Chapter 377: Reunion with the Earth Mother Goddess.
The tunnel ahead was uneven, and aside from signs of Glittering Dragons passing through, there were also small tunnel entrances visible along the walls, indicating that the Odd-Faced Tribe had extensively developed underground pathways.
After traversing a long tunnel, the scenery suddenly opened up to reveal a familiar yet strange field of soft gold, shimmering brilliantly.
Before stepping onto this field of golden softness, an incessant cacophony of noise reached their ears.
At the exit of this passage lay the tribal camp of the Golden Odd-Faced Tribe.
Masked beastmen smeared in gold were yelling wildly, grabbing all sorts of weapons and rushing towards Jié Jié who led the charge.
Explosive bombs and paralyzing throwing knives flew toward them, but they lacked any real strategy or threat.
Jié Jié swatted left and right with his claws, sending the beastmen flying out of the cave entrance one by one.
Emerging from the cave, when the monsters behind him began attacking or preparing to attack, the beastmen abruptly stopped, standing frozen in place.
Realizing what was happening, the Golden Odd-Faced Tribe members fled by burrowing into the ground while those still stunned collapsed onto the floor in fear.
Jié Jié even caught a whiff of urine.
However, among the monsters following him seemed to be a peculiar human.
An Odd-Faced Tribe member encountered at the entrance wiped off the gold on their mask and strutted confidently between the monsters, knocking here and there, acting as if they owned the place, much like in a script for the return of the Dragon King.
“○◎◎◎◎！！！”
The Odd-Faced Tribe member stood hands on hips laughing loudly until Jié Jié lowered his head and sniffed him, causing him to stiffen and quickly turn around, attempting to escape into the ground without hesitation.
“Tsk, borrowing my might and still trying to run?”
Jié Jié’s claw slashed leaving a streak, hooking the Odd-Faced Tribe member back into his grasp, dangling them mid-air.
The Odd-Faced Tribe member on the ground who had been struck started shouting again, but upon seeing him, one after another burrowed underground like fleeing ginseng spirits.
As for the Odd-Faced Tribe member dangling in his hand, his eyes stared straight ahead, seemingly content with his display of borrowed power.
Interesting.
Jié Jié gently placed the Odd-Faced Tribe member down. Once released, he sat on the ground looking at him, made eye contact, and instead of fleeing, began gathering items from the camp.
He found a burlap sack, explosive flasks, small daggers, masks, mace-like clubs, meat, and other miscellaneous items, stuffing them all inside.
Jié Jié didn’t rush to move within the Golden Land, opting instead to observe him.
The Odd-Faced Tribe member quickly finished packing, then reached into the dirty sack, pulling out some grimy meat which he offered to Jié Jié.
“Emmm…”
He looked at the dirty piece of meat, thought for a moment, decided not to eat it, and continued staring at the Odd-Faced Tribe member.
“○◎◎!”
Unperturbed, the Odd-Faced Tribe member hummed a tune and began dancing in front of him.
Jié Jié watched him dance, his body moving slightly in rhythm.
Seeing his movement, the Odd-Faced Tribe member appeared delighted, making his dance and melody more spirited.
With great enthusiasm, the beastman danced over to Jié Jié’s side, joining the team.
Jié Jié looked at the Odd-Faced Tribe member, shrugged, and silently approved of his inclusion.
Realizing these dragons were visiting the Golden Land, the beastman raised his mace, gesturing repeatedly.
Was this guy offering himself as a guide?
Jié Jié pondered for a moment, his claw drawing a somewhat abstract figure on the ground.
Fortunately, the Odd-Faced Tribe were abstract artists, so the beastman pounded his chest, giving the impression of taking full responsibility.
Leading Jié Jié and his group of dragons along winding paths frequented by Glittering Dragons, he occasionally studied the tracks or identified surrounding marks.
Yet amidst the shocked gazes of fellow tribesmen, he walked proudly with great confidence.
Jié Jié closed his eyes and emitted his perception; the massive energy source representing the Glittering Dragon was indeed located two levels below the Golden Land, confirming their direction was correct.
Relaxing his thoughts, he automatically followed the Odd-Faced Tribe beastman ahead.
This interesting individual had almost made him want to bring him along.
The palace gates were already open, allowing them unobstructed access to the third level where they saw the golden figure resting by the edge of the Lava Pool.
The Lava Pool pulsed faintly with the dragon’s breathing, radiating waves of scorching light.
The Glittering Dragon’s gaze was fixed on the bubbling lava, as if daydreaming.
“Huuu~”
Jié Jié let out a deep sound, curious about how the Glittering Dragon would react upon seeing him.
Would they fight? His previous attempts to hunt Glittering Dragons for their crystals in the Dragon Crystal Land from the Giant Ant Hill Wasteland had failed.
If they fought now, he was sure to secure the golden Dragon God Jade.
The resting Glittering Dragon turned its head to look at them.
Its gaze paused briefly before lifting its head sharply, appearing incredulous.
It resembled a bored Husky lying on the living room sofa, suddenly perking up upon hearing someone come home.
Surprise faded from the Glittering Dragon’s eyes, replaced by a focused stare at the leading Flame King Dragon, as if identifying something.
The golden skirt swirled around as she turned, splashing the Lava Pool with massive waves.
Lava splashed onto her golden armor, heat conducting across it, making her appearance even more dazzling.
The Earth Mother Goddess approached with immense power and heat.
“You’ve grown stronger, but so have I.”
Jié Jié raised his head, locking eyes with the approaching Earth Mother Goddess.
Warmth and slight trembling came from beside him; Nana tensed up and growled softly, sounding like encouragement.
The Odd-Faced Tribe member also hid behind his forelegs, clinging to his leg.
Fire Dragons flapped their wings, circling in the air, while Sui Long retreated but prepared to advance.
The resplendent Golden Mountain lowered its head, its body pressing closer, though the weight did not fall on Jié Jié but rather near him, as if reminiscing.
Based on first impressions, the Glittering Dragon should recall his repeated intrusions negatively.
But as the reminiscing expression faded, the monster before him did not unleash a sharp roar nor scorch him with intense heat.
Her gaze flickered with anger, then anticipation, twinkling amidst the fury.
The Glittering Dragon lowered her head again, seemingly observing the fluctuating lava, but her emotions were clearly far more complex than when watching the lava.
Should they fight, the Earth Mother Goddess, who had conquered the Dragon Crystal Land, would gladly engage.
Not fighting, they could stay here for her entertainment.
Jié Jié noticed the Earth Mother Goddess’ boredom during her lucid moments, and compared to before, he had learned many things beyond fighting.
Chapter 378
