As for the five-clawed golden dragon from the East Sea Dragon Palace, whose essence blood was taken by Lin Yun, it was trembling with rage but helpless, as no fighting was allowed within the Hidden Dragon Abyss.
The Great Elder of the East Sea Dragon Palace was already seated in the Hidden Dragon Tower. Upon witnessing this scene, his face was equally grim.
“Great Elder, this fellow isn’t just insulting me, he’s insulting our East Sea Dragon Palace!” the five-clawed golden dragon complained to its elder.
“This human brat, I’ll make him pay a heavy price!” the Great Elder of the East Sea Dragon Palace said with a chilling gaze.
After speaking, the Great Elder closed his eyes.
The five-clawed golden dragon, whose essence blood was taken by Lin Yun, could only grit its teeth in secret, seething with frustration.
Not long after, the refinement process concluded smoothly.
“Not bad,” Lin Yun said with a smile, nodding.
Under the effect of the three drops of essence blood, Lin Yun could feel his body strengthen slightly, and the dragon aura within him grew stronger than before.
However, these three drops didn’t lead to a dramatic breakthrough.
This was mainly because Lin Yun’s physical realm was already too advanced. With his Chaos Body at perfection, he was at a bottleneck; the next step was the Origin Body, which was difficult to reach.
This was a significant bottleneck, one that three drops of dragon essence blood couldn’t overcome.
The same resource yields different results depending on one’s strength. If Lin Yun were still at the Myriad Forms or Heavenly Hao Body stage, the effect of these three drops would have been astounding.
Of course, if he had a vial of such dragon essence blood, Lin Yun believed he could break through this physical bottleneck and reach the Origin Body.
After refining the three drops, Lin Yun began to study the *Dragon Claw Technique*.
The *Dragon Claw Technique* had seven levels, which seemed few, but even the first level was extremely difficult for most human cultivators, with a very high entry threshold.
Lin Yun first observed and contemplated, then began practising the first level.
With the foundation of the Myriad Realms, his experience with the *Heaven-Shaking Hand*, and his powerful physique, the first level was mastered smoothly.
After succeeding with the first level, Lin Yun quickly moved on to the second.
The second level was also mastered with ease.
Next came the third.
…
During Lin Yun’s cultivation, time continued to pass.
“Brat, the second floor of the Hidden Dragon Tower is about to open,” Little Green Dragon’s voice roused Lin Yun from his practice.
Lin Yun looked up, and sure enough, the light barrier began to fade.
At that moment, the teams from the four dragon palaces were alert, preparing to head to the second floor.
Moments later, the light barrier vanished completely, and the passage to the second floor opened.
“Let’s go to the second floor!”
The teams from the four dragon palaces rushed towards it.
“Let’s go too.”
After Little Green Dragon spoke, it led the group straight to the second floor, with Lin Yun quickly following.
After passing through the top passage, they arrived smoothly at the second floor.
Lin Yun surveyed the area; the second floor was still vast.
At the centre was an enormous arena, likely the Heavenly Dragon Platform.
At the far end of the second floor was a pool, not large, but its water was golden, like liquid gold. That must be the Dragon Pool.
After reaching the second floor, the teams from the four dragon palaces gathered before the Heavenly Dragon Platform, each taking a position: the West Sea Dragon Palace on the west side, the East Sea Dragon Palace on the east, and the South Sea and North Sea Dragon Palaces on the south and north, respectively.
The Great Elder of the East Sea Dragon Palace stepped forward and said, “I’m sure everyone knows the rules, but I’ll repeat them. One person takes the stage as the defender, accepting challenges. If defeated, they leave the stage, and the victor becomes the new defender, continuing to accept challenges.”
“The one who remains on the stage until no challengers remain wins the championship and earns the right to bathe in the Dragon Pool. Those who have previously won cannot compete.”
The members of the four dragon palaces nodded; most were familiar with these rules.
“Who will be the first defender? Anyone willing, step up!” said the Great Elder leading the North Sea Dragon Palace.
At Lin Yun and Little Green Dragon’s position.
“Dragon King, why not take the stage? Among all eligible contestants, no one should be your match,” said the Second Elder of the West Sea Dragon Palace.
“No rush, let’s watch first,” Little Green Dragon replied calmly.
After a brief silence.
“Your Majesty, let me try first,” said a five-clawed golden dragon behind Little Green Dragon.
Even if it had no confidence in winning the championship, it wanted to test itself on the stage.
“Alright, be careful,” Little Green Dragon cautioned.
“Yes!”
The five-clawed golden dragon responded and rushed onto the stage.
“A mere five-clawed golden dragon dares to be the defender? You’re not qualified!”
With a booming voice, a six-clawed dragon from the South Sea Dragon Palace charged onto the stage, clearly issuing a challenge.
The difference of one claw revealed a significant gap.
But it wasn’t a guaranteed loss, as bloodline and other factors could influence the outcome.
“Do you step down yourself, or shall I make you?” the six-clawed dragon from the South Sea Dragon Palace sneered at the five-clawed golden dragon.
“Since I’m here, I’ll give it a try,” the five-clawed golden dragon replied.
“In that case, I’ll have to force you off!”
As the words fell, the six-clawed true dragon from the South Sea Dragon Palace expanded to a hundred-metre giant and attacked the five-clawed golden dragon.
The battle on the stage erupted, with both sides clashing fiercely, the fight intense.
Lin Yun’s gaze was fixed on the stage.
A five-clawed golden dragon was considered formidable among the dragon clan.
But in this contest for the Dragon Pool slot, only the strongest dared to step up. With the four dragon palaces combined, it was a gathering of countless geniuses and powerhouses.
In such a high-level competition, a five-clawed dragon’s strength seemed insufficient.
After a fierce battle, the five-clawed golden dragon was ultimately defeated and knocked off the stage.
The victorious six-clawed true dragon from the South Sea Dragon Palace became the new defender, standing on the stage to face further challenges.
“Who dares to challenge me!” the six-clawed true dragon roared, exuding arrogance.
“I will!”
With a resounding voice, a six-clawed true dragon from the North Sea Dragon Palace rushed onto the stage, issuing a challenge.
