Academic gathering with a lich-Chapter 720 - 664 The Plan Goes Through

"Thank you for bringing us the Black Dragon and prosperity, High Priest,"

He knelt on one knee, his head level with his knee, and Lyle could see the muscles bulging on his back like stone carvings, small mounds rising with his shoulder blades squeezing out from the side of his dark grey wolf skin cloak, making the connected straps taut. He stood up, a small cloud of dust rose from beneath his moving feet, and Lyle felt a soreness in his neck as he looked up at the white patterned face.

Ocangas, chief of the Ancient Human Clans. High-bridged nose, thin lips, deep brown eyes set in a square face, those eyes clear and bright without any bad emotions like intimidation or disdain. A scar extended from his left eyebrow, across the corner of his eye to his cheek, adding a touch of ferocity and fierceness to this tall man.

The chief did not give Lyle time to fret over returning the courtesy and quickly made way, gesturing for Lyle and the Necromancer Figure Club members to enter the main tent, a large tent with many large skulls hanging in front of its hexagonal entrance. Next to it were Shamans wearing feathered headdresses and holding bone staves, placing shining ashes into a fire basin, then dancing and emitting roars that might have been singing.

"This is the welcome ceremony. May the spirits of the warriors who died in battle inhabit your bodies and bless you to become stronger," said Ohmhead, the Black Dragon Priest, casually walking up beside Lyle, following the chief and talking.

"That doesn’t sound very good," Lyle said, glancing at the drifting smoke and feeling a bit panicky. The Shamans were muscled. Could those ashes really have some effect?

[This is a sacrificial ceremony cooked up by Al. It’s to fool the clanspeople.] The Black Dragon Priest whispered in Draconic beside Lyle, his solemn gaze fixed forward, pretending to have great respect for the ceremony. [There is no magic here, the Shamans are actually knowledgeable herbalists.]

A snort sounded, Al’s golden eyes filled with a provocative look as his massive body slithered along the cliff walls, climbing into the higher levels of the cave system where his Dragon’s Nest was, the entrance hidden in darkness. Scales left scratches on the rocks as the Black Dragon retreated into the cave, only its glowing eyes watching everything from the darkness. 𝗳𝚛𝗲𝕖𝚠𝚎𝚋𝗻𝗼𝕧𝗲𝐥.𝚌𝚘𝐦

Lyle saw that, after the Black Dragon Priest looked away, the star to the left flickered rapidly like a faulty electric bulb.

Lyle muttered to himself, "Can the eyelids of reptiles be that remarkable?"

"What?" Ohmhead looked up.

"Nothing."

Lyle followed Ocangas into the chief’s tent. Several bone-armrest chairs, which seemed to be made by Shiny and the others, were there. The tent was decorated with processed furs and bone ornaments, and a mild stench that wasn’t too unpleasant warmed by the fire basin. Ocangas sat on the largest armrest chair and quickly relinquished control of the discussion.

"Elder Ohmhead," with a greeting, the chief shifted his gaze to his own collection, as if no longer interested in the conversation.

The Black Dragon Priest coughed twice, his usually stern face breaking into a stiff smile.

"Welcome, Lyle, your purpose for this visit is..."

Ohmhead seemed to notice something, Lyle pushed aside the conspiracy of Al, pointed at Shiny and the others, and said with a smile, "I am assisting the Green Dragon with the clan relations in the Dream Forest. There are some research projects that require the assistance of Shiny and his team. If the Ancient Human Clans do not mind, Highness Ohmhead, I would like to take my club members back with me."

"Of course, we have had a pleasant cooperation with the Necromancer Figure Club... Shiny and the others have already completed most of their contract; the rest is nothing important," the Black Dragon Priest paused, "Lyle, how is Irason doing? Dream Forest Land, any assistance needed from us? It’s also our duty to help each other as Dragon Kin."

"I have a proposition, Ohmhead," Lyle said, seeing the Black Dragon Priest’s hand move slightly upward on his staff, "I am constructing dreams, and I intend to create another world within those dreams. A world that will encompass all of us. If possible, I would like the newly emerging Ancient Human Clans to be a part of it too, to have your images and culture spread amongst the Dream Elves."

"That sounds quite tempting. The Ancient Human Clans have been isolated from the world for far too long. We need to establish connections. What would the Black Dragon Kin have to surrender in return?"

"Knowledge, skills, your power techniques..."

Ohmhead waved his hand dismissively, "We don’t possess those things, Lyle. The strength of the Ancient Humans only awakens in Dragon Blood; our power cannot be replicated, unfortunately."

The crux of the matter had arrived, and Lyle took a subtle breath, then chuckled.

"That’s going to be a bit of a problem then," he said feigning contemplation for a minute before tossing out the bait, "If it’s agreeable to you, Lord Ohmhead, please allow me to introduce some fighters skilled in combative techniques to your kin. Trust me, they will craft a set of martial arts tailored for the Ancient Humans’ savage strength with enough experience. If you’re worried about exposing Sahazaan to outsiders, I can act as an intermediary to pass on these techniques."

The Black Dragon Priest sat in his armchair, supremely calm, without an extra movement. Clan Leader Ocangas leaned forward, his gaze intently on Lyle, curious about the ways to make his people stronger, but still he remained silent.

"That’s the line you and Alcalon prepared, isn’t it?" Ohmhead placed his staff before him, hands clasped on top of it. A sly smile hung on his stern face. "If I agree, will you, in a few days, find some excuse to say the intermediary has been replaced by a Black Dragon, and then, the martial art of your master, the Dragon Father, will become my Ancient People’s trump card? It’s a heart-stirring thought, Lyle."

"But it won’t do!" Ohmhead’s reply was firm, "The competition with Morocoy, Alcalon, and other great dragons is ongoing. The Dragon Father’s blessing would affect the fairness of the competition. Lyle, if you truly wish to find a martial arts mentor for the Ancient Humans, he must come to Sahazaan himself and personally impart his skills under my supervision."

The Black Dragon Priest’s tone softened slightly, "I understand your intentions and those of Al, Lyle, but children, there are things higher and nobler than life. Please forgive this old man’s obstinacy; I must do this. As the Black Dragon Priest, the Ancient Human Clans must adhere to my rules!"

Lyle, head bowed, looked at the Black Dragon Priest Ohmhead with complex emotions. Accompanied by Shiny and others, he left the tent, and before leaving, he sighed towards the Black Dragon Priest.

Lord Ohmhead, you think too highly of us. Compared to you, who runs glorious through your veins, Alcalon is rotten to the core.

Lyle’s expression twisted from holding back laughter, resembling the dejection of defeat.

"So, Lord Ohmhead, when I find the suitable martial arts mentor, please do your utmost to urge the Ancient Human Clans not to let our painstaking efforts go to waste."

"As long as my requirements are met, I will, Lyle. That is a warrior’s promise."

Eventually, Lyle, accompanied by Shiny and the others, left the mountain range where the Ancient Human Clans settled. Before the light of the Skeleton Gate swallowed them up, Lyle raised his arm in a salute.

A raised thumb silhouetted against the shadow of dragon wings.