Emerging from the Temple of Time, a man not belonging to the Twelve Palaces of Time stood before him.
Xiao Xun took two steps back, regarding the cloaked man with hostility. "Who are you?"
He didn't directly answer Xiao Xun's question, instead looking around. "You've laid quite a few barriers here; finding you was no easy feat."
Xiao Xun clenched his fist. "Who exactly are you? If you don't say, don't blame me for being rude."
The other party extended his palm. "I know Prince Swain is a Chaos Elementalist. When it comes to anything involving magic, no one is your match."
"Since you know, why are you here?"
"Naturally, to find you."
"What do you want with me?"
"Of course, I have matters to discuss." kanδん
Xiao Xun looked at the other's deathly pale face and intensely wanted to teach him a lesson. "Since you know who I am, you should also know that I'm very busy and don't have time for riddles. If you don't speak, I'm leaving."
Seeing Xiao Xun about to bypass him, the other party shouted, "My name is Frisis."
Xiao Xun turned around. "Frisis?"
A hint of pride finally appeared on Frisis's deathly pale face, but Xiao Xun immediately poured cold water on it. "I don't know him."
Frisis looked astonished. He never expected such disrespect.
"On this planet, my name is common knowledge, just like the citizens of Saint Roman know their Empress's name."
Frisis wasn't bragging, but Xiao Xun genuinely didn't know, or perhaps had forgotten. "Well, I apologize then. I truly didn't know this common knowledge. If you have something to say, just say it. I'm really quite busy."
"The Four Demon Kings have dispatched nine top assassins, targeting you and Empress Selaphis. If all goes as planned, they should already be lying in wait within the capital, ready to strike." wΑp.kanshu伍.net
Xiao Xun was accustomed to assassination attempts. If the Heavenly Calamity Legion hadn't assassinated the Great Priest, the Twelve Palaces of Time wouldn't have fallen into his hands. "How did you know about this?"
"Someone naturally told me."
Xiao Xun truly had no time for pleasantries. "Then why come to tell me this? What benefit do you seek? Or do you have some other motive?"
"If something unfortunate were to happen to you, it wouldn't cause me any loss, but the human race could face extinction."
"No loss for you? Aren't you human?"
Frisis suppressed his anger. "To be precise, I am a dragon. Humans like to call me the Dragon Emperor; my kin call me Your Majesty."
Xiao Xun finally understood. The man before him was the chieftain of the dragon race, known for their greed and bloodlust. "Since your status is so noble, why are you looking for me?"
"Rumor has it you can traverse time and space and possess future technology. I wish to ask you to treat my little princess."
Upon hearing this, Xiao Xun's mind began calculating. "I can see that as the Dragon Chieftain, you personally coming here shows immense sincerity. I naturally cannot refuse you, but since you have a request, let's discuss the terms!"
Frisis waved his hand. "Money is not an issue."
Xiao Xun smiled. "Do I look like I lack money?"
Frisis offered a smile that wasn't a smile. "Whether you lack money, I don't know, but Saint Roman is currently very short on funds."
Xiao Xun changed the subject. "I recall your dragon race maintained a neutral stance towards the Four Demon Kings' invasion, correct?"
"That's right."
"But do you know? The Four Demon Kings have turned your kin into grotesque skeleton dragons."
Frisis appeared unfazed. "Those are the honored dead spirits of the dragon race. To be resurrected in another form is perhaps a good thing."
"As expected of the chieftain, you truly have an open mind."
"Firstly, I am the Dragon Emperor. Secondly, what can one do if they don't have an open mind? Aren't you riding on the backs of our dragon race?"
Facing the naturally magnanimous Dragon Emperor, Xiao Xun pondered. "Aren't you afraid that once the Four Demon Kings extinguish the human race, they'll attack you?"
"With you here, the human race won't be annihilated. Even if there were an unlikely event, with our dragon race's strength, they wouldn't attack us lightly. There's no benefit for them."
Xiao Xun countered directly. "Who says there's no benefit? So many powerful dragons living, and even in death, they can serve them. And your treasures, the King of Greed would surely like them."
He then saw Frisis's expression shifting, and continued, "For now, the Four Demon Kings are too occupied. Consider that even the Beast King Gaggage has joined the fray. It's currently a stalemate between both factions. If they were to free up their hands and wipe out humanity, what would be the fate of your dragon race..."
Frisis was also calculating. If their dragon race were to intervene now, it could indeed tip the balance. However, this would also mean completely alienating the Four Demon Kings. If they truly participated and won, it would be fine, but if they lost, the dragon race would be finished. But if they didn't participate, they wouldn't offend either side, and he would remain the noblest native inhabitant of this planet.
Seeing Frisis in this state, Xiao Xun became more certain he could be persuaded to participate. What was needed now was a good reason.
"May I go see your daughter's condition first?"
Frisis looked up. "Of course. I came for this very reason today."
With that, he raised his hand and brought Xiao Xun to the dragon lair, miles away.
Although it was a cave, it was not at all damp or cold. It was resplendent everywhere, with piles of treasures on the ground that dazzled Xiao Xun. The air was permeated with the unique scent of gold.
Frisis was particularly pleased with his palace, especially the sparkling throne, which was larger than Selaphis's bed.
"Prince Swain, this way please."
Xiao Xun followed Frisis's guidance into a bedroom. Upon reaching the entrance, he smelled a rich fragrance. The furniture inside was also extremely luxurious, with many designs and textures superior to those in Selaphis's chamber.
He walked to the bedside and saw a frail, beautiful woman lying on the bed. Her complexion was slightly purplish, with a faint red glow subtly visible beneath the purple.
He turned to Frisis and asked, "Your Highness the Princess, is her skin color usually like this?"
Frisis nodded. "That's right."
Xiao Xun reached out to touch the princess's forehead. Before Frisis could shout 'Stop!', his hand recoiled as if struck by electricity.
"Why is it so hot?"
Frisis said with a worried expression, "It's been like this since last week. She was fine at first, saying she felt a bit dizzy, but now she's completely unconscious. Do you have any good solutions?"
Xiao Xun pondered, then looked at Frisis. "What methods have you all used to treat her?"
"I invited a Divine Magic-level priest, but all healing and blessings had no effect on her. I also used ice to cool her down. It had a slight effect initially, but soon her temperature rose even higher, and scales began to appear on her body."
Xiao Xun looked down. Indeed, the princess's arm displayed pale purple scales, and her fingers looked very swollen, with her nails slowly developing into sharp points.
"Your Majesty, it seems the situation is rather difficult. I need to take her out for treatment."
Frisis paced back and forth, finally making up his mind. "Very well. As long as you can cure the princess, I am willing to lead the entire dragon race to fight alongside your humans against the Four Demon Kings."