<h4>Chapter 2025 (Raw 2121): Never Giving Up</h4>


    After quickly killing the Snake-Tailed Tiger, Xiao Chen advanced to the next step uninjured.


    The others were not as fortunate.


    The Hou was the nemesis of the Dragon Race. Their fear of it stemmed from their bloodline, innate and unchangeable.


    Many of the mutated beasts with the Dragon Race bloodline that could suppress the world felt helpless against the Hou.


    The Silver Dragon Pce’s Yuan Xi immediately paled when he sensed the Snake-Tailed Tiger in the pir.


    Yuan Xi had not expected Ancestor Dragon City’s people to be so cruel. To think that they set such a difficult test in the first stage.


    Fortunately, those taking the test were the strongest disciples of the seven outer pces. Even if they could not defeat the Snake-Tailed Tiger, they could still survive. An ordinary heaven-ss core disciple would not be able to resist the Snake-Tailed Tiger, which possessed the Hou bloodline. The Snake-Tailed Tiger would eat them up in mere moments.


    Yuan Xi did his best to remain calm, hoping he could resist the Hou bloodline in the Snake-Tailed Tiger’s body.


    Unfortunately, fear still came. No matter how calm Yuan Xi remained, he could bring out only seventy percent of his strength.


    Being able to bring out seventy percent was already outstanding. Some of the other outer pce disciples could bring out only fifty percent.


    At least, with seventy percent of Yuan Xi’s strength, killing this Snake-Tailed Tiger was possible. At fifty percent, that would be hard to say.


    The only one in a better situation was Qin Mu.


    While Qin Mu was also affected, he had a Grade 7 Golden Dragon bloodline. Moreover, the current Dragon Emperor was from the Golden Dragon bloodline, making it the noblest Dragon Race bloodline.


    Qin Mu could use royal Dragon Might, bringing out eighty percent of his strength.


    Barring any surprises, Qin Mu should be the first to kill the Snake-Tailed Tiger after Xiao Chen.


    —


    On the light steps in the sky, the leaders of the various outer pces did not know what their disciples were doing in the formation.


    There were only the threerge bronze doors, waiting to be opened, on the formation te.


    “Lord Feng, what trials are there in the first stage?” the Green Dragon Pce’s Pce Master asked out of curiosity as he looked at the white-bearded old man from Ancestor Dragon City.


    The white-bearded old man replied casually, “The first stage is nothing special. Aside from increased gravity, malicious environments, and the attacks from the other outer pces, only the Snake-Tailed Tiger is difficult to deal with.”


    “What?!”


    The moment Lord Feng spoke, the expressions of all the Pce Masters changed drastically.


    Elder Tian Yun was in an even worse state. His legs softened, wobbling beneath him. He looked at the First Pce Master and said in a fluster, “First Pce Master, Xiao Chen, he...”


    Everyone knew that the bloodline power of the mixed-blood dragons was the weakest.


    The resistance of mixed-blood dragons to the Snake-Tailed Tiger, which had the Hou bloodline, would be the weakest.


    However, the expressions of the Pce Masters from the other outer pces were unsightly, as well. Clearly, they also worried about their disciples facing the Snake-Tailed Tiger.


    Only the Golden Dragon Pce’s Third Pce Master showed confidence. He said, “It looks like the first to open a bronze door will be my Golden Dragon Pce’s Qin Mu. He should be the one to finish off the Snake-Tailed Tiger the fastest. Aside from Qin Mu, I can’t think of any other.”


    The other Pce Masters knew that the Golden Dragon Pce’s Pce Master was right.


    The Golden Dragon’s bloodline was the noblest in the first ce. Furthermore, Qin Mu possessed a Grade 7 bloodline. He held too many advantages in this stage.


    The Golden Dragon Pce’s Third Pce Master nced at First Pce Master Yi Yun and smiled. He said softly, “However, Brother Yi Yun still needs to worry. While it is dangerous for the Divine Dragon outer pce disciples to face a Snake-Tailed Tiger, they are not in danger of dying. However, your outer pce’s Xiao Chen probably cannot evenst a few moments. After all, there is the bloodline factor. Lord Feng, perhaps you should give him a chance to give up at this stage.”


    The outer Pce Masters weed this thought, finding it interesting.


    Before thepetition between the seven outer pces, Xiao Chen became famous and enjoyed great poprity in the Heavenly Dragon Pce.


    This was especially so when Xiao Chen simultaneously defeated two Divine Dragon outer pce heaven-ss core disciples during a gathering of three outer pces.


    Perhaps Xiao Chen might be somewhat weaker than the strongest heaven-ss core disciples of the other outer pces. However, such a heaven-defying mixed-blood dragon cultivator had not appeared in centuries.


    Who could have expected that the horrifying Snake-Tailed Tiger would appear in the first stage?


    This was simply a fatal blow to the mixed-blood dragon cultivators.


    As the adage went, Fate is unfavorable. This was probably what it meant.


    The white-bearded old man pondered. He did not concern himself with the grudge between the Golden Dragon Pce and the Heavenly Dragon Pce. After rationally thinking this through, he looked at the First Pce Master Yi Yun and asked, “Yi Yun, what do you think? Going by the usual rules, one cannot give up. However, this year’s test is indeed special. I do not know what is happening inside, but I can sense that Xiao Chen is still alive. If you want me to, I can bring him out.”


    “Haha! Brother Yi Yun, stop holding on so stubbornly. Lord Feng already made his stance known, what are you persisting for?” the Silver Dragon Pce’s Pce Master asked casually with softughter.


    “That’s right. What is there to think about? In any case, all the outer pces wille outst together, aside from the top three. Just give up. The impact is insignificant. In any case, the Heavenly Dragon Pce ranksst every year. This time, there are others to rankst together with you. That’s pretty good.”


    With the Heavenly Dragon Pce around, the anxious emotions of the other Pce Masters eased up, and they started mocking the Heavenly Dragon Pce.


    The hearts of men were rather strange. Many times, even if one could not obtain the first ce, they would be satisfied with not beingst.


    With the Heavenly Dragon Pce around, everyone felt better. As long as First Pce Master Yi Yun gave up, everyone would be at the bottom together. Furthermore, they could im to be better than the Heavenly Dragon Pce and not truly be consideredst.


    First Pce Master Yi Yun fought an intense internal battle, feeling tortured. He had never found making a choice so difficult before.


    On one hand, there were the leaders of the various Divine Dragon outer pces mocking the Heavenly Dragon Pce. On the other hand, there was Xiao Chen’s safety to consider, so he felt conflicted about whether to give up or not.


    No matter what, First Pce Master Yi Yun should put Xiao Chen’s safety first.


    However, First Pce Master Yi Yun felt reluctant. This was the best chance for the Heavenly Dragon Pce to obtain a good rank. Heaven already blessed the Heavenly Dragon Pce with Xiao Chen.


    First Pce Master Yi Yun recalled a proud youth dering to Tian Yun that Tian Yun would regret it on that youth’s entry to the Heavenly Dragon Pce.


    He also remembered the shock he felt when he received news of that youth chopping down Rakshasa Tian’s clone in the Abyssal Underworld’s firstyer.


    Then, there was the memory of that youth practicing the Supreme Dragon Fist on top of the Heavenly Dragon statue, shocking those around and disying his pride.


    The First Pce Master reminisced about the joy that he, his second brother, and his third brother experienced when they came to know that Xiao Chen simultaneously defeated two Divine Dragon outer pce heaven-ss core disciples during the gathering of three outer pces.


    He remembered the promise Xiao Chen made before he left for Thundercloud Ancient Marsh, as well as Xiao Chen’s zing fighting spirit and resolute expression.


    The First Pce Master Yi Yun thought of many things. However, his thoughts of letting Xiao Chen survive won.


    No matter what, one had hope only while one was alive. Living was the most important.


    However, just as First Pce Master Yi Yun was about to say something, Elder Tian Yun suddenly tugged on his sleeve and said, “First Pce Master, trust him. I understand Xiao Chen. If we make him give up like this, he might never forgive us—even if it was for his good.”


    “But...”


    Elder Tian Yun persisted, saying, “First Pce Master, have you forgotten what he said to me when he first came to the Heavenly Dragon Pce? Have you forgotten the Heavenly Dragon’s mysteries that heprehended at the top of the Heavenly Dragon statue? Have you forgotten how he rode that momentum and sessfully practiced the Supreme Dragon Fist? First Pce Master, believe me; do not give up. Otherwise, Xiao Chen will never forgive us. He is someone who does not give up easily. Even he has not given up. What would he think if we give up?!”


    These words struck First Pce Master Yi Yun like a bolt of lightning.


    That’s right. Even Xiao Chen has not given up. Yet, we want to give up on him. What will he think?


    This is a Dragon Race cultivator who dared to take the risk to chop down Rakshasa Tian’s clone. How could he abandon his resolve before a Snake-Tailed Tiger?


    A brilliant light shed in First Pce Master Yi Yun’s eyes. He no longer wavered as he said, “Many thanks, Lord Feng. The Heavenly Dragon Pce will not give up. We will not give up on our disciple.”


    There was also something in First Pce Master Yi Yun’s heart that he did not say.


    The Heavenly Dragon Pce cannot possiblyest forever!


    Lord Feng found this slightly strange, but since First Pce Master Yi Yun had made his choice, Lord Feng did not say much.


    However, this decision shocked the Pce Masters of the Divine Dragon outer pces.


    The face of the Golden Dragon Pce’s Third Pce Master sank. He showed a cold smile and said, “Brother Yi Yun, you are really pushing this hard. For the sake of getting a good rank, you can ignore the death of your disciple. However, this makes sense as well... After all, he is just a mixed-blood dragon. Even if he died, Brother Yi Yun would not care.”


    First Pce Master Yi Yun’s face sank when he heard these words. A cold murderous intent filled his voice, prompting others to tremble in fear.


    “Do you seek death?”


    This stunned the others.


    Everyone thought, Oh no! The Golden Dragon Pce’s Third Pce Master has gone somewhat overboard.


    He forgot how terrifying the Heavenly Dragon Pce’s First Pce Master is!


    While First Pce Master Yi Yun’s bloodline was not strong, he showed startlingprehension ability. When he was young, he was also an unruly person. Back then, the Divine Dragon Empire was at war.


    This man before them had climbed up to the position of the Heavenly Dragon Pce’s First Pce Master step by step with his military merits.


    He was not like the rest. While the rest were strong, they mostly relied on the power of their ns.


    The White Dragon Pce’s Pce Master tried to smooth things over. “Brother Qin, your words are somewhat overboard. We are all members of the Dragon Race. How can we have such division? No matter who it is, life and death are major matters!”


    “Right, right, right. Brother Qin, just apologize and stop speaking.”


    Fortunately, the other Pce Masters gave the Golden Dragon Pce’s Third Pce Master a way out. Recognizing his error and fearing Yi Yun’s strength somewhat, the Golden Dragon Pce’s Third Pce Master said casually, “Sorry, Brother Yi Yun, I said the wrong things earlier. I apologize to you.”


    First Pce Master Yi Yun wanted to act on his rage, but Ancestor Dragon City’s Lord Feng was here. Thus, he could not say much, only leave things be.


    On seeing this scene, the Golden Dragon Pce’s Third Pce Master smiled coldly to himself. A mixed-blood dragon is just a mixed-blood dragon. Do you think you can change anything?!