Aint Translations
patreon
IMT Chapter 97: The Position Closest to the Heart
🕑 Added 2025-08-22 07:21:59 +0000 UTCAfter the death of the Ten Thousand Manifestations Sect's ancestor, it didn't cause much of an uproar.
Even the current sect master of the Ten Thousand Manifestations Sect came to the North Sea to apologize to the North Sea Dragon Palace with a burden of thorns on his back.
The Ten Thousand Manifestations Sect Master expressed that he only learned of his ancestor's actions after the fact, that everything was unrelated to the Ten Thousand Manifestations Sect, and hoped that Bai Ruxue could let bygones be bygones.
Naturally, Bai Ruxue had no good feelings toward the Ten Thousand Manifestations Sect.
She also knew that the reason they came to apologize was entirely because the Ten Thousand Manifestations Sect had now lost an Immortal realm elder as their pillar, and they feared the North Sea would retaliate and destroy the Ten Thousand Manifestations Sect.
At the same time, the Ten Thousand Laws World also worried that the North Sea, this neutral faction, would completely side with the demon world because of this incident.
So they came to appease the North Sea's emotions.
Though Bai Ruxue was extremely displeased in her heart, she didn't want to completely tear apart relations with the Ten Thousand Laws World, so she accepted the Ten Thousand Manifestations Sect Master's apology.
As for the sect master wanting to take back the immortal weapon Dragon-Capturing Basket,
He hinted at it initially, but seeing Bai Ruxue's eyes narrow dangerously, he never dared mention it again.
Even if he had mentioned it, Bai Ruxue wouldn't have given it back.
In Bai Ruxue's view, if she hadn't possessed that true dragon skeleton to counter the Dragon-Capturing Basket's offensive, she would have truly been in mortal danger.
Now how could she possibly hand over a treasure that naturally restrained the dragon clan?
The Dragon-Capturing Basket was currently being slowly refined by Bai Ruxue.
She planned to give the refined basket to Xiao Mo once his cultivation reached the Nascent Soul realm.
The Dragon-Capturing Basket wasn't merely used for capturing dragons.
While it did restrain dragon clan members, as a rare immortal weapon, the Dragon-Capturing Basket had extremely strong offensive and defensive capabilities. Once a cultivator entered it, they would be refined into blood water within the time of one incense stick.
After Li Fengshan's episode, Bai Ruxue and Xiao Mo returned to their peaceful life.
To avoid arousing suspicion in the North Sea, the number of cultivators from the Ten Thousand Laws World seeking opportunities in the North Sea had decreased considerably.
Bai Ruxue didn't care about this.
She only wanted to properly teach Xiao Mo cultivation.
She had no interest in the human-demon war.
Two years after the Ten Thousand Manifestations Sect Master's apology visit,
One morning, Xiao Mo, who was sitting in the courtyard meditating, suddenly opened his eyes.
Ripples of spiritual energy spread outward with Xiao Mo as the center.
When Xiao Mo stabilized the spiritual energy within his body, the first thing he saw clearly was Ruxue, who had been guarding by his side.
Bai Ruxue looked at Xiao Mo with joy, “Congratulations on opening your first cave mansion, Xiao Mo. From now on, you're a Cave Mansion realm cultivator. As expected, you're very talented."
"Thank you, Sister Bai." Xiao Mo smiled.
Actually, Xiao Mo had some understanding of his own talent.
While his aptitude wasn't poor, it certainly couldn't be called first-rate, only above average at best.
The reason his cultivation progressed so quickly was almost entirely due to Ruxue using various heavenly materials and earthly treasures to build up his realm.
Realms improved through consuming large quantities of heavenly materials and earthly treasures were usually rather unstable.
Fortunately, Ruxue had been trying every method to help him solidify his foundation.
So the quality of his realm was actually acceptable.
"Cave Mansion realm, as the name suggests, after entering this realm, the body's soul apertures will open three cave mansions. Each cave mansion needs a corresponding magical treasure to suppress and nourish it.
Based on your birth date and time, you naturally favor water, are close to wood, and prefer metal.
This magical treasure should be primarily metal-attributed.
Sister has already prepared it for you."
"Thank you, Sister." Xiao Mo truly felt his cultivation path was too smooth. It seemed he only needed to focus on his own practice, while Ruxue had to consider so many things.
"No need to thank me." Bai Ruxue rubbed Xiao Mo's head.
Over these years, Bai Ruxue had grown to love patting Xiao Mo's head.
Gradually, Bai Ruxue began to understand why Xiao Mo in his previous life liked to touch her head because it really was quite comfortable...
Bai Ruxue placed her small hands on her knees, smiling as she looked at Xiao Mo, “However, Xiao Mo, this treasure is in the North Sea Dragon Palace. Sister will take you to retrieve it, okay?"
"Sister Bai, what is the North Sea Dragon Palace?" Xiao Mo pretended not to know.
"The North Sea is a place Sister established. It's quite impressive and beautiful. How about it, want to go see?"
"Mm, I want to go."
"Then let's go."
Bai Ruxue took Xiao Mo's hand and flew into the air.
When they were far from Huan Fishing Village, Bai Ruxue's eyes sparkled as a sudden idea came to mind, “Xiao Mo, hold on tight~"
The next moment, Bai Ruxue revealed her true form, letting Xiao Mo sit on her head.
Xiao Mo hugged Bai Ruxue's dragon horns, which were like crystal trees, as they flew swiftly through the air.
"Roar."
Bai Ruxue arrived above the center of the North Sea. After a dragon's cry and circling in the air for a while, she suddenly dove into the ocean.
Xiao Mo performed the water-avoidance technique Ruxue had taught him, allowing him to breathe freely underwater without getting wet at all.
As Bai Ruxue dove toward the dark depths of the seabed, the surrounding light was gradually swallowed by profound blue. Only some self-luminescent strange jellyfish and corals remained, like scattered stars flickering dimly against the dark backdrop.
Sitting atop the white dragon's head, Xiao Mo saw schools of colorful fish swimming endlessly through the clear seawater. Their scales reflected the weak celestial light from above, sparkling brilliantly, sometimes gathering like flowing brocade clouds, sometimes dispersing like colorful ribbons dancing through the sky.
Various coral reefs took myriad forms: some like gnarled ancient trees with twisted branches, others like exquisite pagodas, and still others shaped like blooming flowers, layer upon layer of staghorn corals creating underwater wonders.
When the myriad sea creatures sensed Bai Ruxue's aura, they instinctively kept their distance, respectfully lowering their heads in avoidance, not daring the slightest transgression.
After about the time of one tea cup, Xiao Mo saw a massive underwater city.
Its size was roughly equivalent to the capital of the Qi Kingdom from three thousand years ago.
The entire city wasn't built from brick, stone, earth, and wood, but was constructed from countless massive coral reefs, lustrous shells, and even whole blocks of seabed jade that emanated soft, gentle light.
Within the city, the outlines of streets, markets, and buildings were clearly visible.
Demon clan cultivators of the North Sea came and went throughout the city, and even some human cultivators could be seen.
This North Sea capital was extremely prosperous.
Bai Ruxue transformed into human form, taking Xiao Mo's hand as they passed through the city-protecting barrier and entered the imperial palace at the city's center.
Meanwhile, in the dragon palace's front hall, Little Green and seven North Sea Dragon Kings were waiting for their sovereign's arrival.
Not long ago, their sovereign had once again summoned them to the dragon palace, saying there was something she needed their help with.
Since their sovereign had said so, how could they not take it seriously?
So upon receiving the message, the seven Dragon Kings immediately came to the imperial palace's front hall.
"Sister Little Green, did Her Majesty say what this was about?"
Qin Qiaoqiao stepped forward to ask.
If asked which of the seven flood dragons was most loyal, it would probably be Qin Qiaoqiao.
When Qin Qiaoqiao was crossing her tribulation at Jiang River, she was nearly killed by cultivators but was saved by Bai Ruxue.
From then on, Qin Qiaoqiao was utterly devoted to Bai Ruxue, even regarding her as a deity.
"You'll know when Her Majesty arrives," Little Green said lightly.
"Oh."
Qin Qiaoqiao stepped back, her eyes eagerly waiting for their sovereign's arrival.
She hadn't seen their sovereign in so long...
Compared to becoming a regional lord of the North Sea, Qin Qiaoqiao actually preferred to become their sovereign's personal attendant but their sovereign hadn't even taken a single maid.
Half an incense stick's time later, the dragons sensed a powerful dragon's might.
When Bai Ruxue appeared before them, they all knelt on one knee and called out in unison, “We subjects pay respects to Your Majesty!"
"No need for such formality. All rise." Bai Ruxue addressed them.
"Yes, Your Majesty." The dragons all stood up.
When they saw the small boy standing beside their sovereign, they couldn't help but be stunned.
Who was this little boy?
Why would their sovereign bring a small boy to the dragon palace?
Bai Ruxue placed her palm on Xiao Mo's shoulder, smiling as she said:
"Xiao Mo, this is Sister Little Green, also Sister Bai's younger sister whom you met once before. The other brothers and sisters are all Sister Bai's most capable subordinates who help manage the North Sea Dragon Palace together. If you need them to do anything in the future, just give them orders directly.
Of course, Sister Bai will handle things for you first."
"Hello, brothers and sisters." Xiao Mo greeted the several flood dragons.
"Hello, little brother."
Qin Qiaoqiao responded to the human youth.
The other six Dragon Kings looked at each other with confusion in their eyes.
Especially their sovereign's words "just give them orders directly" made them curious about this human boy's identity.
"Xiao Mo greeted you. Didn't you hear?" Bai Ruxue said coldly.
"Hello, little brother."
After being glared at by Bai Ruxue, the dragons quickly responded to Xiao Mo.
Though they didn't know this little boy's identity, judging from the current situation, their sovereign valued this human child greatly.
"Come on, Sister will go make your gift." Bai Ruxue picked up Xiao Mo, then glanced at the other seven dragons. "Don't just stand there. Come help together."
"Yes."
The seven dragons followed their sovereign in confusion to a large open space in the dragon palace's outer hall.
The ground was inscribed with a formation array. From the spiritual energy circulation, this array had been set up no more than ten days ago.
"Xiao Mo, just stand in the center of the formation. You don't need to worry about anything else." Bai Ruxue reached out and pinched Xiao Mo's nose.
"Mm, Sister Bai, I understand." Xiao Mo nodded seriously.
Actually, Xiao Mo was curious what gift Ruxue would give him.
"So well-behaved." Bai Ruxue praised, then stepped out of the formation and said to the dragons, "All reveal your true forms."
"Yes, Your Majesty!"
At Bai Ruxue's command, the dragons all revealed their flood dragon true bodies.
One after another, hundred-zhang-long flood dragons positioned themselves in eight directions around Xiao Mo. The scene looked extremely magnificent.
If not for the dragon palace's formation isolating the dragon's might,
Otherwise, the cultivators in the North Sea capital would think something major was happening in the dragon palace.
"Offer your hardest scales!"
Bai Ruxue gave the order.
The other flood dragons dared not disobey, painfully peeling off the hardest scale armor from their bodies.
Scale after scale separated from the eight flood dragons' bodies, dancing in the air like flower petals.
Bai Ruxue also offered her own body's hardest silver-white dragon scales.
A total of nine flood dragons' scales continuously arranged and combined in the air. The formation burst forth with thread-like rays of light, erasing the colors of these scales.
After all the scales became transparent, they flew toward Xiao Mo's body.
Xiao Mo's upper garment opened as the dragon scales covered him.
Now the seven flood dragons understood what their sovereign was doing.
Their sovereign was actually making dragon scale soft armor for this human youth!
Under Bai Ruxue's control, the spiritual energy threads worked like needles, weaving all the dragon scales into a heart-protecting soft armor that was worn on Xiao Mo.
The dragon scale soft armor, just born, already reached the strength of a second-grade magical treasure.
Though Xiao Mo couldn't see the dragon scale soft armor he wore, he could feel its presence.
After one incense stick's time, the formation's light disappeared and the flood dragons returned to human form.
Each flood dragon's face showed some pallor, but they had no complaints.
Since their sovereign had taken out her own heart-protecting scales, what could they say?
They could only wonder if this human youth had saved their sovereign's life to warrant such sacrifice from her!
They couldn't help but recall the Ascension Pill they had helped refine before.
It was probably also for this human youth to consume.
Bai Ruxue walked to Xiao Mo's side, smiling, “This dragon scale armor is the gift Sister gives you, Xiao Mo. The dragon scale armor is metal-attributed, you can refine it into your cave mansion.
Originally, Sister wanted to give you a higher-grade magical treasure, but your current realm isn't high enough, so this second-grade treasure is already the maximum.
However, once you refine and properly nourish it, as your cultivation improves, this dragon scale soft armor might reach first-grade magical weapon level.
When you reach the Jade Simplicity realm in the future, Sister will find you three immortal weapons to suppress your cave mansions respectively."
"It's fine, Sister." Xiao Mo shook his head. "I already love this soft armor very much!"
"As long as you like it." Bai Ruxue's eyes curved with joy.
"But Sister, why can't I see this soft armor?" Xiao Mo asked.
"Because this dragon scale soft armor has a concealment formation, so others can't see it. This way, when you fight others, you can catch them off guard. But once you refine it, you'll be able to see it too." Bai Ruxue explained.
"In the future, Xiao Mo, if you encounter enemies, remember to always keep your trump cards hidden, understand?"
"Mm." Xiao Mo nodded. "Then Sister, where are Sister's dragon scales?"
"Little silly, they're right here of course."
Bai Ruxue extended her jade-like finger, its soft tip gently touching Xiao Mo's heart.
In that instant, the originally transparent dragon scale soft armor gradually revealed its true appearance with the woman's fingertip as center. Scales of various colors gradually emerged.
Around Bai Ruxue's fingertip were pieces of silver-white dragon scales.
"Sister's scales are right here on Xiao Mo's chest, in the position closest to your heart."
