Nine Star Hegemon Body Arts

Chapter 5242 The Dragon Race’s Anxiety

The spherical totem was about thirty meters tall, covered in countless dragon runes that resembled both flames and clouds. Although the runes were completely dim and gave off no aura, Long Chen immediately sensed a familiar presence. It was the aura of the mysterious dragon expert who had been helping him all this time.

Now, Long Chen was completely certain—the dragon expert who had guided him was none other than the Primal Chaos Dragon Sovereign that the dragon race revered.

Although Long Chen had always felt that the mysterious senior had a shocking origin, who would have thought he was the symbol of the dragon race’s faith?

Long Chen’s heart pounded hard as he recalled how the Dragon Sovereign had once used its power to save him, which broke their connection. The Earth Cauldron then explained that the Dragon Sovereign fell into a slumber after exhausting its energy.

Now, standing before the totem that carried its aura, Long Chen wondered if it was possible to awaken the Dragon Sovereign from its slumber.

Long Chen stood in front of the totem for a long time before extending his hand toward it. His movement startled the dragon experts around him.

“Long Chen, don’t!” Bai Yingxue shouted, hastily grabbing his hand.

“What is it?” asked a baffled Long Chen.

“Are you trying to use your dragon blood to call out to the Dragon Sovereign?” asked Bai Yingxue.

Long Chen nodded, and Bai Yingxue gravely said, “This altar has been in disrepair for too many years. We don’t even know if it can be used. Furthermore, the amount of blood energy required to activate the totem is unimaginable. Our Dragon Domain has attempted it three times in history, pooling the blood energy of countless experts, and yet we still couldn’t light up every rune. Instead, we sacrificed numerous powerful warriors in vain. On your own, there’s no way you can activate it. Furthermore, the totem has a powerful suction force that could drain your dragon blood completely in an instant.”

“It doesn’t matter. I’ll give it a try. If it really isn’t working, I’ll stop!” promised Long Chen.

“Even if you can activate the totem, the altar is broken. It won’t do you any good. You’ll be wasting your energy and risking your life,” said the leader of the red dragon race. His previous arrogance had vanished, replaced by humility.

Ignoring him, Long Chen once again reached for the totem. The dragon experts held their breath as they watched him.

“Stop!” the leaders of the various large dragon races shouted in unison, their faces flushed with panic.

“What’s the meaning of this? Do you think you can stop me?” asked Long Chen, frowning in their direction, his gaze icy.

In the distance, an explosive sound rang out, and Gold Rhino’s enormous body rose. Gold Rhino emitted such a vast Emperor might that even Human Emperors felt suffocated in front of it.

“Long Chen, you misunderstand. Th-they’re...” Bai Yingxue stuttered.

The atmosphere was rather odd. The white dragon experts had awkward expressions, as if they were unable to side with Long Chen in this matter.

Guo Ran and the others were baffled. What exactly was wrong with these dragons?

Finally, Bai Yingxuan stepped forward, gritting her teeth. “I’m not afraid of you laughing at us. The Dragon Sovereign is our pillar of faith. But... rumors say that the Dragon Sovereign... well... you know...”

Hearing this, Long Chen immediately understood. These dragon leaders feared that the Dragon Sovereign was dead. After their past failures to awaken him, they had convinced themselves that he had long since passed away. However, as long as the altar and totem remained, they could cling to the hope that he was still alive. This fantasy was all that supported them.

Thus, while they did wish for Long Chen to awaken the totem, they were equally terrified of the possibility that he would confirm their worst fears. If the Dragon Sovereign were truly gone, they would lose their faith and drive for good.

They felt incredibly conflicted. No matter how strong the dragon race, the Dragon Sovereign was their pillar. If this pillar collapsed, they didn’t know how they would live.

Shaking his head, Long Chen scolded, “Your attitudes are disappointing. In this world, everything with form is destined to fade. Only the formless can exist eternally. The most precious thing the Dragon Sovereign passed down isn’t his bloodline or divine abilities—it’s the dragon race’s unyielding spirit, its iron will to overcome any obstacle no matter how painful they are.

“If the Dragon Sovereign truly is gone, did any of you ever consider picking up his legacy, taking on his duty, and leading the dragon race to its former glory? All you’ve done is sit in the shade of a great tree, without ever considering that you might need to become that tree for future generations! You are selfish! You are cowardly! Tell me, are you truly worthy of being called the emperor of the ten thousand beasts?!”

From a slap, Long Chen’s words turned into a hammer that struck the weakest part of their hearts, stunning the dragon experts.

When had the proud dragon race become so cowardly? Even if the Dragon Sovereign were gone, was that the end of them? Could they not forge a new Dragon Sovereign? Did they not even have the courage to pick up the banner of the dragon race? What were they afraid of?

Death?

No.

Was it failure?

Probably not.

Then what was the cause of these emotions?

It was their sense of inferiority. After losing the Dragon Sovereign, the dragon race started to feel inferior. Their so-called pride was only to cover up the sense of inferiority in their hearts.

As Long Chen’s words tore down their facade, they felt no anger—only shame. They had brought dishonor to their ancestors.

Bai Yingxuan and the others also lowered their heads. They had finally realized why the dragon race had declined. Over the years, they had lost their spirit.

“Well, I can tell you with full certainty that the Dragon Sovereign is not dead,” said Long Chen.

“Really?” The dragon experts brightened instantly. Some even teared up—this was the best news they had heard in ages.

“However, if the Dragon Sovereign were to see you in this state, it might cast you out of the dragon race itself,” Long Chen added coldly.

“As long as the Dragon Sovereign is alive, that’s all that matters. For unfilial descendants like us to be cast out of the dragon race, we have no right to complain,” said the elder of the red dragon race.

Long Chen nodded, feeling slightly better towards them. Slowly, he extended his hand again. With a shout, his dragon blood surged, and a blood-red cross appeared in his palm. He pressed it against the totem, ready to awaken the Dragon Sovereign.