Chapter 644, The Starry Sky Ancestor

Translator: Silavin

 

Lu Fan naturally became a new beneficiary of the Fortune Glowing Spring. He soaked in the Fortune Glowing Spring in his Golden Dragon King Form, and his Attributes surged once more.

 

In the blink of an eye, three days had passed.

 

Lu Fan thoroughly enjoyed his three days on Shadow Isle.

 

Seeing that Murong Sheng was becoming somewhat restless during his stay at the Ye Family, Lu Fan finally ended his ‘holiday’ and sought Murong Sheng out to accompany him to the Murong Family.

 

This time, Lu Fan did not bring Ye Wuxian along.

 

After all, everything about the Murong Family came from Murong Sheng’s own words. Although Lu Fan trusted him, there was still a need to be cautious.

 

If he brought Ye Wuxian to the Murong Family, it would undoubtedly be bringing along a weakness others could exploit. If it were only Lu Fan himself, regardless of what dangers he might encounter, escaping would not be a problem.

 

Lu Fan followed Murong Sheng all the way deeper into the Western Border, travelling for nearly a full day before finally arriving at the Murong Family.

 

The Murong Family was situated upon a crimson mountain peak. The mountain ranges stretched endlessly, surrounded by red mist. Even Lu Fan felt that his Black Dragon Perception got affected but this mist, unable to perceive what lay within the red mist.

 

The Murong Family had set this up. Because the Starry Sky Dragon was the foundation of the Murong Family, the Family maintained extremely strict secrecy about their internal affairs.

 

This red mist appeared utterly ordinary. However, it was created by Legendary Grade Engineered Items. Even Fifth Profession Players would find it difficult to see through with their Detection Skill, making it impossible to ascertain the internal situation of the Murong Family.

 

The red mist possessed no defensive capabilities whatsoever. It could only block other Players’ Detection Skills. However, as a Legendary Grade Engineered Item, one could see just how extraordinary its anti-perception truly was.

 

So, it made sense for Lu Fan to be unable to use Black Dragon Perception to see through this red mist.

 

Lu Fan followed Murong Sheng through the red mist and finally arrived at the Murong Family Residence. It was naturally more magnificent than the Ye Family Residence, occupying a much larger area.

 

After all, it was a First Tier Ancient Noble Family, with might far beyond what the Ye Family could compare to.

 

Upon arriving at the Murong Family, the Patriarch of the Murong Family, Murong Sheng’s Father, Murong Bai, enthusiastically received Lu Fan. After exchanging pleasantries, they quickly brought the conversation to the main topic.

 

Lu Fan had been invited to the Murong Family specifically to find a way to save the dying Starry Sky Dragon, so Lu Fan asked the Murong Family members to take him to where the Starry Sky Dragon was located.

 

Murong Bai had no objections to this and personally accompanied Murong Sheng in escorting Lu Fan into the Forbidden Zone of their Residence, the Starry Sky Tomb.

 

The Starry Sky Tomb was in the back mountain of the Murong Family Residence, in a hidden location accessible by a Secret Realm Transport Array.

 

A Family as powerful as the Murong Family naturally possessed the capability to create Secret Realms.

 

Allowing the Starry Sky Dragon to remain in the outside world was clearly unrealistic, as it would inevitably be discovered by outsiders. Therefore, arranging a Secret Realm for it to spend its twilight years was beneficial for both parties.

 

Lu Fan followed the Father and Son through the Transport Array to reach the Starry Sky Tomb, where he discovered this extremely simple Secret Realm.

 

The surroundings were empty and utterly dark, making one feel as though they were within a black hole.

 

However, looking ahead, Lu Fan’s eyes lit up as he exclaimed in amazement.

 

Before them lay an enormous Starry Sky Dragon lying on the ground.

 

It was as massive as mountain ranges, bearing a lot of similarity to Xing Chen, with only subtle differences.

 

This made sense, as Xing Chen was a Starry Sky Dragon King, not an ordinary Starry Sky Dragon. Therefore, this Starry Sky Dragon before them was technically inferior in Grade to Xing Chen.

 

The Starry Sky Dragon appeared to have fallen into deep slumber. Around it, rivers of stars had taken form, slowly circulating with its every breath.

 

However, it was visible to the naked eye that stars within those constellations were constantly being extinguished, turning to nothingness.

 

Even though the Starry Sky Dragon appeared to be surrounded by rivers of stars, with stars continuously extinguishing, sooner or later all the stars would disappear.

 

It was estimated that when that time came, this Starry Sky Dragon’s life would reach its end.

 

Besides the Starry Sky Dragon, not far away sat another figure in almost the same condition as the Dragon.

 

It was an elderly man with white hair and beard, currently sitting cross-legged with stars similarly floating around him.

 

Seeing Lu Fan notice him, Murong Sheng explained, “That is our Murong Family Ancestor. He was the one who used a Fifth Profession Divine Skill to divine the key to our Murong Family’s survival. The Fifth Profession Divine Skills, especially those Divination Type Skills, exacts an enormous toll on a person. After our Ancestor performed it, not only did he drop 5 Levels, but he also fell into a coma. We do not know when he will awaken.”

 

Lu Fan nodded, understanding the situation.

 

This elderly man was actually a Fifth Profession Player.

 

This was Lu Fan’s first time seeing a Fifth Profession Player. If not for his sacrifice in trying to save the Murong Family, this person should be a formidable expert.

 

Beside them, although Murong Bai was an Elder, he showed utmost respect towards Lu Fan. He cupped his hands and asked, “Young Master Lu, this is our Murong Family’s foundation, the Starry Sky Dragon. It has been in a coma for many years, and its condition continues to deteriorate. Do you know of any method to heal it? Every year we seek out those with Support Specialised Professions and procure High Grade Pills to help it recover, yet we never see any improvement. Could it be that this is its fate, that the Starry Sky Ancestor is truly going to pass away?”

 

The Murong Family held great respect for the Starry Sky Dragon, consistently referring to it as the ‘Starry Sky Ancestor’.

 

This Starry Sky Dragon was, to the entire Murong Family, their Ancestor.

 

When questioned by Murong Bai, Lu Fan scratched his head and said, “To be honest, I am not entirely certain either. If it were merely injured, I would have numerous methods to heal it. But this Starry Sky Dragon’s situation is rather peculiar. Its lifespan is almost at its end. Healing Skills may not necessarily be effective.”

 

“How about this… I shall do my utmost and see if I can do something about this. If that does not work, we shall think of another solution.”

 

“Of course.” Murong Bai nodded.

 

After some consideration, Lu Fan drew out an Array. With “Yiiii Yiii Yiiii” emerging, the Jade Dragon King, Xiao Cui. flew out from the Array and immediately snuggled against Lu Fan’s cheek.

 

Seeing Lu Fan actually summon a Pet Dragon, Murong Sheng and Murong Bai could not conceal the shock on their faces.

 

They clearly understood just how powerful Dragons were.

 

A single Adult Giant Dragon could create the Murong Family.

 

The potential of Lu Fan, who possessed a Giant Dragon as Pets, need not be elaborated upon.

 

(Silavin: Title for the next part, Death or Extending One’s Life)

 

After Xiao Cui had spent some time being affectionate around Lu Fan, she also noticed the enormous Starry Sky Dragon beside them.

 

Xiao Cui had probably never seen any other Giant Dragons apart from her own Brothers and Sisters, and the Devouring Dragon King. So, when she saw such a large Starry Sky Dragon, she immediately became extremely curious, flying in circles around it.

 

Seeing this, Lu Fan loudly called out. “Xiao Cui, stop being naughty. Try and see if you can help this Dragon and heal it.”

 

“Yiiii Yiii Ying!” Xiao Cui responded with her cry. Through their spiritual connection, Lu Fan knew she was saying “I’ll do my best.”

 

Subsequently, Xiao Cui’s body began emanating an emerald green light, and Spring of Life was cast upon the Starry Sky Dragon.

 

Instantly, the Skill Effect appeared above the Starry Sky Dragon’s head, with emerald green light cascading down onto its body, radiating abundant vitality.

 

Even if one were severely injured, under such a Skill, wounds would rapidly heal.

 

However, although Spring of Life was applied and the target was a Dragon, making the Effects doubled, the Starry Sky Dragon showed no change whatsoever. The surrounding stars continued to slowly rotate, and during their rotation, stars continued to extinguish.

 

Spring of Life was essentially useless.

 

Lu Fan’s expression grew more solemn. He realised that this Starry Sky Dragon’s unconscious state was not due to its injury. Thus, Spring of Life had no effect.

 

Seeing that her Skill was useless, Xiao Cui immediately became anxious, crying “Yiiii Yiii Ying” frantically while beginning to cast other Skills on the Starry Sky Dragon.

 

However, although Xiao Cui’s Skills were varied and could greatly Enhance Dragons’ Combat Power, these Skills had absolutely no effect on the Starry Sky Dragon.

 

Finally, Xiao Cui could only return to Lu Fan’s shoulder with her head hanging low, saying “Yiiii Yiii Ying” to indicate she had done her best.

 

“It’s alright, I know you’ve tried your best.” Lu Fan stroked Xiao Cui’s head, then furrowed his brow, thinking about how to resolve the predicament before him.

 

Suddenly, he slapped his forehead, thinking why should he rack his brain over this? After all, did he not have a well-travelled and knowledgeable ancient Pet Dragon with him?

 

So, Lu Fan used his spiritual connection to call upon the Devouring Dragon King, wanting to ask if she had any solution.

 

The Devouring Dragon King actually immediately responded to Lu Fan’s summons.

 

“Hehe, so now you think of me?” The Devouring Dragon King’s voice was flippant, clearly not very interested in helping Lu Fan. Just wanted to immediately tease him.

 

Lu Fan gave an embarrassed chuckle, communicating through spiritual connection. “Well, in regard to one’s understanding of Dragons, I’m certainly no match for you. This issue before me, with my limited capabilities and knowledge, is something I cannot solve. So, I can only seek advice from someone as wise as you. We’re at least friends, right? So can you please tell me how to save this Starry Sky Dragon?”

 

The Devouring Dragon King seemed quite pleased with Lu Fan’s flattery.

 

She snorted twice in a ‘tsundere’ manner, then a Transport Array appeared beside Lu Fan.

 

The Devouring Dragon King emerged from the Transport Array in her Human Form, immediately startling Murong Sheng and Murong Bai.

 

Stars simultaneously appeared around both men, being extremely wary of this sudden intruder.

 

The Devouring Dragon King glanced at the two men and sneered. “What? Are you seeking to challenge me!? I could devour you both in one bite, believe it or not!”

 

Such domineering words, combined with the Devouring Dragon King’s Dragon Horns, truly left the Father and Son dumbfounded.

 

Lu Fan quickly came over to mediate. “Please don’t panic, you two. This is… my good friend. She is not Human, and we’ve signed a contract. She is here basically as my Pet.”

 

“Shut up! Don’t you dare mention the word ‘Pet’ again!” The Devouring Dragon King nearly exploded with rage. “I’ve come to help you solve a problem, so show me some respect!”

 

“Alright, alright, not a Pet, not a Pet…” Lu Fan had no choice but to helplessly submit.

 

But regardless, he had finally clearly explained his relationship with the Devouring Dragon King.

 

After Murong Sheng and Murong Bai learned that the Devouring Dragon King was not an enemy, they also withdrew their Power of the Stars, while becoming even more amazed by Lu Fan.

 

Summoning a Pet Dragon was one thing, but how could he also summon such a strange young lady!? By the looks of it, this woman was not a Player but a Boss.

 

Players who signed contracts with such existences were rare, but not unheard of.

 

Generally speaking, in some Opportune Secret Realms, there were often Players lucky enough to sign contracts with some Bosses.

 

However, the young lady Lu Fan had summoned was indeed extremely rare and peculiar. Even Murong Sheng, a proper man of utmost grace and virtue, was now looking at Lu Fan with rather improper eyes.

 

He was already speculating whether Lu Fan had some ‘special preferences’. Otherwise, why would he have such a peculiar existence by his side and refer to her as his ‘Pet’?

 

At this moment, the Devouring Dragon King could not be bothered with Murong Sheng and the others. She circled around the Starry Sky Dragon a few times, then swallowed a mouthful of saliva.

 

This made Lu Fan’s heart rise in alarm, fearing that damn Dragon, who specialised in eating other Dragons, might get greedy and directly devour the Starry Sky Dragon.

 

If that really happened, the Murong Family would definitely hunt him down to the ends of the earth.

 

Fortunately, the Devouring Dragon King was someone who had seen and experienced much. After a while, she seemed to have little interest in an old Dragon.

 

She crossed one arm over her chest and propped up her chin with the other hand, saying. “This Dragon is basically beyond saving. While Dragons have long lifespans. When their lifespan is about to end and they are dying, it’s not a simple matter to fix.”

 

“Though it’s not of that absolute age yet, it has experienced many battles before, continuously getting injured, causing it to exhaust all its Life Force. Now, it’s simply dying out. Any method to save it would be useless. I estimate at least three months till a year; it would officially pass on.”

 

“Ah?! Is there really no way to save the Starry Sky Ancestor?!” Both Father and Son became anxious upon hearing this.

 

The Devouring Dragon King thought for a moment and said. “It’s not that there’s no way. There is one method that can extend this old Dragon’s life. But this method only treats the symptoms, not the root cause. At most, it can extend its life by twenty to thirty years, which doesn’t mean much.”

 

“This…” Both Father and Son fell silent.

 

Twenty to thirty years. It was not short, but it was not long either…

 

Lu Fan thought for a moment and asked. “Only extend its life? Is there no other solution?”

 

The Devouring Dragon King shrugged. “What are you expecting? Birth, ageing, illness, and death. Even you Humans cannot reverse these. No matter how high your Level, it is the law of the world. This also applies to us Dragons. In any case, its life can be extended by at most thirty years. Beyond that, I don’t know of any other method that could extend it further. Whether to let it die naturally or help it cling to life, I guess that’s for you to decide.”