The hem of his sleeves billowed high in the wind, his long, flying eyebrows slightly raised, and his deep purple eyes flickered with irony. His handsome face, illuminated by the dawn, carried the majesty of a celestial being and an innate nobility, exuding a world-shattering kingly aura.
"I did say so!"
At his words, the crowd, hearing his confirmation, breathed a collective sigh of relief! Their pale faces were etched with the joy of surviving a near-death experience!
However, in the next second! A supremely arrogant sneer curved the man's evil yet handsome lips.
"But..."
Those two simple words sent everyone's hearts soaring into their throats once more! And the words that followed were remarkably wild and unrestrained!
"I regret it now! This vast Upper Realm territory seems more suited for the Dragon race to inhabit! That mere corner of land is truly too stifling..."
With his statement, everyone was instantly stunned by his sheer audacity!
The elder who had shouted was so enraged that stars danced before his eyes! His face turned green and then white! His hands trembled uncontrollably!
While all eyes were fixed on Long Li Xing, Jin Bao'er had already slowly landed. Sensing Su Zi Ang's disappearing figure, she didn't choose to pursue him... instead, a more exquisitely beautiful and sinister smile graced her features.
Su Xian Zhi, if she knew she had caught up, would surely be 'surprised'!
The man in mid-air seemed to sense her excited emotional fluctuations. He rapidly descended, stopping beside Jin Bao'er in front of everyone, his icy eyes filled with absolute focus!
It was at this moment that the crowd finally shifted their gaze to the impossibly beautiful woman...
Jin Bao'er looked over and quickly noticed something! A hint of surprise flashed in her eyes.
Among the so-called experts of the Upper Realm, most were at the Nascent Soul cultivation level, some were at the Soul Transformation stage, and very few were beyond the Soul Transformation stage. It was not the scene she had imagined, where Soul Transformation cultivators were as common as dogs.
The elder at the forefront of the crowd surveyed the space between Jin Bao'er and Long Li Xing. Seemingly realizing something, his pupils contracted sharply, and his expression was one of considerable surprise, but he quickly regained his composure! His eyes now held a hint of warmth and amiability! He stepped forward first...
"Little girl, that ascension light just now... was it to welcome you?"
Jin Bao'er turned her head at the sound, her calm eyes revealing no discernible emotion!
"Yes! I am Jin Bao'er from the Cultivation World!"
Although there was no hint of reverence in her tone, she seemed easier to approach than the man beside her... A peculiar glint flashed in the elder's eyes, and he then smiled! Adopting a kindly demeanor of an elder towards a junior.
"So that's how it is. I never expected the Cultivation World to produce such a genius! Judging by your appearance, you shouldn't be a hundred years old yet, right? Truly, the student surpasses the master! I am an elder of the Ming Quan aristocratic family. You may call me Elder Qin!"
Jin Bao'er nodded slightly. Although she didn't know this man's intentions, the most important thing for her right now was to familiarize herself with the situation in the Upper Realm...
"You are too kind, Elder Qin!"
Seeing her apparent desire to understand the situation, Long Li Xing glanced at Chi Long, signaling him to leave first.
Chi Long blinked in surprise, realizing his ancestor was going to accompany his wife. The entire dragon was bewildered!
What was going on? No fight? He had prepared himself for a fierce outburst!
They had just returned to the Upper Realm. Weren't they supposed to first intimidate these hypocritical Upper Realm inhabitants, and then directly find the old man who had schemed against their ancestor and give him a good beating?
Wasn't this the proper reaction for their Dragon race? Why was their ancestor acting as if 'accompanying his wife was paramount, and everyone else could wait'?
Long Li Xing frowned when he saw Chi Long standing there, dazed.
Was Chi Long an idiot?! Had he been infected by spending too much time with the Blue Dragon clan?
Then, he slightly raised his head to look at the Golden Dragon who was the last to emerge from the ascension gate. The sacred, solemn, and noble color indeed made it appear smarter than Chi Long.
Under his subtle cue, the Golden Dragon paused slightly. After a steady glance at Jin Bao'er, it instantly understood its ancestor's intention and let out a long roar towards the sky! Its massive body flew directly towards another direction in the sky...
The Golden Dragon clan followed closely at the sound. The Blue Dragon clan followed suit. The White Dragon and Green Dragon clans, understanding their ancestor's intentions, left without hesitation.
When Chi Long finally snapped back to reality, it was the only dragon left on the scene. Even its subordinate Red Dragon clan had followed them away.
It then met its ancestor's displeased gaze! And hastily fled.
In contrast, none of the Upper Realm people dared to step forward to stop them.
This was no joke, they were Dragons! Fearsome divine beasts that had dominated the entire Upper Realm a thousand years ago, striking terror into everyone's hearts! They couldn't defeat them in a fight, and they couldn't outlast them in endurance! A single breath of dragon's fire could send people flying!
Unless they were insane, they wouldn't go looking for trouble at a time like this.
At this moment, the ascension gate completely closed.
Elder Qin stepped forward with a smile, completely devoid of the previous frustration caused by Long Li Xing. He looked rather appreciative.
"It's not convenient to talk here. Perhaps the immortal maiden would do me the honor of being a guest at my Ming Quan family? Our family head most admires rising talents!"
Although his words were respectful, his eyes kept glancing at Long Li Xing, as if seeking his opinion!
The other sects immediately reacted! They glared at him through gritted teeth...
What a cunning old fox!
Long Li Xing's face was as cold as ever; he paid no attention to the man's fawning gaze.
The elder was not in a hurry. His gaze shifted to Jin Bao'er. Although she was just a young girl, to have the Dragon Ancestor care for her so much... it was worth being humble!
Jin Bao'er nodded at this.
"In that case, I will respectfully accept your invitation!"
As far as she was concerned, it made no difference who she went with; she didn't know anyone anyway. Moreover, the old man in front of her seemed to have some status and should know more.
The grand and spectacular ascension light ended anticlimactically. Not a single aristocratic family or sect dared to interject, let alone coerce or entice new arrivals to join.
Not long after, news that shook the entire Upper Realm spread rapidly.
On a massive flying boat, Jin Bao'er stared at the luxuriously exaggerated flying vessel before her, pausing for a moment!
Long Li Xing, however, showed utter disdain.
"If you like it, there are countless immortal artifacts and treasures in my cave dwelling!"
As soon as he spoke, the elder beside him suddenly changed color! He seemed to have suddenly thought of something!
Trouble! All the treasures in the natural crystal mine where the Dragons resided had apparently been divided up by the major aristocratic families long ago! If this short-tempered Dragon Ancestor found out... then!
Jin Bao'er turned her head, her expression one of mild helplessness.
"What are you thinking? I'm just wondering why we are using this troublesome flying boat when we could instantly reach our destination using a teleportation array!"
Long Li Xing finally reacted. He glanced at the elder beside him and said meaningfully and with a hint of sarcasm.
"Bao'er, you wouldn't know this, but although the Upper Realm is far superior to the Cultivation World, there's one aspect where it falls far short!"
Upon hearing this, the elder's face flushed with embarrassment.