Lu Jun's thoughts drifted endlessly. Su Lu had died several years ahead of schedule, and the political landscape of the Asian Magic Association would inevitably undergo profound changes.
He wondered which faction and which individual would inherit the position of the next Asian Chairman, and whether the consequences might become even worse. Everything remained unknown.
After some thought, however, he concluded it was unlikely.
The interest group represented by Su Lu had always been extremely hostile toward the Nine Provinces. Now that this faction had fallen into decline, with the Nine Provinces' current prestige, they would most likely rise directly to power.
At that time, either Shao Zheng or Zu Huanyao would probably assume the position of Chairman of the Asian Magic Association, completely bringing the organization under their control.
Much like the situation in America, where the Holy Court had practically become a formality and effectively one of their own institutions.
Aside from that, Lu Jun had simultaneously activated his Ascension State and Fusion Magic this time, gaining many insights.
The characteristics of every magic type, as well as the changes produced through pairwise fusion between different Elements, had given him a deeper understanding of his own magic systems. He already had faint ideas regarding the second-stage effect of the Psychic Element's True Dreamscape.
Especially concerning the extraordinary powers of his two newly advanced Super Tier Elements, Summoning and Space-Time.
The Myriad Beast Mark and Flawless Domain had already evolved ahead of time under the ascension brought by the Ascension State. He merely needed to proceed step by step to truly cultivate them.
Lu Jun returned to his senses and slowly exhaled.
He would think about these matters after returning to the Nine Provinces.
For now, it was time to clean up the battlefield.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
In the distant battlefield, the sounds of roaring combat had yet to subside. However, with the Black Dragon Emperor's hatred-fueled assaults, combined with the assistance of the Manjusaka Queen, they had successively slain Xizhe and the remaining peak-level experts.
"No! I was wrong! I should never have listened to Su Lu's temptation. Black Dragon Emperor, please forgive my crimes! I am willing to become your servant!"
Xizhe struggled desperately, even kneeling and begging for mercy.
What answered him, however, was a single slap from the Black Dragon Emperor.
In absolute despair, his entire body exploded into dust, completely annihilated.
This battle had finally come to an end.
The Asian Magic Association had suffered catastrophic damage.
Any one of those peak-level experts was effectively a reserve Forbidden Curse Mage, a level of foundation that most great clans could never possess. Yet now, two Forbidden Curse Mages had died.
As for the hundred-plus Super Tier Mages, every single one of them represented a major clan-level power behind the scenes. Their complete annihilation within the Tyrant Mountains was nothing short of earth-shattering, enough to shake half of the magical world.
One could say that this incident was even greater than the former Parthenon upheaval.
Whoosh~ Whoosh~ Whoosh~
After slaughtering all of its enemies, the Black Dragon Emperor collapsed upon the ruined wasteland, panting heavily.
Lu Jun slowly descended from the sky, while Norman and Asharuiya hurried over from the distance.
Asharuiya walked up to the immense black dragon body that resembled a mountain range. Stretching out her delicate jade-like hand, she gently stroked the cold surface of the scales, speaking with a voice that sounded both tearful and relieved:
"Austin, it's good that you're alright."
Roar! Roar!
Hearing Asharuya's words, the Black Dragon Emperor lowered its enormous head, a trace of gentleness flashing through its eyes. It let out a low roar in response, seemingly telling her not to worry.
Meanwhile, Norman arrived and glanced over his younger sister and the black dragon. The stern expression on his face softened slightly as he solemnly thanked Lu Jun.
"Thank you for your assistance, sir. If not for you, Austin would have been doomed today. In the future, if you ever require anything, as long as it does not violate my principles, I will help even at the cost of my life."
Hearing this, Lu Jun merely waved his hand dismissively and said nothing.
Norman truly was a Western knight who embodied all eight virtues, a genuinely good person.
But asking him for help?
There was no need.
His principles were too rigid, and his bottom line lacked flexibility.
Lu Jun spoke with an amused tone.
"It's fine. There's no need for you to pay any price. Your sister has already agreed to many of my conditions."
As soon as those words were spoken, Norman's expression changed as he looked toward his foster sister Asharuiya, his face filled with uncertainty.
Asharuiya's beautiful face flushed slightly red as she gritted her teeth and said, "It's not what you think."
She understood clearly that Lu Jun was reminding her to fulfill their agreement.
Taking a deep breath, she walked toward the Black Dragon Emperor, inwardly nervous.
She had personally witnessed the terrifying appearance Austin displayed while venting the fury of nearly being enslaved earlier. She had no idea whether it would agree to Lu Jun's demand of working for him for ten years.
What if Austin upheld the belief that "the Dragon Race never works for others" and became enraged once again?
"A-Austin there's something I need to tell you."
Finally steeling herself, Asharuiya revealed all of the conditions she had promised to Lu Jun without hiding anything.
Unexpectedly, the Black Dragon Emperor fell silent for a moment, yet did not react in anger. Instead, it let out a deep sigh and said,
"Forget it. Serving this gentleman for ten years is acceptable."
Huh?
Asharuiya was stunned. Unable to clearly read Austin's expression, she only heard the rumbling voice echoing overhead.
The Black Dragon Emperor spoke meaningfully,
"Everything comes with a price. Besides, he saved me. Our kind are not dragons who repay kindness with hostility."
"The True Dragon Race keeps its promises and always repays debts of gratitude. My fury toward Su Lu stemmed from his coercion."
Hearing this, Asharuiya finally let out a huge sigh of relief.
Lu Jun watched from the side, and after seeing the matter settled, a trace of admiration flashed through his eyes.
Although the Black Dragon Emperor had an explosive temper, it was still a dragon that understood the times.
Of course, Lu Jun estimated that the Black Dragon Emperor was only being so cooperative because of his immense strength. If his power were ordinary, this proud True Dragon probably would not have spared him even a glance.
"This is perfect now. A True Dragon Emperor-level being. Even among Emperor-class creatures, its combat strength ranks near the upper tier, slightly stronger than the Emperor Evil Dragon."
Lu Jun thought to himself before silently adding another sentence inwardly.
But it still can't compare to the Ancient King.
The Ancient King had fought seven Archangels alone, suppressing and brutally overpowering the Holy Dragon of Light, a True Dragon of the same rank. He had already stepped halfway into the Dominator Emperor realm. A mere Black Dragon was nowhere near his level.
Now that Lu Jun had gained another powerful ally, he could already begin considering how to deal with the Egyptian Underworld God, Khufu.
Once he devoured Khufu's undead origin, the Ancient King's armor robe would likely truly advance into the Dominator Emperor level, standing alongside Athena's divine soul, balancing yin and yang.
At that point, two-thirds of the Underworld God authority would be complete.
If he later killed the Empress Skeletal Queen of the Pacific Empire as well, he would reach the peak of the Dominator Emperor realm and become an Underworld Evil God.
As time accumulated in the future, Lu Jun could then return to the Dark Plane, gradually seize authority, and eventually become a Roof-Level existence like the Dark King or even the ruler of an entire plane.
Thinking of this, Lu Jun turned his gaze toward the Manjusaka Queen standing quietly nearby.
After the battle ended, she had not returned to the Summoning Plane, instead remaining silently in place.
Earlier, during the battle, Lu Jun had no opportunity to ask questions. Now, however, he could properly investigate the connection between the Night Thunder Dream Beast and the Manjusaka Queen.
Buzz! Buzz! Buzz!
Before he could summon the Night Thunder Dream Beast himself, it impatiently emerged from the Summoning Plane on its own.
The Dream Beast seemed to have also been within the territory of the Nation Graveyard of Beasts. After advancing into the Middle Morancch level, it had intended to cross the outer regions and head directly toward the core area in search of the thing resonating with it.
Unexpectedly, Lu Jun had accidentally summoned the Manjusaka Queen instead.
At this moment, the Manjusaka Queen resembled a quiet shadowy noblewoman. She gently stroked the body of the dark elven deer while softly communicating with it.
Listening to the fragmented exchange between the two, Lu Jun gradually came to understand their relationship.
It turned out that the supreme Dream Beast ancestor who inherited the title of Yellow Springs had three brothers, who respectively inherited the titles of Higan, Wangchuan, and Sanzu.
Together, they became immortal in a place known as the Demon Mound.
The four titles—Yellow Springs, Wangchuan, Sanzu, and Higan were all unique inheritances of the Demon Mound. They possessed mysterious connections with one another, similar to the relationship shared among the Totem Sacred Beasts.
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