After the pact was signed, the atmosphere became remarkably friendly.
Once the true dragon's poison had been purged, Jiang Chen took it upon himself, in his capacity as an alchemist, to examine the dragon and confirm that the source of the poison had been completely eliminated before he finally let it go.
Jiang Chen didn't hold back. He transmitted a text called the "Dragon Clan Transformation Technique" to the true dragon.
"This transformation technique isn't easy to cultivate. It's not something that can be achieved overnight. However, the foundational chapter of this technique is directly related to your dragon clan's own divine abilities. True dragons can grow large or shrink small, can ascend or hide—when large, they command clouds and spew mist; when small, they conceal every trace of their form. If you want to roam freely across the four seas, you must first master this foundational chapter and hone your dragon clan's innate abilities."
Jiang Chen wanted to win the true dragon's obedience, but he had no need for petty tricks. If he were to subdue this true dragon, he would do it through genuine skill.
Sure enough, after the "Dragon Clan Transformation Technique" had been transmitted to the true dragon, its admiration for Jiang Chen visibly deepened.
"Young one, it seems forming an alliance with you is not a bad thing after all."
The dragon race was inherently proud and rarely offered praise. When they did, it was always from the heart.
"Since you've been so forthcoming, my dragon clan will not deceive you. This Spirit Wood Spring—if you wish to carry it away, you must first relocate the Taiyi Jade Vine. That Taiyi Jade Vine is the source that provides the spring with its endless spiritual energy. Remove the Taiyi Jade Vine, and I will help you drain this entire lake of clear water."
The dragon race's mastery over wind and rain, their ability to overturn rivers and reshape seas—these were their innate divine abilities, talents they possessed from birth with no need for instruction. Forget about a single lake; even an enormous river could be drained dry by a single true dragon.
Jiang Chen smiled. "There's no rush."
With that, he summoned the Gold-Munching Mouse King. "Old Gold, I've found the primordial spiritual land. Have you selected your descendants?"
The Gold-Munching Mouse King squinted its tiny eyes at the Spirit Wood Spring, which gleamed like a jade gemstone, its gaze filled with wild joy. "Chen Shao, you really weren't lying to me! Wonderful, wonderful! My children and grandchildren have already picked out a hundred candidates, ready at any moment."
Gold-Munching Mice were small in size and didn't require much spiritual energy to evolve their bloodlines.
Jiang Chen chuckled and said to the Gold-Munching Mouse King, "Old Gold, you're a bit too eager. The owner of this place is right here. Don't you plan to say hello?"
The Gold-Munching Mouse King had been so excited that its eyes were fixed entirely on the Spirit Wood Spring, completely overlooking the enormous true dragon coiled nearby.
When it finally noticed the dragon coiled on the stone steps, the Gold-Munching Mouse King was startled. Its whole body trembled, and it shrank behind Jiang Chen. "Th-this is a d-dragon! A dragon!"
The dragon race was an ancient imperial clan, born with a powerful natural aura of dominance. The moment the Gold-Munching Mouse King laid eyes on a true dragon, its entire body nearly went limp.
"Look at you, what a sorry sight. This is an orthodox dragon, the owner of this place, and now a friend of ours. Besides, you're a descendant of the Gold-Munching King Mouse clan. The Gold-Munching King Mice may not have rivaled the dragons in ancient times, but they were still a formidable race."
The Gold-Munching Mouse King let out a sheepish chuckle, its expression furtive, though it was still visibly shaken.
The true dragon spoke abruptly. "A descendant of the Gold-Munching King Mouse? The Gold-Munching King Mouse—in my inherited memories, I believe I've heard of them. A terrifying race that devoured across the Myriad Heavens Planes, extraordinarily fierce. So how come their descendant is so cowardly?"
The Gold-Munching Mouse King was mortified.
Jiang Chen smiled. "You're a dragon, but when you venture out into the world, you'll need a name, won't you?"
The true dragon was taken aback. It had genuinely never considered the matter of a name before. It asked blankly, "Must I have one?"
That foolish question made the Gold-Munching Mouse King burst out laughing.
"What are you laughing at?" The true dragon's expression turned icy. A mere little mouse dared to mock the dragon race?
The Gold-Munching Mouse King's face changed in an instant. It ducked its head and scurried back behind Jiang Chen in its usual furtive manner, still snickering under its breath.
Jiang Chen nodded. "How about this—you're covered in dark scales, so I'll give you a name. How about Long Xiaoxuan?"
"Why 'Xiao'?" the true dragon asked, displeased.
"Would you rather be called Long Daxuan?" Jiang Chen said with a wry smile. "Don't say I didn't warn you—Daxuan sounds terrible, and people will think you're old."
"Then Xiaoxuan is fine," the true dragon said, dejected.
"All right, all right. If you don't like the name Xiaoxuan, I can just call you Brother Long. That way, everyone will assume your surname is Long."
"That's more like it." Long Xiaoxuan nodded with satisfaction.
"Good, Brother Long, you've received the technique. If you don't mind, would you step away for now? Your presence here will frighten all the Gold-Munching Mice. Besides, I have another companion—a person born with a Spirit Wood Constitution who's been waiting for the baptism of this Spirit Wood Spring."
Jiang Chen hadn't forgotten about Mu Gaoqi either.
Before long, Mu Gaoqi appeared as if in a dream beside the Spirit Wood Spring.
"Brother Jiang Chen, am I dreaming?" Mu Gaoqi could hardly believe the sight before him. He kept thinking he must be in a dream.
"Where's that old rogue from the Carefree Sect? And where's that dragon? I've never even seen a true dragon! What a shame—I can't broaden my horizons."
Mu Gaoqi's words still sounded like sleep-talking.
Jiang Chen waved his hand. "Gaoqi, enough nonsense. That old rogue and the true dragon are off fighting God knows where. Now is our chance."
Snapped out of his reverie by Jiang Chen's words, Mu Gaoqi shuddered and nodded repeatedly. "Right, right! Look at me, I'm so excited I can't think straight."
Mu Gaoqi had his own suspicions, but seeing Jiang Chen like this, he didn't dare ask too many questions. After everything he had been through, if Mu Gaoqi still couldn't see that Jiang Chen was extraordinary, he'd be a fool.
"Down we go!"
Jiang Chen took Mu Gaoqi's hand, and together they leaped into the Spirit Wood Spring.