Soul Emperor Awakening

"Conditions? What conditions?" Lin Xuan's eyes lit up. It would be for the best if he could absorb this Ten Thousand Year Dragon Bone. Who wouldn't want to grow stronger faster? Especially a treasure like this that tempered the body—it was far more precious than Elixir Pills.

Elixir Pills could easily cause side effects, but a body-tempering Dragon Bone was different. It was extremely safe, and its effects were the most apparent. He felt that his body was his greatest bottleneck right now. His Cultivation breakthroughs were already quite fast, but if he wanted to achieve anything in the Ice and Snow Tower, he needed an exceptionally tough body.

The Demon Race members there possessed terrifying power, and it only grew more frightening on the higher floors. If his body remained so weak, it would be difficult to maintain any advantage against them. He could hold out for a while by relying on things like his Illusion Technique, but when they eventually became resistant, that advantage would cease to exist.

If his opponents were stronger than him on top of that, he would be utterly crushed. Losing just one match would mean starting all over again. And starting over would be getting off easy—at least he'd have another chance. What he truly feared was them killing him outright. He thought about when they escaped, how many powerful experts had surrounded him. When he went back, he would face even more enemies, especially as he climbed to the higher floors.

'So, as long as the condition isn't too outrageous, I have to get this Ten Thousand Year Dragon Bone! I'll completely temper my body, which will save me a lot of time.'

"You must never oppose the Princess for the rest of your life! I won't demand that you never oppose the Golden Dragon Race, but a vow to the Princess is enough," Jin Wei stated his condition.

"That's the only condition?" Lin Xuan was taken aback, then replied without hesitation, "That's no problem at all. It's simple. I would never oppose your Princess in my entire life. You can be absolutely certain of that!"

'This condition was practically a gift. How could he ever become an enemy of Liu Yue'Er? It was a complete freebie.'

"Then let's sign the contract now," said Jin Wei.

And so, Lin Xuan and Liu Yue'Er signed the contract. After they recited a long passage, several beams of light burst forth from the sky, searing themselves onto both of them and proving the contract's success.

They didn't know the principle behind it, only that this was how it was done. Violating the contract would bring heavenly retribution, presumably as part of the Heaven and Earth Laws.

"Is that all? I hope this is sufficient," Lin Xuan said, adding after a moment's thought, "If you have any other conditions, I'm willing to accept them." The main reason for his offer was the sheer value of the gift—it was more important than even a Divine Artifact. He could certainly accept a few more conditions as long as they weren't too outrageous.

"What? You don't think that's enough?" Jin Wei chuckled. He found this human rather amusing. Most people would beg for fewer conditions, yet here he was, suggesting more. His way of thinking was truly beyond their grasp.

"For example, you could lower your Cultivation and have a match with me, or I could demonstrate my strength in some other way…" He had grown wary of the opposition; many of the dissenting voices came from those who didn't believe in his strength and thus wouldn't entrust him with anything valuable.

That was why he took the initiative to suggest it. By displaying some of his strength, he could win them over.

"You are the Floor Master of the Ice and Snow Tower's Fifth Layer and have passed a Reincarnation Level challenge. Is that not proof enough of your strength? Most of the Golden Dragon Race here have been inside and know exactly how difficult that is. Your ability to achieve such a feat means your strength is certainly not lacking. The ones who don't think highly of you simply believe that becoming the City Lord of the Ice and Snow Tower is too difficult. In all these years, not a single member of the Demon Race has succeeded, which is why they aren't optimistic about your chances."

Jin Wei explained frankly, "I'm sure you understand the implication. If we give you this Ten Thousand Year Dragon Bone and you fail to become the City Lord, you certainly won't stay with the Golden Dragon Race forever. That is the point of everyone's opposition."

Lin Xuan had to agree with that. Even if they gave him the Ten Thousand Year Dragon Bone, he couldn't possibly stay with the Golden Dragon Race forever. He had too much to do back on the Human Continent, not to mention he had to avenge the Lin Family. Staying here permanently was out of the question.

"So, you've decided to approve of your Princess's idea and be 'willful' alongside her just this once?" Lin Xuan offered a faint smile. He quite liked their straightforward nature; they were just looking out for their clan.

"Yes, that is the Princess's decision. Given the traditions of our Golden Dragon Race, we all understand its importance. Since she is willing to give you the Ten Thousand Year Dragon Bone, she must see something in you. Therefore, I will say no more. The Princess's will is what matters most!"

Jin Wei's words might seem rash, but they could also be seen as a display of his obedience to Liu Yue'Er. Liu Yue'Er's Cultivation wasn't high, yet her authority was immense.

Lin Xuan turned to look at Liu Yue'Er, their eyes meeting. What he saw in hers was trust. She probably couldn't guarantee that he would become the City Lord either, but she knew the benefit Lin Xuan would gain from the Ten Thousand Year Dragon Bone would be no less than what she herself could gain. Even if he failed to become the City Lord, she felt this was still worth it.

"I won't make any promises; I never do. I can't guarantee I'll become the City Lord. But there is one thing I can promise: I will stand with the Golden Dragon Race through every hardship, and I will never abandon you!" Lin Xuan's voice was firm and decisive.

"What do you all think?" Jin Wei looked over at the others.

The hundred or so members of the Golden Dragon Race shook their heads, indicating they would no longer object and would follow Liu Yue'Er's lead. This was the way of the Dragon Race's heritage: a father's memories were passed down perfectly, allowing the young to quickly assume positions of great power after reaching adulthood. The fact that Liu Yue'Er could make such a judgment—choosing to trust Lin Xuan despite the potential influence of her inherited memories—was enough to prevent them from arguing any further.

"Since no one objects, let's head to the private chamber. We will stand as Protectors and give you our full support as you absorb this Ten Thousand Year Dragon Bone, helping you forge the most perfect Golden Dragon Body!" Without hesitation, Jin Wei led Lin Xuan into a small room inside. The room wasn't large, but it wasn't tiny either, at least big enough to accommodate a few people for Cultivation.

The moment they entered, Jin Wei retrieved the Ten Thousand Year Dragon Bone from his Storage Ring. As soon as the bone appeared, an incredibly pure and surging wave of Golden Elemental Power erupted from it, spreading rapidly in all directions. But it was quickly contained by Jin Wei's own Elemental Power, preventing it from escaping.

Lin Xuan felt his scalp go numb as he sensed the terrifying Golden Elemental Power. The power contained within the Ten Thousand Year Dragon Bone was simply immense. Once he integrated with this Ten Thousand Year Golden Dragon Bone, his body would finally possess an Attribute of its own—Golden Elemental Power!

This was even better than consuming a Golden Element Fruit, and even stronger than possessing an Innate Golden Element Body! In terms of absorbing the world's Golden Elemental Power, this Golden Dragon Bone completely crushed constitutions like the Golden Element Body. From the moment they were born, the members of the Golden Dragon Race possessed a physique that utterly eclipsed the Golden Element Body!

This was the definition of innate talent. After absorbing it, Lin Xuan's physique was certain to undergo a massive, qualitative leap!