Seeing the scene, Lin Xiao Tian understood one thing clearly, that place ahead was their true destination. The disturbance within the realm and the appearance of the dragon were not coincidences, but a direct signal pointing toward what awaited them there.

As he turned, his gaze suddenly shifted and landed on Tianhe, noticing something immediately felt wrong. There was no suppression, shock, or fear in his expression, only a fixed stare directed toward the dragon.

Tianhe stood completely still, his eyes locked onto it as if everything else had faded away from his awareness. What emanated from him was not caution or hesitation, but a deep, instinctive hunger that did not belong in such a moment.

Seeing this, Lin Xiao Tian’s expression changed as he stepped forward and shook him firmly, breaking that unnatural trance without delay. Tianhe’s body stiffened before his focus returned, his breathing turning uneven for a brief moment.

"Why are you staring at it like that?" Lin Xiao Tian said with a faint chuckle, his gaze narrowing slightly. "Don’t tell me you’re planning to eat the whole thing by yourself."

Tianhe hesitated before a faint blush appeared across his cheeks, his composure slipping slightly under that direct question. He lowered his gaze briefly before speaking in a restrained voice.

"Nothing, Master... it is just that I feel like my bloodline would become stronger if I consume that thing."

Hearing this, Lin Xiao Tian grew intrigued as his gaze shifted back toward the dragon with a thoughtful expression. The implication behind those words aligned too closely with the nature of this realm.

"Well, that is exactly where we are heading," he said calmly, his voice carrying quiet certainty.

However, as he spoke, he noticed a trace of conflict surface on Tianhe’s face as his earlier resolve wavered. That hesitation did not last long before a single word escaped him. 𝐟𝐫𝕖𝗲𝘄𝚎𝗯𝕟𝐨𝕧𝐞𝚕.𝕔𝕠𝐦

"Miao-Miao..."

Lin Xiao Tian immediately understood what weighed on his mind and stepped forward, placing a steady hand on his shoulder. His expression remained firm as he spoke without the slightest hesitation.

"Do not worry about her anymore, because before anyone can harm her, they would have to pass over my dead body first."

His words settled heavily in the air, carrying a conviction that left no room for doubt or retreat. The weight behind them was enough to steady even a wavering mind.

Behind him, Xiaoshan, Yan Feng, Li Qingyun, Mo Han, and the other disciples spoke in unison, their voices firm as they echoed the same intent. The shared resolve spread quickly, reinforcing Tianhe’s shaken state without needing further explanation.

Tianhe looked at them, the conflict in his eyes gradually fading as gratitude replaced it. The hesitation that held him back moments ago disappeared completely under that support.

Without wasting time, Lin Xiao Tian took out several dark scales along with small blue flowers and handed one set to each disciple. The scales carried a faint, oppressive heat, while the flowers emitted a cold and steady aura that balanced it.

"This is Frost veil Spirit Orchid," he said calmly, allowing the name alone to carry its weight. "Consume it together with the Nether Queen scale."

The moment they were ingested, a sharp burning sensation spread through their meridians as the latent toxin within the scales activated. Before it could turn destructive, the Frost veil Spirit Orchid released a cooling essence that wrapped around that heat and forced it into balance.

The opposing forces clashed and stabilized within their bodies, forming a temporary resistance that tempered the toxin into a controlled state. Instead of harming them, it conditioned their meridians to endure corrosive and overwhelming energy.

If the dragon’s presence carries any form of corrosive suppression, this should allow them to withstand it long enough to act.

Lin Xiao Tian fed one portion to Miao-Miao before consuming his own without hesitation, his expression remaining steady as the effects settled within him. The burning and cooling currents balanced quickly under his control.

At the very least, this will not fail immediately.

Without another word, the group gathered their weapons and rose into the air, moving directly toward the source of that overwhelming presence.

As he looked at the remaining scales inside his storage ring, Lin Xiao Tian let out a quiet sigh, his gaze lingering for a moment. Lin Xue really led me into a loss this time, these things will not be useful again anytime soon.

As they moved through the forest at a steady pace, his attention remained fixed on the dragon in the sky, its presence dominating even at a distance. The moment it appeared, it had already begun fighting someone, and although he could not see clearly, he knew exactly who it was.

It had to be Ji Wuchen.

As they continued forward, the distance closed rapidly, and the pressure in the air grew heavier with each step. At the same time, Lin Xiao Tian sensed multiple other presences converging toward the same location, their movements fast and deliberate.

It was clear they were not the only ones heading there.

Soon, a clearing opened ahead as the massive dragon came fully into view, its enormous body dominating the space without restraint. Around it stood several figures, each positioned at different points as they maintained a formation while chanting continuously.

At the center of it all, Ji Wuchen was fighting the dragon directly, his movements sharp and relentless as he held it back.

Then suddenly, the dragon surged with force, and one of the formation points collapsed under the pressure, breaking the balance instantly. The backlash forced Ji Wuchen to retreat, his body flying backward before he stabilized himself mid-air.

Without hesitation, he raised his spear and took out a talisman from his storage ring, activating it the moment it appeared in his hand. A massive avatar manifested behind him in the same stance, its presence towering as it mirrored his movement perfectly.

Ji Wuchen thrust his spear downward, and in that instant, the avatar followed, its own weapon descending in perfect alignment. The two attacks merged into one, forming a single overwhelming strike that tore through the air toward the dragon.

Seeing this, Lin Xiao Tian and the others reacted immediately, raising a Qi barrier to shield themselves from the incoming aftermath.