Chapter 709

Chapter 709: The Perilous Dragon Tomb

The entrance to the Dragon Tomb wasn’t hard to locate. Nearly everyone knew of its existence due to its sheer size—a colossal Celestial Platform crafted from green jade, spanning thousands of miles. The lower tiers rose hundreds of zhang high, stacked in eighteen layers that narrowed toward the summit. The peak itself reached a thousand zhang, radiating a soft glow that exuded an oppressive majesty detectable tens of thousands of miles away.

Across this immense platform stood 128,600 jade statues, ranging from mere feet to towering hundreds of zhang in height. Each depicted a formidable demon cultivator from legend.

These weren’t mere decorations. Forged through esoteric methods, they were dormant puppets that would awaken to slaughter any intruders.

The weakest puppets were Ninth-Rank, while the strongest numbered over a hundred at Twelfth-Rank. Yet eons of dwindling Immortal Energy had degraded their power.

Even diminished, their overwhelming numbers remained terrifying. Worse still, the Celestial Platform itself functioned as a colossal treasure weapon. Though immobile and weakened, its might still rivaled Ninth-Rank treasures.

Its deadliest feature? The ability to resurrect every destroyed puppet. Imagine endless waves of Tenth-Rank foes reviving instantly—a nightmare made real.

Thus, the Dragon Tomb’s entrance stood impregnable. Even every Semi-Immortal in existence wielding Ninth-Rank treasures couldn’t breach it.

For millennia, this deterred both demons and Human Tribe cultivators. Most retreated after brief probes, unwilling to risk annihilation.

Yet here stood Fang Lie with four Great Demons. Huangxu and Huangchun had brought two junior clansmen, swelling their party to six—though the weaklings wouldn’t share any spoils.

Approaching the tomb’s facade, Fang Lie grimaced. "An impregnable stronghold. Let’s hope your plan works. If not, even infinite clones won’t save me."

"Relax!" Huangxu thumped his chest. "Our Huangyu Tribe were mere caretakers here. Our ancestors rarely fought—their true duty was ferrying slain Dragon Clan members into the tomb."

"Wait," Fang Lie frowned. "I thought dragons entered voluntarily before death."

"Only those dying naturally," Huangxu clarified. "In ancient wars, many perished afar. Those required escorts."

"Ah!" Fang Lie nodded. "So you’ve got passage methods."

"Simple," Huangchun said, producing five archaic dragon-shaped jade tokens. "Wear these, and the guardians ignore you."

Fang Lie inspected a token, baffled by its ancient craftsmanship. "Counterfeit spirit talismans?"

"The originals were reclaimed," Huangxu admitted. "These replicas are weaker, but sufficient against dormant puppets."

"You’re uncertain?" Fang Lie arched an eyebrow.

"Our tribe’s aura harmonizes with the tokens—even awake puppets wouldn’t attack. But you’re Human Tribe." Huangxu shrugged. "We’ll mask your presence. No clones allowed—too many auras to hide."

"Understood." A clone seated on an altar nodded. "I’ll recall them."

Bound by oaths, Fang Lie trusted the demons… mostly. As clones vanished, his true body hid inside a Herb Garden stored in a spatial bracelet on a remaining clone’s wrist. Outwardly, he entered with four demons; secretly, his real form lurked in the bracelet.

If betrayed, his killers would claim the bracelet—unknowingly smuggling his true self into the tomb.

The Huangyu demons pressed close, forming a human shield around Fang Lie. They inched up the central staircase toward the Teleportation Gate—the only entrance.

Restrictions barred flight or spatial spells on the Celestial Platform. All ascended on foot, honoring draconic ancestors.

Initially tense under the statues’ oppressive aura, the group relaxed after thirty uneventful minutes. They maintained silence, not daring even mental communication.

Halfway up, Fang Lie’s hopes soared. ‘Smooth as jade! Did my good deeds accumulate karma? Maybe saving Lan Zhen wasn’t wasted—’

A mocking laugh shattered his thoughts. "Hah! Fang Lie! Your doom arrives!"

Fang Lie whirled to see four figures miles away: Ximen Changkong (Ximen family clan), Ao Jianzi (East Kunlun), Master Jie Yun (Great Thunder Sound Temple), and Tuguan (West Kunlun).

The quartet had united immediately upon entering Dragon Palace, arriving days earlier. They’d waited patiently.

"No coincidence," Fang Lie spat. "How?"

Ao Jianzi sneered. "Master Xuan Kong of Xuan Sect spent 200 Lifespan years divining your path. His disciple was crippled by your father. Revenge tastes sweet!"