After mastering the resurrection technique, they begged me to extend their lives.

Chapter 104 Riding a Dragon

Points system.

It was a method of motivating all employees that An Xiao came up with after much thought, taking into account the growing size of her team.

Under this system, created beings can enjoy a "living feeling," non-created beings can pursue a "golden rice bowl," commanders can acquire fiefdoms in the future, and core members will gradually become their confidants, spreading throughout Endedes.

The agricultural irrigation problem has been initially resolved after Lilia's puppet joined the fray.

Xingmi is handling the route issue.

Xiao An has already set off to solve the portal problem.

The fishermen are handling the aquatic resource harvesting issue, and the team leveling up is still being led by Xinuo.

The entire south coast had become An Xiao's domain.

The black hand is all-encompassing, the only unstable factor being the potential for attacks from the Galatian paladins at any moment.

Now, he is walking deep into the heart of the Dark Rift.

The destination is the mysterious entrance, the "Black Dragon Labyrinth," which is filled with the aura of death.

"I need to talk to him."

This is the conclusion An Xiao reached.

The essence of this place flows and transforms from the master of the labyrinth before us.

Soul power, soil, resources, bone tide units —

Having used so many of his things, it's only right that I explore what's inside.

"My Lord, I still feel that it's not safe here."

Carol said worriedly.

"How so?"

"Heilong takes a completely 'erasing' attitude towards people he doesn't like."

According to the Ghost Ancestor, Nighogd, as a black dragon, could almost be described as "indifferent" towards all living beings.

Moreover, humans were one of the races he despised most, and he never traded with mediocre people. After all, even the most powerful human mage couldn't cast a tenth-circle spell.

That's true.

In An Xiao's eyes, it was perfectly normal for humans not to attract the attention of the dragons.

Even if Sophia, the Magic Queen of the Magia Kingdom of Terraria, were to negotiate, she might not be able to win Nighold's favor.

"Actually, I've wanted to find traces of the dragons for a long time."

An Xiao said, "Although we were looking for the territory of living dragons, it seems that dead dragons are fine too."

I need to take this risk. Don't come inside with me; just wait for me at the entrance.

He pointed to the portal of light directly in front of him, which emanated a terrifying black aura, and commanded the creations behind him to stop there.

"But Master—"

"Don't worry. I have my own plans."

An Xiao, leaning on her cane and carrying the Iron Maiden on her back, handed the Holy Sword to Xinuo for safekeeping: "The Black Dragon might not like items related to Holy Light, so you can hold this for me for now."

"Yes, sir!"

Hino took the "True Silver Holy Sword," his expression grave. "Master, please be extremely careful!"

"Yes. I'll be back."

After leaving those words, An Xiao strode forward.

The portal to the Black Dragon Labyrinth is different from the blue portal of the Gray Mist Mentor.

The moment I stepped inside, a feeling of deathly stillness, suffocation, darkness, and negativity swept over me from all directions.

It is called a "maze" because it is not like a traditional maze, which is winding and has an exit.

Here, you can't even see your own fingers.

My breathing is heavy.

Like the "ambergris tea" that burns down an oasis, each sip is so heavy it presses against the throat.

'

Suddenly.

An Xiao's body stiffened.

She sensed a gaze, almost tangible, locking onto her.

"—Is this feeling some kind of identification technique?"

He had been examined by similar spells many times, but never before had he felt such a profound and in-depth exploration, as if every single cell in his body were being meticulously scanned and every drop of blood magnified ten thousand times.

It is conceivable that the level of this identification technique is at least SSS.

He didn't move.

There was no step forward, nor retreat.

As if undergoing a "security check," they stood still, silent and motionless.

in the dark.

From an unknown perspective.

A pair of enormous dragon eyes, gleaming with crimson and pure black, stood upright.

He stared intently at the frail human boy before him.

Those vertical pupils were filled with an anthropomorphic look of surprise and bewilderment.

The next moment, hollow echoes spread in all directions, rolling in: "For thousands of years, all those who have entered my Bone Domain have become withered bones."

Countless undead, explorers, and deserters from the Netherworld broke in, only to perish.

Why are you able to bear the power of life's revival?

"And why does the same 'black' source power flow within you, the same as mine?"

Doubt, confusion, a desire to see through, a desire to get involved, greed, a desire to acquire —

A torrent of complex emotions, like a downpour from the sky, swept over the human youth who stood quietly, neither humble nor arrogant.

In the pitch-black darkness, the boy spoke calmly: "Nidhogg. You have been silent for millennia, seemingly in control of the labyrinth, but in reality, you are imprisoned within your own bones, unable to ever leave this place again."

"I suspect that your divine soul and dragon power are gradually dissipating and will soon be exhausted."

In less than a century, you will be completely annihilated, leaving no trace like other dragons, except for the landscape of the Deep Black Rift.

"I know that even inside the labyrinth, you could probably see what I was doing on the coast, which is why you didn't erase me immediately."

"I've come here to discuss a business deal with you."

An Xiao's voice was so calm it was devoid of emotion.

Nighold stared at the arrogant and ignorant boy.

And the boy, in turn, gazed into the endless darkness at himself, unable even to fully lift his head. [Black Dragon Nighogd, legendary creature, dragon/undead]

【LV: 99】

[Rarity: X] (Gold-plated legendary frame)

[Threat Level: Dark Purple] (Inevitable Death - Annihilation)

Physical Strength: 999

Physical Defense: 999

【Magic Power: 999】

[Magic Defense: 999] · [Talents: Black Dragon Legacy (Exclusive), Destruction Ray (Exclusive), Dark Domain (Exclusive), Ancient Magic Mastery SSS, Magic Immunity SSS — Resurrection F]

"After failing to ascend, she was abandoned by Aledesdina and lost all the pride that should have belonged to the dragon race."

An Xiao appeared calm and composed, but in reality, her heart was in turmoil.

He was glad that he had leveled up his "Creative Gaze" skill so much before coming here.

Otherwise, let alone attributes, even the level might only have two question marks.

As for the core information, every word is precious.

【Aledesdina————】

【she?】

【abandon?】

In An Xiao's mind, her entire magic system originated from the dragon Aledestina.

In other words, the other party is the originator of resurrection magic.

The black dragon in front of us clearly has a "Resurrection Spell F" tag in its talent list.

This stirred up a storm in his heart, making him wonder if Nidhogg and Aledesdina were mother and daughter.

If that's the case, then could Nidhogg be considered his—uh—sister?

"Kid, stop studying me."

Nidhogg seemed to see through everything. "Your eye technique originates from the same source as mine."

An Xiao: "If you want to make a deal with me, then you have to offer your bargaining chips."

She said calmly, "Right now, your resurrection magic is far superior to mine, but there's nothing I can do; my true self isn't good at it. I only like 'destruction,' which is why my mother has always disliked me. She thinks I'm a simple-minded black dragon."

An Xiao declined to comment.

"You use my energy to build on the shore, drink my water in the desert, and revive my bones in the swamp. I have remembered it all."

"You've come here because you killed a hero, and you want me to protect you."

Nighold's logic is clear.

"Um."

An Xiao did not deny it. "Since you understand my system, I will be frank. My creation level has now reached LV8, and the unlocked species include humans, beasts, demi-humans, spirits, undead, and artifact spirits—soon, it will include elves, demons, and dragons."

"What—"

Surprisingly, Nighold was quite taken aback by this.

It's not her fault.

After all, her creation level is only LV1.

She didn't understand what advanced resurrection magic could actually revive.

But she vaguely remembered that her mother's resurrection spell—it seemed—could only revive baby dragons.

Even in the later stages, Si Ping did not possess the ability to summon so many different creatures like An Xiao.

"You—you're already close to meeting the standards of a mother at this stage?"

'

'

o

An Xiao didn't answer, but said, "I know you're going for a combat-oriented path, but when it comes to combat, I'm nowhere near as good as you, not even a single dragon scale."

He only said the nicest things, "But I can find a way to let you soar through the blue sky again."

"Nighogd, I urgently need a more stable environment and a wider space to develop divine magic and explore the path of life. Do you understand? I need time."

He gazed quietly into her dragon eyes: "Give me time and space."

Use your remaining energy.

As long as I preserve my kingdom until I learn to resurrect dragons, then one day I will try to summon you back and tell Dragon Mother that "warrior black dragons" are also essential to the race.

"!"

pat.

In that instant.

The once pitch-black maze was now bathed in daylight.

Suddenly, a blinding white light appeared, and everything became glaringly visible.

It was a pile of dragon remains made up of hundreds of millions of bones.

The immense energy is like that of a nuclear reactor.

The entity that had been conversing with me just now was not the physical black dragon.

Rather, it was a remnant of a dragon's soul residing on this massive pile of bones.

She is enormous, domineering, majestic, and awe-inspiring; her mere presence can crush any inferior species.

"An Xiao, I need you to master Resurrect the Undead LV10 and Resurrect the Dragon V1 as soon as possible. Only by possessing both of these skills can there be a chance to revive my spirit."

Therefore, I can use my limited remaining energy to offer an opportunity to make a move.

I'm betting on you the "possibility of resurrecting the original."

Nighold coldly replied, "You should know that there are no more dragons on the continent of Wayne. Your resurrected dragon will never improve its proficiency or advance any further if it doesn't start with me."

"ah."

An Xiao froze upon hearing this.

It seems my guess was right.

The resurrection spell has certain hidden limitations.

For example, many species cannot upgrade their proficiency if they do not revive the corresponding advanced creatures.

Even if it's unlocked, it's just for show.

Now let's look at it.

The dragon race has long been extinct.

But it was not a massacre-style extinction.

Rather, it is more likely that, like Nighogd, they suffered a failed ascension and were extinct in a fall.

The dragon race could not be satisfied with LV99 in the human world.

Dragons possess a proud spirit, and since their birth, they have dreamed of conquering the blue sky.

Therefore, what lies above the sky is something they will inevitably want to explore sooner or later.

"Can."

An Xiao stared at the terrifying size of Nighogd's skeleton, whose wingspan was about the size of a mountain.

He stretched out his arm, facing the direction of the bone claws beneath the dragon soul, as if shaking hands, and accepted the deal.

His blank stare didn't reveal any deeper desires.

One day, perhaps riding "Sister" soaring through the blue sky would be a wonderful experience?