Chapter 391: The Dragon Ceremony of Destruction

Chapter 391: The Dragon Ceremony of Destruction

In the spacious room, the only sound was that of flipping paper.

Ji Xinghuo observed Tai Coban as she read the letter, her expression seemingly calm, but her deep blue eyes revealed a myriad of emotions.

Up close, he could sense her formidable power, undoubtedly at the Third Heaven King stage.

Moreover, she gave him a familiar feeling, her physical aura was unique, evidently having mastered magnetism like himself, with abundant stellar power and a terrifying force within her, standing at the pinnacle of the Sixth Stage!

If Tai Coban returned to Earth, she would undoubtedly be able to rival the complete form of the Sun King.

Of course, she was still far from the level of Mu Xing Shengzu.

"The power of the Titanium Cobalt Dragon?"

"Or has the Dragon Master advanced to an Electric Field Stringer?" Ji Xinghuo speculated, feeling a desire to compete with this True Dragon human.

It would not be now, but after he himself had reached the Heaven King stage.

Tai Coban finished reading the letter and then turned back to read it again, as if afraid of missing something.

Only after reading it a second time did she put the letter away.

"You are Ji Xinghuo?" Tai Coban finally turned her attention fully to Ji Xinghuo, scrutinizing him with a hint of surprise in her eyes.

"Yes, Senior Hu Lan," Ji Xinghuo replied, neither humble nor arrogant.

"Hu Lan is just an alias. While in Titanium Ring City, you might as well call me by my original name, which Chang Sheng should have told you," Tai Coban said with a faint smile. "Daosheng mentioned you in his letter, and I never expected that such an unparalleled genius as yourself would appear on Earth."

Ji Xinghuo humbly responded, "Your Excellency is too kind."

"Daosheng never exaggerates, and you don't need to put on an act of being a modest junior in front of me. Just be yourself," Tai Coban said, feeling a strange affinity for Ji Xinghuo, as if liking him by association. Her attitude was relaxed and friendly.

"I understand," Ji Xinghuo said, his demeanor also becoming more casual.

Tai Coban nodded and suddenly asked, "Is your profession template the Magnetic Maniac?"

"Yes."

"And which advancement direction?"

"Electro-Magnetic Overlord."

The brief exchange between the two caused Chang Sheng, who was standing beside them, to turn his head in surprise.

Of course, he knew about the top-tier profession of Magnetic Maniac, and he had also heard of the Electro-Magnetic Overlord, one of the most powerful advancement professions in the Starry Sector and the Milky Way Galaxy. Not only was a large number of exotic abilities required, but they were also difficult to find, and the potential of the Electro-Magnetic Overlord was said to be the strongest.

Tai Coban was also surprised, and she looked at Ji Xinghuo with even more respect, "Electro-Magnetic Overlords are rare, how many exotics do you still lack?"

"One," Ji Xinghuo replied.

Chang Sheng was stunned upon hearing this.

Both of them were legendary powerhouses, and Ji Xinghuo was not even half his age, yet he only needed one more exotic to advance to the powerful Electro-Magnetic Overlord!

"Superconducting Permanent Magnet?" Tai Coban asked with a smile.

Ji Xinghuo nodded.

"No wonder Daosheng asked you to find me. The Titanium Cobalt Dragon's Body is a superior exotic, and if you can obtain it, you will lay the foundation for your future advancement to Mu Xing Shengzu, and be able to contend with the Sun King," Tai Coban said, enlightenment dawning on her face.

Ji Xinghuo said earnestly, "Mu Xing Shengzu is too far out of my reach. I just want to complete my advancement as soon as possible, so please fulfill my request, Senior."

The room fell silent once more.

Tai Coban gazed at Ji Xinghuo quietly for a moment before letting out a sigh, "It would have been better if you had come a few years earlier."

"Why?" Ji Xinghuo asked directly.

Tai Coban stood up and walked to the floor-to-ceiling window, looking out at the Titanium Ring City below. She said slowly, "My Titanium Cobalt Dragon can condense a dragon body exotic every three to four Star Sector years. Since I formed a bond with it, it has produced ten Titanium Cobalt Dragon Bodies."

As she spoke, Ji Xinghuo's electromagnetic senses spread upwards.

This room was not the highest level of the tower, but the second-highest. Above them was an empty hall where a true dragon lay.

Needless to say, it was the Titanium Cobalt Dragon.

This true dragon was enormous, with a body length exceeding sixty meters, twice the size of Chang Sheng's Steel-edged Dragon. Generally speaking, the larger the true dragon, the stronger it was, and its formidable magnetic field and energy fluctuations proved this point.

It was a fallen Titanium Cobalt Dragon!

According to what Chang Sheng had said earlier, Tai Coban had obtained this Titanium Cobalt Dragon when she was three years old. Its age far surpassed its master's, and it had already been an adult dragon when it recognized its master.

With such a generous gift from the family, Tai Coban must have been expected to make significant contributions.

Rights and obligations were always equal.

Sure enough, Tai Coban said, "I handed over the first seven dragon body exotics to the family. It was only after the eighth one that my strength grew, and I gained some bargaining power to negotiate with the family and handle the exotics myself."

"I sent the eighth to the tenth Titanium Cobalt Dragon Bodies to Earth.

The previous three Titanium Cobalt Dragon bodies had been given to Luo Baoguo, the first Titanium Cobalt Dragon human, Marshal Wu Huai'an, and Huo Kejii.

"The next dragon body exotic, the Dragon King already spoke to me about it last year. It must be handed over," Tai Coban said.

Ji Xinghuo was stunned.

The Dragon King she mentioned was, of course, the supreme ruler of the Yuan Magnet Collar, the clan leader of the Titanium Cobalt Family, a Star Shepherding Saint, and one of the top powerhouses in the True Dragon Dynasty who possessed a divine dragon species—second only to the Dragon Emperor in strength! There was no way Tai Coban could disobey the Dragon King's orders.

However, Ji Xinghuo inferred some information from her words, and her tone didn't seem absolute.

"Senior, is there really no room for negotiation in this matter?" Ji Xinghuo asked, "Are there any other alternatives?"

The Titanium Cobalt Family certainly possessed more than one Titanium Cobalt Dragon.

He didn't believe that all the dragon body exotics from the Titanium Cobalt Dragons had to be handed over. Otherwise, how could Tai Coban have given three exotics to Earth in the past? Moreover, once the Titanium Cobalt Family obtained the exotics, they would naturally distribute them, and with Tai Coban's status, she would definitely be involved in the distribution process and, at the very least, know the channels to obtain them.

If Tai Coban had to hand over her dragon body exotic, what about the other Titanium Cobalt Dragon masters?

Ji Xinghuo recalled that according to the True Dragon Family Almanac, there were a total of four "Titanium Cobalt Families" in the True Dragon Dynasty.

Among them, two families had given birth to Dragon Kings, each ruling over a Dragon Collar.

The other two Titanium Cobalt Families were weaker and had no Dragon Kings.

The Yuan Magnet Clan's Titanium Cobalt Family was the strongest, possessing the most Titanium Cobalt Dragons. Although the stone slab didn't explicitly state the number, it could be deduced that the Yuan Magnet Collar had 30 to 40 Titanium Cobalt Dragons!

This meant that every three to four Star Sector years, the Yuan Magnet Clan could produce over 30 Titanium Cobalt Dragon bodies as exotics.

While the number wasn't excessive, it was sufficient for distribution among the upper echelons.

"You're quite clever," Tai Coban said with a laugh, "I do have a way to obtain a dragon body exotic, but it will come at a price."

She paused, "There are currently three methods."

"The first is to buy it."

"You can stay in Titanium Ring City for a few months, and I'll help you ask around other Titanium Cobalt Dragon masters. Unless something unexpected happens, someone will likely be selling a dragon body exotic. It could be in exchange for True Dragon Coins, Aether Crystals, or other treasures—it all depends on your luck."

Hearing this, Ji Xinghuo asked, "What's the usual price for a Titanium Cobalt Dragon body?"

"Between five to eight billion True Dragon Coins, or more than ten thousand Aether Crystals," Tai Coban replied, "The chance of buying one directly with money is slim. Usually, they're traded for treasures or exotic species of the same level."

Ji Xinghuo shook his head.

He didn't have that many True Dragon Coins, nor did he have enough Aether Crystals, even with the support of the Star Sector Department.

However, he was surprised at the high price of the Titanium Cobalt Dragon body. As an exotic species, the Star Meteorite that Void Spirit Guest sold him at a discounted price. Unfortunately, during his last visit to Cliff of Heaven's Fall, there were none on the list. If he had bought one then, he could have resold it and made a profit, securing the Titanium Cobalt Dragon body.

"The second method," Tai Coban continued, "is to wait for three or four years. I'll communicate with the Dragon King in advance, and the next exotic species will be handled by me. Then, I can directly give it to you."

This method was the most relaxed, but it was also the one Ji Xinghuo could not accept.

The three to four years she mentioned referred to Star Sector years.

One year in the Star Sector was equivalent to 3.7 years on Earth, so three to four years meant he would have to wait for at least eleven years. By then, everything would be too late, and he couldn't afford to wait that long.

Ji Xinghuo immediately said, "Please tell me the third method, Senior."

As expected, this last method was the highlight, a plan that Tai Coban had prepared for him.

Tai Coban said softly, "In two months, the Yuan Magnet Collar will hold a 'Doomsday Dragon Ceremony.' If you participate and manage to rank within the top ten, I will have a reason to keep the dragon body exotic as a reward for you."

"Doomsday Dragon Ceremony!"

Cheng Sheng, who had been quietly listening until now, exclaimed in surprise, "Is it starting again?"

Ji Xinghuo, however, had never heard of it, and it sounded rather terrifying, eliciting such a strong reaction from Cheng Sheng.

"What is the Doomsday Dragon Ceremony?" he asked curiously.

"It's a ceremony." Tai Coban answered simply, "A grand ceremony to sacrifice to the Doomsday Dragon."

The Doomsday Dragon was a Star God.

In the True Dragon Dynasty, from the Dragon Emperor and Dragon Kings to the millions of dragon masters, and down to the lower-level exotic civilians, the vast majority worshiped the Doomsday Dragon.

It was one of the incarnations of the Ancestral Dragon.

Legend had it that the Doomsday Dragon had been asleep for tens of millions of years.

The believers who participate in the ceremony engage in mutual slaughter, practicing the creed of destruction and ending, destroying others or ending themselves, alongside the destruction of the world, in an extremely brutal fashion, until only the last victor remains.

Of course, as a seventh-level civilization, the True Dragon Dynasty wouldn't be foolish enough to weaken itself for the sake of a mere ceremony.

A long time ago, the Doomsday Dragon Ceremony was changed to be held within the Spirit Realm world.

Usually, it is hosted by the Dragon King families.

The current Doomsday Dragon Ceremony mainly serves to select geniuses and is open to not just True Dragon humans but also members of other races as well.

It is limited to aliens of the fifth stage and below.

As long as one ranks high enough, there will be rewards, including aether crystals, weapons and equipment, various treasures, and exotic species, which are extremely attractive.

The last time the Yuan Magnet Collar held the Doomsday Dragon Ceremony was five Star Sector years ago, and Cheng Sheng signed up for it.

Back then, Cheng Sheng was only a Super Alien, but he ranked within the top hundred, performing exceptionally, which is why he caught Tai Coban's attention and she helped him obtain a Steel-edged Dragon, allowing him to firmly establish himself in Titanium Ring City and greatly increase his strength.

After listening to Cheng Sheng's introduction, Ji Xinghuo understood the situation.

"The Doomsday Dragon Ceremony sounds intimidating, but it seems like no one actually dies." He couldn't help but quip, feeling that it wasn't much different from playing a virtual game, without the true risk of life and death, and thus, no pressure.

"This is just a Dragon Collar-level Doomsday Dragon Ceremony, so of course, it's not that brutal." Tai Coban shook her head. "The real Doomsday Dragon Ceremony... you probably don't have the guts to participate in it."

"The real Doomsday Dragon Ceremony?" Ji Xinghuo asked curiously.

"It's held once every ninety-nine Star Sector years, across the entire dynasty, and only those at the Sixth Stage and above are qualified to sign up. All participants enter a planet on the brink of destruction, and only the last survivor can leave alive." Tai Coban spoke slowly.

Ji Xinghuo was not intimidated, and instead asked, "What benefits does the winner get?"

"Perhaps they will gain the favor of the Doomsday Dragon."

"Perhaps?"

Tai Coban spread her hands, "I've never participated in it myself, and those winners never reveal what happens. Anyway, most of them end up becoming Dragon Kings. Even if their profession isn't Dragon Master, they often become Star Shepherding Saints later on."

She looked at Ji Xinghuo, "Are you interested?"

Of course!

That was what Ji Xinghuo thought, but he didn't care about the benefits for the winner. What he wanted was the spiritual source energy.

Imagine if all the participants were Sixth Stage powerhouses, or Kings. If he could defeat them or if they happened to kill each other while he was nearby, how much spiritual source energy would he be able to absorb? Even if he only absorbed a fraction of it, he estimated it would still amount to over a million!

"No, my strength isn't enough yet." Ji Xinghuo shook his head quickly.

"Hehe..."

Tai Coban smiled, "You're unlike Daosheng, who doesn't know how to hide his thoughts at all. I really don't know where your confidence comes from, daring to be so audacious."

"Uh..." Ji Xinghuo's face turned awkward as his thoughts were seen through.

"For this Doomsday Dragon Ceremony in the Yuan Magnet Collar, the Dragon King has prepared very rich rewards, including the exotic species of the Titanium Cobalt Dragon's Body, but only the top three can obtain it." Tai Coban said, "This is also a test for you."

"Yes, Senior." Ji Xinghuo quickly expressed his determination.

"No rush." Tai Coban shook her head, "I'll reveal some information to you. The Dragon King intends to give the top ten winners a chance to choose a true dragon, not as a dragon servant, but to become a true Dragon Master."

Cheng Sheng was greatly surprised. "Really?"

Ji Xinghuo was also taken aback and understood why Cheng Sheng was so excited.

On Earth, people thought that Cheng Sheng was a Dragon Master, but in the eyes of True Dragon humans, he only possessed an exotic species of a true dragon and was fundamentally not a Dragon Master but a "dragon servant."

Because Cheng Sheng did not have a "Dragon Vein Master."

He couldn't share power with his true dragon and could only establish a connection with it through fusion of "alien symbiosis" or similar exotic species.

Essentially, Cheng Sheng was similar to a Tamer, and True Dragon humans referred to them as "dragon servants."

There was no need to explain the difference between a Dragon Master and a dragon servant.

One was the master of the dragon, and the other was the dragon's servant—a world of difference.

This Doomsday Dragon Ceremony not only offered the opportunity to choose a true dragon but also to become a Dragon Master. Once this news spread, it would surely drive countless people crazy, and the intensity of the competition would increase exponentially. Cheng Sheng was immediately tempted.

Ji Xinghuo was also very moved and knew that such a great opportunity must not be missed.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end