The crimson-haired creature moved again, brandishing its divine lance. A tempestuous wind howled, the void collapsed, and chaotic energy surged as the razor-sharp blade gleamed with a blinding radiance, thrusting forward.
*Clang!*
Dugu Yun, descendant of the Guardians, his body gleaming like forged gold, met the attack head-on with his celestial halberd. The two divine weapons collided like crashing metal mountains, sparks flying and divine light erupting.
The impact was akin to a planetary collision—the heavens and earth split apart, the deafening roar shaking souls as blinding light flooded every inch of space.
This was a decisive battle, with both combatants evenly matched, neither able to gain the upper hand.
The onlookers paled. Even elites like Lü Tuo and Yao Yue felt a sense of threat. Though they had cultivated three strands of immortal qi, they watched with grave expressions.
“Too strong. Few can stand against them, let alone halt their advance!” someone sighed.
“Do you truly wish to cross that boundary gate?” the crimson-haired creature bellowed.
“Yes. I must return to my ancestral land, bathe in the golden sacred river, and undergo my transformation—my golden blood shall boil!” Dugu Yun declared. This was not just a ritual but a journey of rebirth for his lineage.
Such a baptism would elevate him to unprecedented heights!
“That place is not solely your domain. Other clans dwell there, and none shall permit your passage. Discovery means death!” the crimson-haired creature warned.
“That is my concern, not yours. Just reveal the ancient path to the boundary gate!” Dugu Yun insisted.
“Very well. Since you are so obstinate, I shall grant you the chance!” The creature’s silver pupils darkened ominously as it withdrew its lance and ceased fighting.
The battlefield lay in ruins, divine runes shattered beneath the devastation. Only a dilapidated temple and the low hills remained.
Pointing at the cliffside, the creature said, “Release my ancestors, and I shall tell you!”
Qing Yi swiftly translated its words, igniting an uproar. Fury blazed in everyone’s eyes.
“Such arrogance! Do you take us for fools, daring to speak thus before us?” someone snapped, unable to restrain their outrage despite knowing the creature’s might.
The towering crimson figure leaned on its lance, sneering. “Ignorant wretch, you dare interrupt me?”
With a flick of its hand, a colossal dragon’s claw materialized, tearing through the sky toward the speaker, who found himself paralyzed—utterly helpless.
Without intervention, death was certain.
The crowd would not stand idle. Shi Hao frowned, ready to act, but Xuan Kun, being closer, roared and threw a punch to intercept the claw.
*Clang!*
Fist met claw, the metallic resonance nearly rupturing eardrums.
“Two strands of true immortal qi and one false strand—how shameless to flaunt such weakness before me,” the creature mocked, its voice now intelligible to all via divine sense.
“You—!” Xuan Kun seethed. As a top-tier expert with three immortal qi strands, he had never been so insulted.
“Let me be clear: in single combat, I could slaughter every last one of you!” The creature pointed its lance disdainfully.
*Boom!*
Xuan Kun retaliated with a palm strike, fingers shimmering with five-colored radiance, channeling the power of the five elements.
Others seethed with rage. This creature, sealed for so long, still dared to belittle the heroes of the Nine Heavens and Ten Earths. They prayed for Xuan Kun’s victory.
*Swoosh!*
The lance blazed, unleashing thousands of divine beams that shattered the void. The crimson figure was unstoppable, swinging its weapon with devastating force.
It aimed to cripple Xuan Kun’s hand, the blade gleaming with the reflection of worlds, exuding terrifying chaotic energy.
The air thundered with dao resonance as Xuan Kun’s palm force erupted like a flood, divine runes weaving a dense net.
He swiftly formed seals, invoking an ancient celestial art—his ultimate technique—to suppress the creature.
Their clash intensified.
Suddenly, golden lotuses bloomed around the crimson figure, shielding it from all attacks.
Xuan Kun’s assault faltered. Despite his desperate efforts, he was forced into retreat.
*Swoosh!*
The lance descended like a rainbow, splitting the heavens into countless deadly afterimages.
Xuan Kun was outmatched. The final exchange was brutal—*thud!*—blood sprayed high as the lance’s edge, sharper than any blade, cleaved downward.
With a grunt, Xuan Kun’s right arm was severed. His counterattack, aimed at mutual destruction, was blocked by the golden lotus petals.
The crimson figure grinned cruelly, swinging the lance horizontally.
*Thud!*
Blood gushed as Xuan Kun screamed, his body bisected at the waist, spine shattered.
“Pathetic. A false supreme dares challenge me? I am the imperial clan’s young supreme!” The creature raised its lance for the killing blow.
Many shouted in alarm, but they were too far to intervene.
*Swoosh!*
Sword qi pierced the sky as the two academies’ elites with three immortal qi strands acted—yet it might be too late.
*Clang!*
At the critical moment, Dugu Yun, standing closest, flicked a finger, unleashing a blinding beam to intercept the lance. He followed up with his halberd, sparks flying as immortal qi roiled.
“What are you doing? Do you no longer seek the boundary gate?!” the creature roared.
Simultaneously, the others’ attacks rained down—divine rainbows blotting out the sky.
Even the crimson figure dared not face such a barrage. It vanished, reappearing by the cliffside, poised to retreat.
Someone retrieved Xuan Kun’s severed halves. The lance’s lingering divine runes corroded his essence, withering his flesh. Though reattached, his bones and organs were shattered.
He was out of the fight.
“Fools. Daring to oppose the imperial clan—you court death!” the creature sneered.
The crowd’s fury ignited. Being likened to livestock—mere food—was an intolerable insult.
They surged forward, ready to swarm it.
The creature pressed a hand against the cliff, preparing to leave. “Dare to face me one-on-one? Or I’ll permit two or three of you at once!”
The taunt was blatant, dismissing them all.
The immortal academy’s experts stepped forward. “We’ll grant your wish for defeat!”
“Come then!” the challenger shouted.
Ignoring him, the creature turned to Dugu Yun. “Have you decided? Accept my terms?”
“I agree,” Dugu Yun nodded.
The crowd gasped—was the Guardian’s descendant siding with the enemy?
“Good. See the carvings? That vase holds a Heaven Seed. Remove it to free my ancestors!” The creature pointed.
The cliff bore intricate engravings, most striking being a radiant vase that seemed to pulse with life.
Heaven Seed—it truly existed!
“The carving leads to another realm. Enter, and you may claim what even supreme beings coveted!” the creature enticed.
“How?” Dugu Yun asked calmly.
“Your golden blood is key—and other precious bloodlines.” The creature’s gaze swept the crowd, settling on Wang Xi. “Your swordplay resembles the Pacification Art. Are you that ancient hero’s descendant? Step forward!”
That hero had once repelled the otherworldly invasion, earning the title “Undefeated.”
“Enough talk! Face me first!” an immortal academy expert snapped.
“Gladly.” The creature engaged, swiftly impaling the man with its lance.
“Your move,” it taunted Wang Xi. “His life hangs on you.”
The crowd shuddered—this imperial clansman had defeated two young supremes consecutively!
Wang Xi’s delicate face hardened. Refusal would draw the academy’s wrath. She had no choice.
*Thud!*
The impaled man was tossed aside, bloodied and broken.
“Die!” The creature clashed with Wang Xi, its golden petals deflecting her sword qi as the lance pressed her.
*Thud!*
Blood dripped from Wang Xi’s shoulder as she staggered back, wounded.
The creature licked her spilled blood. “This flavor… useful for unsealing. A worthy bloodline.”
Its gaze then locked onto Qing Yi. “You understand the ancient imperial tongue and bear an immortal aura. You’re next—I need your blood!”
Silence fell as all eyes turned to Qing Yi—and the figure beside her.
Shi Hao stepped forward. “I’ve waited long for this—to face the imperial clan of the other shore.”
“Who are you? I want *her*, not you. Begone!” the creature scoffed.
“Your executioner,” Shi Hao replied coldly, advancing relentlessly.
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