Soul Emperor Awakening

Based on the explanation from the two members of the Golden Dragon Race, Lin Xuan now had a general idea of the situation. When news of Liu Yue'Er spread from this place, the Golden Dragon Race Elders' plan was simply to get her out first and deal with the details later, regardless of who she was with.

Now that the two had arrived and saw Liu Yue'Er's resemblance to the Golden Dragon King, they were certain she was the Princess of the Golden Dragon Race. This delighted them even more. How could they not be thrilled to bring the Princess home?

"I think I understand the situation," Lin Xuan said gravely. "You must be aware that the moment we step outside, we'll be surrounded, right?"

Their every move was being monitored. Even the black robes were useless; someone was definitely watching them now. The moment they left, they would be followed, and if they were to truly exit the area, they'd be captured.

"Well..." Jin Zeyuan glanced at Liu Yue'Er, unsure if he should answer. After all, Lin Xuan wasn't a member of the Golden Dragon Race. Even though he had led them here, they couldn't bring themselves to trust him completely.

They had heard that Liu Yue'Er called him her brother, which they found peculiar, especially since he was from the Demon Fox Race. While the Demon Fox Race had once been an ally, the betrayal of the Giant Bear Race had taught them not to trust any race besides their own.

"He's the person I trust most in the world right now," Liu Yue'Er stated bluntly. Her trust in him even surpassed her trust in the members of the Golden Dragon Race before her. It was as simple as that.

It wasn't that she didn't trust her kinsmen, but that in any given situation, she would trust Lin Xuan's judgment first, not theirs.

The two men exchanged a look, then Jin Zeyuan nodded and continued, "The Grand Elder and the Second Elder are already waiting outside. We can escape even if the Dragon King of the Black Dragon Race himself shows up. If anyone tries to stop us, we'll kill them!" His voice grew harsher as he spoke, as if the entire Demon Race had become their enemy.

'No wonder they're so confident,' Lin Xuan thought. 'They have Elders protecting them.' The Golden Dragon Race had suffered a devastating attack, but they hadn't been completely wiped out; some had managed to escape. If all the Elders had perished, then the Golden Dragon Race would truly be doomed.

"Okay, let's leave now!" Liu Yue'Er didn't hesitate. She wanted to meet up with her people as soon as possible and see what the current situation was.

"Would it be possible for the Elders to bring along one more companion?" Lin Xuan inquired.

"That shouldn't be a problem. Who did you have in mind, Floor Master Lin?" Jin Zeyuan asked respectfully.

Since Lin Xuan was someone Liu Yue'Er trusted, they would trust him as well. The Golden Dragon Race was straightforward like that; they wouldn't question her decision. They were at a critical juncture of life and death; if they started doubting each other now, they would truly be finished.

"Bring along the future Fox King of the Demon Fox Race!" Lin Xuan was referring to Hu Hong. If he was leaving, he certainly couldn't leave Hu Hong behind by herself.

Hu Hong had come here to temper herself, but more importantly, to find the Golden Dragon Race. The two races would be much safer if they joined forces.

"The future Fox King!?" A look of shock appeared in Jin Zeyuan's eyes. He glanced at his companion and gave a firm nod. "That's no problem at all. Please, forgive my earlier suspicion. The Golden Dragon Race is in a dire situation right now. The Demon Fox Race and our Golden Dragon Race have always had a very close relationship, standing together through every crisis. It's just... we haven't been in contact for so long, we couldn't be certain. So please, forgive us!"

Their apology instantly improved Lin Xuan's opinion of them. They weren't acting high and mighty just because they were from the Golden Dragon Race; instead, they adopted a humble attitude. 'Of course,' Lin Xuan thought, 'if they were still arrogant, I'd think this race was beyond saving.'

Lin Xuan then led them downstairs, finding Hu Hong to join them on their way out. They made no attempt to conceal themselves, walking out in the open. This sight truly astonished the many members of the Demon Race. Lin Xuan's group was incredibly bold, seemingly unafraid of being ambushed by the Black Dragon Race upon their exit.

Under the watchful eyes of the assembled demons, they walked out of the main entrance of the First Layer. The badges on their bodies didn't disappear yet; a true departure was only registered upon leaving the tower's immediate vicinity.

They then quickly slid down the iron chains, soon landing at the bottom of the tower. Lin Xuan saw numerous members of the Demon Race watching them from a distance, including many experts from the Black Dragon Race. There were cultivators at the Spirit Pill Stage and the Core Formation Stage, and even some at the Void Spirit Stage! Besides the Black Dragon Race, the Giant Bear Race had also contributed a considerable force. They had no one at the Void Spirit Stage, but they did have a few at the Core Formation Stage.

'They've really spared no expense to ambush us, sending over so many experts.'

"Did you leak your position?" Lin Xuan asked with a frown.

"Of course we did. These black robes can only conceal our appearance, but they're useless against the spiritual senses of powerful experts," Jin Zeyuan said angrily. "That's why our Golden Dragon Race doesn't dare come anywhere near this place. The Black Dragon Race wants to hunt us to extinction!"

'This is more than just hunting them to extinction; they want to grind them to dust,' Lin Xuan thought. 'They've mobilized so many experts. That Black Dragon at the head of the group must be Elder Level.' He was sneering in their direction, a look that said they were dead the moment they made a move.

'No wonder the Golden Dragon Race stays away. Who would dare show up in a place like this? It's practically a war zone.'

"Our Elders are hidden over there," Jin Zeyuan said in a low, serious voice, directing his words mainly to Lin Xuan and Hu Hong. "When we move, just run straight in that direction. Don't overthink it, and don't look back!"

"Understood," Lin Xuan said with a nod. He knew there was no room for error. If they were caught, it was all over. This was truly an escape for their lives.

Jin Zeyuan led them toward the edge. The moment they reached the boundary of the Ice and Snow Tower's influence, they shot forward at top speed without a word. Since Hu Hong was the slowest, Lin Xuan had to bring her along. Executing the Cyan Cloud Fire-Treading Step, not only did he not slow down, but he was actually even faster than the members of the Golden Dragon Race!

The instant they charged out of the Ice and Snow Tower's protective zone, Lin Xuan felt the Ice and Snow Badge on his arm vanish. That sensation of the purest Yulan Sacred Fire was gone just like that. 'So it really is taken back when you leave,' he thought. 'If you could keep it outside, then everyone would be able to possess the Yulan Sacred Fire.'

"Trying to escape? It's not that simple!"

The members of the Black Dragon Race swiftly moved to encircle them, blocking their path in the blink of an eye. They had been watching their every move, ready to intercept them no matter which direction they fled. With their level of Cultivation, blocking Lin Xuan's path took a mere few breaths.

If no one came to rescue them, they would be truly doomed. But just then, Lin Xuan saw a streak of golden light erupt in the distance, piercing through the air and shooting toward them!