Chapter 389: The Dragon Maiden of the Northern Sea

Chapter 389: The Dragon Maiden of the Northern Sea

The sense of familiarity wasn't due to prior knowledge of the person, but rather the other party's physical appearance, which was unmistakably that of a person from Earth.

There were also a dozen or so people in the large villa, all of whom were Earthlings.

Cheng Sheng had been in the True Dragon Empire for many years, not only focusing on his personal strength and adventures but also shouldering the responsibility of maintaining contact with Earth. The head of state had sent a group of people from the Star Department to stay in Titanium Ring City with Cheng Sheng.

Ji Xinghuo rode his Antler Cloud Elk into the villa area, scanning the surroundings with his electromagnetic sensing ability. He found that most of the residents were foreigners.

It was similar to an embassy compound, with the Earthlings being just one among them.

Soon, he arrived at the door.

The villa occupied a vast area, spanning over ten thousand square meters. A plaque hung on the gate, inscribed with familiar Chinese characters.

"Caution the Dragon's First Appearance."

Seeing the four bold and powerful characters, he couldn't help but smile.

"Hidden Dragon" was Cheng Sheng's nickname. Although he spent most of his time away from Earth, the rumors about him were always flamboyant and high-profile. Unexpectedly, here in Titanium Ring City, the plaque on the door displayed "Caution: The Dragon's Debut".

The phrase meant that something might be developing favorably at the beginning, but it was still weak and needed to be cautious and not act rashly.

"Looks like he's had some setbacks and decided to lie low," Ji Xinghuo thought, intrigued.

Just then, a man wearing battle armor walked out from the gate. Upon seeing Ji Xinghuo's appearance, his expression turned guarded, and he asked in True Dragon language, "Who are you looking for?"

Ji Xinghuo had already sensed the other party's presence and simply replied, "Looking for someone."

These two words immediately put the other party at ease.

Because he had spoken in the common language of Asia.

The legendary warrior sized up Ji Xinghuo and then realized that the wild man before him was from Earth. A smile appeared on his face as he asked, "Are you from Earth?"

"I'm here on the orders of the head of state to see Cheng Sheng," Ji Xinghuo replied. "Is he in?"

"Yes, he is."

The legendary warrior became even more enthusiastic. "Please come in."

Ji Xinghuo jumped off his Antler Cloud Elk and followed the man through the gate. The place was less like a villa and more like a small manor, complete with various facilities, including a courtyard, a garden, a training ground, a stable, and a cultivation room.

"Your mount is an Antler Cloud Elk. They're quite rare even here," the legendary warrior remarked, displaying his extensive knowledge. "No wonder you were able to travel from Olympia to Titanium Ring City by yourself."

"I guess so," Ji Xinghuo replied with a smile.

He followed the man and sent his Antler Cloud Elk to the stable, instructing it to stay put. Then he went to meet Cheng Sheng.

"My name is Wang Yanpeng, and I've been in Titanium Ring City for ten years now," Wang Yanpeng introduced himself and then asked, "What's your name, brother?"

"Ji Xinghuo," he replied.

"I'm probably older than you, so I'll just call you Ji Lao Di," Wang Yanpeng said, suddenly turning back to look at Ji Xinghuo. "I think I've seen your name in the reports sent from Earth. You're not an ordinary person, are you, Ji Lao Di?"

Ji Xinghuo casually replied, "I'm a legendary warrior, just like Brother Wang."

"Oh?"

Wang Yanpeng still looked puzzled. "Such a young legendary warrior, impressive! The new generation of extraordinary people from our country is getting stronger and stronger, but compared to the True Dragon Empire, we're still far behind. Sigh..."

His worried expression left Ji Xinghuo unsure how to respond.

This legendary warrior was not that old, but he sure liked to talk.

The two men entered a spacious training ground. Ji Xinghuo glanced at the room next to them, and through his electromagnetic sensing, he could tell that the true dragon was lying just on the other side of the wall, only a dozen or so meters away.

There were several people sparring in the training ground.

As Wang Yanpeng brought Ji Xinghuo in, their unfamiliar face immediately drew the attention of the others. Ji Xinghuo, too, took the opportunity to observe them.

There were a total of five legendary warriors, and the strongest among them was naturally Cheng Sheng.

At first glance, Cheng Sheng resembled a True Dragon man.

He had a tall and robust build, with handsome features. His facial contours were sharp and distinct, like they had been carved from stone. His black hair was pulled back simply, and he exuded a carefree and uninhibited aura. His skin had a metallic sheen, and he seemed like a perfect steel sculpture, radiating power.

"Brother Sheng," Wang Yanpeng called out. "This is Ji Xinghuo. He's from Earth, and he brings a message from the head of state."

"Ji Xinghuo?"

Cheng Sheng had been observing Ji Xinghuo, and upon hearing his name, a gleam of interest flashed in his eyes.

The others didn't seem to have much of a reaction.

However, seeing the usually stoic Cheng Sheng with an unusual expression, they immediately realized that this newly arrived clansman was no ordinary person.

"I've heard of your great reputation!" Cheng Sheng said with a smile, approaching Ji Xinghuo with an outstretched hand.

"I've also admired you for a long time, Brother Cheng," Ji Xinghuo replied calmly. His first impression of this "Hidden Dragon" was quite favorable.

"It's just an empty title, nothing to boast about," Cheng Sheng said humbly. Seeing the confused looks on the others' faces, he explained, "You've been in Titanium Ring City for too long and haven't been back to Earth, so it's normal that you don't know Ji Lao Di's reputation. His strength surpasses mine."

The legendary warriors present had also not returned to Earth for many years.

"Hehe..."

As the leader of the Titanium Ring City outpost, Cheng Sheng received messages from the Star Department and briefings from the core circle every six months, granting him access to information that most people couldn't obtain. However, he couldn't disclose this information to others.

A smile appeared on his face as he said, "Ji Xinghuo is ranked first on the Legendary Warrior leaderboard and 31st on the Global Battle Power leaderboard. He has even defeated a Heavenly King."

Everyone present was shocked and found it hard to believe.

Ji Xinghuo looked to be in his early twenties, less than half their age, yet he was already the top-ranked legendary warrior? What was this Global Battle Power leaderboard as well?

Without further explanation, Cheng Sheng said, "You guys continue training. I have some matters to discuss with Ji Xinghuo." Turning to Ji Xinghuo, he said, "Xinghuo, come with me."

The two men left the training ground and entered a tea room.

After sitting down, Cheng Sheng brewed a pot of tea and poured a cup for Ji Xinghuo. His expression turned solemn as he asked, "What orders does the Head of State have for us?"

"Please take a look, Brother Cheng." Ji Xinghuo handed over a letter.

It was a handwritten letter from the Head of State.

"I'm older than you, and we're both on the same side, so just call me Brother Cheng," Cheng Sheng said as he opened the letter and began reading. The letter wasn't long, and after finishing it, he burned it without any change in his expression.

Ji Xinghuo could guess the general content of the letter, the most important point being that the 'Titanium-Cobalt Dragon Body' should be given to him as a priority.

On his way here, Ji Xinghuo had considered this.

The 'Titanium-Cobalt Dragon Body' could only be obtained once every ten years, and it was usually a competitive process. The Head of State had decided to give it to him as a priority, but even though Cheng Sheng was an ally, missing this opportunity would mean waiting another decade. Would he agree to this, given that the ability was related to a Stellar Fall power?

Since the 'Titanium-Cobalt Dragon Body' had to go through Cheng Sheng, and the Head of State was far away, if Cheng Sheng was unwilling to let it go, it would become a problem.

"I will obey the Head of State's orders," Ji Xinghuo said.

Without hesitation, Cheng Sheng calmly replied, "I will withdraw from the competition for the 'Titanium-Cobalt Dragon Body.' Once I obtain it, I will hand it over to you directly."

"Thank you, Brother Cheng. Your integrity and honor are admirable," Ji Xinghuo said, feeling relieved. If Cheng Sheng hadn't agreed, he wouldn't have known what to do. He couldn't just take it by force, so a smooth resolution was the best outcome.

As expected of a genius carefully selected by the Head of State, he always put the country's interests first, even if it meant sacrificing his personal gains.

"We're all on the same side," Cheng Sheng said with a shake of his head. "However..."

Ji Xinghuo's heart skipped a beat.

"I'm not trying to cause you trouble, but I want to make something clear in advance. It won't be easy to obtain the 'Titanium-Cobalt Dragon Body,'" Cheng Sheng explained with a hint of helplessness.

"Please tell me."

"Xinghuo, did the Head of State tell you about the origin of the Titanium-Cobalt Dragon's blood and body?" Cheng Sheng asked.

Ji Xinghuo shook his head. "The Head of State did give me another letter, but he didn't tell me who it should be given to. He said that I would know when I saw you." He took out a second handwritten letter, which was obviously thicker than the first one.

Cheng Sheng glanced at the envelope and smiled. "This letter is for Madam Hu Lan."

"Hu Lan?"

Ji Xinghuo was stunned but not entirely sure. "Could it be the Dragon Maiden of the Northern Sea, Hu Lan?"

This name had appeared multiple times in the history textbooks of the APAC Union. She was a Dragon Lord who had followed the Head of State and participated in every East Asian War of the last century, making great contributions and becoming a heroic figure during the founding of the APAC Union.

However, Hu Lan's origins were shrouded in mystery, and no public information about her could be found in textbooks or on the internet.

What she was known for the most was possessing a true dragon.

She was also the first Dragon Lord on Earth.

From the moment she appeared, Hu Lan was already a Heavenly King-level powerhouse. When the Heavenly King leaderboard was first established, she ranked third, only surpassed by the Sun King and the Iron Emperor. She was the strongest force in the APAC Union's camp.

Her most famous battle took place on Lake Baikal, where she rode her true dragon and slew two enemy Heavenly Kings and over a dozen legendary warriors. She even withstood an attack from the first Sun King.

Hence, she earned the title of "Dragon Maiden of the Northern Sea."

However, after the establishment of the APAC Union, as the country's strength and the number of Heavenly Kings increased, the Dragon Maiden of the Northern Sea gradually appeared less and less in public view. Her last public appearance was over forty years ago.

Due to her prolonged absence, some even speculated that she had met with an accident in the Star Realm, but the APAC Union officials never responded to such questions.

Over time, most people forgot about the Dragon Maiden of the Northern Sea.

A few years before Ji Xinghuo's birth, Hu Lan was removed from the Heavenly King leaderboard by the ADC due to her prolonged absence.

Upon receiving confirmation, Ji Xinghuo still found it unbelievable. "How did Elder Hu Lan end up in Titanium Ring City?"

Cheng Sheng smiled and replied, "Because Elder Hu Lan is a True Dragon person, and Titanium Ring City is her hometown."

"Ah?"

Even though Ji Xinghuo had his suspicions, he was still taken aback by this revelation.

He immediately recalled the description of Hu Lan in his history textbooks—her origins and background were unknown, and only the name Hu Lan was mentioned, shrouded in mystery as if she had appeared out of thin air. Even the name Hu Lan seemed like an alias.

Her true dragon also never appeared in public, only showing itself during battles. It was said to be an enormous silver-gray true dragon.

This description matched that of the Titanium-Cobalt Dragon.

"So, the Titanium-Cobalt Dragon's blood and body that we obtained were given to us by Elder Hu Lan?" Ji Xinghuo asked.

"Your guess is correct," Cheng Sheng nodded. "Elder Hu Lan's original name is Titanium-Cobalt Blue. She hails from the Yuan Magnet Clan's Titanium-Cobalt family and is one of the top geniuses among the True Dragon people of this generation. She awakened her dragon veins at the age of three, and her family bestowed upon her a Titanium-Cobalt Dragon."

Realization dawned on Ji Xinghuo's face as he exclaimed, "No wonder..."

Everything made sense now.

However, he had even more questions. "How did Elder Titanium-Cobalt Blue end up on Earth in the past, and what is her relationship with the Head of State?"

"As far as I know, the Head of State met Elder Hu Lan when he first entered the Star Realm during his youth. As for their relationship, it's not for us to speculate," Cheng Sheng replied, his face bearing a strange expression as he glanced at the envelope on the table.

The answer would be revealed if they opened the letter.

Of course, even if the two of them were extremely curious, they wouldn't dare to do so. Ji Xinghuo had his suspicions and subconsciously thought about the possibility of a close female friend.

This might be one of the biggest secrets on Earth.

And it was a taboo subject.

The Head of State had a wife who had passed away in the last century, and she was beloved by the people. Although she wasn't a supernatural being, she had made significant contributions to the Head of State's personal and family life, leaving behind three sons and a daughter.

Judging from Hu Lan's period of activity, she seemed to have coexisted with the Head of State's wife. One couldn't help but wonder if there was any entanglement between them.

After his wife's passing, the Head of State never remarried.

"In the 1980s..."

Ji Xinghuo calculated and realized that the year of the Head of State's wife's passing coincided with the last public appearance of the Dragon Maiden of the Northern Sea, after which she disappeared from Earth.

There had to be a connection.

Suddenly, Ji Daosheng's image in Ji Xinghuo's mind changed, but without confirmation, he dared not speculate further.

He glanced at Cheng Sheng, who was sitting across from him.

Both of their faces wore expressions that only men could understand.

"It seems the Head of State's charm even captivated a True Dragon person, and one who possessed a Titanium-Cobalt Dragon at that..." Ji Xinghuo's thoughts raced, but he didn't voice them out loud. Instead, he asked, "Is there any issue with the Titanium-Cobalt Dragon body that I want?"

Cheng Sheng replied, "Every year, the Star Department sends a batch of ether crystals to Titanium Ring City and gives them to Elder Hu Lan as funds to purchase Titanium-Cobalt Dragon blood."

"This species was created by Elder Hu Lan's true dragon."

"Producing Titanium-Cobalt Dragon blood requires the expenditure of its dragon blood. Usually, the amount is controlled so that it doesn't affect the dragon's growth, resulting in an annual production of around twenty. Half of them can be handled by Elder Hu Lan, while the remaining half must be handed over to the family."

Ji Xinghuo nodded.

Every True Dragon family did the same, ensuring that their true dragons continually created dragon blood species. These were incredibly valuable strategic resources that could be used to cultivate dragon warriors endlessly.

Moreover, these dragon warriors were connected to the family's bloodline.

"Not only did Elder Hu Lan give us all the dragon blood species she possessed, but she also purchased additional dragon blood species and sent them to Earth," Cheng Sheng continued.

At this point, he couldn't help but sigh with emotion. "Every Titanium-Cobalt Dragon warrior in the Grand Xia Army owes a debt of gratitude to Elder Hu Lan."

"Indeed," Ji Xinghuo agreed.

The Grand Xia Army was the most powerful military force in the APAC Union. Without this army, Earth's history would have surely been rewritten.

Cheng Sheng continued, "Every decade or so, Elder Hu Lan's Titanium-Cobalt Dragon creates a dragon body species. As you know, the Titanium-Cobalt Dragon is a Divine Dragon species, and its dragon body species is of the Stellar Fall level. Even in the True Dragon Empire, it is incredibly precious, coveted by countless people."

"The Yuan Magnet family demanded that Elder Hu Lan hand over the Titanium-Cobalt Dragon body."

"In the past, Elder Hu Lan paid a hefty price each time to retain the Titanium-Cobalt Dragon body, which she then gave to us."

"The same is true this time."

Cheng Sheng looked at Ji Xinghuo and said, "It won't be easy for you to obtain the Titanium-Cobalt Dragon body. You'll have to meet Elder Hu Lan first to see if there's a chance."

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end