205: Chapter 205 The Fourth Soul, the Earth Vein Golden Dragon Soul

[Heavenly Court - First Generation] 41st hour since jumping from the Eternal Star Domain.

On the holographic star map, an earthy-yellow star was slowly rotating. That was the location of the Central Continent Imperial Dynasty in the Big Dipper Star Field—an ancient star that had been shrouded in the Qi of dragon veins for tens of thousands of years.

[Central Continent Imperial Dynasty · Big Dipper Star Field Forbidden Ground No. 1]

[Coordinates: Big Dipper Star Field · C-047, N-031]

[Danger Level: ★★★★☆]

[Core Threat: Imperial Guardians (Rank 80-85) × 17]

[Hidden Threat: The Golden Dragon's true body slumbering deep within the dragon veins]

———

Lin Ye stood in the center of the command bridge.

He looked at that earthy-yellow star.

3 seconds.

He spoke.

“The golden dragon soul,” he said.

“Is deep within the dragon veins.”

“Enshrined by the Imperial Dynasty for tens of thousands of years.”

———

Zhao Wuji stood up from the logistics seat.

“Enshrined,” he said.

“That means... they won't give it to us easily.”

———

Lin Ye nodded.

———

“But we can trade things for it,” Zhao Wuji continued.

“Negotiation is my specialty.”

———

Lin Ye looked at him.

3 seconds.

He nodded.

———

17th minute.

[Heavenly Court - First Generation] passed through the dragon vein Qi shield on the periphery of the Central Continent Imperial Dynasty.

That shield was not energy.

It was ‘Luck.’

Golden, translucent, and as thick and heavy as a physical substance.

It covered the entire ancient star.

Thickness: 17 kilometers.

Any ‘outsider’ passing through this layer of Luck would be ‘watched’ by the Imperial Dynasty's Eye of Luck.

[Gaze of Luck · Imperial Dynasty Rules]

[Effect: Upon entering the Imperial Dynasty, all actions will be ‘recorded’]

[Recorder: Imperial Dynasty Golden Dragon of Luck (Saint-Grade)]

[Warning: Any action detrimental to the Imperial Dynasty will trigger a Luck backlash]

———

Lin Ye looked at the line ‘Luck backlash.’

3 seconds.

He spoke.

“Everyone,” he said.

“After entering the Imperial Dynasty, act according to the rules.”

———

No one spoke.

But nine people, nine pairs of eyes, were all looking at him.

———

The hatch opened.

Warm air, carrying the scent of sandalwood, flooded into the cabin.

The air temperature was 23°C, humidity 50%, and oxygen content 21%—exactly the same as Earth.

Lin Ye was the first to step out of the hatch.

———

He stood at the edge of a giant city.

[Central Prefecture Imperial City]

[Population: Approx. 17,000,000 (NPC)]

[Area: Approx. 1,700 square kilometers]

[Wall Height: 47 meters]

[Wall Thickness: 17 meters]

[City Gates: 7 gates, corresponding to the big dipper]

[Guardians: Imperial Guards (Rank 70-75) × 17,000 men]

———

At the city gate stood a squad of Imperial Guards.

The leader wore golden armor with a long sword hanging from his waist.

[Imperial Guard Commander · Zhang Han]

[Rank: 78]

[Identity: 17th Generation Commander of the Imperial Guards]

[Loyalty: 100% (To the Imperial Dynasty)]

[Current Status: Greeting (?)]

———

He looked at Lin Ye.

3 seconds.

He spoke.

“Night Emperor,” he said.

“Leader of the Heavenly Court.”

“Chaos Heavenly Emperor Body.”

“Champion of the Prodigy Arena.”

———

Lin Ye did not speak.

———

“His Majesty awaits you,” Zhang Han said.

“Please.”

———

He stepped aside.

Clearing the city gate.

———

Lin Ye stepped forward.

Entering the Central Prefecture Imperial City.

Behind him, nine people.

Stepped forward simultaneously.

———

The Imperial City was vast.

The streets were 47 meters wide, lined with orderly shops and residences on both sides.

NPCs stood on both sides of the street, watching them.

In those eyes, there was curiosity, awe, and... expectation.

———

17th minute.

They arrived at the [Golden Throne Hall] in the very center of the Imperial City.

It was a giant palace 170 meters high, 470 meters wide, and 700 meters deep.

In front of the hall, there were 99 steps.

On every step, two Imperial Guards stood.

———

Lin Ye stepped onto the first step.

Step 1.

Step 2.

Step 3.

———

Step 99.

He stood at the entrance of the Golden Throne Hall.

Inside the hall, it was brightly lit.

At the very end sat a person on a golden dragon throne.

On the dragon throne sat a man.

[73rd Generation Emperor of the Central Continent Imperial Dynasty · Ji Yan]

[Rank: ??? (Saint Realm)]

[Age: 1,700 years old]

[Identity: Lord of the Central Continent Imperial Dynasty, Co-lord of the Human Race in the Big Dipper Star Field]

[Current Status: Waiting]

———

Lin Ye walked into the great hall.

He walked to a point 17 meters before the dragon throne.

Stopped.

———

Ji Yan looked at him.

3 seconds.

He smiled.

That smile was light and faint, carrying the unique majesty of an emperor.

“Rank 70,” he said.

“Chaos Heavenly Emperor Body.”

“Champion of the Prodigy Arena.”

———

Lin Ye did not speak.

———

“You have come to take the golden dragon soul,” Ji Yan said.

It was not a question.

———

“Yes,” Lin Ye said.

———

Ji Yan was silent.

3 seconds.

He stood up.

Walking down from the dragon throne.

He walked up to Lin Ye.

———

He was half a head shorter than Lin Ye.

But when he stood in front of him, Lin Ye felt an invisible pressure.

It was not power.

It was ‘Luck.’

The Luck of tens of thousands of years from the Central Continent Imperial Dynasty was all condensed upon him.

———

“The golden dragon soul,” Ji Yan said.

“Is the Foundation of my Imperial Dynasty.”

“It coexists with the dragon veins.”

“It exists alongside our Luck.”

———

He paused.

“You want it?”

———

Lin Ye looked at him.

“What is the price?” Lin Ye asked.

———

Ji Yan smiled.

That smile was a bit more genuine than before.

“Smart,” he said.

———

He turned around.

Walking back to the dragon throne.

He sat down.

———

“The price,” he said.

“Protect the Yan State for a hundred years.”

———

Lin Ye's pupils contracted slightly.

———

“Yan State,” Ji Yan continued.

“Is the northernmost vassal state of my Imperial Dynasty.”

“Small population, few resources, weak strength.”

“But it is the gateway to the Imperial Dynasty.”

“The demons and barbarians of the north invade every year.”

“Yan State cannot hold them off.”

“And the Imperial Dynasty is too lazy to send troops.”

———

He paused.

“But if you are willing.”

“With the strength of your Heavenly Court, protect the Yan State for a hundred years.”

“Yan State can survive.”

“And the Imperial Dynasty can save itself the trouble.”

———

Lin Ye did not speak.

He was thinking.

Yan State.

The place where he first descended.

The place with Chaos Valley, the Bronze Ancient Palace, and the Ancient Desolate Forbidden Land.

The place where he established the Heavenly Court.

———

“A hundred years,” Lin Ye said.

“Is too long.”

———

Ji Yan looked at him.

“Long?” he said.

“To you, a hundred years is but a snap of the fingers.”

“To the Yan State, a hundred years is life or death.”

———

Lin Ye was silent.

3 seconds.

He spoke.

“50 years,” he said.

———

Ji Yan shook his head.

“80 years,” he said.

———

“60 years,” Lin Ye said.

———

Ji Yan looked at him.

3 seconds.

He smiled.

“70 years,” he said.

“No less.”

———

Lin Ye was silent.

3 seconds.

He nodded.

“70 years,” he said.

———

Ji Yan stood up.

Walking down from the dragon throne.

He walked up to Lin Ye.

———

He reached out his right hand.

Palm facing up.

There, a golden, slowly rotating crystal floated.

【golden dragon soul】

【Type: five elements dragon soul Materials】

【Quality: Legendary-Grade】

【Description: The soul of a golden dragon nurtured by the dragon veins of the Central Continent Imperial Dynasty, containing ninety percent of the power of the Golden Dragon's Origin. Linked to the Imperial Dynasty's Luck; it cannot be taken by force and can only be exchanged.】

———

Lin Ye reached out his hand.

Touching that crystal.

———

【System Prompt: You have obtained “golden dragon soul” × 1】

【five elements dragon soul Quest Progress: 4/5】

———

But the crystal did not disappear.

In Lin Ye's palm, it began to glow.

The light grew brighter and brighter.

Finally, it condensed into a line of golden words before him.

[Contract · Protect Yan State for Seventy Years]

[Party A: Central Continent Imperial Dynasty · Ji Yan]

[Party B: Heavenly Court · Night Emperor]

[Contract Content:]

[1. Party B promises to protect Yan State for seventy years starting from today]

[2. Scope of Protection: The entire territory of Yan State (including Chaos Valley)]

[3. Content of Protection: Resist all foreign invasions, including but not limited to demons, barbarians, evil spirits, alien races, and transcendent forces]

[4. Method of Protection: Party B may decide independently, but must ensure Yan State does not fall]

[5. Liability for Breach: If Yan State is conquered within seventy years, Party B will suffer ‘Dragon Vein Backlash,’ and all attributes will be permanently reduced by 50%]

[6. Contract Term: Seventy years (starting from Year 1972 of the Epoch Calendar)]

[7. Witness: Central Continent Imperial Dynasty Dragon Veins]

———

Lin Ye looked at the line ‘all attributes permanently -50%.’

3 seconds.

He reached out his hand.

Pressing it onto that line of text.

———

【Contract · Established】

【Party B has confirmed】

【Party A has confirmed】

【Witness · Central Continent Imperial Dynasty Dragon Veins · Witnessed】

———

The golden light dissipated.

The golden dragon soul completely merged into Lin Ye's palm.

———

Ji Yan looked at him.

3 seconds.

He smiled.

In that smile, there was satisfaction, appreciation, and a hint of... relief.

“70 years,” he said.

“I leave Yan State to you.”

———

Lin Ye did not speak.

He only looked at the golden dragon soul that had already merged into his palm.

【golden dragon soul · Bound】

【Effects:】

【1. five elements dragon soul Quest Progress +1】

【2. Obtain ‘Dragon Vein Protection’: Within the scope of the Big Dipper Star Field, all attributes +20%】

【3. Obtain ‘Imperial Dynasty Luck’: Relationship with the Central Continent Imperial Dynasty locked at ‘Friendly’】

【4. Unlock Contract Quest ‘Protect Yan State’: Remaining time 69 years, 364 days, 23 hours...】

———

He turned around.

Walking toward the exit of the hall.

———

Step 7.

He stopped.

Without looking back.

“Yan State,” he said.

“Will not fall.”

———

He continued walking.

———

Step 17.

He walked out of the Golden Throne Hall.

Behind him, nine people.

Followed him.

———

Outside the hall, the sunlight was just right.

Golden sunlight spilled onto the roofs of the Imperial City, reflecting a dazzling light.

Lin Ye stood at the highest of the 99 steps.

He looked into the distance.

Looking in the direction of Yan State.

———

【System Prompt: five elements dragon soul Quest Progress】

【Fire Soul: Completed】

【Water Soul: ???】

【Golden Soul: Completed】

【Wood Soul: Completed】

【Earth Soul: ???】

【Remaining Time: 24 days】

———

Lin Ye closed that line of prompts.

He looked at the last flickering point of light on the holographic star map.

Hegemon Body Ancestral Star · Core Fissure.

earth dragon soul.

———

“Next stop,” Lin Ye said.

“Hegemon Body Ancestral Star.”

“earth dragon soul.”

———

【Chapter 205 · End】