Once outside, a slight breeze began to pick up as dark clouds gathered above Jade Dragon City. He Qian stopped and stared up into the stay, not moving.
Yao Sheng dared not disturb him. He instructed the other eunuchs to fetch the emperor’s cape and he personally placed it over the emperor’s shoulders.
“Yao Sheng, say, do you think that curator will succeed?” He Qian asked.
Yao Sheng pondered before responding quietly, “This curator is too mysterious so I can’t say for sure. But this curator only got involved because Minister Yu disobeyed your orders and hired villainous experts of his own accord to kill Lin Jin. I heard that the curator performed a phenomenal spell that sealed off a wide area upon his arrival. Those on the outside didn’t know what happened in there so this is surely mystifying. Only an individual of caliber would be capable of such a feat.”
He Qian shook his head. “Of course I know he’s a man of caliber. What I’m asking is if he could slay the dragon deity for me!”
Yao Sheng knew he couldn’t weave his way out of this one so he said, “A few days ago when the dragon deity personally took action, I heard he escaped with heavy injuries. After that, no one knew where Lin Jin went. I presume that he must be gravely hurt as well in his fight with the dragon deity, which is what drew the curator’s attention. As the curator was able to perform a spell of such scale and kill Minister Yu upon arrival, even ordering villainous experts such as Madam Ghost Child to serve him, I know he has a certain chance at victory. As so, I think he should be able to slay the dragon deity.”
“Hahaha, I think so too. That’s why I’m confounding the enemy by making a dangerous decision,” He Qian commented.
Yao Sheng didn’t understand so he asked quietly, “Your Majesty, no matter who wins in this fight, you would not be blamed. So where is the danger?”
He Qian smiled. “Yao Sheng, have you heard of the saying, ‘jumping out of a boiling pot and into a fire’? I just fear this curator will be the next dragon deity.”
Yao Sheng was shocked and dared not say more.
***
By the time Lin Jin’s group arrived at Jade Dragon Temple, they noticed how the guards were gone and there were many pools of blood on the ground.
A tragic fight must have occurred here just moments ago.
“Interesting. This is interesting. To think Jade Dragon City’s guards would kill each other. How odd!” Evil Scholar commented after closer observation and noticing some hints.
Then, he said, “Curator, looks like we don’t have to worry about Jade Dragon Kingdom. Someone clearly hopes that we could help them slay the dragon.”
Evil Scholar was no doubt a brilliant man. Lin Jin wasn’t that much of a fool either and figured out the same thing.
Also, he knew more. He knew about the jade dragon curse and how the old dragon was actually this nation’s ruling figure behind the scenes. Hence, how could the current emperor ever tolerate him?
He must have been afraid of provoking the dragon previously, but now that an opportunity presented itself, he would definitely seize it.
Lin Jin actually didn’t mind it. After all, he wasn’t doing this for the emperor whom he had never met.
“Let’s go!”
Lin Jin led them into the temple.
There were still a few corpses of fallen soldiers that couldn’t be moved away in time. Lin Jin looked around. The temple was rather huge with vintage decor. Incense was also burning in abundance inside.
However, he was here for trouble today so even if the place was made of gold, it had to be torn down.
With a flick of his wrist, the nebula flag appeared. Lin Jin tossed it up and the golden flag disappeared into thin air.
“Stars and clouds as barriers, seal off the borders!”
This time, he was able to perform it with greater proficiency.
Once the barrier was formed, Lin Jin’s confidence heightened.
After all, another’s Nebula Barrier was just a normal barrier, but Lin Jin’s Nebula Barrier was connected to the Museum of Deadly Beasts to borrow its power.
This was also his greatest support.
Without the Nebula Barrier, Lin Jin wouldn’t have the guts to come here.
“Tear down this temple!” Lin Jin announced. He was sure that the old dragon already knew about their arrival. However, since he didn’t show up, that just meant he was afraid.
Who knows, the place might just be filled with traps. So destroying it would be so much easier.
Upon hearing this order, Coffin Man charged forward. Three of the temple’s halls ahead crumbled into pieces in the blink of an eye.
Then, a chilling air swept past, aiming for Coffin Man.
With his quick reflexes, the latter managed to block it with his coffin.
There was a loud crack where half of his coffin froze over. A roar came from the coffin and a slit was opened up.
A long silhouette flew out and destroyed half of the main hall ahead like a huge whip. Then, among the debris stood an old man.
It was the old dragon.
The old dragon looked solemn and daunting but he was alone with no one to help him.
Coffin Man knew this person was the main target so he stepped forward. The old dragon immediately shouted, “Hold on!”
Then, he turned to study Lin Jin.
Lin Jin was currently donning the devil mask and presented himself as the curator. He behaved in a sophisticated and noble manner, so all traces of Lin Jin’s usual conduct was gone.
Hence, even the old dragon had not realized it.
“Spiritual Master, I have no grudge against you. Even my conflict with Lin Jin isn’t extreme enough to want each other dead. So why do you have to go to such lengths? If you’re willing to let me go, I’ll definitely reimburse you with befitting compensation. That Lin Jin must be your disciple. I can give him a Rank 3 jade dragon pet beast and help him form a new bond. It would be so much stronger than that fire wolf and we can then bury the hatchet and carry on with our merry lives. How about it?”
The old dragon simply humbled himself, even offering a benefit.
Admittedly, his offer was quite persuasive.
Oh, how many people dreamed of having a Rank 3 jade dragon. Since it was Rank 3 from the beginning, its growth potential would be limitless, thus making it so much stronger than a mere fire wolf.
And how could a wolf even compare to a dragon?
If he had to be honest, Lin Jin was a little tempted. But he would never agree to it.
While Xiao Huo wasn’t the best, but the guy was his companion and Lin Jin would never abandon him. Moreover, if the old dragon didn’t die, He Yu’s curse would never be broken.
Heaving a sigh, Lin Jin was just about to speak when the old dragon abruptly lashed out.
This old dragon was a cunning one. Having lived for several hundred years, he knew things wouldn’t end well so that speech earlier was just to buy himself time as he invoked a spell from behind him.
Seeing as his opponent was about to take action, he instantly lash out as the first attacker would have the upper hand.
“Blizzard of winter, hone my form.”
The old dragon immediately shape-shifted, transforming into a three-hundred-foot-long dragon soaring in the sky. His body was clear as jade and with a sweep of his tail, icy winds streaked past as a snowstorm raged.
“Hahaha, this Nebula Barrier you’ve invoked is just what I need. I thought I couldn’t use barriers anymore after I lost the artifact but you made one instead. It would have been difficult for me to stir the weather outside but inside a barrier, I’m able to do as I please. You’ll all die here today.”
As the old dragon’s voice reverberated, in just a few breaths, a heavy snowstorm came raining down and the icy winds froze their bodies stiff.
Even experts like Black Crow and Ghost Child were instantly affected. Their bodies stiffened up as they felt their blood freeze.
