Chapter Forty-Six: The Power of Three Thousand Divine Dragons

For the next stretch of time, Qin Feng remained in the Divine Dragon Pavilion, engrossed in books. Every day upon entering, he would retrieve a slip of paper from Qin Aotian, on which instructions were meticulously written, guiding him to the precise section and even the exact location of the book he was meant to read.

It was a day much like any other when Qin Feng pulled a book from the shelf and brushed the dust from its cover. The title read: “A Compendium of Strange Insects and Beasts.”

“This must be a treatise on spirit insects and demon beasts,” he mused, and promptly began reading in earnest.

The volume was a traditional paper book, requiring each page to be turned by hand. Magma Leeches, Crimson Paste Bugs, Blue-winged Eagles, Xi Hu Zhi, Iron-spined Gray Wolves, Cloud-winged Tigers, Vermilion-threaded Serpents... The contents were eclectic but primarily descriptive, and it was in this book that Qin Feng found an entry regarding the Savage Blood Leech—a mere few lines: “Savage Blood Leech, a primeval wild breed. When fully grown, it sprouts twin wings on its back and eight teeth in its maw, ranked forty-sixth among the ancient list of ferocious insects.”

Clicking his tongue, Qin Feng thought, “Forty-sixth among the ancient fiendish insects! A rare find indeed, though sadly, such a creature already has a master.”

The book was quickly finished and returned to its place. Following the next instruction slip, Qin Feng selected another: “Chronicles of Ancient and Strange Demons.” This book immediately piqued his interest, as it described the uncanny abilities, constitutions, and deeds of notorious demon lords from antiquity.

Now, Qin Feng’s reading efficiency had soared, thanks to his excellent master. For all his rotundity, the old man was no ordinary figure. According to Master Long Aotian himself, he’d read every single book on the first floor—though Qin Feng suspected this was partly bluster, he was certain the old man had read at least seventy percent of them.

Under his master’s guidance, Qin Feng needed only to read a selection of broadly representative classics from each category, vastly improving his efficiency and saving much time. Constant exposure to the old man’s knowledge meant that not only did Qin Feng gain a solid foundation in the common lore of the cultivation world, but he also delved into rare secrets of ancient times.

Meanwhile, Qin Aotian was busy gathering demon beasts for Qin Feng. To secure some higher-grade specimens, the old man even dipped into his life savings.

Qin Feng was aware of all this. Although he’d tried discouraging his master, the old man took genuine delight in these endeavors. He placed all his hopes on his sole disciple.

And so, Qin Feng grew imperceptibly, day by day. Outwardly, his strength had not shown significant improvement, but in all other aspects, he had transformed beyond recognition in a matter of months.

He had come to truly accept this unconventional master. Though the old man’s strength was inferior to his own, he was, aside from Qin Feng’s father, the person who had helped him most since arriving in this world.

As for the promised gift on the day of his acceptance as a disciple, Qin Feng had yet to receive it. He’d inquired, but the old man only replied, “The time is not yet right.”

Sometimes, Qin Feng even suspected that Qin Aotian had fabricated this excuse to trick him into apprenticeship. But by now, such matters were trivial—after all, he had truly grown.

Thus, two months or more slipped quietly by.

In recent days, Qin Feng noticed a peculiar tension in Skywind City. No matter where he went, shadowy figures seemed to follow. Was something momentous about to happen? He asked the old man, but his master merely shook his head and told him to rest easy.

Less than half a month later, as Qin Feng was again reading in the Divine Dragon Pavilion, the old man approached him, mysterious as ever, and declared it was time for him to leave.

Caught off guard, Qin Feng naturally demanded the reason.

With a resigned smile, the old man explained, “The Taixuan Azure Tower, which our Azure Dragon Ancient Clan guards, has recently shown signs of its seal weakening. The ancient clan has issued a strict order: every Qin family in the cultivation nations must send people to reinforce the seal.”

“The Taixuan Azure Tower? One of the Four Divine Towers of the Celestial Realm?” In the past, such names may have meant nothing to Qin Feng, but with his recent voracious reading, he knew full well what kind of forbidden ground it was and its perils.

“Is it that certain people in the clan are sending you?” Qin Feng blurted, suspicion dawning.

“Yes, I am indeed on the list,” Qin Aotian nodded, not hiding the truth.

“But with your age and cultivation, going to the Taixuan Azure Tower is tantamount to suicide! Why? Why would the city’s leadership send you?” Qin Feng was indignant. That place was a notorious deathtrap; over the generations, countless innocents from the Qin clan had perished there, yet the core problem remained unsolved. Sending powerful experts was understandable, but why his master?

Qin Aotian sighed, his eyes tinged with helplessness. “It’s simple, really. You know as well as I do, the Qin clan has always revered strength. Though I am of senior generation, my lack of power is an undeniable fact, so I hold little status. Besides, in my youth, I offended quite a few talented clansmen for certain reasons. Those fellows are now elders, wielding their authority to settle old scores—what could be easier? It doesn’t matter; this isn’t the first time.”

Though tinged with helplessness, his voice was mostly carefree. “Don’t worry, disciple! With your master’s wit and resourcefulness, I’ll get by wherever I go. If not, how would I dare take you as my student? Hahaha!”

Despite his laughter, Qin Feng could not smile. After a moment’s thought, he gritted his teeth, “Master, can I go in your stead?”

Qin Aotian shook his head and pointed to the sky. “No. For one, those above would never allow it; for another, I have my own reasons for going.”

“Reasons?” Qin Feng gazed at him, puzzled.

“I… miss your mistress. That’s why I must go.”

“My mistress!” Qin Feng gaped in astonishment.

“Yes, your mistress!” Qin Aotian’s eyes turned deep as he looked eastward. “Qin Feng, I took you as my disciple with a purpose. Don’t blame me for using you, and forgive my selfishness. But I miss her so much. Especially in recent years, as I grow older, the longing only deepens. The pain of separation is not something a hotheaded youth like you can fathom.”

“But with your current strength, you can do nothing for me. So you must become strong, and promise me: within a hundred years, rescue your mistress. Otherwise… with my health, I fear I won’t last that long.”

“A hundred years? The Taixuan Azure Tower! That’s enough!” Qin Feng said nothing more, only steeling his resolve.

“My child, I believe you can do it.” Qin Aotian patted Qin Feng’s shoulder and pressed a booklet into his hands, his sadness suddenly replaced by pride.

“You rascal, this is your formal gift for becoming my disciple. Take it. I am giving you a ladder—one that leads to the Celestial Realm. Whether you can reach the top depends on you.”

Qin Feng took the booklet. It was quite new, the handwriting clearly Aotian’s own. Five bold characters on the cover caught his eye: “The Three Thousand Divine Dragon Arts.”

“This is… a cultivation manual?” Qin Feng was stunned.

“Yes, a manual! And an extraordinary one at that. It surpasses even the divine rank. Were it not for me, it would have remained buried in darkness, never to see the light of day. But everyone underestimated my brilliance!”

“Remember, every person has their strengths and place in the world. With a lifetime of effort, I deciphered this method from the three sayings and six books left by the only Divine Steel Realm expert of the Azure Dragon clan, combined with the reversed ‘Azure Dragon Forging Art.’”

“The reversed ‘Azure Dragon Forging Art?’”

“Exactly! The old master—though long gone—used his unmatched wisdom to leave a priceless legacy to the Qin clan. Alas, the ignorance of later generations consigned this treasure to oblivion. From today, this technique will bear witness to former glory in your hands. Its fate is your fate, and your fate is mine. Go now, leave the Qin clan. When you return, may it be the day I regain my honor and am reunited with your mistress.”

With a final sigh, Qin Aotian waved Qin Feng away.

“Master!” Qin Feng knelt, bowing thrice.

“Master, one day I’ll win back a thousandfold all you lost!”

“Good. I await that day. Here, our paths part. Go!”

The old man turned away—Qin Feng knew tears were streaming down his face.

“Yes!” With tears in his own eyes, Qin Feng bowed again and strode away from Skywind City.

Behind him, the old man stood alone, his aged eyes brimming with tears. But this time, Qin Feng failed to notice the sly glint of cunning hidden deep within Aotian’s gaze…