Chapter 106: A Great Surge in Cultivation

After the Divine Realm stabilized, a golden dragon, several feet long, descended from the sky and landed on the ground. It transformed into a boy of about thirteen or fourteen years old, his features exactly matching the eight or nine-year-old image Wang Yuanfeng had seen before, though now he appeared noticeably more grown. The golden horn on his head was no longer visible, completely concealed within, making him look like an extraordinarily ordinary youth. He wore a suit of golden clothes, his countenance delicate and refined. Though not as dazzling as before, his presence remained impressive.

Wang Yuanfeng silently admired him. The Golden Carp stepped forward and knelt respectfully before Wang Yuanfeng, saying, “Divine Being, the Eastern Star Clan’s Kang Jinlong pays respects to the Divine Lord!”

“Well done, no need for formalities. Please rise,” Wang Yuanfeng said, stepping forward to help Kang Jinlong up. His heart surged with emotion; the Star God had finally returned to his rightful place.

The Eastern Palace position of the Armillary Sphere had stabilized, and Wang Yuanfeng’s own fortune had solidified, feeling as if a liver, symbolizing wood and shaped like a dragon, was sprouting from the void. “Innate essence emerges together from the void,” a thought flashed through Wang Yuanfeng’s mind. The liver, belonging to the wood element, takes the form of a dragon, associated with the east. From the liver meridian, a vital energy was born, this energy coming from the void itself—innate in nature.

He hadn’t expected that after losing his alchemical cultivation, he could still advance by this means. Overjoyed, he said to the Golden Carp, “You have transformed into a dragon, a noble status. The title Golden Carp no longer suits you. From now on, you shall be called Golden Dragon, Kang Jinlong.”

The Golden Dragon felt deeply grateful for Wang Yuanfeng’s recognition and was about to kneel again to express thanks. Wang Yuanfeng quickly steadied him and said, “There’s no need for such formalities in the future; your sincerity is enough.”

“Yes, Divine Lord. I am deeply thankful for your favor. With this destiny, the Golden Dragon will follow your orders without hesitation, even if it means facing death,” Kang Jinlong said, clasping his fists respectfully.

“Ha ha, very well,” Wang Yuanfeng laughed heartily. “Your words are enough. Of course, I won’t send you to die needlessly.”

Yet, Kang Jinlong’s expression remained resolute. It was understandable; the path was rare, and encountering two such fates in a lifetime was extraordinarily unlikely. How could he not feel grateful?

Wang Yuanfeng pondered for a moment. Indeed, there was something he needed. The Golden Dragon belonged to the dragon clan, expert in the Cloud-Walking Jade Step, capable of upheaving rivers and seas. In water, he was truly a dragon returning to the sea. Wang Yuanfeng planned to visit Dongting Lake soon, and with this local expert by his side, things would surely be much easier. He said, “There is, in fact, something I must attend to. It concerns a matter I have encountered now, which, if successful, will benefit both of us.”

He patted Kang Jinlong’s shoulder and added with a smile, “If it fails, we’ll just avoid Dongting Lake from then on.”

“I shall follow your command, Divine Lord,” Kang Jinlong replied solemnly.

---

“Good,” Wang Yuanfeng said, pleased with the decisive answer. “I’ll be brief.”

“My purpose for coming to Dongting Lake is twofold. First, to accompany my father, the Marquis of Martial Peace, and train with the army, though that is incidental to me. Second, and more importantly, you—the second star of the Eastern constellation—are likely to be trapped in Dongting Lake and face mortal peril. I must rescue you. If successful, not only will the Southern Continent be pacified, but our fortunes will greatly increase, securing our survival.”

Kang Jinlong nodded, understanding the great events unfolding, including the Dragon King's daughter’s wedding at Dongting Lake, which, by calculation, was happening today. He quickly said, “This is urgent! The Dragon King’s daughter is marrying today.”

“Why is that a problem?” Wang Yuanfeng asked, puzzled.

“Divine Lord may not know, but once the Dragon King’s forces unite, he will gain complete control over the fortune of Dongting Lake. Anyone who deviates will be detected, and you would be the most conspicuous target,” Kang Jinlong explained. “We must depart immediately. Delay any longer, and it will be nearly impossible to enter the lake.”

Wang Yuanfeng realized the gravity of the situation. Had he been careless, he might have missed this chance entirely. With the Dragon King’s forces consolidated, the first person targeted would be himself. If that happened, he would be trapped, forced into a desperate battle between the Southern Continent and Dongting Lake, even with potential allies like Tai Xuan Lake, and the looming threat of Jishan. Such a conflict might take years to resolve, and the political landscape could change unpredictably during that time.

Grateful for Kang Jinlong’s timely warning, Wang Yuanfeng said, “Then let’s not waste time. The later we leave, the greater the risk.”

“Yes, Divine Lord,” Kang Jinlong replied. “I know a shortcut that leads directly to the Dongting Water Palace. At my speed, we can reach it within an hour.”

“Excellent,” Wang Yuanfeng said joyfully. He had wondered if they could make it in time, and now, with Kang Jinlong’s secret path, his luck was undeniable. “With your help, I am truly fortunate.”

The Golden Dragon smiled and gestured politely, “Please, Divine Lord.”

Wang Yuanfeng nodded and stepped through the portal that appeared as the Divine Realm opened, followed closely by Kang Jinlong.

---

“Divine Lord, wait a moment,” Kang Jinlong called out.

Wang Yuanfeng turned to see Kang Jinlong wave his hand. From the void of his domain, a small palace-like structure materialized. Though somewhat rough, it gleamed with golden splendor. Wang Yuanfeng guessed this was Kang Jinlong’s Divine Realm. During their previous near-collapse, Kang Jinlong had refined his shed skin into a treasure, a miniature universe contained within the palm of his hand.

The palace shrank until it was palm-sized, settling into Kang Jinlong’s hand. Turning happily to Wang Yuanfeng, he said, “Forgive me, Divine Lord, for this humble display. After my transformation into a dragon, I took advantage of the moment when my Divine Realm was about to collapse to condense it with my shed skin. This is a gift granted by your bestowal of the Star God’s favor.”

Wang Yuanfeng nodded in acknowledgment. “It is also your destiny.”

Kang Jinlong smiled, grateful beyond words, tucked the little palace into his bosom, and said, “Let’s depart at once.”

“Agreed,” Wang Yuanfeng replied.

They quickly left the marketplace, Kang Jinlong leading Wang Yuanfeng toward Dongting Lake. Initially, Kang Jinlong intended to carry Wang Yuanfeng, but seeing the latter’s sword-like speed, he was silently impressed. Wang Yuanfeng’s apparent reserve made him nearly as fast as Kang Jinlong himself. If Wang Yuanfeng unleashed his full power in flight, he might well leave Kang Jinlong far behind. His respect for Wang Yuanfeng deepened.

Wang Yuanfeng, once not so swift, now found his cultivation enhanced not only by the Star God’s restoration but also by increased fortune. His power had grown considerably.

His cultivation was peculiar, relying on ancient Qi refinement techniques without clear benchmarks, so even he wasn’t certain of his exact level.

As he soared, his sword energy flowing smoothly, flying felt as natural as walking. This was the effect of his increased fortune translating into greater cultivation. He resolved to study it thoroughly when time allowed.

With Wang Yuanfeng’s fortune enhanced, Kang Jinlong’s fate and fortune also shifted, as did those of others connected to the Armillary Sphere.

The journey had begun.