I was just making up techniques… how did all of you become Emperors? Chapter 617: The Three Ancestors of Hongyuan
Previously on I was just making up techniques… how did all of you become Emperors?...
In the wooded mountains, next to a flowing stream, Cao Youqian prepared a barbecue rack and expertly grilled some dragon flesh. Sizzling noises echoed as the tempting scent of the barbecued dragon spread through the air on the breeze.
Close by, the Thunder Qilin caught the smell and couldn't help but salivate. Gazing at the enormous head of the evil dragon lying nearby, it grumbled, “Little demonic dragon, who knew your flesh could smell this good. Had I realized sooner, I'd have named you Fragrant Dragon.”
Pa!
Cao Youqian couldn't resist and smacked the Thunder Qilin across its head. “You rascal, do you want to taste this dragon meat or not? Stop talking such rubbish right here.”
“Yes,” the Thunder Qilin answered.
Not wanting to pass up such a treat, it clamped its jaws shut right after and patiently waited in silence.
A short while later, Cao Youqian handed over the cooked dragon meat to the Thunder Qilin. He pulled out holy wine from his storage ring next, chomping down big bites of meat while gulping the drink, appearing utterly relaxed and unrestrained.
Before long, though, Cao Youqian noticed the Thunder Qilin eyeing him. He glanced over and questioned, “Big Lei, what's with that stare?”
The Thunder Qilin stayed quiet, merely gulping down some spit while fixating on the wine jug in Cao Youqian’s grip.
“So you're craving good eats and potent booze too. Alright, I'm feeling generous today, so you'll get a sip of the best brew around.”
Cao Youqian grabbed a bowl, poured it full, and passed it across. The Thunder Qilin inhaled the potent fragrance and downed the entire thing in a single swallow without pause.
Once that bowl of wine hit its stomach, the Thunder Qilin displayed a rare expression of pure delight. Licking its lips, it remarked, “Brother Qian, what's this stuff? How can it taste so amazing?”
Cao Youqian chuckled and replied, “It's sacred wine, made by my master. For you to sample it is luck earned across eight lifetimes.”
“May I have one more bowl?”
The Thunder Qilin batted its huge, lantern-like eyes as it asked, somehow looking rather endearing.
Cao Youqian rolled his eyes. “Forget it. Given your build, one bowl's all you can handle. Better stuff yourself with more hot dragon meat now, or you might miss out later.”
“No chance, totally impossible.”
As the Thunder Qilin chatted, a sudden dizziness hit it. The Cao Youqian in front of it doubled, then quadrupled, prompting it to roar with laughter. “Brother Qian, how come you're four of you now?”
Cao Youqian instinctively massaged his brow and grumbled, “I shouldn't have allowed even that one bowl. My mistake.”
“I can handle more booze.”
Right then, the Thunder Qilin acted like a tipsy child, prattling on without end.
Cao Youqian snapped in annoyance, “You pest, don't make me smack you when I'm this cheerful.”
“Go ahead, strike me if you've got the guts.”
After downing that single bowl, the Thunder Qilin sensed the entire world was its playground and paid zero mind to Cao Youqian. As it talked, it tore into a huge chunk of dragon meat, which set Cao Youqian guffawing.
Cao Youqian ignored the inebriated creature. For all his pride, he wouldn't stoop to hitting someone soused.
Moments ticked by steadily. Following a couple of tipsy outbursts, the Thunder Qilin slumped to the earth and dozed off, letting Cao Youqian savor the treats in peaceful solitude.
The night unfolded without incident. Come dawn the following day, the Thunder Qilin blearily lifted its lids and spotted Brother Qian already in cultivation. It scratched its head on reflex and mumbled, “Just what went down last night? My skull's pounding so hard.”
Cao Youqian shot it a scornful look. “With your weak tolerance for liquor, don't bring up something so mortifying. Next time drinks are flowing, stick to the kids' spot.”
“Oh.”
The Thunder Qilin answered meekly while hazy recollections from the night before flashed through its thoughts. It grasped at last why Brother Qian had said that, and knowing all those silly antics were its doing, it yearned to burrow into the ground and hide.
“Anyway, you know the spot of that demonic dragon's den, don't you?”
Cao Youqian inquired gravely. Having already subdued a Half-Saint Realm demonic dragon, he saw no sense in skipping its hoard, or else the journey would've been pointless.
“I do. I'll guide you there immediately.”
Recalling the demonic dragon's demise, the Thunder Qilin's earlier annoyance evaporated in a flash, giving way to sheer elation.
Cao Youqian hopped onto the Thunder Qilin's back. “Show the path.”
“Got it.”
The Thunder Qilin lumbered off toward the demonic dragon's hideout. During the trip, the pair faced no threats at all.
This left the Thunder Qilin restless, so it idly wondered, “Brother Qian, you took down that demonic dragon so swiftly yesterday. Weren't you worried its forebear might show up seeking revenge?”
Cao Youqian scoffed, “That beast might boast of being the Dragon Ancestor's direct kin, but if it really ranked high in the dragon lineage, it wouldn't skulk in a dump like this lording it over locals. Plus, it had zero valuables on it, proving—like you—it's got no pull with its own elders.”
At those words, the Thunder Qilin sighed in resignation. “Brother Qian, must you cut so deep every time you open your mouth?”
“Haha…”
Cao Youqian burst into laughter despite himself. “I'm just stating facts. No surprise my master often notes how folks hate the truth—it stings too much.”
“…”
The Thunder Qilin fell silent before probing further, “So, Brother Qian, does that mean you're the pupil of some major heavyweight in your lineage?”
“Exactly. Be it in my clan or with my master, I was forever the golden child.”
As Cao Youqian reminisced, visions of his early days in the sect and family bubbled up in his head.
“So how come you ended up banished like me?”
With that, the Thunder Qilin twisted around with a sly grin, its smug face practically begging for a swat, implying Brother Qian should quit the act since they were both rejects.
Pa!
Cao Youqian whacked the Thunder Qilin on the forehead and chuckled, “You little punk, still got the nerve to tease me. I'll let you in on it: I'm my master's right-hand man. I ventured out to explore the world's breadth and uncover its hidden gems. Even against a Witch God or Demon God, the gifts from my master would let me slip away safely.”
“But what about facing the Three Ancestors?”
The Thunder Qilin blurted out without thinking.
“What Three Ancestors?”
Cao Youqian heard the phrase for the first time.
“You can't be serious, no way. Brother Qian, you truly don't know the Dragon, Phoenix, and Qilin Three Ancestors are the mightiest powers now? They outstrip even Witch Gods and Demon Gods.”
As the Thunder Qilin explained, a swell of arrogance lit its features. Among beasts in this realm, the Qilin clan commanded the utmost respect.
“I'd dash straight back to the sect. My sect's forebears would surely counter these so-called Three Ancestors. Anyway, why would such titans bother with a nobody like me?” Cao Youqian responded.
“Fair point.”
The Thunder Qilin didn't buy that Brother Qian's sect harbored anyone who could clash head-on with the Three Ancestors. Humans ranked as the frailest species, countless ones sheltered by demon groups, and even their Witch Gods lagged behind others in strength.
As the human and qilin bantered, they reached the demonic dragon's den.
The Thunder Qilin halted and announced, “Brother Qian, up ahead lies Five Elements Mountain—that's the demonic dragon's lair.”
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