Chapter 434: The Conference Begins

Time flows.

One month later.

The various branches of the Spirit Clan gathered in the Tianlong Star Domain, and the True Dragon Conference is about to commence.

Within the Heavenly Dome, a massive dragon thrashes.

The strong ones of the Dragon race are also gradually appearing.

Though the True Dragon Conference has not yet begun, a thick smell of gunpowder already pervades heaven and earth, needle tip against wheat awn, destined to be a bloody clash.

The reclusive Ye Xue finally emerged from seclusion.

"How was the harvest?"

From the change in Ye Xue's aura, Lin Chuan could sense a stark difference.

He could even read something from her expression.

The usually ice‑cold and proud Ye Xue found her mouth corners unable to be fully restrained at this moment.

This shows how much the Deity Cocoon helped Ye Xue.

"Thank you, Lin Chuan."

Ye Xue approached Lin Chuan, solemnly clasped her fists, bowed and thanked, "The Deity Cocoon's boost gave me a far stronger improvement than I imagined."

"It may benefit the entire Spirit Clan."

"I owe you a favor, Master."

Even though Ye Xue appears cold and proud on the surface, she can still discern priorities.

This gratitude is truly immense.

It's not that a few times she helped Lin Chuan can offset it; this is a genuine transformation, both for him and for the Spirit Clan alike.

"As long as there's gain, that's enough."

Lin Chuan teased, "Remember what you said today; whatever you encounter later, just don't give me a cold shoulder."

Ye Xue was startled.

"What does that mean?"

How could she possibly give Lin Chuan a cold look?

She truly thanks Lin Chuan, for giving her this tremendous opportunity.

"I won't."

Ye Xue said, "This favor, truly speaking, is comparable to a rebirth."

Moreover, she has no standing to lose her temper at Lin Chuan, let alone give him a cold look.

She was cold before because her nature is inherently cold.

And Lin Chuan's approach to her seemed inexplicably odd, as if he were some malicious evil cultivator, which earned her that attitude.

Now, of course, that won't happen.

"Ahem."

Lin Chuan cleared his throat twice, "How about this: we make a pact—no matter what you encounter later, you must not get angry, and you have to listen to me once, okay?"

Ye Xue: "???"

She was even more puzzled.

This guy, what scheme is he pulling?

It's like he set a trap waiting for her to fall into.

Yet Ye Xue racked her brain and still couldn't fathom what Lin Chuan was after.

Is he after her body?

There's no such reason.

After all, on Lin Chuan's ship there is such a woman of extraordinary temperament; with Lin Chuan's status and position, he is not short of beautiful women vying for his affection.

After thinking, Ye Xue nodded and agreed.

"Alright."

"As long as you don't do anything that opposes this world, I will unconditionally stand by you."

This is Ye Xue's promise.

"Fine."

Lin Chuan's smile was broad, "Shall we record a segment with the Retaining Image Stone?"

Ye Xue's head was full of question marks.

Retaining Image Stone?

Should I be so embarrassed? Could I possibly renege?

However, they aren't that familiar; compared to using a Heavenly Dao Oath, the Retaining Image Stone, a method with no binding force, is already sufficient.

"Alright."

Ye Xue gritted her teeth and agreed.

Lin Chuan's heart leapt with joy; he hadn't expected Ye Xue to truly agree.

This is the advantage of "not being familiar."

Saying that, he took out a Retaining Image Stone and handed it to Ye Xue, who took it, returned to the secret chamber, and used the stone to record a vow.

In essence, as long as Lin Chuan does not commit overly harmful deeds, she will unconditionally stand on Lin Chuan's side.

No anger, no grudges.

He retrieved the Retaining Image Stone, his heart delighted, treating it as a rare treasure; he stacked several Space Rings on it and treasured them.

Ye Xue, watching from the side, grew increasingly bewildered.

Before this, whatever Lin Chuan did, he always appeared calm and indifferent, as if a worldly‑detached sage despite his young age.

When I gave her the Divine Cocoon, I was never this cautious.

Why is a Retaining Image Stone treated like a priceless treasure?

I don't understand.

I completely don't understand!

The True Dragon Tournament is about to begin; we should head out as well.

Ye Xue is confident, rubbing her fists and cracking her knuckles, absolutely sure she will take first place in the True Dragon Tournament.

"Let's go."

The two of them left the room together and went up onto the airship deck.

Just as they stepped onto the deck, Lin Chuan felt two unfriendly gazes; on another airship, Mo Sangyu and Tu Shan Jiao Jiao were staring straight at them.

Ye Xue's mouth curved into a smile, "Looks like your beloved has been waiting impatiently."

"If it gets any later, they'll probably target my sect."

"They're all friends," Lin Chuan smiled.

"Friends?" Ye Xue snorted, "Do you think I'd believe that?"

"When there's time, I'll introduce you; the more friends, the more paths."

Both said their own things.

Further out in the Heavenly Dome, two terrifying auras faced off.

This is the supreme power of the Spirit Clan confronting the supreme power of the Dragon Clan in a duel of techniques; although the True Dragon Tournament is opened for the younger generation,

the grudges of the older generation have not settled either.

Rumble—

As the two terrifying auras collided, a grand arena rose from the ground.

The arena, entirely forged from dark obsidian stone, exuded an ancient and mysterious aura.

At the four corners of the arena stood four massive stone pillars reaching skyward, each wrapped with lifelike golden True Dragons.

The True Dragons bared fangs and claws, their scales flashing dazzling light as if they could break free from the pillars at any moment and soar. Their eyes, like brilliant gems, gazed majestically in all directions, guarding this sacred arena.

"The True Dragon Arena has appeared!"

Countless exclamations rose, one after another.

The Spirit Clan and Dragon Clan's competing teams each took a side, standing far apart in standoff.

The rules of the True Dragon Tournament are simple and brutal.

Whoever defeats the most opponents on the arena wins the name of the True Dragon; the top three can enter the Dragon Clan's Ancestral Land's True Dragon Treasure Vault.

Any young member of the two clans may participate.

"This True Dragon Arena is interesting; it should be a treasure comparable to an Immortal artifact," Lin Chuan instantly sensed its profundity.

"Yes."

Ye Xue nodded, "The True Dragon Arena is formed from the three original inheritance treasures of the Dragon Clan; it is also one of the Dragon Clan's greatest foundations."

Without such foundation, the Dragon Clan would have been wiped out long ago.

The Dragon Clan's survival to this day is not only thanks to the Ancestor's glory, but also to having seized the advantages of the world's opening and gathered countless profound treasures.

Bang!

During the exchange, a streak of light shot from the Dragon Clan's arena and landed on the True Dragon Arena.

"For this True Dragon Tournament, I, Ao Yuan, will open it."

A fire‑red giant dragon circled above the arena, "I, Ao Yuan, today will open the eyes of the Spirit Clan's mixed Blood Seeds."

"I will let you know, a mongrel is just a mongrel."

"You will forever only be able to look up at the True Dragon!"

"…"

Lin Chuan fell silent, "What the—, there's even a pre‑match trash‑talk segment?"

Nevertheless, the red dragon's strength was indeed impressive for the younger generation, yet it still fell short compared to Ye Xue.

On the arena, Ao Yuan kept shouting.

"I heard the Spirit Clan has a strong little girl named Ye Xue; does she dare come up and fight me?"