Chapter 385

Chapter 385: (Title)

When Orna beheld the girl before her, an inexplicable sense of familiarity blossomed in her heart. Along with this came twin realizations – she found herself incapable of resisting the maiden’s commands, nor could she raise a hand against this mysterious figure.

The revelation shocked Orna to her core.

Had some form of control magic been cast upon her?

…

“Who are we?”

Lin Yu blinked in momentary surprise at the question, then swiftly regained her composure. Since Orna had been slain in isolation, it appeared she only recognized the Ant tribe’s Darkling Stalker.

“Before questioning us,” Lin Yu countered, “shouldn’t you first examine your own condition?”

“My… condition?”

Orna hesitated before finally glancing downward. Instead of the majestic ice-blue Earth Dragon she remembered – its azure scales shimmering with frost patterns, fearsome yet beautifully proportioned – she beheld only a hollow skeletal frame that radiated unnatural chill.

“What… what’s happening?!”

A thunderous roar seemed to echo through Orna’s mind as her ocular flames flickered with disbelief.

“Check your status panel first.”

At the girl’s prompting, Orna hurriedly accessed her interface. Name, qualifications, rank, and attributes remained unchanged… except where “Earth Dragon” should have been, now glared the words “Dead Spirit”. Among her skills, a new entry shone ominously – “Undying”.

How could this be?!

Was this skeletal form the consequence of becoming a Dead Spirit?

And when had this “Undying” skill manifested?

“You seem full of questions. Ask what you will.”

The girl’s voice held patient amusement. After brief hesitation, Orna’s skeletal jaw clattered:

“I… should be dead. Why do I live again as this Dead Spirit? What is this ‘Undying’ skill? And who… are you?”

“Well… Your revival is due to her influence.”

Lin Yu suppressed a smile at the barrage of queries. Sensing the peculiar connection binding them, she felt reassurance solidify within. With deliberate slowness, she extended an alabaster hand toward her own chest.

Then she retrieved a trembling, figurine-sized girl and presented Little Qiao to the skeletal behemoth before them.

Upon seeing Little Qiao, Orna’s demeanor shifted abruptly.

This reaction stemmed not from the miniature girl’s stature, but rather… Orna sensed an inexplicable familiarity emanating from Little Qiao.

She discovered that neither Lin Yu nor herself could resist this tiny creature’s commands—nor could they raise a hand against her…

A surreal tableau unfolded: a six-meter-tall bone dragon loomed beside a palm-sized “figurine,” yet the colossal creature remained bound to obey the minuscule maiden.

…

As Orna currently existed as mere skeletal remains, Lin Yu couldn’t perceive the dragon’s grim expression.

She continued her explanation.

“The Dead Spirit identity and acquisition of immortality skills are both her contributions.”

The young woman cupped her diminutive daughter tenderly between her palms.

“Regarding my true nature…”

Lin Yu hesitated momentarily.

She resolved to disclose everything—Orna would learn eventually regardless. Furthermore, reviving the slain Earth Dragon might yet permit reconciliation.

Moreover… though numerous Earth Dragons perished, including Orna’s mother, their familial bonds appeared tenuous at best.

Flossie’s prior conduct had revealed much.

When the Ant Clan slaughtered nearly all Earth Dragons—Orna included—Dragon Mother displayed neither vengeance nor anger toward their demise.

Flossie’s concern focused entirely on her dragon eggs rather than Orna and her kin.

Simon’s research suggested Earth Dragons only sprout wings upon reaching Class S, evolving into true dragons.

If accurate, Flossie must have ascended to Class S before bearing Orna and the others centuries prior while still an Earth Dragon herself.

This explained why Flossie’s current offspring emerged as true dragons from eggs, while her earlier children remained wingless Earth Dragons.

For centuries, she abandoned her first brood to fend for themselves—even employing them as cave guardians. Yet she fiercely protected her later dragon-spawn, ultimately perishing defending them…

Was Flossie cold-hearted or deeply affectionate?

Hmm. Blatant favoritism—far worse than my own partiality!

Though merely an ant unable to tend all daughters equally, I strive to fulfill their requests!

Ah, I’m digressing…

…

Lin Yu recounted every detail following Orna’s demise at Darkling Stalker’s claws.

Learning of Lin Yu’s Queen Ant status, Orna’s gaze frosted over—yet their peculiar connection stifled her murderous impulse.

Conflicting desires warred within her: the urge to attack versus inexplicable restraint.

After prolonged silence, Orna settled for glaring icily at Lin Yu without action.

Though unnerved by the stare, Lin Yu breathed easier seeing the dragon forbear violence.

She resumed her narrative…

Upon hearing Flossie’s final stand protecting dragon eggs against the Ant Clan, Orna’s skeletal frame shuddered briefly before stilling.

The dragon’s disillusionment had crystallized earlier when Flossie brutally repelled Fire Dragon Fan seeking aid—proof of maternal neglect spanning centuries.

Earth Dragon Aier’s death pained Orna more than her mother’s demise.

Aier had valiantly held off Red Pupil’s forces, enabling Earth Dragon Jon to warn Orna and Fire Dragon Fan before falling to the ant swarm.

His sacrifice for the Earth Dragon kin felt genuine, unlike Flossie’s indifference.

News of Aier’s death—their de facto leader and elder brother figure among the five dragons—naturally kindled mourning in Orna’s spirit.