The colossal and sinuous demonic dragon gazed down with its lake-sized eyes, brimming with pride. Once merely a beast of burden pulling carriages under the command of the Southern Cloud Monarch, it now basked in unparalleled glory following its current master—Dongbo Xueying of the Xueying Domain.
Seated cross-legged on the broad back of the demonic dragon, Dongbo Xueying mused silently, *”There might be those stronger than me among the Chaos Realm cultivators in the Heart Realm Continent, but none within the disciples of the Heavenly Sword Dao. Even those who surpass me could only defeat me, not kill me.”* His confidence stemmed from his formidable strength and his mastery of the Void Illusion Realm, which had also reached the pinnacle of the Chaos Realm, leaving no vulnerabilities in his soul.
*”If this continues, the Heavenly Sword Dao has no chance of victory. They’ll have no choice but to concede.”*
*”The question is… what price can Thunder King Mo Chao fetch?”* Dongbo Xueying pondered. He intended to use the ransom to purchase treasures for his Void Illusion Realm cultivation.
Though he could have simply asked his master, the Southern Cloud Monarch, for a loan, Dongbo Xueying was not one to shamelessly make repeated requests. The *Five-Phase Beads* had been a gift from his master—a rare exception, valued at roughly 20 billion cosmic crystals. The beads had been refined countless years ago, and with no other disciples mastering the *Five-Phase Sealing Art*, the Southern Cloud Monarch had bestowed them upon him. Already having reaped such fortune, Dongbo Xueying dared not push his luck further.
*”Hmm.”*
With a thought, a strand of his consciousness descended into the void world within the *Five-Phase Beads*, where Thunder King Mo Chao was imprisoned.
—
This was a sealed world, an utterly stable space within a top-tier treasure. Even a Cosmic God would struggle to escape.
*”It’s over.”*
Clad in purple robes, Mo Chao sat cross-legged in the void, his surroundings an endless, enclosed expanse. Despair flickered in his eyes. He had exhausted every means to break free, yet the space remained unyielding.
*”Is this truly the end for Mo Chao? No… no. Xueying hasn’t killed me yet. There’s still hope!”* His mind churned with turmoil. On the Heart Realm Continent, power struggles were commonplace, and even Cosmic Gods perished frequently. A mere tenth-level Chaos Realm cultivator like him wouldn’t even cause a ripple.
*”After enduring countless trials, even venturing alone into the Ancient Nations of Myriad Realms, defying all expectations to cross the Ten Tribulation Bridge—only to end like this?”* Mo Chao gritted his teeth.
He couldn’t accept it.
The path of cultivation was arduous, and reaching his current level had been no small feat. Yet a single misstep could erase everything.
*”Whoosh.”*
A blurred figure materialized—Dongbo Xueying, clad in white.
*”Xueying of the Xueying Domain.”* Mo Chao stood immediately, his gaze wary.
*”Show me all your treasures,”* Dongbo Xueying commanded.
*”What do you intend?”* Mo Chao tensed.
*”Hah! At this point, do you still think you can resist? If I wished to kill you, the Five-Phase Sealing alone would suffice.”*
Mo Chao knew this all too well. He had experienced the crushing might of the Five-Phase Sealing firsthand—a force so overwhelming that even his perfected *Heavenly Sword Indestructible Body* could only endure a few more strikes before succumbing.
*”Here.”*
With a wave, Mo Chao relinquished his storage treasures and weapons. Dongbo Xueying extended a finger, sending a ripple of energy into Mo Chao’s body. Though Mo Chao instinctively resisted, he dared not refuse, allowing the probing without protest.
*”No hidden reserves, I see.”* Dongbo Xueying inspected the items.
Mo Chao possessed only two notable treasures, both suited for the tenth-level Chaos Realm—hardly surprising, as stronger Cosmic God treasures would be beyond his control and invite unwanted attention. In contrast, Dongbo Xueying’s circumstances were exceptional. His *Red Cloud Divine Spear* had been discovered by chance, even drawing interest from the Fan Clan. The *Five-Phase Beads*, gifted by his master, were a rare boon—one few would dare covet under the Southern Cloud Monarch’s protection.
*”I’ll take these. As for your life, that depends on whether the Heavenly Sword Monarch deems you worth ransoming. If his offer is too low, my master’s orders will leave me no choice but to execute you.”*
*”I understand.”* Mo Chao nodded grimly. His fate now rested on the negotiations between the two monarchs.
—
Seated atop the demonic dragon, Dongbo Xueying maintained his blockade of the Heavenly Sword Dao’s hall, indifferent to the distant spectators.
Day turned to night, and night back to day.
—
*”Hahaha! Brother Heavenly Sword, you can’t blame yourself this time. Fortune favored me—your loss was inevitable.”*
*”I bear no resentment. The emergence of such a prodigy is beyond anyone’s control.”*
Two vast consciousnesses clashed in conversation.
The negotiations had concluded.
The Heavenly Sword Dao’s long-planned incursion into the Black Fiend Four Nations had ended before it truly began. Though the Southern Cloud Monarch was fearsome, the Heavenly Sword Monarch was no slouch, backed by formidable allies. Their initial deployment—including figures like Prince Chifeng, Fan Chu the Guardian, and Raindust Pilgrim—had been merely the opening move.
The Heavenly Sword Dao had prepared for a protracted conflict, as tenth-level Chaos Realm cultivators were typically evenly matched, with victories hinging on attrition.
But Dongbo Xueying’s open challenge had shattered their plans. No amount of backing could substitute for the Heavenly Sword Dao’s disciples in a direct confrontation. The Heavenly Sword Monarch had no choice but to concede—not just in the Black Fiend Four Nations, but also in their disputes within the Motian Ancient Nation.
The Southern Cloud Monarch, however, knew better than to push too far. While conflicts among Chaos Realm disciples seldom escalated to higher-level battles, threatening the Heavenly Sword Dao’s foundation could provoke the Heavenly Sword Monarch—and his even more terrifying backers—into breaking all decorum.
Thus, seizing the opportunity for gain was enough.
—
Dawn broke.
Dongbo Xueying, still seated on the demonic dragon, gazed at the horizon. *”The second day. I wonder how the negotiations fared?”*
Moments later, a voice echoed in his mind.
*”Xueying, it’s settled. The Heavenly Sword Monarch has agreed to ransom Mo Chao and his two tenth-level Chaos Realm treasures for 8 billion cosmic crystals. Release him now. Your mission is complete—return to the Southern Cloud Capital. There’s no need to remain in the Huozhao Nation.”*
*”Understood, Master.”*
With a wave, Dongbo Xueying summoned Mo Chao back into the open. The purple-robed man blinked at his surroundings, then at the towering black dragon and Xueying himself.
*”Your treasures.”* Dongbo Xueying tossed the two items back.
Their combined value was roughly 1.5 billion cosmic crystals, meaning Mo Chao’s life had been ransomed for 6.5 billion—a testament to the benefits of taking prisoners alive. Had the Heavenly Sword Monarch been as wealthy as the Southern Cloud Monarch, the price would have been far steeper.
*”Let’s go.”*
At Dongbo Xueying’s command, the demonic dragon slithered into the void, vanishing from sight.
Mo Chao watched them depart with a sigh. The Heavenly Sword Dao had suffered a crushing defeat, but at least he had survived.
Within the Heavenly Sword Dao’s hall, Prince Chifeng and the others exchanged grim looks. Mo Chao’s release signaled the end of their ambitions in the Black Fiend Four Nations.
*”Who could have predicted Xueying of the Xueying Domain mastering the Five-Phase Sealing Art? Such defiance of the heavens…”*
Their voices trailed off into resigned murmurs.
—
After a brief message to Marquis Quming, Dongbo Xueying returned directly to the Southern Cloud Capital.
In the palace’s secluded cultivation grounds, the Southern Cloud Monarch sat upon black grass, a deep pool of mist churning behind him. He smiled as the white-robed youth descended atop the demonic dragon.
His satisfaction was palpable. This disciple, already half-stepping into the Cosmic God realm, promised to become the Southern Cloud Nation’s second-strongest expert upon his ascension—a true ally in a world where supreme talents often flocked to the ancient nations.
Dongbo Xueying dismounted, his gaze sweeping over the assembled figures—Emperor Chunyu, Emperor Tanpeng, the tenth-level Chaos Realm kings, and even his fellow disciples. The matriarch of the Xueying Domain beamed with pride, while former rivals like Fourth Disciple Fu Lingyun and Fifth Disciple Fu Lingxiao harbored no more jealousy. Their junior brother had eclipsed even their once-revered seniors, Gongliang Yi and Gui Li.
In just a day, Dongbo Xueying’s name had resounded across the upper echelons of the Heart Realm Continent, drawing attention to this corner of the Southern Cloud Nation. Within the nation itself, excitement had reached a fever pitch.
*”Disciple pays respects to Master.”* Dongbo Xueying stepped forward and bowed deeply.
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