Chapter 1169: The Cursed Word
The Ancient Dragon Empress’ words and her mysterious smile instantly put everyone on high alert.
Xu Xiaolan flew toward An Lin’s side and indicated for Long Aotian to do the same so that she could protect all of them with her Heavenly Star Dark Sh.e.l.l again should unforeseen circ.u.mstances arise.
However, the Ancient Dragon Empress turned to look into the distance with an indescribable sense of age and sorrow in her eyes.
“This is a cursed world…
“Due to the laws surrounding the power of dragons, your Dragon Tribe regarded this place as your personal hunting ground. But did you know that this is the place we call home?
“We didn’t do anything, but we were branded with the heinous label of evil dragons. You slaughtered my brethren like animals just so you could further your own strength. We don’t want to fight, but this is our home. Where can we hide?
“One city after another was destroyed. Countless tribal brethren were slain. Every five years, we are faced with the very real threat of extinction. We don’t know how powerful our enemies are going to be, and we don’t know how cruel our enemies are going to be. We can only struggle and resist, and in the end, we were forced to become true evil dragons.”
The Ancient Dragon Empress looked at An Lin as rainbow divine light suddenly enshrouded heaven and earth, transforming the entire s.p.a.ce into something that looked as if it had come from the beautiful work of art.
A pained smile appeared on her face. “What has my tribe done wrong? Why do my tribal brethren have to endure all of this? Why have we been confined here? I want to protect them, and I’m clearly able to progress to the Dao Integration Stage, but I’m stuck at the Return to Void Pinnacle Stage as I am impeded by the laws of heaven and earth…”
“To all of you, this is only a trial ground, but to us…” The Ancient Dragon Empress pointed up at the sky as blood tears flowed from her eyes again. “This is an infernal h.e.l.l that has tortured us for countless years! Why is it wrong for us to want to leave this place?!”
Boom!
Bolts of crimson lightning exploded in the sky.
They were like the earsplitting, interrogative words of the Ancient Dragon Empress!
These words were not only being spoken to An Lin, but also to this entire heaven and earth!
The rainbow divine light between heaven and earth surged even more brightly, as if it were trying to break through this heaven and earth.
This was the crazed resistance that was the manifestation of the pent-up emotions of countless tortured, oppressed souls in this infernal world!
“Xiaolan, activate the turtle sh.e.l.l again. The Ancient Dragon Empress has been preparing this special move for quite some time now, and I’m worried we might not have time to activate our defenses later on…” An Lin spoke in a quiet voice.
“Alright!” Xu Xiaolan nodded obediently and activated her Heavenly Star Dark Sh.e.l.l again.
The indestructible turtle sh.e.l.l reappeared to encapsulate An Lin, Xu Xiaolan, and Long Aotian.
Ancient Dragon Empress: “…”
“I’ve said so much, and yet this turtle sh.e.l.l is your reply?” The Ancient Dragon Empress’ emotions were in slight disarray upon seeing An Lin’s reaction.
An overwhelming sense of security welled up in An Lin’s heart, and he spoke in a tranquil voice, “I cannot empathize with the suffering of your tribe. I only have one thought, and that is to survive.
“The pa.s.sageway you forcefully open up between the two worlds will only grant pa.s.sage to your tribal brethren, right? If that is the case, then I must stop you! Otherwise, we will perish along with this world!”
The Ancient Dragon Empress folded her arms across her chest. “You say you’re going to stop me, so can you come out of your turtle sh.e.l.l?”
“No.” An Lin’s answer was very resolute.
Ancient Dragon Empress: “…”
“If you’re not going to come out, how are you going to stop me?”
“I’m going to use my words to move you,” An Lin replied.
The Ancient Dragon Empress’ lips twitched.
This was the first time she had ever encountered such a shameless enemy.
An Lin continued as if he was oblivious to the Ancient Dragon Empress’ disdainful expression, “If you stop what you’re doing now, I can find another way to resolve your problem when I go back.”
“Hehe, who gave you the confidence to say that?” The Ancient Dragon Empress burst into laughter.
“I gave myself the confidence! Do not underestimate a man who can fight against you at only the Soul Formation Stage! I possess much more power than you can imagine!” An Lin stood proudly, as if he were the most powerful being in this world.
Ancient Dragon Empress: “Could you come out of your turtle sh.e.l.l before you say that?”
“No!” An Lin replied firmly.
The Ancient Dragon Empress’ teeth were aching from rage.
So f*cking shameless!
“Can you accept my suggestion? I can swear a vow that I’ll find a solution to your problem,” An Lin continued.
The Ancient Dragon Empress shook her head. “Don’t bother wasting your words. My tribe has awaited this day for a long time. This is our only opportunity, and I refuse to let it slip.”
“Alright, then we won’t waste time with words.” An Lin extended a hand and said, “Come on then. Unleash your most powerful attack and see if you can break my defenses!”
“No,” the Ancient Dragon Empress replied firmly.
An Lin: “…”
They had already established the Heavenly Star Dark Sh.e.l.l defense, but the enemy was telling them that she wasn’t going to f*cking attack?
Where was her honor and dignity as the leader of the evil dragons?!
Not just An Lin, but even Xu Xiaolan felt as if there were ten thousand mythological beasts stampeding over her heart.
“The spell technique had been set up, and you’ve already delivered your rousing speech. How can you not unleash your special move?” An Lin persuaded.
A faint smile appeared on the Ancient Dragon Empress’ face, but she didn’t say anything.
“Isn’t it uncomfortable holding yourself back like this?” Xu Xiaolan asked in a thoughtful manner.
The Ancient Dragon Empress shook her head. “That’s ok, you don’t need to worry about me. I can hold it in and just release it all at once when your defensive spell technique disappears. I’ll feel a lot more comfortable then.”
Xu Xiaolan and An Lin: “…”
Why did she make it sound like she was taking a sh*t?!
An Lin and the others didn’t want to come out of the turtle sh.e.l.l, and with the turtle sh.e.l.l in place, the Ancient Dragon Empress didn’t want to unleash her special move.
An impa.s.se ensued.
The atmosphere was a little peculiar.
“It’s quite clear that the Ancient Dragon Empress needs to pay a heavy price to unleash this spell technique, and she must be unable to withdraw it. Otherwise, she would’ve already attacked us.” Long Aotian suddenly broke the silence.
An Lin turned to him with a speechless expression. “Senior, you sound like you’re Captain Obvious.”
“Ms. Xu Xiaolan’s treasure sure is impressive. To think that the Ancient Dragon Empress’ most powerful technique cannot even do anything against it,” Long Aotian continued.
“You’re right, Senior, but you’re really starting to sound like Captain Obvious now,” Xu Xiaolan reemphasized.
Long Aotian: “… I was just trying to liven up the heavy atmosphere!
“Sigh, to be honest, I was thinking about engaging the Ancient Dragon Empress in a battle to the death, but I didn’t think you would have such a powerful defensive technique up your sleeve…”
“Senior, now’s not the time to think about this. We should be thinking about how to get out of this situation!” An Lin changed the subject.
“That’s simple! We wait for the Ancient Dragon Empress to unleash her spell technique, then withdraw the turtle sh.e.l.l and attack her all at once!” Long Aotian suggested.
“But the turtle sh.e.l.l can only last for ten minutes. If she holds on for more than ten minutes…” Xu Xiaolan transmitted her voice.
“Then keep using the turtle sh.e.l.l!” Long Aotian spoke without any thought or hesitation.
“This is the last time we can use it,” An Lin said with a dark expression.
“Really?”
“Really!”
An Lin and Xu Xiaolan responded in unison.
Long Aotian’s legs shuddered slightly. “There’s nothing to fear! If it’s a battle she wants, then a battle is what she will get!”