The gold light was pure and holy, which seemed able to scour every inch of darkness from creation.
Within it coiled the translucent shape of a Golden Dragon, head lifted, eyes vast as sun and moon, surveying every soul below.
The dragon''s power was a hundred times greater than the me Dragon''s.
It came from the suppression of a king toward the peasants.
Mid-dive, the me Dragon froze as though lightning pinned its wings. Terror-and something close to reverence-widened its eyes.
The me Dragon let out a pleading roar and started trembling.
A strict hierarchy existed among the Draconians. The Golden Dragon was the leader of the dragons.
The me Dragon did not dare to fight back.
Even though it was at Top Level Heavenly Immortal Realm Level Nine, its bloodline was only at the Middle Tier. Facing the Golden Dragon Bloodline, the me Dragon was terrified.
Jared seized the opening. He strode forward, and the Golden Dragon flowed with him, each step amplifying the dragon''s power.
He pointed at the me Dragon and uttered the ancient Draconian, "Back off!"
The words were as if an imperial edict had been issued, carrying the power that brooked no doubt or defiance.
A guttural, wounded cry tore from the me Dragon''s throat. Its vast body recoiled, scale by scale, until it slipped back into the Lava Lake.
The dragon''s eyes fixed on Jared, filled with confusion and reverence. In the end, it vanished into theva.
The peril was over.
Jared withdrew the bloodline power. The Golden Dragon faded. Color drained from his face, and his knees threatened to fold. Unleashing the Golden Dragon Bloodline had drained nearly a third of his life force and celestial energy.
"Jared!" Lindsay hurried to steady him, her crimson eyes wide with worry. "Are you all right?"
"I''m fine," he panted. "I have only suppressed the me Dragon. It could return soon. Bring along Elder meheart and leave!"
Lindsay dashed to Ferdinand''s side. Though unconscious and grievously wounded, he still breathed.
She slid a crimson pill past his lips, then looked toward the basin''s rim where Elliot stood frozen. "Elliot, help me!"
As if waking from a dream, Elliot hurried over, supporting Ferdinand with Lindsay while casting Jared a look filled with awe, jealousy, fear, and murderous rage.
He realized Jared had the Golden Dragon Bloodline.
No wonder he was so powerful. No wonder Lindsay favored him.
I need to get rid of him. If not, my status in the Earthfire Pavilion will drop and Her Highness will fall for him.
Yet Elliot''s face wore only gratitude. "Mr. Chance, you saved us. Earthfire Pavilion will remember this."
Jared met his gaze and replied, "Let''s escape first. Thanks can wait."
They supported the unconscious Ferdinand and left the me Spirit Basin quickly.
Along the way, Lindsay clutched Jared''s arm, eyes shining with unshed tears. "Thank you, Jared. Without you, I would have..."
"You''re wee, Your Highness," Jared replied calmly.
"Since I epted the mission, I will protect Your Highness."
Lindsay''s gaze lingered on Jared''s face. A surge of conflicting emotions rippled through her chest.
Moments earlier, Jared protected
her from the me Dragon by
unleashing his Golden Dragon
Bloodline. The scene had embedded her mind.
He was like a god to the rescue.
"What was that just now?" Lindsay was unable to hold back her curiosity.
"It''s just my trump card. Your Highness, please keep this a secret. I don''t want to invite trouble," Jared quickly answered.
Lindsay blinked, then nodded. "I understand. You have my word. No one will hear of
it from me. Elliot, you should also not tell anyone."
Elliot managed a stiff smile. "Of course. Mr. Chance is the Earthfire Pavilion''s savior.
I won''t put him in danger."
Yet, the thought of eliminating Jared grew stronger.
Later, they reunited with Vermilion Demon Lord, Lyndon, Ethan, and the others.
The escorts had escaped except Lyndon and Ethan.
Seeing them alive, Vermilion Demon Lord
alive in relief. "Good, y
t dragon''s roar
heard
Did you use the Power of Bloodline?
Jared nodded. "It was a desperate measure."
Vermilion Demon Lord flicked a nce toward Elliot and asked through telepathy,
"Did he see what you did?"
"He did," Jared admitted.
"That''s bad. I doubt he''ll keep the secret," Vermillion Demon Lord said.
"We''ll see what we can do," Jared answered, letting the matter rest where ity.
No one wished to linger. They left me Gorge hurriedly.
Luckily, the me Dragon did not follow them out. On their way back, they did not encounter vicious beasts.
Two hourster, they left the me Gorge and returned to safety.
Ferdinand woke up after Lindsay healed him. He was badly injured, but managed to survive.
Ferdinand looked at Jared with aplex expression. "Mr. Chance, thank you for saving us. The Earthfire Pavilion owes you big time."
Jared shook his head and replied, "Elder, I epted the mission. Saving you was simply part of the work."
"No, this is different." Ferdinand''s gaze fixed on Jared.
"The me Dragon is at Top Level Nine. You saved us from it. This is way beyond the escort''s job scope."
He paused, then continued, "Rest assured, young man. The Earthfire Pavilion will reward you
handsomely. You can choose three
treasures from our vault. Itso help you search for the Jadebeant Marrow."
Such a promise weighed more than any coin the Pavilion had ever minted.
Jared bowed and said, "Thank you, Elder."