In the Dragon Court Imperial Capital, Heavenly Prime Minister Yuan Heng arrived in haste. The dragon immortals under his command had compiled Xu Ying's deeds into a dossier, which he now presented upon Emperor Mingdao's desk.
Emperor Mingdao leafed through the dossier and examined it closely, his expression showing surprise. "This Xu Ying is the barbarian who publicly killed Young Master Qixuan?"
Heavenly Prime Minister Yuan Heng said, "Indeed. The fiend is fiercely savage. Not only did he kill Young Master Qixuan, but he also drove a ship on a rampage, crushing numerous dragon immortals and causing a massive commotion. Young Master Qixuan's master is Patriarch Tianmei, an Immortal of the other shore. Patriarch Tianmei flew into a towering fury over this matter and plans to descend in person to hold us accountable."
Emperor Mingdao's expression turned grave. "An Immortal of the other shore coming in person to lay blame? I fear his intentions are not so simple. If Patriarch Tianmei descends personally, who knows how much our dragon race would have to forfeit to satisfy his appetite?"
Heavenly Prime Minister Yuan Heng said, "Therefore, only by capturing Xu Ying, the true culprit, and delivering him to the other shore for trial can we turn him away."
Emperor Mingdao nodded slightly and quietly resumed reading the dossier. The more he read, the more astonishment crept into his eyes. In deep thought, he murmured, "Seventh-fold Dao Realm, relying solely on a mortal body without burial-transformation to contend against numerous elders? This barbarian named Xu Ying is truly extraordinary. In our Heavenly Immortal Realm, those with such strength at the seventh-fold Dao Realm can be counted on one's fingers."
The dragon race possessed physical bodies innately far more formidable than the human race, and their magic power was vastly more immense. Yet Xu Ying, with a mere mortal body, fought head-to-head with great clan elders without falling into disadvantage.
In fact, during the battle at Ziqing Dragon City, he had confronted over twenty dragon clan elders in succession, entered Ziqing Dragon City alive, and taken refuge in Qingping Temple!
Prowess like this moved even Emperor Mingdao. Turning the pages, his surprise deepened. "He is even accompanied by a female disciple, another barbarian, who makes astonishingly swift progress."
This female barbarian named Wanming had followed Xu Ying all the way, sweeping through dragon immortals and making quite a name for herself.
Heavenly Prime Minister Yuan Heng said, "This master and disciple appear to walk the same path as that Daoist Wukong who appeared some time ago. Both practice the methods of the Leakless Golden Body."
Emperor Mingdao had noticed this as well, and smiled. "The Leakless Golden Body originates from the Supreme Dao. The Supreme Dao is indeed exceptionally exalted, yet it is merely one Great Dao of the other shore. Members of our dragon race practice it as well. To dream of sweeping across the Heavenly Immortal Realm relying on this Dao alone is nothing more than foolish fancy."
He rose to his feet. "Still, our Heavenly Immortal Realm has enjoyed peace for far too long. Many dragons have lost their former mettle. They need an outside enemy to temper them; otherwise, troubles will inevitably arise in the future. Pass down my order."
After a moment's contemplation, he decreed, "'The Earth Immortal Realm barbarians Xu Ying and Wanming are visiting our Immortal Court. Dragon immortals across the realm may challenge them fairly, and none shall use underhanded means. Should any emerge victorious, they shall be rewarded with four cave abysses and enfeoffed as a marquis.'"
Heavenly Prime Minister Yuan Heng acknowledged the command, but hesitated before asking, "Your Majesty, why pay heed to such a trivial matter as a barbarian's challenge?"
Emperor Mingdao said, "It may seem trivial on the surface, but in truth it is no small thing. This Xu Ying possesses considerable divine abilities. He borrowed the Far Ancestor's body to speak with me and flaunt his martial might. Had his temperament not differed from the Far Ancestor's, even I would not have recognized that it was him speaking to me."
Heavenly Prime Minister Yuan Heng was startled. "Xu Ying is in the Imperial Capital?"
Emperor Mingdao shook his head. "He should still be in Ziqing City. He most likely colluded with the Far Ancestor somehow to borrow the Far Ancestor's body to see me—audacious to the extreme. However, since he has volunteered himself, I would also like to see what achievements the Earth Immortal Realm has made over these years."
Heavenly Prime Minister Yuan Heng chuckled. "The Earth Immortal Realm is merely a territory established by the surviving demons and humans following the Great Extinction. What capability could they possibly possess? They merely gathered a few scraps of knowledge left behind by our Primordial Dragon Court and developed from there. Their civilization is hardly worth mentioning."
Emperor Mingdao smiled. "There is no harm in seeing his abilities. Go and see to it at once."
Heavenly Prime Minister Yuan Heng bowed and agreed, yet hesitated again. "Your Majesty, something may have happened to Princess Mingman in Longhua City. She fled Qianyuan Academy in Longhua, and her whereabouts have since vanished without a trace..."
Emperor Mingdao frowned slightly.
Heavenly Prime Minister Yuan Heng said, "This subject will certainly find Princess Mingman as soon as possible. Please rest assured, Your Majesty!"
Emperor Mingdao waved his hand, and Heavenly Prime Minister Yuan Heng withdrew.
"That girl Mingman has displayed extraordinary traits ever since the moment she was born. Her Far Ancestor bloodline is the purest and mightiest, yet her success and failure alike stem from that very bloodline. Because of it, she has always been unable to cultivate."
A thought suddenly arose in Emperor Mingdao's mind: if he had the Far Ancestor instruct Mingman, it would surely resolve the dilemma of her inability to cultivate.
Yet no sooner had the thought surfaced than he snuffed it out.
Though the Dragon Court appeared impregnable, undercurrents stirred within. Many elders had the backing of Immortals from the other shore behind them. If the daughter of Emperor Mingdao walked the old path again, those Immortals would surely not let him off!
Emperor Mingdao continued browsing Xu Ying's records, carefully studying the Dao methods and divine abilities Xu Ying had employed to defeat those dragon clan elders. Only after a long while did he close the dossier.
"If the Earth Immortal Realm is truly so impoverished and feeble, why would there be a cadre of experts from the Earth Immortal Realm on the other shore whom even those Immortals cannot eradicate?"
Puzzlement showed on his face, and he muttered softly, "If the Dao methods of the other shore are truly so mighty, why did they need to cast three Emerald Rocks in advance to destroy the civilizations of the Three Realms? What in the world are they afraid of?"
He stood up and walked to the windowsill. Outside stood architecture in the style of the other shore—lofty, cold, and solemn, utterly distinct from the primordial architecture in his memories.
"Perhaps through this Xu Ying, a glimpse of the truth can be had. If Xu Ying wins, then whether the Heavenly Immortal Realm should continue following the other shore will be worth reconsidering," he mused silently.
Suddenly, a fierce wind gusted inward, filling his study and sending the pages of Xu Ying's dossier on the desk rustling violently.
Emperor Mingdao gazed outward. In the distant sky, dark clouds were gathering; an unprecedented tempest was brewing across the Heavenly Immortal Realm.
The mountain rain was about to fall.
In the Dragon Court Imperial Capital, news of the barbarian master and disciple Xu Ying and Wanming challenging the Heavenly Immortal Realm gradually spread. The barbarian Xu Ying, contending against the dragon race at the seventh-fold Dao Realm, had fought his way toward the Imperial Capital through immortal cities like Longhua, Mingfu, and Ziqing, undefeated along the way.
Dragon Emperor Mingdao had issued an order summoning talented individuals of the dragon race at the seventh-fold Dao Realm to meet Xu Ying in battle, warning that the reputation of the dragon race and the other shore must never be tarnished.
When this news spread, widespread indignation surged across the Heavenly Immortal Realm. In no time, countless members of the younger generation rushed toward the Dragon Court Imperial Capital to await the barbarian pair's arrival.
Many others simply waited along the route Xu Ying was taking to intercept him midway.
The Heavenly Immortal Realm had not seen such excitement in a very long time.
Even Emperor Mingdao's son, Imperial Son Mingxi, was stirred by the news and prepared to meet Xu Ying.
Imperial Son Mingxi had received the true teachings of Emperor Mingdao, and in years past, he had earned the favor of Grand Dao Lord Taiyi, an Immortal of the other shore. He had spent a thousand years traveling to the other shore to study under Grand Dao Lord Taiyi's tutelage.
Not long ago, upon his return from his studies, several elders had tested his strength in brief clashes and praised his cultivation as unfathomably profound. Though only at the seventh-fold Dao Realm, he possessed the might of the eighth-fold Dao Realm.
Imperial Son Mingxi had been in secluded cultivation for a long time, preparing to break through to the eighth-fold Dao Realm. His emergence from seclusion was presumably by Emperor Mingdao's order, temporarily delaying his breakthrough to face the barbarian Xu Ying.
Had Imperial Son Mingxi broken through to the eighth-fold Dao Realm, he would not have been permitted to intervene.
Imperial Son Mingxi arrived atop the gate tower of the Imperial Capital. He was in outlander form, having not maintained the dragon-headed human-bodied form. Among the younger generation of dragons who had studied on the other shore, very few still kept the dragon-headed human body.
Gazing toward the direction of Ziqing Dragon City, Imperial Son Mingxi suddenly sensed something and said, "Man Kongming, you have already broken through to the eighth-fold Dao Realm. You have no chance to take part this time."
Behind him appeared a man in outlander form, striding forward with immense brawn. He was a brute dragon who had attained the Dao, which was why he took Man as his surname. He spoke, "Your Highness, I have already severed my eighth-fold realm."
Imperial Son Mingxi was moved, displaying admiration. "Brother Man, you actually severed your own cultivation just to face Xu Ying. Having severed it this time, who knows how long it will take to cultivate it back. Brother Man's courage is truly admirable."
"A mere barbarian, what is he worth mentioning? Mingxi, I severed my cultivation for your sake!"
Man Kongming laughed loudly. "You and I have fought each other since childhood, each with our share of victories and defeats. Yet my cultivation progressed faster, and I attained the Dao a step ahead of you! I originally intended to wait until you emerged from seclusion this time to determine who is superior. Who would have thought you would seal your realm and refrain from breaking through just for this barbarian? Since you won't break through, what use is there in my having attained the Dao?"
Imperial Son Mingxi smiled. "Brother Man, why go to such lengths? Once I defeat Xu Ying, I will naturally attain the Dao."
"I can't wait that long!"
Man Kongming roared, undergoing burial-transformation in an instant and striking out brazenly—unleashing a supreme art of the Supreme Dao right from the start!
Imperial Son Mingxi dared not be careless and likewise underwent burial-transformation. The two young dragon race powerhouses clashed atop the gate tower, their respective cave abysses rotating and blooming—both of them Supreme-grade cave abysses!
As they traded blows, both felt a chill in their hearts, secretly astonished by the other's strength.
Mingxi had assumed that after studying on the other shore and receiving guidance from Grand Dao Lord Taiyi, he would far surpass Man Kongming. Man Kongming had also assumed that although he had severed his eighth-fold Dao Realm, the achievements of his physical body remained intact, allowing him to suppress Mingxi by half a notch.
Yet to their surprise, the clash proved they remained evenly matched.
Just as the two were about to unleash their full might, channeling other Dao methods and cave abysses to aid them, the voice of Heavenly Prime Minister Yuan Heng suddenly sounded, chuckling, "Your Highness, Man Kongming, you two are the most pinnacle existences among the younger generation of our dragon race. Why fight to determine a victor here? Whichever of you defeats Xu Ying will be the foremost."
Man Kongming laughed heartily, suddenly breaking away from Imperial Son Mingxi and sprinting wildly toward Ziqing Dragon City, shouting from afar, "Your Highness, forgive my rudeness, but I shall take the lead!"
Imperial Son Mingxi paid it no mind. Clapping his hands lightly, he watched as four golden dragons pulled a jeweled carriage into view. Dragon maidens fluttered down from the carriage, holding flower baskets and scattering fresh blossoms to pave a road.
Several other dragon maidens waited upon the carriage. A dragon maiden in white plucked the strings of a zither, letting the notes chime, and laughed. "When His Highness travels, how could he lack grandeur and run wildly like that brute?"
Imperial Son Mingxi laughed, stepped along the flower-strewn path onto the carriage, and took his seat.
The jeweled carriage set off, accompanied by fine wine and fair maidens, thoroughly intoxicating.
A million li north of the Dragon Court Imperial Capital, in a bitter and frigid land, lay the Myriad Dragon Nest.
The master of the Myriad Dragon Nest bore the surname Cang, named Cang Zhu. Having cultivated nine heads, he had proclaimed himself True King, standing as another existence in the Heavenly Immortal Realm who had attained immortality. The one who had attacked Ming Xun and Xu Ying underground back then had been him.
Within the Myriad Dragon Nest, Cang Zhu summoned his disciple and instructed, "My disciple must not be inferior to Emperor Mingdao's disciple. Qiu Haitang, go defeat that barbarian Xu Ying and bring me his head."
Qiu Haitang acknowledged the command and asked, "What if His Highness Mingxi or Man Kongming gets there before me?"
True King Cang Zhu chuckled. "Then defeat Mingxi and Man Kongming as well, and bring me the heads of all three!"
A savage light flashed in his eyes. "Emperor Mingdao is indecisive. Back then, he hesitated over promoting full-scale burial-transformation. When the Three Realms Tide drew the realms closer and he discovered the Earth Immortal Realm, he wavered again, repeatedly hesitating over whether to seize it. He is no enlightened sovereign! That fellow with the Ming surname should have yielded the throne of Dragon Emperor long ago!"
Hearing this, Qiu Haitang dared not speak.
True King Cang Zhu waved his hand, and Qiu Haitang, feeling as though a heavy burden had been lifted, departed the Myriad Dragon Nest.
Behind him came the voice of True King Cang Zhu: "To get rid of Mingdao, we must first get rid of his dead old man! Still, that fellow Ming Xun's strength is genuinely formidable. That trick of freezing space and time makes him difficult even for me to handle..."
Qiu Haitang dared listen no further and hurried away.
In Ziqing Dragon City, Emperor Mingdao's order had not yet arrived. Among the elders guarding the dragon city, the strongest was Elder Fu Qianqiu.
Though the dragon race had many surnames, they all derived from their respective species. For instance, the Bi and Qing surnames usually stemmed from azure dragons; the Chao surname from black dragons; the Yu surname from alligator dragons, also known as jade pig dragons; and beyond those were surnames like Ying, Chou, Jiao, Cang, Yuan, and Ming.
The ancestor of the Fu clan had originally been a coiled tree of the South Sea. Having absorbed the spiritual energy of heaven and earth during the Dragon Court era, it transformed over time into a dragon—a wood dragon. Hence, they took Fu as their surname.
Because the Fu clan originated from flora transforming into dragons, they were generally looked down upon. Yet Fu Qianqiu was exceptionally fierce, at the peak perfection of the eighth-fold Dao Realm, his cultivation and strength on par with existences like Chao Yuandao. He had single-handedly carved out a territory for the Fu clan!
A gathering of dragon elders assembled in Fu Qianqiu's immortal hall, their gazes falling upon him with looks of anticipation.
After a moment, Fu Qianqiu reluctantly said, "If I step in, it would be bullying a junior. However, since fellow Daoists have invited me, I cannot refuse."
He walked outward, preparing to slay Xu Ying. But just as he arrived outside Qingping Temple, grey snow suddenly began drifting from the sky, fluttering down in scattered flakes.
Fu Qianqiu froze slightly. "Dao snow? At this hour, are there still Great Daos of heaven and earth from the primordial era that have not dissolved?"
Dao snow was formed from the ash of heaven and earth's Great Daos congealing into snowflakes; buried a thousand li deep beneath the Heavenly Immortal Realm was a stratum of Dao ash. When the Emerald Rocks destroyed the Great Daos of heaven and earth in the Heavenly Immortal Realm, such Dao snow had blotted out the sun and sky on an astonishing scale.
Yet for Dao snow to fall now left Fu Qianqiu utterly bewildered.
"Most likely that barbarian named Xu Ying could not resist the Great Daos of heaven and earth in the Heavenly Immortal Realm, and the Daos have reduced his cultivation to Dao snow."
He continued toward Qingping Temple. The greyish-black Dao snow fluttered thicker and heavier, and before Qingping Temple, an elderly dragon-headed figure had appeared at some unknown moment, standing with his hands behind his back.
Fu Qianqiu wondered, "I wonder which elder this is?"
He walked forward, only to see the Dao snow grow even heavier. Flakes of Dao ash drifted down in sheets, quickly covering the ground and deepening by the moment.
Fu Qianqiu trod upon the Dao snow, crunching beneath his feet and leaving deep footprints behind.
He suddenly felt a wave of weakness, his head growing dizzy. He shook his head and pressed onward, only to find the Dao snow falling even heavier.
"Fu Qianqiu, do you still intend to step forward?"
The old man, his back turned to him, spoke in a low voice using the dragon tongue. "If you take another step forward, your Great Dao will turn to flying ash, and your physical body along with it will be reduced to dust."
"This Dao ash... is my own Great Dao?"
Hearing those words, Fu Qianqiu was filled with horror. Only now did he notice that the Great Dao of his eighth-fold Dao Realm was disintegrating, turning continuously to ash!
Immense terror seized his heart. This was a buried-transformed Great Dao, a Dao method of the other shore—how could it possibly turn to ash?
He retreated rapidly, eyes filled with terror as he stared blankly at the old man's back. "To strip away half my cultivation soundlessly and nearly destroy my Dao methods of the other shore... Who in the world is this old man?"
As Fu Qianqiu distanced himself from Qingping Temple, the trend of his Great Dao turning to ash ceased at once, yet a surge of weakness washed over him. Drenched in cold sweat, he spoke not a word, turned on his heel, and fled Ziqing Dragon City as if for his life.
The dragon-headed elder was none other than Ming Xun. Standing outside the temple, he snorted and muttered softly, "You dare lay a hand on my granddaughter's husband..."
Suddenly, the temple gate creaked open. In a flash, his figure vanished without a trace.
Mingman poked her head out to look around. Seeing nothing amiss, she withdrew her head and went to pull the gate shut.
"Mingman, no need. It's time for us to depart."
Xu Ying walked up from behind her, smiling. "This journey is bound to be exceptionally lively!"
Chapter 688