Inside the Underground Palace, Lin Xuan retracted the Spirit Dragon Divine Sword. He also put away the magnetic mountain, which was another extraordinary treasure.

He then began to examine the Earth Dragon Pearl. Discovering that it indeed contained a vast amount of Dragon Dao Power made him ecstatic.

Beside him, the Earth Dragon asked, "Young Master, do you wish to absorb the power of the Dragon Pearl? I can stand guard for you."

However, Lin Xuan shook his head. "I won’t absorb it by itself. I want to gather all five Dragon Pearls and absorb them together."

"Gather all five Dragon Pearls!" The Earth Dragon inhaled sharply. "I’m afraid that will be very difficult," he said. "Very few people have ever managed to gather all five Dragon Pearls. That Fang Cangsong from the Fang family has been searching for them for many years, and he has apparently only found two."

Lin Xuan’s expression was firm. "No matter how hard it is, I will do it."

"I believe you can, Young Master," the Earth Dragon said. "Becoming a Dragon Warrior in this era means you are truly a Chosen One. What others cannot do, you surely can."

"Now, we need to leave this place and deal with the people outside. For now, the news that I’ve obtained the Dragon Pearl cannot be leaked," Lin Xuan said solemnly. After all, the Dragon Pearls were far too precious. If word got out, the entire Dragon Island would be in an uproar. Lin Xuan had no desire for this to become public knowledge.

"Understood!" The Earth Dragon nodded. "There are two clans outside: the Fang family and the Netherworld Stone Race. The Netherworld Stone Race is under my command, so I can control them and keep them from talking. As for the Fang family, I will simply dispose of them."

Lin Xuan nodded, as he had been thinking the same thing. The two of them then headed for the exit.

「Outside.」

Fang Hai and Elder Vajra arrived at the entrance of the Underground Palace. With excited smiles, they were just about to enter, certain that Lin Xuan had met a grim fate inside.

Just as they were about to step forward, a figure suddenly emerged from within. They were ecstatic. Is the Earth Dragon coming out?

"Greetings, Senior Earth Dragon," Fang Hai quickly bowed.

Elder Vajra followed suit, saying respectfully, "Greetings, Master."

Behind them, the members of the Fang family and the Stone Race also paid their respects.

TAP. TAP. TAP.

The sound of steady footsteps echoed as a figure ascended the stairs. It was a handsome young man of seventeen or eighteen, his eyes glinting with a mysterious light. It was Lin Xuan.

"It’s the Young Master! Wonderful, the Young Master is alive!" Fang Qingxue, who had fallen into despair, cried out in excitement at the sight.

Those around them were all stupefied. Has Fang Qingxue gone mad? How could she still believe that kid is alive? That’s impossible.

Fang Hai snorted coldly. "You foolish girl! That boy has already been turned to ash." As he spoke, he looked up toward the entrance. "Senior Earth Dragon, please calm your anger. Our Fang family has produced a traitor. I’ll teach her a lesson right now and make her stop spouting such nonsense."

As he was speaking, he suddenly froze, his eyes widening in disbelief. He realized the one who had emerged was not the Earth Dragon, but Lin Xuan.

"How could it be you? This is impossible!" Fang Hai screamed.

The others all raised their heads, staring dumbfounded at Lin Xuan’s figure.

In an instant, the entire area was in an uproar. Everyone was completely stunned.

What is going on? How could it be this kid? Wasn’t he supposed to be dead? How is he still alive? And he looks completely unscathed! This is unbelievable. Am I dreaming?

Fang Hai frantically shook his head, and Elder Vajra was also unable to accept it.

Only Fang Qingxue laughed with excitement. "I knew it! The Young Master is invincible! No one can harm him!"

Could this kid have won? Did he actually defeat the Earth Dragon? The thought alone was enough to drive them mad. Is this kid really that heaven-defying? Is the Divine Sword that powerful?

The members of the Fang family despaired, and the Stone Race crumbled.

But just at that moment, another figure emerged from the Underground Palace.

It was a massive Earth Dragon. Its scales were as thick and heavy as mountain rock, and its aura was so powerful it dominated the entire area. Its eyes were incredibly fierce, as if they could pierce through anything in the world. The moment it appeared, the very ground began to tremble violently. Everyone’s bodies shuddered, and they felt an uncontrollable urge to kneel before this being.

"Heavens, what is that?" the Fang family members exclaimed. The Earth Dragon had been inside the Underground Palace the whole time, so they had never seen it before.

The Stone Race members hadn’t seen him either, but upon feeling this power, they immediately cried out, "The Earth Dragon! It’s... it’s the Earth Dragon!" 𝙛𝓻𝒆𝒆𝒘𝙚𝓫𝙣𝙤𝒗𝙚𝓵.𝙘𝙤𝙢

"What? It’s the Earth Dragon?" The Fang family was utterly shocked.

Elder Vajra laughed heartily. "Master, I knew you wouldn’t die! You couldn’t be defeated!"

Fang Hai also heaved a sigh of relief. He had been scared to death, thinking the Earth Dragon had been defeated. Now it seemed that wasn’t the case at all.

This kid couldn’t possibly have defeated the Earth Dragon. Since the great beast was still alive, there was only one explanation: the Earth Dragon had spared him. He must have submitted to the Earth Dragon, right? Humph, that kid is quite clever.

Fang Hai snorted. "Kid, you’re lucky to be alive. From now on, don’t even think about the Earth Dragon Pearl. Just stay obediently by Senior Earth Dragon’s side."

Lin Xuan glanced at him and said mildly, "I’ve already obtained the Earth Dragon Pearl."

Fang Hai nearly choked with laughter at his words and rolled his eyes. This kid sure knows how to talk big! He’s clearly submitted and become a prisoner, yet he’s still acting so arrogant!

The nearby Elder Vajra added with dissatisfaction, "Kid, since you’ve submitted to the Master and become his follower, you should act like one. Henceforth, you are not to be disrespectful before the Master, nor are you to mention the Earth Dragon Pearl. Understood?"

Before Lin Xuan could respond, the Earth Dragon became furious. He turned toward Elder Vajra and swiped a claw, sending the elder flying.

Elder Vajra screamed as if struck by lightning and crashed to the ground.

"What’s going on?" The onlookers were baffled.

Why would Senior Earth Dragon attack Elder Vajra? Was it because the elder had failed in his duty to guard the entrance earlier? At this thought, they all began to tremble in fear. The members of the Stone Race dropped to their knees.

"Spare us, Senior Earth Dragon!"

Seeing this, Fang Hai tried to intervene. "Senior Earth Dragon, please don’t blame Elder Vajra! He couldn’t stop this kid earlier not because he didn’t try his best, but because the kid has a Divine Sword! It was impossible to stop him! I hope Senior Earth Dragon won’t punish him any further!"

In Fang Hai’s mind, the Earth Dragon had attacked because he had allowed Lin Xuan into the Underground Palace.

But the Earth Dragon just snorted coldly. "How dare you be disrespectful to the Young Master? Do you have a death wish?"

Then, the Earth Dragon turned and bowed respectfully to Lin Xuan. "Young Master, please forgive me. My subordinate is ignorant of the rules. I hope you aren’t angry."

What was happening?

Fang Hai was stunned.

Elder Vajra was bewildered.

Everyone else was simply dumbfounded.

The Earth Dragon... was actually bowing to Lin Xuan?