Chapter 321 - 52: Promotion to Ultimate Profession, Awaiting Return

Chapter 321: Chapter 52: Promotion to Ultimate Profession, Awaiting Return

"I... I, on behalf of all the people of Kawa Village, respectfully welcome you, Lord Dragon Monarch!"

As he knelt, the great mass of villagers behind him all knelt in unison, their movements perfectly synchronized and filled with piety.

"We respectfully welcome you, Lord Dragon Monarch!"

The sound, like a tsunami crashing against a mountain, echoed through the valley, filled with reverence and worship.

Yuan Lan gazed at the simple yet zealous villagers before him, a trace of gentleness flashing through his golden pupils.

He raised his hand slightly, and a gentle force lifted everyone to their feet.

"All of you, rise," he said in a warm voice. "Though I have Transformed into a Dragon, I am still your Mountain God."

Yuan Lan’s voice wasn’t loud, yet it reached every villager’s ears with perfect clarity, seeming to carry a soothing power that gradually calmed their excited and nervous hearts.

"Th-thank you, Lord Dragon Monarch!" The old chieftain stood up, trembling, his cloudy old eyes filled with tears.

He never imagined that he would live to personally witness the miracle of the Mountain God’s Transformation into a Dragon.

What an honor this was!

"Lord Dragon Monarch, you..." The old chieftain was so emotional he could barely speak.

"Just call me Mountain God," Yuan Lan said with a faint smile. "I’ve been hearing that title for several hundred years. I’m used to it."

"Yes, yes! Lord Mountain God!" the old chieftain hurriedly corrected himself, a grin stretching nearly ear to ear.

Yuan Lan’s words were undoubtedly a great reassurance to all the villagers of Kawa Village.

Their greatest fear was that after Transforming into a Dragon, the Lord Mountain God would leave these mountains and no longer watch over them.

But now, it seemed the Lord Mountain God had not forgotten them, his most loyal believers.

"My successful Transformation into a Dragon today, breaking free from the shackles of fate, is also thanks to the centuries of unwavering, pious offerings from you, the people of Kawa Village," Yuan Lan said slowly, his gaze sweeping over every villager present.

"I can feel it. The power of your faith has stabilized my newly-born dragon body and has also allowed me to master this power more quickly."

Hearing this, the villagers all puffed out their chests, their faces beaming with immense pride.

’So we also played a part in the Lord Mountain God’s transformation!’

"It was our duty! It’s our honor to serve the Lord Mountain God!" Shan shouted, his dark face flushed with excitement.

"That’s right! The descendants of Kawa Village will forever believe in the Lord Mountain God!" Niu shouted as well.

"Forever believe in the Lord Mountain God!"

The other villagers joined in the shouting, the cheers rising wave after wave, filled with a heartfelt fervor.

Yuan Lan watched them, a gratified smile on his face.

He raised his hand and pointed gently toward the whole of Kawa Village.

"As a reward, today I shall bestow upon you a blessing."

As his voice fell, motes of golden light, visible to the naked eye, flew from his fingertip like fireflies, then slowly merged into every corner of Kawa Village.

Some motes of light merged into the village’s rammed-earth walls and exorcism talismans, making the already sturdy Defense Array even more stable, causing it to shimmer with a faint golden light.

Other motes of light merged into the village’s fields and water sources. The ordinary crops and spring water instantly became imbued with a faint trace of Spiritual Qi; long-term consumption would be enough to extend a mortal’s life and ward off all illness.

Still other motes of light flew directly into the bodies of the young, able-bodied Hunters and children, nourishing their bones, muscles, and bloodlines.

Although the change was faint, given time, these people’s physiques would surely far surpass those of ordinary humans. It might even lead to the birth of descendants with the aptitude for Cultivation.

This was the blessing of a Dragon Monarch!

After doing all this, Yuan Lan finally lowered his hand.

The villagers, meanwhile, were completely immersed in this miraculous gift. They were all too emotional to speak, and could only kneel and kowtow endlessly, expressing their boundless gratitude.

Chen Ye watched from the side, nodding inwardly in approval.

’This Yuan Lan is a principled man.’

’He’s ruthless toward his enemies, capable of obliterating their souls with a single thought.’

’But for his own believers, he doesn’t hold back on rewards, granting them tangible benefits.’

"Well, my business here is finished. It’s time for me to leave," Yuan Lan said to the old chieftain, glancing at the sky.

"Lord Mountain God, you... you’re leaving?" Upon hearing this, the old chieftain’s face immediately showed his reluctance to see him go.

The other villagers also fell silent, watching Yuan Lan with eager, hopeful eyes.

"I need to enter seclusion to cultivate and condense my Lifebound Dragon Pearl," Yuan Lan explained. "But rest assured, I will not leave the Southern Wilderness."

Hearing this, everyone breathed a sigh of relief.

"Then... Lord Mountain God, will we be able to see you again?" a bold child couldn’t help but ask.

Yuan Lan heard this and looked down at the child, a rare warmth appearing in his golden pupils.

He reached out and gently patted the child’s head.

"Of course. The day I emerge from seclusion will be the day you see me again."

After speaking, he turned his head to look at Chen Ye and nodded, then transformed into a streak of golden light that shot into the sky, vanishing over the horizon in an instant.

He had arrived abruptly and left just as decisively.

With Yuan Lan’s departure, the atmosphere in the village relaxed, shifting from the earlier tension and reverence to something much lighter.

Everyone’s gazes landed on Chen Ye in unison.

Shan was the first to speak, laughing. "You’re really something else, kid! You were with the Lord Mountain God the whole time! You had us worried sick a moment ago!"

"Yeah, Brother Chen, the fighting in the sky was so intense just now. Are you okay?"