Chapter 6101 - 6110
But Chen Wanqing did not back down.
She raised her head and looked directly into Kai’s eyes: “Young Master Chen, although my Chen family is not as powerful as the Temple, we have been operating in Yunxian City for a thousand years and are not pushovers. If the Temple dares to come to my Chen residence to take someone, my Chen family will stop them with all our might.”
She paused, her tone firm: “As long as Young Master Chen agrees to help me enter the Dragon Pool, my Chen family is willing to be your backer. If the people from the Temple come to cause trouble, my Chen family will protect you.”
Kai looked at her, a hint of surprise flashing in his eyes.
This woman does have some courage.
He was silent for a moment, then suddenly smiled.
“Miss Chen, do you know why I said earlier that I participated in the martial arts contest to find a husband for the sake of the immortal elixir?”
Chen Wanqing was taken aback, not understanding why he suddenly changed the subject.
Kai continued, “Actually, that was just an excuse. My real purpose was to find a backer.”
He leaned back in his chair, his expression calm. “I’m wanted by the Temple, and wherever I go, people want to use me for their bounty. Although Yunxian City is under the Temple’s jurisdiction, the forces within the city are complex. As an outsider cultivator, it wouldn’t be easy for me to leave alive.”
He looked at Chen Wanqing. “So, when I saw the martial arts contest for marriage, I thought, if I could become the son-in-law of the Chen family, wouldn’t I have a place to stay? Wouldn’t I be able to temporarily escape the Temple’s pursuit?”
This Kai, he lies so easily. If he weren’t interested in this Dragon Pool, he probably wouldn’t have used this whole story!
Chen Wanqing was stunned.
She hadn’t expected Kai to have this consideration behind participating in the martial arts contest for marriage.
Kai continued, “Now that Miss Chen has offered to protect me, I am naturally more than happy to oblige. As for Dragon Pool…”
He paused, “To be honest, I am also very curious about where the Dragon Clan went. And where did my Golden Dragon bloodline come from?”
He stood up and extended his hand to Chen Wanqing:
“Miss Chen, it’s a pleasure to cooperate.”
Chen Wanqing looked at his hand, paused for a moment, then smiled and shook his hand.
“A pleasure to cooperate.”
Kai withdrew his hand, then suddenly remembered something and asked, “By the way, Miss Chen, since we are now in a cooperative relationship, may I make a request?”
Chen Wanqing nodded: “Please speak, Young Master Chen.”
Kai looked at her and said seriously, “Since we are partners, shouldn’t we get on with our dual cultivation?”
The smile on Chen Wanqing’s face froze.
“You… what did you say?”
Kai spread his hands. “Didn’t you say it yourself? I’m your cultivation partner. The test is over, and now it’s time for cultivation. There’s no time like the present, let’s do it tonight.”
Chen Wanqing’s cheeks flushed red, and she glared at him fiercely. “Young Master Chen, please have some self-respect!”
Kai looked innocent. “How am I not self-respecting? You said it yourself, I’m your cultivation partner. What kind of cultivation partner is it if we don’t cultivate together?”
Chen Wanqing was speechless with anger.
She took a deep breath, suppressing the urge to kick Kai out, and said, word by word,
“Young Master Chen, I’ll say it again. The cultivation partner is just in name, to give you a legitimate reason to stay in the Chen family. Except… except for that, you can have anything you want.”　　Kai raised an eyebrow: “Anything?”
Chen Wanqing nodded: “Anything.”
Kai thought for a moment, then said seriously: “Then I want one million bottles of immortal elixir.”
Chen Wanqing almost lost her balance.
“One…one million?!”
Her eyes widened, staring at Kai in disbelief.
Kai nodded, looking matter-of-fact: “Yes, one million. Didn’t Miss Chen say that anything except that is fine? One million bottles of immortal elixir shouldn’t be difficult for the Chen family, right?”
Chen Wanqing took a deep breath, then another, barely managing to suppress the urge to slap him.
“Young Master Chen,”
she gritted her teeth, enunciating each word clearly, “one million bottles of immortal elixir, even if you sold my Chen family, you couldn’t come up with that.”
Kai looked at her clenched teeth and suddenly laughed.
“Miss Chen, I was just joking.”
Chen Wanqing was taken aback.
Kai’s smile vanished, replaced by a serious expression. “Miss Chen, since we’re in a cooperative relationship, I have only one request: I need 360 bottles of Immortal Elixir to take the teleportation array to the Holy Land of Light. After the Dragon Pool matter is resolved, you must help me leave Cloud Immortal City.”
Chen Wanqing stared at him blankly, only reacting after a long while.
“You…you were just teasing me?”
Kai shrugged. “Otherwise what? I can’t really cultivate with you, can I? I have partners, and dozens of them at that.”
Chen Wanqing’s cheeks flushed again, this time out of anger.
She glared at Kai fiercely, then turned and walked towards the door.
At the door, she suddenly stopped, turning back to look at Kai:
“Young Master Chen, since you have dozens of partners, why did you come to participate in the martial arts contest for a husband?”
Kai leaned back in his chair, saying calmly, “I said, it’s for the Immortal Elixir, to find a backer.”
Chen Wanqing was silent for a moment, then suddenly smiled.
In that smile, there was relief, appreciation, and a hint of something indescribable…loss.
“Young Master Chen seems like an honest man, but I never expected him to be so dissolute, with dozens of companions.”
She pushed open the door and said softly, “I’ll have someone arrange accommodations for you. Tomorrow morning, I’ll take you to Dragon Pool.”
With that, she turned and left.
Kai watched her retreating figure, a slight smile playing on his lips.
This woman is quite interesting.　After leaving her room, Chen
Wanqing didn’t return to her own chambers but headed straight for the depths of the Chen residence.
Passing through several courtyards, she arrived at a magnificent hall. Above the hall’s entrance hung a plaque with the three large characters “Hall of Council Affairs.”
Eight guards stood on either side of the entrance, all at the sixth rank of the Upper Immortal Realm.
Upon seeing Chen Wanqing approach, they all bowed respectfully.
“Miss,”
Chen Wanqing nodded slightly and pushed open the door to enter.
The hall was brightly lit. In the central seat sat an elderly man with graying temples.
The old man had a dignified face, his eyes flashing with a sharp light, his aura as deep as the sea—clearly a True Immortal Realm expert.
This man was none other than Chen Tiangang, the head of the Chen family and Chen Wanqing’s father.
On the sandalwood chairs on either side sat six other elderly men, all elders of the Chen family, each possessing a powerful aura, the lowest cultivation level being at least the ninth rank of the Upper Immortal Realm.
Upon seeing Chen Wanqing enter, all eyes turned to her.
Chen Tiangang nodded slightly: “Wanqing, how did the marriage proposal go?”
Chen Wanqing walked into the hall, bowed to her father and the elders, and slowly said:
“Father, the marriage proposal has been decided.”
The elders perked up.
“Who is it?”
a red-faced elder asked impatiently, “Is it Wu Lingyun from the Wu family?”
Chen Wanqing shook her head: “No.”
“No?”
The red-faced elder was taken aback, “Wu Lingyun is a ninth-grade Upper Immortal, and he also has the Crimson Gold Bloodline. No one in the younger generation of Yunxian City can match him. Besides him, who else can pass the Four Pillars Test?”
Chen Wanqing took a deep breath and said, word by word:
“That person is called Kai.”
“Kai?”
Another white-haired elder frowned, “This name… I seem to have heard it somewhere before.”
Chen Wanqing nodded: “Elder, you have a good memory. This person is the wanted criminal by the Divine Temple, the one who destroyed the Tongtian Road, killed the Great Venerable, and caused chaos on the Holy Mountain, Kai.” As
soon as these words were spoken, the entire hall was shocked.
“What?!”
“It’s him?!”
“Kai, the one with the bounty of 50,000 bottles of immortal liquid?!”
The elders exchanged bewildered glances, their eyes filled with shock.
The red-faced elder abruptly stood up, urgently saying, “Wanqing, you’re confused! This person is wanted by the Divine Temple. Recruiting him into the Chen family is like inviting trouble!”
Chen Wanqing, however, remained calm and slowly said,
“Elders, don’t be hasty. Precisely because he is a wanted criminal by the Divine Temple, he is the person our Chen family needs most.”
The elders were stunned.
Chen Wanqing continued, “Do you all remember who we are looking for?”
The white-haired elder pondered, “A person with dragon blood…”
He suddenly widened his eyes, “You mean…”
Chen Wanqing nodded, enunciating each word clearly,
“Kai possesses the bloodline of the Golden Dragon, the bloodline of the emperor among the dragons.”
The hall instantly fell silent.
You could hear a pin drop.
After a long while, Chen Tiangang slowly spoke,
“Wanqing, are you sure?”　Chen Wanqing nodded solemnly: “I saw it with my own eyes. When he was testing his bloodline, a five-clawed golden dragon phantom appeared behind him, its roar shaking the heavens and shattering the testing stone pillars.”
She paused, then added, “Moreover, he passed the Four Pillars Test and the Test of Self-Control, his results far surpassing Wu Lingyun’s.”
The elders exchanged bewildered glances, their eyes filled with disbelief.
The red-faced elder murmured, “Golden Dragon Bloodline…that’s the legendary supreme bloodline…”
The white-haired elder also became excited: “If he can truly enter the Dragon Pool, then my Chen family’s plans…”
Chen Tiangang raised his hand, stopping the discussion.
He looked at Chen Wanqing and said in a deep voice, “Wanqing, is he willing to cooperate with us?”
Chen Wanqing nodded: “I’ve already reached an agreement with him. He’s willing to help us enter the Dragon Pool on the condition that we protect him and help him fend off the Temple’s pursuit. After it’s done, we must also send him away from Yunxian City to the Holy Land of Light.”
Chen Tiangang was silent for a moment, then slowly nodded:
“The conditions are reasonable. As long as he can enter the Dragon Pool, none of this will be a problem.”
He looked at the elders: “What do you all think?”
The red-faced elder pondered: “Patriarch, protecting Kai is tantamount to making an enemy of the Temple. Although our Chen family has some foundation in Yunxian City, if the Temple launches a large-scale attack…”
Chen Tiangang said calmly: “Although the Temple is strong, it also has to consider the constraints of the Divine Hall and the Divine Palace. Moreover, the Temple no longer has much control over Yunxian City. If they want to launch a large-scale attack, they will have no legitimate reason.”
The white-haired elder nodded: “Patriarch is absolutely right. The Temple’s current focus is on repairing the destroyed Holy Mountain Altar. They may not have the spare strength to launch a major attack on Yunxian City.”
Another elder also said: “If we can enter the Dragon Pool and obtain the Dragon Clan’s treasures, our Chen family’s strength will greatly increase. At that time, even if the Temple comes to cause trouble, we may not be without a fighting chance.”
The elders all nodded.
Chen Tiangang looked at Chen Wanqing, his eyes filled with approval:
“Wanqing, you handled this matter well. Where is Kai now?”
Chen Wanqing replied, “I have settled him in the guest courtyard. I will take him to Dragon Pool first thing tomorrow morning.”
Chen Tiangang nodded: “Good. Tomorrow, I will personally lead men to escort you there.”
He paused, his gaze sweeping over the elders:
“Pass down the order: from today onwards, the Chen residence will be on high alert. Everyone must increase patrols and be vigilant against spies from the Divine Temple infiltrating. If any suspicious persons are found, arrest them immediately!”
“Yes!”
the elders responded in unison.
Chen Wanqing bowed slightly: “Father, if there is nothing else, I will take my leave.”
Chen Tiangang nodded: “Go. Get some rest. Tomorrow’s matter is of utmost importance.”
Chen Wanqing turned and walked out of the hall.
Reaching the doorway, she suddenly stopped and turned to Chen Tiangang:
“Father, that Kai… is quite interesting.”
Chen Tiangang raised an eyebrow: “Oh?”
Chen Wanqing’s lips curled slightly: “I just said I was willing to protect him on the condition that he help me enter the Dragon Pool. He agreed, and then asked me if we could settle our dual cultivation tonight since we’re now partners.”
Chen Tiangang was stunned.
The elders were also stunned.
The red-faced elder almost choked on his saliva.
Chen Wanqing, however, smiled broadly: “Of course I refused. Then he said he wanted a million bottles of immortal elixir.”
“A million?!” the red-faced elder exclaimed.
Chen Wanqing nodded: “That startled me. Then he said he was joking.”
She paused, her smile deepening: “This man… is incredibly shameless, but surprisingly… not annoying.”
With that, she turned and left, leaving the crowd staring at each other in bewilderment.
Chen Tiangang watched his daughter’s departing figure, stunned for a long time, then suddenly smiled.
“This kid… is quite interesting.”　The next morning, Kai was awakened by a knock on the door.
“Young Master Chen, it’s time to depart,”
came Chen Wanqing’s cool voice from outside.
Kai got up and opened the door, where Chen Wanqing stood gracefully in a white dress.
The morning light bathed her in a soft golden glow, making her look like a fairy from a painting.
“Good morning, Miss Chen
,” Kai yawned. “Going to Dragon Pool so early?”
“The entrance to Dragon Pool is only open for two hours each day, from Chen Shi (7-9 AM) to Si Shi (9-11 AM). If you miss
it, you’ll have to wait until tomorrow,” Chen Wanqing explained. “Father and the elders are already waiting outside the mansion. Please follow me, Young Master Chen.”
Kai nodded and followed Chen Wanqing out of the mansion.
Along the way, the Chen mansion was heavily guarded, with guards patrolling everywhere.
Kai noticed that the guards looked at him with complex emotions—curiosity, wariness, and a hint of awe.
Outside the mansion gate, eight beast-drawn carriages were ready to depart.
Chen Tiangang stood with his hands behind his back, followed by six elders, all of them possessing profound auras.
Behind them were thirty elite guards from the Chen family, each with a cultivation level of at least the seventh rank of the Upper Immortal Realm.
Seeing Kai emerge, Chen Tiangang sized him up and nodded slightly: “Young Master Chen, did you rest well last night?”
“Thank you for your concern, Patriarch Chen. It was quite good,”
Kai replied with a smile. “The beds in the Chen family are much more comfortable than the stone caves I slept in in the wild.” Chen Tiangang’s
lips curled slightly at this.
This young man was quite interesting.
“In that case, let’s set off.”
Chen Tiangang waved his hand and boarded the first beast-drawn carriage first.
Kai was about to follow when Chen Wanqing stopped him.
“Young Master Chen, please ride in the third carriage with me.”
Kai raised an eyebrow and followed Chen Wanqing into the third carriage.
The interior was spacious, covered with soft animal hides, and tea and snacks were laid out on a table.
Chen Wanqing sat down opposite Kai but remained silent, simply watching him quietly.
Kai felt a little uneasy under her gaze: “Miss Chen, is there something on my face?”
Chen Wanqing shook her head, then suddenly took out an exquisite jade box from her sleeve. Opening the lid, she revealed a silver necklace lying quietly inside.
The necklace was entirely silver-white, engraved with dense runes that faintly shimmered with light.
Kai’s gaze sharpened.
These runes… were restrictive runes.
Chen Wanqing handed the jade box to Kai, her expression calm: “Young Master Chen, please wear this before entering the Dragon Pool.”
Kai didn’t take it, only looking at her indifferently: “What is this?”
“A protective item,”
Chen Wanqing said calmly. “The Dragon Pool is heavily restricted; a slight mistake could trigger a killing formation. This necklace bears protective runes left by my Chen family ancestors, which can protect you in times of crisis.”
Kai smiled.　A defensive item?
Although he wasn’t a formation master, he had seen quite a few restrictions.
The runes on this necklace were clearly a combination of a spirit-locking restriction and a tracking restriction.
After wearing it, not only would spiritual power be restricted, but every move would also be sensed by the caster.
This was for self-defense?
This was for protecting him, wasn’t it?
Kai looked at Chen Wanqing, a half-smile on his face: “Miss Chen, are you sure this is for self-defense?”
Chen Wanqing’s expression remained unchanged: “Young Master Chen doesn’t believe me?”
Kai shook his head: “It’s not that I don’t believe you, it’s that I believe you too much.”
He reached out and took the necklace from the jade box, weighing it in his hand.
The silver necklace was icy cold, and the runes on it flickered slightly when they sensed the presence of a living person.
Kai looked into Chen Wanqing’s eyes, enunciating each word clearly:
“Miss Chen, only when I wear this will your Chen family feel at ease letting me enter the Dragon Pool, right?”
Chen Wanqing was silent for a moment, then slowly nodded: “Young Master Chen is indeed clever.”
She didn’t deny it, nor did she make excuses; she simply admitted it frankly.
A hint of appreciation flashed in Kai’s eyes.
This woman was quite frank.
“Miss Chen, you really don’t need to be like this,”
Kai said calmly, toying with the collar. “Since I promised to help you enter the Dragon Pool, I won’t go back on my word. Wearing this only makes it seem like we don’t trust each other.”
Chen Wanqing pursed her lips. “Young Master Chen, I trust you. But I’m not the only one in the Chen family.”
She paused, looking directly at Kai. “Of the six elders, three have doubts about you. They believe you’re wanted by the Temple and might betray us at any time. If you find any treasure in the Dragon Pool, you’re very likely to keep it for yourself. This collar is what they insisted you wear.”
Kai raised an eyebrow. “So, you’re here as a mediator?”
Chen Wanqing shook her head. “No, I’m here to apologize.”
She stood up and bowed deeply to Kai. “Young Master Chen, I’m sorry. I know this isn’t fair to you, but for the sake of the Chen family and for the smooth progress of the Dragon Pool trip, please bear with it. After we come out of the Dragon Pool, I’ll personally remove the collar for you and apologize.”
Kai looked at her, remaining silent for a long time.
After a long pause, he suddenly laughed.
“Miss Chen, your apology is so sincere that I can’t even muster the anger.”
He fastened the collar around his neck with a “click,” and it closed.
Instantly, a strange power surged from the collar, spreading throughout his body along his meridians.
Kai felt his spiritual energy circulation become sluggish, as if suppressed by something.
At the same time, a faint, tangible thought locked onto him, following him wherever he went.
Chen Wanqing watched him put on the collar without hesitation, a complex emotion flashing in her eyes.
“Young Master Chen, you…you’re not angry?”
Kai leaned against the carriage wall, lazily saying, “What good would anger do? Your Chen family has six elders, one True Immortal patriarch, and thirty Upper Immortal guards. If I made a scene, would I be able to leave Yunxian City alive?”
He looked at Chen Wanqing, a playful smile playing on his lips. “Besides, Miss Chen has personally apologized. I, a grown man, can’t possibly hold a grudge against a woman, can I?”　　Chen Wanqing stared at him blankly for a long while before softly saying, “Young Master Chen, you are much more magnanimous than I imagined.”
Kai waved his hand, “Don’t praise me. I can’t take praise too much. Once I’m praised, I easily get carried away, and once I get carried away, I easily do foolish things.”
Chen Wanqing couldn’t help but laugh.
This smile was more sincere than ever before.
“Young Master Chen, don’t worry. After the Dragon Pool matter is settled, I will definitely…”
“Alright, alright,”
Kai interrupted her, “You already said that. Let’s talk about the Dragon Pool matter. What exactly is the situation inside? Your Chen family has been exploring for three months; surely you’ve gained something?”
Chen Wanqing’s smile faded, and she said seriously, “In the past three months, my Chen family has sent seventeen groups of people into the outer perimeter of the Dragon Pool, but they were all blocked by the dragon clan’s restriction. We don’t know what lies beyond the restriction.”
She took out a map made of animal hide from her sleeve and spread it out on the table.
The map marked the terrain of the mountains north of the city, with one area circled in red.
“This is the entrance to Dragon Pool, located in a secluded valley. The valley is surrounded by ancient restrictions, and it took my Chen family two months to find a safe path,”
Chen Wanqing pointed to the red circle on the map. “After entering the valley, you’ll see a stone gate. Beyond the stone gate lies the outer edge of Dragon Pool. That’s where we encountered the dragon’s restrictions.”
Kai looked at the map and suddenly asked, “Did you try to force your way through?”
Chen Wanqing shook her head: “We did. Three elders at the ninth rank of the Upper Immortal Realm joined forces to attack that barrier, but they were severely injured by the recoil. One of them is still recovering.”
She looked at Kai, her eyes filled with expectation: “That barrier doesn’t react to dragon bloodlines, but if someone without dragon bloodlines gets close, it will unleash lightning power. Young Master Chen, you possess the Golden Dragon bloodline; you should be able to pass through safely.”
Kai nodded without asking further questions.
The beast-drawn carriage headed north, leaving Cloud Immortal City and entering the continuous mountain range.
An hour later, the caravan stopped in front of a valley.
Kai alighted from the carriage and saw a massive stone tablet standing at the entrance of the valley. Engraved on the tablet were four ancient characters:
“Dragon Clan Forbidden Land
,” the faded inscription bearing the marks of time.
Chen Tiangang walked to Kai’s side and said in a deep voice, “Young Master Chen, I entrust the rest to you.”
Kai nodded and followed Chen Wanqing deeper into the valley.
The six elders followed closely behind, while thirty guards remained at the valley entrance on watch.
Passing through a narrow canyon, the view suddenly opened up.
This was a clearing about a hundred feet in diameter, at the end of which stood a massive stone gate.
The gate was about ten feet high, constructed entirely of blue-green boulders.
Lifelike five-clawed golden dragon reliefs were carved on the gate, with two fist-sized luminous pearls embedded in the dragon’s eyes, glowing softly.
Before the gate was a pale golden light curtain, upon which lightning flickered.
Chen Wanqing stopped and looked at Kai: “Young Master Chen, that’s the Dragon Clan’s restriction. You…”
Before she could finish speaking, Kai had already strode towards the light barrier.
“Young Master Chen!” Chen Wanqing exclaimed.
Kai didn’t turn around and stepped directly into the light barrier.
The pale golden light barrier rippled, but it didn’t trigger any attack.
Kai’s figure disappeared behind the light barrier.
Chen Wanqing stared blankly at this scene, her heart filled with mixed emotions.
He… really went in.
Without any hesitation, without any doubt.
It was as if he wasn’t worried at all about any danger behind the light barrier.　Beyond the light curtain lay a completely different world.
The moment Kai stepped into the Dragon Pool, a monstrous dragon aura rushed towards him.
The aura was so dense it was almost tangible; with each breath, one could feel the immense pressure it contained.
If an ordinary cultivator had entered this place, they would likely have been instantly forced to their knees by the overwhelming dragon aura.
But Kai was different.
He possessed the bloodline of the Golden Dragon, and the dragon aura not only didn’t suppress him, but instead made him feel comfortable, as if a wanderer had returned home.
Kai took a deep breath and looked around.
This was a vast underground space, its dome unfathomably high, with faint points of light visible, like a starry sky.
Beneath his feet lay a wide expanse of water, crystal clear yet shimmering with a faint golden hue.
This was the Dragon Pool?
Kai stepped forward, his feet treading on the water as if on solid ground.
In the center of the pool stood nine enormous stone pillars, adorned with lifelike dragon-shaped reliefs.
At the top of each pillar floated a ball of light, within which various treasures could be faintly seen.
“Dragon Clan’s Supreme Treasure! ”
Kai’s eyes lit up, and without hesitation, he leaped onto the first pillar.
The first pillar, bathed in light, revealed a longsword covered in golden scales, its blade faintly emitting a dragon’s roar.
The hilt was engraved with two ancient characters: “Dragon’s Roar.”
Kai grasped the hilt, instantly feeling a surge of powerful sword intent flow into his body.
This sword was at least a True Immortal-level treasure!
Without hesitation, he stored the Dragon’s Roar Sword in his storage ring.
The second pillar, bathed in light, revealed a set of golden armor, its surface covered in dense scales, with
a ferocious dragon head on its chest. Kai touched it, and the armor automatically disintegrated, fitting perfectly onto his body.
A treasure!
The third pillar contained a jade scroll, recording the dragon clan’s cultivation techniques.
The fourth pillar held a bottle of Dragon Essence Pills, the pills faintly displaying dragon patterns.
The fifth…
Kai swept away the treasures from all nine pillars like a locust swarm.
Just as he was about to collect the treasure from the ninth stone pillar, a sudden change occurred.
“Roar…”
A deafening dragon’s roar echoed from the depths of the pool.
The entire Dragon Pool trembled violently, and towering waves surged forth.
The light on the nine stone pillars simultaneously extinguished, replaced by a pair of enormous eyes that slowly rose from the pool’s depths.
They were golden vertical pupils, cold, majestic, and exuding boundless pressure.
As those eyes rose, a colossal figure emerged from the pool’s bottom.
It was a giant dragon, over a hundred zhang long, its entire body covered in golden scales.
Its head was as massive as a mountain, and with each breath, it stirred up a violent whirlwind.
The dragon surfaced, looking down at Kai from its lofty position.　　”Human…”
Its voice was deep and majestic, echoing through the space, “You trespassed into the Dragon’s Pool and stole the Dragon Clan’s most precious treasure. Do you know your crime?”
With its words, a terrifying pressure swept down from the sky. The
pressure was so strong that it could instantly force a ninth-grade Immortal Realm cultivator to their knees.
But Kai remained unmoved.
He raised his head, meeting the golden vertical pupils in his eyes, his expression calm:
“Know your crime? What crime have I committed?”
A hint of surprise flashed in the dragon’s eyes.
This human could actually stand under its dragon might?
“Human, you have quite the audacity,”
the dragon said in a deep voice, “But do you know that this is the Dragon Clan’s forbidden area? Anyone who does not have Dragon Clan blood will die!”
It opened its massive maw, and a golden dragon breath condensed within.
Kai smiled.
“Those who do not have Dragon Clan blood will die?”
He looked at the dragon, a playful smile playing on his lips, “Then look at me, am I not of Dragon Clan blood?”
As soon as he finished speaking, the power of his bloodline surged within him.
A phantom of a five-clawed golden dragon materialized behind him.
The phantom was entirely golden, with sharp claws, prominent horns, and eyes that opened and closed with a majestic, sea-like aura.
The phantom roared to the sky, its cry shaking the heavens.
The dragon’s might crumbled instantly before this phantom.
“A…a five-clawed golden dragon?!”
The dragon’s pupils contracted sharply, its eyes filled with disbelief.
It stared intently at the phantom behind Kai, its massive body trembling.
“Impossible…this is impossible…”
it murmured, “The five-clawed golden dragon is the king of the dragon race, extinct for ten thousand years…how could you…”
Kai withdrew his bloodline phantom, looking at it calmly: “Now, do you still think I’m human?”
The dragon fell silent.
After a long silence, it slowly spoke, its tone devoid of any majesty, only filled with awe:
“You…you are the inheritor of the Dragon Emperor’s bloodline?”
Kai did not answer, but instead asked, “Who are you? Why are you in this Dragon Pool?”
The dragon was silent for a moment, then said in a deep voice, “I am Long Yuan, an elder of the Heavenly Dragon Clan. Ten thousand years ago, I was ordered to guard this pool, awaiting the arrival of the inheritor of the Dragon Emperor’s bloodline.”
Kai raised an eyebrow: “Awaiting the inheritor of the Dragon Emperor’s bloodline?”
Long Yuan nodded, a complex look flashing in its eyes: “Ten thousand years ago, His Majesty the Dragon Emperor foresaw the impending annihilation of the Dragon Clan, so he sealed the Dragon Clan’s most precious treasures in various secret realms, leaving behind a prophecy: when the Five-Clawed Golden Dragon reappears in the world, it will be the time of the Dragon Clan’s revival.”
It looked at Kai, its eyes filled with hope: “Unexpectedly, ten thousand years later, the prophecy has truly come true.”　Kai listened calmly, his expression unchanged.
Long Yuan continued, “Inheritor, the Dragon Pool contains the treasures and inheritance of the Heavenly Dragon lineage. Now that you are here, these things naturally belong to you.”
It paused, then changed the subject, “However, before that, there is something I must tell you.”
“What is it?”
Long Yuan’s gaze turned to the depths of the pool.
Kai followed its gaze and saw a strange black area at the bottom of the pool.
There was no dragon energy there, only a dense stillness and…ominousness.
“What is that?”
Long Yuan said in a deep voice, “That’s a forbidden item of the Dragon Clan, the Demon Dragon Flower.”
“The Demon Dragon Flower?”
Long Yuan nodded, “Ten thousand years ago, a branch of the Dragon Clan betrayed the Dragon Emperor and sided with the Demon Clan. They used their own flesh and blood as a catalyst to cultivate a strange black flower called the Demon Dragon Flower. This flower feeds on dragon energy; wherever it blooms, dragon energy is lost, and the Dragon Clan perishes.”
His voice was filled with deep dread, “Back then, His Majesty the Dragon Emperor personally took action and exterminated that traitorous branch. But the Demon Dragon Flower could not be eradicated and could only be sealed deep within this Dragon Pool, to be guarded by me for generations.”
Kai looked at the black area, his brows furrowing slightly.
He could sense that there was indeed a strange power there, completely opposite to dragon energy, filled with decay and ominousness.
“Is that thing still there?”
Long Yuan nodded. “The seal is still there, preventing the Demonic Dragon Flower from breaking free. But ten thousand years have passed, and the seal has begun to loosen.
Successor, you bear the bloodline of the Dragon Emperor. If you ever become strong enough, you must destroy this thing completely. Otherwise, once the Demonic Dragon Flower reappears in the world, not only the Dragon Clan, but the entire human race will suffer annihilation.”
Kai listened quietly, without expressing his opinion.
He simply looked at the black area, a thoughtful look flashing in his eyes.
The Demonic Dragon Flower…
this thing seems rather interesting.
Seeing his silence, Long Yuan assumed he was frightened and comforted him, “Successor, there’s no need to worry. The seal on the Demonic Dragon Flower can last for another thousand years. With your talent, you will surely reach the True Immortal realm within a thousand years, at which point you can destroy it.”
Kai snapped out of his reverie and nodded, “I understand.”
He looked at Long Yuan and suddenly asked, “You just said that the Dragon Pool contains the treasures and inheritance of the Heavenly Dragon lineage. Where is that inheritance?”
A smile flashed in Long Yuan’s enormous dragon eyes, “Successor, the nine treasures you just collected are merely appetizers. The true inheritance is here.”
It opened its massive maw, and a fist-sized golden dragon pearl flew out.
The dragon pearl was entirely golden, its surface shimmering with mysterious runes, and faint dragon roars emanated from it.
“This is the inheritance dragon pearl of my Heavenly Dragon lineage, containing the cultivation techniques and secret arts accumulated by my clan over ten thousand years. Successor, as long as you absorb the dragon energy within, you will obtain the complete inheritance of the Heavenly Dragon lineage.”
Kai looked at the dragon pearl, his eyes gleaming.
He could sense that the dragon energy contained within the Dragon Pearl was far more powerful than he had imagined.
If he could absorb it, his cultivation would surely advance by leaps and bounds.　”How do you absorb it?”
Long Yuan asked. “Use your bloodline power to activate it, and the Dragon Pearl will naturally recognize you as its master.”
Kai didn’t hesitate and reached out to grasp the Dragon Pearl.
Instantly, a vast surge of dragon energy flooded into his body.
The density of that dragon energy far exceeded his expectations. Almost the instant it entered, his meridians were filled with the dragon energy, and he felt as if he was about to burst.
Kai’s expression remained unchanged as he frantically circulated his bloodline power, devouring the dragon energy.
Long Yuan watched this scene, his eyes filled with shock.
This human… no, this inheritor of the Dragon Emperor’s bloodline was actually enduring the influx of dragon energy from the Dragon Pearl?
You must know that the dragon energy in the Dragon Pearl had been accumulated over ten thousand years. Even ordinary dragons had to absorb it gradually, refining it bit by bit.
To devour it directly like this was simply courting death!
But Kai not only didn’t die, but he devoured it even more fiercely.
His aura began to rise.
Peak of the first rank of the Upper Immortal Realm…
Second rank of the Upper Immortal Realm…
Mid-stage of the second rank of the
Upper Immortal Realm… Peak of the second rank of the Upper Immortal Realm…
“Boom…”
A powerful aura erupted from Kai’s body .
He opened his eyes, golden light flashing within them, his entire being radiating an aura of majesty.
Peak of the second rank of the Upper Immortal Realm!
Just one step away from stepping into the third rank of the Upper Immortal Realm!
Long Yuan stared at him in disbelief, its massive body trembling violently.
“This… how is this possible…”
it murmured, “Directly absorbing the dragon energy of the Dragon Pearl, not only did he not die, but he also broke through his realm… even His Majesty the Dragon Emperor of yesteryear couldn’t do that…”
Kai released the Dragon Pearl, looking at it calmly: “What, is there a problem?”
Long Yuan shuddered, its massive dragon head slamming into the water with a “bang.”
“Your subordinate, Longyuan, pays respects to Your Majesty the Dragon Emperor!”
Its voice was filled with awe and submission. “Your Majesty’s talent is unparalleled; I am utterly convinced! From this day forward, I am willing to go through fire and water for Your Majesty without hesitation!”
Kai looked at the giant dragon, who had been so majestic just moments before but was now prostrate on the ground, and a slight smile appeared on his lips.
“Rise.”
Longyuan cautiously raised its head, and seeing that Kai’s expression was normal, it breathed a sigh of relief.
Just as it was about to speak, it suddenly sensed something, and its expression changed.
“Your Majesty, the fluctuations you caused when you absorbed the dragon energy from the Dragon Pearl were too great. That aura of the Dragon Emperor’s bloodline has likely already spread.”
Kai raised an eyebrow: “Spread?”
Long Yuan nodded, his voice deep: “Although the Dragon Clan disappeared for ten thousand years, they are not entirely extinct. As far as I know, there are still several branches of the Dragon Clan living in seclusion in hidden places within the Fourteen Heavens. The aura you just unleashed could very well have been sensed by them.”
It paused, a hint of worry flashing in its eyes: “Especially… the Heavenly Dragon lineage.”
Kai’s gaze sharpened.
The Heavenly Dragon lineage?
Long Yuan had just mentioned that it was an elder of the Heavenly Dragon Clan.
In other words, this Dragon Pool was originally a secret realm of the Heavenly Dragon Clan?　　Longyuan, noticing his confusion, explained, “Your Majesty is unaware. Within the dragon race, the bloodline hierarchy is extremely strict. The Five-Clawed Golden Dragon possesses the bloodline of royalty, one in ten thousand. Below it are branches such as the Heavenly Dragon, the Yinglong, and the Jiaolong. My Heavenly Dragon lineage is second only to the royal family among the dragons, making us the nobility.”
It paused, then continued, “Ten thousand years ago, His Majesty the Dragon Emperor foresaw an impending calamity and dispersed the dragon race to various hidden places. A portion of my Heavenly Dragon lineage resided in a secluded location within the Fourteenth Heaven. They… are still here.”
Kai listened quietly, his expression unchanged.
Longyuan looked at him cautiously and said, “Your Majesty, the aura you just unleashed could very well have been sensed by them. Given the pride of the Heavenly Dragon lineage, they might very well send someone to investigate. At that time…”
It didn’t finish its sentence, but the meaning was clear.
Whether the Heavenly Dragon lineage would be friend or foe if they came was still unknown.
Kai remained silent for a moment, then suddenly smiled.
“Come on then,”
he said calmly. “Perfect, I also want to see what the Dragon Clan has left after ten thousand years.”
Long Yuan looked at him, his eyes filled with awe.
This inheritor of the Dragon Emperor’s bloodline was not only incredibly talented, but his demeanor was in no way inferior to that of the Dragon Emperor of yesteryear.
Kai put away the Dragon Pearl and looked at Long Yuan: “What else is in this Dragon Pool?”
Long Yuan thought for a moment and said, “Your Majesty, you have already collected ninety percent of the treasures in the Dragon Pool. The rest are all insignificant things. However…”
It paused, looking at the black area deep in the pool: “Would Your Majesty like to take a look at the seal on the Demonic Dragon Flower?”
Kai frowned slightly.
Demonic Dragon Flower…
He was silent for a moment, then nodded: “Lead the way.”
Long Yuan’s huge body turned and swam towards the bottom of the pool.
Kai followed behind it, the two of them approaching the strange black area.
The closer they got, the stronger the ominous aura became.
Kai could sense that the power contained within the black flower was completely opposite to the dragon energy.
If dragon energy was light and vitality, then the power of the Demonic Dragon Flower was darkness and death.
It devoured dragon energy and corrupted the dragon race.
This thing was indeed a forbidden object for the dragon race.
Kai stood before the seal, quietly watching the black flower. The
flower was the size of a millstone, its petals as black as ink, with a faint crimson light flowing around its stamen. The petals swayed gently, and with each sway, a trace of dragon energy was absorbed into them.
Kai could feel a strange power contained within the flower, a power that… made him feel a slight unease.
But at the same time, a strong desire suddenly surged within him.
That desire came from the depths of his bloodline.
His Golden Dragon bloodline wanted to devour this Demonic Dragon Flower!
Kai’s gaze sharpened.
What was going on?
The Golden Dragon bloodline actually desired to devour a forbidden object of the dragon race?
Seeing his unusual expression, Long Yuan asked worriedly, “Your Majesty, what’s wrong?”
Kai snapped out of his reverie, suppressed the tremor in his heart, and shook his head: “Nothing.”
He took a deep look at the demonic dragon flower, then turned and left.
This thing cannot be touched for now.
But… one day, he will return.　Meanwhile
, in the Fourteenth Heaven, in a secluded place
, a valley shrouded in mist stood atop an ancient palace.
The palace was constructed entirely of massive, azure stones, adorned with lifelike dragon reliefs.
Inside the main hall, six figures sat cross-legged.
They were all middle-aged, clad in long golden robes, their auras as deep and profound as the sea.
If Kai were here, he would immediately recognize the intense dragon energy emanating from them.
They were members of the Dragon Clan, the Heavenly Dragon lineage.
Seated in the main seat was an elderly man with graying temples.
His face was dignified, his eyes flashing with a sharp light, his aura reaching the True Immortal realm.
This man was Long Zhan, the current patriarch of the Heavenly Dragon lineage.
At this moment, Long Zhan was meditating with his eyes closed when suddenly he abruptly opened them, his eyes flashing with a brilliant light.
“This aura…”
The other five also paled.
“Clan leader, did you sense it?”
a middle-aged man asked urgently. “That’s…that’s the aura of the Dragon Emperor’s bloodline!”
Long Zhan slowly rose, walked to the entrance of the main hall, and gazed into the distance.
That direction led to Yunxian City.
“A five-clawed golden dragon…”
he murmured, “Ten thousand years have passed, and the Dragon Emperor’s bloodline has actually reappeared in the world…”
Another elder said in a deep voice, “Clan leader, what does the reappearance of the Dragon Emperor’s bloodline mean?”
Long Zhan was silent for a moment, then slowly said, “It means that His Majesty the Dragon Emperor’s prophecy is about to come true.”
He turned around and looked at everyone, his gaze intense:
“Pass down the order to send people to Yunxian City to find out the source of that aura.”
“Remember, at all costs, find the person who possesses the Dragon Emperor’s bloodline!”
“Yes!”
The six figures bowed in unison.
Long Zhan gazed into the distance, a complex expression flashing in his eyes.
The Dragon Emperor’s bloodline…
Ten thousand years ago, His Majesty the Dragon Emperor led the Dragon Clan against the Demon Clan, ultimately perishing. Before his death, he left a prophecy: when the five-clawed golden dragon reappears in the world, it will be the time of the Heavenly Dragon Clan’s revival.
Now, the prophecy has come true.
But Long Zhan knows that the appearance of the Dragon Emperor’s bloodline not only signifies revival, but also… turmoil.
Because not everyone in the Dragon Clan wants the Dragon Emperor’s return.
The descendants of those traitors who betrayed the Dragon Emperor and sided with the Demon Clan are still hiding in the shadows.
If the Dragon Emperor’s bloodline appears, they will surely make their move.
Long Zhan took a deep breath, a resolute glint in his eyes.
No matter what, the Dragon Emperor’s bloodline must be held by the Heavenly Dragon Clan.
This is the Heavenly Dragon Clan’s mission, and also… their opportunity.
…　Within the Dragon Pool, Kai was unaware of everything happening outside.
Led by Long Yuan, he was exploring
the entire pool. The Dragon Pool was far larger than he had imagined; it took him three full hours to traverse it.
Besides the treasures on the nine stone pillars, there were some scattered treasures within the pool. Kai, without hesitation, pocketed them all.
Long Yuan, watching his locust-like swarm, twitched slightly at the corner of its mouth.
This Dragon Emperor’s way of collecting treasures—it was exactly like the greedy dragon of dragon legend!
But it dared not say anything, silently following behind Kai.
Finally, Kai swept the Dragon Pool clean, clapping his hands in satisfaction.
“That’s enough, it’s time to go out.”
Long Yuan was taken aback: “Your Majesty, are you leaving?”
Kai nodded: “There are still people waiting for me outside.”
He looked at Long Yuan and said calmly: “What about you? Will you stay here, or come with me?”
Long Yuan was silent for a moment, then shook its head: “Your Majesty, I cannot leave yet.”
It looked at the black area deep in the pool: “The seal on the Demon Dragon Flower needs my protection. Moreover, if I leave, the Dragon Pool will lose its guardian, which may attract the covetousness of outsiders.”
Kai nodded, without forcing the issue.
Long Yuan looked at him, hesitated for a moment, and suddenly said, “Your Majesty, I have a request.”
“Speak,”
Long Yuan said in a deep voice, “After Your Majesty goes out, if you encounter any members of the Heavenly Dragon lineage, please be careful. They… may not all be willing to submit to you.”
Kai raised an eyebrow: “Oh?”
Long Yuan sighed and slowly said, “Ten thousand years ago, after His Majesty the Dragon Emperor fell, the Dragon Clan was torn apart. Some members of the clan have long been accustomed to freedom and are unwilling to be bound by the Dragon Emperor anymore. Now that you have suddenly appeared, they… may see you as a threat.”
It paused and continued, “Especially the Heavenly Dragon lineage. Our Heavenly Dragon lineage holds a prestigious position in the Dragon Clan, second only to the royal family. Ten thousand years have passed, and they have long since formed their own faction. If you want them to submit, I’m afraid… it won’t be so easy.”
Kai listened quietly, his expression unchanged.
After a long while, he suddenly smiled.
“Long Yuan, do you know?”
He looked at Long Yuan, a hint of amusement in his eyes, “The thing I fear least is trouble.”
He turned and walked towards the exit of the Dragon Pool.
“If the Heavenly Dragon lineage comes, then let them come.”
His voice drifted over calmly, yet carried an undeniable air of dominance:
“Perfect, I also want to see how much of the dragon race’s spirit remains after ten thousand years.”
Long Yuan watched his retreating figure, his eyes filled with awe.
This Dragon Emperor was indeed extraordinary.
It suddenly felt a surge of anticipation, eager to see the proud members of the Heavenly Dragon lineage kneel and submit before this Emperor.
That scene would surely be quite interesting.
Kai stepped into the light barrier and vanished into the Dragon Pool.
Long Yuan gazed in the direction he had left, murmuring,
“Your Majesty, I await that day.”　　…
Outside the light barrier, Chen Wanqing waited anxiously.
Three hours had passed.
Kai had been inside for three hours.
During this time, the pale golden light barrier remained unchanged, without any movement.
She didn’t know what had happened inside, whether Kai was dead or alive.
She could only wait.
“Wanqing, don’t worry,”
Chen Tiangang walked to her side and said in a deep voice, “The light barrier is still there, which means the restriction hasn’t been triggered. Kai should be alright.”
Chen Wanqing nodded, but the worry in her eyes was undisguised.
She didn’t know why she was so worried.
Clearly, she had only known Kai for less than a day.
Clearly, she had made Kai wear that collar precisely to protect him.
But the moment Kai stepped into the light barrier without hesitation, an indescribable emotion suddenly welled up in her heart.
Was it guilt?
Was it gratitude?
Or…something else?
She didn’t know.
She only knew that she was very worried about him.
Just then, the light barrier suddenly rippled.
A figure stepped out from within the light barrier.
Kai had returned.
Chen Wanqing’s eyes lit up, and she was about to go forward when she suddenly froze.
The aura emanating from Kai had changed.
Three hours ago, he was at the peak of the first rank of the Upper Immortal Realm.
Now, he was at the peak of the second rank!
He had broken through an entire minor realm!
Chen Wanqing was dumbfounded.
Chen Tiangang and the six elders also exchanged bewildered glances, their eyes filled with shock.
What exactly had happened in the Dragon Pool?
Kai walked up to Chen Wanqing, looked at her stunned expression, and suddenly smiled.
“Miss Chen, what are you staring at? Don’t you recognize me?”
Chen Wanqing snapped out of her daze, took a deep breath, suppressed her shock, and said softly,
“Young Master Chen, you…you broke through?”
Kai nodded: “I was lucky, I found something inside.”
Found something?
Chen Wanqing’s lips twitched slightly.
Finding something could break through a realm?
Then she would go find something too!
But she knew that such things were rare and unpredictable. Kai was able to break through because he possessed the Golden Dragon bloodline.
Even if someone else entered the Dragon Pool, they might not have this opportunity.
Chen Tiangang stepped forward and clasped his hands in a fist salute to Kai, saying, “Young
Master Chen, congratulations on your breakthrough.” Kai waved his hand, “Patriarch Chen, you’re too kind. By the way, I’ll tell you about the situation in the Dragon Pool in detail later. But now…”
He looked at Chen Wanqing and pointed to the collar around her neck:
“Miss Chen, shouldn’t you take this off?”　　Chen Wanqing was startled, then reacted quickly, stepping forward and placing her hand on the collar.
She channeled her spiritual power, preparing to break the restriction on the collar.
However, the next moment, her expression changed.
The restriction on the collar remained unmoved.
She tried again, but still couldn’t break it.
Chen Wanqing’s face turned grim.
“What’s wrong?” Kai asked.
Chen Wanqing looked up at him, a hint of panic in her eyes:
“Young Master Chen, the collar… I can’t break it.”
The collar couldn’t be broken.
The smile on Kai’s face instantly froze.
He looked down at the silver collar around his neck; the runes that had been flowing smoothly on it were now flashing with an eerie red light.
A faint binding force surged from the collar, several times stronger than when he had worn it before.
“Miss Chen, this joke is not funny at all.”
Kai looked up, his gaze fixed on Chen Wanqing, his tone already cold.
Chen Wanqing shook her head repeatedly, her expression anxious: “Young Master Chen, I’m not joking! It really can’t be untied! I… I don’t know how this happened!”
She activated her spiritual power again, pressing her hands against the collar, sweat beading on her forehead.
But the collar remained unmoved, the runes on it flashing even more intensely.
Kai stared at her, a flash of anger in his eyes.
“Miss Chen, I kindly helped you enter the Dragon Pool, and I didn’t intend to keep the treasures inside for myself. I was prepared to share them with you when we came out. But you pull this trick on me?”
He reached out and touched the collar around his neck, sneering: “This thing is probably not something for self-defense, is it? A spirit-locking restriction, a tracking restriction, and now there’s a binding restriction. Miss Chen, is this all the sincerity your Chen family has shown?”
Chen Wanqing’s face was pale, her eyes reddening with anxiety: “Young Master Chen, believe me! I really didn’t know! I… I just gave this to you to wear as the elders instructed, I really didn’t know it couldn’t be untied!”
“Enough!”
A deep shout interrupted Chen Wanqing’s explanation.
Chen Tiangang strode in, followed by six elders.
Their faces were devoid of their previous politeness and warmth, replaced by an indescribable indifference.
Chen Wanqing was stunned: “Father?”
Chen Tiangang didn’t look at her, his gaze fixed on Kai, and slowly said:
“Young Master Chen, since the collar can’t be removed, let’s speak frankly.”
Kai looked at the Chen family head and suddenly smiled.
The smile was cold.
“Family Head Chen, finally dropping the pretense?”
Chen Tiangang’s expression remained unchanged: “Young Master Chen is a smart man, so I won’t beat around the bush. This collar was indeed tampered with by someone.”
Chen Wanqing was struck dumb, staring at her father in disbelief.
“Father! You… what do you mean?!”
Chen Tiangang ignored her, only looking at Kai, and said calmly, “Young Master Chen, hand over what you obtained in the Dragon Pool.”
Kai raised an eyebrow: “Hand it over?”
Chen Tiangang nodded: “The Dragon Pool was discovered by my Chen family, and the treasures inside rightfully belong to my Chen family. We are extremely grateful that you went in and retrieved them for us. But you cannot take these things with you.”
He looked at Kai, his tone calm, yet carrying an undeniable authority: “Hand them over, and I will remove your collar, give you 360 bottles of immortal liquid, and let you leave Yunxian City. We will be even, and neither of us will owe the other anything.”
Kai smiled.
“Patriarch Chen, you’ve really got a clever plan.”
He pointed to the collar around his neck: “Wearing this thing, my spiritual power is suppressed by 30%. You want me to hand over the treasures of the Dragon Pool, and then let me go? Do you think I’ll believe that?”　　Chen Tiangang’s expression remained unchanged: “You have no choice.”
Kai looked at Chen Wanqing, whose face was streaked with tears, standing there blankly, as if she had lost her soul.
He then looked at the six elders, each with a cold expression, their eyes filled with greed and killing intent.
Finally, he looked at Chen Tiangang and slowly said:
“Patriarch Chen, I have a question.”
“Speak.”
“From the very beginning, you never intended to cooperate with me, did you?”
Chen Tiangang was silent for a moment, then nodded frankly: “That’s right.”
He stood with his hands behind his back, his tone calm: “Young Master Chen, you are wanted by the Divine Temple, a criminal with a bounty of 50,000 bottles of immortal liquid. Although my Chen family has some power, we are not foolish enough to offend the Divine Temple for your sake.”
He paused, then continued: “But you possess the bloodline of the Golden Dragon and can enter the Dragon Pool, which is an opportunity that my Chen family must seize. So, we came up with this plan.”
“To let you enter the Dragon Pool, retrieve the treasure. Then, to control you with the collar, to make you hand over the treasure. Finally…”
He didn’t finish, but the meaning was already clear.
Finally, they handed Kai over to the temple in exchange for the reward of 50,000 bottles of immortal liquid.
A two-birds-with-one-stone strategy.
Upon hearing this, Kai’s smile deepened.
“Patriarch Chen, what a brilliant plan. Truly, a brilliant plan.”
He looked at Chen Wanqing, who was trembling all over, her face ashen.
“Chen Wanqing,” he called her name, his tone calm, “Is that what you thought too?”
Chen Wanqing suddenly raised her head, her eyes filled with tears.
“No…no…”
Her voice trembled. “Young Master Chen, I really didn’t know…I really didn’t know Father and the others…”
“Wanqing.”
Chen Tiangang interrupted her, his tone stern. “Now that things have come to this, what else do you have to say? You are the eldest daughter of the Chen family; everything should be for the benefit of the Chen family.”
Chen Wanqing turned to look at her father, her eyes filled with disbelief:
“Father! You used me?! You made me go to negotiate with Kai, made me put a collar on him, you’ve been using me from beginning to end?!”
Chen Tiangang’s expression remained unchanged: “Wanqing, I was thinking of the Chen family.”
“Thinking of the Chen family?” Chen Wanqing smiled bitterly. “What about Kai? He helped us get into the Dragon Pool; he did nothing wrong to us! And this is how we treat him?!”
“Wanqing!” Chen Tiangang said in a deep voice, “You’re too naive! He’s a wanted criminal of the Temple; if we protect him, we’re making an enemy of the Temple! Is the Chen family’s thousand-year foundation going to be destroyed in the hands of an outsider?”
Chen Wanqing shook her head, tears streaming down her face:
“But we promised him…we promised to protect him…”
“What does a verbal promise mean?” Chen Tiangang said calmly. “Those who achieve great things don’t concern themselves with trifles.”
Chen Wanqing was stunned.
She looked at her father, at the six cold-faced elders, and suddenly felt that these people were so unfamiliar.
Was this still the Chen family she had grown up in?
Was this still the father who taught her to be trustworthy and righteous?
She turned her head and looked at Kai.
Kai stood there, wearing that damned collar around his neck, his expression calm, revealing neither joy nor anger.
But his eyes were cold.
That coldness made Chen Wanqing’s heart tremble.
“Young Master Chen…” She opened her mouth, but didn’t know what to say.
Kai looked at her and said calmly, “Miss Chen, you don’t need to say anything. I believe you are unaware of the situation.”
Chen Wanqing was taken aback.
Kai continued, “Your anxiety just now couldn’t be faked. Moreover, given your personality, if you really wanted to harm me, you wouldn’t have acted so convincingly.”
He smiled, a bitter smile playing on his lips: “It’s just a pity you have such a good father.”
Tears welled up in Chen Wanqing’s eyes.
Chen Tiangang frowned slightly and said in a deep voice:
“Young Master Chen, enough nonsense. Hand over the treasures of Dragon Pool, and I’ll spare your life. Otherwise…”
Before he could finish speaking, Kai suddenly moved.
He didn’t attack Chen Tiangang, nor any of the elders, but instead flashed away, rushing directly out of the valley!
“Trying to run?”
The red-faced elder sneered, taking a step forward and blocking Kai’s path.
He raised his hand and unleashed a palm strike, the wind howling as it struck down at Kai’s head!
This palm strike was the full power of a peak ninth-grade Upper Immortal!
Kai’s eyes narrowed, and the power of his bloodline surged wildly within him.
Although his spiritual power was suppressed by thirty percent by the collar, his physical strength remained!
He didn’t retreat, but instead met the attack head-on.
He threw a punch!
“Boom!”
Fist and palm collided, and a violent shockwave swept in all directions.
The red-faced elder staggered, taking three steps back.
Kai, however, was sent flying, crashing heavily to the ground, blood trickling from the corner of his mouth.
His cultivation level was simply too far behind.
A peak second-grade Upper Immortal against a peak ninth-grade, plus the suppression from the collar—even with the Golden Dragon bloodline, it was difficult to bridge this enormous gap.
“Young Master Chen!”
Chen Wanqing cried out, about to rush over.
“Wanqing!” Chen Tiangang grabbed her, “What are you doing?!”
“Let go of me!” Chen Wanqing struggled desperately, “You can’t do this to him!”
“Insolence!” Chen Tiangang slapped her across the face.
“Slap!”
The crisp sound of the slap rang out, and Chen Wanqing staggered, half her cheek instantly swelling red.
She covered her face, staring blankly at her father.
Chen Tiangang’s face was ashen: “You’re going against the Chen family for an outsider?”
Chen Wanqing didn’t speak, only tears silently streaming down her face.
Meanwhile, Kai had already gotten up from the ground.
He wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth, looked at Chen Tiangang, his eyes full of mockery:
“Patriarch Chen, what good upbringing. You even beat your own daughter, tsk tsk.”
Chen Tiangang looked at him coldly: “Even on the verge of death, you’re still being stubborn.”
He waved his hand: “Take him down!”
The six elders stepped forward and surrounded Kai.
Kai looked around; six were at the ninth rank of the Upper Immortal Realm, and one was at the first rank of the True Immortal Realm.
He, however, was suppressed by the collar and could only exert seventy percent of his strength.
This fight was hopeless.
But Kai was never one to sit idly by and wait for death.　”Want the Dragon Pool treasure?” He suddenly laughed. “Then come and take it.”
With that, he flashed forward, rushing towards the weakest point in the encirclement!
That was where the white-haired elder was.
The white-haired elder snorted coldly and struck out with a palm.
Kai neither dodged nor evaded, taking the blow head-on, while simultaneously punching the white-haired elder in the face!
“Bang!”
Kai was sent flying again, three ribs broken.
But the white-haired elder was also forced back by his punch, revealing an opening!
Kai seized the opportunity, his figure like lightning, rushing out through the opening!
“Chase!”
Chen Tiangang shouted coldly, and the six elders gave chase.
Kai frantically channeled his spiritual power, desperately fleeing towards the outside of the valley.
The collar around his neck flickered with an eerie red light, constantly suppressing the flow of his spiritual power.
With every step he took, he felt his spiritual power draining away.
But he couldn’t stop.
To stop meant death.
Outside the valley, thirty Chen family guards were already on high alert.
Seeing Kai charge out, they all attacked simultaneously, unleashing a barrage of spells.
Kai’s eyes narrowed, and he gritted his teeth, charging forward relentlessly.
“Boom boom boom!”
Spells exploded on his body, leaving him a bloody mess.
But he didn’t stop, risking injury to break through the guards’ encirclement.
“Kai!”
Chen Wanqing cried out in alarm from behind.
Kai didn’t turn back, continuing his mad dash.
Suddenly, a figure descended from the sky, blocking his path.
Chen Tiangang.
A True Immortal Realm expert had finally made his move.
Kai stopped, panting heavily.
He was covered in blood and riddled with wounds.
But he remained standing, not falling.
Chen Tiangang looked at him, a hint of admiration flashing in his eyes:
“Young Master Chen, you are indeed remarkable. A second-grade Upper Immortal, able to break through the encirclement of six ninth-grade elders and even break through the blockade of thirty guards. Such strength and will are unparalleled in my life.”
He paused, his tone turning cold:
“But this ends here.”
He raised his hand and struck down with a palm.
This palm strike was a full-force attack from a True Immortal.
Before the palm wind even arrived, Kai already felt the earth-shattering pressure.
His blood surged, his bones creaked, as if he would be crushed into mincemeat in the next second.
But he still did not fall.
He raised his head, looking at the approaching palm, his eyes filled with defiance.
Was he going to die?
No.
How could he, Kai, die here?
He still had so much to do.
He still needed to find Lin Xi, still needed to find his companions, still needed…
“Stop!”
A delicate shout rang out, and a figure rushed over, blocking Kai’s path.
Chen Wanqing.
Chen Tiangang stopped his hand at the last moment, but the force of his palm sent Chen Wanqing flying, crashing heavily to the ground.
“Wanqing!” Chen Tiangang cried out in shock and rage, “Are you insane?!”
Chen Wanqing scrambled to her feet, blood trickling from her mouth, but she stood firmly in front of Kai.
“Father, you can’t kill him!”
Chen Tiangang’s face was ashen. “Get out of my way!”
“I won’t!”
Chen Wanqing shook her head, tears streaming down her face. “Father, you lied to me, you used me, I accept it all. But you can’t kill him! He’s innocent!”
“Innocent?”
Chen Tiangang sneered. “He’s wanted by the Temple, and you call that innocent?”
“That’s between him and the Temple!”
Chen Wanqing shouted. “It has nothing to do with our Chen family! He helped us, and we want to kill him? That’s repaying kindness with enmity!”
Chen Tiangang took a deep breath, suppressing his anger: “Wanqing, I’ll say it one last time, get out of the way.”
Chen Wanqing shook her head, took out a short sword from her sleeve, and held it to her neck.
“Father, if you take another step forward, I’ll die in front of you.”
Chen Tiangang’s pupils contracted.
The six elders were also stunned.
“Wanqing!” Chen Tiangang said urgently, “What are you doing? Put the sword down!”
Tears streamed down Chen Wanqing’s face, but she gripped the short sword tightly. The blade had already cut her skin, and blood flowed down her neck.
“Father, from childhood to adulthood, I’ve always listened to you. You wanted me to cultivate, so I cultivated. You wanted me to hold a martial arts contest to choose a husband, so I did. You wanted me to deceive Kai, and I did.”
Her voice trembled. “But this time, please let him go. This is my…last time begging you.”
Chen Tiangang looked at her, a complex expression flashing in his eyes.
Anger, heartache, and a trace of… helplessness.
He remained silent for a long time before finally speaking slowly:
“Put down the sword, and I’ll let him go.”
Chen Wanqing was stunned: “Really?”
Chen Tiangang nodded: “I, Chen Tiangang, keep my word.”
Chen Wanqing hesitated for a moment, then slowly put down the short sword.
Just then, Chen Tiangang suddenly moved.
He pointed a finger, and a burst of energy struck Chen Wanqing’s wrist.
The short sword flew out of her hand, and Chen Wanqing cried out in surprise, but he grabbed her and pulled her behind him.
“Take him down!” Chen Tiangang said coldly.
The six elders surrounded them again.
Kai watched this scene and suddenly laughed.
That laugh was full of mockery.
“Patriarch Chen, you truly keep your word.”
Chen Tiangang’s expression remained unchanged. “All’s fair in war. Young Master Chen, accept your fate.”
Kai didn’t speak, only looking at Chen Wanqing.
Chen Wanqing was restrained by Chen Tiangang, unable to move, and could only watch helplessly as tears streamed down her face.
“Young Master Chen… I’m sorry…”
Kai shook his head. “Miss Chen, there’s no need to apologize. This isn’t your fault.”
He took a deep breath and suddenly roared to the sky.
“Roar…”
A dragon’s roar erupted from his mouth.
The power of that dragon’s roar was several times stronger than during the previous test!
Golden light burst forth from his body, condensing into a phantom of a five-clawed golden dragon behind him.
The phantom roared to the sky, its dragon might sweeping across all directions.
The six elders were stunned by this sudden dragon might.
Kai seized this moment and fully activated the power of his bloodline.
His aura surged wildly at this moment.
“Break!”
He roared, and the collar around his neck cracked open with a “crack.”
This sudden breakthrough allowed him to break free from the collar’s partial suppression!
Chen Tiangang’s expression changed: “Not good! Stop him!”
But it was too late.
Kai’s figure flashed, transforming into a golden light, and he fled into the distance.
He escaped.
Covered in wounds and filled with boundless rage, he fled.
Chen Tiangang wanted to pursue him, but was blocked by the phantom of the five-clawed golden dragon.
The phantom only existed for three breaths before vanishing without a trace.
But three breaths were enough.
By the time Chen Tiangang broke through the phantom, Kai had already disappeared into the mountains and forests.