Chapter 1102, Look Behind You

Translator: Silavin

 

Yet against all expectation, the opposing side gave him no opportunity for words. Without a moment’s hesitation, a barrage of Skills came hurtling toward him from every direction, cascading down upon him like a deluge.

 

Lu Fan had no choice. Communication was clearly impossible at this moment. The only thing that mattered now was preserving his life.

 

Lu Fan immediately transformed into his Golden Dragon King Form and simultaneously activated his Golden Form, entering an Invulnerability state.

 

The Skills of the assembled Players landed upon Lu Fan with metallic clanging sounds. Yet, they completely failed to inflict any meaningful Damage.

 

After a prolonged exchange, the barrage gradually showed signs of subsiding. As though they were waiting to see whether Lu Fan had been obliterated by their combined assault.

 

The dust and smoke dispersed. What everyone saw was a golden-cast Giant Dragon standing in Lu Fan’s place, apparently without so much as a scratch.

 

The sight left the crowd baffled. Unfamiliar with Lu Fan’s Skills, they simply could not comprehend what kind of entity stood before them.

 

While they hesitated over how to deal with this Golden Dragon, a sudden surge of purplish black pressure radiated outward from the Golden Dragon’s body, washing over everyone present.

 

Lu Fan unleashed the Black Dragon Pressure. He was using the Skill’s full power without restraint.

 

Among those present, the Fifth Profession Players were caught entirely off guard and struck with the full force of Black Dragon Pressure. The immense difference in Strength Attribute between them meant they simply could not resist its Crowd Control Effect. So, they immediately collapsed into unconsciousness.

 

In an instant, at least half of all the Players present fell to the ground in a stupor.

 

The remaining half, though still standing, wore expressions of undisguised terror, their bodies trembling beyond their control.

 

It was not true fear of Lu Fan that drove them. It was the effect of the Black Dragon Pressure exerting its hold, conjuring within them an ineffable sense of dread that welled up at the mere sight of him.

 

That dread made it impossible to confront him as they had just moments before. Even meeting his gaze directly required an almost painful level of Will.

 

Through this formidable Crowd Control Skill, Lu Fan barely managed to bring the situation under control.

 

Maintaining the continuous release of the Black Dragon Pressure, Lu Fan swept his gaze across the crowd below. It quickly settled upon the leading figure, who was a middle-aged man of imposing bearing.

 

This middle-aged man was dressed in dragon robes, embroidered with extraordinarily intricate and resplendent dragon motifs.

 

He wore an impressively long beard, which fell to the level of his chest. It was somewhat reminiscent of a character Lu Fan recalled from a drama series he had watched in his previous life on Blue Star. A figure of commanding dominance. (Guan Yu)

 

His expression was utterly devoid of any panic, his entire bearing radiating an authority so weighty that anyone who looked upon him instinctively felt a measure of reverence.

 

In practice, this had proven true. During the earlier act of worship, this man had stood at the very forefront. His elevated status required no words to announce itself. Furthermore, he was indeed the most powerful individual present.

 

Among all those gathered, there were no fewer than seven on par with Divine Beings, and he was counted amongst them.

 

Yet even within that elite assembly of Divine Grade experts, his power surpassed them all. He exceeded even Divine Beings Lu Fan had previously encountered.

 

If this was indeed a Sacred Land, then for this man to hold such power and such a position of influence within it was entirely fitting.

 

By Lu Fan’s estimation, this long-bearded middle-aged man alone could effortlessly annihilate a First Tier Ancient Noble Family. Even a Supreme Tier Ancient Noble Family, without enough powerful experts, would likely struggle to withstand his lone assault.

 

It seemed he had truly arrived somewhere rather extraordinary…

 

This long-bearded Elder was also subject to the Black Dragon Pressure’s Effect.

 

Yet because his Strength Attribute was so high, the Skill’s hold on him was not especially potent. If he wished to act, he still possessed the capability to do so.

 

The man was remarkably shrewd. Rather than making any rash moves, he stood beneath the platform and regarded Lu Fan from a distance, his eyes brimming with murderous intent.

 

Lu Fan met that gaze without flinching, staring back with equal composure. Noting that his opponent showed no immediate intention to act, he raised his voice. “Everyone, I ask that you remain calm. I have no desire to make enemies of you. My purpose in coming here is to locate a dangerous entity, one that is very likely concealed within your Sacred Land at this very moment!”

 

“If you allow this dangerous existence to remain hidden here, your Sacred Land. No, the entire world will face grave peril in time to come! So, I hope you will cooperate with me. Let me find this thing, and in doing so, I will be helping you in protecting the world.”

 

The long-bearded Elder instinctively stroked his beard in contemplation, remaining silent for a moment, his thoughts unreadable.

 

Then, as though suddenly arriving at some understanding, he let out a bright laugh. “This dangerous existence you speak of, what exactly is it?”

 

Seeing that dialogue was possible, Lu Fan allowed himself a breath of relief. He answered plainly. “An Ancient God. I do not know whether you have any knowledge of Ancient Gods. In short, they are entities capable of overturning an entire era. I have come seeking an existence known as the Slaughter Ancient God. He is a truly dangerous existence. If we let him recover his full strength, the entire world could be destroyed by him.”

 

“After the destruction, he would create a new world, and that world… would in all likelihood be a twisted, grotesque place built upon a foundation of endless slaughter.”

 

“Of course, you may not particularly care about such things. After all, that would be the affair of the next era. But you still live in this era. Your Descendants will live in this era. So, if the Slaughter Ancient God is left unchecked, this era will be brought to a swift end, and all living beings will be reduced to nothing.”

 

Lu Fan was confident he had made the dangers of the Slaughter Ancient God’s existence perfectly clear.

 

The long-bearded middle-aged man listened, then gave a measured nod, appearing to consider his words carefully.

 

Then he spoke again: “So, you trespassed upon our sacred ceremony in order to locate this so-called Slaughter Ancient God. Is that correct?”

 

“That is correct.” Lu Fan nodded.

 

“It is easily resolved then!” The long-bearded Elder’s expression carried the trace of a smile. “This Slaughter Ancient God you speak of, I do happen to know something about him. His true body possesses nine heads, and takes the form of a great serpent, correct?”

 

Lu Fan’s heart leapt with joy. “That’s right! That’s the one! Is he here, within your Sacred Land?”

 

“Indeed!” The long-bearded Elder’s smile deepened. He raised one hand and pointed to the space directly behind Lu Fan. “Why don’t you look for yourself? Isn’t that the very being, just behind you?”

 

[Behind me!?] A sudden chill crept up Lu Fan’s spine.