Dragon Kingdom Arc, Chapter Twenty-Seven: The Dragon Spring Treasure, Part One

Ye Heng suddenly felt as if his throat were blocked by something. He hurriedly pretended to cough, attempting to mask his embarrassment. With wide eyes, he tried to appear more natural, then let out an awkward laugh and said, "Th-that... let's get back to business, haha... hahahaha."

His voice trembled slightly, clearly betraying his nervousness. He knew his performance just now had been clumsy, but he also knew that the most important thing now was to refocus and not let the awkwardness continue.

Amy looked left and right, not wanting to feel out of place herself, and quipped, "Hmm? What are you looking at me for? Continue!" She had clearly been fed enough of their romantic display.

Ye Heng took a deep breath, struggling to calm himself down. "Back to the point."

Ye Heng continued, "The first step is to find the dragon, and to find the dragon is to find the dragon vein. The dragon vein is a mountain, but not every mountain is a dragon vein, because a mountain must be accompanied by water to be called a dragon vein. As the literal characters imply, a pulse is a pulse. If a pulse lacks blood, it cannot be called a pulse. Water is the blood within the dragon vein, and it is also what balances Yin and Yang with the mountain."

"We need both the dragon vein and the dragon's breath."

"The fire of the Vermilion Bird, the water of the Black Tortoise, the wood of the Azure Dragon, and the metal of the White Tiger."

"The Vermilion Bird also symbolizes the sun; we use the Vermilion Bird to guard the tomb chamber."

"The Black Tortoise is the god of winter, half-turtle and half-snake; between its breaths, it can summon ten thousand feet of ice."

"The Azure Dragon has a body like a serpent, a head with deer antlers, a bearded face, scales on its body, and a fish-like tail. From creating the world to guarding the East, and from summoning wind and rain to protecting humanity, it is the god of wood."

"The White Tiger is the god of war, skilled in combat. Its roar shakes the mountains and forests. It has black stripes on a white body, suppressing evil, punishing the wicked and rewarding the good, protecting wealth, bringing luck in marriage. It is the beast of autumn, the ruler of the western sky, and the god of metal."

"Following this logic, we search for the Vermilion Bird first, then the Black Tortoise, then the Azure Dragon, and finally the White Tiger."

Aishe looked at Ye Heng. "So, we must search during the day, and we need to find a place surrounded by mountains, with water, forests, and a dense concentration of dragon's breath."

Ye Heng nodded. "Mm, Xi'er is right."

"Furthermore, such a place must have a unique aura—the aura of the dragon vein and the dragon's breath. We can follow the mountain ranges, sensing that aura to find the place that best fits the description."

The group moved along the winding mountain range, each step landing on the intersection of history and legend. The wind blew, carrying the fresh and ancient scent of the forest, as if it were the call of the dragon vein, guiding them forward. They held their breath, carefully sensing that aura; it was sometimes faint, sometimes intense, as if recounting a thousand-year-old story.

As they walked, the group felt as if they were being drawn by a mysterious force, and before they knew it, they arrived before an ancient temple. The temple was simple and elegant, its weathered stone walls covered in the marks of time, as if whispering ancient and mysterious tales. The stone tablet in front of the temple was carved with ancient script, which, despite the erosion of wind and rain, still exuded a mysterious aura.

They surrounded the tablet, carefully reading the characters, and gradually grasped the connection between this land and the dragon vein. It turned out that this temple was an ancient sacrificial ground for the Dragon Clan, and the dragon vein was the source of energy for this land. The dragon-human race once thrived here, using the power of the dragon vein to protect the peace and prosperity of this land.

Aishe walked cautiously toward the ancient wall, her heart racing with anticipation and nervousness. The ancient script on the wall emanated a mysterious and archaic atmosphere, as if a force were drawing her gaze.

Aishe stared intently, reading the carving: "The majesty of the Dragon Emperor, the eternal god; the power of the Divine Dragon, guarding the Middle Kingdom; the four beasts as ministers, obeying the orders of the Dragon God; the Human Emperor, the supreme of humanity, possesses a transcendent sacred body, clad in a five-clawed golden dragon robe, riding a golden dragon, holding the Longquan blade to sever all evil in the world, compassionate to the common people, wise and righteous: Long live our Emperor, long live, long live, ten thousand years."

Her eyes lingered on these ancient characters, feeling the immense power and majesty contained within. Though several hundred years had passed, these carvings remained as if new, as if time had left no trace upon them.

A surge of inexplicable excitement welled up in Aishe's heart. She felt as if she could sense the dignity and power of the Dragon Emperor and the Human Emperor described by these words. She imagined the Dragon Emperor descending upon the Middle Kingdom (the original Dragon Kingdom of the Divine Dragon tribe), the Divine Dragon soaring through the sky, and the four beasts bowing in submission—her heart filled with yearning and longing for that era.

At the same time, she understood the significance of this text. The Dragon Emperor and the Human Emperor were the guardians and leaders of the Middle Kingdom; they possessed transcendent power and wisdom, capable of purging all evil and protecting the common people. This text also seemed to convey a faith and conviction to the world, igniting a sense of awe and reverence in people's hearts.

Aishe took a deep breath and slowly looked away. She knew that the power and meaning contained in this ancient script would remain with her, becoming the motivation and faith for her journey ahead. She silently recited in her heart: "The majesty of the Dragon Emperor, the dignity of the Human Emperor; may the Middle Kingdom be at peace, and may we strive to be strong."

Following her silent vow, the dust within the ancient walls seemed to awaken, and an invisible, mysterious power quietly emerged, circling around her like a flowing stream. She felt her heartbeat synchronize with this power, as if pulled by some mysterious force, causing her to involuntarily close her eyes and immerse herself completely.

In that breathless moment, the ancient stone tablet seemed to be summoned by some mysterious force and suddenly vanished without a trace. Ye Heng stood where he was, his eyes flashing with surprise and curiosity. He looked around, only to see a magnificent palace appearing out of thin air, breathtaking and majestic.

The palace's exterior possessed an ancient and mysterious charm, with complex patterns carved into the walls, as if telling an ancient history. The gates were closed, exuding a solemn and mysterious aura. Ye Heng took a deep breath and stepped toward the palace.

The moment they reached the gates, the doors suddenly made a deep, resonant sound. The noise seemed to come from deep within the earth, shaking the soul. Ye Heng couldn't help but clench his hands, nervously waiting for what would happen next.

As the sound echoed, the gates slowly swung inward. An ancient and mysterious aura rushed toward them, making their hearts surge. Ye Heng walked in without hesitation, and what he saw before him instantly left him dumbfounded.

The palace interior was luxuriously decorated, with exquisite murals hanging on the walls, each telling an ancient and mysterious story. In the center sat a massive throne, embedded with countless gems that flickered with dazzling light. The entire palace was filled with an air of mystery and solemnity, as if one had stepped into a world of legend.

Ye Heng walked cautiously over every inch of ground, feeling the charm of this mysterious world.

The roof of the palace used traditional glazed tiles, shining brightly under the sun. The upturned eaves resembled a flock of phoenixes about to take flight, elegant and dignified. Every meticulously carved door and window revealed the ancient people's unique pursuit of beauty and their exquisite craftsmanship.

Ye Heng strolled through the corridors of the palace, feeling the tranquility and dignity brought by the ancient architecture. He gently touched the textures on the walls, worn by the passage of time, and a sense of respect for the ancients welled up in his heart. These palaces were not just buildings; they were the heritage of culture and the witness of history.

In this world of ancient architecture, Ye Heng felt as if he had traveled through time to converse with the ancients. He imagined the bustle of the palace in its prime, with palace maids in gorgeous attire moving about, busy and orderly. He felt as if he could hear the melodic sound of zithers, the crisp laughter, and the resonant sound of wind blowing through the eaves.

Ye Heng continued to explore the palace complex, every step filled with the unknown and surprises. He looked forward to discovering more secrets of history within these ancient structures and feeling more of the charm of the culture. In this magnificent complex, he seemed to have found his own world of adventure, filled with excitement and mystery.

Ye Heng: "I didn't expect this palace to appear before us in this form. No wonder..."

"I just used the testing radar to scan this place; the entire palace is astonishingly large." Aishe's voice carried a hint of surprise. She looked up at the palace, the towering architecture appearing even more mysterious and solemn in the sunset.

"Big enough to contain the entire Nancang City," she added, her eyes sparkling. Nancang City, a massive metropolis covering 6,882 square kilometers, seemed like a mere miniature against the backdrop of this palace.

"So, finding the Longquan Treasure is like looking for a needle in a haystack." Aishe frowned, her voice revealing a touch of helplessness. The Longquan Treasure, that mysterious place rumored to hold endless wealth, seemed like an unreachable dream within this vast palace.

However, just then, Ye Heng's voice broke the heavy atmosphere. He smiled confidently, his eyes flashing with a sharp light.

"Finding the Longquan Treasure is not that difficult." His voice was firm and powerful, as if it held a magic capable of dispelling all gloom. Aishe turned to look at him, a flicker of surprise and curiosity in her eyes.

"Oh? What method do you have?" she asked, her voice tinged with expectation. Ye Heng smiled slightly without answering directly, turning instead to walk toward the depths of the palace. His steps were firm and steady, as if he were already fully prepared.

The Diqian Hall was one of the holy halls of the Emperor. Ancient books recorded that the Human Emperor Wang Ping had three halls.

The first hall: The Emperor's Sword Hall.

The second hall: The Diqian Hall.

The third hall: The Diyu Hall.

Ye Heng: "And this Diqian Hall is the closest to us, so of course, we'll go to the Diqian Hall first."

Ye Heng: "The Diqian Hall stands in the center of the Imperial Palace, with four divine halls guarding the four directions: the 'Shenwu Xuan Hall' in the North, the 'Shenhuo Zhuhu Hall' in the South, the 'Donglong Hua Hall' in the East, and the 'Shenwei Hu Hall' in the West."

Ye Heng: "The four halls guard the four gates: the 'Shenwu Xuan Gate', the 'Shenhuo Zhuhu Gate', and the 'Donglong Hua Gate', which is also the 'Shenwei Hu Gate'."

Ye Heng: "But based on the route and the scenes we've just passed, I have confirmed that we are currently inside the Imperial Palace."

Ye Heng: "And look, the exterior is exactly the same as the 'Shenhuo Zhuhu Hall' recorded in the ancient books, and the firebird at the very top of the hall and the five large characters on the gate are the best proof."

As Ye Heng's voice fell, it was like a pebble thrown into a calm lake, creating ripples. The "Shenhuo Zhuhu Hall" he spoke of seemed to be a mysterious and solemn place, filling one with awe.

Looking around, the vermilion palace walls towered into the clouds, acting as a barrier between heaven and earth. The temple was tall, over twenty meters in height, with complex patterns carved into the walls—every stroke vivid and powerful, as if recounting an ancient and mysterious story.

Standing proudly atop the towering temple was a giant bird wreathed in flames. No, that was not a giant bird; it was the legendary Vermilion Bird.

Standing arrogantly at the peak of the magnificent temple, its feathers were as bright as fire, each one appearing to pulse with scorching flames. The temple gates were closed, but no matter how far away one stood, one could clearly see the five large characters carved into the gate: "Shenhuo Zhuhu Hall".

Sunlight filtered through the clouds, casting mottled shadows on the palace walls, adding a sense of mystery.

The air outside the hall seemed to permeate with a solemn and sacred aura. A faint scent of sandalwood drifted in the air, calming the mind. The ground was covered with thick carpets, soft and resilient underfoot, as if every step were taken on the long river of history.

The furnishings all around were dazzling. On the tall Vermilion Bird candlesticks, the candles flickered with a faint light, adding a hazy beauty to the entire hall. Exquisite jade, magnificent gems, and gorgeous silks... every detail showcased the nobility and luxury of the imperial family.

In the distance, the sky took on a deep blue hue, forming a sharp contrast with the fiery red and emerald green on the ground. The sun hung high in the sky, casting golden rays and adding a solemn and sacred atmosphere to the entire scene. Against this backdrop, the presence of the Vermilion Bird appeared even more breathtaking, as if it were the guardian of this land, eternally and firmly protecting the peace and harmony here.

"We have penetrated to the very core of the Imperial Palace." Ye Heng's voice was low and firm, as if an invisible force were flowing within it. His words revealed deep vigilance, as if he were seeking a path forward in the dark.

"Every step from here on must be taken with extreme caution." He emphasized again, his tone filled with seriousness and tension. In this unfamiliar palace, they were like people walking on thin ice; one slight mistake could lead to falling into an abyss.

"After all, we are in this strange and unfamiliar Imperial Palace." Ye Heng's voice betrayed a sense of helplessness and confusion. The palace was like a giant labyrinth; they had to remain vigilant at all times to avoid being trapped by its snares.

"If we trigger any magic arrays or mechanisms, it will be very difficult to handle." His voice revealed a deep sense of dread. The palace hid countless secrets and dangers; they had to be careful to find a way out of this dark maze.

Ye Heng's words made the group even more tense.