Chapter 28

Chapter 28

The waves surged sky-high, and somehow, a torrential downpour had begun, with thunder rumbled and lightning tore across the sky like great dragons. The entire world seemed drowned in a curtain of rain, and even the void itself seemed to be collapsing.

Raindrops the size of beans struck Lu Yuanyin's face with a sharp crackling sound as she struggled to resurface. In an instant, her face was flushed red by the relentless rain. She opened her eyes with difficulty, the salty seawater stung her eyes painfully, leaving her eyes stinging and vision blurred. She could only squint at the two massive silhouettes locked in combat in the air.

The Black Flood Dragon, serpentine yet dragon-like, was covered in scales. His body was smaller than typical dragonkind, with a slightly pointed head and bright yellow vertical pupils filled with barely concealed killing intent and greed. Every time his sharp claws descended, they left gruesome wounds on the green furball's body. The rain diluted the bloodstains, but Lu Yuanyin could still smell the increasingly strong smell of blood. The two combatants' attacks grew more ferocious, the Black Flood Dragon's form hidden within the watery curtain as he surged with the waves or rode the wind, the entire sea seeming to merge with him.

In the time it takes to drink half a cup of tea, Qing Nong had gradually lost the upper hand.

Lu Yuanyin's heart sank. Black Flood Dragons were naturally aquatic Spirit Beasts, born able to command water and rain, summon wind and storms. Within this sea illusion, his strength would only increase, while Qing Nong, though high in cultivation, was not adept at combat.

If this continued, once Qing Nong was defeated, they would both die at the hands of the Black Flood Dragon.

The Black Flood Dragon's fierce, muffled roars echoed in her ears, sending a chill through Lu Yuanyin's heart. Her head felt heavy and dizzy. The cultivators' power was too high; even the residual energy dispersed was enough to grievously wound her.

She couldn't understand—since Lu Sisi's spiritual root had already been reshaped and was no longer needed, why was the Black Flood Dragon still pestering them? Why would he risk offending the Dragon Clan to drag them into this illusion? Once this matter was exposed, he would surely face fierce retaliation from the Dragon Clan... For him to take such risks, what he sought must be extremely precious.

Forcing herself to calm down, Lu Yuanyin took advantage of the moment when the Black Flood Dragon was occupied with Qing Nong to quickly pull out a bottle of spiritual pills and stuff them into her mouth. Her mind raced as she considered how to escape. She thought of seeking help from Huo Wuyan, but had no way to contact him.

Just then, a furious roar sounded through the void.

Looking up, Lu Yuanyin saw the Black Flood Dragon raise his massive tail and strike Qing Nong's forehead with force. The giant furball let out an angry growl and crashed heavily into the water, stirring up towering waves of a thousand feet. A thick spread of crimson rapidly stained the sea surface.

The Black Flood Dragon showed no sign of stopping. He stretched out his long tail, opened his enormous maw, and attacked Qing Nong again. His sharp fangs gleamed coldly in the rain curtain. If this strike hit, Qing Nong would at the very least be severely injured, if not killed... Remembering the days spent with Qing Nong, Lu Yuanyin didn't hesitate. Her fingertips formed seals, and a rust-covered, shabby-looking cauldron materialized behind her.

Gritting her teeth, she bore the terrifying pressure pressing down on her body, then grabbed the cauldron with all her might and hurled it at the Black Flood Dragon's head.

Sensing the sudden disturbance behind him, the Black Flood Dragon paused. Lifting his head, he regarded Lu Yuanyin charging toward him with the cauldron, a flicker of contempt in his eyes. "Brave," he sneered mockingly.

Lu Yuanyin was only at the Great Perfection of the Foundation Establishment stage—to him, no more than an ant or a mayfly by the roadside. Even if he stood there and let her use a hundred moves, she couldn't break through his full body of scales.

The Black Flood Dragon scoffed. Looking at the heavily injured Qing Nong, he lazily stretched his body amidst the roaring waves. His long tail lashed out, hurtling straight toward Lu Yuanyin.

That strike carried immense force, and beneath the giant tail, the surrounding void even began to show faint, spiderweb-like black cracks. The storm raged, black clouds churned.

Qing Nong's head shot up. Through the rain, he saw that slender figure—under the massive Black Flood Dragon and the violent storm, she seemed like a frail blade of grass, ready to be broken at any moment.

Yet, holding the battered cauldron, she resolutely rushed forward to meet the falling tail, giving her all for him...

Qing Nong’s pupils contracted. He surged out of the water like mad, trying to block the blow for her, but the tail had already slammed into Lu Yuanyin!

A dull, thunderous boom echoed as the sea exploded into a thousand layers of waves, instantly swallowing Lu Yuanyin's figure. Qing Nong’s pupils shrank. His eyes nearly bled, and despairing cries escaped his throat. He plunged madly into the seabed, searching frantically for her.

He had never imagined Lu Yuanyin would risk her life to protect him...

A gaping, bloody wound seemed to tear in Qing Nong’s heart. The pain was excruciating, and regret threatened to drown him. If only he had trained as diligently as Hong Rong in normal times, had not been lazy, Lu Yuanyin would not have fallen into such danger!

The Black Flood Dragon flicked his tail, glaring at the despairing Qing Nong. A malicious smile curled on his face as he scanned the sea. "A reckless little fool..."

He had only intended to cut open her abdomen to retrieve the dragon fetus. But this yellow-haired girl had charged forward and asked for trouble.

It couldn't be helped.

The Black Flood Dragon lifted his head, his ferocious face twisting into a cruel grin.

Sensing a message from the outside, his expression darkened, and killing intent flickered in his amber pupils. Massive spiritual power gathered at the tip of his tail. "I'm tired of playing. See you in the next life!" he snarled.

With that, the immense Flood Dragon burst into the raging waves, moving as fast as lightning, darting through the sea. Suddenly, his expression changed: a rust-covered cauldron loomed in his vision, growing larger.

He twisted his body to dodge, but a fierce pain exploded in his head as the cauldron struck heavily. A deafening boom followed, and under their astonished gazes, the scales on the Flood Dragon's head shattered, blood splattering everywhere!

A slender figure like a nimble fish broke through the layers of waves gracefully. With a flicker, it lightly landed on the cauldron, the cold seawater stirring her red dress and black hair. She seemed like a water sprite, hauntingly beautiful.

The Black Flood Dragon and Qing Nong both looked up, disbelief in their eyes.

The Flood Dragon's expression froze, dark blood streaming down his face. His features twisted with fury. "What the hell is that?!"

His hardest scales were his greatest pride. Ordinary spirit artifacts would shatter on contact; even top-grade spirit swords could barely leave a mark or break through his defense.

Yet that cauldron, as shabby as a pickled-vegetable jar, now stood steadily behind Lu Yuanyin, without even a scratch.

How could this Lu Yuanyin have survived his strike completely unscathed?! To have a mere ant escape and even bite back—this was an unbearable humiliation to the Flood Dragon!

Gnashing his teeth, the Flood Dragon felt his head ready to burst. Emotions surged, and he roared in rage, blood flowing faster. Mad with shame and anger, he attacked Lu Yuanyin again with reckless abandon.

This time, he held nothing back. Qing Nong quickly moved forward, grabbing Lu Yuanyin with his claws and sprinting madly away.

Startled by his sudden move, Lu Yuanyin soon calmed, quietly holding onto his claw as he dragged her in a desperate escape.

The illusion was an endless sea as far as the eye could see, with nothing but towering waves and pouring rain.

Lu Yuanyin gasped. Her arms ached as if they might break, her fingers still trembling. Her heart pounded fiercely, still in shock. She had thought she would die under that massive tail, yet when it struck her, she faintly sensed a vast spiritual power enveloping her, absorbing the force.

She glanced at her wrist, where the waterdrop-shaped jade was glowing faintly, a thin crack now running across its smooth surface.

Qing Nong anxiously looked back. The Flood Dragon was closing in fast. A pale light ball appeared on his forehead, flashing violently before transforming into a watery mirror, its images shifting constantly.

But the other end remained silent.

Qing Nong cursed under his breath. "Where the hell is that dead dragon? If he doesn't show up, we're done for!"

Sensing his actions, the Flood Dragon sneered. "Give it up. No one can save you today! If that dragon dares to come, I'll make sure he never returns!"

He had already set up the Celestial Water Demon Formation, with Chang Ye and several elders assisting. Even if it were a fire dragon, let alone an immortal, they wouldn't escape unscathed!

Qing Nong's face darkened. "Damned hybrid!" That wretched Huo Wuyan—normally he arrived so fast, but now when it mattered most, he was nowhere to be seen!

Staring at the shifting Mystic Mirror, Qing Nong gritted his teeth and spoke to Lu Yuanyin in his grasp. "If worst comes to worst, I'll tear open this illusion. You just run—don't look back."

"I said I'd protect you, and I will."

As he spoke, a few drops of hot blood dripped from the corner of his mouth, splashing onto her pale cheek. The thick scent of blood filled the air. Lu Yuanyin's eyelids twitched. Looking at Qing Nong's bloodied body, her eyes stung.

She gazed at the blurry Mystic Mirror, touched the thin crack on her jade bracelet, and unconsciously whispered, "Huo Wuyan..."

Meanwhile.

The leader of the Wandan Sect and several elders, to the astonishment of the crowd, had abandoned their usual arrogant, unapproachable demeanor. With respectful expressions and eager flattery, they escorted a tall male cultivator as he slowly ascended the high platform.

Everyone instinctively looked up, sizing up the unfamiliar cultivator with curiosity and disbelief.

It was well known that the alchemists of the Wandan Sect were notoriously haughty; even the heads of other sects had to show them deference. Yet today, before this stranger, they almost bowed to the ground.

They no longer bothered to watch the disciple competition, instead subtly sizing up the male cultivator on the high platform. That man was extremely tall, nearly half a head taller than those beside him. He wore a black cloak embroidered with a dragon, with white hair cascading down. His face seemed veiled by a thin mist, blurring his features, except for a long tassel of vermilion silk that hung from his right earlobe to his shoulder.

His aura was cold and aloof, like a deity upon the high platform, deterring anyone from staring too long.

More striking were the pair of twisted, gnarled horns growing from his hair, gleaming like jade under the sunlight.

It was a dragon—

They instinctively thought of the dragon elder who had recently caused a stir at the Chongyao Sect—could this be the same person? And why had he suddenly appeared at the Wandan Sect?

Watching the fawning look of the Wandan Sect Leader, they couldn’t help but start spinning conspiracy theories: was there some connection? Could the Wandan Sect Leader be planning to use the dragon’s power to eliminate the Chongyao Sect and dominate this territory?

Expressions shifted among the crowd.

The Wandan Sect Leader, oblivious to the crowd’s suspicions, spoke respectfully, “Please, my lord!”

His gaze was fervent as he looked at the man beside him. They had sent an invitation to this dragon elder when he first appeared, but had received no response.

Just as they thought the elder would not reply, he unexpectedly showed up at the gates of the Wandan Sect. What shocked them even more was how terrifying this elder’s identity was...

The Wandan Sect Leader was ecstatic. He hurriedly poured tea and bowed deferentially, as if attending to his own parents.

For a moment, the mood among the crowd grew even more ambiguous.

Murmurs arose from below, a buzzing noise that was especially grating.

Huo Wuyan sat expressionlessly on the high platform, annoyed by the incessant chatter. He frowned impatiently, casually picked up the teacup on the table, and let his gaze sweep over the crowd, his eyes lingering briefly.

In an instant, his frown deepened. Lu Yuanyin was nowhere to be seen, nor was Qing Nong.

They had begged him to come to this tedious alchemy gathering, and now they had abandoned him here without a trace.

Huo Wuyan pressed his thin lips together. Suddenly, a hazy Mystic Mirror materialized beside him.

He stared coldly at the mirror, his long fingers unconsciously tapping lightly on the table.

The Wandan Sect Leader noticed the Mystic Mirror and felt the pressure beside him growing heavier. Confused and unsure of the situation, he wisely kept quiet.

Huo Wuyan glared at the Mystic Mirror, his irritation mounting. He was about to dismiss it with a wave of his hand.

Then he froze.

He thought he heard Lu Yuanyin’s voice.

His brows twitched. Reaching out, he let his fingertips hover above the Mystic Mirror. From the other side came a roar of fury.

Blood mixed with rain filled his vision. A massive green furball charged into view, covered in gruesome wounds.

From the other end came Qing Nong’s furious curses.

When Huo Wuyan’s face suddenly appeared in the Mystic Mirror, Qing Nong nearly howled in relief. “Help! We’re gonna die! Why did you take so long to pick up!”

Huo Wuyan’s gaze froze. In the furball’s claws was a red-robed girl, lying motionless. Her crimson skirt trailed down; her life or death unknown.

His pupils contracted.

Under the astonished gazes of the crowd, Huo Wuyan abruptly stood up. Before the Wandan Sect Leader could speak, the tall figure had already dissolved into specks of spiritual light, vanishing into the void.

The rain outside grew fiercer, lightning and thunder raging as seawater came rushing in.

The Black Flood Dragon raised his head, his bright yellow vertical pupils fixed on the dim sky. He could sense the violent tremors in the surrounding illusion.

Someone was trying to break into this illusion.

He smirked, bloodthirsty killing intent flashing in his eyes.

Qing Nong and Lu Yuanyin also seemed to sense something. They looked up to see the torrential rain pause momentarily, as a terrifying aura slowly descended from above the illusion.

Lu Yuanyin’s eyes lit up.

In the midst of everyone’s varied expressions, cracks like black lines crawled across the illusion. With a sharp crack, the entire illusion shattered into countless specks of light, dispersing into the void.

As the light scattered, sparks of flame fell from the sky, growing fiercer until they coalesced into the tall figure of a male cultivator.

The wind howled, lifting his loose black robe, flapping noisily.

Seeing that this dragon had actually walked into the trap, the Black Flood Dragon could barely contain his ecstasy. He let out a wild roar of laughter, lashed his massive tail, and the scene before them changed dramatically. The waves calmed, and the surging tide receded.

Several figures darted out from the shadows. They formed hand seals, and countless intricate runes flashed beneath their feet, shifting and transforming into a cage made of water that directly trapped the tall male cultivator.

The sky darkened, clouds churning. The water turned into countless unbreakable blades, hurtling madly toward the person in the center. Blinding spiritual light instantly swallowed his form, and the very void seemed about to collapse.

They continued forming seals, furiously channeling their spiritual energy into the formation. The formation blazed with light, and countless water blades brimming with power relentlessly struck Huo Wuyan’s body.

Leaving bloody gashes on him.

Blood spread.

The Black Flood Dragon smirked. “You dragons are always so arrogant…”

Despite knowing they had prepared for him, this dragon still came alone. He didn’t know whether to praise his courage or mock his stupidity.

Lu Yuanyin’s heart tightened at the sight of the terrifying formation and the dozens of cultivators rapidly gathering around. These cultivators had formidable auras, their spiritual light radiating from them—each one was a top-tier powerhouse capable of dominating a region.

Even Qing Nong’s expression turned grim, a flicker of worry in his eyes.

Against so many experts, even Huo Wuyan might not escape unscathed.

Behind the crowd stood two familiar figures: Lu Sisi and Chang Ye, hovering in the void, looking down coldly at them, watching them tossed about in the waves of spiritual energy.

Lu Sisi was also inwardly surprised. When the Black Flood Dragon and her master had suddenly taken her away earlier, she was puzzled about their secret plans. She never expected they planned to ambush Lu Yuanyin and that dragon elder…

Lu Sisi felt a stab of fear. Even she knew what this meant—if they failed, the consequences would be unbearable.

She looked uneasily at Chang Ye beside her, wanting to ask something, but his icy expression silenced her.

Her feelings were conflicted, but when she saw Lu Yuanyin forced to dodge desperately, delight surged in her heart. Malice gleamed in her eyes—she had long hated Lu Yuanyin…

Before they could catch their breath, the Black Flood Dragon was already closing in again. He lashed his massive tail, his spiritual power swelling, and launched an unstoppable attack. Two other cultivators also mustered their spiritual energy, blocking Qing Nong’s path.

An overwhelming wave of spiritual energy rushed toward them.

Seeing the spiritual power pressing from all sides, Lu Yuanyin tightened her grip on her sword. Then the light around them dimmed as Qing Nong instinctively curled his body protectively around her, hiding her beneath him, intending to shield her with his own flesh.

Lu Yuanyin’s expression changed. The strong smell of blood filled her nostrils as warm drops splattered across her cheek.

He murmured, “When the time comes, run fast. Go to Huo Wuyan.”

The Black Flood Dragon smirked, his twisted face showing a gleeful grin. “Next life, make sure to give me a wide berth. Don’t ever end up in my hands again.”

He couldn't help but let out two loud laughs. What dragon clan? They were nothing but trash! And yet they fell into his trap!

Lu Yuanyin vaguely figured out Qing Nong's plan, her heart skipping a beat. Anxiously, she struggled to break free from her grip, but an overwhelming surge of spiritual energy was already sweeping toward them like a tidal wave.

She quickly summoned her cauldron to shield him for a moment, but Qing Nong only tightened her coils. Lu Yuanyin's pupils contracted as she nearly felt the sharp gale cutting across her cheeks, bringing stinging pain.

A blinding spiritual light suddenly grew in her vision.

The expected pain never came. Lu Yuanyin looked up in surprise, only to see the sky suddenly darken and thunderclouds roll in. The formation that seemed enough to destroy heaven and earth was now covered in black cracks under the crimson-golden flames. With a crisp sound, it shattered into countless spiritual lights, briefly illuminating the entire sky and earth.

A deep, resonant dragon roar slowly echoed through the heavens and earth, stunning people's minds into a daze.

In the dim daylight, a crimson-golden giant dragon slowly opened its eyes amidst the surging waves.

The dragon trod on golden flames, with wings on its back, and directly tore apart the old man blocking its path, blood splattering everywhere.

Everyone's expressions changed drastically at the sight of the dragon.

The appearance of this dragon was so familiar that even a three-year-old child would recognize it—statues of him could be seen everywhere in the cultivation world.

The only dragon in this cultivation world to be born with wings was the ancestor of the dragon clan, the Primordial Dragon.

Yinglong.

Author's note:

I'm here!

This chapter kept getting longer, so it's up a bit late (T_T)/~~

Today, I'll start a lucky draw. Anyone who leaves a comment can join!