???
What would your reaction be if a majestic yellow dog—half a man's height, with a yellow face and white muzzle—came bounding toward you, talking like a human being and calling you Young Master?
「Holy shit!」
This unexpected turn of events left you completely dumbfounded.
The contact person turned into a contact dog!
And this dog could talk!
Wait—Young Master. Was he talking about you?!
Thud! Thud! Thud!
The yellow dog charged forward on all four paws, its paws leaving plum-blossom prints as it kicked up a cloud of yellow sand and wind, reaching your side in the blink of an eye.
In the next moment, a huge dog's head nuzzled up to your face, licking your dumbstruck cheeks affectionately as it rambled on like a chatterbox.
「Young Master! As soon as your old servant smelled your scent and knew you'd entered Hidden Dragon Valley, I didn't stop for a single second to come find you. Finally, I'm here! Do you still remember me? You held me in your arms when you were little!」
「That old flood dragon is such a useless fool—his brain must've turned to mush soaking in the river. Couldn't even stop a dog, almost scared Young Master half to death. He's definitely asking for a beating!」
「Don't you worry, Young Master. You passed the three trials Master left behind and made it here safe and sound. Now, not even the Jade Emperor himself can lay a finger on you!」
As the yellow dog licked your face and your wounds, you suddenly felt the gaping hole in your chest begin to heal miraculously. Even the excruciating pain inside your body faded by more than half.
Hiss!
This dog's saliva was this effective? It was practically as good as a panacea!
「Uncle Dog?」 you tentatively called out.
You had no clue what was going on, but throwing in an uncle wouldn't hurt.
Judging by those white whiskers, this was one old dog.
From what he'd just said, he'd known you since you were a kid—could he be some elder's spirit beast?
「Just call your old servant Ah Huang, not Uncle Dog!」 The yellow dog's eyes lit up, his face beaming with excitement as his tail wagged a mile a minute.
Seeing that reaction, you knew you'd guessed right.
The Blood-Robed Figure, who'd been sent flying, his chest mangled to the bone in a gruesome mess, watched the bizarre scene of you and a dog bonding like family. A flicker of fear crossed his face, but he gritted his teeth, his voice dripping with rage. 「Bastard! How dare you lay a hand on me? I am—!」
「Daring to interrupt my conversation with Young Master? You're asking for death!」
The yellow dog's cheerful expression vanished in an instant. He let out a low growl, and in the blink of an eye, endless sand and wind swirled around him, conjuring the terrifying scene of a natural disaster.
At that moment, the yellow dog standing before you exuded an unfathomable, terrifying aura—even more formidable than the Blood-Robed Figure and the flood dragon in the river combined!
In the blink of an eye, the Blood-Robed Figure's screams of agony echoed through the sandstorm.
「By the agreement, now that Young Master has entered the mountains, passed the three trials, and arrived at Hidden Dragon Valley, he is under Master's protection.」
「Who gave you bastards the gall to set foot in this place?!」
Uncle Dog snarled, his voice oozing with domineering authority.
The Blood-Robed Figure, who'd chased you to the brink of death just moments ago, was being ruthlessly torn apart by the sandstorm, his flesh and blood eroding away until only a white skeleton remained...
「For the sake of your master, I'll spare your life today. But the death penalty may be waived—your punishment most certainly will not.」
「GET OUT OF HERE!」
The Blood-Robed Figure, reduced to a mere skeleton but still clinging to life, didn't dare to utter another word of defiance. A streak of bloodlight wrapped around his remains, and he prepared to flee.
BOOM!
Suddenly, a massive flood dragon tail shot out from the river, slamming into the bloodlight like a bowling ball. The impact sent the Blood-Robed Figure flying, his screams of pain ringing out loud and clear...
「AAAGH! I WILL RETURN!」
Witnessing this scene unfold before your eyes, your first reaction wasn't shock at Uncle Dog's terrifying combat power—it was astonishment at the Blood-Robed Figure's sheer tenacity.
He just wouldn't die!
「Young Master, if Master hadn't ordered me to spare his miserable life, your old servant would've killed him right here and now to avenge you.」 The yellow dog lowered his head, whispering a quick explanation in your ear.
「Thank you, Uncle Dog.」 A faint warmth stirred in your heart. You knew full well that Uncle Dog had just used this as an excuse to stand up for you.
「Come, Young Master. Follow your old servant.」 The yellow dog turned and began leading the way toward the heart of the valley, signaling for you to follow.
「Alright!」
With your injuries mostly healed and the Blood-Robed Figure beaten half to death and chased away, the heavy weight that had been pressing down on your heart lifted, leaving you feeling light and relieved.
You knew Uncle Dog was now taking you to meet his Master—the true protector who could keep you safe.
Even though you had a few guesses swirling around in your mind, you weren't entirely sure. So you peppered the yellow dog with questions along the way, hoping to get him to reveal his Master's identity.
「You'll know when we get there, Young Master.」 The yellow dog shot you a mysterious grin, keeping his lips sealed and leaving you hanging.
You figured this yellow dog was a lot sneakier than he looked.
But when you stepped into the valley behind him, you froze on the spot. Before your eyes stood a massive, imposing city, radiating an aura of raw, unyielding power.
There was actually a hidden city inside the Ten Thousand Great Mountains?!
And within the city, countless human figures milled about—men, women, even children chasing and playing. It was like a true paradise on earth.
You had sharp eyes, and you noticed that most of these people exuded a fierce, battle-hardened aura. Many were missing arms or legs, covered in scars that told tales of countless battles. A sense of overwhelming pressure washed over you...
Some of them even wore the insignia of the Qianyuan Empire's army on their clothes.
「These are all seasoned veterans of the Qianyuan Empire's military—elite soldiers who specialize in fighting the bizarre alien races. The crème de la crème!」
Shock coursed through your veins. This entire city was home to at least several hundred thousand elite cultivators from the Qianyuan Empire's army. What kind of power was that...
This was more than enough to stage a rebellion.
It was practically the power of a regional king.
But what shocked you even more was the way these apparent military elites looked at you with deep respect. Everywhere you went, they fell silent, stepping aside to clear a path for you voluntarily...
At that moment, you became even more certain of the guess you'd been harboring in your heart.
「Master! I've brought Young Master to see you.」
Before long, guided by Uncle Dog, you arrived at the tallest building in the city. You stepped inside, and moments later, you finally laid eyes on the one who could protect you.
He was a middle-aged man with white streaks at his temples, his eyes filled with the weariness of the ages, yet his features were still handsome and valiant. An aura of supreme authority radiated from him, pressing down on you like a mountain.
The moment you saw this middle-aged man, your mind went completely blank. It was like being struck by a bolt of lightning, plunging you into a deathly silence.
Because the aura emanating from this man was exactly the same as the statue you'd seen in the temple earlier.
But what shocked you even more, what made you want to cry out in astonishment, was that when the middle-aged man turned his gaze toward you, the blood in your veins suddenly began to boil, a sense of innate closeness surging up within you uncontrollably.
Even the Supreme Imperial Bone inside your body reacted, trembling slightly—as if the man standing before you possessed something that resonated with your bone...
「You are...」 you couldn't help but whisper.
The handsome, valiant middle-aged man stared at you for a long, quiet moment before finally speaking, his voice deep and steady.
「My name is Yang Hong. You can also call me Uncle.」