After Zulong and Wei Xu departed, Xing Daoyuan, the Master of Mud Pill Palace, also gave Xu Ying a slight nod and flashed away into the distance without lingering.
The Dragon Court was perilous in the extreme. Even figures like Xu Ying and Chen Chaosheng felt their strength inadequate; the dragon-bone sentinels alone had been difficult for them to contend with, and far greater dangers surely awaited within. Yan Kongcheng had Chen Chaosheng's protection, Zulong Zhao Zheng had Wei Xu as a guardian, and the Son of Heaven of Zhou had a bevy of beauties shielding him. Only Xing Daoyuan was completely alone, with no one to watch his back.
Yet this giant had not the slightest intention of traveling with others. Elusive and unpredictable, he vanished without a trace in moments.
"Fellow Daoist Xu, the Dragon Court is fraught with peril. A lone tree cannot stand against a storm—why not join hands?"
Liu Ruyi extended an attentive invitation with a smile. "This auspicious cloud of mine is a treasure refined by a Great Luo Immortal. If Fellow Daoist does not mind, we can travel together. There are many sisters here with us, and we could really use Fellow Daoist's protection!"
Xu Ying glanced at the fair, exquisite fairies atop the auspicious cloud and chuckled. "Thank you for the kind offer, Fairy, but I am accustomed to coming and going alone. I had best not intrude upon your company."
Liu Ruyi did not press him. Inviting the Son of Heaven of Zhou into the Central Palace, she rode the clouds away and said to him, "Xu Ying arrived with such fierce momentum, determined to seize the treasures of the Dragon Court. Yet not only will he come away empty-handed, he is bound to forfeit his life here as well."
The Son of Heaven of Zhou asked in puzzlement, "Why is that?"
Liu Ruyi replied, "Anyone who hopes to claim treasures in the Dragon Court must be native-born to the Yuanshou world. He is not. Forcibly seizing the Dragon Court's treasures will inevitably bring about a backlash from the Dragon Court. Though the Dragon Court has fallen, this was once the dragon race's Immortal Court after all. Forget a petty Qi Refiner like him—even if a Heavenly Monarch came here, escaping unscathed would be an ordeal."
The Son of Heaven of Zhou shook his head. "Xu Ying is a man of the Yuanshou world. How could he suffer a backlash?"
Liu Ruyi cast a sultry, flirtatious glance and giggled. "He was born in Kunlun, and Kunlun does not belong to the Yuanshou world. Therefore, the moment he reaches out his hand, calamity will strike him down. I just offered him a place beside us, but he showed no gratitude. He deserves to die in vain."
Seeing her alluring expression, her sensuous, shapely figure, and this moment of mutual flirtation and intent, the Son of Heaven of Zhou felt a surge of wicked fire flare within him, barely able to restrain himself.
*What if female beauty is a trap?* A furious battle raged within the Son of Heaven of Zhou's mind, a bloodbath of doubt and desire that visibly aged him by a few weary fractions.
Fearing that Xu Ying might challenge him again, Chen Chaosheng had long since pulled Yan Kongcheng far away, daring not linger.
Yan Kongcheng asked, "Patriarch, tell me the truth. Do you have bad blood with Xu Ying? Is it because you can't beat him?"
Chen Chaosheng stammered evasively, "Bad blood... well, there's a bit. But saying I can't beat him is completely wrong. Within ten moves, I beat him so badly he couldn't fight back at all."
"Really?"
"Of course it's true! Go ask him if you don't believe me!"
Chen Chaosheng paused, then added, "You have history with Xu Ying, don't you? This time, I'm afraid calamity will befall him."
Yan Kongcheng hurriedly pressed for the reason. Chen Chaosheng explained, "He was born on Mount Kunlun, not in the Yuanshou world. He lacks the destiny to enter the Dragon Court and obtain its treasures. If he forces his hand, calamity will surely strike him!"
Yan Kongcheng's heart gave a jolt. Halting his steps, he turned back toward Xu Ying. "I'm going to warn him!"
Chen Chaosheng grabbed him at once. "You are neither kith nor kin to him, so why bother telling him? We must hurry to the Dragon Court! My master told me the treasures in the Dragon Court are extraordinary, harboring mysteries tied to the Dao weeping!"
Yan Kongcheng shook his head. "Xu Ying and I are old friends; our bond was forged through life and death. I have to go."
Unable to dissuade him, Chen Chaosheng said, "Just tell him with a divine sense voice transmission! Why make the trip in person? Don't waste time."
Looking into the distance, Yan Kongcheng saw hordes of immortals already making their way into the Dragon Court. Knowing time was short, he mobilized his divine sense to transmit his voice to Xu Ying, warning him that without Yuanshou bloodline, forcibly claiming treasures would trigger calamity. Yan Kongcheng had also cultivated the ancestral method of the six secrets, and his divine sense was potent; despite the interference from the Dragon Court's dragon qi and ferocious malice, his message carried a tremendous distance.
"Such a thing exists? I've lived in Yuanshou for forty-eight thousand years—on what grounds am I not a Yuanshou native?"
Xu Ying flew into a fury, but after a moment, he replied via divine sense transmission: "No need to worry, Kongcheng! I didn't come to search for Dragon Court treasures. I came to rob everyone else! Once they claim the Dragon Court's treasures, I'll just rob them. That way, there's no danger at all!"
Yan Kongcheng froze, then snapped in exasperation, "Go ahead and court death then! Patriarch, let's go!"
"Kongcheng, you truly are my brother!"
Xu Ying praised him lavishly. Raising the Fangzhang Immortal Mountain, he flew into the Yingzhou cave abyss, muttering to himself, "The people entering the Dragon Abyss right now certainly haven't obtained any treasures yet. Robbing them now isn't worthwhile. I'll restore the Yingzhou cave abyss first, then go rob them."
Joy welled in his heart. *They'll go through hell and high water to get their treasures, only to have them snatched by me. They'll be utterly furious and beat me harder than ever before!*
The Yingzhou cave abyss had already merged with Penglai Immortal Mountain, making its interior vast and sprawling. At the border of Yingzhou lay the Heavenly Sea, where the divine black tortoise that had once borne Penglai across the cosmos swam freely and leisurely.
He landed upon Fangzhang Immortal Mountain, only to see the immortal mountain drift into the distance of its own accord, as if pulled by an enigmatic resonance.
After a short while, the immortal mountain arrived before a sheer cliff face and embedded itself neatly into the stone.
Xu Ying drifted down. Over two hundred immortals from Yingzhou followed behind him, nervously watching the scene unfold.
As this square stone lodged into the cliff, a spiritual spring suddenly burst forth from the rock face before them, its fragrance spilling into the air.
In the nearby air, undying spiritual light welled out, condensing into blossoms dripping with delicate beauty.
The spiritual energy of heaven and earth quickly thickened, blowing like a breeze into every corner of Yingzhou. Immortal flora burst into bloom, and immortal grass spread lush and verdant, their growth accelerated exponentially.
What brought them the greatest delight was that a marvelous Great Dao of heaven and earth was quietly awakening throughout this realm—an exceedingly profound Dao filling the world!
Though Yingzhou had been expansive before and richly supplied with spiritual energy, it had lacked this peculiar Dao power. It simply could not compare to a complete Yingzhou!
Comprehending this Great Dao became remarkably easy.
Enlightenment, entering the Dao, and even attaining the Dao here were vastly simpler than in the outside world!
*No wonder one must obtain a Heavenly Monarch cave abyss to become a Heavenly Monarch. Only with inherent Dao power like this, coupled with such abundant resources as a foundation, can one break through to become a Heavenly Monarch in one fell swoop.*
Xu Ying carefully felt the changes within the Yingzhou cave abyss. The energy sealed within this cave abyss felt like an overwhelmingly mighty expert whose breath was as deep as an ancient abyss, bottomless and unfathomable.
It was as if that titan were slowly drawing breath, each inhalation and exhalation churning up power a hundred times more vigorous than all the heaven-and-earth primordial qi of an entire world!
"One can see a glimpse of a Heavenly Monarch's true might!"
Xu Ying was stirred. He had fought Heavenly Monarchs; Imperial Monarch Zhongyi, who had perished by his hands, was a Heavenly Monarch. Yet Imperial Monarch Zhongyi possessed nothing resembling the profound, formidable aura of the Yingzhou cave abyss.
The respiratory rhythm of the Yingzhou cave abyss was several times mightier than Imperial Monarch Zhongyi!
*Imperial Monarch Zhongyi had likely only reached the realm of Heavenly Monarch, but lacked a Heavenly Monarch-grade cave abyss. Only cave abysses like Yingzhou, Zuzhou, or Fenglinzhou can sustain the daily respiration and cultivation of an existence at the Heavenly Monarch realm.*
*Imperial Monarch Zhongyi did not hold high status. In truth, every Imperial Monarch in the Immortal Realm ranks below a Heavenly Venerable. Titled Heavenly Monarchs hold real authority, whereas the title of Imperial Monarch carries little practical power.*
For instance, Imperial Monarch Zhongyi had merely been an official in charge of the ceremonial honor guards for the Supreme and Great Luo Immortals.
Hence, once Imperial Monarch Zhongyi attained the Heavenly Monarch realm, his cave abyss was likely reclaimed, leaving him unable to rely on a cave abyss for his daily cultivation.
Judging from a Heavenly Monarch's respiratory throughput, the disparity between Heavenly Monarchs was likely immense!
A Heavenly Monarch who possessed a Heavenly Monarch-grade cave abyss compared to one who did not was like an adult compared to an infant!
Sensing the terrifying might latent within Yingzhou, Xu Ying felt waves of trepidation. The breathing cycles of the Yingzhou cave abyss essentially matched the energy consumed in a single breath by a Heavenly Monarch.
*The full might of those Imperial Monarchs, Heavenly Venerables, Primordial Monarchs, and Eastern Kings who actually possess Heavenly Monarch-grade cave abysses must be terrifying in the extreme!* Xu Ying thought silently.
Yet his gaze could not help wandering higher and farther—to the Taiyi Cave Abyss.
If the Heavenly Monarch-grade Yingzhou cave abyss was already so formidable, what about the Great Luo Supreme-grade Taiyi Cave Abyss?
He could already faintly sense the Great Dao harbored within the Taiyi Cave Abyss—unfathomably deep, holding immense temptation, beckoning him to break through and pull this cave abyss from the distant void into reality!
The immortals of Penglai cheered and danced with boundless excitement.
Their cheers reached Xu Ying's ears, but his thoughts drifted far away.
The restoration of Yingzhou served two purposes: first, it could conceal the aura of the Taiyi Cave Abyss; second, the cultivation and strength of Divine Mother, Gushe, and the others could improve dramatically as a result. If utilized properly, they might even produce another Heavenly Monarch on their side!
Possessing a complete Yingzhou cave abyss would also dispel the Immortal Emperor Supreme's suspicions, making the Supreme believe he had not yet figured out how to summon the Taiyi Cave Abyss and buying him more time to grow.
*Now that the Yingzhou cave abyss is fully restored, no matter how fast I cultivate, it shouldn't arouse any suspicion, right?* Xu Ying thought.
Indeed, just as Yan Kongcheng had guessed, his Taiyi Cave Abyss was on the verge of arriving in reality. As long as he underwent his tribulation and ascended, he could summon the Taiyi Cave Abyss and comprehend the Great Dao of Taiyi!
Had the Yingzhou cave abyss not been restored to completeness, it certainly could not have concealed the Taiyi Cave Abyss.
Suddenly, another tremendously violent tremor of spacetime reverberated, as if the Yuanshou world had crashed into something yet again.
Immediately after, an earth-shattering dragon roar echoed from within the Dragon Court. Xu Ying gathered his thoughts, roused his spirits, and flew out of the Yingzhou cave abyss, calling out, "Divine Mother, Gushe, Tiangang, get ready!"
Within the Yingzhou cave abyss, Divine Mother, Fairy Gushe, and Yuan Tiangang each took their seats, standing ready at any moment to divine and calculate whatever dangers he was about to face.
Looking in the direction of the dragon roar, Xu Ying felt a profound shock. In the vast sky ahead, divine dragon skeletons wound out from the void, dragon heads pointing downward and dragon claws clinging to the celestial dome, their skeletal joints snaking and twisting as if glaring down at the earth below.
There were about nine such divine dragon skeletons. The sky arched like a canopy, and these dragon skeletons clung to the dome. Encircled by the nine dragons lay an immortal palace resplendent with luminous immortal radiance, bathed in light, magnificent and breathtaking.
*Could the Dragon Court's Immortal Palace have emerged from the collision?*
Without a second thought, Xu Ying flew in that direction. Where the nine dragons held sway, the dragon qi was overwhelmingly potent—so much so that the vegetation here was beginning to sprout dragon scales!
The stamens of blooming immortal grasses resembled tiny baby dragons, and the fruits they bore took on the shape of dragons spitting pearls. Within the Yingzhou grotto-heaven, Penglai Patriarch Yan Yu suddenly felt his arm itch. Scratching at it, he was startled to see a dragon scale push its way out from beneath his skin. In alarm, he hurriedly circulated his technique to refine the alien dragon qi within his body, and only then did the scale vanish.
Others exhibited similar symptoms; the dragon qi here was so overwhelming that it influenced their physical forms!
Even the immortal treasures of some were affected by the dragon qi, sprouting dragon scales!
The crowd frantically circulated their techniques to refine the dragon qi, finally returning to normal.
If even the interior of the cave abyss was affected, the impact outside was naturally far greater. As Xu Ying sped toward the Dragon Court, he watched many immortals mid-flight suddenly let out dragon roars, their bodies undergoing rapid mutation until they transformed into yellow dragons that galloped away.
Suspicious and astonished, he even saw some powerful Immortal Kings whose physical bodies remained unchanged, but whose primordial spirits transformed into dragons, coiling upward and soaring away, abandoning their physical shells!
The direction these yellow dragons and divine dragons fled toward was none other than the depths of the Dragon Court, as if beckoned by some mysterious power.
*This place is truly perilous!*
Remembering how Wei Xu had devoured and refined the dragon-bone sentinels, Xu Ying had a sudden brainwave: *Wei Xu can refine dragon qi and ferocious malice, so why can't my Leakless Golden Body do the same? If I can devour and refine dragon qi and ferocious malice, why would I need to seek a beating?*
The moment the thought struck him, he immediately circulated the Leakless Golden Body, opening all the acupoints across his body to actively absorb the ferocious malice and dragon qi that filled the world.
This dragon qi and ferocious malice had already been aggressively invading anyone who entered; had they possessed sentience, encountering someone who actively inhaled them would surely have made them think: *Such good fortune exists?*
As Xu Ying's technique ran, the dragon qi and ferocious malice of heaven and earth rolled in like a deluge. In an instant of utter madness, the dragon qi formed dragon-shaped patterns, and the ferocious malice condensed into baleful fiend qi, violently burrowing into his body!
As the saying went of ferocious fiends and evil spirits: when ferocious malice grew too concentrated, it condensed into baleful fiend qi, battering one's three ethereal souls and seven corporeal souls, twisting thoughts and consciousness!
The dragon qi and fiend qi surging from all around Xu Ying coalesced into an impenetrable cloud, completely enveloping him.
Just then, a group of immortals arrived. Seeing that the dragon fiend qi was extraordinarily dense, their hearts pounded in terror. The leader among them was Imperial Monarch Xiao of Beiluoshimen, who had clashed with Xu Ying before entering this place.
Well-versed in lore, he warned immediately, "Everyone, beware! This is dragon fiend qi—do not let it touch you! Otherwise, you will be demonized and dracofied, reduced to muddle-headed, senseless monsters!"
The immortals clustered protectively around Imperial Monarch Xiao. Suddenly, a soul-chilling laugh rang out from within the dragon fiend qi: "Jie-jie-jie... this power... is truly too immense!"
The immortals blanched. One of them asked in a trembling voice, "Could there still be a dragon immortal from the primordial era alive in the Dragon Court?"
Imperial Monarch Xiao's expression changed as well. He shook his head. "Impossible..."
No sooner had his words fallen than the dragon fiend qi inside the thick cloud surged violently, like the roars of tens of thousands of demonic dragons layered over one another: "Too immense! This feels even better than getting beaten by a Heavenly Monarch!"
Imperial Monarch Xiao's heart skipped a beat. *Could a primordial dragon immortal truly still exist?*
Right at that moment, the thick cloud of dragon fiend qi shrank and thinned rapidly, and from within came that soul-chilling voice: "Wait a second... it's a bit hard to han— Damn it! The golden body can't hold it back!"
The immortals peered ahead and vaguely glimpsed a tall, slender figure within the dense cloud of dragon fiend qi, writhing and twisting. His height shot upward, his arms lengthened, his five fingers abruptly turned into dragon claws, and his face morphed into a dragon's visage with an elongated snout lined with razor-sharp teeth!
Upon the head of that dragon-headed monster sprouted two dragon horns.
Then, with two tearing sounds, the figure's feet turned into dragon talons, bursting through his shoes.
"Don't grow a tail... don't grow a ta—" The voice was muttering, leaving the onlookers staring at one another in dumbfounded shock.
Chapter 544