Chapter 11: Ancient Jade Dragon Emperor Inheritance (Part 1)
Haotian woke up with start. His head was throbbing in pain and he felt like his brain was filled with mercury.
He vaguely remembered being hauled down by a mysterious force as he was about to exit the Jade Vein Pool. He was dragged and dragged until his consciousness blurred and he had finally passed out.
As he struggled to stand up to his feet, he rubbed and squinted his eyes. The ground he was standing on was cold, and as hard as rocks. Surrounding him was infinite darkness and within that darkness, he could see a pair of constrained vertical pupil around the size of his body!
Haotian trembled. Just what was this thing whose mere eyes were as big as him!? Those green slitted eyes were examining him curiously from a very close proximity, causing his body to grow cold and stiff. Every hair on his body stood straight up in fright.
"Who… are you?" After a long time, Haotian finally regained his bearing and asked quietly.
In eerie silence, the green slitted eyes studied him unblinkingly. In the presence of those eyes, Haotian felt like his every secret was laid bare. He felt like an open book which those mysterious eyes were reading with utmost ease.
Those green eyes finally moved away. It slowly rose in air high enough that Haotian has to look up to see it. Something flickered and light from unknown areas began filling the area. As he looked around, he found himself in a cave that was about the twice the size of a basketball court.
When he looked at his front, he found that those green eyes were part of an extremely large and predatory head which was full of shiny jade scales. It has a long neck and four ferocious looking limbs. And all of it was covered in shining jade scales from where deep and mysterious aura of ancientness percolated.
When Haotian looked the whole body of the being, his eyes stretched to limits.
'D-dragon!?' He was completely stunned.
"This noble one is known as Ancient Jade Dragon Emperor."
A deep ancient voice rang loudly inside Haotian's mind. Ancient Jade Dragon Emperor? Haotian quickly tried to recall every book, texts, record, theories and journals he had read in his life and he found that there was no mention of Ancient Jade Dragon Emperor anywhere.
"Humph." Seeing confusion appear on Haotian's face, Ancient Jade Dragon Emperor snorted. "Appears as though you don't even know of this noble one."
His voice was filled with pride and arrogance as he proclaimed boisterously, "This noble one once reigned supreme in this universe! Every being, mortal, immortal, beast, and even gods, they are bowed down in front of this noble one's great might and prestige! The whole world shook with this noble's one every step! He cleaved down Immortal Realms like paper and rained blood like heaven's wrath!…"
As Ancient Jade Dragon Emperor went on and on about his deeds, how the heavens feared him, how he murdered god in cold blood and how he bedded the most beautiful women of the world, Haotian didn't knew what to think.
'Isn't he… too boastful?' For the first time in his both lives, Haotian had encountered someone who could spew better bullshit than him. Suddenly, the fear and apprehension in his mind was greatly reduced. Moreover, he got increasingly irritated as the boastful dragon showed no signs of stopping anytime soon but he understood his place and kept nodding like a chicken.
The Ancient Jade Dragon Emperor was satisfied after spotting the deep reverence on Haotian's face as he continued boasting with proud face and profound gaze.
Finally after what seemed like eternity, his transmitted voice came to a halt. By this time, Haotian ears were buzzing nonstop.
"…unfortunately, because of that, this noble one's Godly Soul is the only that survived. Now, did you understood how high and mighty this noble one is?" Ancient Jade Dragon Emperor looked at him calmly with his glowing and slitted green eyes.
Haotian composed himself. It turns out that in ancient battle, Ancient Jade Dragon Emperor was beaten black and blue, so he had to abandon his physical body. The projection in front of him right now was his Godly Soul that had survived in the aftermath.
The Jade Vein that was enabled Xuan Clan to become one of the Six Grand Clans was actually a piece of Ancient Jade Dragon Emperor's body! It was one of the remaining parts of his Draconic body!
He couldn't even begin to imagine how a mere part of dragon body could remain active for over 100,000 years even after its death! He couldn't be blamed. This strength and vitality of a dragon was simply impossible for the current Haotian to grasp. His worldly knowledge was severely lacking.
"Then, Ancient Jade Dragon Emperor, can I ask why you have summoned me here?" Haotian asked after thinking for a very long time.
Ancient Jade Dragon Emperor starts in a deep and heavy voice, "Xiwon…"
Haotian: "…!"
As Haotian heard Ancient Jade Dragon Emperor first word, he trembled all over. His eyes started flickering with gloomy light as his breathing got heavier. He clenched his teeth tightly and hurriedly contemplated all possibilities.
'Impossible! How does he know that!?'
Xiwon. That was used to be Haotian's name in his previous life! Upon his transmigration, he has sweared to himself that he'd never expose this secret to anyone no matter how close they were, yet it was an irrefutable fact that the Ancient Jade Dragon Emperor just uttered his name!
He had thought that he'd remain from the shackles of past life upon death. Thus hearing his previous name, numerous unpleasant memories that were buried deeply within his heart and locked away securely, resurfaced in his mind once more and his mood gradually worsened, turning more gloomier.
While looking into his dingy eyes, Ancient Jade Dragon Emperor continued, his voice as arrogant as always yet there was a tinge of softness mixed between, "This noble one took liberty of peering into your soul while you were unconscious. He has bore witness to your past life. He has bore witness the sacrifices you made, and he has felt the myriad regret and unwillingness that you had felt as you took your last breath."
Hearing him, Haotian was rightfully enraged, and his face was gloomier that a ghastly wraith. No wonder he felt that his heart was laid open in front of him! No wonder he felt like an open book! It turns out that this boastful dragon had barged into soul and read his memories! How was he a noble one!? Clearly, he was nothing but a thief!
But can he truly blame him? No. The memories of him lecturing Mystic Fairy about strength and whatnot that morning entered his mind. Working on that logic, wasn't he to blame for his weakness!? Didn't his weakness allowed Ancient Jade Dragon Emperor to do as he pleased!? Now that the words came to bite him, it wasn't exactly a pleasant experience. But he knew how to adjust and adapt, so he pushed those thoughts at the back of his mind.
"Why did you do it? Just what is your objective?" That was what he wanted to know at the moment.
"Let's make a deal," Ancient Jade Dragon Emperor said straightforwardly. "After witnessing your memories and potential, I've come to conclusion that you're qualified to receive my inheritance! Xuan Haotian, are you willing to receive my inheritance and become a draconic being that'll rule the Earth and Heaven!?"