The Jade Dragon's rising anger instantly dissipated under a gentle pat from the Lord of Stars. Its enormous form shrank down to a size no bigger than a puppy's as it leapt into the Lord of Stars' embrace, looking utterly delighted.
"Master, you've finally awakened! I've been missing you so much I could hardly sleep…" the Jade Dragon exclaimed excitedly.
The Lord of Stars stroked its head with a rare smile. "The past is already behind us. From this moment on, Owen is our ally and friend."
Hearing its master mention this, the Jade Dragon snorted indignantly. "If they hadn't disturbed my slumber, I wouldn't have bothered with them in the first place. But since it's your order, I'll let bygones be bygones."
The Jade Dragon now appeared quite magnanimous, waving its claw dismissively.
“Brother-in-law, even if it’s my sister’s fault, I still can’t approve of your wedding with Leslie!”
The Archdemon lightly smacked Elysia on the back of her head. “Stop meddling in adult affairs.”
Elysia pouted. “I’m already thousands of years old. I’m no child.”
Ignoring her, the Archdemon pulled Owen deeper into the valley.
The valley stretched far and wide, its end nowhere in sight. Dense vegetation grew within, and the air was thick with a powerful life force.
Just taking a deep breath made Owen feel a rush of vitality, easing both his battle-worn body and his depleted mana reserves.
As they ventured deeper, the life force grew so concentrated it felt like a viscous liquid. He could faintly hear the sound of a flowing river up ahead.
“That must be the Fate Crystal,” Owen murmured, coming to a halt.
Before them, embedded in the stone wall of the valley, was a translucent crystal the size of a millstone.
The crystal radiated an overwhelming life force, from which an endless stream of vitality flowed, forming a winding river. The life force in the air emanated from this very source.
The Archdemon gazed at the Fate Crystal, her deep black eyes glinting with desire.
Just by absorbing a fraction of the life force in the valley, some of her white hair had turned back to its original color. If she could absorb the entire Fate Crystal, she was confident she could restore the lifespan she had lost when she forcefully broke through the realm!
She might even go further!
“Go ahead. I’ll guard you,” Owen said with a smile.
The Archdemon nodded and leapt lightly to the crystal, sitting cross-legged before it as she began to absorb its energy.