The dragons froze in place, with Bai Long shaking, âSay what? The Sovereigns are still alive? That means humans arenât finished yet!â
âI canât claim all ten are around, but thereâs still enough of them.â Zhuo Fan snickered.
Their faces twitched with Bai Long sighing, âJust who was it that spread the word the ten Sovereigns and the sacred beasts fell? Arenât they still alive, here and now? You also mention that the other three sacred beasts are trapped? Our ancestorâŚâ
âYes, heâs trapped in a place called the mortal domain.â
Zhuo Fan spoke gravely, âYou can tell that we have dragon souls. To form it, dragon power is needed. Thereâs no way for humans to steal it when youâre guarding it with vehemence. With Dragon Ancestor in the mortal domain, only by gathering earth dragon souls to draw out the dragon power will it work. Since heâs your primogenitor, drawing dragon power shouldnât be hard.â
The others nodded, âI see. So you all came from the mortal domain? Is Dragon Ancestor alright? How do we save him?â
âPeople, he is very much safe.â
Zhuo Fan appeased, âHe canât go out just yet and sent us ahead to Sacred Domain.â
âYes, he canât break the mortal domainâs barrier, but itâs quite easy to break his cell. He wonât do it, because of one manâŚâ
âThe creator of mortal domain, the Heavenly Sovereign!â Zhuo Fanâs eyes shone.
Bai Long cried out, âThe top Sovereign? He made the mortal domain?â
âIt was meant as a prison, to confine the sacred beasts. The Heavenly Sovereign hasnât done anything to them all these years, making his situation unknown. Thatâs why Dragon Ancestor had us go ahead and scout the place for his trail. If the Heavenly Sovereign is weakened, itâll be the best chance to strike. Also, weâve made preparations in the Sacred Domain, to help all of them escape the mortal domain.â
âThen youâre Dragon Ancestorâs envoy, here to help them!â Bai Long was excited,
Zhuo Fan nodded without shame, âYes, this is sirâs intent. To wait or strike true. Thatâs why Iâm saying weâre on the same side. Dragon Ancestor relies on us in the mortal domain and relies on you in the Sacred Domain. Will you help us?â
âOf course! Anything for Dragon Ancestor!â Bai Long roared, the others joining him in standing tall.
It was his lifeâs greatest honor to lay his life for Dragon Ancestor.
[They might look like humans, but theyâre as simple as spiritual beasts where it counts. Dragon Ancestor has no trouble getting out and coming to Sacred Domain, but this bro of mine has mislead them.]
[He stands for the humans in the end anyhow, not wanting for the sacred beasts to reign once more.]
If it turned out that the Heavenly Sovereign was their common enemy, they would return. It all came down to Dragon Ancestorâs words, if they could be trusted.
Zhuo Fan offered a hand with a smile, âDo we team up?â
âWeâre all doing this for Dragon Ancestor. That makes us family!â
Bai Long shook Zhuo Fanâs hand hard, âWe will do our all to go with your plan to save Dragon Ancestor. How may I call you?â
âLuo clanâs steward, Zhuo Fan!â
âDragon clanâs elder, Bai Long!â Bai Long grinned and patted his chest, âYou have an impressive body for a human. How did you train?â
âAt Dragon Ancestorâs favor, he offered me a scale and reforged my body in the golden flames.â
âNo wonder, ha-ha-haâŚâ Bai Long believed him more. With Dragon Ancestor coming, it was a reason to celebrate.
After pleasantries, Zhuo Fan pointed at his people, âOur investigation is to thwart the Heavenly Sovereign, but first weâll need more strength. I ask Elder Bai to take these three to the Dragon Lands and teach them. They will act as representatives of our cooperation, and to also gather more men. They are two sacred beasts and Dragon Ancestorâs disciple. They have great authority among the sacred beasts.â
âOf course, Qilin is the head of beasts, Thunder Phoenix and Kunpeng oversee the north and south birds. Sea Ao rules the seas and Dragon Ancestor created his race. Most of all the spiritual beasts came from them, and they were once a force to be reckoned with in the Sacred Domain.â
Bai Long sighed, âEver since the five sacred beasts fell, us dragons were the only one still putting up a fight against humans, with the birds and beasts scattering. This time is different. With the two of them calling them, attacking the Seven Sacred Mountains will be nothing, ha-ha-haâŚâ
Zhuo Fan nodded with a smile, âGreat, but letâs be subtle about it and not let them catch wind of this. The Dragon Lands are vital in the Sacred Domain, with many eyes on them. Thatâs why we didnât come knocking the moment we got here, attracting the enemyâs attention. We thus thought of drawing you out to talk. The sacred weapon from a dragon scale comes from senior Kunpeng. He mustâve forged it from a deceased dragon. I ask for your forgiveness.â
âItâs fine. Weâre not petty to mind trifles. Itâs all for Dragon Ancestor!â The dragons didnât mind it.
âItâs unknown when Qilin and Thunder Phoenix will mature, but a war is knocking and we need all the sacred beasts. Is there a way for them to grow faster among spiritual beasts?â
Bai Long hesitated, âWe are the only spiritual beasts able to take human form, and that is because of our precious land, Dragonizing Pool! In the ancient past, when humans and spiritual beasts were at peace, Dragon Ancestor and the Shadow Sovereign made it. It contains the essence of Dragon Ancestor and the core of Shadow Sovereignâs path. We are able to find human reflections in its waters, using its power to turn human. Our own strength is greatly improved as well.
âSacred beasts can turn human by themselves, but if they can go through the Dragonizing Pool, taking in Dragon Ancestorâs power, it will deepen their form. The Shadow Sovereignâs path is truly intricate, not only dividing people into flesh and soul, but shadows as well. By bringing out the power of their shadow, they can maximize their potential. Dragonizing Pool is a true masterpiece of cooperation between a Sovereign and sacred beast!â
Zhuo Fan nodded and rejoiced inside, âGreat! Ye Lin, you guys got your wish, receiving a dragonâs favor to make up for your weakness.â
The trio nodded with eagerness.
âElder Bai, what of the Fountain of Youth?â One dragon spoke.
Zhuo Fan turned to him, âFountain of Youth?â
Bai Long wore a heavy frown, âThe Fountain of Youth had been passed down in ancient times by its creator, the Child Sovereign. Those that bathed in its waters will remain young and strong for all their lives, even in seniority. The Fountain of Youth helps oneâs heart as well, shedding away all worries and attaining inner peace. When humans cultivate in the fountain, their hearts will not be plagued by any negative emotions, heightening their insight towards a Sovereign path to incredible degree. I believe that by taking the young sacred beasts there, they would reach their peak even faster.â
Zhuo Fan laughed, âNot just them, but us as well. But will the dragons share it with us? Ha-ha-haâŚâ
âSteward Zhuo, you jest. The Fountain of Youth has long since left our hands. Whatâs there to share?â
âFive hundred thousand years ago, the Seven Sacred Mountains stole it from us.â
Bai Long sighed, âIt is now locked in the Seven Sacred Mountains, with only their most important people going in. Each Sacred Mountain takes up duty to protect it every year. Thereâs no way for us to enter. But now we have the two young masters and we can amass troops to raid the Seven Sacred Mountains, taking back the Fountain of Youth!â
Nodding, Zhuo Fanâs eyes burned with battlelust, âNo matter where the Heavenly Sovereign is right now, we shall take the Seven Sacred Mountains first. Please return and be ready. I will work from my end.â
âMy thoughts exactly, Steward Zhuo, Ha-ha-haâŚâ The elders laughed and cupped their hands.
They would finally get revenge on the Seven Sacred Mountains after all these years of torment.
They couldnât beat all seven mountains, but with the sacred beasts calling the other spiritual beasts, the mountains wouldnât stand a chance.
Zhuo Fan talked some more before sending them away. Ye Linâs group going as well. Only Chi Longâs wounds were a bit problematic, but Zhuo Fan had understanding of the Shadow Sovereignâs path and using reflection and shadows, he left all of them speechless as he performed miracles.
[He really is Dragon Ancestorâs envoy!]
Zhuo Fan eased up with them gone, having found backing in the Sacred Domain at long last. He could go up against the Eight Emperors without worry of other powers blocking him.
[Not even the Seven Sacred MountainsâŚ]