Beast Taming: the More the Better Chapter 917 - 387: Dragon Gate! Dragon’s Mark!
Previously on Beast Taming: the More the Better...
Looking up, Su Ping found himself in a world of absolute darkness, where all else had vanished, leaving only the colossal gate before him.
He had never imagined the legendary Dragon Gate would be an actual gate. Saint Dragon Legend had brought him here with a mere wave of his hand.
This gate was uniquely designed, accompanied by a golden staircase leading up to it. Beyond these elements, only darkness remained.
Su Ping could only gaze upwards, his eyes fixed on the summit of the dozen or so steps, where the immense, golden Dragon Gate resided.
Adorning the Dragon Gate, in the sweeping reliefs flanking its sides, were figures Su Ping recognized instantly. He had encountered them before, depicted within the Myriad Spirit Beast Atlas.
One was a magnificent golden five-clawed Golden Dragon.
The other, a Giant Dragon with dark golden horns, its entire form shimmering with iridescent hues.
These were evidently representations of the Giant Dragon Clan and the Divine Dragon Clan, seemingly etched into the very fabric of the Dragon Gate, a testament to its authentic lineage.
"Is this truly the Dragon Gate?" Su Ping whispered, his eyes blinking. He could perceive a profound and singular power emanating from the gate, powerful and distinct.
Facing this enigmatic structure, an indescribable sensation washed over him.
"Indeed, legends suggest that Dragon City itself originated from this Dragon Gate. The very source of the Dragon Clan appears to stem from this very entrance," Saint Dragon Legend's voice resonated from behind him.
Staring at the imposing gate, Su Ping felt an urge to step forward, but he managed to restrain himself, instead posing a curious question: "What lies beyond the Dragon Gate?"
The sealed gate remained impassive, offering no hint of opening.
To Su Ping's astonishment, Saint Dragon Legend paused, then slowly shook his head. "I am not certain!"
"Not certain?" Su Ping reacted with surprise. How could the current leader of the Holy Dragon of Dragon Nation be unaware of their most revered artifact?
Saint Dragon Legend offered a faint smile. "Su Ping, I assure you, I speak the truth. While I have formed some conjectures about the Dragon Gate's interior, having ascended to the eleventh step and gained dominion over Dragon City, its precise contents remain a mystery.
For entry cannot be forced! The Dragon Gate only reveals itself during the eruption of the Dragon God's Blood, and even then, direct intrusion is impossible."
Su Ping nodded in understanding.
"So that's how it is."
"Does one need to ascend the Dragon Gate's stairs?"
"What do you think? For two hundred years, Dragon Nation has strived to fully comprehend the Dragon Gate's secrets, yet one aspect is undeniably clear: the rewards it bestows are immense!"
Saint Dragon Legend smiled gently.
"Can this thing truly yield benefits?"
Su Ping paused for a moment, after which Saint Dragon Legend subtly inclined his head. "Attempt to walk up."
His eyes sparkled with amusement. His command over the Dragon Gate exceeded any recorded in Dragon Nation's history, despite its recent discovery during the late Liang Dynasty. How many prodigies had ever dared to approach it?
Even so, the twelve steps of the Dragon Gate, known as the process of 'Leaping through the Dragon Gate,' saw very few successfully pass the fourth step; four was the typical limit.
Yet he, the brilliant Saint Dragon Legend, now stood upon the eleventh step. Merely one more stride would place him before the Dragon Gate itself, within its immediate presence.
Perhaps then, he might finally catch a glimpse of the mysteries concealed beyond the Dragon Gate!
Therefore, he was acutely aware of the formidable difficulty in ascending even a single step of the Dragon Gate.
To mention nothing of the overwhelming challenge, the very first step alone was an insurmountable feat for a mere Commander Level Beastmaster like Su Ping.
It was, in truth, exceedingly arduous.
Beyond the stringent requirement of cultivation level, there existed a more profound condition: only through proximity and a genuine connection with dragons could one ascend smoothly!
An understanding of dragons, a deep kinship with dragons.
After all, this was the Dragon Gate!
And Su Ping, despite having encountered Dragon Pets, had not yet managed to form even a single contract. Furthermore, his cultivation remained at the Commander Level; under such circumstances, attempting to ascend the Dragon Gate was utterly unrealistic.
However, Saint Dragon Legend, currently positioned on the eleventh step of the Dragon Gate and possessing significant mastery over it, could guarantee Su Ping's safety, ensuring no harm would befall him even if the Dragon Gate rejected him.
He would later guide the young man to properly interact with Dragon Pets, ideally after he reached the Monarch Level, and form a contract with that special Dragon Pet.
Based on extensive research concerning the Dragon Gate.
Directly contracting a Dragon Pet offered minimal recognition from the Dragon Gate. In contrast, continuously evolving a Pet Beast into a Dragon Pet significantly increased the likelihood of gaining its favor.
That was precisely how his own Divine Dragon had come to be.
Evidently, at this precise moment, Su Ping was unaware of Saint Dragon Legend's true intentions.
Since he had been invited to attempt the steps, he would readily comply.
Without much deliberation, the golden stairs ahead appeared to be enveloped by the echoes of draconic hymns. These twelve steps transformed into a formidable mountain the moment he stirred. Su Ping, with clear understanding, knew these stairs transcended his current capabilities. His footfalls took him onto the initial step of the Dragon Gate. A powerful gust seemed to envelop Su Ping's attire, accompanied by the resonant sound of dragon chants near his ears. The instant his foot made contact, Saint Dragon Legend's brow furrowed with intensity.