Ancient Dragon in Arknights

"I'll go help her."

"If we follow this river forward, we should be able to catch up with them."

A wide underground river flows slowly beneath the platform. Because of the large number of high-purity dragon crystals distributed around it, the faint light emitted by them illuminates the surroundings, so even underground, there is a good view.

"Breathe—breathe—"

Nesario took a deep breath—the life energy dissipating in the air entered his body with his breath, and a warm feeling came from inside his chest, which indicated that the energy concentration here was extremely high, and that breathing alone could make living beings stronger.

"My follower... get all the weapons and items ready."

"Oh, you noticed it too?"

"If dragons really do live in this place, then they would be extremely terrifying even among ancient dragons."

After such a long period of hunting, Nesario, along with the research team, has figured out most of the laws governing the New World.

This includes the existence of "battle-hardened individuals".

Within the Crystal Lands, some monsters are extremely lucky and find a prime location with exceptionally high energy concentration. After absorbing this energy for a period of time, their physical abilities will far surpass those of their kind.

This is a battle-hardened individual.

This demonstrates just how powerful the life energy deposited in the Dragon Crystal Land truly is.

In this place, one can absorb a lot of energy just by breathing. What would happen if a mute old man hid here and secretly developed?

"The investigation team truly lives up to its reputation as an elite hunter team... They even managed to find such a dangerous assignment."

"Nesario meow, this will be a momentous event that goes down in history."

"Of course I know."

More than seeking fame and universal admiration, Nesario was concerned about the safety of Azure Star.

Although she should have several teammates by her side at this moment—one of whom is the "Grand Commander" with more seniority than the Commander-in-Chief, whose strength is extremely formidable. In terms of physical strength, even if Nesario and Azure Star joined forces, they could not shake him.

We haven't seen him fight yet, but I've heard he always operated alone, and he's the one who discovered the secrets of the Elder's Recess. With his help, the safety level would probably increase significantly.

The other is a dragon-human investigator who uses the Insect Glaive; this weapon is agile, fast, and highly mobile. Although it lacks a decisive move to deal massive damage to monsters in one go, its self-defense capabilities are definitely top-notch; perhaps we'll need to rely on him for support on the battlefield.

Neltharion leaped straight into the underground river. Although it was an underground river, which should have been icy cold, Neltharion felt as if he were soaking in a hot spring because of the rich life energy.

Because of its thick fur, the Palico is not recommended to get wet; Nesario let it sit on his back and he carried the Palico through the river.

"be careful!"

The receptionist stood on the shore and shouted loudly that this was the research team's top priority: the safety of their companions and themselves.

Because of his unique nature, Nesario was also extremely sensitive to energy—as he got closer, he felt the terror ahead more and more.

There was an enormous, high-energy reaction there, which didn't seem like a normal natural environment. Nesario felt his body gradually becoming excited, like a wild beast smelling blood.

Nesario swam very fast, and in no time he even caught up with the group that had set off earlier.

"Oh! Nesario! Here, here!"

The sound of splashing water reached Azure Star's ears. Standing on the small boat, she looked around and spotted Neltharion approaching.

"We've finally caught up with you."

Surprisingly, the three members of the research team and the Palico from Azure Star were traveling in a small boat, with the dragonman member rowing it... How did they get the boat here? They couldn't have disassembled it into parts and carried it in piece by piece..., could they...?

Azure Star pulled Nesario onto the ship, and Nesario quickly raised his body temperature to evaporate the remaining water droplets.

"Thank you for your hard work, both of you."

Nesario greeted the Grand Master and the dragonkin investigator. The dragonkin investigator nodded in respect, while the Grand Master warmly welcomed them.

"Hahaha! I didn't expect you to be here besides Azure Star. It seems that the two strongest hunters in the survey team are both here."

"What is the target of your investigation this time? And why would you choose a place like this...?"

"You are more unique than us. Do you feel anything different about that?"

Although the commander-in-chief seemed carefree, even the commander-in-chief admitted that he was inferior to him, which clearly showed that he was also an outstanding leader.

He had learned about Neltharion from the scholars, and he was very curious about this "Ancient Dragon Hunter" and looked forward to his growth.

"Hmm... This place seems to gather the energy of the entire Elder's Recess. I can feel myself getting stronger just by breathing. Also... there is an extremely large energy cluster at the end of the river, which doesn't seem like a change that could be produced by the natural environment."

"So that's how it is... Based on our speculation, the reason for the 'Ancient Dragon Crossing' lies here. That huge mass of energy ahead is probably the accumulated energy of all the ancient dragons."

So that's how it is. The investigation team's ultimate goal is not far away. It seems that none of them intend to retreat. That makes sense... Neltharion was like this when he tried to seize Nergigante's power.

"Then, please prioritize your own safety later. Everyone, there are no pterosaurs for us to escape from this time."

"Hmm!" x3 "Meow!" x2

Chapter 142 This is—the King of Ancient Dragons!

As the small boat drifted, the group gradually approached the energy's gathering place. Neltharion's senses grew stronger, and a complex mix of emotions—fear, greed, awe—emerged in his mind, drawn by the pure ancient dragon energy.

As the ship docked, the Grand Master jumped down first. The ground he touched was not rock, but dragon crystals that had accumulated over the years. However, the energy within them had been completely absorbed, so at this moment they were just crystals for decoration.

What kind of being absorbed all that energy?!

"Let's go, hunters. Let's explore the unknown!"

The four people and two cats quickly approached the high-energy reaction ahead. At this moment, even ordinary humans could feel the immense energy source, because it was so bright! The gathered energy emitted a holy white light, like a second sun hanging in the underground world.

"this is!?"

The sharp-eyed dragon investigator spotted the fallen object on the ground ahead and quickly picked it up—it was a dragon crystal of unimaginable purity, radiating an exquisite light that exuded extraordinary quality just by looking at it.

"Back up! That guy's about to attack!"

Compared to the dragonman investigator's awe at the pure crystal, Nesario felt fear—the white orb of light was not a product of highly concentrated energy.

Neltharion's ancient dragon genes sensed its presence—an enormous dragon! It was incredibly magnificent and contained boundless energy; it was definitely not something that a few of them could handle!

Zizzi——!

Neltharion's perception was flawless; sensing the enemy's invasion, the Chosen Dragon, which was "hatching," was being born prematurely.

The white sphere of light, surrounded by countless crystal pillars high up, began to emit an even stronger light, accompanied by intense laser beams shooting out in all directions.

These white lasers are made of pure energy, and the extremely high temperatures they generate are even capable of melting dragon crystals on the ground.

Now, the premature birth has resulted in most of the energy remaining inside the "cocoon of light," causing violent rays to shoot out in all directions erratically, causing countless crystals to collapse, the ground to melt, and explosions to kick up endless dust.

Neltharion wanted to quickly pull the dragonman investigator back, but a laser beam swept almost right past his face. He believed that even with the Nergigante's regenerative abilities, it would take some time for such a wound to heal.

After several tens of seconds, the radiation stopped, the explosion ceased, and the dust scattered in the air gradually settled. Only then could the three people who had not been affected by the blast be able to make out the condition of the dragon investigator.

He lay unconscious beside a huge pile of rubble, covered in wounds, but none were serious—he could still be saved!

"Oh no! We have to save him!"

The commander took the lead, disregarding the possible aftershocks, and immediately helped the wounded man up, preparing to retreat with him.

But the master of this place, in order to annihilate them, interrupted his important process toward ultimate life. Wouldn't it be too easy for them to leave like this?

Boom!

A massive, dark blue dragon fell from the broken white cocoon of light, roaring at the group who were preparing to retreat—the wind and waves stirred up by its roar alone were comparable to the attacks of many smaller dragons.

Neltharion glanced over—the appearance of this ancient dragon was so stunning that Neltharion believed he would remember it for the rest of his life.

It has no hair or scales, but instead has a nearly transparent, dark blue body that looks as clear as glass. However, judging from the shattered ground, its defensive capabilities are definitely not low.

It has two black, ghostly horns on its head, made of a very special material that doesn't reflect light even when it shines on them; below its head are three pairs of huge, glowing organs—from a distance they look like three pairs of eyes, but Nesario can see that the eyes are below the glowing organs.

Black thorns gradually spread from its head to its back, covering almost all the key parts of its body; in addition, it has a pair of incredibly wide wings, like an open, dark blue sky.

Its head, the ends of its limbs, its tail, and its wings are covered with a thin, dark blue membrane resembling fish fins. When activated by energy, these membranes shimmer and glow, like burning flames.

What's even more imposing is its size! It's enormous! Even two Nergigantes tied together couldn't compare to it.

"Run! This guy is definitely not someone we can handle!"

Neltharion felt an intense sense of crisis, even more so than with Nergigante.

The Grand Commander is incredibly powerful and confident he can fight this enormous, azure dragon. However... the wounded are no good. The investigation team should prioritize the survival of their comrades over the completion of the mission.

"Commander! Take him away first!"

"You two too! We'll handle this fight!"

While the Grand Commander hesitated, Azure Star made the decision for him. She grabbed the Grand Commander's shoulder, signaling him to take the wounded away first.

Nesario simultaneously ordered the two Palicoes to flee, as their strength was sufficient to deal with the large creature before them, but the Palicoes' fragile bodies were not up to the task.

"But... alright, I believe you. I'll take him to a safe place first. Until then, we must hold on and keep this guy inside the cave; I will be back! Until then, we must hold on!"

"Meow meow!"

The Grand Master quickly picked up the unconscious dragonman investigator and evacuated, with the Palicoes assisting him. As they left, they tossed their little pouches to the hunters—containing many medicines that, while perhaps not crucial, would at least provide some assistance.

Azure Star drew her twin swords from her waist and slowly turned to face the enraged dragon.

"To be honest... coming here like this was not a wise choice."

"Sorry... I dragged you into this."

"You're still saying all this now... You can always trust me with your back turned."

Neltharion's steel claws and tail instantly extended, and white thorns began to sprout from his body, gradually stirring a breeze in the previously windless cave.

Entering combat mode!

"Looks like I'm lucky to have a reliable teammate."

"This guy looks tough... Azure Star, send me if necessary. You only have one chance."

"No! No one can guarantee that..."

"Therefore, it is a necessary moment. It would be better to subdue it peacefully."

Nesario had a feeling that this ancient dragon was more than just big in appearance; it had absorbed so much pure energy, and it would be a waste if it only grew bigger.

As it turned out, Nesario's prediction was entirely correct.

The ancient dragon opened its mouth the next moment—as a burst of intense light emanated from its chest, its originally dark blue neck turned red from bottom to top, and a thick white laser beam instantly shot out from its mouth.