Chapter 469: The Dragon Clan Central Institution

, Little White slanted downward and landed in front of the second branch temple!This time, Hao Ren didn't store it away but let Little White follow him and Zhao Yanzhi.Similar to the Temple of Malevol...Chapter 469: The Central Institution of the Dragon Clan

The young dragon worked hard and diligently, never skimping on word count or padding content. I hope all capable readers will subscribe...

The plot is getting more exciting; it's time to see how supportive you guys are—Dragon's mind is going wild with ideas...

The grand Dragon God Temple was somewhat similar to the Nine Dragons Palace, where that towering black spire stood. In fact, from the floating platform to the central Dragon God Temple, there were traces of imitation from the Nine Dragons Palace.

However, no matter how magnificent the Dragon God Temple was, it couldn't match the imposing aura of a super city rising from the ground like the Nine Dragons Palace. If the Nine Dragons Palace is compared to an entire city like Donghai City, then the platform of the Dragon God Temple would be a piece of land within that city, and the Dragon God Temple itself a skyscraper on that land.

The Dragon God Temple was constructed from countless pieces of black stone. As soon as he stepped into its entrance, Hao Ren immediately felt an icy chill seeping through his bones.

The materials for these black stones were extraordinary—just the resources used to build this grand Dragon God Temple would be enough to make cultivators look up in admiration and awe. The strength of the Dragon God Temple was not ordinary, and with these materials combined with various formations, it actually turned the Dragon God Temple into a massive magical treasure!

"Each area inside the Dragon God Temple has specific permissions; you can't just wander around隨意闖入。" Su Han said to Hao Ren as they walked in.

“Mm.” Hao Ren nodded, observing the interior of the Dragon God Temple as he went.

The main structure inside was built with black stone blocks. The air within the Dragon God Temple was filled with icy coldness; the further Hao Ren ventured in, the colder it became, and he couldn't help but shiver. He immediately activated the Sword Shadows Technique to alleviate the bone-chilling sensation.

Aside from being cold, the square structure also gave a sense of stuffiness. From the outside, the Dragon God Temple was a black rectangular building, yet inside there were countless right-angled corners and pillars.

"Actually, each area within the Donghai Dragon Palace has specific permissions too," Su Han continued, "but since you're Zhao Wang's personal aide, no one would stop you."

Hao Ren turned to look at her. She then added, “However, this is the Dragon God Temple. No matter how prestigious your status is, you are merely a Level 3 Inspector, and if you make any mistakes, the Dragon God Temple has the authority to punish you.”

Her expression was very serious, making Hao Ren feel a chill run down his spine.

In fact, the Donghai Dragon Palace did consider personal relationships to some extent. However, the Dragon God Temple followed strict rules; this could be inferred from Jinlong's Qin Shaoyang acting so arrogantly yet never defying the regulations of the Dragon God Temple.

Similarly, a Qian-level cultivator like Su Han would be demoted to Level 3 Inspector due to her involvement in the Eastern Sea matters.

The position of inspector represented certain privileges but also direct oversight from the Dragon God Temple.

Dong, dong... footsteps echoed on the black stone floor inside the Dragon God Temple as Su Han walked.

"Take out your token and hang it at your waist," Su Han instructed.

Hao Ren followed her instruction, removing his inspector's token from his body. He noticed that the token had turned yellow while he was inside the Dragon God Temple.

They met other inspectors coming their way; these other inspectors wore white tokens at their waists.

Approaching Hao Ren and Su Han, the inspectors respectfully moved to the sides, saluting them as they passed by.

"The tokens outside the Dragon God Temple look similar except for the different number of golden dragon claws carved on them. However, inside the temple, they show different colors: a white token for level one inspectors, silver for level two, yellow for level three, and gold for level four."

Su Han further explained, though she was not really fond of talking much. She just thought that since this was Hao Ren's first time at the Dragon God Temple, there were some things he should know.

Of course... her patience only applied to Hao Ren.

"I still recommend you wear your token outside when walking around in the temple as different levels have different areas they can move about," Su Han said.

As she was talking, a level four inspector wearing a golden token came from the opposite direction. Su Han nodded slightly and greeted him, but he only glanced at her before nodding back without looking at Hao Ren and walking past them.

"Within the Dragon God Temple, higher-level inspectors can command lower-level ones to do things, although those level four usually give tasks to level one or two inspectors. You don’t need to worry about it," Su Han said as she walked with a slight glance at Hao Ren. "And you’re mine… I doubt any blind level four inspector would dare order you around."

Yours... Hao Ren’s heart skipped.

Su Han spoke lightly, but her words were full of authority.

The number of level four inspectors was not large, and Su Han was almost the strongest among them. They all recognized her, so even if she had dropped to a level three inspector, they would still give her some respect.

Su Han led Hao Ren into a small room ahead.

Inside was an old man who looked somewhat like Xia Chancellor from the Eastern Sea Dragon Palace, with wrinkles covering his face and showing his aged state.

"Old Luo," Su Han called out softly as she walked over to him leading Hao Ren.

"This is…" the old cultivator named Luo squinted at Hao Ren beside Su Han.

"The newly appointed level three inspector, Hao Ren. I’m bringing him here to register," said Su Han.

"Oh… Right, your assistant inspector." The old cultivator nodded. "Little Su, you never used to have an assistant inspector before; this is unprecedented."

Assistant inspectors could not enter the Dragon God Temple but still needed to be registered in the inspector roster. Hao Ren’s promotion from assistant inspector to level three was a significant event that this old cultivator responsible for keeping records knew about, though he did not expect the new level three inspector to be so young.

"He is now also an area inspector of Donghai City," Su Han said.

The old cultivator handed Hao Ren a brush and pointed at the roster. "Sign your name here."

Hao Ren took the brush, channeled his spirit energy into it, making the tip as hard as a steel pen; he then signed with swift strokes.

The old man touched Hao Ren’s token on his waist lightly, and several points of light appeared and disappeared from it.

"As you’re a new inspector here, I’ll tell you this: apart from registering in the roster, there are also various tasks available," said the old cultivator as he handed Hao Ren a thick book.

Hao Ren flipped through the book and saw that it was full of tasks assigned by the Dragon God Temple to inspectors. He then looked at recent records which showed several completed ones:

Wuyi Mountain Area, Hundred Year Demon Bee; unable to deal with them, Wuyi Mountain Earth Dragon Palace requests assistance… Third level inspector Ye Fei intercepted Ren Cha… Guimao Year second month sixteenth day, bee swarm exterminated.

Xihai Qianling Island, a Xun-level cultivator named Kong Ling caused harm to ordinary people by recklessly triggering the heavenly and earthly "injury"...

In Art District 1825 of Donghai City, one spirit stone. Intercepted by Inspector Moye at levels one and two... On the third day of the seventh month in the year Xinmao, the spirit stone was destroyed.

Hao Ren paused when he saw this.

This spirit stone was the one that had accidentally dropped onto a rooftop before and was sent layer by layer to a national research institute. It appears that Inspector Moye has already destroyed it. The national research institution is now desperately researching an ordinary rock that replaced the spirit stone, which definitely won't yield any results.

"Hao Ren, let's go," Su Han gently tapped Hao Ren.

Inspection Officers can increase their contribution points by intercepting missions posted by the Dragon God Temple and exchange them for rewards or experience. However, Su Han felt that it would be more practical for the current Hao Ren to focus on cultivating diligently.

"Since the imprint has already been activated, let Xiao Su take him in," said an old cultivator.

“Thank you Senior Luo,” Su Han politely responded and led Hao Ren out of the room.

"The token flashed a few times just now. What was that for" Hao Ren asked softly.

"It's only when you first come to the Dragon God Temple that your token permissions are activated here. Otherwise, every step deeper inside is a trap," Su Han explained.

Hao Ren was secretly shocked; he thought the defenses of the Dragon God Temple were indeed foolproof.

Even if some skilled cultivators could forge an Inspection Officer's token and trick their way past the outer barriers to enter the entrance of the Dragon God Temple, they couldn't penetrate further into its depths.

This old man was like a guard at the entrance hall on the first floor of the Dragon God Temple. The first-time inspection officers must be recognized by him before he personally opens up different levels of permissions according to their ranks.

"What realm is he" Hao Ren asked.

“Gan-level,”

Su Han calmly replied.

Hao Ren sucked in a cold breath. The guard at the Dragon God Temple was actually Gan-level!

"There are many hidden dragons and tigers inside the Dragon God Temple, so don't act rashly," Su Han advised upon sensing Hao Ren's thoughts.

Su Han led Hao Ren towards a staircase made of black stones. On one side of the stairway was a square pillar with a golden two-clawed dragon marking on it.

"A two-clawed golden dragon means that the area we're entering is restricted to Inspection Officers level two and above," Su Han explained.

Following behind Su Han as he ascended the staircase, Hao Ren looked back at the hall and realized that a Level One Inspector could only stay on the first floor of the Dragon God Temple.

The first floor contained nothing else apart from the room where the old man intercepted missions and some rest and exchange areas for Inspection Officers.

The monks who would do anything to become inspectors actually aim for the rank of Inspector, which grants them the status and opportunities to receive various tasks through the Dragon Temple.

Even so, all dragon factions still vie fiercely over these few positions, proving how imbalanced resources are between big and small forces.

"Don't you think there's a difference between inside and outside of the Dragon Temple" Su Han asked as they walked along.

"Difference..." Hao Ren paused to ponder.

The chilly Dragon Temple had spirit energy levels seven or eight times that of the outside world!

Hao Ren often practiced in the Fifth Heavens, where spirit energy was three or four times denser than the First Heaven. Due to a hidden low-quality spirit vein on Mysterious Peak, its spirit energy concentration was even higher. Combined with Zhen Cunming's Seven-Star Formation that could condense spiritual energy, the peak had spirit energy concentrations close to seven or eight times that of the First Heaven.

Thus, Hao Ren felt cool in the Dragon Temple but nothing special about it. However, for most dragon cultivators, this place was a paradise for cultivation!

Becoming an inspector—whether primary or secondary—meant enjoying spirit energy concentrations seven to eight times richer than outside.

This was equivalent to the Dragon Temple itself being a super-grade spirit vein; cultivating within it would yield double the results with half the effort!

"I joined the Dragon Temple back then to reach higher realms," Su Han said nonchalantly.

Areas above the Fifth Heavens were the headquarters of cultivation sects, off-limits to regular dragon cultivators. Hao Ren practiced the Wuxing Sword Art that balanced five elements; Zhao Yanzi and Xie Yujia cultivated human techniques; Lu Linlin and Lu Lili weren't dragon cultivators either; nor did Zhen Cunming exude a dragon aura—so they could move freely in the Fifth Heavens.

No one dared to enter the Fifth Heavens unhesitantly unless they were of Rank Kun or higher, let alone establish a secluded valley for cultivation there.

Even Su Han wouldn't dare venture into the Fifth Heavens before reaching Rank Kun. Cultivation sects were highly sensitive to pure dragon auras; as human cultivators' front line against dragons in the Fifth Heavens, it had formidable alertness. A dragon entering meant immediate counteraction from Sixth or even Seventh Heaven level cultivators.

"This staircase is round," Hao Ren remarked suddenly while following Su Han.

While all structures in the Dragon Temple were square, this spiral staircase was a stark contrast.

One side of it touched golden walls; the other connected to rooms layer upon layer—like hotel rooms or offices. Larger rooms made of translucent crystal served as gyms, libraries, small bars, but here they functioned as practice halls, martial arts houses, rest centers.

The doors and pillars bore three- or four-clawed golden dragon symbols, indicating the inspector's clearance level for entering those areas.

"The Dragon Temple is where you can improve your strength fastest, offering optimal cultivation conditions, top-grade pills, best techniques, and various external trials and internal sparring," Su Han said.

Hao Ren nodded. Having seen the dazzling wealth of East Sea Dragon Palace, he wasn't overly excited. But for cultivators from small factions lacking resources, the Dragon Temple was their ultimate institute and academy, a place they would long to be in.

Columns next to the staircase bore three-clawed golden dragon marks.

Beyond this point, only third-grade inspectors could enter.

The higher up they went, the colder it became. But correspondingly, spirit energy grew denser too. could he have time to read books. However, what his mother said made sense; since Xie Yujia lived here, it wouldn’t be right to neglect her."Mom, if you don't need anything else, go upstairs and rest...