The six Azure Dragon Lords surrounded Lu Qiuchen, issuing threats. Seeing this, Lu Qiuchen cast her gaze toward the Frost Crystal Azure Dragon hiding at the back, who returned her look with a provocative glare.
‘So this is the reinforcements he called for. I wonder when he sent the message.’
Lu Qiuchen scanned the group. Aside from the Dark Demon Dragon and the Frost Crystal Azure Dragon, the other four Azure Dragon Lords were from different dragon clans, each with unique abilities.
For example, the Dark Demon Dragon was the largest among all dragonkind, capable of wielding rare dark attribute magic to devastate enemies physically.
Both the Storm Azure Dragon and the Cloud Dwelling Dragon belonged to the wind attribute clan, highly agile and fast. The difference was that the former specialized in wind magic, while the latter was proficient in both wind and water magic. Though still Azure Dragons, their magical talents surpassed even the Black Dragon, making them formidable opponents.
The Elder Tree Azure Dragon was a master of wood magic, usually camouflaging as a tree and emitting a captivating scent to lure prey before striking with its stored toxins. However, since Silver Dragons had high resistance to poison and the mountain peak lacked trees, its effectiveness here was greatly reduced, so it was not a major concern.
The last was a Fire Sickle Dragon, a fire attribute Azure Dragon whose muscles bulged all over its body. Its towering spine extended to the tail, with a massive, vertical, and sharp tail tipped like a sickle. Dense red barbs along the sides added to its terrifying appearance, marking it as a deadly close-combat specialist.
Looking up at the Dark Demon Dragon who had spoken earlier and glancing at the other four legendary Azure Dragons, Lu Qiuchen felt quite troubled.
Although their auras were weaker than hers, the overwhelming number and balanced formation—like tanks, warriors, and mages in a game—posed a significant challenge.
Though Lu Qiuchen was a mage, suited for group combat, with both sides at similar levels, the numerical advantage could easily negate her individual strength. If a fight broke out, she wasn’t confident she could win.
Faced with such a formation, hesitation crept into Lu Qiuchen’s heart. Would it be better to teleport away with Zhang Cheng and escape?
But she was a Great Dragon… To flee from several Azure Dragons weaker than herself would become a laughingstock among pure-blood Great Dragons. She’d lose all face and never return to Dragon Isle.
Still, she wasn’t a stubborn dragon. If defeat was inevitable, retreat was a normal choice. As the old saying went, “Preserve the green mountains, and there’ll be firewood for the future!”
‘I still have to go to the Teaching Nation later, and I’m on the wanted list. A fierce battle will likely come. Getting injured now would be a huge hassle. Best not to fight. But the Celestial Fragment is absolutely not up for negotiation!’
With that thought, Lu Qiuchen decided to use Odyn as leverage to explain.
“I didn’t come here to disrupt any plans by taking the Celestial Fragment. This was indeed assigned by Odyn.”
The Dragon Lords exchanged glances. The Cloud Dwelling Dragon asked, “How can you prove your claim is true?”
‘Odyn only told me the Azure Dragon King holds the Celestial Fragment. What evidence could I possibly have?’ Lu Qiuchen silently grumbled.
‘Wait! There actually is something.’ After a brief moment’s thought, Lu Qiuchen produced the “Unbinding Sphere” Gaelv had painstakingly forged over several days and nights.
Since breaking free from Beta’s control, this item had lost its use and been forgotten in a small corner of her Talent Space. Now, it could serve perfectly as proof of “Odyn.”
Previously, when she and Zhang Cheng were forcibly ejected from the game by Lai, some of Gaelv’s spiritual energy remained in this item. Though not much, it was enough to verify her words.
The Azure Dragons eyed Lu Qiuchen warily as she transformed into human form and took out a small sphere, cutting her finger to drip blood onto it.
As the blood was absorbed, a massive wave of spiritual energy spread through the surrounding space, channeled by Lu Qiuchen.
Gaelv’s spiritual energy flashed briefly, but the Azure Dragon Lords nearby were immediately struck by the overwhelming force, simultaneously exclaiming in shock.
“Despicable Silver Dragon! How dare you ambush us? Attack!”
The fire-blooded nature of the fire attribute dragons flared instantly. The Fire Sickle Dragon, startled, flew into a rage and charged at a stunned Lu Qiuchen.
“Ambush? This is the spiritual energy left by ‘Odyn’!” Lu Qiuchen dodged the Fire Sickle Dragon’s sweeping tail and hurried to explain.
The others realized what was happening and joined the assault on Lu Qiuchen. The Dark Demon Dragon’s body writhed with thick black magic as it lunged.
“Though hundreds of years have passed, we recognize the presence of that great being!”
“Indeed, the owner of this spiritual energy is powerful—but he is definitely not the Lord of Dragons!”
Lu Qiuchen felt a headache building as she dodged their attacks.
Had she guessed wrong again? Was Odyn not Gaelv in disguise?
*****
Zhang Cheng was unexpectedly teleported to the foot of the mountain by Lu Qiuchen. Thanks to her warning, he understood that a battle was imminent and cursed his own weakness, feeling more urgent than ever to improve his strength.
Since arriving in the Eternal World, Zhang Cheng had been mostly under Lu Qiuchen’s protection, rarely fighting. Moreover, unlike games, real-world strength improvements required physical training and constant battles, often risking life and limb. His slow progress was understandable.
‘I must reach level 100 quickly! Only then can I successfully change my class!’
Just a few days ago, Zhang Cheng learned from the game forums that most large guilds were already max level, with wealthy players purchasing items to forcibly contract Azure Dragons, gaining extraordinary powers.
Coupled with recent times when Lu Qiuchen urged him to take refuge, Zhang Cheng was deeply frustrated.
Watching his experience climb toward LV97, he regretted not pushing himself harder before.
Actually, after obtaining the Celestial Fragment, his leveling speed had improved greatly, but since he only recently acquired it and had been distracted by work, his progress still lagged behind the main forces of other players.
Suppressing his impatience and calming his mind, Zhang Cheng reminded himself not to fall into anxiety.
When that failed, he shifted focus, warning Natasha to prepare to leave quickly and avoid the coming battle atop the mountain, not wanting to get caught in the conflict.
He also revealed his contract with Lu Qiuchen and explained the importance of the Celestial Fragment to both of them, dispelling Natasha’s suspicions and asking her to take him away temporarily.
After Lu Qiuchen’s brief explanation of the situation, Natasha, though skeptical, ultimately accepted Zhang Cheng’s words. Once directions were clear, she led him toward the camp at the mountain’s base.
……
Because the Frost Crystal Dragon King favored tranquility, Natasha ventured alone to the snow mountain. The half-dragons who had followed her were stationed at the foot of the mountain, awaiting the princess’s return.
But recently, a massive avalanche struck, forcing the half-dragons to retreat into the camp.
Fortunately, the princess’s entourage included some of the clan’s strongest warriors, who quickly built an ice wall covering the entire camp. This prevented casualties despite the fierce snow disaster, though the camp itself was buried under thick snow.
After the avalanche, the half-dragons had to find a new site to set up camp and mobilize all their strength to retrieve buried supplies. Natasha’s personal maid, charged with escorting the princess, did not participate and instead stood on high ground, scanning the surroundings with concern.
Luckily, her worry didn’t last long. Soon, a figure appeared in the snowy white landscape, clearly visible after the disaster.
Recognizing her princess, the maid exhaled in relief and hurried to meet her.
Approaching, she noticed another figure behind the princess. Previously unnoticed because of the perfect white armor blending with the snow, this newcomer was a human knight.
The maid was stunned, unable to hide her surprise at seeing the princess return with a human knight.
After greeting the maid, Natasha wasted no time introducing Zhang Cheng. She quickly gathered the half-dragons to explain the dire situation.
After a brief preparation, the group left behind unnecessary items and moved swiftly toward the half-dragon tribe’s base camp.
*****
High above the snow mountain, six dragons danced through the sky, with Azure Dragons repeatedly being knocked down and taking flight again by magical attacks.
On the ground, a severely injured and powerless Azure Dragon continuously cast disruptive spells, wearing on Lu Qiuchen’s patience.
Thanks to the inherent advantage of the Silver Dragon and her overwhelming strength, Lu Qiuchen held her own against five opponents, even slightly dominating at times.
But she knew her mana consumption far exceeded the Azure Dragons’. This situation couldn’t last long.
To maintain the dignity of a Great Dragon, Lu Qiuchen kept holding her ground while seeking a chance to wound a few Azure Dragons and leave some battle achievements for herself—so she wouldn’t be mocked if she fled later.
Because of the vast difference in individual strength, such an opportunity soon presented itself.
While enduring the Storm Azure Dragon’s magical assault, Lu Qiuchen seized the Cloud Dwelling Dragon’s mistake and unleashed six consecutive level-6 attack spells, knocking her down.
The sudden attack shattered the Cloud Dwelling Dragon’s already fragile scales, sending sprays of blood everywhere.
Lu Qiuchen restrained herself carefully, knowing that as long as she didn’t deal a killing blow, these Azure Dragons wouldn’t dare truly harm her.
Yet she didn’t expect the other five Azure Dragons to suddenly go berserk, launching reckless attacks.
“Bastard! How dare you hurt little Yun Yun!” the dragons roared in unison.
At their furious shout, Lu Qiuchen realized the Cloud Dwelling Dragon was female, while the other five Azure Dragon Lords were all males.
“Damn it! Maybe she’s the social butterfly of the Azure Dragons! I was too busy targeting the weakest defense and forgot this crucial detail!”