C1565 The Ultimate
Elemental Mountain, ablaze like a meteorite, effortlessly breached the barrier under the watchful eyes of the mighty and soared into the heavens. Trailing behind it, the sword light wielded by Lin Daoke vanished in a flash.
The barrier that had safeguarded Hao Ran for eons was suddenly rent open, allowing both Elemental Mountain and Lin Daoke's sword light to cross unimpeded. The guardian of the barrier, clearly aware of the unfolding events, had granted passage without delay.
Those who had feared the fragmentation of Hao Ran breathed a collective sigh of relief as the looming catastrophe receded.
Yet beyond Hao Ran, stationed on massive meteorites and above the moon, beings like Wai Zhuo and Yue Mu, along with the Great Sword Immortal and members of the Spirit Void Sect, Cold Yin Sect, and Devil Palace, were taken aback by the sight of a flaming mountain erupting into the cosmos.
But their confusion was short-lived as they quickly grasped the situation.
"Oh my god!"
"What in the world happened within Hao Ran?"
"What kind of outcome did that council produce?"
The practitioners from the various sects, charged with the defense of Hao Ran, were rendered speechless upon detecting the presences of Yuwen Hao and Tan Xiaotian emanating from Elemental Mountain.
Primordial Yang Sect, Sword Sect, Demon Palace!
These four paramount entities had not only waged war within Hao Ran but, in a rush of fervor, had extended the battlefield into the vastness of space. Was this a battle to the bitter end?
It was common knowledge that internal conflicts would be tempered to prevent damage to Hao Ran's very foundation. But once the fight was taken outside, the stakes were immediately raised, signaling an escalation in hostilities.
"Everyone, hold your positions and do not move!" commanded Han Miaoyuan, who had emerged on the moon with a grave demeanor. "Whether you're from Sword Sect, Devil Palace, Demon Palace, or Primordial Yang Sect, I will not tolerate any further disputes! Wait here for the outcome. I will notify you all once it's decided!"
With that, Han Miaoyuan set off in hot pursuit of Elemental Mountain, now a distant roar in the depths of space.
Meanwhile, within the Profound Dao Flag, his soul's silhouette emerged with renewed clarity.
"Please, everyone, stay within the Ascension Mountain Range."
While Han Miaoyuan's true self was active in the Outland Star River, closely monitoring the ongoing battle, he also took the time to reassure those who had stayed behind. "Under no circumstances can we afford to ignite another war! Hao Ran has taken tens of thousands of years to reach where we are today! I refuse to let our years of hard work go to waste because of an internal conflict!"
The Desolate God stood by the White Divine Tiger, pondering the dire consequences of a battle erupting within the Ascension Mountain Range...
The mere thought made Han Miaoyuan's skin crawl.
He had poured his heart and soul into bolstering the Human Race. Hao Ran's esteemed status deep within the Outland Star River, dominating over countless races, was a testament to the unity between the Human and Demon Races.
Had the humans and demons been locked in endless conflict within Hao Ran, could we have achieved what we have today?
"If the two Divine Thrones had been offered to someone else, perhaps the Demon Palace could have accepted that. But to the Nagas..."
An insider, the old man, couldn't help but reveal a mischievous grin, relishing the turmoil, "Anything associated with that creature ensures she won't see a shred of benefit. Moreover, the Nagas despise her above all! By enabling Loong Jie and Zhong Chichen to ascend to godhood, granting the Nagas two Dragon Gods – the Golden Dragon and the Space-time Dragon – oh, the irony."
The Desolate God's smile was laden with meaning as he gazed upon the Profound Dao Flag.
"Following Zhong Chichen's advice, if Qilin were to perish, the Demon Palace would be left with only Bai and Little White. And her sworn enemies, the Nagas, have just gained Loong Jie. Add the Space-time Dragon to the mix, and do you really think she could stand it?"
With these words, a wave of realization washed over the assembled crowd.
They grasped the reason behind the Demon Phoenix's frenzied actions.
If Zhong Chichen's wishes were fulfilled, causing Qilin's death and elevating Loong Jie and Zhong Chichen to godhood, the Demon Palace would be left with just Bai and the White Divine Tiger.
And in an instant, the Nagas would boast two new Dragon Gods!
Once the threat of the Origin Realm Gate was neutralized and Loong Jie regained his peak combat prowess, she and the White Divine Tiger would struggle against the full might of the Golden Dragon and the Space-time Dragon.
With the Qilin and the three Demon Gods in the world, things seemed somewhat better.
Therefore, even if the Qilin were to perish, it couldn't happen anytime soon.
At the very least, she would have to first address the significant threat posed by Loong Jie in the future.
"Mr. Han."
At that moment, Sky Tiger also spoke up.
The soul of Han Miaoyuan, bearer of the Profound Dao Flag, was clearly visible, his face etched with seriousness. "Go ahead," he said.
"She mentioned something else."
Sky Tiger carefully chose his words, a hint of doubt in his voice. Did the Golden Dragon truly merit such concern?
"She said that Loong Jie is a pure-blooded Golden Dragon. Once he successfully ascends to a Tenth Level Dragon God, he will burst forth from the Vast Expanse to collect divine gold and reforge his dragon body, coinciding with Zhong Chichen's return."
"Zhong Chichen will secure the time he needs. Once the threat of the Origin Realm Gate is neutralized, he will assist him in this endeavor."
"With the Space-time Dragon's assistance, Loong Jie's success in the Outland Star River is assured. It will be exceedingly difficult for us to locate Loong Jie and eliminate him before his ultimate dragon form takes shape."
"In essence, a Golden Dragon in its prime will once again emerge in the Vast Expanse."
"She wishes to know, in this era of Lunar Annihilation, who could withstand a Golden Dragon at the height of its power?"
"You've lived through that age. Give it some thought. Do Lin Daoke and Tan Xiaotian possess the might to bring down a dragon?"
"Are they not masters in the Dao of Soul?"
"…"
Sky Tiger relayed the Demon Phoenix's message.
For this young tiger, the time when the Nagas reigned supreme over the Vast Expanse was an ancient memory.
He hadn't lived through that era, and the dragons he knew of, lacking a Dragon God, didn't seem particularly terrifying.
He even wondered if the Demon Phoenix's apprehension about the Golden Dragon was somewhat exaggerated.
However...
After he spoke, he noticed that Han Miaoyuan, the Desolate God, and Youyu had all lapsed into a heavy silence.
Even Yu Yuan, who was merely a remnant Yin God presence, displayed a contemplative expression, seemingly aware of the Golden Dragon's fearsome power.
"Are Golden Dragons truly that formidable?" Qin Luo of the Red Devil Sect inquired with intrigue.
Zu Ann turned his gaze to Youyu.
Having lived through that era, Youyu was well aware of the formidable strength once possessed by the leader of the Nagas.
"The Space-time Dragon is merely tough to kill because it masters the forces of space and time," Youyu affirmed, reminiscing about the Golden Giant Dragon that once dominated the heavens. "The most powerful state of the Golden Dragon is vulnerable only through its soul. Its draconic form can effortlessly obliterate stars."
"The sun, moon, and all visible celestial bodies shatter at its mere touch."
"It can only be slain once its dragon soul perishes and its body reverts to flesh and blood."
"In our time..."
Youyu's gaze shifted to the imposing White Divine Tiger and Han Miaoyuan, who wielded the Profound Dao Flag, no longer concealing his thoughts.
"If a peak Golden Dragon were to reemerge, only I, in collaboration with the Demon Palace, could hope to vanquish it, provided Loong Jie is in the Vast Expanse."
Following the demise of the Yin God, Youyu became the most potent soul in the Vast Expanse, having exchanged secret arts with the Yin God himself. Thus, he stood the best chance of defeating the Golden Dragon.
The Sky Tiger's expression grew solemn upon hearing Youyu's words, then it added, "She mentioned that if it had been Yuwen Hao who perished instead of the Qilin, then the responsibility to confront Loong Jie upon his vengeful return to the Vast Expanse would fall to you, Han Miaoyuan."
"If you believe you can handle such a Loong Jie, the Qilin's death is acceptable."
"Consider this carefully."
The Sky Tiger settled onto the rock, silent, emulating Lin Daoke by closing its eyes.
Han Miaoyuan's spectral presence on the Profound Dao Flag began to wane.
At that moment, Youyu cast a peculiar glance at Yu Yuan.
Yu Yuan feigned ignorance.
...
Amidst the Outland Star River, within the uncharted Dead Silence Stars, the enraged Qilin repeatedly soared into the sky on the land sealed by Taishi, crashing against the golden barrier and thunderously plummeting back to the ground.
Throughout the entire ordeal, Taishi, who remained unseen, simply chuckled from beneath the earth.
With a laugh, he wielded the laws of the earth at his command. The barren, icy landscape abruptly transformed, with sharp, angular mountains thrusting upward from the ground.
Mountains, thousands of meters tall, materialized as if sculpted by divine hands.
Then, a dozen mountains of equal stature rose up like Elemental Mountain, hurtling towards the colossal form of the Qilin.
Aoao! The peaks pierced the Qilin's monstrous body, resembling long spears that sent sparks flying from its green scales.
The Qilin bellowed in agony, shaking its whiskers, which summoned numerous massive storms that raced towards the nest beneath the golden barrier.
He sensed the Secular Bird within the nest, yet he did not rush to reveal himself.
He was aware that the force set to slay him was not the Primordial Divine King lurking underground, but the Secular Bird harboring deep-seated resentment towards the Demon Phoenix.
As for Yu Yuan...
In the Qilin's view, he was merely a fortunate soul favored by the Dragon Slash Platform. Apart from invoking the platform's power to create a void, there was little cause for concern.
Whoosh!
Yu Yuan, high above, shifted through space and alighted next to Ann Wen.
The Dragon Slash Platform, now a golden barrier, was entirely at his behest, manifesting before this microcosm. Taishi and Chen Qinghuang had already indicated that his presence was unnecessary in this fight.
"Yu Yuan, if the Qilin perishes, what becomes of me?"
Ann Wen's gaze was fervent with yearning.
His craving for the divine throne was palpable. His journey from the vast expanses to the Outland Star River was driven by the pursuit of divinity.
He was convinced that with a divine throne, he would ascend to the highest echelons, beyond the Qilin's reach.
"I'm not unwilling to assist you, but your ascent through the Vast Ocean to godhood is fraught with difficulty," Yu Yuan sighed. "The path I previously revealed to you remains your sole avenue."
