Absolute Destiny Game.

Chapter 585 Divine Dragon Bloodline Mission

"Tomorrow at noon..." Xiao Jie pondered for a moment, then smiled slightly. "That's quite a coincidence."

Having just finished the Great War in the Underworld, it's a perfect opportunity to seamlessly transition into the ultimate showdown between player factions.

"Where should the battlefield be located?" he asked.

"Right in the open fields outside Longhua City..." Long Xingtianxia quickened his pace, briefly explaining the recent battle situation.

It turns out that during this period, the war between the Dragon Soaring Kingdom and the Sun Heaven Kingdom had reached a fever pitch. Both sides knew that the other was the last stumbling block to their ambition of unifying the Nine Provinces, so they poured all their national strength into the war, determined to decide the victor.

Blessed by the sacred artifacts, the Seal of the Benevolent King and the Nine Dragon Seal, the Dragon Soaring Kingdom enjoys a significant advantage in population growth and resource production, making it far more attractive to various NPC talents than the Sun Heaven Kingdom. Coupled with implicit support from the government and the highly efficient, disciplined execution within its guilds, the Dragon Soaring Kingdom holds a decisive strategic advantage, achieving victory in several large-scale battles.

Although both sides suffered significant casualties, the main losses were primarily in the rapidly replenishable NPC soldiers, allowing the Dragon Soaring Kingdom to maximize its population and manpower advantages. After several hard-fought battles, all of the Sun Heaven Kingdom's outer outposts were lost, leaving only the isolated city of Dragon Flower City stubbornly resisting.

Long Xing Tianxia even sent several letters of surrender and merger agreements to the other side.

After all, we're all just players. In games, wars are fought for interests, and there's no need to fight to the death. Since your Japan is about to collapse anyway, you might as well just surrender. At most, we'll just have to offer a high price.

For example, after the guilds merge, some official positions can be given to the high-ranking officials of the awesome empire. You can also leave some territory for them to collect taxes and make money. As long as they are under the jurisdiction of Longxiang, it doesn't matter if some of the profits are distributed. This way, too many people won't die.

However, for some reason, even though it seemed that there was no chance of winning, the Supreme Emperor refused to surrender, as if he was secretly brewing some kind of plan for a desperate counterattack.

As a result, the battle really did reach a stalemate.

Despite having the upper hand in the battle, the Longxiang Kingdom found itself facing a formidable challenge against Longhua City, the most impregnable city in the Nine Provinces. This city was once the capital of the Longhua Empire, and its defenses were extremely comprehensive and robust. Furthermore, with the Ritian Kingdom withdrawing all its forces and all its core players concentrating within the city, and the Supreme Emperor sparing no expense in investing resources to rapidly build up its army, the city's garrison exceeded one hundred thousand, making its defenses virtually impenetrable.

The only strategy the Dragon Kingdom can currently employ is siege. However, sieges have limited effectiveness against cities in the game—food and supplies can be purchased infinitely from the system shop as long as you have gold coins, so siege is simply not enough to kill the enemy.

At the same time, the number of troops besieging the city cannot be too small. The 100,000 troops inside the city may launch a surprise attack at any time, and the city cannot withstand the attack if there are too few troops.

With a large troop strength, the daily consumption is enormous, and the logistical pressure is astonishing.

The enemy had only one city left, yet they couldn't break through its defenses or siege it to death, leaving the entire Longxiang Kingdom feeling quite frustrated.

“I was originally planning to temporarily lift the siege and reconsider,” Long Xing Tianxia’s voice carried a hint of helplessness. “Unexpectedly, the Supreme Emperor suddenly sent a challenge for a national war, to be fought to the death at noon tomorrow under the walls of Longhua City. I suspect he must have obtained some powerful trump card… It’s very likely that his ‘True Dragon Blood’ quest has made progress, or may even have been completed.”

However, they might be bluffing. The Awesome Empire has our spies, and the Supreme Emperor has remained in the city. Logically, he shouldn't have time for missions. But it's better to be safe than sorry. What if they really can transform into a dragon? That would be a serious problem.

His concerns were obvious. The appearance of a real dragon on the battlefield would have immense strategic value, potentially even enough to turn the tide of battle.

If it were a divine dragon, that would be even more terrifying.

When the equipment was distributed, everyone saw the item description for 'Dragon Blood Essence,' which clearly stated that "[It is said that when the time is right, the blood of the true dragon will be reawakened, and those who wield the power of the dragon blood will be able to ascend to the heavens and transform into a divine dragon.]"

"Brother Suifeng, the key to this battle rests on your shoulders. If the opponent can truly transform into a divine dragon... are you confident you can handle it?"

A divine dragon… Xiao Jie pondered in his heart. Theoretically, divine dragons and immortals belong to the same level of existence, but even within the same level, there are differences in strength, and their essences are completely different.

Immortals are like humans who have mastered advanced intelligence and power, while dragons are more like top-tier beasts possessing primal might. While hunting beasts is risky for humans, if they employ a variety of methods, their chances of victory are still enormous. Moreover—Xiao Jie's gaze swept over the several composed immortals beside him; he had so many powerful allies.

"No problem," Xiao Jie replied casually.

"I'm relieved to hear you say that! Don't be late tomorrow at noon outside Longhua City! Brother Suifeng, the lives of thousands of brothers in our Longxiang Guild depend on you." Long Xingtianxia's voice was noticeably more invigorated, but also more solemn.

This kind of all-or-nothing decisive battle, no matter how high the odds of winning are, is still a huge gamble.

After ending the private messages, Xiao Jie explained the battle situation in the mortal realm to the immortals.

Unexpectedly, when Xiao Jie invited the three of them to join the battle, Lin Xuance, Wu Qingyue, and Su Zhiqing all looked hesitant.

"Seniors, is there something wrong?" Xiao Jie asked, puzzled.

"If it's about slaying demons and eliminating evil spirits, we will naturally do our duty," Lin Xuance said, stroking his beard. "But if it's about intervening in a war between mortal kingdoms, and the other side doesn't have any obviously heinous crimes, then it's inconvenient for us to take direct action."

Huh? Xiao Jie was taken aback. "Shouldn't immortals be detached from worldly affairs and free from all taboos?"

“Transcendence is not reckless.” Su Zhiqing, the Mysterious Dharma Sovereign, explained softly, “Everything in the world has cause and effect. Excessive killing on the battlefield, especially when the targets are all mortals, will inevitably accumulate bad karma and harm the harmony of heaven. Even if one is an immortal, if one kills wantonly, one will be burdened by karma, which will hinder one’s path to enlightenment and may even bring about heavenly tribulations.”

Xiao Jie was speechless: "Do those three fellow Daoists mean... to stand by and watch?"

"Hehe, Fellow Daoist Suifeng, what makes you say that?" Wu Qingyue laughed heartily, but with a hint of deflection. "With your help, the world can be settled. Why should we add anything unnecessary? You have a past with the Dragon Soaring Kingdom, and your karma is already intertwined. It is only natural for you to take action. We are just idle wanderers, so it is best not to interfere in the change of dynasties in mortals."

“What Fellow Daoist Wu said is absolutely right,” Lin Xuance replied. “Fellow Daoist Suifeng need not worry. With your immortal abilities, dealing with mortal armies is just a piece of cake.”

“Yes, yes, yes,” Su Zhiqing chuckled, covering her mouth. “Even if that supreme emperor could truly transform into a dragon, in our eyes, he would be nothing more than a larger worm. If you happen to… cough cough, we can wait and see what happens.”

Xiao Jie was speechless for a moment. Well, it seems he'll have to take on the main task himself.

It seems this game won't allow players to exploit too many loopholes.

The battle between the underworld and the enemy is fought because both sides are NPCs, which is why the NPCs are willing to fight back.

For things like guild wars and nation wars between players, NPCs probably won't easily participate.

Fortunately, Yan Jun Qin Chuan did not refuse.

"Fellow Daoist Suifeng, rest assured," Qin Chuan said in a deep voice, "The ten thousand Netherworld Ghost Army that I promised will arrive on the battlefield on time to lend you a helping hand."

Xiao Jie felt somewhat relieved. With ten thousand powerful Netherworld Ghost Army soldiers, plus himself as a genuine immortal, it should be enough to deal with the mortal army.

------

Meanwhile, deep beneath Longhua City lies the Dragon Tomb, a vast underground palace of unimaginable magnificence.

Dozens of dragon-carved stone pillars, each requiring several people to encircle, support the towering dome. The dragon scales carved on the pillars are lifelike and gleam with a cold, hard luster in the dim light.

Countless luminous pearls were embedded in the walls, emitting a pale yet eternal light that illuminated the ancient murals depicting the conquest and rule of the ancient dragon race. The floor, paved with massive black basalt stones and polished smooth as a mirror, reflected everything above, making it appear even more profound and vast.

The air was thick with dust and the scent of ancient times, so quiet that only the beating of one's own heart could be heard. At the far end of the hall stood a colossal dragon sculpture that almost touched the dome. The dragon coiled and soared, its posture majestic and imposing, its head lowered, looking down upon the mortals who had entered this place. Its eyes were inlaid with huge golden gemstones, as if containing endless wisdom and power.

The Supreme Emperor stood before this enormous dragon sculpture, with his most elite core member team behind him, while Master Longhua stood silently to the side, his face expressionless, like a statue.

The Supreme Emperor felt a little smug. He figured that Dragon Traveler had probably planted a lot of spies in the guild. He had been constantly initiating conflicts and shrinking the territory of the Sun Heaven Kingdom until he was cornered in the city. He probably did this so that he wouldn't have time to complete the Dragon Blood Essence quest.

But he could never have imagined that the location for this Dragon Blood Essence quest was deep underground in Longhua City.

After continuous exploration and deciphering, he finally reached the final step.

"This place is the final secret of the Dragon Clan, and also the place where the first Dragon Emperor, Long Yu, awakened his divine dragon bloodline. For ten thousand years, it has been guarded by the true beings of my Dragon Clan. Now, I am the last guardian of this place."

Only those who possess the bloodline of the Dragon Emperor can initiate the final ritual. The voice of Master Longhua echoed in the empty hall.

"Supreme Emperor, in the previous three trials, you have proven your courage, strength, and determination. But this final inheritance requires the complete approval of the dragon soul slumbering here. Are you ready?"

"I'm ready!" the Supreme Emperor declared resolutely. The reason he had persevered despite such a crushing disadvantage, abandoning vast territories rather than conceding defeat, was because all his hopes rested on this ultimate quest: the "Dragon Blood Essence." With the power of the divine dragon, he would have the means to turn the tide!
Crisis, crisis—the greatest opportunity lies hidden within danger. If he can decisively defeat the main force of the Dragon Soaring Kingdom in tomorrow's decisive battle, he can seize the opportunity to counterattack, sweep across the world, and reclaim everything he has lost! Isn't his ability to complete this epic bloodline mission a symbol of destiny?

Thinking this, he resolutely slashed his palm with his dagger, and crimson blood gushed out, dripping into a groove in a stone disc engraved with mysterious runes in front of the sculpture. The blood flowed slowly along the groove, gradually filling the entire pattern. Behind him, two dedicated healers continuously cast restoration spells to ensure his health remained stable, eliminating the need to interrupt the ritual to replenish potions.

The moment the entire stone slab was soaked in blood, the eyes of the enormous stone dragon sculpture suddenly shone with a dazzling golden light! The once cold stone seemed to be instantly infused with life, and the huge dragon head turned slightly, its majestic gaze focusing on the supreme emperor.

"I sense... the aura of the Dragon Emperor's blood. Tell me, mortal, why have you come?" A magnificent and ancient voice resounded in the Supreme Emperor's mind.

The Supreme Emperor was taken aback. He was quite certain that the voice was coming from his head, not from the speakers.

This strange phenomenon was the first time it had occurred since he entered the game, and its ability to directly affect his physical body in reality was quite shocking to him.

He took a deep breath, and the prepared draft came to mind.

"The bloodline of the Dragon Emperor must not be tarnished! In order to restore the glory of the Dragon Clan and recreate the former splendor of the Dragon Flower Empire, I must obtain the power of the Divine Dragon!" The Supreme Emperor responded with his head held high.

"The inheritance of the Dragon Emperor's power does not rely on pure bloodline, but on—the will of the dragon! If you wish to awaken the will of the dragon, you must accept my test. Do you understand the blessing and burden contained within this test? If you fail, your soul will be utterly crushed by the dragon's might, and you will be doomed forever!"

"My mind is made up!" The Supreme Emperor's voice remained unwavering. His ability to build a vast business empire in the real world stemmed from his extraordinary decisiveness and iron will. Moreover, he had a think tank of dozens of top players and game experts behind him, ready to analyze any challenges he faced in the game.

With this lineup, he passed the previous three tests without any major incidents, and he had no doubt about his success.

"Then...let's begin!"

The golden light shooting from the dragon's eyes suddenly enveloped his entire body. The screen in front of the Supreme Emperor suddenly went black, and the next second, he found himself in a quiet little mountain village. His equipment had disappeared, replaced by a set of coarse cloth clothes, his character level had dropped to level 1, and even his character had changed to the appearance of an ancient and simple young man.

The name above his head changed to—Long Yu.

The Supreme Emperor was taken aback. What was going on?
"Guys, start analyzing right away!" he ordered, and the advisory team behind him immediately sprang into action.

The analysis results came quickly.

"Boss, the scene you're in now seems to be a reenactment of the first Dragon Emperor's childhood experiences. You'll likely face a series of crucial tests he went through in his early years. Based on our analysis, you'll need to make choices similar to or better than the Dragon Emperor's in these simulated historical events to prove that you are qualified to inherit the Dragon God's bloodline."

This judgment aligns with the Supreme Emperor's own conjecture.

He nodded and said, "Immediately analyze all known historical materials and legends about the first Dragon Emperor, and arrange all possible trials in chronological order. Prioritize the clues from his childhood. I need a detailed strategy guide within ten minutes, and prepare strategies for subsequent time periods in turn."

"Yes! Boss!"

Elite gamers and game historians acted swiftly. Soon, a key piece of information about the Dragon Emperor's childhood was extracted.

According to historical records, when Longhuang Longyu was young, he single-handedly subdued a fierce tiger with piercing eyes and a white forehead that was plaguing the village. The next test is very likely to be a battle against the tiger BOSS.

The Supreme Emperor took a deep breath as he quickly familiarized himself with the basic controls and attributes of his new level 1 character. He had to succeed, no matter what.

------

Time flies, and it's noon the next day.

The massive city gates of Longhua City slowly opened amidst the roar of winches, and squads of elite soldiers in gleaming armor marched out in orderly ranks, banners waving, swords and spears like a forest, as they marched out of the city and formed a tight formation in front of the city walls.

At the same time, the gates of the Longxiang Kingdom's camp were suddenly flung open, and the already assembled army poured out like a flood, forming battle formations on the opposite side.

Soon, on the vast plain in front of Longhua City, two massive armies, totaling over 300,000 men, came to a standoff. The Longxiang Kingdom's forces were clearly superior, with nearly 200,000 troops covering the sky, creating an overwhelming and imposing sight.

The Japanese Heavenly Kingdom also had more than 100,000 troops.

The two sides employed very similar formations: massive numbers of NPC soldiers formed huge square formations, with a small number of players serving as mid-level officers interspersed among them for command. The vast majority of players, however, served as a strategic reserve, positioned at the very rear of the main army. This was a necessary measure, given the extremely severe death penalty in the game, making players very cautious. In large-scale field battles, NPC soldiers were typically used as cannon fodder to weaken the enemy, while players would join the fight at crucial moments or facilitate a retreat when the situation turned unfavorable.

However, as the leader of the association and the ruler of the country, Long Xingtianxia could not hide in the background. He had to personally go to the front lines, sit in the central army, and boost the morale of the entire army.

A fierce wind whipped up yellow sand, causing the white dragon banners of the Dragon Soaring Kingdom to flutter in the wind. On the opposite side, the Sun Heaven Legion was a stark contrast, a sea of ​​black dragon banners, clearly distinct from each other.

Long Xingtianxia's sharp gaze swept across the enemy's army formation, but he was surprised to find that the Supreme Emperor was not among the enemy's commanders.

"Huh?" A hint of doubt arose in his mind. "Why hasn't this guy appeared? Is he going to be the last surprise weapon?"

(End of this chapter)