226: Chapter 226 I'm Ready

"Second Elder!"

"Second Elder, you have finally arrived!"

By the Silver Dragon Pool, the atmosphere was so oppressive it felt as if it could drip water.

An aged figure, exuding a chilling coldness, slowly approached, treading through the Void Realm.

Seeing Second Elder Ao Ni appear, the Golden Dragon Clan, who had been waiting for a long time, along with Clan Chief Ao Yi and others, hurried forward and bowed respectfully.

Second Elder Ao Ni remained expressionless, merely nodding slightly.

His cloudy yet sharp eyes swept past the crowd and landed directly on Elder Ping He, the Silver Dragon who was lounging lazily by the pool.

If not for Great Elder Ao Yin risking his life to send a message, forcing him to make this trip, Second Elder Ao Ni would never have been willing to set foot in this place, let alone bow his head to this person.

At this moment, Second Elder Ao Ni's expression was terrifyingly gloomy. He let out a cold snort, his voice hoarse and tinged with impatience: "Elder Ping He, Young Master Ao Xing is a Prodigy of our Dragon Clan. Now that he is in trouble, since you have a way to save him, act quickly. Do not delay any further!"

Under the pool, several juniors of the Silver Dragon Clan were stealthily peeking out, looking through the shimmering water at the old man on the shore who was radiating a fierce aura.

"Shh... is that Second Elder Ao Ni? He looks so fierce, like he wants to eat someone." A small Silver Dragon shrank its neck and muttered quietly.

"Obviously, it's him! I heard it was his grandson who caused the death of our cousin back then, and now he has the nerve to come here again. Shameless!" Another small Silver Dragon looked indignant but dared not speak loudly.

On the shore, Elder Ping He did not even lift his eyelids, as if he hadn't heard Second Elder Ao Ni's words.

It wasn't until Second Elder Ao Ni's icy gaze almost poked holes in him that Elder Ping He lazily looked up: "Is that it? Is this the attitude of a Second Elder asking for help?"

"Although I, Elder Ping He, am not capable, I am not someone who can be ordered around by just anyone. Besides, Second Elder, you didn't even say 'please,' let alone apologize. Why should I save him?" Elder Ping He's gaze turned stern: "I have already left the Dragon Clan, so you have no right to boss me around. Let's stick to what was agreed upon!"

"You—!"

Hearing this, Second Elder Ao Ni's hair and beard stood on end. A terrifying aura instantly erupted from his body, and the surrounding air seemed to solidify.

He stared fixedly at Elder Ping He, killing intent surging in his eyes. If it weren't for the sake of the Great Elder and the Face of the Dragon Clan, he would have slapped this ignorant fool to death long ago.

Elder Ping He was not afraid at all. Instead, he provocatively pointed at Young Master Ao Xing, who was still in a terrified pose and turned into silver stone: "The same words apply: if you want to save him, follow what I said; if you don't want to save him, get lost. You all said that this 'Turning Stone into Silver' curse has completely seeped into his bone marrow, and only I can save him."

He hadn't known that before, but since Clan Chief Ao Yi said it, he would make use of it.

Now, he, Elder Ping He, was a hot commodity. Young Master Ao Xing's status was special, so Second Elder Ao Ni would definitely compromise in the end.

He never had such an opportunity before.

He curled his lips and asked with narrowed eyes: "Could it be that the Second Elder does not want Young Master Ao Xing to be saved?"

Clan Chief Ao Yi hesitated and stepped forward, unable to help but remind him: "Second Elder, the big picture is what matters!"

Young Master Ao Xing pleaded: "Second Elder, look at me, I don't want to believe that you are empty-handed."

Second Elder Ao Ni's fists crunched, his nails digging deep into his palms. He turned his head to look at Young Master Ao Xing's legs. Although he wished he could tear Elder Ping He into ten thousand pieces, for the sake of the Dragon Clan's future, he had to forcibly suppress the surging killing intent in his chest: "I know, I don't need you to remind me!"

Clan Chief Ao Yi took half a step back and couldn't help but roll his eyes secretly. As if anyone wanted to remind you.

Isn't this you wasting time here the whole time?

At this point, you are still wearing that stinking Face. If it were me, I wouldn't bother with you either.

After dismissing Clan Chief Ao Yi, Second Elder Ao Ni took a deep breath and squeezed a few words through his teeth, his tone as stiff as chewing stones: "Elder Ping He... back then, it was I... who was wrong. I apologize to you."

"Ha?" Elder Ping He acted as if he had heard a huge joke and picked his ears. "Second Elder, the way you say that, it sounds like you are reciting a eulogy? Where is the sincerity? I want sincerity! Your perfunctory attitude won't save anyone."

"Elder Ping He! Do not push your luck!" Second Elder Ao Ni finally couldn't help but roar, his Dragon Qi surging, shaking the gravel on the ground.

"Pushing my luck?" Elder Ping He sneered and stood up, staring intensely at Second Elder Ao Ni. "Don't you know how unjustly my grandson died back then? Now that you want me to save someone, you must show the proper attitude of someone asking for help! Otherwise, we can just go our separate ways!"

The two were at daggers drawn, and it looked like they were about to fight.

"Enough!"

A majestic shout rang out. Clan Chief Ao Yi stepped forward, blocking between the two. His expression was grave. He first nodded slightly to Second Elder Ao Ni, signaling him to calm down, then turned to look at Elder Ping He, saying in a deep voice: "Elder Ping He, Young Master Ao Xing is a pillar of our Dragon Clan. He is in grave danger now, so I hope you will be lenient and stop making things difficult for the Second Elder."

"Besides the apology, our Dragon Clan will provide a top-grade Spiritual Artifact and 100,000 High-Grade Spirit Stones as compensation for these years."

Elder Ping He glanced at Clan Chief Ao Yi, then looked at Second Elder Ao Ni, who was almost bursting with anger, and the resentment in his heart had been vented enough.

He snorted lightly and waved his hand: "Fine, for your sake, I will reluctantly let it go this time."

After all, he had considered too much, so it was about enough.

After saying that, he pointed to Young Master Ao Xing: "Bring him over."

Hearing this, everyone breathed a long sigh of relief and hurriedly lifted Young Master Ao Xing, carefully placing him on a flat boulder by the pool.

Clan Chief Ao Yi glanced at the lifeless statue, a hint of pity flashing in his eyes. He turned around and waved his hand at the crowd: "You all step back, no disturbances allowed."

After everyone retreated to a safe distance, Elder Ping He sat cross-legged opposite Young Master Ao Xing.

Young Master Ao Xing looked at Elder Ping He with hopeful eyes, spread his arms, and then closed his eyes tightly: "Elder Ping He, I am ready, come on!"

He took out an ancient jade box from his arms and opened it slowly. In an instant, an extremely rich Life Qi permeated the air.

In the box, there lay quietly a Spiritual Plant that was entirely crimson and shaped like raging fire—the Red Sun Burning Heaven Grass.

This grass grew in a place of extreme Yang and contained an extremely violent pure Yang power, which was the key to resolving the cold curse of "Turning Stone into Silver."

This object was not precious; what was precious was the processing method.

In addition, Clan Chief Ao Yi took out a few drops of golden Dragon blood and a bottle of "Mysterious Yin Heavy Water" taken from the ten-thousand-year-old Northland.

"Yin and Yang complement each other, break then build..." Clan Chief Ao Yi whispered, his expression unprecedentedly grave.

He formed seals with his hands rapidly, and complex and obscure Cultivation Techniques flowed from his fingertips, turning into golden runes that wrapped around Young Master Ao Xing's statue layer by layer.

Immediately after, he slammed his palm onto the Red Sun Burning Heaven Grass, activated his Cultivation Technique, his hands flashing with silver light, and the Spiritual Plant instantly turned into a ball of crimson flames, which he forcibly introduced into Young Master Ao Xing's body.

"Sizzle, sizzle, sizzle—"

The crimson flames and the silver-white stone on Young Master Ao Xing's body instantly clashed violently. Wisps of black smoke rose from the surface of the statue, and a burnt smell filled the air.

Young Master Ao Xing's body began to tremble violently.

Sweat beads rolled down Elder Ping He's forehead. His hands were constantly changing seals like a butterfly flitting through flowers. He had to guide the Red Sun power to burn the stone, while also using the Mysterious Yin Heavy Water to protect Young Master Ao Xing's heart meridian to prevent him from being blown up by the violent medicinal power.

Time passed bit by bit. Elder Ping He's Face grew paler and paler, and his aura became increasingly withered.

This treatment process was like walking a tightrope; if there was the slightest carelessness, Young Master Ao Xing would be completely annihilated.

This was the power of "Turning Stone into Silver." It was very convenient to cast, but extremely difficult for others to treat.

"Break... for me!"

Elder Ping He bit his tongue tip sharply and sprayed a mouthful of blood essence onto Young Master Ao Xing's forehead.

The blood essence instantly turned into a golden stream of light and drilled into the statue.

"Crack!"

A crisp cracking sound rang out. The silver stone skin on Young Master Ao Xing's legs finally showed a tiny crack. Immediately after, the crack spread rapidly.

Elder Ping He's eyes flashed with brilliance, and his hands suddenly pulled outward: "Rise!"

Accompanied by a harsh peeling sound, Young Master Ao Xing's silver stone skin cracked inch by inch, turning into countless powders that fell to the ground. The originally stiff and cold legs finally regained a trace of blood color and softness.

"Is it done?" Clan Chief Ao Yi leaned over, his expression nervous.

Elder Ping He slumped to the ground, exhausted, gasping for air.

And before him, Young Master Ao Xing's tightly closed eyes slowly opened, revealing a pair of joyful eyes.

He lifted his legs: "I... am I still alive?"

"Is it done?" Second Elder Ao Ni's eyes lit up, and then he turned to look at the weak Elder Ping He: "Elder Ping He, you have guts!"

"..."

Everyone was stunned, looking at Second Elder Ao Ni with strange expressions.

"You old man don't want to wait even one more second!"