Chapter 1704: Meeting the Heavenly Wolf Again

When they arrived at Li Hongyou's residence in a vast mountain range, Li Luo saw the Six-tailed Heavenly Wolf for the first time in years. No, it was more correct to call it the Eight-tailed Heavenly Wolf.

The Eight-tailed Heavenly Wolf, who was now the size of a mountain, was currently engaged in battle against a Scarlet Dragon. A violent energy storm raged through the area, smashing apart nearby hills. The titanic creatures were locked in brutal combat, and their roars shook the sky. The forests around them were annihilated by the collateral damage.

Li Luo was standing on a mountain peak, watching the fight. He could sense that both parties were around the Eighth Duke Stage and were equally matched. The Scarlet Dragon possessed a formidable body, its scales akin to iron. The Heavenly Wolf was no slouch either; its claws and fangs were like divine armaments, capable of ripping through stones and mountains with ease. In addition, parts of its body were covered in dragonscales, further bolstering its defenses. Even when facing a true member of the Dragon Race, the Eight-tailed Heavenly Wolf was not at a disadvantage. In fact, the longer they fought, the fiercer it became.

That said, they weren't truly trying to kill each other—this was merely a spar. After a lengthy and intense battle, the Scarlet Dragon was unable to best the Heavenly Wolf. It let out a low roar and ran off into the distance. The Eight-tailed Heavenly Wolf then let out a howl that shook the nearby mountains.

Just as it was the satisfaction of victory, it noticed something. Its eyes swept across the area, settling on the mountain where Li Luo and Li Hongyou were standing. As its gaze lingered on Li Luo, it was filled with astonishment. The last time they had seen each other, Li Luo had placed a Lifebound Seal on it, so there was a special connection between them.

The surprise only lasted for a moment. The Eight-tailed Heavenly Wolf's body curled up, then it pounced across the air. At the same time, its gargantuan frame began to swiftly shrink, and it was only a few dozen feet tall by the time it reached Li Luo and Li Hongyou.

The Eight-tailed Heavenly Wolf lowered its proud head and said, "Master." It had spoken in human language, and Li Luo was surprised to see it being so formal. This was not because of the Lifebound Seal, but because the Eight-tailed Heavenly Wolf could clearly sense the terrifying power that Li Luo radiated. It knew that in the short span of six or seven years, he had reached an unimaginable realm and they were no longer on the same level.

Back in the Umbra Cave, the Eight-tailed Heavenly Wolf merely had three tails. Li Luo was as weak as an ant then, and just a casual swipe of its paw would have crushed him. The only reason it hadn't done that was because of Pang Qianyuan's seal, which had made the wolf into Li Luo's trump card and protector. At that point, the Heavenly Wolf had maintained the pride of an expert, never submitting to Li Luo. It felt that Li Luo didn't have the right to be its master.

However, things were different now. Li Luo had undergone a complete metamorphosis, transforming into a true peak expert. Even though the wolf had advanced with startling speed, the gap between itself and Li Luo had widened to an impossible degree. It was at this moment that the Eight-tailed Heavenly Wolf understood that having a master like this was the greatest blessing it could possibly encounter.

"Brother Wolf, you don't have to act like this. We've known each other for a long time, and you've saved me from danger countless times. I've always considered you a friend," said Li Luo, grinning.

The Eight-tailed Heavenly Wolf's tails wagged slightly as it was moved in its heart. Even so, it repeated, "Master."

Li Luo merely shrugged in response.

Li Hongyou then chimed in. "Spirit beasts naturally revere the strong, as the only thing they value is strength. Your power has reached a level that is unfathomable to the Heavenly Wolf, so in its heart, you are its master."

Li Luo looked at the Heavenly Wolf's hopeful eyes before falling silent, no longer rejecting its sentiment. "Since you've put your faith in me and called me your master, I'll make sure you reach the King Stage no matter what."

When the Eight-tailed Heavenly Wolf heard this promise, it let out a joyous howl. With Li Luo's strength and background, his promise was as good as gold. Reaching the King Stage would just be a matter of time. If news of this were to spread to the Heavenly Wolf Race, that calling Li Luo "master" had led to the opportunity to become a King, even the rulers of the tribe would line up in droves to do the same.

Still smiling, Li Luo turned to Li Hongyou and asked, "Senior Hongyou, do you have more detailed information on the Ten Thousand Dragons' Ancestral Blood Rites?"

Li Hongyou turned and walked towards a stone pavilion on the peak of the mountain. Li Luo followed. The view from there was excellent, overlooking the vast seas and mountains. When she had first arrived at the Dragon Race, she had spent many days sitting there, quietly pondering.

Li Hongyou slowly made some tea and poured it out into cups for them before saying, "The Ten Thousand Dragons' Ancestral Blood Rites are actually a more sophisticated version of the Ten Thousand Dragons Festival. Do you still remember when Great Ancestor Zhen Fu suggested sending me to the Pharmacist Jade Dragon Tribe? She said it was for the sake of organizing the Ten Thousand Dragons Festival.

"No one had imagined that the entire world would change and the Dragon Race would have to face the incursions of Others just a few years after I arrived. As a result, it was decided that the Ten Thousand Dragons Festival, which was held every three hundred years, would be taken to the next level. We would thus organize the Ten Thousand Dragons' Ancestral Blood Rites, to strengthen the entire race to deal with the coming threats.

"The second layer of the blood rites won't be particularly useful to someone at your realm. The Ancestral Blood only appears in the third layer. If you can obtain it, your foundation will be greatly bolstered and your odds of breaking into the Heavenly Emperor Stage will increase. This is the reason why Chieftain Zhen Linshuang tried to prevent you from participating. She didn't want others to share in the Ancestral Blood, as she sees it as her opportunity to reach the next stage as well."

Li Luo calmly asked, "Unlike Great Ancestor Zhen Fu, Zhen Linshuang is truly nearsighted. If I obtained the Dragon Race's opportunities, I would owe the entire race a favor. If it faced danger in the future, I would've gladly stepped in to help."

Li Hongyou smiled. "That is the exact reason why Great Ancestor Zhen Fu fought so hard to get you a slot. Even though she has great influence within the race, she cannot override all decisions completely. This is especially because Zhen Linshuang is backed by an even more ancient Heavenly Emperor. He outclasses Zhen Fu in terms of both seniority and strength. That is why Zhen Linshuang was willing to risk angering Zhen Fu in order to stop you.

"However, now that you've drunk a cup of Dragons Pour Wine, you're an official friend of the Dragon Race. There is thus no more reason for her to stop you. That said, this doesn't mean that you're guaranteed to obtain the Ancestral Blood."

Li Luo frowned as he asked, "Why?"

"Because you will have to satisfy one more condition to obtain it. You will require the assistance of the Dragon Priestess who presides over the Ten Thousand Dragons' Ancestral Blood Rites to condense it for you. Without her, you won't be able to obtain the blood," Li Hongyou explained.

"The Dragon Priestess?" Li Luo looked a little confused. Just who was this Priestess? How would he even know this individual?

Seeing Li Luo's bewildered expression caused a playful smile to blossom across Li Hongyou's usually cold face. "Coincidentally, the one sitting in front of you is one of the Dragon Priestesses presiding over the Ten Thousand Dragons' Ancestral Blood Rites."

Li Luo fell silent for a moment before beaming happily, almost unable to stop himself from pinching her cheeks and calling her his most precious treasure.

Li Hongyou laughed and continued, "Maybe this isn't a coincidence. When Great Ancestor Zhen Fu sent me to the Pharmacist Jade Dragon Tribe, it was perhaps to prepare us for this day."

She then explained, "There will be three Dragon Priestesses overseeing the Ten Thousand Dragons' Ancestral Blood Rites. That said, I'm the one with the least experience. The other two will definitely help Zhen Linshuang, so she will have the advantage."

"Just being able to have a share of the blood would be enough. I don't need all of it," Li Luo replied. He wasn't particularly concerned with that, as he wasn't as overbearing as the Chieftain, unwilling to give anyone else a chance to participate.

Li Hongyou nodded and smiled. "In that case, things won't be as difficult. However, if you encounter Zhen Linshuang in the third layer, you will have to go all-out. The Chieftain is a very forceful and strong individual, and she will only restrain herself if you overpower her." After living with the Dragon Race for so many years, Li Hongyou had interacted with Zhen Linshuang many times and thus understood her personality.

"Additionally, a few peak experts from the Dragon Race will be participating as well, so some of the Ancestral Blood will be shared with them. That said, they won't really compete against the Chieftain and will target you instead. Thus, you also have to watch out for them," Li Hongyou added.

When Li Luo heard this, he picked up the fragrant tea brewed by Li Hongyou, took two sips, and nodded.

.......

In the depths of the Dragons' Domain, within a particularly large expanse of sea, was a violet-gold palace that shone with dazzling golden light. The water suddenly started rising and a gigantic dragon emerged from the sea. It was a titanic violet-gold Heavenly Dragon who exuded a mighty aura.

The dragon descended into the palace, transforming into a tall and eye-catching woman. It was Zhen Linshuang. Her domineering and beautiful violet-gold eyes were focused on the individual standing in front of the palace—Ao Yan.

"Chieftain." Ao Yan bowed deferentially. His greeting was met with no reply. He slowly raised his head and saw that she was frowning. He smiled apologetically and climbed down the steps until he was a fair distance from the palace.

This Chieftain was arrogant and tyrannical, and the idea that one's bloodline allowed them to reign supreme was deeply rooted in her heart. Ao Yan was from the lowest bloodline, the Black Dragon tribe, and although he had managed to crawl his way up to where he was today, he understood that he would forever be nothing but a lowly Black Dragon in Zhen Linshuang's eyes. This palace was her personal territory, and she didn't like it when others entered.

"Chieftain, please forgive me. I was negligent," Ao Yan said apologetically.

At this point, her expression calmed down, no longer concerned with what Ao Yan was thinking. The Heavenly Dragons were the emperors of the Dragon Race, and two of the Heavenly Emperors belonged to their bloodline.

"Don't worry about it... Li Luo's Heavenly Dragon bloodline is particularly pure and ancient. It truly is unexpected. It would have been great if he was a member of my tribe. I would be able to mate with him and give birth to the most perfect Heavenly Dragon offspring," Zhen Linshuang said. Then she shook her head and continued, "It's a pity he is only here for the Ancestral Blood. We have to suppress him a little during the blood rites."

Ao Yan acknowledged her words with a low grunt.

Zhen Linshuang turned to him and said, "I heard that you have been chasing Li Hongyou."

Ao Yan nodded with a hint of embarrassment.

"Are you eyeing her Pharmacist Jade Dragon bloodline in an attempt to change your own? Grand Elder, you're quite the ambitious individual," said Zhen Linshuang with a smirk.

Ao Yan's face turned red and he dryly smiled.

Although they had barely spoken, Zhen Linshuang waved her hand, signalling for him to leave.

Ao Yan respectfully bowed yet again and headed out. After leaving the sea region, he stopped atop a mountain. His deferential expression contorted and turned ferocious, fury boiling in the depths of his eyes. Every time he interacted with Zhen Linshuang, he could clearly feel the ridicule and contempt in her words. She had never changed despite knowing him for so many years. He had painstakingly clawed his way to the top, yet he was unable to change her opinion of the Black Dragon bloodline.

Ao Yan raised his head and exhaled deeply, his breath containing the aura of destruction.