Chapter 1223: Ancestor Dragon Mountain, Sacred Dragon Envoys
Ao Xinyan naturally had deep feelings for Zhang Ruochen.
The two had entered the Sword Dao Department of the Eastern Region Holy Academy together, hailed as the number one and number two sword prodigies. Ao Xinyan, unwilling to accept this, had challenged Zhang Ruochen but was defeated. Their emotional entanglement began from that point.
They had gone through trials together in the Wood Essence Ruins Realm, experiencing life-and-death crises more than once. In the Wood Essence Ruins Realm, Ao Xinyan was severely injured, and Zhang Ruochen used the Dragon Pearl to heal her. At that time, the two had an extremely intimate encounter.
Perhaps Zhang Ruochen only regarded her as a fairly good friend, but Ao Xinyan had long developed feelings for him, seeing him as an idol and holding deep admiration in her heart.
In Ao Xinyan's heart, Zhang Ruochen was handsome and dashing, open and honest, meticulous in thought, with unparalleled talent that no one could match. He was sharp and relentless toward his enemies but gentle and easygoing with his friends, possessing a generous nature, willing to share any precious cultivation treasure with everyone.
After meeting Zhang Ruochen, Ao Xinyan could no longer look upon any other proud son of heaven.
Ao Xinyan knew Zhang Ruochen had a fiancée and that their relationship was excellent. Therefore, after parting ways at the Liangyi Sect, she never contacted Zhang Ruochen again.
Yet she had always followed news of him, never forgetting that first kiss or the moments she had shared with Zhang Ruochen. Whenever she thought of them, the corners of her mouth would always curl into a beautiful arc.
Even if they couldn't be together, she could still think of him.
When she heard that Zhang Ruochen had died under the thunder tribulation, Ao Xinyan felt as if struck by a thunderbolt from a clear sky, unable to accept this fact.
How could the clan leader, so outstanding, fail to survive a life-and-death tribulation?
Ao Yi said, "With Zhang Ruochen's constitution, finding a quiet place to undergo the life-and-death tribulation would not have been difficult. However, he was too arrogant, wanting to face the tribulation while fighting off powerful enemies from the Undying Blood Clan. He was indeed remarkable, brave beyond measure, driving back several saints of the Undying Blood Clan, but he couldn't withstand the final tribulation thunder and ultimately turned to ashes."
Ao Xinyan still found it hard to believe. She quickly walked to Ao Yi's side and took the Message Light Talisman.
After reading the contents of the talisman, Ao Xinyan was stunned for a moment, then a bitter, wry smile appeared on her face. Her five fingers crushed the Message Light Talisman into powder.
"Zhang Ruochen was never an arrogant person. He must have been in a situation with no support, forced to summon the tribulation thunder to fight against the Undying Blood Clan's powerful enemies."
Ao Xinyan could imagine that in Taiyin Ancient City, Zhang Ruochen had received no help from anyone, relying only on himself to fight, to struggle, trying to carve out a bloody path.
How she wished she had been there in Taiyin Ancient City at that time. Even if she couldn't help Zhang Ruochen, at least he wouldn't have been so alone, at least he would have known that someone was still willing to stand up and fight alongside him without hesitation.
"Whoosh."
On the floor of the hall, circles of Saint Qi appeared.
A soldier clad in dragon-scale armor emerged from underground, kneeling on one knee at the center of the hall, and reported in a vigorous voice, "Reporting to the clan leader, two Sacred Dragon Envoys from Ancestor Dragon Mountain are visiting the Half-Dragon Human Clan and have arrived at the Divine Dream Marsh."
"The Half-Dragon Human Clan has long severed ties with Ancestor Dragon Mountain. What do they mean by sending Sacred Dragon Envoys to Divine Dream Marsh?"
Ao Yi frowned, feeling that the arrival of the Sacred Dragon Envoys boded no good.
Could it be that the great turmoil in the Barbarian Secret Realm had already spread to the border regions?
Not long ago, a Primordial Beings had cultivated to the Great Saint realm, becoming a supreme beast emperor, seeking to unify the myriad races of the barbarian lands.
Recently, the various races in the Barbarian Secret Realm had been slaughtering each other, with rivers, lakes, mountains, and great peaks all stained red with blood.
The Half-Dragon Human Clan, located between the Eastern Region and the barbarian lands, on the edge of the barbarian territory, had no desire to get involved in the great upheaval.
The arrival of the Sacred Dragon Envoys from Ancestor Dragon Mountain at such a sensitive time naturally stirred unease in Ao Yi's heart.
If the Yin-Yang Sea was the sacred land of the Divine Dragon Clan, then Ancestor Dragon Mountain was the origin of the entire Dragon Clan, the supreme and holy place for all dragon races.
Even across the entire Barbarian Secret Realm, Ancestor Dragon Mountain was a place that all barbarian beast races revered, much like the status of the "Three Paths" among human cultivators.
Although the Half-Dragon Human Clan had some dragon bloodline, even if they had now submitted to the First Central Empire and integrated with humanity, they still dared not offend Ancestor Dragon Mountain too much.
"Invite them in. Let's see what Ancestor Dragon Mountain wants."
Ao Yi's eyes sharpened as he straightened his body. Thirty-six golden dragon shadows emerged around him.
A powerful Sacred Might surged out from the hall, extending hundreds of miles outward.
The Sacred Dragon Envoys of Ancestor Dragon Mountain were two winged dragons with Saint realm cultivation, named Ye Hong Sacred Dragon Envoy and Ye Yun Sacred Dragon Envoy.
Ye Hong Sacred Dragon Envoy looked ahead, seeing the thick dragon qi rising from the hall, and said, "Ao Yi's cultivation is higher than I expected. He deliberately released his Sacred Might, probably trying to intimidate us."
"No matter how strong Ao Yi's cultivation is, what can he do? Would he dare to oppose Ancestor Dragon Mountain?" Ye Yun Sacred Dragon Envoy sneered disdainfully.
The two Sacred Dragon Envoys also released their Sacred Might and dragon qi.
Black light radiated from their bodies, plunging the entire world into darkness, so deep that one couldn't see their own hand.
"Roar!"
"Roar!"
Two dragon roars echoed outward.
The clansmen of the Half-Dragon Human Clan all felt terrified, looking up at the sky.
They saw two dragon shadows, larger than mountains, flying past, blurry and indistinct, yet they could feel their terrifying auras, like ancient primordial beasts.
Arriving above the Divine Dragon Hall, the two Sacred Dragon Envoys shrank their bodies, transforming into two tall men, descending to the ground.
They wore black scale armor, with wings on their backs, and entered the Divine Dragon Hall.
The Divine Dragon Hall also fell into darkness, only dispelled by the golden dragon qi emanating from Ao Yi, allowing everyone to see the faces of Ye Hong Sacred Dragon Envoy and Ye Yun Sacred Dragon Envoy.
Ye Hong Sacred Dragon Envoy stood tall, with an air of arrogance, and said, "This envoy has come to the Half-Dragon Human Clan to convey the will of Ancestor Dragon Mountain. We hope that Clan Leader Ao Yi will immediately organize a Fish-Dragon realm army to cooperate with Ancestor Dragon Mountain in conquering the Eastern Barbarian Territory. When the Bi Emperor unifies the myriad races, the Half-Dragon Human Clan will not be without its share of benefits."
Ao Xinyan's father, Ao Jing, had a straightforward temper. Hearing the Sacred Dragon Envoy issue such a commanding order to the Half-Dragon Human Clan, he was naturally displeased.
Ao Jing snorted coldly, "Why should the Half-Dragon Human Clan obey Ancestor Dragon Mountain's orders? When the Half-Dragon Human Clan was nearly wiped out, where was Ancestor Dragon Mountain? If the Human Clan Empress hadn't sent troops to suppress the powerful enemies, would the Half-Dragon Human Clan still exist today?"
Ye Hong Sacred Dragon Envoy's gaze turned cold as he glared at Ao Jing. "Who do you think you are, daring to question Ancestor Dragon Mountain?"
Ye Hong Sacred Dragon Envoy formed hand seals and struck Ao Jing's chest with a palm, sending him flying backward. With a bang, he crashed into a golden dragon pillar.
Ao Jing had already stepped into the Saint realm, considered a top-tier expert, but against Ye Hong Sacred Dragon Envoy's attack, he was utterly defenseless.
Ye Hong Sacred Dragon Envoy's attack carried a hidden force, shattering half the bones in Ao Jing's body. He fell to the ground, unable to stand.
Ao Yi, seated above, had initially wanted to stop Ao Jing to avoid offending Ancestor Dragon Mountain.
But he hadn't expected the Sacred Dragon Envoy of Ancestor Dragon Mountain to be so domineering, daring to severely wound the young clan leader of the Half-Dragon Human Clan on their own territory.
Ye Hong Sacred Dragon Envoy naturally wanted to kill the chicken to scare the monkeys, using this opportunity to establish authority.
He stared at Ao Jing lying on the ground and sneered, "Your physical body is quite strong. To survive one of this envoy's strikes is impressive."
Ye Yun Sacred Dragon Envoy's voice was icy. "Questioning Ancestor Dragon Mountain leads only to death."
With that, Ye Yun Sacred Dragon Envoy drew a two-zhang-long black dragon spine from his brow, aiming it at Ao Jing on the ground, intending to kill him and intimidate the entire Half-Dragon Human Clan, teaching them to obediently follow Ancestor Dragon Mountain's commands.
Compared to Ao Jing, Ao Yi was much calmer, speaking only coldly, "He is my eldest son and the young clan leader of the Half-Dragon Human Clan."
Hearing this, Ye Yun Sacred Dragon Envoy halted the dragon spine mid-thrust.
Although he wanted to establish authority, he had to know his limits.
Killing the young clan leader of the Half-Dragon Human Clan would not establish authority but would stir up a hornet's nest. Even if they were Sacred Dragon Envoys of Ancestor Dragon Mountain, they might not leave Divine Dream Marsh alive.
Ye Yun Sacred Dragon Envoy's eyes narrowed, but he still thrust the dragon spine forward.
"Pfft."
However, this strike did not pierce Ao Jing's brow but instead stabbed through his chest.
Ao Jing was severely wounded but did not die.
"Ancestor Dragon Mountain is too tyrannical. Are you trying to force the Half-Dragon Human Clan to completely break away from the Dragon Clan?"
Ao Xinyan, seeing her father pinned to the ground, set aside her grief. Her beautiful starry eyes blazed with fury as she rushed forward.
She grabbed the black dragon spine, unleashing immense power, and pulled it out.
"Dare to touch this envoy's dragon spine? Are you seeking death?"
Ye Yun Sacred Dragon Envoy's eyes narrowed. His five fingers formed a claw, releasing five sharp energy streams aimed at Ao Xinyan's head.
Having failed to establish authority earlier, he saw Ao Xinyan charging forward and naturally didn't want to miss this opportunity.
"She is the eldest princess of the Half-Dragon Human Clan. Do you intend to kill her too?"
Ao Yi's voice grew even colder. He slammed his palm on the table, already on the verge of rage.
"She is the eldest princess of the Half-Dragon Human Clan?"
Ye Yun Sacred Dragon Envoy's hard-won killing intent vanished in an instant, and he withdrew his attacking claw.
He stepped back, carefully examining Ao Xinyan standing before him. His eyes brightened slightly. Indeed, a peerless beauty capable of toppling kingdoms.
Ye Yun Sacred Dragon Envoy's attitude changed. The cold aura around him completely dissipated, replaced by a smile. "I've heard that Princess Yan has refined the Divine Dragon Bone and is about to cultivate a true dragon constitution. Seeing you today is truly impressive. Your Highness already possesses the divine charm of a true dragon."
Ao Xinyan helped Ao Jing up from the ground and let out a cold snort, showing clear dissatisfaction with the two Sacred Dragon Envoys.
Ye Yun Sacred Dragon Envoy was not angered and continued, "In a few days, the Devouring Demon Dragon Prince will visit Divine Dream Marsh. He hopes to meet with Your Highness alone to study the true essence of the true dragon constitution."
(Chapter End)