Beast Taming: the More the Better Chapter 918 - 387: Dragon Gate! Dragon’s Mark! (Part 2)

No, that doesn’t seem right. Considering the Dragon Gate's nature, shouldn't someone who hasn't even bonded with a single Dragon Pet be immediately repelled and cast out?

Could it be that his other foot hasn't been lifted yet?

He braced himself, then finally addressed Su Ping, "Ascend!"

Clenching his teeth and no longer heeding the deafening Dragon roars that thundered around him, Su Ping lifted his other left foot and placed it down alongside his right, standing firm.

’Hm?’

The Legendary Holy Dragon was taken aback. Witnessing Su Ping standing on the first step of the staircase caused him a moment of surprise, his reaction delayed.

Clearly, very little in this world remained that could still astonish this being.

It was unfortunate that at this precise moment, Su Ping was oblivious to the subtle shift in the Dragon's expression.

This was because Su Ping himself was utterly bewildered.

All this happened because, near his ear, the Dragon chant morphed into a peculiar Serpentine Script sound as his foot settled, resonating deep within his heart:

’Upon ascending the First Rank of the Dragon Gate, you have obtained the Dragon’s Mark.’

That was it.

Such a brief and simple declaration left Su Ping momentarily slow to process.

He could already sense it – as his feet touched the Dragon Gate’s steps, a faint phantom, a combination of a Divine Dragon and a Giant Dragon, was imprinted within the core of his soul.

While this phantom of the mark was even more ethereal than the Ashen Flame Mark of the Heavenly Tomb, it carried no adverse effects.

On the contrary, Su Ping felt his own spiritual power surge noticeably because of it.

The two Dragon Clan Talents he possessed seemed to have been amplified by this.

Dragon Might and Immortal Dragon Soul?

This enhancement was undoubtedly slight, yet it was still a benefit, and more importantly, it signified something extraordinary!

The Dragon’s Mark?

Su Ping exhaled slowly, a barely perceptible flicker of excitement crossing his eyes.

He was familiar with the Celestial Tomb Mark's capabilities; it could even allow his Paperman Record, already at max level, to progress further under such conditions.

If this Dragon’s Mark…

Su Ping pressed his lips together, then disregarding the peculiar look from the Legendary Holy Dragon behind him, he once again raised his head and tentatively took another step!

The gaze the Legendary Holy Dragon directed his way grew even more unusual.

For when he prepared himself again to intercept Su Ping, expecting him to be ejected by the Dragon Gate, he discovered that Su Ping’s steps had once more landed securely on the second step of the Dragon Gate, with both feet planted.

A Commander Level cultivator who possessed no Dragon Pet – on what grounds could he directly ascend two steps of the Dragon Gate under these circumstances?

Unless he was a juvenile Dragon Clan member, it should be utterly impossible for a human.

This inconceivable sight left the Legendary Holy Dragon uncharacteristically perplexed.

His comprehension of the Dragon Gate was already quite profound.

Naturally, he was aware of some of the Dragon Gate’s inherent Rules.

But precisely because he knew them, this situation made no logical sense!

What granted this brat such privilege? Could this brat have somehow transformed from a Dragon Soul himself?

Utterly impossible.

Yet, regardless of how unbelievable it was, Su Ping remained standing, and once again, he closed his eyes.

For, just as before, as he stood there and the Dragon chant echoed by his ears, that voice materialized once more:

’Upon ascending the Second Rank of the Dragon Gate, the Origin of the Dragon’s Mark is enhanced.’

Within his soul, the phantom of that Divine Dragon and Giant Dragon grew slightly more substantial at that moment.

Its completeness was now nearly on par with the Celestial Tomb Mark.

Clearly, Su Ping’s assumption had been accurate.

His eyes instantly blazed with intense fervor.

Then, at a pace several times quicker than before, beneath the disbelieving stare of the Legendary Holy Dragon, he ascended to the Third Rank of the Dragon Gate once more.

’Upon ascending the Third Rank of the Dragon Gate, the Origin of the Dragon’s Mark is enhanced.’

As this voice resounded again near his ears, Su Ping felt a growing warmth on the backs of his hands.

In the subsequent moment, intricate markings of a Giant Dragon and a Divine Dragon began to slowly materialize on the backs of both his hands.

This is…

Su Ping glanced at them but paid them little heed, and again, he moved his feet!

The Fourth Rank!?

How, by any means, was this brat accomplishing this?

The Legendary Holy Dragon observed Su Ping with a strange intensity; he was eager to uncover Su Ping's ultimate limit.

And to understand what it was that enabled him to achieve this feat.

The Dragon’s Mark now visible on his palm undeniably confirmed that the Dragon Gate had truly recognized this Commander Level Beastmaster, despite his lack of a Dragon Pet.

It was truly regrettable that Su Ping had yet to provide him with a response at this juncture.

This was due to the change in feedback he experienced upon reaching the Fourth Rank, a departure from previous sensations.

'Upon ascending the Fourth Rank of the Dragon Gate, the Origin of the Dragon’s Mark is enhanced. Dragon Gate appraisal Ability obtained: determine whether Living Beings possess Dragon Transformation authorization.'

Verily, once he attained the Fourth Rank, Su Ping could finally command this frequently mentioned Ability.

So, this was the intrinsic capability of the Dragon Gate?

Apprehending the method of activating this detection originated from the Dragon Gate within his consciousness, Su Ping gently exhaled.

Apart from direct appraisal at the Dragon Gate itself, Beastmasters who had mastered the Dragon’s Mark could also conduct remote appraisals. However, the efficacy of remote appraisals was somewhat diminished, and possibly less precise, when contrasted with on-site assessments.

Nevertheless, its utility remained exceptionally high.