Chapter 909: True Dragon Power and Disciple

As Li Qi absorbed the information revealed by the Celestial Pole Golden Elixir Method, he also looked at the Disciple he was preparing to take in.

Originally, he hadn't planned to take any.

But the other party's performance, and his own thrumming sixth sense, were constantly blaring alarms, telling him that he might only encounter something like this once in his life.

Moreover, the nature of the other party was truly peculiar.

Li Qi had just learned something.

It was highly probable that the essence of matter was space, and space was matter.

Therefore, as intelligent beings from higher dimensions, the Manifold Race's natural talent could very well exceed Li Qi's previous imagination.

Imagine this—

As is well known, the three-dimensional spatial structure of proteins determines their function.

It begins with an amino acid chain, forming the primary structure. Amino acids connect to each other through special bonds, forming the so-called “backbone” in the finished protein. Although the amino acid chain is still synthesized on the ribosome, the second layer of structure, the secondary structure, already folds at the beginning. According to the position and arrangement of these bonds, the amino acid chain forms helices, or flat disks that fold like an accordion.

The composition of these amino acids and the topological complexity of the tertiary structure based on long-range interactions are the main determinants of protein folding types. Proteins are responsible for all functions of organisms, such as decomposition, synthesis, catalysis, regulation, transport, movement, and immunity, ultimately producing the precise machine that is the human body.

Talking about proteins might be a bit abstract, but talking about mechanical molds is more intuitive.

For example, a Torx screwdriver and a flat-head screwdriver differ in functionality.

But their functional difference only comes from their different ‘shapes’.

And to make a mold, you only need to add different structures to let a wire go in and a clothes hanger come out; you just need to push it forward in between.

The principle is that simple.

After the peptide chain formed by the amino acid sequence is synthesized and folded by the organism, it will correspond to a unique spatial structure, and then, this spatial structure itself possesses function.

A wire, folded into a clothes hanger, folded into a spring—though both are wires, their functions are completely different.

So, how strong is the functionality of the Manifold Race, who can fold into all particles, fold out the functions of all things, and whose essence is even infinitely divisible space?

Can it be said that, apart from metaphysical concepts, they can fold themselves to perfectly imitate everything based on matter?

Is this a natural super shapeshifting?

This characteristic reminded Li Qi of another kind of creature.

True Dragon.

As is well known, True Dragons possess terrifying abilities that transcend all material properties; they are naturally endowed with ‘omnipotent resistance’. As the ultimate product of the Dao of Heaven’s Evolution, all things can ‘transform into a Dragon’.

Clams can become ‘Mirage Dragons’, snakes can become ‘Hui Dragons’, fish transforming into Dragons are called Fish Dragons, Qiunius, Yazi, Baxia, Suanni, and Bixian are all Dragon species.

And the Dragon's Physical Body itself is also a Fusion of characteristics from many creatures.

It can be said that no matter what race you are, when you want to develop in this area, transforming into a Dragon is your natural choice.

True Dragons… do they also have this kind of ability?

Li Qi had heard that True Dragons were often called ‘Coiled Dragons’.

Meaning, Dragons like to coil themselves up, hence the name Coiled Dragon.

Dragons are also very good at coiling themselves up; many images of True Dragons show them coiled.

Thinking about it now, it seems… to have a deeper meaning.

As Li Qi thought this, he suddenly manifested a Dharma Body, which vanished from its original spot.

The formidable aspect of a third-grade cultivator was evident here. Li Qi used to be startled by this move often, especially when it appeared on Zhu Fengdan most frequently.

That is, a certain third-grade cultivator would suddenly appear before Li Qi, then utter a bunch of riddles, and then suddenly disappear.

When such things happened before, it always made Li Qi tremble with fear, thinking he was being targeted.

However, looking at it now, it might just have been a whim on their part.

Just like Li Qi.

— — — — — — — —

With a thought, Li Qi’s Dharma Body quietly appeared beside a fourth-grade True Dragon.

Speaking of this fourth-grade True Dragon, Li Qi actually knew him.

The Genius of the True Dragon race known as Canghai Jun, who was now already a fourth-grade cultivator. (For details, see Chapter 840)

It was said that he once challenged the Demonic Prince, with the outcome unknown.

But at least one thing was certain: he was still alive after that rumor, which was enough to explain a lot.

Canghai Jun seemed to be dozing off.

His current location was a Secret Realm in the East Sea.

It was surrounded by ice crystals, with frost filling the sky.

The ice seemed to carve all things; a closer look revealed a long pine covering a rock, with a turtle and a crane standing on either side, like a painting, all formed from ice.

In addition, there were various flowers, such as peonies, herbaceous peonies, daylilies, and crabapples, all with branches and leaves, each intricate detail perfectly rendered.

There were also all sorts of beautiful scenery, mountains and rivers, figures, numerous beasts, and even myriad anomalies, living beings, and star rivers, all present, with light, pure, condensed snow, a shattered jade wheel in the bath, bronze flowers reflecting in the Jing River, and ice like jade.

The night hall's flowing shadows became even more enchanting, etched and hung by someone, the chill yet unabated.

A thin wheel pressing the flames, difficult to find in its clarity, a full orb of blooming flowers, a cave visible.

The silver sea, hazy with the light of heaven and water, a crystal palace covered in white phosphorus frost.

A single tear of coral from a jade pot, severing the human world's mundane affairs.

Amidst such beauty, Li Qi immediately noticed the human figures within the ice.

These human figures were not just isolated scenery, but the crystallization of some kind of power.

“Oh, the real deal.” Li Qi glanced at them and understood the mystery within.

These ice-sculpted human figures were all ‘perfect replicas’, presumably carved by Canghai Jun. With just one Daoist Art, they could all stand up and display the same strength as the originals.

However, there were also some unfinished ice sculptures. Li Qi saw a half-carved Demonic Prince among them, as well as some other young Geniuses, and even himself. However, his own sculpture was only a rough prototype, with extremely low completion. If Li Qi hadn't sensed a similar aura, he wouldn't have even thought it was him.

But it was also very natural; if he were truly carved out, his consciousness would probably awaken directly inside the ice sculpture.

Uniqueness is truly terrifying.

Moreover, from the looks of it, Canghai Jun seemed to have limited ability. Many young Geniuses, he was unable to carve, so he left them there.

After looking around at the ice sculptures, Li Qi tapped the one of the Demonic Prince.

The next moment, Canghai Jun, who had been dozing there, suddenly opened his eyes.

Almost instantly, his Dragon Physical Body unfurled, rapidly coiling around the surroundings, then his Dragon head lowered, looking at Li Qi.

Killing intent erupted, and the surrounding ice sculptures were almost simultaneously awakened.

The grand formation activated, the Secret Realm rotated, and the power of ice sealing began to spread.

Vigilance and hostility appeared for a fleeting moment, but quickly turned into relief, and then… everything returned to normal.

Canghai Jun’s tensed body also relaxed, and then he lazily said, “Ah… Great Shaman, what brings you here?”

“I just came to confirm something. I’ve seen enough.” Li Qi smiled.

“In that case, Great Shaman, please leave slowly.” Canghai Jun said.

“You want me to leave that much?” Li Qi retorted.

“Then stay for dinner?” Canghai Jun replied.

“You’re quite bold, but since I came to probe your intelligence, out of ‘righteousness’, I’ll give you some benefits. I’ve already obtained what I wanted, and I happen to have a few questions. You ask one, I ask one, how about it?” Li Qi said.

Canghai Jun visibly sighed in relief upon hearing this. Then his Dragon Physical Body coiled up, and soon transformed into a human form, albeit with Dragon horns and a robe of azure gold, appearing elegant, majestic, and exuding nobility.

His human form was as beautiful as his Dragon form; yes… only beautiful could describe it, especially those eyes, azure gold, yet flowing with seven-colored vertical pupils, as if looking at them for too long would make one stare blankly.

“Great Shaman coming to my door for such a transaction, I’m truly getting a great deal. Please.” Canghai Jun came before Li Qi, waved his hand to conjure a chair, and invited Li Qi to sit.

“Don’t worry, I won’t let you take advantage. It’s just that some things suddenly came to mind, and I happened to need to see a True Dragon.” Li Qi said, then began his first question: “Canghai Jun, I want to see the True Dragon’s resistance to myriad Daoist Art with my own eyes.”

“Please, but Great Shaman, hold back a little. If I die, it won’t be easy for you to explain.” Canghai Jun replied.

Li Qi nodded slightly and gently raised his hand.

Billions of Daoist Art were compressed into a three-thousand-li long, not-so-large Daoist Art star river, encircling Canghai Jun.

It looked spectacular, but it was indeed not large, not even as long as Canghai Jun’s Dragon Physical Body, which showed how impressive Li Qi’s compression algorithm was.

Among the billions of Daoist Art, each was of the fourth-grade level, and each had a different nature.

Generally speaking, learning multiple schools in Daoist Art is very unreasonable. Each school has its own ideas, just as dangerous as cultivating multiple Dao paths concurrently.

The actions embodying these ideas then formed a set of ‘Daoist Art’.

Even when switching to other schools, it is still difficult to change one’s mindset, difficult to completely reset one’s thoughts. Therefore, if one learns multiple schools, devouring everything on a grand scale, it will instead lead to the collapse of the originally cultivated Daoist Art, and the new mode will also be difficult to master, ultimately leading to breadth without depth.

However, these limitations were simply not an issue for Li Qi. From a third-grade perspective, he could switch and use them skillfully at will.

Therefore, although the Daoist Art star river before him conflicted with itself, which would have caused a normal person to internally combust, it caused him no pressure whatsoever.

But for Canghai Jun, it was different.

To deal with so many complex Daoist Art, he would need to endure the same test. He would also have to completely reset his coping mindset to continuously find flaws and resist.

This was what Li Qi wanted to see.

Daoist Art is profound, difficult to discern the mysterious and subtle, the Great Dao originates from this, the Eight Trigrams revolve and circulate, pushing and arranging the nine apertures to chase and run, its wonder lies in nothing surpassing Chaos.

These Daoist Art descended from the sky like a waterfall, falling onto Canghai Jun's body.

Every Daoist Art had a completely different nature, and the technological trees required for them were naturally different, as were the coping methods.

Canghai Jun did not resist at all; he just bathed in the Daoist Art star river, enduring the bombardment.

Almost instantly, his Physical Body reacted.

Dragon scales began to appear on his skin, and profound imprints started to overlay them.

Each layer of imprint represented a type of ‘resistance’.

Each type of resistance would completely immunize him to one type of Daoist Art.

No, not one type, but ‘one category’.

As long as the fundamental principle was similar, he could directly gain immunity, regardless of whether subsequent Daoist Art were stronger.

It was like being vaccinated against cowpox to gain immunity to smallpox.

Even if smallpox was much more terrifying than cowpox, once immunity was established, as long as it was that type of virus, complete immunity could be achieved.

Unfortunately, Li Qi already knew this, so among the billions of Daoist Art, not a single type had more than two overlaps.

Each type of Daoist Art had two strengths, one large and one small, with the smaller one coming first, followed by the larger one.

In other words, Canghai Jun had to establish billions of levels of immunity.

However, it seemed to be no pressure for him.

Li Qi could see that the other party didn't even think; relying solely on the Physical Body’s instinct, he isolated these Daoist Art.

Completely unharmed, and without any intellectual effort.

He truly just stood there and took the hits, showering in fourth-grade Daoist Art, without a single injury.

It was too stable; Li Qi was already starting to believe that if he had used his brain, it wouldn't have gone so smoothly.

Thought is a product of wisdom, but wisdom can easily trigger chain reactions and sometimes get out of control.

That’s why there’s such a thing as ‘overthinking’.

Higher intelligence and rationality are truly difficult to control. As a pioneer who has long relied on calculation for fighting, Li Qi has a deep understanding of this.

Li Qi liked to break down all of the opponent’s Daoist Art during a fight, then solve them one by one, fighting like Wang Yuyan, precisely and elegantly.

Because he wasn’t good at improvising, he needed to calculate all the pre-emptions. But Li Qi knew the drawbacks of doing so, which was that thoughts are very erratic things and can make mistakes.

And the instincts ingrained in the True Dragons’ bodies had a huge advantage in this regard; not needing to think meant no mistakes.

The immune System is much smarter than the brain.

Three hours later, the three-thousand-li long river had completely washed over Canghai Jun’s body. Canghai Jun remained unharmed; rather, he was simply taking a bath.

His magnificent Physical Body was like an unyielding city wall; no wonder he could survive the Demonic Prince’s pursuit until now.

Li Qi also got the answer he wanted.

Indeed.

The Manifold Race’s folding ability and the True Dragon’s scales had a strikingly similar marvelousness!

The imprints on the True Dragon scales were essentially a method of folding. By folding the surface topological structure of their scales, they gained extremely formidable immunity.

“I understand now. Thank you. Now, it’s your turn to ask.” Li Qi said.

Canghai Jun was not polite; he asked without hesitation, “Great Shaman, I have already fought the Demonic Prince, but… it was a draw. I heard you defeated him. How did you do it?”

“A draw?” Li Qi raised an eyebrow.