Unlike the pure suppression of power from Yserazor and Cantia, in Imira’s eyes, this Dragon Race youth actually awakened a fear originating from the deepest part of her bloodline.
She shrank her neck back slightly and answered in a small voice, “I… I don’t know much. When the Dragon Nest’s protection mechanism was triggered just now, I happened to be teleported to Lady Cantia’s side, but she… she attacked me directly.”
“You asked about Brother Ikana’s whereabouts before, didn’t you? I only know that he has been in charge of guarding the hatching grounds for the past few months. According to the standard procedure, he needs to stay inside the Dragon Nest for a full year before he can come out.”
Listening to Imira’s explanation, Starlight silently exchanged a look with Lian. They tacitly chose not to mention the fact that Ikana had already been transformed into a monster.
“This makes many things clear. It seems the one who caused the tragedy between the two races is indeed this Frost-Glow Dragon King. But what exactly is her motive? And what about Yuta’s side?”
Starlight calculated in his heart. Reaching this point, he felt he was very close to the truth.
However, there was one thing he still didn’t understand. If Yuta chose the path of betrayal because of his lifespan, why did Cantia choose to go this far?
From the battle just now, he could clearly see that the life force within the Frost-Glow Dragon King was still very abundant. She didn’t look like someone whose time was running out at all.
“Tch… This is all useless talk. Hasn’t anything strange happened lately?” Little Gold clicked his tongue impatiently and continued to press for answers.
“Strange things recently…? Yes!” Imira’s eyes trembled slightly, and she immediately said, “Two or three months ago, Lord Seranox flew into a terrible rage once. It took Lord Salenzo and Lady Cantia working together to barely calm his anger.”
“Oh, I know about that. Anything else?” Little Gold nodded, then suddenly thought of something and asked, “Do you know where Seranox… I mean, where the Gold Flame Dragon King is now?”
Imira shook her head blankly, indicating she didn’t know.
But to his surprise, You, who was standing nearby, took up the conversation. “Those two old guys left the Dragon Nest late last night. Wu Hua and I only found an opportunity to sneak in because we noticed their departure.”
“Both Dragon Kings have left? That means… this situation is the perfect opportunity for Cantia to achieve her goal!?” Lian also realized the gravity of the situation.
At that moment, Starlight suddenly realized something. Ignoring the filth beneath his feet, he stepped toward the edge of the blood pool.
With a heavy stomp of his right foot, extreme frost power instantly froze the viscous plasma into dark red ice. Immediately after, several wind blades whistled out, slicing the ice into countless fragments, while a gale swept the bloody ice crystals to either side.
When the last layer of blood scabs was cleared, the contents buried beneath the blood were fully revealed to everyone.
It was those familiar ancient scripts again… a similar sacrificial magic formation… but this time, the scale was incomparable to what they had seen back in the Violet City-State.
He could clearly perceive that the flesh and blood energy provided by these victims alone had already far exceeded what was used for Taros’s resurrection.
What was most bone-chilling was that, based on the magic formula of this formation, this wasn't even the primary node located at the center.
“To use this much flesh and blood…” Starlight felt his throat go terrifyingly dry as he spoke each word slowly. “What on earth is she trying to resurrect!?”
“Starlight, can you destroy this damned formation? We absolutely cannot let Cantia’s plan succeed!” Little Gold’s eyes were bloodshot as he cried out.
Starlight knelt down and lightly traced the edge of the formation with his fingertip. The dark red runes immediately writhed like a startled nest of snakes, emitting a nauseating scent of blood.
He slowly shook his head, his voice heavy as lead. “It’s too late… The energy transmission for this formation was already completed before we arrived.”
He pointed to the rune carvings in the center of the formation that had already begun to dry up. “Do you see these patterns? Destroying it now would be like smashing an empty wine glass. It won’t do anything.”
“This…” Little Gold froze, and then his whole body went limp like a deflated ball. “Is there really no way left?”
“Well, there is a way, sigh…” You sighed softly and released a strand of silver energy toward the core of the formation.
The light began to flow slowly along the paths of the runes. After completing a full circuit, it rose into the air, eventually projecting a blurred image in the sky.
In the image, countless blood-colored threads were surging toward a certain location deep within the Dragon Nest, like a hundred rivers returning to the sea. Although the picture was hazy, it pointed out a general direction for them.
“See? That is the location of the energy convergence point. Without overusing my power, this is all I can see. As for whether to go or not, that depends on all of you.”
You’s gaze slowly swept across the group, finally landing on Starlight.
From a rational perspective, their goal for the Night Elves had already been successfully achieved. There was actually no need to venture further into danger.
Even if they hadn't found El and Liu Ye yet, given their skills, as long as they didn't actively seek danger, it wouldn't be difficult for them to withdraw safely.
But for Starlight, it was different. He still hadn't contacted several of his teammates, and the matter also concerned the survival of Little Gold’s race. As a friend, he couldn't just stand by and watch.
“Let’s go.” Starlight pressed down firmly on Little Gold’s shoulder, feeling the tension in the youth’s muscles. “It seems we have no choice but to go to that hellhole.”
“Yeah…”
Little Gold nodded silently, his eyes swirling with complex emotions.
He subconsciously touched the Dragon Ancestor's Legacy Scale on his chest. The golden scale was currently emitting an unusually warm light, as if it were also comforting him.
“I want to go with you too!” Lian grabbed Starlight’s arm and spoke firmly.
Hearing Lian’s request, Starlight frowned slightly but didn't answer. Instead, he turned to look at You.
To Starlight’s surprise, he had expected You to reject Lian’s request outright. However, You only looked at him calmly, showing no intention of speaking up to stop her.
Since You didn't object, Wu Hua naturally had no disagreements. She simply shrugged, twirled her dagger, and returned it to her waist.
As for Imira, she stood there in a daze, mechanically stroking the scales on her arm, seemingly unable to accept that the Dragon King she served was the mastermind behind all these tragedies.
Just as the group intended to leave this foul space, the corpses suspended high in the air began to writhe eerily, the chains making a piercing sound of metal grinding.
A crimson light gradually appeared in their eyes, and their withered lips began to open and close mechanically, making a bone-chilling clicking sound.
“Not good!” Starlight’s expression changed drastically. “These corpses are being transformed into undead!”
He raised his hand without hesitation, a flash of pity appearing in his eyes as he spoke softly, “Forgive me… I cannot let you continue to be desecrated.”
In an instant, crimson fire elements condensed at Starlight’s fingertips, turning into a ring of scorching ripples that expanded outward.
“Ring of Burning Flames!”
With Starlight’s low whisper, a wave of intense heat swept through the entire space. The corpses about to be resurrected writhed violently in the high temperature, quickly carbonizing into black ash.
Accompanied by a series of piercing cracking sounds, the corpses finally transformed into pure specks of light, slowly rising into the air like fireflies on a summer night.
Lian suddenly stepped forward, her hands clasped in prayer. She began to softly recite the lyrics she had once chanted during her mourning journey.
Watching the figures gradually disappear in the firelight, for a brief moment, Starlight seemed to see translucent phantoms nodding slightly in their direction.
Little Gold looked up at the sky full of light specks, his eyes filled with sorrow. He placed his right hand over his chest and murmured something in a low Dragon Tongue.
Rate on N.U.
