The resounding voice echoed continuously within the small space. Initially, there was nothing unusual, but soon, a thick blood aura began to permeate from Dragon Spring.

Accompanying this was an aura that made Lu Ye's heart tremble.

He hadn't encountered the strong one named Yueh Xin, nor did he know the might of the Sun Blaze Realm, but the powerful aura emanating from Dragon Spring right now was something he couldn't sense in Jian Guhong and others.

Indeed, it was strong. Even if it had been sealed for ten thousand years, even if it was weakened, its intensity far exceeded that of the Constellation.

The blood light scattered, then condensed, forming a Blood Shadow!

The Blood Shadow had no specific form, constantly twisting and changing. It was a Dragon Shadow gathered from the True Dragon's blood Qi. Above the Dragon Shadow were two huge closed eyes!

When those two eyes suddenly opened, Lu Ye felt like he saw two shining suns, piercing his eyes with pain, causing his psyche to tremble.

He quickly averted his gaze.

A heavy, invisible might filled the small space, making Lu Ye feel as if he was bearing a mountain on his back, growing heavier and heavier!

Until after a moment, his entire body started to creak under the pressure.

Yet he still stood straight without any hunching, knowing well that the fury of the noble Dragon Race suppressed for ten thousand years was starting to pour out.

And he was the first to bear the brunt!

In such a situation, bowing and bending was not the best response. Even though he did not know what kind of temperament this Dragon Race had, strong ones would never look favorably upon those of weak resolve.

So he too had to show his own toughness! Even if all his bones shattered, he would stand here!

The might grew fiercer, the pressure greater, and just as Lu Ye was about to hold on no longer, the tremendous pressure suddenly vanished.

The disappearance of the great pressure caused a reverse impact that set his chest's blood Qi tumbling, almost making him spit out a mouthful of blood.

He quickly took a few deep breaths to suppress the turbulent blood Qi.

Looking up directly at the two enormous dragon eyes, he wondered if it was an illusion; he actually saw a trace of amusement in those eyes.

A hint of a smile after a little trick succeeded...

This Dragon Race... doesn't seem so hard to approach? Lu Ye thought to himself, and from the current situation, the other party didn't seem too difficult to deal with.

Anyway, the opening was quite good.

"I greet Senior Yang Qing," Lu Ye spoke again, still respectful. The gap in age and strength was evident; the one before him was truly an ancient senior, and it was understandable to have a little jest with him.

"Divine Sea Level 7? Kid, your cultivation has progressed rapidly, impressive talent." The Dragon Shadow had no mouth, yet its resounding voice reverberated in the small space.

Lu Ye was very honest: "In the journey of cultivation, many opportunities arose, unrelated to talent."

Back when his talent was assessed, he got a "Yiye" score, and thus the name Lu Yiye spread. Who would have thought back then that he had good talent?

"Since you know of my name, it seems you know the truth of this world?"

"I have some knowledge, but the era is distant, hard to fathom completely."

The voice of the Dragon Shadow suddenly became somewhat wistful: "Yes, time is distant, ten thousand years... even for the Dragon Race, it is not a short time! Then you should know, how I've lived through these ten thousand years."

Lu Ye expressed regret: "Past affairs of the previous dynasty, this junior won't comment. Senior's experiences, this junior holds close to heart, yet can do nothing."

The Dragon Shadow snorted lightly, "Crafty kid!"

"Just stating the facts. This junior is only twenty-four, and hasn't fully understood contemporary matters. How could I have spare energy to trace the past? Moreover, what has happened, no one has the power to change it."

The underlying meaning was that your suppression was from the previous Nine Provinces period. If you want revenge or to vent, you should seek the formidable powers of the past Nine Provinces. The current Nine Provinces have little of the seniors' legacy and naturally shouldn't bear the grudges of the seniors.

It's just that some words can't be stated too clearly, but I trust the Dragon Shadow understood.

The Dragon Shadow was silent for a moment before continuing: "Then, are the juniors of the Nine Provinces now unable to cope with the sudden disaster, and want me to come out to handle it?"

Lu Ye was taken aback, surprised that this Dragon Race member, despite being suppressed here, could know about the Nine Provinces' plight. However, upon careful thought, it wasn't hard to understand that such a powerful being could perceive some external situations, especially since Yueh Xin didn't conceal himself in the slightest.

It saved him the trouble of explaining.

"Indeed, so does Senior have the ability to deal with that person?" He didn't ask if the other party was willing to come out but changed his wording, a small trick of sorts.

The dragon eye suddenly showed a hint of anger, and its voice grew louder: "Boy, you know nothing of the Dragon Race's power! That mere Sun Blaze Realm, if I were to go out, I could crush him with a single claw!"

Lu Ye immediately flattered: "Senior is formidable, senior is mighty..."

The Dragon Shadow promptly interrupted his flattery, the dragon eye narrowed: "But why should I leave the mountain for the Nine Provinces? Give me a reason."

Lu Ye retorted, "Senior has been trapped for ten thousand years, don't you wish to leave here and regain freedom?"

The Dragon Shadow laughed loudly, "I used to want to, but now I suddenly don't want to! Being suppressed here and slumbering peacefully seems not too bad after all."

Lu Ye sighed, "Please state your conditions, whatever the Nine Provinces can fulfill, we will not hesitate, as long as Senior can resolve this calamity for the Nine Provinces!"

Being in need, he had to lower his posture, and Lu Ye had already mentally prepared for this.

The Dragon Shadow suddenly approached him by a few yards, the massive dragon eye hovering in front of him, as if it wanted to swallow him, and said through gritted teeth: "I want the Nine Provinces human race to serve me as their lord in the future, never to resist through generations, can you agree to this?"

Lu Ye shook his head resolutely, "This cannot be fulfilled. Frankly speaking, the reason I represent the Nine Provinces to ask Senior to come out of the mountain is because that Sun Blaze Realm called Yueh Xin wants to enslave the Nine Provinces. If such a condition is proposed, then we shall not discuss it further. In return, the Nine Provinces cultivators will fight Yueh Xin to the death. Even though it is likely to lead to the total destruction of the Nine Provinces cultivators, even in death, we will not be slaves. This is the bottom line of the Nine Provinces."

"Hmph, a group of ants, yet they talk of bottom lines?" the Dragon Shadow scoffed, "Haven't you heard it's better to live disgracefully than die honorably?"

"In life, some actions are to be taken and some not. Since Senior could become a partner of a Nine Provinces strongman, you should have some understanding of the human race and naturally should agree with certain human persistence!"

"Human race..." The Dragon Shadow recalled something, fell silent for a moment, then said, "In that case, let's change the condition."

"Please speak, Senior!"

"I want the lives of half the Nine Provinces cultivators! As compensation for being sealed for ten thousand years!"

Lu Ye shook his head, "This condition, Junior cannot agree to either. Senior, please change it again."

The Dragon Shadow was furious, "This won't do, that won't do, boy, you came to me, yet I see no sincerity in you at all!"

Lu Ye said, "To restore Senior's freedom is the greatest sincerity."

The Dragon Shadow sneered, "The Sealing Power has weakened over ten thousand years; even without any external force, I could be free within a millennium, why would I need others' help?"

"I see..." Lu Ye wasn't aware of this fact; if it was indeed as the Dragon Shadow said, then his urgency for freedom might not be as pressing, having already endured ten thousand years, would he care about another thousand? No wonder he held an air of confidence, always making unrealistic demands.

However, on second thought, Lu Ye quickly realized something was amiss, "Perhaps you could free yourself in a millennium, but if the Nine Provinces truly fall to that Yueh Xin, he would undoubtedly discover your existence, and what he intends for you is beyond anything Junior could predict. So I believe it would be best for Senior to free yourself sooner rather than later."

The dragon eye narrowed again, "Are you threatening me, boy?"

With that, Lu Ye immediately deduced his speculation was correct, Yueh Xin posed a colossal, insurmountable threat to the Nine Provinces, but was he not also a threat to the Dragon Shadow?

What it had just claimed about crushing the adversary with one claw was surely an exaggeration; a Sun Blaze Realm strongman is not so easily killed.

Moreover, the Dragon Shadow, suppressed for ten thousand years, had long been enfeebled, with uncertain strength left to display. In this situation, being targeted by Yueh Xin wouldn't likely end well.

In essence, the Dragon Shadow truly hoped for liberation, especially under the current circumstances!

Thinking of this, Lu Ye's heart settled, he said leisurely, "Senior, now the Nine Provinces have two paths. One is to fiercely clash with Yueh Xin and die with clarity, the other is to seek Senior's help to navigate this calamity; regardless of the path chosen, the Nine Provinces cultivation world will not submit. Should Senior be willing to assist, we will forever be grateful and repay the favor someday. If truly unwilling, there's no remedy; we cultivators do not impose our will upon others, nor will we bind others against their will. Senior, time is of the essence; please contemplate swiftly, as Junior must leave shortly! After all, being somewhat young, Junior still has affairs to attend to after death."

The Dragon Shadow couldn't help but doubt, "Do you truly have the will to fight to the death with such a strong adversary?"

Lu Ye chuckled, "Without freedom, better to die!"

Staring at the somewhat youthful face, the Dragon Shadow was slightly lost, recalling the times from ten thousand years ago.

Back then, the Nine Provinces cultivators made countless enemies, eventually provoking a coalition attack from the major races. Although they managed to forge the Heaven's Augury Compass to teleport the Nine Provinces away, preserving their homeland, the cultivators of any significant stature stayed behind.

Could they not have departed with the Nine Provinces? Clearly, they could have, but none did. They stayed to wage a final battle with their enemies, knowing the hope was slim, death almost certain, yet with unwavering resolve!