"Is this the Crimson Dragon totem?"
Upon seeing the totem on Shen Lang's chest, Ma Yi's pupils widened in shock, and he uttered in disbelief.
"Village Chief, you recognize this Crimson Dragon totem?"
Hearing Ma Yi's words, Shen Lang asked with surprise.
"Haha, honored guest, perhaps obtaining this dragon's essence is your destiny, for it was originally meant for you."
Ma Yi looked at Shen Lang and suddenly broke into a relieved smile, saying, "Legend has it that the dragon my ancestor slayed was a crimson dragon. Your chest bears this Crimson Dragon totem. Do you not see the connection?"
"This might just be a coincidence..."
Shen Lang replied.
"Haha, it's not a coincidence. There are no such coincidences in this world."
Ma Yi waved his hand. "Legend tells of an ancient family called the Crimson Dragon clan. Their ancestor, while being pursued, was struck by dozens of blades and bled dry, facing certain death. By chance, he encountered a crimson dragon, which then transfused its dragon blood into him."
"After receiving the dragon blood, the man not only gained immense power but also became the first emperor in history, revered by later generations as Ancestor Dragon."
"Ah?"
Hearing Ma Yi's words, Shen Lang was even more astonished. If his Crimson Dragon totem was related to the Shen family, did that mean the Shen family were descendants of the so-called Ancestor Dragon?
At this moment, Ma Yi continued, "Although Ancestor Dragon received the dragon blood, his mortal body could not withstand its power. He died before he reached fifty. After his death, his empire and family soon perished. However, I heard that a small portion of his lineage survived, but they changed their names."
"After my ancestor slew the Crimson Dragon, we were hunted by the people of the Crimson Dragon clan. We eventually fled to this place and have eked out an existence for a thousand years."
"Mr. Shen, I never imagined you were from the Crimson Dragon clan. It seems this dragon's essence returning to you is truly heaven's will."
"This..."
Hearing Ma Yi's words, Shen Lang was at a loss for what to say.
Frankly, if he hadn't seen the dragon's essence that Ma Yi spoke of and the changes in his own Crimson Dragon totem, Shen Lang would have dismissed Ma Yi's claims as nonsense and considered him a madman.
But now, Shen Lang didn't know what to say.
Shen Lang didn't understand why the dragon's essence had split into two and entered his body, but he sensed a new power surging within him, a power that felt on the verge of explosion if not released.
"Rumble—"
Just then, the deafening roar of helicopters suddenly filled the air. Shen Lang looked up and saw three helicopters overhead.
The helicopters were no more than a hundred meters above him, and Shen Lang could clearly see the people inside. They were not Chinese but foreigners, their attire and appearance identical to the deceased Boynton and his companions.
Shen Lang never expected that the very force he needed to release would be so conveniently delivered by members of the Killers' Guild.
With this thought, Shen Lang prepared to act.
However, before he could devise a plan, his left arm suddenly moved beyond his control, as if manipulated by an immense force. It rose, aiming at the three helicopters, and his five fingers unfurled.
What happened next made both Shen Lang and Ma Yi's eyes nearly pop out.
"Swish—"
"Swish—"
"Swish—"
Shen Lang and Ma Yi watched as five beams of red laser light shot from Shen Lang's left hand, instantly striking the three helicopters.
The three helicopters, hit by the five red laser beams, vanished into thin air, leaving no trace behind.
"This..."
Witnessing this scene, Shen Lang and Ma Yi's faces turned ashen, covered in sweat, and they were speechless.
This was not merely unreasonable; it was a complete subversion of their understanding.
Yet, after obliterating the three helicopters, Shen Lang felt a sense of relief, and his left arm regained its normal control.
"Village Chief, do you know what's happening?"
Shen Lang asked Ma Yi, his voice trembling with shock.
"Mr. Shen, I apologize, but I truly do not know. This is something I have never heard of in my life."
Ma Yi looked at Shen Lang and finally managed to say, "This matter far exceeds my understanding of the past century. To understand what is happening, you will likely have to seek the truth yourself."
"Alright..."
Hearing Ma Yi's words, Shen Lang sighed and said, "It seems that's the only way."
Soon, Shen Lang descended the mountain with Ma Yi. Upon reaching the foot of the mountain, he discovered that the bodies of the dozen villagers and Boynton had been buried, and the villagers had even erected gravestones for them, all inscribed with "Unknown."
Shen Lang was moved by the villagers' kindness and said to Ma Yi, "Village Chief, what are your plans for the future?"
"Haha, my ancestors have lived here for generations. Our generation will not leave. If our descendants wish to venture out, that is their concern. We simply wish to live out our lives here."
Ma Yi said to Shen Lang, "Mr. Shen, feel free to visit Peach Blossom Village again. We will warmly welcome you."
"Okay—"
Shen Lang smiled faintly. "I will go and fetch my intoxicated girlfriends now. Please arrange for someone to escort us out."
"Of course, no problem."
Ma Yi smiled and agreed.
Shen Lang followed Ma Yi to his home and soon found Yu Xiao and Yu Fei, who were still fast asleep, not yet sober. Shen Lang used his internal energy from the Yi Jin Jing to dissipate the alcohol from their bodies.
"Brother Shen, how long have we been drunk?"
Yu Xiao and Yu Fei, upon waking, were overjoyed to see Shen Lang first.
"You weren't drunk for long, but we should continue our sightseeing."
Shen Lang kissed Yu Xiao affectionately on the forehead and said.
"Okay—"
Soon, Shen Lang, along with Yu Xiao and Yu Fei, bid farewell to the reluctant villagers of Peach Blossom Village. They then boarded a boat and, passing through a dark passage, emerged at the exit.
However, just as Shen Lang and the others passed through a second dark passage and approached the exit, they found it had been blasted open. A mountain of rocks blocked their path.
"This..."
Upon seeing this, Yu Xiao and Yu Fei's faces changed, and Shen Lang's expression also shifted.
As Shen Lang wondered what to do, his left arm once again moved uncontrollably. It rose, his fingers unfurled, and then, five beams of red laser light shot out again.
"Bang—"
In an instant, all the obstructing boulders turned to dust and vanished.
This terrifying power once again startled Shen Lang, while Yu Xiao and Yu Fei were so shocked they couldn't utter a word.
At this moment, Yu Xiao and Yu Fei suddenly had an intuition: Brother Shen seemed no longer human.