琅琊榜海宴小说

Chapter 19 - Bizarre Seal

“Not many members of the Yang family cultivate it since it’s an advanced martial technique. Based on the age of the parchment, this should be the original copy. My father said it contains the secret to becoming the Dragon Warrior. But why can’t I find it?”

Long Chen lay down and stared at the window.

“What kind of rubbish is this? Isn’t it just a few pieces of parchment? What kind of secret could it contain? Even if it does contain the secret, so many people from the Yang family have read it that it wouldn’t be a secret any longer ... “

Long Chen was depressed.

“Hold up!” Long Chen suddenly sat up excitedly.

“The Yang family must not have discovered the secret because it’s too hard to find it! Since my father told me to get it at all costs, I should be able to find it if I put in a bit more effort!”

He picked up the Dragon Seal once again and read the elegantly written sentences. He read each word and even examined the corners of the pages carefully but he discovered nothing.

“I am already at the Fifth Draconic Stage, but since I have the Complete Constellation Body, an ordinary Sixth Draconic Stage cultivator would be no match for me. With the Dragon Seal, my combat capabilities would drastically improve. Sadly, the Constellation Body is only an intermediate Yellow-tier martial technique. I won’t have any advantages if I were to encounter a cultivator at the Seventh Draconic Stage and above ...”

“The Demon Hunting Tournament is starting soon. Since Bai Shiji hates me to his core, I won’t be able to survive, much less make a name for myself if I don’t find a solution soon.”

Thinking about Bai Shiji and the others who were already at the Seventh Draconic Stage, Long Chen’s brows furrowed.

He knew the limits of his own strength. He might be able to win against a Sixth Draconic Stage cultivator easily, but it would be hopeless if he encountered a Seventh Draconic Stage cultivator.

The Draconic Realm was divided into nine stages. The first six stages focused on breaking through the dragon veins known as small dragon veins. These veins weren’t very thick or long, so there was a limited amount of Qi a cultivator could utilize.

However, there was a large gap between the Sixth and Seventh Draconic Stages. To attain the Seventh Draconic Stage and higher, a cultivator was required to break through the Human Dragon Vein, Earthly Dragon Vein, and Heavenly Dragon Vein.

Each one was at least twice as thick and twice as long as a small dragon vein. The Heavenly Dragon Vein was the longest vein of the three–it was as long as the other eight dragon veins combined, and it coiled throughout the body of the cultivator.

Long Chen knew that the higher he rose in the Draconic Realm, the harder it would be to cultivate and break through. This was the reason why so few people attained the Ninth Draconic Stage!

The biggest difference between Long Chen and Bai Shiji, who was at the Seventh Draconic Stage, was the Human Dragon Vein. To break through it, he would require at least ten times the amount of Qi of a Sixth Draconic Stage cultivator. This was why Bai Shiji’s Qi was at least twenty to thirty times more powerful than Long Chen’s.

“But ...”

Long Chen\'s eyes were cold as he thought about something. Since Bai Shiji is Bai Zhanxiong’s son, I have to be stronger than him! I need to let that woman know which is the truly useless one!

He still felt a heavy pressure. He still had no idea how to decipher the secret of the Dragon Seal. If he let ten days pass like this, his entire life might go to waste too!

“What is a Dragon Warrior? My father said that it is a long-lost legend? I’ve only heard of Beast Warriors and Armament Warriors, but I’ve never heard of a Dragon Warrior ...”

“Still, my father and Ling Xi did say that the vast land we are on is called the Dragon Continent. Also the legends say that humans are the descendants of the all-powerful Primordial Dragons. The Dragon Warrior must be related to the dragons of the legends!”

After Ling Xi defended him during the Family Meeting, her energy was so spent that she hadn’t awakened in three days. Long Chen was extremely worried. She didn’t die from that, right? She must have used up so much of her energy. Since she has saved me twice, she’s my benefactor. I’ve already told her that I would protect her, so no matter what happens I must not let her use her power again!

He looked at the Dragon Seal in his hand.

Father wanted me to obtain this martial technique but did not tell me the method to unravel its secret. Looks like I have to work really hard. It would be better if Ling Xi were here. Her true identity is quite mysterious but she probably belonged to a very powerful faction. That would explain why she knows so much about the world. With her knowledge, she can probably help me unravel the secret.

Long Chen sighed and lay on the bed, covering his face with the Dragon Seal.

“What the ... ?”

Long Chen realized that when he placed the Dragon Seal on his face, the mysterious Dragon Jade Pendant in his sea of consciousness that was usually silent trembled for a moment. But it soon stopped.

Just then, a soft, frail voice said in his ear, “There seems to be a seal on the book ...”

It was none other than Ling Xi, who had transformed into a stud on Long Chen’s earlobe. Even though her voice was soft, Long Chen could still hear her clearly.

Long Chen’s anxiety lessened. But when he heard how soft her voice was, he knew that she hadn’t recovered. “Xiao Xi, how are you feeling? I shouldn’t have acted so rashly. I swear that these incidents like that will not happen again. Every time you defend me, you become so much weaker ...”

“It’s fine ...” Ling Xi interjected.

Long Chen was touched. Still, he clenched his teeth as he said, “What do you mean that it’s fine? Don’t butt in next time. If my rashness causes my death, then so be it! But if you die because of me, I will feel guilty throughout my life. I would rather die!

“Now tell me what is going on."

Ling Xi’s voice became softer as she sensed his anger. “My physical body is already gone and everything is dark around me. My spiritual energy is maintaining my Divine Will, but since spiritual power does not regenerate, the more I use it, the less I have left. When I panicked and flew a long distance using the Ling Xi Sword last time, I used up a large portion of my spiritual energy. After using my powers twice and not having any herbs that replenish my Divine Soul, I’m afraid that I’m ...”

Long Chen felt as if the sky were falling on him and shouted, “Why didn’t you say so sooner?”

Ling Xi felt wronged and sobbed. “Why are you being so fierce? I just woke up, and if I hadn’t stepped in last time, you would be dead. I wouldn’t even have the chance to tell you ...”

Long Chen calmed himself down and remained silent for quite some time. “Xiao Xi, thank you, but as a man, I cannot let you risk your life for me. Nor will I let you encounter the same situation again. You said that you need herbs to recover your Divine Soul. I will go find some for you now!”

Ling Xi had almost died from saving him. Even though Long Chen could not express how touched he was, in his heart he already recognized Ling Xi as someone he would risk his life for.

Long Chen put the Dragon Seal in his shirt and walked out. He wasn’t familiar with the herbs used by cultivators, and he was only familiar with one person in the Yang family: Yang Lingqing. He decided to look for her.

“Herbs that nourish the Divine Soul are quite rare. They are usually expensive too. Long Chen, have I become a burden to you?”

“What kind of rubbish are you spewing?! You saved my life. I’m just thinking of saving you, so how could you call yourself a burden? Did water enter your head or something?"

Even though his tone was fierce, the way he spoke showed her that he cared for her a lot. As she looked at the determined youth, many thoughts passed through Ling Xi’s mind. Her predicament slowly changed her from a naive girl to someone more mature.

“Wait, you said there is a seal on the Dragon Seal? Can you decipher it?”

Because of Ling Xi’s current condition, he had almost forgotten about this. Now that he remembered, his face was filled with anticipation.

“I don’t have enough spiritual energy left to decipher the seal. If I have some herbs to nourish my Divine Soul, I might be able to give it a try.”

Long Chen was ecstatic! “Ling Xi you are amazing! If only you had a body. I would kiss you as a reward!”

Long Chen laughed after saying that.

“Hmph! Dream on! You’re not worthy! But since you need me to decipher the seal, I need a lot of herbs. I’m quite a glutton. If you need my help, you’d better prepare a lot of herbs!”

“Fine, fine, you herb hogger.”

After they joked around, the atmosphere was not as heavy as it had been. However, Long Chen knew that after today, his burden had increased.

Not only did he have to become stronger, he needed to earn more money to buy the herbs that nourished the Divine Soul and kept Ling Xi’s alive.

Baiyang Town is such a small place. Will it really have herbs that nourish the Divine Soul?

Long Chen was worried.

As he walked into the courtyard of the Yang family, he ran into some guards and servants. They forced smiles on their faces, but that was worse than if they cried.

Long Chen’s performance at the Family Meeting had secured him an excellent standing within the Yang family. Additionally, his strength and brutal personality had caused those in the lower ranks to fear him. No one dared to be rude to him anymore. It would be suicidal!

In a corner, Yang Wu saw the guards bowing to Long Chen. Yang Wu’s eyes darkened.

This slave took away what was supposed to be Yang Lingyue’s prize. Look at you, acting all high and mighty, I wonder how much longer can you act like this?

Grandfather might value you, but he’s also just using you. Second Uncle has been working hard all these years. Even though he is only at the Seventh Draconic Stage, more than half of the family business is under his jurisdiction. He has accomplished so much for the Yang family. Can a mere black sheep that has sullied the name of the Yang family like you believe that you’ll be able to rise to the top?

Long Chen knew that Yang Wu was staring at him but he couldn’t be bothered to care.

If anyone bullied his sister, Long Chen would’ve killed them. This was why he was well aware of the thoughts running through Yang Wu’s mind.

“Xiao Xi, do you see that guy staring at me with resentment?”

“I do, but it doesn’t seem like resentment.”

“You don’t know the truth. He’s actually a pervert who has fallen in love with me. Unfortunately, because we are both guys, he can’t say it out loud. But I know the feelings he has for me are real ...”

“Ew, gross. I’m going to vomit!”