436: That's the difference between destiny and him.

Following Long Yue, Qin Wangchuan passed through layer upon layer of guards and Restrictions, truly stepping into the core stronghold of the True Dragon Clan.

The sight before him was indeed spectacular.

This was not the extreme opulence of the Qin Family, which gathered the splendor of all heavens to display supreme authority.

Rather, it was a unique kind of beauty belonging solely to the Dragon Clan, brimming with a sense of power and ancient rhythm.

A continuous stretch of palace complexes coiled along the mountain slopes, row upon row, stretching as far as the eye could see.

All the structures were exceptionally grand, with lines that were rugged and full of tension.

When Qin Wangchuan appeared, holding Dragon Gauze's hand, the clamor within the stronghold seemed to quiet for a moment.

Countless gazes, filled with curiosity, scrutiny, awe, and even a trace of barely perceptible hostility, converged upon them in unison.

The dragons spontaneously retreated to both sides, clearing a broad, straight path.

Their destination was the most majestic ancient hall in the distance.

Being stared at by thousands of eyes was something Qin Wangchuan had long grown accustomed to; his steps were unhurried, his expression unchanged.

It was Dragon Gauze by his side who widened her clear golden dragon eyes, curiously looking left and right.

This was the first time she had seen so many of her own kind since awakening.

The familiar aura permeating the air made her feel a slight sense of closeness.

Although some high-ranking members of the Dragon Clan had learned from Long Yue's message that the little girl being led was the true Child of Fate,

the gazes of most dragons were still irresistibly drawn to Qin Wangchuan.

"He... is of the Human Race?"

"Should be, but his aura doesn't feel quite right."

"Do you feel it too? An indescribable ancient pressure."

Some True Dragons couldn't help but whisper among themselves.

As the pinnacle of all dragons, they were born with arrogance and imposing pressure.

Yet, this black-robed youth walked among them, not only unsubdued by their aura, but instead exuding a faint sense of superiority, as if looking down upon all dragons.

It wasn't a deliberately flaunted arrogance, but a deep-seated, taken-for-granted nobility and sense of control.

It felt as if they weren't the ones scrutinizing Qin Wangchuan, but Qin Wangchuan calmly scrutinizing them.

Long Yue, walking slightly ahead, naturally noticed this as well.

She suddenly stopped, turned around, and waited for Qin Wangchuan to approach. Then, pretending to lower her head, her gaze fell on Dragon Gauze as she softly asked:

"Are you scared?"

Dragon Gauze merely lifted her eyelids to glance at her, then lowered her lashes, pressing her little face against Qin Wangchuan's arm without any response.

She considered herself an object, her mission to become her master's strength and support.

An object does not need to communicate with anyone other than its master.

Long Yue's attention clearly wasn't on her either.

After asking the question, she naturally raised her gaze to look at Qin Wangchuan, this time asking more directly:

"Aren't you afraid?"

Here in the heart of the True Dragon Clan, surrounded by thousands of dragons, among whom were old monsters with auras as deep as the sea.

Hearing this, Qin Wangchuan raised a brow slightly and countered, "Why should I be afraid?"

Before Long Yue could respond, he continued:

"On the contrary, aren't you afraid?"

"Outside, countless people are waiting to carve up your clansmen and seize Dragon Qi."

Hearing this, a flicker of dimness passed through Long Yue's eyes. She lowered her gaze and murmured, "We have long been prepared... to sacrifice a portion of our clansmen to help the clan survive this calamity."

"You seem quite disheartened."

Qin Wangchuan pierced through the calm facade to her true state of mind.

"Even if some clansmen need to be sent out, it could never be you, the lofty Long Yue."

Long Yue raised her head, looking directly into Qin Wangchuan's eyes. Her voice remained cool, yet carried a nearly obsessive determination:

"The True Dragon Clan is the entire meaning of my existence."

"Losing any single clansman is an unbearable blow to me."

She paused, her words taking on a meaningful turn:

"Conversely, if one could completely obtain the True Dragon Clan, one could also obtain... everything of mine."

This statement was almost an explicit hint.

Even though she had mostly confirmed that Dragon Gauze was the True Dragon Ancestor's body, deep down, the stirring caused by the mysterious dragon majesty and extraordinary aura on Qin Wangchuan still left her with a faint sliver of hope.

Serving the Dragon Ancestor was her fate.

But she also wanted to choose a better person within the bounds of that fate.

Unfortunately, this was impossible.

Qin Wangchuan was not of the True Dragon Clan, nor could he become the Ancestral Dragon.

"Equating the fate of the clan entirely with one's own existence is a noble realization," he commented lightly.

Long Yue shook her head: "You are mistaken. I am not noble."

"On the contrary, I am despicable."

"As long as it can ensure the survival of the True Dragon Clan, even if it means sacrificing many clansmen, I would do so without hesitation."

Her voice was calm, almost cold.

"I am the [Evil] that the True Dragon Clan must bear for its survival."

"Evil, huh..."

Qin Wangchuan repeated softly, offering no further comment.

Everyone has their own chosen path and burdens. There is no need for others to comment, and he had no intention of changing anyone.

Doing his own thing, achieving his own goals, was enough.

As they conversed, they had already walked the long path under the scrutiny of countless gazes and entered the most majestic Ancient Dragon Hall.

The hall was vast and lofty, its dome disappearing into the gloom like a starry sky.

Several high-ranking dragons with auras as solid as mountains were already waiting there.

The air was filled with an aura of antiquity and authority.

At their head was an elderly man with silver hair and beard, his face ancient.

A pair of winding dragon hornss grew from his forehead, his gaze gentle yet profound, as if capable of easily seeing through people's hearts.

He was the current acting head of the True Dragon Clan — Clan Acting Head.

The surname "Ao" itself represented that he was an elder-level existence who had survived the great calamity ten thousand years ago.

"Child, welcome home."

Clan Acting Head's gaze first fell upon Dragon Gauze, who was being led by Qin Wangchuan.

His voice carried a strange rhythm, as if capable of soothing all anxiety, containing a power that could pacify the Soul.

"I have heard. Dragon Gauze... is quite a unique name."

"However, your true name should be — Long Xiao."

"This is the honorable name engraved in the Origin of your Bloodline, belonging to the future Dominator of our True Dragon Clan."

Hearing this, Dragon Gauze pursed her little lips slightly, a clear dislike flashing in her golden dragon eyes.

She had no interest in this forcibly bestowed "true name." She simply tugged harder on Qin Wangchuan's hand, lifted her little face, her eyes showing a familiar plea —

She wanted to be held.

The floor material inside this hall was uncomfortable to her.

In comparison, she much preferred her master's embrace.

It was fragrant and smelled good.

Qin Wangchuan naturally understood. He bent down and steadily picked her up.

Dragon Gauze immediately wrapped her arms around his neck, resting her face against his shoulder, her little feet swinging contentedly in the air.

This action caused Clan Acting Head above to frown almost imperceptibly.

The Dragon Ancestor, the future Dominator of the True Dragon Clan, how could she be so dependent on another?

What kind of behavior was this!

However, when he sensed the ancient dragon majesty emanating from Qin Wangchuan, he suppressed that flicker of displeasure.

This youth's Origins were mysterious, his relationship with the Dragon Ancestor was profound, and he possessed strange dragon blood. For now, observe.

"Although the Yao Race's Seal on the Sacred Relic is somewhat troublesome, for our clan, it will only take some time to break."

Clan Acting Head steered the conversation back to business, his voice grand:

"During this time, you may rest assured and stay here."

"Long Yue will be responsible for your daily needs and will explain to Long Xiao the history, Legacy of our True Dragon Clan, and... the heavy responsibility she, as the future Dragon Ancestor, must bear to lead the clan's revival."

The word 'responsibility' weighed heavily on Long Yin, making him instinctively resist.

But for Qin Wangchuan, it was as light as a feather.

He already carried enough on his shoulders.

The mission of the Divine Son of the Imperial Clan, the pursuit of his peers, the Controller of the Returnees, the Savior of Half-bloods, the expectations of countless realms, even the game with foreign races.

Adding the title of Dragon Ancestor made no substantial difference to him.

Just as Clan Acting Head was about to signal they could retire to rest, Qin Wangchuan spoke.

His voice was not loud, but it instantly drew the gazes of all the high-ranking dragons in the hall.

"Since you've finished speaking, let me say a few words."