Quick Travel to the Clouds

Chapter 600 I am a Rabbit-Eared Clan 18

Deep within the stone seat.

A pair of eyes slowly opened.

Those were not the vertical pupils of Gorga, burning with ambition and desire, but something older, deeper, like the icy depths of a frozen pool.

His gaze swept across silently, so cold that it seemed to freeze the flowing candlelight for a moment.

Gorgar immediately stepped forward, bowed towards the shadow, and said in a loud voice with a deliberately amplified temperature: "Supreme One, behold! This is the miracle I have brought back for you!"

He turned to Shen Zi and whispered almost commandingly, "Come, goddess. Show your power!"

Shen Zi, who was called a goddess, hunched her shoulders almost imperceptibly.

The enormous shadow brought not the rudeness and stench of the marketplace, but a silent oppressive force capable of crushing the soul.

Shen Zi lowered her head, her long black hair obscuring her expression, her slender fingers stiffly intertwined.

After what seemed like an incredibly long pause, under Gorga's increasingly anxious gaze, Shen Zi slowly raised her right hand.

His movements were as stiff as a marionette.

The palm was not facing the void, but slightly towards the cold stone floor crack below—where there was only a patch of dust.

Shen Zi's fingertips trembled slightly.

In an instant, several rice stalks grew.

Gorga exclaimed excitedly, “Supreme One, behold, this is the power of the goddess.”

Gorga's booming voice echoed in the empty stone chamber, filled with barely concealed excitement and a hint of eagerness to claim credit.

His thick fingers almost poked into the newly sprouted rice seedlings in the cracks of the floor.

However, there was complete silence in the vast shadow.

Those deep, pool-like eyes seemed to pierce through the warm candlelight, their gaze fixed firmly on that slender, pale figure.

There was no praise, no surprise, only an invisible scrutiny, as cold as the dark river flowing deep within this stone chamber.

Time stretched out thick and long in absolute silence.

Shen Zi's hands had long since fallen limply, her fingertips still seemingly retaining the exhaustion from forcibly stimulating the plants to grow. Her body trembled slightly under the silent pressure, almost shrinking into the huge chair.

The excitement on Gorga's face was gradually replaced by a hint of unease. His straight back unconsciously loosened a little as he nervously peered into the direction of the shadows.

Finally, a voice came from deep within the stone seat.

The sound wasn't loud, yet it strangely drowned out the crackling of burning animal fat in the fireplace, clearly penetrating everyone's eardrums, carrying the cold hardness of millennia-old ice and an unquestionable authority:

“Gorga”.

The young chieftain was startled and immediately bowed deeply: "Great Supreme One! Your humble servant is here!" His posture was so humble that he was completely different from his domineering demeanor in the market.

"The 'thing' you found is indeed quite interesting." The Supreme Being's words were devoid of any warmth, as if he were appraising a novel ornament. "Her power remains here."

This calm declaration, like an ironclad rule, instantly severed Gorga's ownership of Shen Zi.

Gorga's heart sank suddenly, a huge sense of loss and impatience at not being able to fully present the treasure swept over him.

But then came a surge of ecstasy—the Supreme Being had left behind a “miracle,” which in itself was an affirmation of his merits!

"Thank you for the grace of the great Most High!" Gorga's voice trembled with excitement, and he lowered his head even further, his forehead almost touching the cold ground.

"To find and offer such a rare item to the Supreme One is the greatest honor for Gorga and the Red Claw tribe! We are always grateful to you..." He racked his brains to come up with even more flattering words.

"enough."

Two words lightly cut off Gorga's endless flattery. The gaze in the shadows seemed to finally shift from him and fall back on Shen Zi, that gaze almost tangible, carrying a sense of inquiry and undeniable control.

"From this day forward, she shall reside in the 'Eye of Silence.' No one shall approach or disturb her without my command." The High One paused, his gaze sweeping over Gorga, "Including you, Gorga."

"...Yes! The will of the Supreme Being is our law!" Gorga felt a chill run down his spine and quickly agreed. Although he was somewhat disappointed that he couldn't control the "Goddess," the Supreme Being's command was the law of heaven.

"As for you," the Supreme Being's voice was devoid of emotion, "Gorga of the Redclaw tribe...you have done well."

As the words fell, a guard, almost blending into the surroundings, silently emerged from the edge of the stone seat's shadow. He carried a tray covered with a rough but thick, dark red animal hide.

The guard walked steadily to Gorga. Only then did Gorga dare to straighten up slightly, his eyes fixed on the tray, holding his breath.

The dark red animal hide was peeled off.

The tray did not contain gold or silver jewelry.

On the left are five thick, angular stones with a deep, blood-like color—these are "Dragon Blood Crystal Cores," which can only be produced in high-level mines deep within Dragon City and contain pure fire power. They are invaluable treasures for dragon-beastman warriors who cultivate fire-based abilities.

On the right is a palm-sized, deep black animal bone token, polished smooth by some powerful force.

The token's surface was so smooth it reflected light, without any intricate patterns, except for an extremely simple ancient rune etched in the center—a symbol representing "Guardian Glory".

This represents the approval of the Supreme One's personal guard, a symbol of status, and also an invisible deterrent and protection.

"Take it." The Supreme Being's voice was indifferent, as if he were bestowing something ordinary. "Your tribe's offerings for this year's 'Mountain Soul Festival' will be reduced by 30%."

This is the most essential grace!

Gorga's heart pounded wildly, almost bursting out of his chest. The Dragon Blood Crystal Core enhanced personal strength, the Bone Rune symbolized status, and the reduction in sacrificial offerings was a genuine act of generosity towards the tribe's resources!

This means that his people will be able to preserve more precious food and furs for the coming harsh winter!

"Thank you, Your Majesty! Your Majesty's blessings are boundless, extending to all generations!" Gorga suddenly knelt on one knee (this was the highest salute he could offer here), raised his hands above his head, and solemnly accepted the heavy tray.

The warm texture of the dragon blood crystal core and the cold touch of the bone talisman came from his palm, and the immense joy almost overwhelmed him.

Offering Shen Zi to him was the best gamble of his life!

"Go back."

"Yes!" Gorga felt as if he had been granted a pardon, clutching the tray tightly to his chest, bowing deeply once more, his face filled with uncontrollable ecstasy.

He moved cautiously, as if afraid that his footsteps would disturb the presence in the shadows, backing away from the empty and oppressive stone chamber. The heavy stone door closed silently behind him.

Inside the stone chamber, only the flickering light of the fireplace flames and the ever-growing, almost suffocating silence remained.

The luxurious curtains shimmered with a cold light.

The enormous golden chair with animal heads silently testifies to the confinement.

Shen Zi huddled in the chair, as small as a speck of dust. The candlelight illuminated her pale profile, and her long eyelashes cast uneasy shadows beneath her eyelids.

She could clearly feel that gaze from the depths of the stone seat had never left her, like a lingering sore throat, like a chain binding her to a cold pool.

Boundless fear and coldness surged in from all directions, especially from the shadows above the high platform, completely engulfing her.

Here, the true power center of Dragon City is a thousand times more terrifying than that rough market outside.

She dared not look up, dared not breathe, and even her ability to think was frozen under that invisible pressure.

The so-called "goddess" here is nothing more than a rare, breathing object left behind, waiting to be sold.

Deep within the stone seat, a pair of eyes, imbued with endless time and chill, silently gazed at the tiny figure below. The candlelight flickered deep within those pupils, yet it brought no warmth whatsoever.