Chapter 107: The Ao Dragon

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Another hour or so passed before I finally saw a patch of light appear within the darkness of the secret realm. Ghost Mountain and the others came to a halt as well. My master and I crouched behind a huge boulder and cautiously poked our heads out. Through the hazy glow, I could make out an enormous figure, along with a long iron chain lying across the ground. At first glance, the chain looked exactly like the one beside the Dragon-Locking Well. If what my master had said earlier was correct, then this must be the chain binding the dragon.

Ghost Mountain’s group stopped before the golden light. They bowed respectfully and cupped their hands before them.

“Great Lord Ao Dragon, Ghost Mountain of the Ghost Path has come to pay his respects.”

After a while, I saw something long and black slowly emerge from within the golden radiance. The ground around us trembled. My master frowned and stared intently ahead.

A voice rang out from the golden light.

“Why have you come to see me? Have you found what I wanted?”

Ghost Mountain nodded. He drew out the spirit pearl we had seen earlier in the Primordial Spirit Art and held it up in both hands.

“Great Lord Ao Dragon, I have obtained the spirit pearl. I came this time to deliver it to you.”

As soon as he finished speaking, an enormous figure appeared within the light. It was dozens of meters long. Looking closely, I saw that its entire body was covered in wounds, and a horrifying scar ran across its head.

My master frowned.

“So there really is a dragon here. But why did I sense two of them earlier? Ao Dragon... That name sounds familiar. I feel as though I’ve heard it somewhere before.”

I was startled. Hearing my master’s words, I looked toward the figure ahead.

Could this truly be the legendary dragon?

Ao Dragon shook his body and floated in midair.

“You’ve done well. Once I break free of this seal, I will rule the world. You shall be my foremost hero. Don’t worry—I won’t treat you unfairly.”

Hearing this, delight spread through Ghost Mountain’s heart, and a smile appeared on his face.

“Thank you, Great Lord Ao Dragon.”

Ao Dragon grunted. The spirit pearl then flew before him. As he stared at it, his expression became almost frenzied.

“At last, I’ve found you. If it weren’t for this little thing, how could I have been sealed for so long? Since things have come to this, then let us look forward to the arrival of the Tyrant. When I return, I will drown this city of Beijing beneath the waters. I will make that old bastard Yao Guangxiao die without a grave! Hahaha!”

After Ao Dragon finished speaking, the pearl trembled. It flew toward his right eye and attached itself to it.

In an instant, a vast golden radiance erupted before us, so dazzling that my eyes burned. Even with the boulder blocking much of the light, I could not help closing my eyes.

After a while, the golden glow faded. I slowly opened my eyes and looked ahead.

Ao Dragon had vanished.

In his place stood a man dressed in golden robes, his long hair wild and disheveled.

Ghost Mountain bowed at once and said with a smile, “Congratulations, Great Lord Ao Dragon, on breaking free of your seal.”

Ao Dragon looked at his human form and burst into wild laughter. Then he swept out his sleeve.

“Hmph, hmph, hmph. Yao Guangxiao, Beijing—you owe me a debt, and now you will repay it in full. I, Ao Dragon, have returned! Hahaha!”

My master’s brows drew tighter and tighter. He withdrew behind the boulder and whispered to me:

“I remember now. Ao Dragon appeared once during the Tang Dynasty. He threw the mortal world into chaos, leaving the people destitute and suffering. In the end, it was the Mount Mao sect that subdued him, but he still managed to escape. I never expected him to appear here—and it seems Yao Guangxiao really was the one who sealed him. This is no ordinary matter.”

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After hearing my master’s words, I asked in confusion, “He already appeared during the Tang Dynasty? Wouldn’t that mean he has cultivated for more than a thousand years?”

My master nodded but said nothing. He seemed to be calculating something in his mind.

A while later, as I crouched behind the boulder, I suddenly saw a figure fly in from the direction of the secret realm’s exit and land before Ao Dragon.

My master froze. We poked our heads out together and looked again.

A dragon more than a dozen meters long had appeared before us. It bowed toward Ao Dragon.

“Father, strangers have entered.”

My master and I were both startled. We exchanged a glance.

Ao Dragon frowned slightly.

“What makes you say that? Zuo Dragon, what did you discover?”

Zuo Dragon nodded.

“I was patrolling outside just now and discovered that two people were following this group. They used concealment techniques and followed them all the way here. I intended to intercept them, but the two men behind the Ghost Path group possess considerable strength. I was afraid something unexpected might happen, so I came to report first. Father, what should we do?”

“There is no need to panic. I already know. You two, come out. You have been hiding there for quite some time. Do you intend to continue hiding?”

Ao Dragon’s voice reached us.

My master and I froze again. He glanced at me, and it was obvious that Ao Dragon had already discovered us. Yet we had remained completely unaware, crouching behind the boulder like a pair of fools.

My master shrugged and walked out. I followed close behind.

He raised his hands and clapped several times, then laughed.

“Indeed, you are the renowned Ao Dragon of the ancient dynasties. In that case, should I also congratulate you on breaking free of your seal?”

A smile curved my master’s lips, but Ao Dragon showed no reaction.

Ghost Mountain, on the other hand, was shocked when he saw us.

“You’re Tan Boqing? What are you doing here? You followed me?”

My master looked at Ghost Mountain.

“Call you stupid, and yet you managed to split from the Ghost Path and establish your own faction. Call you clever, and somehow you seem to rank even higher than stupidity itself. Yes, I followed you all the way from the airport to this place. What surprised me was that you, Ghost Mountain—the second-in-command of the Ghost Path and a major figure in the supernatural world—didn’t even notice that you were being followed. Alas, I suppose age really does leave a man useless.”

Ghost Mountain’s expression darkened.

“You dare insult me?”

“So what if I do? Unhappy? Then fight me. Do you have the courage? Looking at the Ghost Path, I’d say Ghost Heaven is probably the only one who could exchange blows with me.”

My master mocked him again.

Ghost Mountain grew increasingly furious, his chest heaving. He was just about to attack when Ao Dragon stopped him.

Ao Dragon did not move. He merely spoke with disdain.

“Ghost Mountain, you have rendered meritorious service under me. I chose you because I thought you were capable. But now it seems you cannot even detect someone following you. Is it that you are unqualified—or that I misjudged you?”

Ghost Mountain froze. He halted and turned toward Ao Dragon.

“My lord, please hear me out.”

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Ao Dragon waved a hand, silencing whatever Ghost Mountain was about to say. Then he looked toward my master, clasping his hands behind his back.

“Human, for trespassing on my territory, I could kill you a thousand times over. But I will give you a chance. Your strength is impressive. Why not submit to me and help me rule the world? What do you say?”

My master gave a cold laugh and shook his head.

Ao Dragon frowned.

“What do you mean?”

My master stared at him coldly.

“My meaning is simple. Three words: absolutely impossible.”

At those words, Ao Dragon felt as though his authority had been mocked. Anger flashed across his face.

My master paid him no heed and continued:

“I know your dragon kind. You value territory no less than the demon clans do. But we humans are no different. If you dare take even one step out of this place, I guarantee that the great sects of the mortal world will strip away your dragon sinews, drain your dragon blood, and grind your bones to dust. As for that Yao Guangxiao you mentioned, he has long since ceased to exist. I’ll give you a choice as well. The scenery here is pleasant. Either stay here obediently, or I will destroy you right now.”

My master’s words were overbearing, as though they had struck the deepest wound in Ao Dragon’s heart. White smoke poured from his nostrils.

With a furious roar, he shouted, “Human, you are bold indeed, daring to speak such nonsense! How could my dragon kind be compared with those insignificant demons? I will crush you to pieces!”

As soon as he finished speaking, Ao Dragon attacked.

My master was quick to react. He had never intended to waste words in the first place, and when Ao Dragon charged, he seemed almost pleased.

The two of them clashed in an instant.

Their first exchange was palm against palm. With a thunderous boom, a wave of force exploded outward from the point between them. I hurriedly raised my hands to shield my face.

My master and Ao Dragon both leapt backward, once again facing each other from opposite sides.

My master was unharmed. He clenched and relaxed his fist.

“Damn, you’re stronger than you look.”

Ao Dragon frowned.

“Human, you were able to withstand one of my strikes. Your strength is indeed extraordinary.”

My master gave a cold smile, licked his lips, and crooked a finger at Ao Dragon.

Seeing the gesture, Ao Dragon took it as a provocation. A furious dragon’s roar shook the air.

Several small golden dragons appeared from all directions and rushed toward my master.

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