You Cultivate, I Farm

"We're headed to an island owned by a mid-level foundational cultivator named Yang Qingfeng," Xu Shaoze explained. "He raises nine flood dragons there, all at the third stage. Among them, four are Ink-Scaled Flood Dragons, while the other five are different breeds."

As they ventured deeper into Thousand Dragon Lake, Huang Yuan kept filling Lu Xuan in on the pertinent details.

The closer they got to the lake's center, the denser and purer the spiritual energy became. Occasionally, giant flood dragons could be seen frolicking on the surface, playing and splashing around.

"That island ahead is it. There are several islands in the lake's center, usually concealed by formations. They're hard to spot from above," Huang Yuan pointed out, gesturing toward a mist-covered island.

As they reached the edge of the island, he summoned a message talisman, muttering a few words before it transformed into a paper bird and darted into the mist.

"Huang nephew, you've kept me waiting," a middle-aged scholar emerged from the mist, nodding at Huang Yuan before curiously eyeing Lu Xuan by his side.

"This is the young friend Lu mentioned by my nephew?"

"Hello, Master Yang. Indeed, this is Lu, who has some expertise in raising flood dragons. I brought him here specifically to see the Ink-Scaled Flood Dragon you're raising."

"Lu, this is Master Yang."

"Hello, Master," Lu Xuan quickly greeted.

"Lu nephew, I've heard about your methods in raising flood dragons and pythons in Thousand Dragon Lake. Your idea of tailoring diets for them is innovative and worth other sect members emulating."

"But it involves many factors. Understanding the tastes and needs of each flood dragon requires thorough research. Also, teaching them to eat properly presents challenges. Achieving results like yours in a short time is difficult," the middle-aged scholar complimented Lu Xuan, his tone full of praise.

"Master, you're too kind. I've merely been fortunate," Lu Xuan modestly replied.

The three entered a formation.

"Lu nephew, regarding my Ink-Scaled Flood Dragon, Huang nephew must have briefed you."

"This particular flood dragon has exceptional talent and potential. However, if it doesn't consume demonic beast meat for growth stimulation, its development will be significantly hindered."

"I called you here hoping you could thoroughly examine it and identify the root cause of its loss of appetite."

The kindly middle-aged scholar addressed Lu Xuan.

"Nephew will do his utmost to alleviate your worries, Master," Lu Xuan pledged.

At the island's center lay a small lake, its depths unfathomable and connected to Thousand Dragon Lake.

"I usually keep my nine flood dragons in this lake. If they wish to leave, they can enter Thousand Dragon Lake through its depths," the scholar explained.

"I've set up a spirit-gathering formation in this lake. The spiritual energy here is more concentrated than at the center of Thousand Dragon Lake."

"The Ink-Scaled Flood Dragon has very specific habitat requirements. They dislike any impurities; too many flood dragons nearby make them feel uncomfortable and hinder their growth."

The middle-aged scholar gestured as several flood dragons emerged from the lake's depths, creating ripples as they swam.

Among them, four attracted particular attention, their glossy black scales resembling ink jade.

"These four are the Ink-Scaled Flood Dragons. The larger two are a pair, while the other two smaller ones are their offspring."

"The noticeably smaller one among them is the Ink-Scaled Flood Dragon that's recently lost its appetite," the scholar pointed out.

Following the scholar's gaze, Lu Xuan noticed two of the Ink-Scaled Flood Dragons, larger and more vigorous, constantly entwined, likely the pair the scholar mentioned. The other two appeared leaner, with one notably smaller, about two sizes smaller than the other three.

"Among the younger Ink-Scaled Flood Dragons, the one that's lost its appetite has outstanding talent. In less than ten years, it advanced to the third stage. There's hope for it to surpass its parents," the scholar lamented.

Beasts have a long lifespan. This Ink-Scaled Flood Dragon, less than ten years old and already at the third stage, showcased exceptional talent.

"Master, could you summon the appetite-lost Ink-Scaled Flood Dragon here for a while? I'd like to conduct an examination after feeding it," Lu Xuan requested.

The middle-aged scholar, prepared for Lu Xuan's request, retrieved a basin-sized piece of fresh demonic beast meat from his storage pouch.

"This must be second-grade demonic beast meat, right? No wonder for an Ink-Scaled Flood Dragon with the potential of a fifth-grade demonic beast, its daily food is so extravagant," Lu Xuan marveled, offering the meat to the dragon.

The dragon glanced at the meat with evident disgust, its large, black tail restless in the water.

Observing this, the scholar quickly pacified it, allowing Lu Xuan to feed the meat to the dragon.

As the dragon swallowed the meat, Lu Xuan felt reassured. Completing this "feeding" procedure increased his confidence in solving the dragon's appetite issue.

He focused on the thin Ink-Scaled Flood Dragon before him.

A thought flashed in his mind.

[Ink-Scaled Flood Dragon, third-stage dragon in its growth period. Every part of its body is a treasure; its ink jade scales can forge high-grade artifacts. Dragon blood, tendons, and bones are rare materials.]

[Hybrid dragon formed by the Clear Mysterious Pythons and Ink-Scaled Flood Dragon. Its bloodline contains some of the Clear Mysterious Pythons' original power, awakening as the dragon grows, capable of purifying impurities.]

[Influenced by the Clear Mysterious Pythons, it prefers pure foods like spirit fruits and leaves, rejecting meat. Overeating such food causes adverse reactions.]

"This... there's quite a bit of information here," Lu Xuan mused, noticing a hint of green on the head of the male dragon as they affectionately entwined in the distance.

"So, this appetite-lost Ink-Scaled Flood Dragon is a hybrid, albeit not an obvious one, entirely indistinguishable from the outside."

"Influenced significantly by the other Clear Mysterious Python's bloodline, its habits underwent massive changes."

"Mixing and mixing until it became a vegetarian?" Lu Xuan pondered to himself.

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