Nine Star Hegemon Body Arts

Chapter 5283 Hostage

All of a sudden, a horde of golden lions appeared around Long Chen, completely surrounding him.

“Did I end up running into a lion’s den?” Long Chen was taken aback. There were over ten enormous golden lions, all at least as powerful as the six-vein Emperor he’d just encountered.

Long Chen’s heart sank. If it were just one six-vein Emperor, he’d be tempted to test himself against it. After all, he could always escape if he couldn't win. But now, faced with an entire pride of them, things looked grim. Fortunately, with the little lion in his grasp, they hesitated to make any rash moves.

Long Chen found himself in a predicament. The golden lions were roaring at him furiously, but it seemed that they couldn’t speak his language.

“If you don’t want this little fellow to die, get out of the way! Otherwise, I won’t hesitate to fight all of you to the death!” Long Chen declared.

“A fight to the death? You overrate yourself, little human!”

Suddenly, a voice filled with an ancient aura rang out. Another golden lion approached.

This lion’s aura was even more intimidating than the others, though its fur had lost much of its luster. It was clear that its Blood Qi had declined with age. This was a very old lion, likely nearing the end of its lifespan.

When the old lion approached, the others immediately opened a path for it, revealing its high status.

Now that he had someone who could speak his language, Long Chen felt more at ease. Communication meant there was room for negotiation.

Long Chen asked, “Do you think I overestimate myself? Should I kill this fellow first to show you how serious I am?”

Long Chen channeled his astral energy into the little lion, making it grimace in pain. It roared weakly.

“Courting death!”

The other lions instantly erupted in fury, their eyes burning with rage. Long Chen was clearly provoking them.

However, just as they were about to step forward, the little lion quivered, and blood trickled from its eyes, nose, and mouth. The golden lions froze, horrified, and backed off.

“Don’t play this game with me. If you want it dead, just say it. I don’t need this thing anyway!” snapped Long Chen.

If they dared to take another step, Long Chen would crush the little lion without hesitation. He didn’t mind a bloody fight. He still had pent-up frustration from his battle with the Silver Hair Void Crusher, and this would be a good chance to see how much stronger he’d become as a Sage King.

The lions were finally afraid of Long Chen. After all, the little lion in Long Chen’s grasp wasn’t just any member of their race. It was the most promising of their young, groomed to be their future leader. Its death would be an unacceptable blow to them.

“What do you want? Our Gold Lion race has always maintained neutrality with the human race. Are you trying to incite a war between us?” the old lion demanded.

“Human race?” Long Chen perked up upon hearing that. Could there be other humans nearby?

But outwardly, he remained calm and shouted, “Don’t try to scare me with talk of war! This little brat tried to steal my dragon blood and attacked me first. Are you telling me your Gold Lion race can attack humans, but if we fight back, it’s considered inciting war?!”

The old lion coldly responded, “Then what do you want? Let me warn you, the one in your hands is our future race leader. If anything happens to him, I swear your entire human race will pay with their lives!”

At this threat, Long Chen slammed the little lion into the ground. It spat up blood and passed out.

“You...!”

Long Chen lifted the lion and smashed it into the ground two more times, causing the earth to quake. The lion was utterly helpless, its body on the verge of collapse.

“Come, keep threatening me. I don’t mind continuing until it’s dead!” Long Chen said coldly.

The Gold Lions quivered with rage, wanting to tear him to pieces. But with their future leader’s life in Long Chen’s hands, they were forced to hold back. They could only clench their teeth furiously.

Long Chen ignored these lions. In the worst case, he would simply flee. Though the Earth Cauldron hadn’t fully recovered, it should still be capable of transporting him away. So, if they wanted to fight, he’d accompany them.

“What do you want?!” roared the old lion.

“If you don’t want it to die, then scram. Otherwise, I’ll kill it right now!” threatened Long Chen.

“Absolutely not!”

Long Chen’s astral energy surged, causing the little lion to cough up more blood. It weakly tried to cry for help, but it didn’t have the strength to even let out a sound.

“Since you want it to die, there’s no need to waste any more time. I’ll fulfill your desire,” said Long Chen.

Stars appeared on Long Chen’s hand, and the lion started to swell, its body on the verge of bursting under the pressure of his astral energy.

“Stop, stop! Please, we accept your conditions!” roared the old lion.

“Tch, how gutless! Get the hell out of my way. If anyone blocks me, I’ll kill this little lion,” sneered Long Chen.

At the old lion’s command, the other lions begrudgingly opened a path. Though they made way, their murderous gazes showed how much they hated Long Chen. Given the chance, they would tear him into a thousand pieces.

Long Chen ignored them. He tossed the little lion onto the ground and hopped onto its back. “If you want to live, take me to the human race. If you’d rather die, say the word.”

The little lion gritted its teeth but dared not resist. It was terrified of Long Chen, who seemed like a demon to it. Though humiliated, it lowered its head and carried Long Chen away.

Watching as Long Chen left, the Gold Lion race’s experts raised their heads and roared as if announcing something.