Chapter 784: Torch Dragon (2/2)

A faint ball of fire bloomed in the inky pit below, flickering in and out of existence. Ponderous breaths grew in strength from the pit, and the chilly “wind” that brushed over them was revealed to be the air flow created by the guardian’s breaths.

“Stay here, I’ll go down for a look.” Before Ashu could say anything, Lu Yun leapt into the pit as a flash of light.

“The other four priests have already come, let’s hide.” As he spoke, Ashu attached a Size Manipulation Talisman to each the priest and the demon sovereign. The three of them shrunk to particle size and went into hiding in a random corner. The power of the Fire Altar concealed them completely.

……

The giant pit ran incredibly deep; the priest of fire had never known such a place existed within the peerless treasure when it’d been obscured by the illusion formation.

Laying in the depths of the pit was a giant dragon. It looked just like a regular dragon, its pitch black body running about fifty kilometers long. What set it apart was the small bloom of fire atop its head.

A torch dragon.

Torch dragons were also known as the Torch of Nine Yin. Born in hell with the power of destruction, they had been guardians of human dao in the distant past. Legend had it that the most powerful of them could manipulate and even reverse yin and yang. With the blink of their eyes, they could turn day into night.

Lu Yun had once seen a torch dragon during Dongfang Hao’s heavenly tribulation, which meant that there was still a living torch dragon somewhere in the world.

Now, in the depths of this peerless treasure, he saw one. The torch dragon’s presence ran as deep as the ocean and was so daunting that it sent one’s teeth chattering. Such terrifying might was something Lu Yun had only experienced once before—in the presence of the three holy kings of the underworld.

A heavyweight of the human king realm! One that lived and breathed, that was untouched and unhurt. Holding his breath, Lu Yun stared at the enormous dragon while the dragon’s pale-gold eyes returned the gesture.

……

“I sense the aura of home on you, which means you’re the successor of the hell of human dao,” the torch dragon’s voice echoed in Lu Yun’s heart, hoarse, heavy, and ancient, laced with nostalgia and melancholy.

“Junior Lu Yun greets Senior Torch Dragon.” Lu Yun bowed to it.

The dragon must be incredibly old. It might’ve even been around during the primeval human dao or before Emperors Fall. It hadn’t reached the emperor realm then, and was thus spared in that great battle.

“Mmm.” The torch dragon inclined its head. “Although you are the successor of hell, I cannot go with you. Torch dragons have gone extinct in order to protect the human race, and I myself am forced to cower beside Xuan Yuan’s body and protect him because of a despicable bet...”

“You’ve misunderstood, senior,” Lu Yun shook his head, moving backward at the same time. “I’m not here to ask you to leave with me. I’m simply entering the yin tomb to grab something.”

“Moreover, I sense a revolting presence from you,” the Torch Dragon continued, ignoring Lu Yun’s response completely. It attempted to unfurl its long body, but the clinking sounds of chains rang from deeper in the pit.

It was chained here.

“I hate foxes. You have a fox with you, don’t you?” Its tones plummeted in warmth, and its pale-gold eyes flashed with rage.