to Celestial Cang True Monarch.
"Yes, that's it,"
Celestial Cang True Monarch sent out a thread of his Divine Sense, carefully examining the Spirit Wood that resembled a True Dragon, his expression hardly able to hide his excitement.
"Such a rare and extraordinary Seventh Grade Spirit Wood has actually been cultivated by you, Friend Lu, in less than a century."
"Truly worthy of being the most renowned Spirit Plant Master in the Cloud Void Domain,"
he praised Lu Xuan incessantly.
One must know that the Azure Dragon Tree has a remarkable origin; most Spirit Plant Masters find it difficult to cultivate it properly, not to mention wood of such high quality.
"Friend Lu, may I inquire if an old man like me could take a look at the place where the Azure Dragon Tree was cultivated?"
Celestial Cang True Monarch asked cautiously.
When he had received the Azure Dragon Tree sapling, he had heard from fellow cultivators that cultivating it might lead to unexpected rewards; after much hesitation, he still decided to ask Lu Xuan.
"I'm sorry, but the place where the Azure Dragon Tree was planted is my most confidential site. It is cultivated with high-rank Spirit Plants that I've painstakingly collected, and it is not convenient to let outsiders see them. Please understand, Fellow Daoist,"
Lu Xuan replied with a refusal.
"No worries, no worries, I was merely curious, just asking casually,"
Celestial Cang True Monarch didn't expect Lu Xuan to refuse so decisively. He was taken aback for a moment, and then he spoke with a smile.
The man before him, a carefree young man, happened to be a Nascent Soul cultivator from the Dongxuan Sword Sect, and as a mere Loose Cultivator from the Heavenly Star Cave, he certainly did not have the courage to insist upon his request to Lu Xuan.
The most crucial point was that, even if he resorted to using treasures or pressuring with his cultivation level, he had no confidence in overcoming Lu Xuan, who had the support of the Sword Sect, hence he had to bury that curiosity deep in his heart.
Just like how Lu Xuan had buried the Dragon Vein into his personal spatial equipment.
"Friend Lu has cultivated this Seventh-Grade Azure Dragon Tree for me, but I am at a loss as to how to thank you. Do you have any suggestions?"
After a moment of contemplation, he asked out loud.
When he first saw Lu Xuan at the Hundred Flowers Palace, the man was still just an increasingly famous Spirit Plant Master with only a Mid-term Nascent Soul cultivation level.
Considering the difficulty of cultivating a Seventh Grade Spirit Plant, he had planned to reward him with a high-quality Sixth Grade Magic Artifact that he had used for many years once the Azure Dragon Tree matured. But now that the moment had come, he felt somewhat embarrassed to offer it.
After all, for a Nascent Soul True Monarch with roots in the Sword Sect, a Sixth Grade Magical Instrument was nothing more than an ordinary item, and he might not even spare it a second glance.
Yet, offering a Seventh Grade Treasure Item in return seemed far too demanding.
As a Nascent Soul Loose Cultivator, he had accumulated only a handful of Seventh Grade Treasure Items over hundreds of years, each of which he treasured immensely.
"How things have changed..."
"Who would have thought that this Friend Lu's rate of growth would be so remarkable!"
"In just a mere century, he has advanced from the Mid-term of Core Formation to a Primordial Infant True Monarch!"
He marvelled to himself silently.
And reflecting on his own years of cultivation, he couldn't help but feel an added tinge of bitterness.