C310 Moonfang Tiger
The two phantom cultivators from Thunder Sect and Winter's Bite remained silent. The skirmish between Yu Yuan and Wang Jinlin had erupted unexpectedly, but it was of no consequence to them. Even if Wang Jinlin perished, it would not affect them in the slightest.
Their true concern lay with Shen Feiqing, who was practicing the "Ancient Echoes of the Void" mantra. After being worn down by their relentless attacks, she was on the brink of suffering a severe backlash. Shen Feiqing and the Mystic Gate were their primary objectives. Beyond that, nothing else mattered to them.
Neither the Sunblessed Empire's Golden Ship nor the Silvermoon Empire's Nimbuswing could alter the course of events. In the absence of a Spirit Walk expert of equal standing, they remained composed, fixating on Shen Feiqing, waiting and speculating in silence about the location of the Mysterious Realm's entrance.
However, when Zhao Yafu used an arcane technique taught by Loong Tianxiao, it neutralized the special properties of Wang Jinlin's Shadowgold, causing the golden dragon scales to revert back to Shadowgold. Whether it was the Silverfrost Dragon or the cultivators from Dragon Lake, they all took notice of Zhao Yafu after she sustained injuries.
Zhao Yafu was suddenly overcome with a sense of foreboding. "The Zhao family!" A cultivator from Dragon Lake, compelled to reveal himself, stepped forward with an icy demeanor. He wiped the blood from his lips and, looking up at Zhao Yafu struggling to emerge from the Nimbuswing, he accused her sharply, "The dragon soul of the dragon whelp that has been integrated into your body since childhood—have you devoured it?"
His accusation shocked the Silverfrost Dragon, who had ceased her spellcasting and regained her vitality. "Asvetaesi, the Zhao family..." The seventh-level Silverfrost Dragon, who served as the leader of the Dragon Lake cultivators, had received a command upon her hasty arrival from the deep sea. She was instructed to eradicate the Zhao family once the fate of the Forgotten Ruins was sealed.
The clan's intelligence suggested that the Zhao family, once covert allies with Dragon Lake, had now betrayed them. And Zhao Yafu, the one they had set their sights on, had audaciously committed the act of Dragon Devour.
There was irrefutable evidence that the dragon whelp had suffered an accident while exploring the world.
The only way to resurrect the young dragon was to bring Zhao Yafu back and offer the Dragon Soul of the whelp through the Nagas' sacred mystique.
However, this hope was dashed after Zhao Yafu performed the Dragon Devour.
Moreover, the mystique Zhao Yafu had covertly employed had caused her, despite being at the seventh level of dragon bloodline, considerable distress.
The sensation of her blood boiling like magma brought to the Silverfrost Dragon's mind a rumor within the clan about an individual who posed a significant challenge to the Nagas.
"Isn't that one just a Residual Soul, confined within the Moonfall Sanctuary?"
With this thought, she turned her gaze to Zhao Yafu and then to the cultivators from the Silvermoon Empire aboard the Nimbuswing. She addressed the cultivators from the Thunder Sect and Winter's Bite, "That young lady has ties to my Dragon Lake. If it wouldn't be too much trouble..."
"Not at all!" came the Thunder Sect cultivator's resonant voice from the storm clouds.
"Much appreciated!"
In an instant, the seventh level Silverfrost Dragon vanished.
When she reappeared, she was covered in silver scales and had taken on a human form, landing gracefully before the Nimbuswing.
She gave Lee Yuangui a brief look before directing her attention to Zhao Yafu. "Hand her over to me."
The cultivators from Dragon Lake emerged, their eyes fixed intently on the Nimbuswing below.
Meanwhile, Yu Yuan observed Wang Jinlin, who was seething with rage and covered in blood. Upon hearing the Silverfrost Dragon's request, he furrowed his brow.
A thought passed quietly from his mind.
Seconds later, a response arrived.
Surprisingly, the message came from Xu Zixi, known as the Python Queen.
Yu Yuan's eyes narrowed as he found his peace.
"I recognize you."
Zhao Yafu beamed, perched on the railing of the Nimbuswing. "As a child, I read about Dragon Lake and the annals of dragons. I've heard of you; you're Bai Shuang!"
The transformed seventh level Silverfrost Dragon, with a frosty gaze, suddenly inquired, "Do you know someone named Loong Tianxiao?"
"Yes, I recognize him. I met him at the Moonfall Sanctuary," Zhao Yafu confirmed, nodding vigorously. "The mystique he taught me earlier is said to be particularly effective against the Nagas."
"Where is that traitor now?" Bai Shuang asked with a cold snort. "If you can help me locate Loong Tianxiao, I will ensure that the Zhao family is spared from annihilation."
"The Zhao family belongs to the Silvermoon Empire. You sure have a bold claim, Dragon Lake!" Lee Yuchan exclaimed.
Bai Shuang cast a dismissive glance at Lee Yuchan. To her, the Silvermoon Empire and its people aboard the Nimbuswing were the weakest link. Even the strongest among them, Lee Yuangui, was merely a Lunar Spirit. She was aware that the Silvermoon Empire lacked the backing of powerful sects. While Dragon Lake maintained good relations with the Sunblessed Empire and knew it inside out, Bai Shuang was not inclined to provoke them. However, when it came to the Silvermoon Empire, Dragon Lake was more than willing to flex its muscles and challenge them.
"Lady Bai Shuang," Zhao Yafu said with a radiant smile. She pulled a green cast-iron sign from her clothing and held it up for the transformed Silverfrost Dragon to see. "Do you recognize this?"
The square, cyan-colored cast-iron sign bore the image of a winged white tiger. The majestic creature, with its expansive wings, soared through the depths of the Star River, surrounded by twinkling stars. The sign exuded an aura of ice-cold emptiness and despair.
"Astral Tiger!" came the deep shout from the Thunder Sect cultivator, his voice echoing from within the thunderclouds under the night sky.
The cultivator from Winter's Bite, encased in a ball of shattered ice, also seemed to be stirred by the sight. The ice fragments within clashed against each other, casting out glimmers of icy light.
Aboard the Nimbuswing, Lee Yuangui and the others from the Silvermoon Empire were deeply moved. Zhan Tianxiang, in particular, was fixated on the green cast-iron sign. He scrutinized the image of the white tiger soaring through the stark and desolate starry expanse. After a moment of stunned silence, he suddenly broke into a wide, mocking grin, directing it at Bai Shuang.
After Zhao Yafu produced the green cast-iron sign, the seventh-level Silverfrost Dragon ceased speaking the instant it caught sight of the white tiger. She scrutinized it carefully, confirming its identity, then silently soared back into the heavens.
The cultivators from Dragon Lake, who had converged with the intent to apprehend Zhao Yafu and hold her accountable, fell silent upon witnessing the green cast-iron sign. They all ceased their aggression.
The name 'Astral Tiger' seemed to wield an infinite magical power that subdued everyone there.
Bai Shuang of Dragon Lake understood the significance of the green cast-iron sign and realized that the task her clan had entrusted to her before her arrival was likely unattainable. Should she dare to annihilate the Zhao family, the Moonfang Tiger would surely seek out Dragon Lake.
If she had slain Zhao Yafu, she and many of the Nagas' dragons would be hunted down and shredded by the ferocious Moonfang Tiger.
The Moonfang Tiger, long accustomed to soaring beyond the Star River, hailed from Shadow's Keep. This newly risen tenth-level Dark Deity of the Shadow's Keep was currently the talk of the Everlands.
This Astral Tiger, renowned for his prowess in battle and slaughter, had become the most significant legend among the evilkind in the last millennium.
By entrusting the green cast-iron sign to Zhao Yafu, the Astral Tiger had signaled his recognition and favor towards her.
"Thank you, Bai Shenshen, for sparing me," she expressed with gratitude.
