Chapter 58: A Strategy for Response

Is it not simply because the Dragon Clan has grown weak? Though Yi An appears to be an ordinary man, such is merely what meets the eye; in truth, none among them truly understood the other, relying only on subjective judgments.

“I believe our eldest brother makes sense. From what we know, that fellow arrived at the Eastern Sea just two days ago, and the ancestral land underwent its transformation on that very day. The coincidence is far too striking. Think carefully: the premature opening of the ancestral land, the emergence of the Ancestral Dragon’s legacy—each of these events is intimately connected to that man. If we insist these are all mere coincidences, I would sooner believe that the upheaval in the ancestral land was triggered precisely by his arrival, setting off this entire chain of events,” Ao Shun said in agreement.

Ao Guang nodded, “That must be the case. If my suspicions are correct, the early opening of the ancestral land was caused by the appearance of the Ancestral Dragon’s legacy. Though this will certainly deplete some of the land’s essence, compared to the gains, the loss is well worth it.”

The portion of lost essence could recover with time, but the Ancestral Dragon’s legacy was an opportunity that, once missed, would never return.

“In truth, the process matters little, so long as the outcome is what we desire,” Ao Qin remarked.

The Dragon Kings of the Three Seas each voiced their opinions, soon untangling the matter. As for the Western Sea Dragon King, Ao Run, he remained largely silent throughout. The issue regarding Ao Shen left him dispirited; Ao Shen was the son he treasured most, groomed as heir to the Western Sea. Yet now, owing to his physical condition, Ao Shen missed the chance to enter the ancestral land and would have to wait another century.

Though a hundred years may seem brief, in that time, those young dragons who had awakened their bloodlines early would, even if their initial talents fell short of Ao Shen’s, have more than enough time to close the gap.

And what of Ao Shen?

Over the next hundred years, he would stagnate, while those with awakened bloodlines would soar in power. Ao Shen’s original advantage would vanish in an instant.

This blow struck Ao Run hard, yet the matter of the Ancestral Dragon’s legacy was far more pressing, so he kept his grief hidden deep within.

The Four Dragon Kings did not leave the entrance to the ancestral land, but chose instead to wait. In years past, when the ancestral land opened, they would appear only on the first and last days, never lingering. But ever since the Ancestral Dragon’s legacy appeared, the Four Dragon Kings found themselves sleepless and distracted, unable to care for anything else, content only to keep vigil here.

Several days passed, each seeming unbearably long—at least, so it felt to the Four Dragon Kings. At first, they took the opportunity to reminisce, but soon found there was nothing left to say, and so they closed their eyes and meditated.

Though at their current cultivation it was difficult to break through by relying on brief periods of meditation, there was no denying that cultivation was the best way to pass the time.

…

Meanwhile, guided by the artifact spirit, Yi An swiftly made his way toward the Azure Lotus Banner. Though the Dragon Clan’s ancestral land was but a small world, its expanse was anything but limited; vast would be a better word. Yi An estimated it rivaled a provincial domain in the mortal realm.

Thus, even with the artifact spirit’s guidance, finding the trail of the Azure Lotus Banner was no easy task. Yi An hardly slept for two days and nights before finally arriving at the foot of a hill.

According to the sensation transmitted by the artifact spirit, this was the place.

“Indeed, the resting place of a spiritual treasure is extraordinary,” Yi An thought. From the hilltop, he saw all evil forced back—the baleful energy that shrouded the ancestral land was utterly barred from this spot. Below the hill, peace reigned, starkly at odds with the surrounding gloom.

Yi An leapt down, and the Azure Lotus Banner, as if drawn by the artifact spirit, shot forth a brilliant golden light and came before him.

A sense of kinship blossomed between Yi An and the banner, as if it were part of his very being. Such was the wonder of the bond—once a spiritual treasure recognized its master, their fates became intertwined.

Unless the master perished, or willingly released the soul imprint, a spiritual treasure could never betray its master. In this respect, it was far more reliable than any person. Many wear two faces, and one can never truly know another’s heart, but a spiritual treasure would obey its master’s will without reservation.

Should the master fall, the treasure could then seek a new owner. Yi An was the perfect example—chosen by the Azure Lotus Banner itself. Even he did not know why, but now that he possessed such a treasure, he finally had some means to protect himself in this perilous world.

“Ao Guang, I’m sorry, but your schemes have come to nothing,” Yi An’s eyes sharpened. Ao Guang had always harbored ill intent. Though he spoke kindly and promised Yi An many benefits, those were nothing but empty words. The greedy might be lured, but anyone cautious would sense his machinations.

In Ao Guang’s eyes, Yi An was nothing but meat on the chopping block, ready for slaughter, without even the chance to resist.

With Yi An trapped in the Dragon Clan’s domain, escape was impossible—even the faintest hope would be a luxury. The ancestral land had only a single entrance; if Yi An managed to escape, the Four Dragon Kings would be better off banging their heads against a wall.

Ao Guang’s plan was, in theory, flawless.

But his mistake was running into Yi An, which ruined everything.

Though the ancestral land had only one entrance, it posed no obstacle for Yi An. Long before entering, he had devised a foolproof plan to ensure the Dragon Clan would have no recourse. After all, even Ao Guang himself believed he guarded the only way out. If they waited in vain for Yi An, what would Ao Guang think?

He would simply assume Yi An had met his end within the ancestral land.

Ao Guang would never imagine that within this realm he knew so well, another “exit” existed. This exit was unusual: as everyone knew, the ancestral land was an independent space, attached to the main world. To leave, one had to use the proper entrance, but there was another way—by breaking through the barrier of space itself.