"To acknowledge you as my master? Human, are you demeaning my noble dragon race!" the Azure Dragon immediately scoffed.
Li Xuan rolled his eyes impatiently. "You've just transformed into a dragon, and you already consider yourself a member of the dragon race? Besides, if it weren't for me and Xiao Bai, you'd likely be a dead dragon right now, even after transforming."
The Azure Dragon remained angry. "Even if I hadn't transformed, you'd still be insulting the honor of my Qingjiao clan!"
Li Xuan waved his hand. "Alright, alright, if you don't want to, then fine. In that case, you can leave."
He sighed and walked towards the corpses on the ground, saying, "I was hoping you'd acknowledge me as your master, at least to stay by my side. What's the difference between staying by my side and staying by Xiao Bai's? Dragons are truly less intelligent than humans."
"I am willing to acknowledge you as my master!" As soon as Li Xuan finished speaking, the Azure Dragon's voice reached his ears.
Li Xuan's lips curved upwards. The Azure Dragon had finally taken the bait.
"It's over. This foolish dragon has been tricked by the young master," the Heavenly Dao Brush remarked.
Azure Spirit Pagoda: "..."
Soon, after completing the master-acknowledgment contract, Li Xuan willed it and brought the Azure Dragon into the Town Prison. Naturally, Li Xuan also specifically instructed the Azure Dragon not to disturb Xiao Bai's rest. The Azure Dragon readily agreed, as acknowledging Li Xuan as its master was precisely for the purpose of being near the Spirit Ancestor Xiao Bai.
"What is this place?" the Azure Dragon asked, utterly astonished after being brought into the Town Prison by Li Xuan. The Town Prison contained a self-contained space, complete with mountains, lakes, trees, and flowers. Even the Azure Dragon, who had already broken through to the Sovereign realm, was awestruck.
"Foolish dragon, let this brush enlighten you," the Heavenly Dao Brush and the Azure Spirit Pagoda appeared simultaneously, their tone condescending.
The Azure Dragon glared furiously at the Heavenly Dao Brush and unleashed a tail swipe, sending it flying.
"Damn it, this newcomer dares to attack! Broken Pagoda, beat him!" the Heavenly Dao Brush roared after steadying itself.
In the next instant, the Heavenly Dao Brush and the Azure Spirit Pagoda lunged at the Azure Dragon.
Bang bang bang!
Soon, the brush, the pagoda, and the dragon were locked in combat.
Boom!
At that moment, a bolt of heavenly lightning suddenly appeared. The Heavenly Dao Brush, the Azure Spirit Pagoda, and the Azure Dragon were all struck by the lightning and instantly weakened.
"Playtime is playtime, but don't take the master's words as a joke," the Prison Spirit said faintly, then vanished from the first level.
"Damn, I completely forgot Brother Prison Spirit was here too," the Heavenly Dao Brush said, shaking off the black smoke, its voice considerably lowered.
"Who was that just now?" The Azure Dragon also became more docile, looking towards the Heavenly Dao Brush and the Azure Spirit Pagoda with a somewhat ingratiating expression.
The Heavenly Dao Brush cleared its throat. "That was Brother Prison Spirit. In here, besides the Spirit Ancestor, we all have to listen to Brother Prison Spirit. Of course, I'm second, Broken Pagoda is third. Brother Holy Sword is fourth, and since you're new, you're fifth."
The Azure Spirit Pagoda immediately interjected, "Broken Brush, why are you second and I'm third?"
"Damn it, Broken Pagoda, do you want to fight again?" the Heavenly Dao Brush roared.
"Bring it on, I'm not afraid of anyone!" the Azure Spirit Pagoda retorted fearlessly.
Soon, the brush and the pagoda were at it again.
Azure Dragon: "..."
Li Xuan, in the outside world, paid no mind to the commotion within the Town Prison. After collecting the spatial rings of the powerhouses killed by the Azure Dragon, he entered the Town Prison himself.
"Azure Dragon, why were you in these ruins?" Li Xuan asked.
The Azure Dragon blinked, then remembered it was a guardian beast. It had completely forgotten about this matter in its haste to follow the Spirit Ancestor.
"Master, I am the guardian beast of the Shangyin Sect..." the Azure Dragon sighed.
Soon, through the Azure Dragon's explanation, Li Xuan understood the ruins.
The Shangyin Sect had existed for an immeasurable amount of time. Over ten thousand years ago, the Shangyin Sect was destroyed. At that time, the Azure Dragon was sealed by its last Sect Master, its master, to guard the heritage of the Shangyin Sect for future generations.
The Azure Dragon awoke a month ago and, with a single turn, destroyed the Shangyin Sect's seal. Naturally, the ruins of the Shangyin Sect began to emerge. In this chaotic land, the emergence of ruins was highly attractive. After all, those in the chaotic land would resort to any means to improve their strength, and resources were paramount.
"Azure Dragon, where is the heritage of the Shangyin Sect?" Li Xuan asked after some thought.
The Azure Dragon replied, "Master, if you enter that tall tower, you will be able to enter the Shangyin Sect. As for what the heritage is, I don't know."
Li Xuan nodded slightly and left the Town Prison with a thought. Although the powerhouses had been repelled by the Azure Dragon, no one could guarantee they wouldn't return. Even though Li Xuan had many unresolved issues, he understood the priority.
Soon, guided by the Azure Dragon, Li Xuan found the entrance to the tower and stepped inside.
Hum!
With a humming sound, the tower began to vibrate. In the next moment, Li Xuan felt a wave of dizziness. The tower spun rapidly for a moment before slowly coming to a halt.
When Li Xuan looked up, a partially ruined grand hall appeared before him.
As Li Xuan was about to move, he paused and looked at the hall. In the next moment, a figure slowly materialized.
"Master!" the Azure Dragon exclaimed, its voice trembling, unconsciously calling out. Li Xuan's mind raced, and he immediately released the Azure Dragon from the Town Prison.
The middle-aged man glanced at the Azure Dragon with a flicker of surprise in his eyes, then looked at Li Xuan. "I didn't expect you to have subdued the Qingjiao, nor that the Qingjiao would have already transformed into a dragon. It seems my Shangyin Sect has finally found its inheritor."
Li Xuan immediately bowed to the middle-aged man. "Junior Li Xuan, greetings, senior."
The middle-aged man nodded with a smile, then looked at the somewhat nervous Azure Dragon. "Since you have transformed into a dragon and found a new master, it is your fortune. Moreover, this young friend is destined for greatness; staying by his side will be beneficial for you."
After speaking, the middle-aged man's gaze fell upon Li Xuan. "The Qingjiao has guarded my Shangyin Sect for over ten thousand years. I implore you, young friend, to treat it well."
Li Xuan nodded. "It is my duty as a junior."
The middle-aged man nodded and waved his hand, sending a storage ring flying towards Li Xuan. "Within this storage ring lies the heritage of my Shangyin Sect. I hope you will accept it, thus preserving the legacy of my Shangyin Sect."
Li Xuan looked at the storage ring before him, thought for a moment, then asked the middle-aged man, "Does your sect have any sword techniques or divine abilities?"
The middle-aged man looked at Li Xuan with some curiosity and nodded slightly. "Although my Shangyin Sect is not a sword cultivation sect, we do have two sets of sword cultivation methods."
Li Xuan grinned. "That's excellent. Then I shall accept this storage ring. Do not worry, senior. If I encounter someone more suitable for the Shangyin Sect in the future, I will certainly pass on this heritage."
The middle-aged man nodded in approval. Li Xuan's refusal to accept it immediately and his promise to pass it on indicated good character.
"Given your frankness, within this storage ring are some of my insights and personal belongings. I might as well give them to you as well." The middle-aged man waved his hand again, and another storage ring floated before Li Xuan.
Li Xuan was taken aback. It seemed the middle-aged man had a little something extra.
"Thank you, senior." Li Xuan quickly accepted the storage ring and bowed to the middle-aged man.
"There are no more treasures here. Young friend, you may depart." The middle-aged man nodded with a smile, his form gradually becoming ethereal.
Li Xuan hurriedly asked, "May I know the senior's esteemed name?"
The middle-aged man was silent for a moment, but did not answer. As his form was about to fade into invisibility, a resonant voice echoed through the sky.
"Shangyin Sect, Ximen Linfeng."