CHAPTER 55: CHAPTER55-THE DRAGONSCALE IN THE TEMPLE

The Emerald Sprite King looked at Owen, his eyes filled with reluctant farewell:

"Sir, please visit our tribe often. We owe you a great deal this time."

Owen grinned and replied:

"The Emerald Sprites are such warm hosts, I’ll definitely come often."

"You must!" The Emerald Sprite King’s eyes brimmed with tears.

"Certainly."

The Emerald Sprite King, holding Owen’s hand, was visibly moved.

The soldiers nearby were utterly baffled.

What’s going on? Wasn’t the Emerald Sprite King all fierce and intimidating before? How come now he looks at Mr. Owen as if he’s seen his own father?

"Mr. Owen is truly remarkable. His charisma is extraordinary, even the Emerald Sprite King is won over."

"Indeed, such is the charm of our sir, I too am thoroughly impressed."

"Mr. Owen, with his diamond-tier strength, has managed to affect the grandmaster-tier Sprite King so deeply. It’s truly awe-inspiring!"

"Absolutely, my admiration for Mr. Owen is like an endless river."

"I am like a mountain looking up, in ceaseless awe."

"I... I’m lost for words."

"..."

Finn, hearing all this, was at a loss, not daring to show his disbelief.

How can his guardian team be so adept at flattery?

He wore a solemn expression, casting a cold glance at them:

"Shut your mouths. Instead of thinking about how to strengthen yourselves, you waste your days with this nonsensical chatter."

After bidding farewell to the sprite king, Owen set off again.

Finn, with a look of relief on his face, let out a long sigh and said:

"Thank goodness for Mr. Owen, or who knows how much time we would’ve wasted with the emerald sprites."

Owen, remaining composed, shook his head slightly and casually remarked:

"It was just a coincidence."

"No, it’s all due to Mr. Owen’s extraordinary abilities. I’m thoroughly impressed. Your strength is simply unparalleled, leaving others in the dust."

Owen, with a smile on his face, did not respond.

Finn continued:

"You always remain calm in the face of difficulties and challenges, finding the best solutions. Your insight and judgement are astounding, as if you can see through everything and foresee the future."

"My admiration for you is beyond words."

Diana listened with a furrowed brow, her eyes filled with scorn, thinking to herself:

"Didn’t he just proudly claim his guardian team a moment ago?"

Members of Finn’s guardian team were also stunned.

They had not expected Finn to outdo them in flattery, each word more ingratiating than the last.

...

The group’s pace was brisk. Despite the delay of a day and night, they had now entered deep into the Dreamscape Valley at full speed.

This place seemed forgotten by time, as if it were the intersection where dreams and reality intertwine.

An ancient stone bridge spanned a clear stream.

The bridge, covered in thick moss, appeared quaint and dignified.

The stream’s gentle flow beneath the bridge created a pleasing sound, like a soft melody.

Finn, pointing at the stone bridge, declared loudly:

"Proceeding forward, we should reach the temple where the Dreamscape Stone is hidden."

Owen and the others walked along the stone bridge, entering a dense forest.

The trees here soared high into the clouds, their branches lush and leaves casting the entire valley in a verdant shadow.

Sunlight filtered through the gaps in the leaves, creating a dappled pattern of light and shadow, mysterious and tranquil.

A peculiar aura pervaded the forest, and Owen couldn’t quite place it but felt an inexplicable sense of alertness.

A breeze whispered through the treetops, causing the leaves to rustle softly.

Occasionally, a small animal could be seen leaping from branch to branch.

They moved gracefully, their curious eyes briefly observing Owen and his companions before darting away.

As they walked, Owen noticed the absence of any formidable spellbeasts.

This forest was entirely different from the one they had traversed earlier.

It was as if all danger and pain were barred from this forest.

Deeper into the forest, an ancient temple came into view.

Finn folded up the map, his excitement palpable:

"We’ve arrived, finally. The Dreamscape Stone lies within this temple..."

Owen gazed at the temple.

The temple was built of massive stones, its walls etched with mysterious runes and patterns.

The grand doors of the temple stood open, exuding a sacred and solemn aura.

"Why is there a temple here? Could it be dedicated to some deity?" Owen pondered, turning to Diana.

Diana shook her head, reflecting for a moment before responding:

"I’m not sure. There’s very little information about the Dreamscape Valley in the books. I only know that the valley has been under the control of the Laine Kingdom since its inception."

Owen blinked but offered no reply.

With the task at hand, Finn could hardly contain his excitement:

"Sir, shall we go inside and explore?"

"We can..."

Upon entering the temple, a grand and magnificent sight unfolded before them.

At the center of the great hall was a massive altar, adorned with various precious treasures and offerings.

Around the altar, fierce flames burned brightly, illuminating the entire hall with warmth and light.

Around the four walls of the hall, scenes from various mythological legends were carved.

The murals depicted gods and heroes in magnificent battles, the lifelike images transporting one back to that ancient era.

"Wow, these murals are ancient," Finn remarked in a low voice, gently touching the walls.

Diana also carefully examined the murals, her voice tinged with excitement:

"Indeed, these are of great research value. They are mentioned in history books, but I never imagined the originals were here."

"I’m actually more curious about the origin of this temple now. Its creator seems to have experienced those ancient events firsthand," Owen mused, standing beside Diana.

"Perhaps it was all just imagined and created?" Finn shrugged. "It’s uncertain."

Owen gazed at the divine essence of the murals, silently shaking his head.

If it were mere conjecture, the carving couldn’t possibly be so comprehensive and detailed.

While everyone was observing, the temple suddenly began to shake.

Finn immediately ran to Owen’s side, his expression alarmed:

"What’s happening?"

Owen’s mind power stretched out like tentacles, trying to discern what was happening through the corridors.

But with a thunderous shout, Owen’s head reeled, his mind power recoiling back into the depths of his soul.

"Who are you, and why do you trespass on my master’s domain!"

This voice echoed throughout the temple, like a resounding heavenly sound.

A massive silhouette emerged from the dark corridor.

As the temple’s light shone upon it, its full form became visible to all.

It was a towering, powerful giant.

Over ten meters tall, with bulging muscles, radiating an aura of immense strength.

His skin was deep brown and covered in hard scales, resembling an impregnable suit of armor.

He stepped toward them, each step monumental, the temple vibrating with his movements.

Owen realized that the earlier shaking of the temple was caused by the weight of his steps.

He carried a massive battle axe on his back.

The axe, over five meters in length, with only the rugged handle visible over his shoulder, was forged from a mysterious black metal.

Owen couldn’t see more details but could guess that using such a weapon would be absolutely extravagant.

Besides the battle axe, the giant was clad in a heavy suit of armor, glinting with a blue light.

The armor was inlaid with various precious gems and magic crystals, all dulled and lackluster, unable to withstand the test of time.

"Dragonscale?" Diana stepped back, her features tightening in confusion. "How can there be dragonscales here?"

Owen was taken aback. "Dragonscale, does it have something to do with dragons?"

Diana looked even more puzzled:

"You don’t know? Dragonscale was once the most formidable enforcer of the dragons, bestowed with a drop of dragon’s blood by the God of Dragons. Since then, they have been sworn to the dragons, always among the most powerful of the intermediate races."

"But unfortunately..."

"Finish your sentence!" Owen urged as she paused.

"Unfortunately, the dragons later went into seclusion for reasons unknown, and dragonscale suffered greatly because of it. It’s rare to see a dragonscale on Novalia Continent these days."

Owen raised an eyebrow, trying to dissociate himself:

"What does dragonscale’s misfortune have to do with dragons? Don’t talk nonsense!"

"It does relate to your dragons."

"How so?"

"In the old days, when dragons were vying for supremacy on Novalia Continent, dragonscales were at the forefront of the battle, causing untold suffering to many races."

"Later, when dragons mysteriously disappeared, imagine what happened to dragonscales without their backing. Without the protection of dragons, they were besieged by many races, leading to their decline and today’s rarity."

A sense of foreboding rose in Owen’s heart:

"It seems it does have something to do with dragons."

The dragonscale figure glared at Owen, eyes gleaming fiercely:

"What do you mean, from your conversation, is that boy a dragon?"

Diana pushed Owen forward, and he managed a strained smile:

"Hello, indeed, I am a dragon."

"Good, the time for revenge has come."

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