86: Chapter 86 The Substitute Puppet
[After a precise review by this system, the Host's journey through the ruins can be described as a narrow escape from death, with every step fraught with peril!]
[Facing those terrifying alien beasts capable of destroying heaven and earth, and the various Heaven's Chosen with ulterior motives, the Host relied on astonishing perseverance and a minuscule amount of luck, repeatedly dancing on the edge of death!]
[Especially when facing that terrifying Ancient Young Dragon, the Host displayed a truly moving will to survive, ultimately escaping miraculously!]
[Congratulations, Host! Main Quest completed—Walk out of the ruins alive!]
[Quest Reward: Substitute Death Puppet x 1!]
Listening to the system's emotionally charged broadcast, which sounded like it was narrating an epic and moving tale of survival, Ning Yuan couldn't help but twitch the corner of his mouth twice.
"A narrow escape? Every step fraught with peril?"
"brother tongzi, do you have some misunderstanding about the word 'difficult'?"
However, when he saw the small doll in his inventory, emanating an ancient aura with intricate Substitute Death Runes carved on its surface, his slight speechlessness instantly vanished.
Substitute Death Puppet!
This is a true life-saving treasure!
Once refined, it can withstand all damage in place of the main body when suffering a fatal blow and instantly teleport the main body randomly to a location ten thousand miles away!
This means he has gained an extra life!
"Not bad, not bad! This round was a huge win!"
Ning Yuan happily stored the puppet away, his heart filled with a sense of security.
Just as he was in high spirits, wondering why this broken ship hadn't started yet so he could hurry home and count his money...
Suddenly!
A cry full of shock and horror came from the direction of the voidship's main control room!
"What?! What did you say?!"
That was Dean Ren Wanlong's voice!
Normally steady and domineering, his voice now carried a distinct tremor!
That shout instantly drew everyone's attention.
Ning Yuan also curiously craned his neck to look.
He saw several students who had been questioned earlier, gesticulating wildly with terrified expressions as they described something.
As they spoke, the faces of Jiang Baihe and Ren Wanlong grew increasingly grave, eventually turning ashen!
"A True Dragon?!"
"Are you sure it was a living... ancient Young True Dragon cub?!"
Jiang Baihe's voice also changed pitch, his eyes filled with disbelief.
Seeing this, Ning Yuan was somewhat baffled.
Wasn't it just a Young Dragon?
Although its strength was considerable, surely it wasn't enough to shock these two Martial Emperor powerhouses, who had seen great storms and waves, to this extent?
Could it be that this True Dragon held some special significance?
The two deans exchanged a glance, seeing deep concern in each other's eyes.
They immediately began questioning them in even greater detail.
When asked about the Young True Dragon's final whereabouts, Yu Wangji stepped forward.
Covering his blinded left eye, his face pale, he said, "At the time, I was fleeing for my life and didn't see what happened next. But I vaguely sensed that the True Dragon seemed to encounter extremely powerful resistance... Later, its aura completely vanished. I don't know if it was dealt with by someone, or..."
At this point, he paused and didn't continue.
But everyone present understood his meaning.
What kind of terrifying existence could deal with a berserk, peak sixth-stage True Dragon?
Just then.
The Guardian of the Golden God Clan suddenly received an urgent communication.
After listening, his expression turned extremely strange. After hesitating for a moment, he still spoke up:
"Deans, my clan has just received news... the aura of the Guardian's Remnant Husk carried by Prince Golden Horn has also completely vanished within the ruins."
"That is a supreme treasure sealed with the split soul of one of my clan's Emperors! Once activated, it possesses invincible combat power at the peak of the sixth stage!"
"Perhaps... that True Dragon died at the hands of that Emperor's split soul, and both perished together?"
This was the most plausible speculation.
Only an existence of the level of an Emperor's avatar could forcibly suppress and kill a Young True Dragon cub within ruins under rule suppression!
Hearing this, everyone nodded thoughtfully.
That explains it!
No wonder Golden Horn also failed to emerge—he exhausted his trump card and perished together with the True Dragon!
Although it's a pity to lose a Heaven's Chosen, it can be considered as eliminating a scourge for the people.
The two deans also nodded slightly, seemingly accepting this explanation.
However.
Ning Yuan, listening nearby, felt more and more that something was off.
Perished together?
An Emperor's avatar killing a True Dragon?
This fabricated plot... is quite complete.
But he couldn't shake the feeling that the two deans' reactions seemed somewhat excessive.
Was the mere appearance and death of a Young Dragon really worth such a huge fuss?
Taking advantage of everyone still discussing animatedly, Ning Yuan quietly moved closer to Jiang Baihe and asked in a low voice:
"Uncle-Master, what does the appearance of this True Dragon... actually mean? Is it worth you being so tense?"
Jiang Baihe turned his head and looked at him deeply.
His eyes contained a gravity and... fear that Ning Yuan had never seen before.
He didn't answer directly. Instead, he pointed out the porthole, towards the sky above the Yan River, which had just regained its calm.
That is, the direction where the ruins entrance had vanished.
"Look for yourself!"