Chapter 108: The Dragon Within the Egg

"Ancestor, is it really you? Why are you the only one left? Have all our other kin truly perished here?" the giant dragon asked in profound sorrow.

"Long Luo, I never expected it to be you. But how did you end up in this state?" The old dragon sighed, continuing, "Back then, we retreated to the Dragon Palace, abandoning the world outside to build layers of protective formations here, hoping to one day restore our clan. I never imagined..."

The old dragon seemed to be in immense pain. He paused for a moment before continuing, "I never imagined that our clan would not fall at the hands of outsiders, but be destroyed by a traitor from within."

"What? Who? Who would commit such an act of betrayal against their own kin?" Long Luo demanded, his voice filled with fury.

"It was Long Ya," the old dragon replied.

"What? That scoundrel?" the quiet Huang Qianqian suddenly interjected.

"I never imagined the Phoenix clan still existed. You know Long Ya?" the old dragon asked, noticing her.

"I was deceived by that wretch. He tricked me into believing the Dragon clan possessed a treasure capable of curing a failed nirvana. I was ambushed in the Sea of Buried Spirits, where he stole my Undying Fire Feather. If not for young Zhou, I would still be drifting aimlessly in that sea," Huang Qianqian said, trembling with rage.

"What? Ancestor, could you be mistaken? Senior Long Ya was the most outstanding of his generation, highly esteemed by the entire clan. Why would he do something so monstrous?" Long Luo could not bring himself to believe it. Long Ya had always been his idol; he could not fathom his hero committing such an unforgivable crime.

"Because our clan sought to recuperate and withdraw from this world, and he was unwilling. He wanted the Dragon clan to stand once again at the pinnacle of all races. Naturally, this was opposed by the Clan Chief. To our shock, he conspired with like-minded dragons to steal our ultimate treasure, the Nine-Dragon Scepter. Wielding both the Undying Fire Feather and the Nine-Dragon Scepter, no one could stand against him. He slaughtered all who opposed him and departed."

"I was away with the Dragon Heir for a baptism, which spared me from that catastrophe. Upon returning, I found nothing left; all my kin were dead." The old dragon walked to the dragon egg and stroked it, as if caressing a beloved treasure.

"Is this the Dragon Heir? Has it remained unhatched for all these years?" Long Luo asked in shock. The old dragon nodded. "I went out to investigate, hoping to avenge my kin, but discovered that Long Ya and the remaining dragons had defected to the Demon race, practicing dark arts and calling themselves the Demon Dragon clan. I failed in every attempt to strike back. In my desperation, I placed all my hope in the Dragon Heir. For years, I scoured the world for rare treasures to nurture it, but without the resources of the clan, it was no easy task. My lifespan is nearing its end. This blood pool is formed from my final essence and blood; I intended to make one last effort, but it seems I have failed. It appears the extinction of the Dragon clan is fate."

Gazing at the dragon egg, Long Luo felt a crushing sadness. He recounted how he and his mate had heard of the great upheaval at the Dragon Palace—which had since become the Valley of Buried Dragons—and had come to investigate for survivors. They had encountered a terrifying dragon slayer on the way and were both struck down. Only their dragon souls remained, saved by a man calling himself the Medicine Immortal. They made a pact to guard his successor until they reached the Tribulation Transcendence stage to regain their freedom. When Zhou Qi had inquired about the Valley of Buried Dragons, Long Luo had deceived him, claiming there was a Dragon Pearl there to use him as a scout to see what had become of the palace.

Zhou Qi stood stunned. *Is it really appropriate to admit to scamming me right to my face?* He hadn't even found any mention of releasing their souls in the Medicine Immortal's inheritance.

Hearing this, the old dragon seemed lost in thought. He released his hold on Zhou Qi and asked, "Young man, you want a Dragon Pearl?"

Zhou Qi nodded honestly; the old dragon must have a way to find one.

"Years ago, my younger brother died after failing to breakthrough to the eighth stage. I preserved his Dragon Pearl, and I can give it to you. You may even take mine. I am at the Tribulation Transcendence stage; all my power resides within my pearl."

"Thank you, Senior!" Zhou Qi was overjoyed and bowed in gratitude. Huangfu Xiu could be saved.

"However, you must agree to one condition: become the protector of the Dragon Heir. Help it break through the shell and be born. The inheritance of the Dragon clan is already imprinted in its memory; you need not teach it. You only need to ensure its safe birth and protection," the old dragon stipulated.

Just as Zhou Qi was about to agree, Huang Qianqian’s voice echoed in his mind: "Who knows what price will be paid to see this egg hatch? If you must have the Dragon Pearl, ask for more benefits. Two pearls aren't enough; you're being shortchanged."

Zhou Qi put on a troubled expression and said, "Senior, I have every intention of helping the Dragon Heir, but my strength is low. I lack spirit stones, spirit weapons, and my techniques are few. With my current capabilities, I fear I cannot meet your expectations."

"I can see you are a physical cultivator. This blood pool can be yours to refine your body. With my final essence and blood, your physique will become comparable to that of a dragon. Furthermore, I can teach you a technique called the 'Divine Dragon Transformation.' Once mastered, your defense, attack, and speed will increase exponentially. Other techniques are secret to the Dragon clan and cannot be shared, and as a human, they would be useless to you anyway."

"As for spirit stones and spirit weapons, I have none. For years, I have sacrificed everything, even my own essence, to nurture the Heir. Do you truly think I have other valuables left? If you agree, swear a blood oath. If you do not, then leave. I will not force you. It seems Heaven is determined to destroy my clan," the old dragon sighed. Long Luo stood silent, his eyes filled with anticipation as he looked at Zhou Qi.

He couldn't let Huangfu Xiu die. Being a protector was a small price to pay. As a master alchemist, resources were replaceable, and he couldn't help but admire the old dragon's selfless devotion to his kin.

"Senior, I agree. I, Zhou Qi, swear that I will devote my life to ensuring the birth of the Heir and protecting it until it comes of age. If I break this oath, may the heavens and earth cast me out, and may all races abandon me!" Zhou Qi felt a sudden, profound connection to the world; this oath was binding. However, he had not set a specific timeframe. Once he reached the Immortal Sovereign stage, fulfilling the protection of a mere dragon would be effortless.

Seeing Zhou Qi’s sincerity and the gravity of his heavenly oath, the old dragon finally let out a breath of relief. He would not live to see the day the Dragon Heir dominated the world, but at least there was hope. As long as there was hope, the Dragon clan’s legacy would not perish.

The old dragon removed the egg and solemnly placed it in Zhou Qi’s arms. Holding the giant egg, Zhou Qi could clearly feel the vitality within, and a faint heartbeat pulsed against his chest.

Unable to use his storage ring, he decided to place it within the Medicine Immortal's Sacred Palace. Since Long Luo was present, the existence of the palace was no longer a secret. With a thought, the dragon egg was safely tucked away.