Beast Tamer Ascension
Book 4: Chapter 115: Changing Skies
Vol 4 Chapter 115: Changing Skies
"ROAR!!!"
The Fortune Dragon Emperor's draconic roar echoed across the ancient kingdom as it instantly materialized above the Demon Extermination Division headquarters. Wherever dragon veins existed, it could teleport freely. Now, the dragon emperor's blazing eyes fixed upon the half-human, half-ghost form of the First Ancient Emperor below. After sensing carefully, it confirmed - this was undoubtedly its master!!
"Your Majesty!!! How have you become like this!!"
Even the Fortune Dragon Emperor was shocked by the First Ancient Emperor's current state as a Divine Scripture projection, unable to comprehend what had happened to him.
Meanwhile, Gao Zhao, Chief Liu, and Chief Gai stood frozen nearby, nearly losing all capacity for thought as they stared in awe at the symbol of their kingdom's fortune - the Fortune Dragon Emperor who had slumbered for thousands of years!
The overwhelming pressure from the Fortune Dragon Emperor was unmistakable. Its peak Seeking the Way aura made even Void Mystical Stage cultivators gasp for breath.
Could they have heard wrong...?
This Fortune Dragon Emperor... actually addressed the old man summoned by Lin Jing as "Ancient Emperor Your Majesty"?
The real deal?
But how could this be? How could the First Ancient Emperor only be at the early Nascent Soul Transformation Stage?
Yet the Fortune Dragon Emperor had been enlightened by the First Ancient Emperor himself, having fought side by side with him. It would never mistake its own master.
"Truly worthy of being the First Ancient Emperor..." Lin Jing licked his lips. The old emperor still had tricks up his sleeve.
When summoning projections through the Divine Scripture, the scripture's owner could normally impose certain restrictions.
But with the First Ancient Emperor's profound foundations, neither Lin Jing nor the mechanical turtle could forcibly control him. The emperor could dissipate back to nothingness anytime he wished.
This alone wasn't particularly concerning - it simply meant both sides could refuse the other's demands.
But seeing the First Ancient Emperor's projection actually summon the kingdom's Fortune Dragon Emperor, equivalent to a Seeking the Way combatant, truly made Lin Jing want to applaud his brilliance.
In other words, if some weak schemer tried controlling the First Ancient Emperor through the Divine Scripture, not only could the emperor ignore them and dissipate at will, he could also summon the Fortune Dragon Emperor to annihilate them.
How terrifying.
Good thing I was polite.
This wasn't some early Nascent Soul Transformation cultivator - this was an early-stage dragon tamer bound to a Seeking the Way dragon emperor!
Lin Jing stroked his chin, glancing at the terrified Gai You nearby.
"It's a long story," the First Ancient Emperor sighed as he looked at the Fortune Dragon Emperor. "Being able to return in this form is already fortunate enough!"
"Do me a favor - replenish the energy of the dragon veins here. This kid really abused them recklessly." The First Ancient Emperor's words referred to how Lin Jing had drained over half of the Demon Extermination Division's dragon veins. These veins also served to suppress demons and monsters - what if the imprisoned creatures escaped?
Within moments of the Fortune Dragon Emperor's arrival, three more Seeking the Way auras descended:
The Second Ancient Emperor.
Ling Daozi, founding ancestor of the Spirit Path Sect.
The former Heavenly Secrets Tower master, accompanied by the current master and the Ancient Imperial Prince.
Their gazes upon the First Ancient Emperor each contained different shades of astonishment.
"Everyone's here," the First Emperor murmured, clicking his tongue.
"Father?!" The Seventh Ancient Emperor looked horrified, becoming the seventh person after the Fortune Dragon Emperor to confirm this was no imposter.
Yet what he struggled to accept was sensing that his father had already passed away, returning through some other means.
"G-grandfather?" The Ancient Imperial Prince was equally shocked, even dumbfounded. So those absurd claims Chief Gai relayed about the Holy Son of the Demon Court were actually true?
"Your Majesty..." Ling Daozi and the Azure Ox Taoist also noticed something amiss with the First Emperor's condition, unable to comprehend his circumstances.
"It seems you've all been doing well," the First Ancient Emperor said. "Your senses aren't wrong - this emperor has died. While searching for the path to ascension among the stars, I encountered a near-immortal level Heavenly Demon in the ascension channel and perished together with it."
"A pity - I almost succeeded in ascension."
Lin Jing, Wood-attribute Pine Leaf Mouse, Dragon Carp, and Ice Soul Gu: ????
Weren't you killed by a meteor? Where did this Heavenly Demon come from?
"Fortunately, this boy used the Divine Scripture's immortal palace secret method to recall traces of me, making the best of misfortune. Though he's the Demon Court's Holy Son, considering he was once a cultivator of our ancient kingdom and willingly helped this emperor return, he's earned some merit. Second Emperor - do I have any granddaughters unmarried?" The First Emperor turned to the Second Ancient Emperor.
"No need." Lin Jing's expression turned cold nearby. I kindly brought you back to the ancient kingdom, and now you want me as a grandson?
"Father..." The Second Ancient Emperor struggled to express his emotions, having never expected to see his father again in this lifetime.
As someone who deeply valued familial bonds and succession, the Second Emperor naturally held immense respect for his father. One could say his achievement of becoming Tianyuan Continent's youngest Seeking the Way cultivator was inseparable from the First Emperor's meticulous guidance.
Now seeing his father again after millennia, the Second Emperor's heart churned with emotion. Even his gaze toward Lin Jing changed - where he'd previously felt annoyed by this Longevity Body cultivator, now he viewed him somewhat favorably.
After all, without Lin Jing, he and the First Emperor would have been forever separated by life and death.
"Father, please return to the Ancient Realm with me to talk!" The Second Emperor felt this wasn't the proper place for discussion.
"Return my ass." The First Emperor showed no appreciation, instead glaring at him with exasperation.
"Handle these matters first, then I'll return with you." The First Emperor gave no face to the Second Emperor, instead turning to Gao Sheng. Understanding immediately, Gao Sheng tremblingly presented the results of his months of "incognito inspections."
After scanning Gao Sheng's records, the Second Emperor's expression darkened.
"Father, let me explain—"
"I'm not listening. I've handled what I could. What remains is for you to deal with! Now first resolve this boy's purpose here, then we'll have plenty to discuss!" The First Emperor pointed at Lin Jing.
Taking a deep breath, the Second Emperor felt a headache coming on. He turned to Liu Gongzhuo: "Liu Gongzhuo, refine your Heavenly Flame Gu back to its origin state and give it to Lin Jing. Additionally, I assign you one final task from the Demon Extermination Division - conduct a handover of all demons above Nascent Soul Transformation Stage imprisoned here, entrusting them to Lin Jing's disposal... After completing this, you'll no longer serve as division chief, but instead assume the role of Imperial Protector in the royal city."
"As you command!" Liu Gongzhuo responded in shock, immediately bowing in gratitude. Though the position of Demon Extermination Division chief carried great prestige and authority... compared to becoming protector of the imperial family's princes and princesses, it was like comparing heaven and earth. Though ordered to surrender his Heavenly Flame Gu, the Second Emperor's compensation meant he could now access the kingdom's true power center. If he recalled correctly, imperial protectors were even equipped with quasi-immortal artifacts.
Normally, this position went to Void Mystical Stage cultivators from the imperial clan or those married into it. What qualifications did he have?
As Chief Liu received his promotion, Chief Gai You nearby stared blankly at the First Emperor's "beloved disciple" Gao Sheng, feeling as if he'd fallen into an icy abyss... Was this some joke... Earlier... had he actually tried arresting the First Ancient Emperor?