CHAPTER 796: CHAPTER 490 BIBO DRAGON EMPEROR

Early the next morning.

Having resided at the Zhu Xing Lake Manor for ten days, Ji Xinghuo and Cang Ya finally proposed their farewells to Yunhuo Xiao.

"We’ve been quite a disturbance these days, thank you for your hospitality, Master," said Ji Xinghuo.

"You’re a major client, you can stay as long as you like, no need for formalities," Yunhuo Xiao replied with a smile, waving off the comment, and then asked, "Are you going to attend the Cangming Auction?"

Ji Xinghuo nodded, "Precisely."

"Then it just so happens we can go together," Yunhuo Xiao said with a smile.

"You’re going too, Master?"

"I attend every Cangming Auction," Yunhuo Xiao stated, "The Bibo Dragon Emperor has done a terrific job with the Cangming Auction. The reason I’ve lived on Donghuang Island for so many years and haven’t wanted to move elsewhere is because of the Cangming Auction; it brings together the resources and treasures of the Dragon Domain, making it convenient to procure materials for forging."

Ji Xinghuo’s expression showed a flash of understanding, but he did not fully believe it.

There wasn’t a necessity to reside permanently on Donghuang Island just to attend the Cangming Auction; there must be other reasons.

"Let’s go."

Yunhuo Xiao was ready to leave immediately and said to Cang Ya, "I don’t like to travel much, nor do I have any decent mounts, so today I’ll just hitch a ride on your dragon."

"It’s my honor!" Cang Ya was overwhelmed with joy.

The Cloud Sea Dragon emerged from Zhu Xing Lake and landed in front of the trio. Sensing Yunhuo Xiao’s presence, despite Cang Ya’s reassurances, the dragon couldn’t help exhibiting nervousness before a Shepherd Star Saint.

Yunhuo Xiao sized up the Cloud Sea Dragon and praised, "This Cloud Sea Dragon is not bad; it’s quite rare among the Sky Dragon Species."

With that, he swiftly mounted atop the dragon’s head.

Ji Xinghuo and Cang Ya followed suit.

The Cloud Sea Dragon soared into the sky, shrouded in mist, flying toward the location of the Cangming Auction. Ji Xinghuo couldn’t help but ask curiously, "Master, do you not have a dragon?"

During their stay at the Zhu Xing Lake Manor, he had never seen Yunhuo Xiao’s dragon.

Logically, for a Shepherd Star Saint to desire a dragon would be a simple matter, and with Yunhuo Xiao’s strength and forging skill, as soon as he spoke the word, countless members of the True Dragon Family would be willing to offer their dragons.

"I once had a Meteor Fire Dragon that followed me through life and death, right up until I ascended to Shepherd Star Saint."

A nostalgic expression crossed Yunhuo Xiao’s face, and he shook his head.

"However, after I became a Shepherd Star Saint, it did not evolve up to Slaughter Star Level. It couldn’t keep up with the strength required, and later it was slain by enemies in a battle. I have not sought out any other dragons since," there was a glint of sadness and reminiscence in his eyes.

Ji Xinghuo and Cang Ya exchanged a glance.

"I see."

For Dragon Lords, dragons are paramount, especially in the early stages of their life evolution where they leverage the dragon’s strength, starting off with much greater power than other professions and races.

As the strength of the Dragon Lord increases, the importance of the dragon gradually diminishes.

The evolution rate of Dragon Lords far outpaces that of dragons.

If a dragon’s growth does not keep pace with its master, particularly when advancing from Sixth Rank to Seventh Rank, as the Dragon Lord ascends to Shepherd Star Saint and the majority of dragons fail to evolve to Slaughter Star Level, they become not an asset but a burden to the Dragon Lord.

If a dragon dies, since their dragon veins are interconnected, the Dragon Lord can suffer great damage, but the replicated Ability wouldn’t disappear.

For a Shepherd Star Saint, the death of the dragon is not fatal.

They no longer need dragons.

Unless it’s a Divine Dragon Species or a Slaughter Star Level dragon, it’s difficult for a Seventh Rank Dragon Lord to find a matching dragon. Moreover, due to the bond with their previous dragon, it’s emotionally hard to accept a replacement; it’s better to be alone.

In fact, some Sixth Rank Dragon Lords do not seek new dragons even if theirs die.

Having a dragon is great, but not having one is also fine.

Yunhuo Xiao was in precisely this state which, though uncommon among high-rank Dragon Lords, wasn’t new.

His gaze suddenly fell on Ji Xinghuo, showing a mix of curiosity and envy as he spoke with a light chuckle, "If it were a Divine Dragon Species, I wouldn’t mind becoming a Dragon Lord again, but such opportunity is too rare to come by."

Any member of the True Dragon Race would be curious about the Annihilation Dragon.

Yunhuo Xiao knew that Ji Xinghuo had an Annihilation Dragon with him, but he had always maintained a respectful distance, showing that he had no intentions of his own.

"I just got lucky," Ji Xinghuo replied modestly. "Master, would you like a Divine Dragon Species?"

"Nonsense, who wouldn’t want one?" Yunhuo Xiao’s face bore a look of resignation.

"Uh..."

Ji Xinghuo gave an awkward smile.

For anyone outside the Divine Dragon Species Family, acquiring a Divine Dragon Species is something one would dream of, yet it’s also impossible.

One reason is that Divine Dragon Species are exceedingly rare, monopolized by their families;

The second reason is due to genetic lineage; even if one encountered a Divine Dragon Species, the chance of it accepting a new master is nearly none.

Even Shepherd Star Saints have no much better chance of obtaining a Divine Dragon Species than any other member of the True Dragon Race.

Ji Xinghuo could only change the subject.

"What are you looking to acquire at this auction, Master?"

"Quite a lot," Yunhuo Xiao replied amiably. He listed over a dozen auction items, mostly precious forging materials or rare products from the Sea Abyss, which required extensive time and manpower to collect and were hard to purchase on the market.

Some were Alien Species, used to create Weapon Equipment.

Ji Xinghuo was not very knowledgeable about these items, but Cang Ya was quite interested, discussing them with Yunhuo Xiao.

The Cloud Sea Dragon flew over Cangming City.

The weather today was perfect: a boundless blue sea stretched into the distance, the sky was clear, the sea breeze dispersed the Night Moon’s heat, and all around, various mounts, mostly dragons of different shapes and colors, flew above Donghuang Island.

The sky was bustling with activity.