As silence settled over them, the dim surroundings were suddenly illuminated by the glow of countless torches. The flickering flames cast long shadows across the cavern, causing Chen Fan to tense instinctively. He stepped closer to Bai Mulan, his sharp gaze scanning their surroundings for any sign of danger.
He hadn't realized it until now—how naturally he had begun to move in a way that shielded her. Was it when he saw her cry? Or perhaps when he noticed the way she held back her tears, guilt etched into her expression as she looked at his missing hand? Maybe it was the bond formed by escaping death together, facing the unknown side by side. Or perhaps it was something simpler—an unconscious reaction, born from the fact that he was the stronger one.
He couldn't say for certain.
Bai Mulan, too, reacted the moment the torches ignited. Her head snapped up, only to find Chen Fan moving in front of her, positioning himself as a shield. For a fleeting moment, she stared at him in a daze. It was the first time she had taken a proper look at his face, illuminated by the warm glow of firelight. She hadn't expected him to be this… handsome.
Her pupils shrank in alarm as she caught herself staring. Immediately, she dropped her gaze, her face flushing as she forced herself to focus elsewhere. Chen Fan, noticing her sudden movement, glanced at her in mild confusion but quickly redirected his attention forward.
As the final torches ignited, their surroundings became fully visible—and what they saw made Chen Fan's breath hitch.
Before them lay a colossal dragon, its body blackened and decayed with time. Its rotting flesh revealed glimpses of bone beneath, and even in its lifeless state, its sheer size was as vast as a mountain. Yet, what sent a shiver down Chen Fan's spine was not the dragon itself—but the massive spear impaled through its skull.
And the lone figure sitting atop its head.
A middle-aged man clad in battered armor, riddled with cracks and holes, sat motionless upon the dragon's corpse. His presence alone exuded an air of deep mystery. Chen Fan's gaze swept over their surroundings, and he realized the cavern's floor was submerged in the thick, inky-black liquid they had landed in earlier.
Dragon's blood.
Just as the weight of the scene settled over them, a deep voice echoed through the chamber.
"Finally… a visitor."
Chen Fan and Bai Mulan snapped their heads toward the source of the voice.
"Oh? And it seems we have a couple here."
Chen Fan frowned, his expression unreadable, while Bai Mulan's entire face turned crimson. She clenched her fists, resisting the urge to protest. Fortunately, Chen Fan remained too focused on the mysterious man to notice her flustered state.
"Relax," the man said with a calm smile. "I mean no harm."
"Haha, I was just a little surprised by the dragon, sir," Chen Fan said with a light chuckle, keeping his tone respectful yet casual. "For a moment, I thought it was still alive."
He had no way of knowing the temperament of the man before him, and if possible, he wanted to avoid offending him.
The man easily saw through Chen Fan's cautious approach and couldn't help but admire his ability to adjust so quickly. There was neither excessive fear nor blind reverence in the young man's demeanor—a balance that few could maintain in such an unpredictable situation.
"You've got a good head on your shoulders, kid. I quite like you," the man chuckled.
"Haha, I think anyone would do the same in my position," Chen Fan responded with a polite smile, though his body remained tense. No matter how approachable this old man seemed, there was no way to determine his true nature from a single encounter. For all he knew, this could be nothing more than an act.
The man's gaze sharpened slightly as he studied Chen Fan. "Do you know where you are?"
"We stumbled into this place by accident, sir," Chen Fan replied smoothly. "We happened upon a red mist and were drawn in."
In truth, he had no idea who this man was. The possibility that he was some powerful ancestor of the Devil Sect couldn't be ignored. If that were the case, revealing that they had entered after being attacked could spell disaster. Maintaining neutrality was the safest course of action while trying to gather more information.
The old man's smile didn't waver. "And the token? Did you happen upon that by accident as well?"
Chen Fan met the man's gaze with a calm expression. "It was passed down through our family as an inheritance, sir," he explained. "Our ancestors said it was a key to something, though they never discovered what. It's said that one of them even chose to settle in this region in hopes of one day finding its purpose."
Using the red mist as an excuse was the best option. The fact that their enemies knew how to use it to force entry suggested that similar accidents had occurred in the past. Furthermore, based on the man's earlier words, there was a high probability that they were the first people to appear here in a long time. That, in turn, meant that even the Devil Sect likely had little information about this place.
Of course, Chen Fan couldn't entirely rule out the possibility that they had some connection to it. The fact that they possessed the token but still had to search for the entrance suggested that key details had been lost over time. Whatever the truth was, he had to tread carefully.
"I see." The man's expression dimmed slightly, a hint of sadness flickering across his face.
Chen Fan noticed the change but chose not to pry. However, seeing how easily the man accepted his explanation, Chen Fan felt even more certain—the Devil Sect likely stumbled upon this place by accident rather than through deep knowledge.
The man quickly composed himself and turned to Chen Fan. "Are you curious about this place?"
"It would be a lie to say I'm not, Senior," Chen Fan replied, his tension easing ever so slightly.
All the while, Bai Mulan remained silent, merely listening to their exchange. Watching Chen Fan answer with such a blatant yet convincing lie, she found herself amazed. If she hadn't known the truth, even she might have believed him. She hadn't expected his mind to work so quickly, crafting a response under pressure. Once again, she felt useless—not just in battle, but in wit as well. All she could do was rely on Chen Fan.
Yet, she pushed aside her emotions and focused on the man's words.
"This place serves as both a seal and a burial ground for that creature over here," the man said, lightly tapping the dragon's massive head beneath him. "The token you carry was originally meant for members of our organization."
"Organization?" Chen Fan's eyes widened slightly. He hadn't expected there to be a group of people strong enough to deal with such a being. "May I ask its name, sir? If I ever come across its remnants, I could pass the information along."
The man let out a bitter smile. "Forget it. The fact that you possess the token means they are already a thing of the past." He exhaled deeply before continuing. "That token was meant for our chosen ones."
His words only deepened Chen Fan's curiosity. He remained silent, waiting for further explanation.
"This dragon is dead… but not completely," the man said, his voice carrying a heavy weight. "If I were to leave this place, it would resurrect and unleash destruction once more."
Both Chen Fan and Bai Mulan instinctively turned to the dragon, their eyes narrowing in alarm. They had assumed it was merely a corpse—never did they expect it was still clinging to life.
"The so-called 'chosen ones' were meant to absorb its power. Originally, five individuals were to be selected to divide the dragon's strength among them, ensuring it was completely eradicated. That was the only way to destroy this wretched beast once and for all." A trace of bitterness crept into his voice. "Right now, the only thing keeping it from resurrecting is the seal on this place. But that seal won't hold forever. The moment I die, it will break… and the dragon will rise again."
A mythical being capable of resurrecting itself—Chen Fan could scarcely believe it.
"What is the origin of this dragon, sir?" he asked cautiously.
The man's gaze darkened. "Knowing that would only bring you harm. If you truly wish to learn, return when you've reached the level of a Tribulation expert."
Chen Fan hadn't expected the man to reveal so much. He couldn't help but wonder—why?
Before he could ask, the man suddenly looked at him with an evaluating gaze. "Do you want to try, kid?"
Chen Fan tensed.
"There's a reason only Golden Core cultivators are permitted entry here. Though it seems the restriction has weakened, only those at the Golden Core realm and below have the qualification to attempt merging with the dragon's power." The man's voice turned almost tempting. "If you succeed, you will gain unimaginable strength."
"But looking at your personality, you wouldn't believe me so easily, would you?" The man smiled slightly before raising a finger and, without warning, firing a Qi bullet toward Bai Mulan.
Chen Fan's eyes widened in shock. Without thinking, he lunged toward Bai Mulan, wrapping his arms around her as he swiftly dodged the incoming attack.
"Hmm, at least his character meets the requirements," the man murmured under his breath, his smile laced with satisfaction. Not only was the boy intelligent and cautious, but he also didn't crumble under pressure. His instinctive reaction to protect the woman at his side proved that he wasn't the type to cower before death.
"As for his talent..." The man's gaze swept over Chen Fan, assessing his cultivation and age. It was good—definitely above average, but not unparalleled. Still, it was acceptable.
"I could have killed you anytime I wanted," the man said, his smirk unwavering. The Qi bullet halted just inches away from Chen Fan and Bai Mulan before dissipating harmlessly. "That should be proof enough that I mean no harm, right?"
Chen Fan barely registered the man's words. His entire focus was on the woman in his arms. He glanced down at Bai Mulan and let out a soft chuckle, realizing just how naturally he had reacted. He had to admit—he no longer saw her as a mere acquaintance. Everything they had gone through today had forged an undeniable bond between them.
"I'm sorry," he muttered, gently releasing her. A trace of guilt flickered in his expression. He wasn't sure how Bai Mulan felt about personal boundaries.
"N-no, I should be the one thanking you," Bai Mulan replied, her gaze fixed on the ground. She refused to meet his eyes. The sudden embrace had sent her mind into disarray, and even now, her thoughts kept replaying the moment over and over again.
"Ahem." The man cleared his throat, though his tone lacked any real remorse. If anything, his amused expression made it clear that he was thoroughly enjoying the interaction. "Perhaps I was a bit excessive in my actions. My apologies."
Chen Fan let out a bitter smile, shaking his head. "Can't say I'm a fan of your methods." He hadn't expected the man to be this shameless, but as the weaker party, he didn't have the luxury of seeking revenge.
"But now, at least you can be sure I mean no harm, right?" The man's smirk remained.
Chen Fan exhaled through his nose, irritation flickering across his face. "Do I even have a choice?" He shot the man an unimpressed look. "That was basically a threat."
"Haha, I didn't force you," the man chuckled. "The choice is yours, kid."
Chen Fan turned his gaze toward the black dragon once more. By now, he was certain—the man was telling the truth. If he had truly wanted to harm them, taking over their bodies wouldn't have been difficult.
"What happens if I fail?"
The man shrugged. "Then my condolences."
Chen Fan's mouth twitched. "That's reassuring," he muttered dryly.
"What exactly qualifies someone as a 'chosen one'?"
"Nothing grand—just perseverance," the man replied. "The seal has already suppressed the dragon's power to a certain extent. But once it enters your body, it will become a battle of wills between you and the dragon."
"Why must it be a Golden Core cultivator?"
"The reason lies in the nature of the seal," the man explained. "Unfortunately, it's not a perfect one. While it can completely suppress the dragon's physical form, it cannot contain its soul. Once the soul enters a host, the seal can do nothing more than mirror its power to match the contender's own. If I were to absorb the soul now, its strength would be equivalent to mine. The same applies to any cultivator—if a Nascent Soul cultivator attempted this, the dragon's soul would also take on a defined shape. At that stage, merging two fully-formed souls would be extremely difficult. The most likely outcome would be the dragon's soul being obliterated, which would be a waste."
His gaze shifted toward Chen Fan, a knowing glint in his eyes. "However, for those at the Golden Core stage and below, their souls have yet to fully form—just like the dragon's. This makes the merging process far easier. Instead of a clash, the dragon's soul would enhance your own, granting you an immense leap in strength."
The man smirked before continuing, "As for why Golden Core is the best stage, you should already understand. Qi Gathering strengthens the body. Foundation Establishment focuses on Qi stability and purity, with only minimal improvements to the soul. Only upon reaching Golden Core does one begin nourishing their soul, making it the ideal stage to face a battle of wills. Of course, if you practiced soul-attacking techniques, things would be different."
"I see," Chen Fan muttered, finding the explanation reasonable. However, this also meant that, in his current state, he was at a disadvantage.
The man chuckled. "What now? Want to wait until you reach Golden Core? But if you manage to absorb it now, while still in Foundation Establishment, your soul will become unimaginably strong." A teasing smile played on his lips.
Chen Fan fell into deep thought. The risk was undeniable, yet he wasn't without a chance. His Qi Gathering had reached Stage 20, which meant that his soul strength was far beyond that of an ordinary Foundation Establishment cultivator. He was confident that it could rival even a peak Foundation Establishment expert—perhaps even approaching Golden Core.
Moreover, with the Devil Sect's emergence, he had no time to waste. The faster he grew stronger, the better.
Determined, Chen Fan lifted his gaze toward the man—only to feel a small hand tug at his sleeve.
Turning around, he met Bai Mulan's anxious gaze.
"Can't you just wait until you reach Golden Core?" she asked, her voice tinged with worry. Her expression made it clear—she truly did not want him to take such a reckless risk.
Bai Mulan didn't know if Chen Fan was truly a "Son of Luck" or the protagonist the voice had spoken of. Even if he was, what if fate had already changed? What if the plot had collapsed and he was no longer protected by destiny? Wouldn't he die if he kept throwing himself into danger like this?
The image of his missing arm weighed heavily on her mind.
Seeing her concern, Chen Fan's gaze softened. He wanted to reassure her.
"Don't worry," he said gently. "To be honest… I'm not without a chance."
Deciding to reveal part of his secret, he continued, "My Qi Gathering reached Stage 20. Because of that, my soul's strength should be comparable to a peak Foundation Establishment cultivator—perhaps even near Golden Core."
Bai Mulan blinked, momentarily stunned by the revelation. Yet, her concern didn't fade. Even if his odds were higher, the risk was still there.
Still, when she met Chen Fan's eyes, she could see his unwavering determination.
After a long silence, she finally relented.
"Then… be careful," she whispered.
A soft smile crossed Chen Fan's lips as he nodded, appreciating her silent support. Then, he turned his gaze back to the man.
"What do I need to do?"