The Birth of the Last Divine Dragon Emperor

5. Journey to the magical forest 1.

“Why has my legacy been passed on to a worthless young man?” The Ghost King’s spirit looked visibly bewildered as it observed Yuan Bei’s cultivation domain.

Hearing the scornful remark, Yuan Bei drew his sword, pointing it forward. Clearly, he wasn’t going to tolerate words that pierced his pride.

“Worthless? I’ve merely been delayed in restoring the damage to my meridians… Senior, discard that word—worthless…” Yuan Bei’s eyes turned sharp and piercing.

“You are worthless... If you are truly a genius, then learn one of my secret techniques. If, within a year, you fail to master it, I will be gravely disappointed. Why has heaven’s fate tied my legacy to someone as pathetic as you?”

“Legacy?” Yuan Bei raised an eyebrow.

“Hahahaha! What else were you expecting? To fight me? A single breath from me would kill you!”

“Fine. Let’s begin with the technique you’re offering. I, Yuan Bei, refuse to accept the label of ‘worthless,’” Yuan Bei’s voice grew cold and resolute.

The Ghost King smirked faintly before demonstrating a sequence of rapid movements that appeared as fleeting, smoky shadows.

He didn’t stop after just one demonstration but repeated the steps multiple times. Finally, he halted and said, “This is the Thousand Phantom Step technique. If you are truly a genius, learn it from the movements I’ve shown!”

With a faint smile, Yuan Bei began to mimic the technique. However, his confidence was shattered when his movements resembled little more than a basic body-lightening technique.

“Hahaha! Don’t get discouraged, boy. This is only your first attempt. I’ve given you a full year to master this basic technique—if you’re truly a genius!”

Clenching his teeth, Yuan Bei refrained from repeating his initial mistakes. Instead, he focused on observing and recalling every detail of the Ghost King’s actions.

Two hours later.

Swuuuuuuush!

Yuan Bei’s leaps were noticeably higher, and his steps felt significantly lighter. Yet, to himself, he still felt far from mastering the Thousand Phantom Step.

“A monster…” The Ghost King muttered in awe at Yuan Bei’s rapid progress. At the same time, the Ghost King abruptly stopped Yuan Bei’s training.

“Stop.”

“Senior, is something wrong?”

“It’s not a problem. It’s just that you’ve already begun to utilize the technique I taught.”

Yuan Bei raised an eyebrow but replied, “But I feel like my movements are far slower than yours, Senior.”

“It takes time to perfect the Thousand Phantom Step. Lastly, you must absorb and refine my Ghost King’s soul as your own. Once it becomes a part of you, mastering my entire legacy will become much easier.”

The Ghost King’s spirit began to fade into shards of dark light.

“My time is up. Now that I’ve seen my techniques’ successor, I can rest easy… Boy, shake the heavens with my secret arts!”

Swoooooooosh!

Yuan Bei’s consciousness was suddenly pulled into another dimension. As his vision cleared, he saw Cai Lin looking at him seriously.

“Bei, did you meet the Ghost King’s spirit?”

“Yes. How did you know?”

“The crystal orb before you contains the Ghost King’s soul. I know who he was. This treasure is invaluable to you, so you must absorb it.”

“I can’t do it just yet…” Yuan Bei, knowing that such an act would require time, restrained himself.

“Why not?”

“There’s another task at hand…”

Storing the crystal away, Cai Lin suddenly explained the significance of the necklace Yuan Bei wore.

“Bei, do you know what you’re holding? That necklace serves more than just your identity as a member of the Moon Palace. It’s also a spatial storage artifact, much like a spatial ring, but with limitless potential.”

“How do I use it?”

“Drop a bit of your blood on it. The necklace will recognize you as its master.”

Following her instructions, the necklace around Yuan Bei’s neck vibrated intensely. Suddenly, it transformed into a ring.

“Wh-why did it change form?”

“Weren’t you imagining it as a ring just now? It’s recognized you as its master and will reshape itself according to your wishes—even into a sharp sword if you desire!”

Hearing this, Yuan Bei’s face lit up with joy. He realized he wouldn’t need to forge a Qi-draining flame sword anymore.

Imagining the ring turning into a sword, it transformed instantly. But to his shock, his body weakened as all his Qi seemed to be absorbed into the sword.

“W-what’s happening?”

“Using this artifact requires a great deal of Qi. You’ll need to grow stronger before you can wield it effectively.”

Acknowledging his limits, Yuan Bei reverted the sword back to its ring form.

---

After replenishing his Qi.

By morning, Yuan Bei prepared to return to the Information Tower.

Fifteen minutes later, he stood before the tower’s courtyard.

“I am Ling Ying. Do you all know your assigned duties?”

The men beside Yuan Bei nodded in unison, bowing respectfully.

“To ensure Lady Ling Ying’s safety…”

“Good…” Ling Ying seemed pleased but turned her gaze toward Yuan Bei.

“A Foundation Stage, Star Rank Two cultivator?” She raised an eyebrow, her expression subtly condescending.

“Oh, a mere Foundation Stage cultivator? Won’t you just be a burden?” One of Ling Ying’s guards sneered, provoking him further.

Clenching his fists, Yuan Bei restrained his growing anger. Ling Ying, uninterested in escalating the matter, decided to proceed with their journey.

Suiiiiit!

A large red-feathered eagle suddenly descended from the sky, its massive form landing gracefully before Ling Ying.

“Our journey begins…”

Soaring through the skies toward the Mystic Forest, Yuan Bei, knowing the journey would be long, began absorbing the Ghost King’s soul crystal in his subconscious state.

---

A week later.

Swuuuuuung!

The skies trembled violently as an arrow of pure Qi energy struck the eagle’s body.

Kyaaaat! Kyaaaat!

The eagle’s balance wavered, causing panic among the group.

“Who’s attacking us?!” Ling Ying demanded.