Chapter 352: The Arrival of Yin Yin

Seeing the protective barrier flickering repeatedly under attack, Outekelasi dared not delay; it pushed its dual claws forward, and the spirit-vein bridge tower beneath the phantom image shone brilliantly, beginning to squeeze the power from the underground spirit veins with all its might to supply the user.

"Creak, creak!"

Following the Slann's efforts, the crumbling barrier solidified once more. The beam of light spat out by Yin Yin was forced back slightly, but it still pressed against it, emitting a heart-chilling grinding sound.

"Well done, well done!"

"That long dragon needs to put in some effort!"

"I bet three days' worth of beer rations that the Slann will win!"

The confrontation erupting between the two legendary, powerful creatures—the Slann Mage-Priest and the Eastern Dragon—sparked a heated discussion among the Dwarfs. For most ordinary clansmen, it was hard to see either of them in a lifetime, let alone see them fighting each other!

Because they were naturally incompatible with the Winds of Magic, they could only watch the excitement based on the sheer momentum. But Sinuoli, being an outlier, was different; he sensed that the spirit-vein energy within a radius of several dozen miles had already been drained dry by Outekelasi.

"You borrow external power to resist me, yet there is an end to it!"

The attack failed to produce immediate results, but Yin Yin in the clouds was not anxious; she maintained the energy output unhurriedly. She seemed to have a certain understanding of the Slann's fighting style.

"Break for this Palace!"

A moment later, the spirit-vein energy mobilized by Outekelasi began to fall short of demand. The Mist Dragon seized this opportunity and exerted force suddenly; the beam of light spat from her mouth grew a circle thicker and finally pierced through the pale yellow barrier.

"Whoosh, whoosh!"

The gale, now without obstruction, rushed toward them again; Sinuoli reached out to cover his face so he could continue observing. He saw that the beam of light, after piercing the barrier, showed no sign of slowing down, and then it slammed into the giant toad phantom.

"Pfft!"

The Dharma-image phantom, lacking replenishment of energy, was merely a hollow shell; after being struck, it disintegrated into specks of light.

Although they could not see exactly what condition Outekelasi was in, hearing the sharp, chaotic cries of the Skinks and the heavy, dense footsteps of the Saurus warriors, the Dwarfs naturally understood that the Slann had suffered a loss in this confrontation.

"Dock!"

Yin Yin stopped while she was ahead and did not pursue; she hovered for a few more breaths, and seeing that no one at the Bone Temple was blocking her anymore, she issued the order. This Dragon Lady did not fly to the shore directly in her Dragon form but transformed into her human body and landed back on her flagship.

"Brothers, fall in! Show them the spirit of us Sons of the Mountains!"

Sinuoli roused his clansmen, who were still intoxicated by the brief but intense confrontation just now. The gale had already ceased, and the Dwarfs moved to form two phalanxes at the pier.

"Creak, creak!"

Upon approaching the port, the Zhendan navy changed formation, letting the treasure ship lead the way. Although the port of the Bone Temple had undergone an expansion over these years, it still struggled to withstand the squeezing and collision of this giant ship.

"Clatter!"

A wide gangway was laid onto the pier, and a group of elite warriors wearing golden uniforms and holding halberds and shields strode down. These fellows were known as the Celestial Dragon Guard, the personal troops guarding the Dragon-born.

After two squads of Dragon Guards poured down, four Cathayans appeared on the gangway. These were clearly close ministers by Yin Yin's side; the Jade Blood Clan lady-in-waiting Wan'er took a few steps forward to Sinuoli's side to prepare for introductions.

The first two wore feathered crowns decorated with bird plumes and were draped in plain robes; Sinuoli could feel the Wind of Azyr—the Wind of Heaven, the one most favored by the Haotian Longdi among the Eight Winds of Magic—flowing through them.

"Master Sheng and Hu Daozhang are the most trusted Astromancers within the Clan Princess's Zhantiantai. Both of them possess the ability to summon wind and rain; the Dragon fleet's long voyage cannot do without them."

As soon as she finished speaking, a man and a woman appeared behind the two Astromancers; their rich dark aura was similar to Wan'er's, and it was clear they were also close attendants of the Jade Blood Clan.

"Xubo is a highly respected senior, and Jiuniang is the head of the ladies-in-waiting. Since they have come out, the Clan Princess must be right behind them!" Wan'er whispered, her expression solemn.

"Her Highness Yin Yin, Fuzhou Clan Princess, Governor of Weidong Province, and Admiral of the Dragon Fleet, has arrived!" The two Jade Blood Clan members began to chant loudly halfway down.

"Long live, long live, ten thousand years to the Clan Princess/Admiral!"

Once the announcement was made, the Cathayans lining up to welcome her on the Southlands side, whether military or merchant, knelt down in unison and shouted "ten thousand years." This scene startled the Dwarfs; such etiquette was not very popular throughout the Old World.

"Rise, my subjects!"

The Dwarfs held their breath and stared at the end of the gangway, seeing a beauty walking down gracefully. In appearance, one could say her cloud-like hair was piled high, her slender eyebrows were arched, her red lips were bright, her white teeth were fresh, her bright eyes were captivating, and her dimples were charming.

To Sinuoli, Yin Yin looked like a southern woman who had stepped out from the white walls and black tiles of a Jiangnan water town; her temperament was gentle and elegant, without too much pressure. It required some imagination to connect her with the true Dragon that had just driven thunder and lightning to defeat Outekelasi.

"Your subject Wan'er, leading the entire Southlands merchant fleet, respectfully welcomes the Clan Princess's arrival!" The Jade Blood Clan chamberlain stood up to report but remained bowing with her head lowered.

"You all have rendered great service, and this Palace shall have rewards!"

Yin Yin looked at her subjects and revealed a faint smile; this touch of charm made Sinuoli's heart skip a beat.

"King Sinuoli of the Southlands and his ministers are all here waiting for your arrival!" Wan'er, of course, knew that Sinuoli was waiting on the side and should not be busy claiming credit or asking for rewards, so she moved cleanly and efficiently to the next step.

"Mm, I have long heard that as a King, you govern with clarity, and as a General, your courage is unmatched; to meet you today is my good fortune!"

Yin Yin replied to her subordinates but did not stop her feet; she walked lightly and reached the front of the Dwarfs' welcoming line in a few steps.

"Ah, I have also long admired your great name, Clan Princess! The divine might of the true Dragon is indeed well-deserved!"

Sinuoli licked his lips and came back to his senses; he had originally planned to arrange for naval cannons and shore batteries to fire in salute simultaneously, and for this, he had specially pulled a few more sets of artillery from Gaoyuanbao.

But he had been so mesmerized by the epic confrontation that he forgot to give the order, although he suspected that even if he had, it would have been difficult to execute it in unison.

"Clan Princess, you have traveled far, and the journey must have been exhausting. I have prepared a banquet to welcome you; please, please!" Sinuoli turned to lead the way, and his subordinates crowded around Yin Yin's guard and entourage as they walked into the city.

With the great development of trade over these years, the Bone Temple had partitioned a large plot of land in the outer city district as a commercial area. Besides the gathering places for goods and shops, there was, of course, no shortage of good places for leisure and entertainment, and the most famous den of debauchery among them was the Shenlong Kezhan.

Here, as long as one had gold, one could buy the Dwarfs' best wine, delicacies cooked by Halfling chefs using rare ingredients from Zhendan and the Great Jungle, and even enjoy the services of High Elf beauties.