This black aura had actually appeared before.
Yet none of them had taken it seriously back then. But now, as the black dragon struck once more and drew out that aura, Lu Yuan took notice—and found it remarkably familiar.
"It feels like something I sensed back at Guangchengzi's Dao arena." Suddenly, he remembered. This aura belonged to the Extraterrestrial Demons.
This meant the black dragon before him was deeply connected to them. Otherwise, how could it radiate such an aura?
While Lu Yuan was pondering this, the black dragon did not hesitate in the slightest. It lunged straight forward. The terrifying black aura billowed out around its body, surging in wave after wave.
Finally, it condensed into an exceptionally pure surge of power that flooded into the black dragon's body. Buzz, buzz, buzz—in no time, the injuries covering its frame were completely mended.
The imposing aura radiating from the dragon became even more formidable than before.
"This power is indeed quite wonderful. It is a pity there is so little of it, but no matter. Once I devour you, I can continue absorbing that power and climb higher still, and then finally take my revenge on the entire Dragon Clan!" the black dragon growled, its voice raspy and dripping with boundless hatred.
It had once had the opportunity to become a True Dragon. And in the end? Just because it had slain a few humans and living beings of various clans, the Dragon Clan had chosen to seal and suppress it.
Had it not absorbed that mysterious power back then, it could never have held on until now. Because of that, only hatred remained in its heart.
Now that it was finally free, it naturally wanted to restore its strength first before enacting its revenge. And Lu Yuan before it was the very first step toward regaining its power.
Boom—
Shortly after it uttered those words, all the black aura was absorbed completely. Its body shifted directly into a black dragon of immense proportions.
Its dark scales gleamed with a chilling luster, radiating an overwhelming pressure. Seeing this, Lu Yuan offered no needless words. Taking a step forward, he hovered in midair and spoke frankly: "The true battle begins now. This black dragon is extremely powerful, and having absorbed that energy, it will be even more terrifying."
After all, neither Jiang Ningxian nor Yinglong had reached the Immortal Realm.
And this black dragon was clearly far from simple. Under such circumstances, even Lu Yuan could not predict how the battle would unfold, so offering a prior warning was certainly the prudent choice.
Understanding what was on Lu Yuan's mind, Jiang Ningxian nodded. At the same time, an ancient mirror appeared in her hands. Strands of light radiated from the mirror, enfolding both her and Yinglong within its protection.
Seeing this, Lu Yuan wasted no more words. Facing the massive black dragon, he struck at once. Since stepping into the Immortal Realm and stabilizing his cultivation, he had yet to truly display his full power.
Now that the opportunity presented itself, how could he pass it up?
"Audacious!" the black dragon roared at the sight.
In the next instant, sound waves rippled forth from its jaws.
Even the Dragon Prison seemed unable to withstand the shock; the earth cracked open, and numerous cells were shattered. Yet Lu Yuan did not feel the slightest trace of fear. Unchanging in his movement, he met it with another punch.
Boom—
In a flash, the two sides collided once again.
On one side was an enormous, deeply oppressive dragon of mythical legend.
On the other was merely a human, making the difference in their perceived momentum appear vast. Yet even so, the power Lu Yuan unleashed was exceptionally formidable.
Facing this assault, the black dragon failed to gain the upper hand. In fact, it was forced into a steady retreat.
At this moment, after undergoing the baptism of countless fierce battles, Lu Yuan had gradually forged an invincible heart.
Now, no matter whom he faced or what manner of entity stood before him, as long as their cultivation realms were roughly comparable, he possessed the confidence to fight and triumph.
This was the path he intended to walk from now on: the supreme path, the invincible path.
"How are you this strong?!" The black dragon was thoroughly shocked. Even within the Dragon Clan, it had been a chosen pride.
It was not inferior in the least to those so-called Divine Sons and Holy Maidens; in truth, it was even stronger. Otherwise, it would never have been hailed as a being with the potential to become a True Dragon.
Yet now, the human before it had left the black dragon utterly astounded. What had become of the outside world? How could a random human be so terrifyingly powerful?
"No... If I don't feast on blood and flesh soon, I'm afraid my Dao will truly perish and I will die." The black dragon was well aware of its current condition. If it could not end this battle quickly, let alone taking revenge, it wouldn't even be able to leave this Dragon Prison.
Therefore, after a brief moment of thought, it did not hesitate. Transforming directly into human form, it slashed open its own chest.
Sizzle, sizzle, sizzle—
Instantly, drops of black blood welled out from its chest. Unlike ordinary blood, these black drops carried a peculiar, eerie power.
The moment they appeared, the entire Dragon Prison seemed to fall dead silent. Even Jiang Ningxian and Yinglong, standing far off in the distance, felt a bone-chilling cold.
It was as if an innate terror had gripped them. What on earth was that black blood?
Just as they were pondering the question, the black blood surged toward Lu Yuan with astonishing speed.
Naturally noticing it, Lu Yuan immediately channeled the power within his body, seeking to obliterate it. He knew full well that this blood was extremely dangerous, likely originating from the Extraterrestrial Demons, and that he could not allow it to touch him in the slightest.
Yet in the very next instant, he discovered to his shock that no matter how immense a force he brought to bear, he could not keep the black blood at bay. Without facing any obstruction whatsoever, it appeared directly before him.
And then...
Sizzle, sizzle, sizzle—
Accompanied by a sharp hiss, the black blood surged straight into Lu Yuan's body.
He felt as though he were suddenly engulfed by endless immortal flame, an agony his mighty physique could barely endure. Yet before he could even adjust, an intensely frigid power welled up from the black blood, threatening to freeze his soul solid.
The force within the blood targeted both his soul and his physical body simultaneously. Without warning, all of Lu Yuan's techniques and abilities were completely suppressed.
In the next instant, he plummeted straight to the ground.
His aura vanished altogether.
"Lu Yuan!" Seeing this, Jiang Ningxian's expression warped in horror. The vanishing of his aura meant that his life essence had dried up.
She had never anticipated that the black blood would possess such terrifying might. Without a second thought, Jiang Ningxian dashed straight to Lu Yuan's side.
His face was pale as he half-knelt on the ground. His aura had dwindled to the absolute nadir, as though he had suffered a devastating blow!
This was a sight Jiang Ningxian had never witnessed before, and seeing it now left her shocked to the absolute core.
Chapter 363