After all, for a human to come to the Hidden Dragon Abyss was highly unusual.
The dragon clan was proud and had always looked down on humans, a fact even the Dragon Emperor was aware of.
Even when the Dragon Emperor ruled the dragon clan, this mindset was deeply ingrained in its members. Back then, when the Dragon Emperor decided to aid the human race, he faced significant opposition within the clan, including from his own sons, who objected to helping humans.
So, for a human like Lin Yun to appear here was quite surprising to the Dragon Emperor.
“Dragon Emperor, it’s a long story, but I’ll keep it brief. I am close friends with the West Sea Dragon King, and with his help, I was able to come to the dragon clan and become an honorary elder of the West Sea Dragon Palace,” Lin Yun explained.
He then elaborated on how he met and befriended Little Green Dragon.
He also briefly mentioned the current state of the dragon clan, divided into four major dragon palaces.
After hearing Lin Yun’s account, the Dragon Emperor sighed, “After my death, the dragon clan has indeed fractured.”
Before passing, the Dragon Emperor had chosen to leave the clan’s treasure, the Divine Dragon Pearl, in the Hidden Dragon Abyss, sealed in this area, precisely to prevent internal conflict over it after his death.
Yet, the dragon clan had still split into four factions.
The Dragon Emperor then dispelled the surrounding barrier and looked at Little Green Dragon in the distance. “That must be the West Sea Dragon King you spoke of. Your bond is clear to me, and he bears some resemblance to my younger self.”
“May I ask if the Dragon Emperor would consider granting the Divine Dragon Pearl to Little Green Dragon?” Lin Yun couldn’t help but ask.
Though he knew it was abrupt, he wanted to seize the chance.
Hearing this, the East Sea Dragon King grew restless.
He immediately stepped forward to the Dragon Emperor.
“Honoured Dragon Emperor, I am the current Dragon King of the East Sea Dragon Palace. I am not only a nine-clawed dragon but also possess a first-grade bloodline, making me the strongest in the entire dragon clan today. In terms of strength and seniority, I am the most qualified to receive the Divine Dragon Pearl from you,” the East Sea Dragon King said, bowing.
The Great Elders of the South Sea and North Sea Dragon Palaces also stepped forward.
“Our North Sea Dragon King is also a nine-clawed dragon. Please consider granting the Divine Dragon Pearl to us,” said the North Sea Great Elder.
“Our South Sea Dragon King is also a nine-clawed dragon. Please consider our South Sea Dragon Palace as well,” said the South Sea Great Elder.
The two elders were eager to compete.
“You… how dare you!” The East Sea Dragon King’s gaze narrowed, glaring venomously at the two elders, clearly displeased with their attempt to vie for the pearl.
But the two elders didn’t care. As long as they could obtain the Divine Dragon Pearl, offending the East Sea Dragon Palace was worth it.
“Silence!”
A sharp rebuke, carrying immense authority, rang out like a thunderclap.
“When I unified the dragon clan, why did you allow infighting and division!”
The Dragon Emperor’s voice carried a trace of anger.
“This…”
Faced with the Dragon Emperor’s commanding rebuke, the members of the four dragon palaces trembled, and the scene fell silent once more.
Though this was only a remnant consciousness of the Dragon Emperor, his lingering authority was still formidable!
The South Sea Great Elder spoke weakly, “Your Majesty, the division of the dragon clan into four palaces was not our doing. This was the state of affairs when we were born, a result of our predecessors’ actions.”
The Dragon Emperor knew, of course, that it must have been his sons’ doing. After so many years, blaming the current dragon clan members would be pointless.
“To obtain the Divine Dragon Pearl and other opportunities I’ve left behind, enter the hall behind and face the trial. Only those with second-grade or first-grade bloodlines may attempt it,” the Dragon Emperor declared.
The dragon clan members with second-grade or first-grade bloodlines lit up with excitement.
This was an immense opportunity for them.
Even Ao Tiancheng was thrilled. As a second-grade bloodline, he was eligible to enter. Even if he didn’t believe he could win the Divine Dragon Pearl, any other gains would be satisfying!
The Dragon Emperor continued, “Those not yet present may be summoned. You have three months.”
“Yes!”
The Great Elders of the South Sea and North Sea Dragon Palaces immediately sent signals to their respective Dragon Kings.
This relic was clearly meant for true dragons, so Lin Yun had no chance.
As for the Divine Dragon Pearl, Lin Yun suspected it was meant for true dragons and likely unusable by him.
Of course, he hoped Little Green Dragon could gain something, perhaps even secure the Divine Dragon Pearl and the opportunity it offered.
“In addition to the bloodline requirement, I have one more condition. Whoever passes my trial and obtains the Divine Dragon Pearl and my inheritance will lead the entire dragon clan. The dragon clan must be reunited. Furthermore, the inheritor will receive one command from me,” the Dragon Emperor stated.
This caused another uproar among those present.
“Lastly, do not entertain any foolish ideas. This area, including the hall, is filled with arrays. Those who act recklessly will face the consequences!” the Dragon Emperor warned coldly.
If the dragon clan were still unified, the Dragon Emperor wouldn’t have worried.
But with the four dragon palaces each harbouring their own agendas, his authority, though formidable, had limits, necessitating this warning.
The arrays here, built by the Human Emperor for the Dragon Emperor, were undoubtedly powerful.
“We heed the Dragon Emperor’s teachings!” all the dragon clan members responded.
The Dragon Emperor then approached the East Sea Dragon King directly.
“East Sea Dragon King, take note: I protect this human. If you dare harm him, you defy me,” the Dragon Emperor warned coldly.
This warning stunned the East Sea Dragon King, filling him with shock and confusion.
Why would the mighty Dragon Emperor publicly declare protection for a human boy?
It was too strange.
Moreover, Lin Yun and the Dragon Emperor had never lived in the same era, so there could be no connection between them!
Why, then, would the Dragon Emperor protect Lin Yun?
Did this human have some extraordinary, hidden quality?
The East Sea Dragon King felt a chill in his heart.
“I understand,” the East Sea Dragon King replied.
“Not just the East Sea Dragon King, but all dragon clan members present: none of you may harm this human. I solemnly warn you, killing him will bring consequences beyond your imagination, consequences you cannot bear, and it could even bring catastrophe to the entire dragon clan,” the Dragon Emperor declared.
