Little Green Dragon absorbed those Qiankun Pills, which were actually assimilated by its body to strengthen it, reaching a new level.
“By the way, how many resources would you need to reach Nine Claws?” Lin Yun asked curiously.
“Probably an enormous amount, around a million or more,” Little Green Dragon replied.
From Seven Claws to Eight Claws, Little Green Dragon had consumed over 300,000 Qiankun Crystals, nearing 400,000.
The higher the level, the greater the difficulty and resource cost.
“What? Over a million?”
Though Lin Yun had expected a large figure, he was still shocked by the number.
Lin Yun couldn’t help but marvel at how much more dragons required compared to humans.
Even if Nine Claws was the dragon clan’s current pinnacle (no one had reached Ten Claws), the cost to reach it was staggering.
In the Heavenly God Palace, a thousand Haoyue Crystals was considered a decent income, and ten thousand was a fortune for ordinary Eternal Realm cultivators.
Over a million? Unthinkable!
Even with the Qiankun Supreme Cauldron, producing over a million Qiankun Crystals would require melting an astronomical amount of resources.
The previously harvested Ziyao Sea Essence could be refined into about 200,000 Qiankun Crystals, a substantial haul, but it paled in comparison to this demand.
“The cost is terrifying, but reaching Nine Claws is inherently difficult. Dragons with bloodlines below second-grade have almost no chance, and even second-grade bloodlines face immense challenges. First-grade bloodlines make it easier, but it still takes an incredibly long time,” Little Green Dragon explained.
A dragon’s bloodline determined its potential.
Little Green Dragon continued, “Kid, now that I’ve reached Eight Claws, I’ll head to the Dragon Emperor’s trial.”
“Good luck getting the Divine Dragon Pearl and the Dragon Emperor’s inheritance,” Lin Yun said with a smile.
“I’ll do my best, but the odds aren’t easy. The East Sea Dragon King probably has a better chance,” Little Green Dragon sighed.
Lin Yun rolled his eyes. “Little Green Dragon, aren’t you usually confident? Why so timid now? Why can’t you compete with the East Sea Dragon King? Even if his strength surpasses yours, you’re younger, and youth is an asset.”
Lin Yun continued, “Besides, the Dragon Emperor didn’t choose the strongest to inherit directly but set up a trial. That means strength is only one factor, not everything. With your Eight Claws and first-grade bloodline, you’re not lacking.”
Lin Yun didn’t know the exact criteria for the Dragon Emperor’s trial, but he was certain strength was only part of it, with other qualities required.
“Alright, you’ve got me fired up. Honestly, aside from the East Sea Dragon King, I think I’ve got the best shot,” Little Green Dragon said with a grin.
With its first-grade bloodline, unmatched except by the East Sea Dragon King, and now at Eight Claws, its strength was formidable.
“That’s the spirit,” Lin Yun nodded, smiling.
“Kid, take these to convert.”
Little Green Dragon handed over all the Ziyao Sea Essence it had mined, entrusting Lin Yun to transform it into Qiankun Crystals.
“Leave it to me,” Lin Yun said, accepting the resources.
“By the way, kid, what’s your special identity? Even the Dragon Emperor spoke so highly of you, issuing a warning to the entire dragon clan,” Little Green Dragon asked, brimming with curiosity.
It thought it knew Lin Yun well, but this puzzled it.
“You really want to know?” Lin Yun gave a mysterious smile.
“Of course! Stop teasing me!” Little Green Dragon glared, itching with curiosity.
“Fine, I’ll tell you.”
Lin Yun glanced around mysteriously, then used his inner energy to shield the surrounding space.
“Actually, there’s no special identity. The Dragon Emperor just created a smokescreen to protect me, fooling the dragon palaces,” Lin Yun said with a smile.
“Damn, that’s it?”
Little Green Dragon felt its intelligence had been rubbed in the dirt. Even with their close bond, it had been duped by the Dragon Emperor’s words.
“Isn’t that perfect? If even you believed it, how could the rest of the dragon clan doubt it?” Lin Yun said, laughing.
“True. The Dragon Emperor really went all out for you. But why would he lie so grandly for you? What kind of clout do you have? He’s been dead for ages, so you couldn’t have any connection,” Little Green Dragon wondered.
The dragon clan trusted the Dragon Emperor’s words because they couldn’t imagine him lying for an ordinary human.
“Because I became the Human Emperor’s named disciple, and the Dragon Emperor was close to the Human Emperor,” Lin Yun explained.
Little Green Dragon finally understood.
“Now that you’ve reached Eight Claws, go take the Dragon Emperor’s trial,” Lin Yun urged.
“Alright, kid, I’m off. Wait for my good news!”
With that, Little Green Dragon dashed out of the cave.
Lin Yun looked at its departing figure.
“Little Green Dragon, you’ve got to succeed!” Lin Yun’s eyes were filled with hope.
Lin Yun knew that if the East Sea Dragon King claimed the inheritance and Divine Dragon Pearl, the East Sea Dragon Palace would unify the dragon clan.
But if Little Green Dragon succeeded, it could soar to new heights, with a chance to reach Ten Claws in the future.
Beyond worrying about Little Green Dragon failing, Lin Yun had another concern.
Even if Little Green Dragon secured the Divine Dragon Art, what if other dragon palaces tried to seize the Divine Dragon Pearl?
Though the Dragon Emperor had declared that whoever gained the inheritance and pearl would lead the dragon clan, he was long dead. Once his lingering consciousness faded, would the other palaces comply? Lin Yun wasn’t optimistic.
For a treasure like the Divine Dragon Pearl, it wasn’t impossible for other palaces to act recklessly.
Lin Yun harboured this hidden worry.
