Chapter 855: Eating a Loss Is Imminent

When Yun Yixuan heard such an incomprehensible statement from Xu Yang, he instinctively became suspicious at once. This reaction, in turn, annoyed Xu Yang.

Xu Yang's message was simple: if you don't believe me, you can try it yourself.

"I regret hearing such words from you, Special Envoy Yun," Xu Yang said. "From this moment on, I will no longer offer you any valuable guidance. If you don't believe me, feel free to send someone down to investigate. Whatever consequences ensue will have nothing to do with me."

As soon as Xu Yang finished speaking, he simply turned his back, no longer glancing at the pond below.

Yun Yixuan, however, was a naturally suspicious person. The more Xu Yang tried to justify himself, the less Yun Yixuan trusted him.

He subtly exchanged a glance with the leader of his Golden Knight Order. Unfazed, the leader immediately led five hundred elite Firesteeds towards the pond's edge, intending to probe what lay beneath the water, which was thick with a bloody stench. To everyone's surprise, however, these Firesteeds refused to approach within a hundred meters of the pond's edge.

Furthermore, all the Firesteeds let out hysterical, wailing cries and came to a complete halt.

Xu Yang sent a soul transmission to Yun Xiao, who was beside him. Both simultaneously ascended into the air, standing proudly in the void, overlooking the area below while keeping a safe distance from the pond.

Just as Yun Yixuan frowned slightly, sensing that something was amiss, a monstrous wave erupted from the center of the pond without warning.

"No, danger! Retreat quickly!" Yun Yixuan urgently commanded. However, it was ultimately one step too late. Just before the swirling vortex of water erupted from the pond's center and swept outwards, Yun Yixuan himself managed to rush out of the dangerous trap, reaching the same position in the void as Xu Yang and Yun Xiao.

However, this spelled disaster for the Golden Knight Order below, who were still mounted on their Firesteeds.

These warriors had a deep affection for their Firesteed mounts and found it impossible to abandon them when danger struck.

Unfortunately, the colossal wave unleashed by this water prison engulfed one-fifth of the Golden Knight Order members who were within a hundred zhang, completely swallowing them into the pond's depths.

"Withdraw quickly! Get out of here!"

Yun Yixuan's voice echoed downwards repeatedly, finally allowing the Golden Knight Order warriors on the periphery, who were relatively further away, to avoid a deadly catastrophe.

However, over two thousand knights, including the leader of the Golden Knight Order, who were closest to the pond, were completely swallowed by this water prison into its deepest parts.

In a brief moment, the pond's originally clear blue waves turned completely blood red. Then, just as quickly, the traces of the Golden Knight warriors' blood subsided, and the surface returned to an eerie calm.

"My God," Yun Yixuan exclaimed, "what kind of power is hidden beneath this? Thousands of warriors and Firesteeds, their very bloodlines, were completely devoured in such a short time!"

A pang of fear struck Yun Yixuan. He slowly turned his head to look at Xu Yang again, realizing only then that Xu Yang had not been trying to trick him.

Yun Yixuan began to regret not listening to Xu Yang, having needlessly sacrificed over two thousand of his most elite warriors.

"Sir Ayang," Yun Yixuan said, "it was indeed my improper command just now. I apologize; I shouldn't have doubted you."

Xu Yang waved his hand dismissively. "Your suspicion of me is understandable," he said. "But you and I have already experienced so many battles, and I've saved your life several times. If I truly wanted to kill you, do you think you'd still be alive? This pond below has such a strong bloody scent, yet the water is clear. It's clearly enveloped by an incredibly powerful and unique energy mechanism."

"After all, I've dealt with the Dragon Race many times before," Xu Yang continued. "I immediately determined that it must be their domain power at play, which could achieve such a perfectly stable devouring effect."

Yun Yixuan nodded with a solemn expression, instinctively feeling a heightened sense of respect and reverence for Xu Yang.

Throughout their journey, he had clearly realized that not only was Xu Yang's cultivation unfathomably deep, but his overall ability to control the general situation and judge critical circumstances far surpassed his own. Combined with the recent turmoil, this made Yun Yixuan completely and utterly convinced of Xu Yang's capabilities.

"Since you have determined that a Dragon Race presence exists beneath this water prison," Yun Yixuan said, "what should we do now? The Dragon Race is not something just anyone can contend with. In our current combat state, it might be difficult to suppress it."

Xu Yang looked deeply at Yun Yixuan, the light in his eyes seeming to hold a profound meaning.

"Let me be frank with you," Xu Yang said. "I do have methods and means to deal with the Dragon Race. However, if the cultivation methods of my lineage were to become known to the Central Royal Family, it would bring me endless trouble. If you truly trust me and can consider me your friend, I wouldn't mind, after personally subduing this dragon, giving it to you as your mount. It would also be a way to indirectly avenge your fallen Golden Knight Order warriors."

To be able to possess a dragon as one's mount was an immense temptation for Yun Yixuan. After all, to his knowledge, only a handful of two or three individuals within the entire Central Domain Royal Family had a powerful Dragon Race being as a guardian.

"I can't accept such a great gift without deserving it," Yun Yixuan replied. "You offer me such a generous gift, so you must have something to ask of me, I presume. I can see that, given your profound power and spiritual realm, the title 'Heavenly Warrior' cannot possibly define you. While I believe you are not the true culprit behind the Seventh Prince's demise, if the Central Royal Family were to learn of an existence with your power, they would certainly not allow you to continue developing unchecked."

"Hahaha, no one understands me better than Special Envoy Yun," Xu Yang laughed. "The reason I want to give you such a grand gift is, firstly, I genuinely want to be friends with you. After all, I haven't interacted with high-ranking members of the Central Royal Family; you are the only one. If we can establish a good friendship, it will be quite beneficial for my future development. Therefore, if you are truly interested in this dragon, I don't mind taking the risk. If I fail, I have a way to retreat safely. If I succeed, I hope you will accept this gift."

Yun Yixuan was naturally a smart man; with such a grand gift before him, he couldn't possibly remain unmoved.

After all, this was a world where strength commanded respect. If he possessed a Dragon Race member as his mount and guardian, Yun Yixuan was destined to receive even greater attention from the Royal Family.

This would be of great benefit to his future development.