Deep within the Dragon's Lair, a vast valley where countless dragons slumbered.
The moment Ye Ling stepped into the depths of the fierce land, he saw numerous dragons circling in the sky.
Not only that, but dragons lined both mountain cliffs and the valley's riverbanks, and even colossal dark shadows could be seen within the river water.
Here, dragons existed in various forms: divine dragons like those in Chinese legends, winged dragons from Western lore, and all sorts of peculiar dragons from different civilizations in the void.
In essence, any creature related to dragons could be found in the depths of this fierce land.
"This truly is a dragon's nest... there are so many," the World-Ending Spirit Fire exclaimed, gazing at the dragons, both familiar and unfamiliar, in the valley.
He had never seen so many types of dragons in his entire existence.
Ye Ling surveyed the dragons in the valley and said, "These dragons seem to harbor no hostility towards us. As long as we don't act out of line, we shouldn't be attacked."
"However, it's likely not as safe as we think. Since the Dragon's Lair is one of the most perilous secret realms in the Hidden Ruins, it must contain some fatal danger. You two, stay alert."
The World-Ending Spirit Fire scanned the depths of the fierce land again and asked Ye Ling, "Kid, didn't the Savage Chaos Master say there's a strange overlord in here? Why can't I sense its aura?"
Ye Ling replied, "I haven't sensed it either... it must be in a place isolated from the outside world. Let's head in and see."
With that, Ye Ling didn't hesitate and walked directly into the dragon's lair.
The dragons in the depths of the fierce land seemed to pay Ye Ling no mind, each occupied with their own affairs. The entire fierce land remained undisturbed.
However, as Ye Ling moved forward, he felt an inexplicable pressure growing stronger.
"Something here is quietly changing," Ye Ling murmured. He turned to look at the panting World-Ending Spirit Fire and Xiao Yu, asking, "Can you two still hold on?"
The World-Ending Spirit Fire gasped, "We can... barely hold on, but where is this pressure coming from? It's far too strong!"
Seeing that the World-Ending Spirit Fire could still speak, Ye Ling then looked at Xiao Yu, whose face had turned pale.
Xiao Yu was already covered in sweat and could only look at Ye Ling with difficulty, unable to utter a word.
Clearly, she was nearing her limit.
Upon seeing this, Ye Ling immediately enveloped Xiao Yu with his Origin Power, shielding her from the pressure within the Dragon's Lair, and then asked with concern, "Are you feeling better?"
"Much better... thank you," Xiao Yu took a breath and immediately thanked Ye Ling.
Witnessing Ye Ling's action, the World-Ending Spirit Fire quickly exclaimed, "Hey! Kid, don't just help Xiao Yu bear the pressure! I'm almost at my limit too!"
"Then let's continue moving forward!"
Ye Ling ignored the World-Ending Spirit Fire's plea and turned to continue moving forward, deeper into the fierce land.
"You brat, you're doing this on purpose, aren't you?" The World-Ending Spirit Fire, seeing Ye Ling completely disregard him, became enraged and chased after Ye Ling to express his displeasure.
"Shh!"
Ye Ling suddenly made a shushing gesture to the World-Ending Spirit Fire. The previously boisterous World-Ending Spirit Fire instantly quieted down and followed Ye Ling's gaze.
Xiao Yu, unaware of what was happening, became inexplicably nervous upon seeing Ye Ling and the World-Ending Spirit Fire suddenly turn serious. She looked towards the empty space ahead, her small hands clenched tightly.
After a long while, the surroundings remained utterly silent, and the Dragon's Lair remained uneventful.
Xiao Yu, her muscles tense, couldn't help but swallow. Her palms began to sweat.
The World-Ending Spirit Fire also saw nothing. He was growing impatient and was about to ask Ye Ling when Ye Ling suddenly shouted, "Here they come!"
As Ye Ling's voice faded, the open space in front of him suddenly cracked open, and a colossal white dragon flew out from within!
Simultaneously, an extremely eerie red light emanated from the cracked earth.
It was clear that something else lay beneath the ground.
As the white dragon flew out, the dragons in the depths of the Dragon's Lair scattered as if they had seen something terrifying.
The World-Ending Spirit Fire, seeing the white dragon fly out, instinctively exclaimed, "It's the dragon from the illusion! It really exists?"
The white dragon glanced at the World-Ending Spirit Fire and Ye Ling. It seemed to see them as saviors, and a flicker of surprise flashed in its massive dragon eyes.
"Those over there, please lend me your aid, and I shall repay you!"
The white dragon spoke human words. From the cracked earth, a long-haired man wielding a giant scythe, wreathed in red light, emerged.
The long-haired man glanced at Ye Ling and said indifferently, "Don't get in the way here, scram!"
A terrifying sonic wave swept towards Ye Ling and the other two. The ground itself shattered due to the long-haired man's words.
Seeing the sonic wave approach, Ye Ling slightly raised his hand and crushed it.
"Oh?"
The long-haired man, seeing Ye Ling easily block his attack, showed a hint of surprise in his scarlet eyes. He tilted his head, scrutinizing Ye Ling, and chuckled, "I didn't expect there to be an interesting fellow like you among this generation's overlords. I thought they were all trash."
Ye Ling smiled at the long-haired man and said, "I originally had no intention of meddling. Since you've actively provoked me, there's nothing I can do but take the initiative to clean up some trash."
"Such big talk."
The long-haired man twisted his neck, resting the giant scythe on his shoulder, and grinned at Ye Ling, "Then, before I kill the Ancestral Dragon, I'll deal with you first!"
As soon as the long-haired man finished speaking, he vanished from his spot and appeared before Ye Ling!
He wielded the giant scythe, his red eyes trailing long crimson streaks, his aura incredibly ferocious!
The white dragon exclaimed, "Be careful!!!"
Seeing this, Ye Ling's lips curved upwards, and an extremely sinister black energy erupted from his body!
"Sin?"
The long-haired man's pupils contracted sharply upon seeing the black energy swirling around Ye Ling. His aura faltered, clearly startled by Ye Ling.
"You know me? It seems I've hit the jackpot!"
Ye Ling grinned and grabbed the long-haired man's head, smashing it forcefully towards the ground!
*Bang!!!*
The ground shattered, and half of the Dragon's Lair collapsed, with smoke and dust obscuring the sky!
The white dragon in the sky stared blankly at the collapsing Dragon's Lair below, its dragon eyes filled with bewilderment.
This is...
What kind of power is this?
However, the white dragon quickly regained its senses, exhaled a gust of wind, and blew away the smoke and dust filling the air. Below, the ground had become a shattered colossal pit.
And at the center of the pit, in front of Ye Ling, only a giant scythe and the red-clothed man's clothes remained.
Seeing this, the white dragon looked at Ye Ling in disbelief and stammered, "You... you... killed him?"