As Ryker observed the Red Earth Lizard Dragon, he cursed. He had counted up to 10 of the creatures at the Genesis 5th Stage. If the pack or whatever group of lizards at recalled decided to attack Alten City, it would be doomed.
The only chances for the city to win are either by gathering support from the other city or by having the baron himself make a move. Additionally, it's likely that the lizard beasts lack combat experience fighting similar-level opponents, the beasts that used to reside in the peak only reaching the Genesis 4th Stage.
As he looked at the massive amount of energy, he found it to be a pity. If he absorbed the energy from the place, his cultivation realm likely rose to the Genesis Condensing 8th Stage. Allowing him to not be afraid of the powerful experts of any strong family.
He wondered what he should do when he felt a tug in his soul. He shielded his soul, not wanting to allow any soul-based attack to strike him while he was thinking. As he reinforced his soul, he could sense the attack stop, no, it was better to say the attack slowed its frequency to send a message.
He wondered who could have sent the message but a quick look at the dragon's remains answered his question. He hesitated for a moment before deciding to take the gamble. If the dragon tried to possess him, he would try his best to exterminate the creature's soul first.
If he was unable to do that, the only thing he could do was use one of the defensive talismans he created when he was a World Source expert. After all, a Saint realm dragon couldn't hope to match a World Source Expert.
He allowed the soul of the dragon to enter his Inner Realm before going into a meditative stance, his soul also entering his Inner Realm. Unnoticed by the lizard beasts, a red force field engulfed him, protecting and concealing him from the beast.
-x-
Ryker opened his eyes, before looking down, his soul body, as his parents called it, was in an illusory state. If his attainment in soul body increased, his soul body would look more solid, even capable of creating a soul clone that wouldn't harm him if it got destroyed, or so his parents said.
He looked to his front to be met with a huge dragon, a western dragon by his parents' classification. His parents told him there are many types of dragons, though they can be either, western or eastern dragons. Western dragons tend to have a stocky body, similar to a giant lizard, while eastern dragons have a more slender body, similar to a snake.
Based on the creature's body, it was a western dragon. He looked at the creature, waiting for it to speak. After all, it's the one to send a message to him.
-x-
20 minutes passed and the best way to describe Ryker's Inner Realm is awkward silence. Neither party made the attempt to speak, prolonging the silence as the other waited for the other party to speak first.
In the end, it was the dragon who lost his patience, "Why do you not prostrate in front of this great one?! " the creature roared at Ryker, who looked at it with contempt before vanishing, not wanting to deal with it.
-x-
30 minutes after Ryker left, the dragon finally surrendered, "Alright, this great one is in the wrong. Please come back so I could make a deal with you,"
Ryker appeared, looking at the dragon with a certain degree of wariness. "Deal, what kind of deal could a dead being do? And can you even offer any benefits if I have to do a dangerous task?" he asked.
To his surprise, the dragon nodded. "You little one must come to this part looking for an opportunity. Well, what if I offer you my heart? A dragon heart contains immense power, allowing you to raise your cultivation to a new level.
Unfortunately, those lizards had been absorbing the energy from my dragon heart for nearly a century. So the amount had been greatly reduced. Nevertheless, it still contained immense power. Help me, and I will give you the heart without the lizard able to do anything about it,"
Hearing the generous offer, Ryker couldn't help but feel suspicious. "How dangerous is my part of the deal?"
"Very, in fact, it's better for you to listen to my story first.
I used to be the attendant of the Dragon Empress of the Blue Ocean Dragon Clan, located in the Monster Realm. However, because of the betrayal of certain people, the royal family was slain, with the exception of one, the princess I'm taking care of.
Because my cultivation level was only at the Saint Realm, the enemies didn't pay any attention when I made my escape. Unfortunately, I was attacked and horribly injured in this area. I crashed into this mountain but I still have my duty.
I used a forbidden technique, sacrificing my body and cultivation to seal my princess. Protecting her from any harm. Unfortunately, this place is desolate and to make things even worse, those lizards used the energy from my remains to grow stronger, making no sentient being that dared to enter meet a horrible fate.
Until you came, you were able to enter this deep inside and not die, if anyone could get my princess out of here, it's you. So please help me and I gave everything I have to you,"
Hearing the dragon's story makes him want to help the creature. The only reason he didn't offer his assistance was that he didn't know if he was telling the truth or not.
"How am I supposed to know if you telling the truth or not?" Ryker asked, after all, one could never be too careful, thought the person who decided to go to a very dangerous place because of curiosity.
"I swore by my bloodline and ancestor that I spoke the truth, and I lied, my dragon blood will be stripped from me, and may the ancestor smite me," the dragon spirit gave his oath, making Ryker have a serious expression.
His parent had told him that if any member of the Monster Race made an oath about their blood and ancestor, it meant their serious as breaking it would lead to them losing their bloodline ability and the spirit of their ancestor would destroy the one to broke the oath themselves.
"I believe you, but where is the princess?" Ryker asked, not wanting to waste too much time.