Chapter 351: The Glory of the Dragon Clan

Ao Li and Lín Jìn, after repelling the ghost soldiers, continue to explore the mysterious ancient city. Ao Li's inner sense of duty burns like a raging fire, growing hotter. She knows deeply that what they are doing now is far more than simply clearing Ao Zhan's wrongful accusations; it is to defend the Dragon Clan's supreme glory.

The Dragon Clan, throughout the long river of universal history, has been like a brilliant, dazzling star, shining with splendor and pride. In bygone days the Dragon Clan roamed the cosmos, wielding unmatched power and noble, sanctified character, resolutely shouldering the duty of safeguarding universal peace and order. Then the Dragon Clan was a symbol of strength and justice, evoking admiration and loyalty from countless races.

Yet the world is fickle; now this sudden conspiracy hangs over the Dragon Clan like a dense, relentless gloom. Ao Zhan has been baselessly smeared as a "murderous master traitor," and the Dragon Clan's reputation has plummeted. As a descendant of the Dragon Clan, Ao Li cannot simply stand by. The Clan's glory is her supreme belief, a treasure she vows to defend unto death.

"Lín Jìn, the responsibility we shoulder is as heavy as Mount Tai. The Dragon Clan's glory now rests entirely on us; if we cannot uncover the truth and thwart the Dark Abyss Society's scheme, the Dragon Clan will forever sink into this endless shadow." Ao Li's voice was firm and weighty, each word seeming to bear the Dragon Clan's millennia of rise and fall, drawing upon all her strength.

Lín Jìn gripped Ao Li's hand tightly, his gaze blazing with unwavering resolve: "Ao Li, you are not fighting alone. I will steadfastly stand by your side and share this burden. The Dragon Clan's glory is equally precious to me; I am ready to give everything for it, without reservation."

Ao Li stared at Lín Jìn, a warm current rising in her heart like spring sunshine, dispelling the lingering gloom deep within. With Lín Jìn at her side she felt immensely reassured, her courage swelling. Yet worry clung like a maggot in a joint, hard to shake. "Lín Jìn, sometimes I feel fear—afraid our strength is not enough to meet this, afraid we cannot halt the Dark Abyss Society's malice in time. Tell me, can we truly succeed?"

Lín Jìn gently pulled Ao Li into his arms, his tone soft yet utterly resolute: "Ao Li, reflecting on the path we've walked, every trial has been met with hardship yet repeatedly turned to safety. We possess great power, an unshakable belief, and, most importantly, we support one another. I am convinced we will succeed."

Ao Li gave a slight nod, slowly extricating herself from Lín Jìn's embrace, inhaled deeply, and her eyes reignited with steadfast brilliance, like a radiant star: "You're right, Lín Jìn. We shall not retreat, nor will we ever consider it. For the Dragon Clan's glory, even if the road ahead is a bottomless abyss, a mountain of knives and a sea of fire, I will press forward without hesitation."

The two pressed on, and the ancient city's atmosphere grew ever more eerie and mysterious. The surrounding structures resembled aged elders, silently recounting ancient tales, while the wall carvings seemed to cryptically hint at hidden secrets. Suddenly, a deep, resonant roar echoed from ahead, its tone brimming with fury and intimidation, as if it could shatter the entire city.

"It seems another challenge awaits," Lín Jìn said, his eyes showing no hint of fear, only a soaring fighting spirit, like a warrior about to charge into battle.

Ao Li gripped her long sword tightly, the Inheritance Power roiling within her like a raging torrent. "Whatever lies ahead cannot halt our advance."

Yet deep within, Ao Li could not suppress a ripple of worry. She did not know what awaited them, nor whether they could locate the key fragment. Still, she was crystal clear that for the Dragon Clan's glory, for its once radiant history, she could not afford any retreat.

As they drew nearer to the source of the roar, a massive figure came into view. It was a qilin‑shaped colossal beast, its body sheathed in ice‑blue scales, each scale flashing a chilling brilliance like countless razor blades. Its eyes burned like icy flame, radiating a cold, overwhelming aura that seemed capable of freezing everything in existence.

Gazing at the beast, Ao Li was filled with countless emotions. Throughout the Dragon Clan's history, innumerable mighty divine beasts had fought side by side with the Clan to guard the universe. Yet now, because of this conspiracy, the Clan finds itself in peril. She believes that as long as they persist, they can restore the Clan's former glory.

"This beast appears immensely powerful; we must proceed with caution," Ao Li said, her nerves evident yet she forced herself to remain composed, her mind racing as she contemplated a strategy.

Lín Jìn nodded, his gaze fixed on the beast as he began to scrutinize its every movement, seeking a flaw. "Ao Li, we should first study its attack patterns, locate a weakness, and then launch our assault."

The beast seemed to sense their presence, unleashing a thunderous roar that crashed like a mountain‑range wave, then took massive strides as if it were a moving iceberg, charging toward them. Will Ao Li and Lín Jìn manage to defeat this formidable beast and continue their quest? What clues about the key fragment will they uncover within the ancient city? All remains shrouded in uncertainty and suspense…