"Kid, how was it? That's a precious treasure this dragon has guarded for countless years. No one's ever been allowed inside. There was good stuff in there, right?"
Yang Xiao had just walked out of the valley.
The Purple-scaled Blood Horned Flood Dragon, which had been staring into the distance out of sheer boredom, immediately perked up.
However, when it saw that the valley was now completely empty, its expression stiffened slightly. But then, it immediately grew excited. "Good kid! You actually took the entire palace with you! What a move! Quick, tell me, what kind of amazing treasures did you get?"
"Don't want to talk? Fine. Since you've benefited, it's time to make good on that one thing you promised this dragon."
The Purple-scaled Blood Horned Flood Dragon was like a chatterbox.
Yang Xiao hadn't said a single word.
But it had already rattled off a huge spiel.
Just like before.
And it didn't seem to care one bit whether Yang Xiao was willing or not.
It was demanding he agree to its request.
Seeing the creature's strange gaze...
Yang Xiao knew this couldn't be anything good.
Sure enough, after clearing its throat, the creature spoke with great solemnity, "Since you've reaped the benefits, it is now time to form a master-servant contract with this dragon. Once it's done, you'll take me away from this godforsaken place. HAHA! After all these years, this dragon is finally leaving!"
Before Yang Xiao could even agree...
The Purple-scaled Blood Horned Flood Dragon burst into hearty laughter.
'This thing actually wants to form a master-servant contract with me? Still, if the condition is just taking it out of here, acquiring a Flood Dragon wouldn't be a bad deal for me right now.'
Yang Xiao fell into contemplation.
The Purple-scaled Blood Horned Flood Dragon, however, was very excited. Seeing Yang Xiao remain silent, it spoke again, "Right, you probably don't know how to form a master-servant contract, do you? Come on, this dragon will teach you. Learn well. I can't wait much longer."
As it spoke, a ray of crimson light entered Yang Xiao's mind.
The moment he received the information...
Yang Xiao's expression changed drastically.
'Damn it! This beast actually wants me to be its servant!'
Yang Xiao was about to explode with anger.
Initially, from what the Purple-scaled Blood Horned Flood Dragon had said, he thought the creature wanted to use the master-servant contract as a means for him to take it out of this place.
Because of this creature, he had obtained the Divine Palace, so he did owe it a favor to some extent.
Even if the creature was domineering, disregarded his feelings, or even coerced him...
Yang Xiao had been willing to help it this one time.
To take it out.
And set it free.
But he never expected...
...that this wasn't the case at all.
This thing...
It actually wanted him to become its slave.
Making him the slave of a Flood Dragon?
This was a complete and utter insult.
How could Yang Xiao possibly accept that?
"What? Aren't you going to form the contract already? This dragon has already initiated its side. You just need to cooperate, condense your part of the contract's Secret Pattern, and send it into my Sea of Consciousness. Then we'll be done. Hurry up."
The Purple-scaled Blood Horned Flood Dragon urged him on impatiently.
The look on Yang Xiao's face darkened even further.
He looked at the immense Purple-scaled Blood Horned Flood Dragon before him, a giant beast the size of a mountain, and his expression turned cold. "You want me to become your slave?"
"Of course! You don't want to? Being this dragon's slave is the greatest honor of your life! If you weren't the only member of the Human Race to appear on this 2nd Layer in all these years, do you think this opportunity would have fallen to you? What? From the look on your face, you seem a little reluctant."
The Purple-scaled Blood Horned Flood Dragon's expression grew stern and menacing.
"Of course I'm reluctant. Would you be willing if it were you?"
Yang Xiao retorted without the slightest courtesy.
This creature was simply despicable.
If it had just spoken reasonably,
even if it was a bit domineering,
Yang Xiao would have still felt some gratitude toward it.
But now!
Impossible.
If it wants a fight,
then a fight it'll get.
'We'll see who comes begging to whom in the end!'
"Well, well. A puny human dares to be so arrogant before this dragon? Don't tell me you want to be my master? How laughable. What right does a mere human have to become the master of one with the blood of the Dragon Race?"
The Purple-scaled Blood Horned Flood Dragon wore an expression of utter disdain.
Its constant talk of "puny human" and "mere human" nearly made Yang Xiao explode with fury.
Ever since Celestial Emperor Yuan Shi established the Human Race as the protagonists of heaven and earth's destiny...
...the noblest beings in the world were of the Human Race.
Even Yang Xiao, back when he was the noble Innate Fire God with a cultivation at the level of a Peak Divine King—an existence capable of contending with a Great Emperor—had still chosen to be reborn into the Human Race.
All for the sake of seizing a portion of this destiny.
Now, reborn as a human once again...
All things considered...
...Yang Xiao had been reborn into the Human Race for two lifetimes. As an Innate Divine Spirit by birth, if one were to truly define his race, it would have to be human.
After all, Innate Divine Spirits have no race.
But now...
A mere Flood Dragon.
Not only did it constantly refer to itself as "this dragon"...
...but it also looked down on the Human Race so much.
How could Yang Xiao possibly tolerate it?
"Since you think you're a member of the superior Dragon Race, why are you asking for my help? I can tell you right now, what you ask is impossible."
"Impossible?"
The Purple-scaled Red-horned Flood Dragon's large, purple-and-gold eyes shot out a furious divine light.
This puny human.
Actually dared to defy it.
"Damn you! This dragon will show you that being my slave is your honor, you puny human! If you refuse, then death is your only path!"
With a cold snort...
...the Purple-scaled Red-horned Flood Dragon's massive tail swept toward Yang Xiao once more.
This time, it didn't shrink to the size of a rope as it had before. Instead, it was as thick as an iron chain, the width of a child's arm, as it ruthlessly swept toward Yang Xiao.
That power...
...if it landed a solid hit...
...even if Yang Xiao activated his Vajra Indestructible Divine Technique, he would probably still suffer a few broken bones.
He couldn't block it head-on.
And he had no intention of doing so.
"Heaven-Fighting Divine Palace, suppress it for me!"
With a low shout...
a golden shadow flew out from between Yang Xiao's eyebrows.
BOOM!
It violently knocked back the sweeping Flood Dragon tail.
At the same time, it grew larger and larger.
Soon, it was almost as large as the Purple-scaled Red-horned Flood Dragon.
No.
It was many times larger.
Then, it pressed down from above.
It ruthlessly suppressed the impossibly arrogant creature...
...the one that had been incessantly clamoring about being "this dragon."
It was suppressed.
Crushing it until it grew smaller and smaller.
In the end...
...it had been reduced to a small, purplish-red snake.
The sight made Yang Xiao...
...burst into laughter.
"Now, do you still want to take me as your slave?"
Yang Xiao sneered as he looked at the suppressed Purple-scaled Red-horned Flood Dragon.
To his surprise...
...this creature, which seemed to place great importance on its status and pride...
...at this moment, shamelessly cast aside all its pride and began to beg for mercy. "My lord of the Human Race, it was this little one who was blind and failed to recognize your greatness! Why don't you just treat me like a fart and let me go?"
Seeing this creature go from its previous high-and-mighty attitude to its current state in an instant...
...Yang Xiao was momentarily stunned.
He really hadn't expected this outcome.
The Purple-scaled Red-horned Flood Dragon, however, thought Yang Xiao wasn't going to let it go. It actually wagged its tail and said, "To make up for my offense, my lord, this little one is willing to become your slave! I only beg that you don't kill me!"
Hearing this, Yang Xiao's expression flickered.
He feigned a cold and arrogant tone. "Fine. But if you become my slave and still don't learn your lesson, don't blame me for being merciless."
In his heart, however, he was blooming with delight.
'I've really struck it rich this time.'
'Not only did I get a Divine Artifact Palace and befriend the son of a Divine King...'
'...now I've also gained a Flood Dragon underling.'
'With this underling around, getting to the 2nd Layer of the Inheritance Tower will be so much easier.'