Soul Emperor Awakening

"Why? I would like an explanation, Princess." Jin Wei wasn't angry, nor did he immediately refuse. He simply wanted an explanation from Liu Yue'Er. If her reasoning was sound, he would genuinely give it away.

The thousand-year-level-or-higher Golden Dragon Bone that Liu Yue'Er mentioned was, to put it simply, the essential bone left behind after an ancestor of the Golden Dragon Race passed on. It contained an astonishing amount of Golden Dragon Marrow, as well as a surging well of Golden Elemental Power.

The marrow in the Bone Forging Pool was indeed condensed from Golden Dragon Marrow. However, the quantity was small and had been significantly diluted. Thus, while it had some effect, it was nowhere near as potent as using an actual thousand-year-level-or-higher Golden Dragon Bone.

This power was a vital part of the Golden Dragon Race's legacy. There had to be a compelling reason to give it to an outsider, and they had to be extremely cautious, even if the person in question had saved Liu Yue'Er. The reward could be something else—a Divine Artifact, for instance, or various Elixir Pills—but a Golden Dragon Bone was different.

It didn't just possess effects that surpassed top-tier Elixir Pills; more importantly, it was a relic left by their ancestors. They always used it with extreme care and could not afford to waste it.

This was why Jin Wei didn't immediately object. Even if he agreed, it didn't mean the rest of the clan would, especially when the Golden Dragon Race was in such desperate need of strength. If Liu Yue'Er were to absorb it herself, no one would utter a word of protest. But Lin Xuan was another matter entirely.

"Because my brother wants to vie for the position of City Lord of the Ice and Snow Tower, and I want to help him!" Liu Yue'Er's reply was direct and to the point. "He's already the Floor Master of the Fifth Layer and has even passed the Reincarnation Level challenge. If he can secure the title of City Lord of the Ice and Snow Tower, it will be an immense help to our Golden Dragon Race!"

Liu Yue'Er was not being coy; she stated it plainly, making no attempt to hide the vested interest. It was as good as saying that once Lin Xuan became the City Lord, he would help them resist the terrifying Black Dragon Race and the many other clans of the Demon Race.

These accomplishments left the members of the Golden Dragon Race looking at one another, and they had to admit his record was glorious. Not only was he the Floor Master of the Fifth Layer, but he had also passed the Reincarnation Level challenge—truly incredible. Someone from their Golden Dragon Race had been a Floor Master in the Ice and Snow Tower before, but they had never once succeeded at the Reincarnation Level challenge. The main issue, however, was that they'd never even had the chance.

But everyone knew that was an incredibly difficult feat.

"Putting aside whether he can even become the City Lord for a moment, Princess, can you guarantee that he will choose to remain on the Golden Dragon Race's side?" Jin Wei said in a low voice.

"He's my brother," Liu Yue'Er replied simply. Her words were forceful, and her gaze was unwavering. It seemed to them that her trust in Lin Xuan was absolute, perhaps even greater than her trust in her own kin from the Golden Dragon Race.

Lin Xuan's expression remained impassive; he didn't say a word. In truth, regardless of whether the Golden Dragon Race gave him the thousand-year Dragon Bone, he would help Liu Yue'Er. It was simple: she was like a sister to him, and he would always stand by her side. Besides, 'there seems to be more to this situation now, like that black aura on Jin Wei! If our enemies are one and the same, then my choice is even clearer.'

If their enemies were the same, then the outcome was even more certain.

"Since the Princess has spoken, I have no further objections. The Golden Dragon Bone can be given to him. In fact, we even have a Ten Thousand Year Golden Dragon Bone that was originally reserved for the Princess's use. Are you sure you want to part with it?" Jin Wei asked.

"Yes. I believe I can reach the top even without relying on our ancestor's essence," Liu Yue'Er said. "But right now, Brother Lin needs this Dragon Bone more, to fully strengthen his body!"

She knew that Lin Xuan was very powerful, but that didn't make him invincible, especially since the pressure would only increase the higher he climbed. A human body has great potential, but it takes a long time to adapt. She understood Lin Xuan's current situation: he was running out of time.

A single Ten Thousand Year Dragon Bone could replace every bone in Lin Xuan's body with Dragon Bone! Only then would he possess a truly perfect Golden Dragon Body. The "perfect Golden Dragon Body" he achieved in the Core Hall was merely an incomplete version; it would still require a great deal of time to solidify and fully form.

"What are your thoughts on this?" Jin Wei asked, turning to the others.

"We disagree with the Princess. That Ten Thousand Year Dragon Bone was meant for her use! If the Princess were to absorb it, she could likely become the City Lord of the Ice and Snow Tower herself! Besides, if we give it to this human, can he guarantee he'll become the City Lord? What if he fails? In all these years, the Ice and Snow Tower has never had a City Lord!" one of the Golden Dragon Race members stepped forward to object, and his point was quite valid.

If the Golden Dragon Bone were given to Liu Yue'Er, even if she failed to become the City Lord, she would still be the Princess who would one day lead them. But what if Lin Xuan failed? Was it really appropriate to pin all their hopes on him?

In truth, not even Lin Xuan himself could guarantee he would become the City Lord. Who could make such a promise? He had only just reached the Sixth Layer, with four more above it. The path ahead was completely unknown.

"I'm glad you are thinking of our clan's interests, but this Dragon Bone is mine to claim, isn't it? I'll be willful just this once. Please give the Ten Thousand Year Dragon Bone to Lin Xuan!" Liu Yue'Er's expression was grave. A faint Long Wei emanated from her, reminiscent of the demeanor of the Golden Dragon King of old—an aura he would reveal when making a monumental decision.

Willful. Absolutely willful! This was the future of the Golden Dragon Race they were talking about. Under normal circumstances, the Dragon Bone would be far more effective if used by a member of the Golden Dragon Race than by a human.

The members of the Golden Dragon Race fell silent. Their own Princess had spoken. What more could they say? Now, it was up to the Elders. In their hearts, they still didn't believe Lin Xuan could become the City Lord and felt this was something of a waste. If Liu Yue'Er absorbed it, perhaps she could become the City Lord. In that case, the City Lord would still be one of their own, so why not do that instead?

"It seems this human has had a great influence on you..." Jin Wei said, narrowing his eyes at Lin Xuan. "Once before, a human stirred up a bloody storm among the Demon Race. He also had a great impact on our Golden Dragon Race and even helped us... Coincidentally, his surname was also Lin. He was one of the few human friends our Golden Dragon Race has ever had."

"'Surname Lin…'" Lin Xuan's pupils constricted. He tried to keep his tone even as he asked, "This human friend of yours... what kind of weapon did he use?"

"A staff. Just a long staff," Jin Wei said after a moment of thought.

"Was it this one?" Lin Xuan's heart almost leaped out of his chest as he withdrew the Chi Dragon Heavens Rod from his Storage Ring.

But Jin Wei glanced at it and shook his head. "Not that one. In terms of both materials and Grade, his was a cut above yours."

Lin Xuan was disappointed. He had thought it might have been his father, but it seemed he had been overthinking things. 'Then again,' he thought, 'the Lin Family is incredibly busy. How could Father have possibly come to the Demon Race Continent all by himself?'

"However, I choose to trust the Princess. I'm willing to take a gamble on you!" Two rays of golden light shot from Jin Wei's eyes. "But you must agree to one condition!"

'One condition? What kind of condition?'