265: Qing Kuang

Hesitating for a moment, Lu Xingchen still took a step forward.

That’s right, he was just that stubborn!

Cultivating is like sailing against the current; if you don't advance, you retreat.

Venturing through the Tianyuan Continent relied on a heart that dared to move forward.

If he was timid in everything he did, how could he compete with other Prodigies, and how could he protect those he loved?

Lu Xingchen walked up step by step, and the Soul impact grew stronger with each stride.

But he did not turn back.

Finally, he crossed 999 steps and reached the top of the staircase.

At the top was an open space, and in the center of the space was a lamp.

The lamp stand was exquisitely ornate, and the flame was greenish-blue.

An aged voice resounded in his ears.

“Why do you Cultivate?”

Lu Xingchen was slightly taken aback, then he bowed to the lamp and said in a deep voice, “Junior Cultivates the Martial Dao to constantly grow stronger and protect those I love in my heart!”

After three seconds of silence, the aged voice resounded again.

“Why do you Cultivate?”

Hearing this, Lu Xingchen raised an eyebrow slightly.

He had already spoken his true feelings, but it seemed this Dragon Clan Senior was not very satisfied.

But as long as the other party didn't kick him out of this strange space, he would continue to try, shamelessly.

“As the saying goes, ‘When poor, Cultivate oneself; when prosperous, benefit the world.’ Junior Cultivates the Martial Dao to repay the Human Race, to prop up a tottering edifice, and to free the Human Race's people from the threat of the Demon Race Army!”

After three seconds of silence, the aged voice resounded again.

“Why do you Cultivate?”

Lu Xingchen frowned.

Even after saying such grand, empty words, he still couldn't pass?

Was it because his words were too biased towards the Human Race and didn't mention the Yao Race, so this Dragon Clan Senior was displeased?

“I Cultivate the Martial Dao to ascend to the Peak of the Tianyuan Continent, to serve as a bridge, allowing the Human, Demon, and Yao Races to coexist peacefully, and to prevent further wars.”

Another three seconds passed.

“Why do you Cultivate?”

“...”

Lu Xingchen was somewhat speechless.

Was this Dragon Clan Senior a repeater?

Why was it always the same sentence?

Lu Xingchen was at his wit's end; he couldn't think of any more eloquent words to appease this Dragon, nor did he want to continue trying to appease him.

He took three steps forward, kicked over the lamp, and chuckled, “I Cultivate the Martial Dao precisely so I can kick over this lamp right in front of you!”

With Lu Xingchen's kick, the situation changed.

Suddenly, thunder rumbled around him, and the staircase began to shatter.

From bottom to top, the stones forming the steps started to crumble, and fragments scattered everywhere.

However, when the fragments touched the ground of the altar, they vanished like snowflakes.

Lu Xingchen was startled.

Had he angered the owner of this Dragon Bone?

Why such a big commotion?

He immediately spread his Dou Qi Wings and flew onto the altar.

“Good, good, good!”

Three 'goods' resounded continuously in the air, and a handsome Middle-aged man suddenly appeared from the center of the altar.

The man wore a yellow robe embroidered with magnificent patterns, which, combined with his handsome face, exuded an elegant and noble aura.

Lu Xingchen was startled and hastily bowed to the man in the yellow robe.

“Junior Lu Xingchen, invited by the Young Clan Leader of the Ghost Dragon Clan to Dragon Bone Lake to seek treasure, I did not intend to offend. If I have caused any disturbance, please forgive me, Senior, Junior will leave immediately!”

The man in the yellow robe smiled and said, “Lu Xingchen? A rather handsome name!”

“This old man is Qing Kuang, from the Azure Dragon Clan. I left my Dragon Bone here to provide an Opportunity for my descendants. I never expected, however, that a Human Race boy like you would benefit from it!”

Hearing this, Lu Xingchen's heart filled with joy.

“Listening to Senior's words, have I passed your test? Then, may I ask if Senior would be willing to bestow the Dragon Bone upon me?”

Qing Kuang nodded slightly: “My first test was to screen the strong, and my second test was to assess whether the newcomer had the confidence to challenge authority. You have successfully passed both.”

“Logically, I should give you the Dragon Bone. It's just a pity that you are not of the Dragon Clan, but from the Human Race. If I let you take my Dragon Bone, it might pose a threat to my descendants in the future.”

Hearing this, Lu Xingchen's heart sank.

Indeed, his biggest worry had come true.

Lu Xingchen said in a deep voice, “If Senior is willing to bestow the Dragon Bone, Junior promises that he will never do anything detrimental to the Dragon Clan in this lifetime.”

Hearing this, Qing Kuang chuckled, “You're quite perceptive, young man. However, I want to change this agreement. You are, after all, of the Human Race, and conflicts with our Yao Race are normal. I don't expect you to always protect the Dragon Clan's interests; that's unrealistic.”

“I don't care about minor squabbles. I only ask one thing of you: if the Dragon Clan faces a catastrophic disaster in the future, you will lend a hand and preserve a spark for the Dragon Clan.”

Hearing this, Lu Xingchen was startled.

“Has Senior perceived something? Will the Dragon Clan face extinction in the future?”

Qing Kuang nodded slightly: “You're quite quick-witted, young man. When I was attempting to Breakthrough to the Emperor Realm, I was fortunate enough to step onto the River of Time and caught a glimpse of the Dragon Clan's future destiny. It was shrouded in gloom, but within that gloom, there was a faint glimmer of dawn.”

Lu Xingchen gave a wry smile, “It wouldn't be me who is that glimmer of dawn, would it?”

Qing Kuang chuckled, “Perhaps, but it's always right to leave an extra path for the Dragon Clan.”

Lu Xingchen nodded slightly and said in a deep voice, “Since that is the case, then Junior accepts this agreement. If the Dragon Clan ever faces hardship in the future, Junior will certainly lend a hand!”

Qing Kuang smiled and said, “A gentleman's word, once spoken, cannot be easily retracted. However, if you wish to obtain my Dragon Bone, you must pass my final test. As long as you can endure my Soul Imprint attack for three minutes, I will give you the Dragon Bone.”

Lu Xingchen gave a wry smile, “May I ask what Realm Senior Qing Kuang was in?”

Qing Kuang chuckled, “This old man was once fortunate enough to Breakthrough to the Half-step Emperor Realm, but fell in a battle with a Demon Race expert, leaving his Dragon Bone within the Dragon Vein.”

Lu Xingchen gave a wry smile, “Senior has already Broken Through to the Emperor Realm, while I am merely a small Martial Ancestor. How could I possibly be your opponent?”

Qing Kuang chuckled, “Young man, you don't need to be nervous. My Realm in life was only Half-step Emperor Realm, still a great distance from a true Martial God.”

“Moreover, it is well known that the Yao Race values Physical Body strength and disregards Soul Power. Although I had Broken Through to the Half-step Martial God Realm, my Soul Power was only Heaven Realm Mid-stage.”

“This Soul Imprint before you only possesses one percent of my Peak Soul Power. If you can't even defeat me as I am now, you are not qualified to take my Dragon Bone!”

Lu Xingchen gave a wry smile, “Since Senior has said so, then I can only try!”

Hearing this, Qing Kuang nodded slightly.

“That's more like it! Young people should have some courage and dare to fight!”