[Name]: Chi Limei
[Realm]: None
[Destiny Template]: Undying Soul Body (Black)
[Attributes]: ???
[Fate]: After waiting endless years in the Dragon-Seeking Abyss for the fated person, his soul finally scatters after his mission is complete.
[Recent Turning Point]: After an immense passage of time, he finally meets the fated person from the agreement, but it is not the one he wished to see. However, his soul will scatter after his mission is complete, vanishing from this world forever.
It was clear that Chi Limei was also a tragic figure. Lin Yun hadn't known before why Chi Limei was guarding this place, but now he could roughly guess. It was likely due to a bet made with someone long ago. He just never expected that his watch would last for so many years.
Chi Limei scrutinized Lin Yun from head to toe. From his eyes, it was clear he didn't think much of him. Even Lin Yun himself couldn't understand the source of the old man's hostility.
Chi Limei spoke slowly. "The thing you seek is indeed here. But you'd best be prepared. This item is not something that can be taken away so easily." His tone was tinged with a slight disdain. But in all these years, he had not seen a single person who could even reach the Dragon-Seeking Abyss. So, even though his attitude toward Lin Yun wasn't good, he had to admit that the young man before him was the most likely candidate to take the Dragon Spine.
"As long as I can find the item here, that is enough. As for how to take it away, that is not something Senior needs to trouble himself with."
Confirming that the Dragon Spine was indeed here, Lin Yun finally breathed a sigh of relief. He had been worried about what he would do if something went wrong. But now it seemed things weren't as complicated as he had thought.
Hearing Lin Yun's words, Chi Limei's eyebrow twitched, but in the end, he said nothing more. He simply pointed behind him.
There, resting on a dais, was a golden spine. Its twisted shape perfectly matched the pattern of the key from the Nether River Dragon Palace. No wonder he had thought the shape of that key was so strange before.
Just as Lin Yun was about to step forward and take it, Chi Limei spoke again. "I would advise you not to be in such a hurry. This item was once a treasured material, but after so many years, the resentment attached to it is incredibly powerful. With your current strength, if you are drawn into its sea of consciousness, you should know that you have no chance of handling it." Chi Limei's tone was completely certain.
Lin Yun was indeed a very special genius. But in the current situation, even the most talented person would likely have to suffer a bit. He firmly believed that a boy so young simply could not accomplish this.
Lin Yun knew Chi Limei wasn't joking. Nevertheless, he resolutely walked forward. He was in a race against time now. This was just one key. If he wasted too much time on a single key, he feared he wouldn't make it for what was to come.
Seeing Lin Yun's stubbornness, Chi Limei sneered internally. He's too young, after all. He hasn't seen the world, so he thinks such matters are easily handled.
"Hmph. I've said all that needs to be said. If this boy dies here today because of this, it's no fault of mine," Chi Limei seemed to be speaking to someone else.
Lin Yun paid him no mind. He slowly walked forward and placed a hand on the Dragon Spine. When he tried to lift it, however, he found he couldn't move it at all. Though it was just a single, refined bone, its weight far exceeded his expectations. He tried several times but still couldn't lift it.
Chi Limei scoffed. "This item is only for the fated one. I have guarded this place to wait for that person, but it seems you, little one, do not share that fate. Rather than continuing this endless attempt, I would advise you to give up sooner rather than later."
He had thought that with his mission accomplished, he could finally be free. He never expected this boy wouldn't even be able to lift it. Chi Limei was disappointed, but also a little relieved. For such a young man to take away such a secret treasure… it would have left him feeling rather unhappy.
Lin Yun just snorted. "That is not something Senior needs to worry about for me. It's just a single bone."
He knew Chi Limei was looking down on him. At first, he truly couldn't lift it. But he soon understood that if he wanted to take this bone, he first had to suppress the resentment attached to it. Before, this might have been a troublesome task. But the current Lin Yun's understanding of resentful energy was a cut above what it once was.
He slowly expanded his killing intent domain.
Chi Limei, who had been mocking him just a moment ago, now had an expression of utter shock. To be honest, he had never taken this young man seriously, nor did he think he could bring him any surprises. He never would have imagined that someone so young could have already mastered a killing intent domain.
The moment Lin Yun released it, it was as if he had established some mysterious connection with the Dragon Spine. After a short while, he felt himself being forcefully pulled into another place.
It was a world of vast whiteness.
And in this world, the only thing Lin Yun could see was a massive body. It looked like a member of the Dragon Clan. But the creature was covered in wounds, and its breathing was labored.
"I thought I would not see another person before my soul scattered," the great dragon spoke in human words, its eyes scanning Lin Yun. It also seemed surprised that the fated person would be so young.
Lin Yun asked, "May I ask who Senior is?"
The great dragon paused for a moment, as if seriously considering how to answer. After a long while, it spoke slowly. "I have forgotten my own name. But fortunately, I have not forgotten my mission."
The dragon's eyes were bright and full of spirit. It stared at Lin Yun and said, "You wish to take this key? You may. But before that, you must defeat me."
The moment the dragon's voice fell, its form transformed into that of a handsome man.
"As long as you can defeat me, then there is no problem in handing this key over to you," Ao Ruhai said, staring intently at Lin Yun.
Lin Yun knew there was no room for negotiation. If he wanted to take the Dragon Spine, then defeating Ao Ruhai was something he had to do.
He agreed without a second thought. With his current strength, it wasn't as if he didn't have a chance.
Seeing Lin Yun agree, Ao Ruhai also breathed a sigh of relief.