Nine Star Hegemon Body Arts

Chapter 5458 Impossible to Unravel

“Traitors of the Dragon Domain?”

All the dragon experts turned their gazes toward the resonant dragon race, their gazes sharp.

In an instant, the resonant dragon race’s experts tensed, and they clenched their weapons vigilantly.

“What nonsense are you spouting? Who are you calling the traitors of the Dragon Domain?!” roared Ying Changkong.

Chuckling, Long Chen replied, “Why so panicked? I never said who the traitors were—I was just testing you. But look at yourselves, sweating and channeling power into your legs. Are you planning to flee?”

The surrounding dragon experts glanced at the resonant dragon race and noticed the truth in Long Chen’s words. The higher-ups of the resonant dragon race were visibly tense, their postures implying a readiness for battle—or retreat.

Many of them were channeling power into their feet. While this alone wasn’t proof of guilt, it did raise suspicions, especially given the resonant dragon race’s known ties to the Brahma Pill Valley. Everyone knew they were the first dragon race to purchase medicinal pills from Pill Valley.

Thanks to those pills, the resonant dragon race’s strength had surged, elevating them from a second-rate power to one of the top factions in the Dragon Domain. They had also roped in quite a few helpers along the way.

However, they had sworn a blood oath that their dealings with the Brahma Pill Valley would be limited strictly to medicinal pills, with no involvement in other activities. Despite this pledge, the rapid rise of their power drew envy from the other factions.

Many dragon race elders were very conservative, wary of relying too heavily on external aids like medicinal pills. While the younger experts could consume medicinal pills, they definitely could not grow dependent on them. After all, the dragon race’s constitutions were different from the human race’s. For them, consuming a large number of medicinal pills was like drinking poison to quench thirst, and it was very likely to affect their future.

As a result, the other factions implemented strict bans on pill consumption, expelling any disciples found violating this rule. This unwavering stance formed a bottom line that could not be crossed.

Because of this, the resonant dragon race was at odds with many other dragons. Yet, their growing strength and expanding network of subordinates discouraged the remaining seven major factions from directly confronting them.

Only the evil dragon race remained unyielding and continued to fight them. However, they were never able to shake the resonant dragon race.

Although many factions viewed the resonant dragon race with disdain, the notion of betrayal had never seriously crossed their minds—until now. The reaction from the resonant dragon race’s higher-ups was excessively defensive, while their ordinary members remained relatively unaffected.

This stark contrast naturally raised suspicions. It hinted that those in power might be hiding something, and though there was no definitive proof, the unease within the other factions only grew.

“You...” Ying Changkong glared at Long Chen furiously and roared, “Calling us traitors of the Dragon Domain is a major offense! It could lead to our extermination. Who wouldn’t be nervous under such scrutiny?!”

His words made the onlookers nod slightly. The dragon race had an almost fanatical hatred for traitors, and such a label carried grave consequences. For anyone to be rattled under such accusations was, indeed, understandable.

However, Long Chen simply smiled, looking at Ying Changkong with a sharp gaze. “If you put it like that, then there’s nothing for me to say.”

Whether or not the resonant dragon race was guilty of betrayal wasn’t something Long Chen could confirm outright. However, the evidence surrounding them was enough to arouse suspicion. Ying Tianhua was a genius of the resonant dragon race and had shown up in the Brahma Pill Valley’s camp, so their relationship could not be ordinary.

What stood out most was the lack of secrecy. Ying Tianhua’s blatant affiliation with the Brahma Pill Valley indicated that he wasn’t concerned about the others finding out about it.

Since Long Chen was familiar with how the Brahma Pill Valley did things, he was naturally suspicious of the resonant dragon race, which was why he had said such a thing.

Yet the reaction it provoked exceeded his expectations. As he suspected, the dragon race wasn’t adept at concealing their emotions; their reactions were written all over their faces.

Who was Long Chen, after all? He had encountered countless crafty and deceitful individuals and could see through a fa?ade with ease. The overly defensive response from the resonant dragon race's leaders only solidified his doubts.

Long Chen let his eyes drift over the gathered race leaders. Xie Qianzhong, the scarlet dragon race leader, and several others wore grave expressions, clearly mulling over the implications. Only Mo Ying remained calm, her expression flat.

Long Chen’s heart shook. It was evident to him now—Mo Ying had been aware of the resonant dragon race’s dubious ties for some time. Her ability to conceal her thoughts so flawlessly was quite something.

Meanwhile, Ying Changkong’s frustration boiled over. Under the weight of the others’ scrutinizing stares, his composure shattered. The more he tried to explain himself, the more suspicious he seemed. But if he didn’t, it would also raise suspicions.

“You damn fools, the Dragon Domain does not welcome you! Get the hell out right now!” shouted Ying Changkong.

His only hope was to drive Long Chen and his group away, to end this confrontation before it spiraled further. The sooner they left the Dragon Domain, the less damage would be done.

“The Dragon Domain does not belong to you. Why should they leave just because you want them to? We haven’t resolved our issues or gotten to the bottom of things. They can’t leave yet,” replied Xie Qianzhong.

It seemed Xie Qianzhong had also sensed something amiss, though he didn’t openly state it. Instead, he deliberately opposed Ying Changkong, ensuring Long Chen would stay.

“Although I dislike him, he cannot leave yet. We must resolve our issue first,” added the scarlet dragon race leader.

He didn’t say what the exact issue was. But in any case, he wanted Long Chen to stay so that they could discuss things first.

“This little brother is very handsome. I’d like to look at him more as well,” said Mo Ying with a smile, expressing her own desire to keep him here.

With three of the eight major factions already supporting Long Chen’s stay, the remaining leaders eventually expressed their agreement. The consensus was clear—Long Chen would not be leaving yet.

In the end, only the resonant dragon race wanted to expel him, and the others wanted to have him stay. Ying Changkong gnashed his teeth and led his people away with a dark expression.

Before leaving, Xie Qianzhong turned to Long Chen, his expression fierce but his words unexpectedly earnest. “Long Chen, right? You’re incredibly dislikable, but I can’t deny your reasoning. Don’t worry—as long as you bear no ill will toward the dragon race, I, Xie Qianzhong, will risk my life to protect you.”

The surrounding experts stared in disbelief. This temperamental fellow usually refused to listen to anyone, but after being cursed by Long Chen, he started treating him so well? Perhaps there was something wrong with his brain...

“Let us return to the white dragon race’s camp first!” said the white dragon race leader.

Long Chen agreed, and under countless watchful gazes, he left alongside the white dragon race.

...

Deep in the Dragon Domain, in the resonant dragon race’s Ten Thousand Dragon Nest, Ying Changkong came to a secluded room.

“Patriarch, a new problem has appeared,” he reported grimly, his face shadowed with worry.