Chapter 368: Chapter 367 Purple Light Flood Dragon_1
The colossal shadow appeared before the Bronze Gate, blocking Ling Chen and Xu Ruoyan’s path.
The shadow was ninety feet high, resembling a small hill. In the darkness, a pair of vast, ghostly blue eyes first came into view, followed by dragon whiskers and dragon horns. Finally, Ling Chen could see it clearly.
It was a flood dragon.
Ling Chen drew in a sharp breath of cold air, standing frozen to the spot, not daring to move.
The scales of this flood dragon were predominantly purple. It was likely a variety of flood dragon, the Purple Light Flood Dragon.
Furthermore, the flood dragon was a member of the Dragon Clan.
Unlike the Yin Dragon Ling Chen had previously encountered in the Yin Beast Valley, this flood dragon was a bona fide member of the Dragon Clan. Its power was incomparable to that of the Yin Dragon.
Ling Chen dared not even breathe, not because he didn’t want to move, but because he was rendered immobile by the overwhelming Dragon’s Majesty.
As soon as the Purple Light Flood Dragon appeared, it merely glanced at Ling Chen and Xu Ruoyan, then drew close, stopping mere inches away from Ling Chen.
It’s over.
Ling Chen’s heart sank. He hadn’t expected such a mighty Purple Light Flood Dragon to be guarding the Human Emperor’s Underground Palace. The strength of this Purple Light Flood Dragon had likely reached the pinnacle of the Sky Apex Realm.
In its presence, Ling Chen couldn’t muster a single thought of resistance.
Even if he joined forces with Xu Ruoyan, they couldn’t possibly escape from such a formidable Exotic Beast.
"It seems we’re going to die together today."
Xu Ruoyan was also utterly disheartened. She gave Ling Chen a grim smile and closed her eyes.
However, contrary to their expectations, after sniffing at Ling Chen and Xu Ruoyan, the Purple Light Flood Dragon surprisingly didn’t attack them. Instead, it coiled its body and returned to its original position, burrowing back into the collapsed hole from which it had emerged.
Seeing the flood dragon leave, Ling Chen and Xu Ruoyan were both astonished, feeling as if they had survived a great disaster.
"Did it... spare us?" Xu Ruoyan asked, finding it hard to believe.
"Exotic Beasts of the flood dragon’s caliber are exceptionally intelligent. If it chose to spare us, there must be a profound reason," Ling Chen mused. "This could even be an intention left by the Human Emperor."
"The Human Emperor’s intention?" Xu Ruoyan furrowed her delicate brows, somewhat skeptical. "The Human Emperor shattered the Void and departed thousands of years ago. How could any intention of his remain?"
"Even if it did, this Purple Light Flood Dragon wouldn’t necessarily still be bound by it."
Thousands of years had passed, and the world had undergone immense transformations. Everything had completely changed. Who would still adhere to matters from millennia ago?
"Not necessarily," Ling Chen shook his head. "Exotic Beasts are different from humans. They have long lifespans and are extremely loyal. Even after thousands of years, this loyalty might not waver."
"So, by that logic, humans are inferior to Exotic Beasts."
Xu Ruoyan seemed lost in thought. Human relationships are often fleeting, lasting a few years at best. Even in marriage, the risk of betrayal always looms. Yet, the loyalty of Exotic Beasts to humans can be so incredibly steadfast.
"Yes, some people are indeed inferior to Exotic Beasts."
Thinking of his parents, Ling Chen couldn’t help but sigh.
"I’m sorry, I reminded you of painful memories," Xu Ruoyan said apologetically, noticing Ling Chen’s change in demeanor.
"It’s alright. Let’s go in."
Without dwelling on it, Ling Chen walked to the Bronze Gate and pushed it open.
The Bronze Gate emitted a piercing screech as Ling Chen easily pushed it open.
Behind the Bronze Gate lay what appeared to be an endlessly long passage. As far as the eye could see, there was only impenetrable darkness; even Mental Power couldn’t perceive more than ten meters ahead.
The moment the door opened, a strong gust of frigid wind blew out from within.
A bone-chilling coldness swept over them.
At that moment, Ling Chen’s hand was suddenly grasped by a smooth, jade-like hand—soft and warm, dispelling much of the chill in his heart.
"Let’s go," Xu Ruoyan’s gentle voice came from his side.
Nodding slightly, the two of them stepped through the Bronze Gate.
「...」
「A quarter of an hour later.」
A dozen figures appeared outside the Palace.
Among them was indeed Xia Yunxin.
With her were all top Experts of the Demon Way. Sikong Yi, Liu Xiling, the Black and White Holy Envoy, the Demon Elder, and other Demonic Cult Leaders were all present.
"The gate to the Underground Palace has been opened! Someone actually got here before us!"
Upon seeing the already opened Bronze Gate, the joyful expression on the Demon Elder’s face instantly vanished.
"Strange. The surroundings of this Underground Palace are so complex. How could anyone have gotten here faster than us?"
Xia Yunxin frowned. She had arrived earlier than anyone else and had explored the area for a long time before finally discovering the entrance. She hadn’t expected someone to beat her to it.
"Forget it. They’re already inside. We can’t exactly drag them out and kill them," Sikong Yi said, waving his hand. He then walked towards the gate. "Let’s get inside before more people arrive."
"That’s our only option. Hopefully, those who got here before us are just a few nobodies. That way, we can easily eliminate them and claim the treasure for ourselves."
The Demon Elder cracked a chilling smile and followed.
However, just as the two of them moved towards the Bronze Gate, a purple light suddenly shot out from the collapsed hole near the gate.
A thick, luminous tail whipped out with the speed of lightning, striking Sikong Yi and the Demon Elder and sending them flying!
"What?"
This sudden development shocked everyone from the Demon Way. What kind of strength did Sikong Yi and the Demon Elder possess? Both were powerful Experts at the Sky Apex Realm, yet they had been sent flying by this unexpected whip of light.
As the purple light dissipated, the Purple Light Flood Dragon emerged.
"It’s actually the Purple Light Flood Dragon!" Sikong Yi and the Demon Elder exclaimed, their faces etched with shock.
"With a Purple Light Flood Dragon guarding the Human Emperor’s Underground Palace, how can anyone get in!"
The Black and White Holy Envoy, the Heartbroken Elder, and other Demonic Cult Leaders also looked grim.
"No, that’s not right!" A glimmer of understanding flashed in Liu Xiling’s beautiful eyes as she mused, "If that were the case, how did the people before us get in? No Sect possesses the strength to overcome this Purple Light Flood Dragon. There must be something we don’t know."
"Mere speculation is useless! Let’s all attack and keep this beast occupied! The rest of you, seize the opportunity to enter the Palace!" Sikong Yi commanded in a deep voice.
"Demon Dragon Heavenly Dance!"
He struck first. With a palm strike, an immense surge of black True Qi coalesced into a colossal True Qi Demon Dragon, which danced wildly forward.
The other Demonic Cult Leaders also unleashed their attacks, their formidable offensive powers manifesting in various forms as they blasted out.
The Purple Light Flood Dragon, its enormous eyes filled with endless coldness, opened its maw. A concentrated ball of intense purple light formed and collided with the onslaught of the Demonic Cult Leaders.
The two opposing forces shattered almost simultaneously. The terrifying shockwave caused the entire Palace to shake continuously.
"Now’s our chance!"
Xia Yunxin, Chu Tiange, and other younger-generation members of the Demon Way, along with several Elders from the Saint Witch Religion, darted out one after another, rushing towards the Bronze Gate.
Unexpectedly, the Purple Light Flood Dragon merely glanced sideways at Xia Yunxin and the others but did not impede them, allowing them to enter the Palace.