"What the hell has happened?"

These words shook Xiao Wu and she snapped awake. She immediately kicked off the ground, heading towards the golden stage, a worried expression on her face. Lao Jianghu simply smiled as he dispelled the golden barrier separating the Golden Arena's stage from its surroundings.

Just as Xiao Wu was about to run into it, the barrier broke down and disappeared, not hindering the girl's path at all. As soon as she landed, she immediately run up to Sou Rou's unconscious body and examined her condition.

She slightly relaxed when she saw the girl had no visible wounds, however she did not dare to sigh in relief: no external wounds didn't mean that there wouldn't be any internal damage present.

"Don't worry, young lady..." Mu Gu's voice reached Xiao Wu's ears as the green-haired old man with sharp eyebrows smiled amiably "She has only passed out. She is fine."

Having said that, the Second Protector lifted his hand and pointed with his index finger: a faint green glow could be seen emanating from its tip.

Mu Gu then smiled at Xiao Wu's confused expression and tapped Sou Rou's forehead. Soon, the beautiful woman laying on the ground frowned and her body moved slightly as her eyelids twitched.

Finally, her eyes opened and Xiao Wu let out a sigh of relief.

Sou Rou glanced around, her expression one of confusion: why was she on the ground? 

Finally, her eyes lit up with understanding when she noticed Te Rin standing a few steps away: the girl looked completely fine and there was no trace of any kind of wounds on her body.

Sou Rou smiled bitterly as she chuckled self-deprecatingly. 

"I lost..." She sighed and propped herself up. She stared at Te Rin, a strange expression on her face...

"This disciple thanks Elder Sister Te Rin for her guidance!" Sou Rou, to everyone's surprise, clapped her hands together, lowered her proud head and bowed "You  taught me many things, I am thankful for your guidance! I have no regrets about losing against Sister Te Rin!"

Te Rin blushed slightly and then hurriedly bowed as well "Fellow Disciple, there is no need to speak such words! This Disciple is also thankful for Successor's guidance!"

Sou Rou smiled and then nodded to Xiao Wu "No need to worry, Sister, I am fine. Let's go... I bet Fu Yin cannot wait to start his little lesson..."

Xiao Wu raised one of her thin eyebrows and then chuckled.

Te Rin also turned and began to walk towards the stalls, where the other eight Core Disciple attending the tournament were resting. As of then, the eight pairs of eyes held great shock within as well as admiration and acknowledgement.

This girl, ever since the battle a few years ago, she had laid low, barely showing herself to anybody else. Nobody would have guessed that this girl had actually become so strong that she could rival the strength of one of the three Monsters of the Golden Emperor Sect!

At that time, Te Rin had reached the Heavens in a single leap: from then on, nobody would dare to look down on her. Instead, they would look at her as if they were looking at Sou Rou herself as, even though she might not be a Successor, her strength was on par if not superior to one!

Te Rin smiled from one ear to the other as she lowered her head to hide her bright, red face 'I... I have grown stronger! Alone, I defeated one of the Successors!'

Her expression then turned into one of determination 'I will have to do my best for Sister Sou Rou's sake as well! I will be sure to give it my best!'

...

On top of a tall tower in the middle of the innermost Ring of the Golden Emperor Sect, a good distance away from the Golden Arena, two figures sat at a table. In front of them, a chessboard indicated they were having a chess match.

One was a dragon, his body long and sinuous, red mane and a red beard fluttered in the wind as the spikes at the back of his head made his figure even more imposing! This was none other than the Heavenly Devouring Dragon, Blindlight!

The other was a middle-aged man man wearing black robes. He had black hair and a black, pointy beard. He was the human form of the Hellish Nightmare Dragon, Blacky.

The two of them were currently sipping tea and staring into the horizon. At one point, the middle-aged man had put down the empty cup and had smiled slightly as he spoke:

"This girl... To think she would actually progress to this extent! It looks like she has decided which path she is going to thread! I like her choice! After all, playing with the mind of others is great fun!" Blacky chucked as he twirled his goatee with one of his fingers. He picked up a piece and nodded to himself as he 'checked' his opponent's king.

Goldy yawned and then gulped down the cup he was holding all in one go. He then picked up a piece and knocked over the piece Blacky had just put down and proceeded to eat that as well.

Blacky frowned and then cursed "Damn it, Blindlight! Stop eating everything for once and focus on the match!"

The middle-aged man sighed as Goldy showed a confused expression and then turned his head to the right.

"Speaking about Te Rin... Why did you, an Ancient, stoop so low and decided to actually teach a lowly mortal?" Blacky chuckled, a flash of disdain passed by his eyes as he gazed at a figure sitting on a chair.

The ginger-haired girl lifted her gaze from the book she was holding and her purple lips arranged into a smirk:

"Was going to ask you the same thing! Could you please tell me why an Heavenly Beast, a figure of such high rank, has decided to serve a lowly mortal?" Iris smiled, her expression fierce.

"Oh! Admit it, she got you there..." Goldy exclaimed and then proceeded to grab and then throw his opponent's teacup in his mouth.

"Shut up! You are in my exact situation!" A vein popped on top Blacky's forehead.

"Mmm... Where did I leave my Soul Contract clearly dictating my role as being Cheng Hao's servant..." Goldy furrowed his brows and pondered "Oh, that's right, I don't have it! Can you pass me yours, Blacky?"

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"Aaaargh!" The Hellish Nightmare Dragon roared. Iris covered her mouth as she giggled, her purple lips curving upwards and her red eyes flashing with amusement.

Then, the black-haired man's expression grew serious. He turned to look at the golden dragon and raised one of his eyebrows.

Goldy noticed this and then gazed in Iris's direction.

"Iris, Aster..." The dragon opened his mouth and began to speak "What are you guys planning to do from now on?"

Behind Iris, a man sat cross-legged, a large sword laid horizontally in front of him. This man had white hair and a fierce expression on his face. Unlike before when he had resembled a sheathed sword, unfathomable and impossible to predict, the current him gave off the same feeling of a sword already in the middle of the swinging motion!

A single stare would kill! At the moment, Aster looked like a sharp blade even more than the greatsword on the ground! 

Suddenly, the thirty years old, white-haired man opened his red eyes and looked at Goldy with a self-deprecating smile:

"Planning to do? We are tied here as we have been forced into becoming that brat's brothers-"

"Bodyguards! He clearly stated bodyguards!" Iris complained as she pouted "What would he need bodyguards for anyways? He is able to fight beings capable of destroying the world all by himself!"

Aster sweatdropped and then resumed "Anyways, we don't have any plans except waiting for that brat..." He chuckled bitterly.

Goldy smiled and then asked "Iris... Did you read all the books I gave you? Do you remember their contents?"

The ginger-haired girl turned to look down at the book she was holding: it was opened on the very last page. The finger she usually used to keep track of her progress was on top of the very last word: she had finished!

"Yes. However, I still find it hard to believe that the world I grew up in is nothing but a copy of the True Earth, a Plane of Existence, and a low ranked one at that!" She shook her head as she closed the book and stared at its cover, where, in fancy, golden letters, the words 'Chronichles Of The Nine Heavens' were depicted.

"Had it not been for your identities as Heavenly Beasts I would have thought that you had grown crazy or were pulling off some sort of prank on me..." She chuckled bitterly and then waved her hands: the ring she was wearing on her index finger suddenly lit up and a flash of light appeared, blocking the view "When you gave me all these books that completely changed the way I perceive reality!"

When the light shrunk back, a mountain of books appeared behind the beautiful woman: ancient history, lost cultivation manuals and countless records of lost eras... If it was related to cultivation, you could name it, and there would be a high chance that something similar would be there!

Goldy nodded and turned towards Aster "What about you, sword-boy? You succeeded?"

Aster grinned and he grabbed the sword laying in front of him. He then stood up and the feeling of danger he gave off multiplied by several times before... Dissipating! Yet, one could not help but swallow as he would feel death's scythe grazing on their necks!

Suddenly, killing intent appeared, swirling like a hurricane around the greatsword that Aster was holding: soon, what looked like crimson flames were burning on the blade's edge. They were intangible, yet they could still slash, cut and pierce the flesh!

What's more, the pressure...

"Peak Reverend stage! After this, we will only have to wait for the Tribulation!" Blacky exclaimed in delight. Goldy also seemed to let out a sigh of relief.

Aster chuckled and he lifted his sword: it seemed to act like a catalyst as the Pressure of the peak Reverend stage came not from the man, instead it came from the sword! On the other hand, the white-haired man had such a sharp will himself.

It was as if the owner and the weapon had swapped places!

"Sword Intent Scripture... Such a magnificent technique!" the man waved the blade and the air seemed about to shatter as incredible might poured out of the sword like a never-ending waterfall!

Then, the boy's two red eyes glinted as he turned to look at the two Heavenly Beasts "However... It hasn't been given away for free, has it?" he chuckled bitterly and then the Pressure disappeared.

Iris also nodded "Yes, uncle Goldy and uncle Blacky have indeed been kind to us two in the past months... However, it is now time to repay our debts, hasn't it?

Goldy and Blacky turned and looked at each other: the golden dragon tilted his head and the middle-aged man nodded. 

"Blacky, I'll leave the honors to you..." Goldy started, his expression growing darker, as if he was about to do something he would regret in the future.

The black-clothed man nodded and then waved his sleeve: his presence suddenly grew and even greater pressure than Aster had showcased earlier appeared, sealing away the top of the tower from the outside world.

Aster and Iris stared in confusion as the two Heavenly Beasts sealed this location, preventing anyone from peeking or eavesdropping their conversation.

Finally, Blacky turned and nodded to the golden dragon, his expression serious and his eyes full of determination.

Blindlight nodded back and then turned to speak to the two Ancients:

"Aster... Iris... Unfortunately, you are right. We are now going to request a favor from you. Please... Pay attention and listen very carefully to what I am going to tell you now, because this is extremely important" the dragon's tone was extremely serious. Compared to the usual, carefree Goldy, the one that was talking was not the golden snake anymore... It was the Heavenly Devouring Dragon Blindlight!

...

Goldy and Blacky looked down and gritted their teeth, their eyes full of helplessness. In front of them, Iris and Aster were frowning and the young woman couldn't help but pursue her purple lips every now and then.

The atmosphere on top of the tall tower was so heavy it seemed as if time was moving a lot slower, as if each hour that passed had actually been only a single second in the outside world.

Finally, Aster spoke: "So... When?"

Blacky looked at Goldy and then shook his head helplessly "One year. Soon. Too soon for us. Exactly one year from now, they will come and we can't allow them to know of our presence here!"

"We have already covered matters with Tiger..." Goldy muttered, his eyes lifeless as if great grief was weighing him down "He will help cover up what happened."

Blacky sighed in his head however continued his explanation: "If they find out we are here, if they find out about Xu Ling..." He shook his head "I am sorry.. To ask you to leave your birthplace, your home because of us... We apologize to our utmost!"

"That is nothing you should be apologizing for... You saved our life, this is nothing..." Aster waved his hand reassuringly and then asked "What about Xu Li- No, Cheng Hao? He isn't here, so what will happen if he doesn't come back in time?"

Goldy's lifeless eyes suddenly flashed with a sharp glint as the golden dragon's body jerked and  began trembling.

"One year minus one day from now, us four together with Xiao Wu, Fu Yin, Fang Lu, Lu Fang and Te Rin will leave this Plane of Existence..." The dragon swallowed as his eyes turned red. 

He turned and walked away, his whole body trembling, his expression hidden as he gave his back to the three other people present.

"We will leave!" He yelled "With or without Cheng Hao!" 

Having said that, the golden dragon gritted his teeth and flew off. Blacky waved his sleeve and the pressure blocking the way disappeared, allowing Blindlight to leave. 

He turned to look at where the other had stopped before flying away and notice circular stains on the ground...

The Hellish Nightmare Dragon sighed and turned to look at Aster and Iris "I am sorry to ask you this... But we have no other choice" He looked at the stains and gritted his teeth as he also felt his heart tugging a bit. 

His shoulder jerked and a single tear formed on the corner of his left eye and streaked down his cheek "Blindlight... Understands as well... And will guide us to the best of his abilities..."

...

Off in the distance, hundreds of miles from the territory of the Golden Emperor Sect, a single golden figure could be seen flying up in the sky. 

It was a golden dragon.

A few meters in length, he had a red mane and a read beard. He had five claws and its presence was that of a powerful sovereign amongst dragons!

And yet now, from the mouth of this sovereign of those powerful, flying beasts came out a silent wail. 

A wail that, while no sound could be heard, was still so full of grief and painful that even the Heavens themselves seemed saddened... Countless clouds gathered as if the sky was about to cry as well.

Lightning fell and the rain poured as the figure of the lonely dragon let out its silent wail and cried salty tears...

In front of such a scene, of this silent wail that conveyed such deep emotions, could anyone be considered human if not even a single tear streaked down their cheeks?

How could anyone not be moved by the cries of the Dragon King?