The Dao Sovereign of Shennong

After making his decision, Zhao Xing immediately headed to Xila Mansion.

The residence of Ji Mengjun in the royal city had been temporarily converted into a council hall for numerous high-ranking experts to deliberate.

As soon as Zhao Xing entered, Ji Si, who was presiding over the discussions, greeted him with a wry smile.

"Sir, it seems you already know what I'm about to say," Zhao Xing said, bowing respectfully.

"My elder brother outmatches me in many areas, but in terms of understanding people, I hold my own. Your Heavenly Fate Concealment was completed by my brother; his techniques follow the same lineage as mine," Ji Si sighed.

"Then you must know that I cannot avoid going," Zhao Xing said calmly.

"Zhao Xing, I have only one request," Ji Si said gently. His tone was not one of command but of earnest appeal, like an elder offering heartfelt advice.

"Please, tell me," Zhao Xing replied.

"There has been a rebellion within the Nine-Star Inferno of the Central Dragon Court. You must allow Ji Mengjun to escort you there," Ji Si said.

"Do you distrust King Shenluo and Ye Yukong?" Zhao Xing asked, puzzled.

"I trust them, but frankly, they're not up to the task," Ji Si replied bluntly.

Zhao Xing couldn't help but chuckle at the remark. Thankfully, the two were outside; if they'd overheard, they'd likely be devastated. In truth, both Ye Yukong and King Shenluo were exceptionally talented—Ye Yukong was a first-rate swordsman, and King Shenluo was nearly his equal. However, given the current circumstances, their strength alone was insufficient.

Still, adding more people might complicate matters. If Ji Mengjun joined the mission, who would take command?

Sensing Zhao Xing's concern, Ji Si quickly reassured him, "Although Ji Mengjun is the deputy hall master of the Battle Dance Division in the Military Realm, she will not assume military command. She'll follow your lead during this operation."

"Would she be willing to?" Zhao Xing hesitated.

"She knows," Ji Si replied.

Understanding dawned on Zhao Xing. Speaking with someone like Ji Si required little explanation; he had already anticipated every possibility. Knowing Zhao Xing's resolve, Ji Si hadn't wasted time persuading him. Instead, he had prepared an escort team in advance.

"The team includes first-class Battle Dancer Ji Mengjun, second-class Musician Xiao Huang, first-class Martial Master Tong Jin, and second-class Sorcerer Jiang Chuan. Additionally, King Shenluo and Ye Yukong will join," Ji Si explained, handing Zhao Xing a detailed dossier.

Zhao Xing accepted the document respectfully and incinerated it after reading.

"Thank you for your thorough preparations. I am deeply grateful," Zhao Xing said sincerely.

"If you're truly grateful, you could choose not to go. There's no shortage of people who can rescue Bai Yunwu," Ji Si quipped, eliciting a brief smile from both of them.

Bowing slightly, Zhao Xing bid farewell. "Take care."

Ji Si waved him off silently.

After Zhao Xing left, Ji Mengjun emerged from the rear of the hall.

"Are you really going to let him go?" Ji Mengjun asked.

"What choice do I have?" Ji Si shook his head. "I've reviewed tens of thousands of scenarios for this conversation, and not one ends with him being persuaded to stay."

As much as Ji Si loathed sending Zhao Xing, there was no alternative. Ordering him to stay would only backfire, triggering Zhao Xing's defiant nature. Restricting his freedom might lead to even worse consequences, potentially driving him to defect from Great Zhou.

As a command officer, Ji Si lacked the authority or influence to command the top-tier military experts. Even if he held such power, he would still need to heed the advice of first-class experts. Persuading them to risk their lives required the kind of prestige and rank held by figures like King Luo. Even the renowned Commander Yang Qingyun of the Jinwu Army struggled with such authority.

Thus, Ji Si had carefully selected a team of two first-class and two second-class experts to escort Zhao Xing. Ji Mengjun and Tong Jin, both trusted by the Ji royal family, would obey Ji Si's orders unconditionally. They were also qualified to know classified details about Zhao Xing and the Derivation of the Divine Spirit.

As for other first-class experts, Ji Si hadn't even considered them. Trust issues aside, most of them had high-priority tasks of their own.

Ji Mengjun asked, "Do you have any further instructions?"

Ji Si pondered for a moment, then retrieved a sealed imperial decree from his sleeve. "This is a secret edict from His Majesty. If you encounter extreme danger during this mission, you may use it. If it remains unused, return it to me after the mission."

Accepting the edict, Ji Mengjun asked softly, "What qualifies as extreme danger?"

"If you believe the situation has become so perilous that even Tong Jin, King Shenluo, Ye Yukong, Jiang Chuan, and Xiao Huang have perished and Zhao Xing still cannot be safely evacuated, then you may use it," Ji Si said plainly.

"I understand," Ji Mengjun replied.

At the central teleportation array of the Guting Royal City, nine towering mountains, each over ten thousand meters tall, encircled the secure zone of the imperial palace.

A dragon ship slowly descended into the central area surrounded by these mountains.

"This is the Nine Dragons Teleportation Array, an ancient formation of the Dragon Court," King Shenluo remarked, gazing out through the barrier at the scene below. "The art of constructing such arrays has been completely lost. Our dynasty has tried to decipher this ancient formation, but no one has succeeded—not even the dragons themselves can recreate it."

Teleportation arrays represented the pinnacle of mechanism and formation arts, but no one in the modern era had mastered their intricacies. Ancient arrays like the Biyou Boundless Sea and the Lihuo Altar were merely used by contemporary practitioners, with no knowledge of how to replicate them.

Even the Biyou Boundless Sea's range had gradually diminished over time, and the Lihuo Altar's fire pits had become fixed in number, many of them extinguished and irrecoverable.

With a thunderous roar, the nine dragon heads emitted beams of multicolored light toward the central area. At the point where the beams converged, they refracted upward, piercing the sky.

In an instant, the dragon ship at the array's center disappeared along with the light.

When the brilliance faded, the ship reappeared in a new environment—the True Dragon Royal City.

Zhao Xing surveyed his surroundings. They had arrived at a vast Dragonstone Plaza, flanked by nine towering mountains. However, their ship was positioned on the northeastern peak, East Dragon Mountain, rather than at the plaza's center.

"We've entered the Central Royal Court's domain," King Shenluo said, pointing westward. "Flying westward leads to the Nine-Star Inferno where Bai Yunwu is trapped."

"We're not heading there yet," Zhao Xing said, unfurling a map. "First, we'll go south to the Dragon Ascension Platform."

"Alright," the King of Shenluo immediately steered the flying boat southward at full speed.

Meanwhile, Ji Mengjun, Tong Jin, Jiang Chuan, and Xiao Huang stayed inside the cabin.

Unless there was imminent danger, they wouldn't appear recklessly to avoid unnecessary trouble and tracking. Their mission was simply to escort Zhao Xing, and avoiding a fight was the best outcome.

As for the King of Shenluo and Ye Yukong, they didn't ask many questions either. Whenever asked, the response was always, "Confidential."

Zhao Xing closed his eyes, quietly awaiting their arrival at the destination while deep in thought inside his Memory Palace.

"Bai Yunwu holds the Dragon King rank and has a vast fief in the Kingdom of Gus," Zhao Xing pondered.

"According to the intelligence, Bai Yunwu responded to a distress call from a top-tier expert of the Western Sea aquatic race named 'Boy', rallying Tang, Ao—two other top-tier feudal kings—and forty-five high-ranking human experts to offer aid."

"But it was a trap. The supposed Western Sea aquatic expert 'Boy' had long been brainwashed by sectarian forces and set up an ambush in advance, leading to Bai Yunwu's reinforcements being trapped in the Infernal Plains."

"Bai Yunwu, one of the four Dragon King-ranked nobles of the Great Zhou, and Tang and Ao, the patriarchs of the Eastern Sea aquatic race, serve as bastions of the Eastern Sea defense."

"Their entrapment immediately drew reinforcements from the other three Dragon King-ranked nobles of the Great Zhou."

"The opposing forces include the Golden Feather Court, Holy Spirit Court, Blazing Light Court, and Purple Dragon Court of the Southern Barbarian's Four Royal Courts; the Great Snake Kingdom of Dongying with its thirty vassals; and the Bishui and Xuantian factions of the Ten Divine Sects. Additionally, there are five top-tier sects involved: White Bone, Ghost Puppets, Four Saints, Green Sun, and Origin Return."

"These factions launched encirclement operations to suppress the reinforcements from the Great Zhou."

"High-ranking experts generally possess the authority to command lower-ranking dragon clans. For instance, a feudal lord-level expert (Second Rank) can command city-lord-level dragons (Third Rank). The Great Zhou's other three Dragon King-ranked nobles can mobilize even more resources."

"As a result, the number of human and dragon experts traveling from the ten kingdoms of the Dragon Court Ancient Land to the Central Dragon Court skyrocketed."

"What started as a situation involving Bai, Tang, Ao—three top-tier aquatic feudal kings—and forty-five high-ranking experts quickly escalated."

"In less than seven days, the number of top-tier human experts surpassed one hundred, while the number of high-ranking experts exceeded ten thousand—and it's still increasing."

"This truly is a case of enemies everywhere. The chaos caused by King Liang's rebellion has finally begun to manifest externally," Zhao Xing thought grimly. "Never before have there been such large-scale assaults on the Zhou dynasty."

"However, King Liang cannot shoulder all the blame. Emperor Jing's three centuries of aggressive expansion have made the Zhou dynasty appear as a 'demonic cult' in the eyes of external forces, and Emperor Jing himself is regarded as the number one demon."

"Taking advantage of Emperor Jing's purges and military power reductions during the early years of the Great Governance Era, external hostile forces seized the opportunity to target the Zhou dynasty's elite forces within the Dragon Court Ancient Land."

Zhao Xing was well aware of these events, but he hadn't planned to participate. Wars like these never lasted long.

Emperor Jing simply didn't want to deplete the dynasty's reserves by engaging in high-level battles, not because he couldn't fight them. Within a few months, the external alliance would be unable to sustain itself.

Losing a few top-tier experts wouldn't harm the Zhou dynasty, but for those so-called top-tier sects, major tribes, and powerful aquatic races, losing even one top-tier expert would severely damage their vitality. With no substantial benefits to gain, why would they continue to follow the Divine Sects and Southern Barbarian forces into battle?

Thus, the Dragon Court's siege against the Great Zhou would soon fizzle out.

As Zhao Xing deliberated in his Memory Palace, a second "Zhao Xing" appeared at the palace door. This Zhao Xing had a cold expression and said to the first Zhao Xing, "I originally planned to lay low and reap the rewards after this storm passed, but now you're going to risk your life? Have you forgotten the original intent of the Longevity Plan?"

The first Zhao Xing replied, "I was planning to wait until this storm passed. In the previous timeline, it wasn't Bai Yunwu who was trapped in the Infernal Plains but Tang Yinglong. However, things have changed now."

The second Zhao Xing sneered, "And what does that have to do with you? Long Xiao is just an NPC. If he dies, what does it matter to you?"

The first Zhao Xing retorted, "It's not just about Long Xiao. Bai Yunwu must not die now, and it's best if the three aquatic feudal kings survive as well."

"Why can't they die?" the second Zhao Xing challenged. "Are you certain you can walk away unscathed if something goes wrong?"

The first Zhao Xing explained, "The deviation isn't significant. What's certain is that one of the three Eastern Sea aquatic feudal kings will be trapped in the Infernal Plains."

"The hostile alliance's encirclement actions are clearly targeting them."

"Taking down the aquatic feudal kings of the Eastern Sea is the optimal strategy."

"With the Eastern Sea in turmoil and one of the three aquatic feudal kings dead, the Zhou dynasty's plans to expand outward from the Eastern Sea will face significant obstacles. The seven-island chain defense line will be forced to shrink by half."

"The Eastern Sea is resource-rich. If the area is blocked off, how will the Zhou dynasty's goods be sold across the seas? Future fiscal revenue will inevitably plummet."

"With reduced fiscal revenue, how will I manage as the Grand Shennong? I'll be broke!"

"The dynasty's fortune diminishes, and how am I supposed to survive?"

Zhao Xing continued convincing himself to rescue Long Xiao, though a conflicting thought in his mind tried to dissuade him from taking the risk.

"How will you save them? The Infernal Plains was designed to imprison Dragon Kings. Once trapped, there's no escape!"

"I have the Dragon Emperor Codex!"

"Ridiculous. Activating the codex alone is dangerous. Do you really think Ji Mengjun, that unknown Tong Jin, and a few other weaklings can guarantee your safety? The ritual requires your true self to perform it. Any mishap and you'll die."

"I possess Derivation Six Fortune. With the activation of the Purple-Gold Ancient Coin and Fortune Coin, I can reach Derivation Seven Fortune!"

"Fortune isn't invincible! Do you even understand what 'unexpected' means?" the second Zhao Xing said coldly. "Encounter one, and you'll be beyond saving."

"I can reincarnate as a Yin God, using the Ancient Yin warship to survive until the spiritual revival."

"Have you been affected by Li Xiu's Intelligence Reduction Technique? If you die, won't the Shangtang Token fall into enemy hands? The True Dragon King City cannot tear open the Yin-Yang Passage."

"Shut up! Can't you be more optimistic?"

"With such impulsiveness, no wonder your ex-girlfriend left you—"

"Damn it, how is this even related? Get lost!"

"I'll never find peace of mind if I don't go!" Zhao Xing shouted louder and louder.

Gradually, the second Zhao Xing's phantom faded into obscurity.

Opening his eyes, Zhao Xing saw double for a moment, feeling somewhat dazed. He rubbed his eyes and shook his head.

Noticing this, Ye Yukong approached. "Brother, are you alright?"

"I'm fine," Zhao Xing joked. "Perhaps I'm just exhausted from looting too many houses recently."

"Hahaha!" Ye Yukong laughed heartily. "Your courage is truly unmatched."

Their current destination was a perilous place where First Rank experts roamed, and Third Ranks were as common as stray dogs. Both the King of Shenluo and Ye Yukong were somewhat tense as they neared the Central Dragon Court, and their conversations dwindled.

Who wouldn't fear death? All living beings possess the instinct to survive.

Yet Zhao Xing could still crack jokes.

"I have my clones," Zhao Xing added, glancing at the long sword at Ye Yukong's waist. "Brother Ye, how long have you been using that sword?"

"You mean the Mingyue Sword?" Ye Yukong gripped the hilt. "Nearly thirty years."

"It should be an Eighth-Rank superior-grade weapon, correct?"

"Yes."

"Why haven't you replaced it?" Zhao Xing asked, puzzled.

Ye Yukong, during a previous lucky draw, had obtained a Ninth-Rank superior-grade treasure and some Eighth-Rank materials. These were valuable enough to exchange for a better sword, especially given that Ji Yi's recent batch had yielded some excellent items.

Zhao Xing observed that trading for a ninth-rank sword was entirely within Ye Yukong's capabilities. With his current second-grade cultivation, Ye Yukong had a profound Dao comprehension, making it possible for him to wield such a weapon with ease.

"When I had the Bright Moon Sword custom-made by a master craftsman from the Hundred Weapons Academy, it became a part of me," Ye Yukong explained. "Switching to a ninth-rank sword wouldn't make much sense if it were only of middle or lower grade—it wouldn't outperform my Bright Moon Sword."

He added with a trace of pride, "However, if it were of superior or peerless grade, the power of my swordsmanship would undoubtedly rise to a higher level."

Zhao Xing pondered for a moment before asking, "What about a treasure-tier divine weapon for sword cultivation? Would you be able to unleash its full potential?"

Ye Yukong smirked confidently. "As a practitioner of the Sword Sect, of course, I could harness its power. Though I've never tried it, I'm sure I could manage."

Nearby, King Shenluo, who was adjusting his state of mind, joined the conversation with an unexpected comment. "Speaking of which, isn't Sword Sect inferior to Qi Sect?"

Ye Yukong's face darkened instantly. "Nonsense! If you don't understand, don't speak recklessly! Sword Sect is the best in the world!"

King Shenluo waved dismissively. "Never heard of it."

Ye Yukong retorted sarcastically, "Then surely you've heard of how Shenluo Stream is inferior to Dao Weapon Stream?"

King Shenluo glared at him. "Rubbish!"

Ye Yukong scoffed. "When fighting Yushan Zi, if it had been Dao Weapon Stream Mechanists, they wouldn't have taken so long to defeat him."

King Shenluo bristled, his temper flaring. "At that time, Yushan Zi had already merged with the fortune and soul of a second-grade Ritual Master. Only Shenluo Stream could hold out for so long. If it had been Dao Weapon Stream, he would've fled long before! If you don't understand, don't spout nonsense!"

"Let me remind you," King Shenluo continued heatedly, "the top Mechanist in the Dao Fields belongs to Shenluo Stream! What about your Sword Sect warriors?"

Ye Yukong was momentarily at a loss for words. After all, the world's top warrior did indeed follow Qi Sect teachings.

"Are we seriously counting Dao Field competitions?" Ye Yukong asked stubbornly, his tone defensive.

"Why not?" King Shenluo chuckled. "Take Situ Gong, for example. He trains internally with the Gourmet Method and externally with the Black Tortoise Avatar. His golden body is invincible, and his divine fists are unmatched. His boundless vitality is like an ocean. He could stand still and let you strike, and you wouldn't even scratch him."

Zhao Xing stood to the side, suppressing a chuckle.

The Situ Gong mentioned by King Shenluo was none other than Duke Situ Wu, the former dean of the Shenwu Academy under the Great Zhou. Though he never openly endorsed Qi Sect, the world regarded him as one of its great masters.

His status was second only to the first-generation Martial God of the Great Zhou, Ji Shuang, who had cultivated the Dragon Elephant Golden Body.

The rivalry between Qi Sect and Sword Sect had been ongoing in the martial arts world of the Great Zhou for ages.

Qi Sect advocated that the body could embody heaven and earth. Martial arts cultivation, they believed, should aim to contain as much vitality as possible. To achieve this, a warrior's golden body had to be exceptionally strong. The stronger the body, the more vitality it could hold, and conversely, this vitality would further reinforce the body.

In essence, the body could rival divine artifacts.

Supported by immense vitality, even a casual punch could overwhelm the enemy.

When their vitality was released, it could spark a storm of energy.

Techniques? Superfluous frills! Watch me crush my enemies with a single punch!

In stark contrast, Sword Sect believed that martial arts techniques represented the pinnacle of human wisdom and refinement. Through profound martial arts techniques, practitioners could comprehend the Dao of heaven and earth. A single sword strike could bend the rules or even rewrite them!

Qi Sect? Primitive and crude! The more you practice, the more regressive you become!

The difference between Shenluo Stream and Dao Weapon Stream lay in their philosophies.

The former focused on massive divine weapons, colossal mechanized armor, and giant mechanical puppets, subscribing to the belief that "bigger is stronger," and advocating for the Mechanist's personal control.

The latter embraced mass production, aiming to imbue mechanical beasts and puppets with [Combat Instinct] and [Battle Spirit], granting them autonomous combat capabilities, independent of direct Mechanist control.

Frustrated, Ye Yukong turned to Zhao Xing. "Brother, help me settle this argument!"

"Me?" Zhao Xing quickly waved his hands. "I'm just a humble Military Shennong; I wouldn't dare weigh in on this."

Each generation of martial traditions had its rise and fall, with some streams ascending while others declined.

Of course, fate officers were a notable exception.

Generations had seen them weakened and suppressed.

Historically, the strength of fate officers had steadily waned.

In the era of spiritual energy revival, their spells received only a minor boost from the influx of spiritual energy.

Meanwhile, other professions grew exponentially stronger, leaving fate officers to dwindle in significance.

In this era of revitalized spiritual energy, all things flourished under the heavens!

The stronger an individual's capabilities, the greater their control over their destiny!

This shift made it increasingly difficult for fate officers to manipulate others' fates.

However, niche streams like treasure-seeking sorcerers still held value in certain contexts.

Moreover, individuals wielding artifacts like the Creation Disk remained forces to be reckoned with.

Specialized techniques such as curses, fortune tracking, and other niche methods still delivered notable results.

As these thoughts crossed his mind, Zhao Xing couldn't help but worry about Long Xiao.

He tried to divine Long Xiao's situation, but as soon as he began, his fingers split open, blood dripping as the deep wounds exposed bone.

"Old Chen didn't fall. You better not either," Zhao Xing muttered to himself, licking his fingers and silently praying, "Hang in there."

Outside the cabin, the three continued their conversation, while within, Tong Jin and Ji Mengjun, both first-grade cultivators—one a warrior and the other a dance master—were having their own discussion.

"Mengjun, he doesn't have any direct connection with Bai Yunwu, does he?" Tong Jin asked.

"Not with Bai Yunwu himself," Ji Mengjun replied, "but with Bai Yunwu's grandson-in-law, Long Xiao. Their bond is significant."

"Long Xiao and Chen Shijie were Zhao Xing's guides when he enlisted. Later, when Zhao Xing completed his training at Ten Sun Cave-Heaven and went on to take the Military Realm's assessment, Long Xiao served as his protector."

"Afterward, they fought side by side on the Southern Barbarian Battlefield and were demoted to the Eastern Sea together due to pressure from King Liang's faction. It's said that Shenwei Marquis's war pets were all named by Long Xiao."

"The territorial title and that Mountain Cat?" Tong Jin seemed to recall. During Zhao Xing's time in the royal capital, he'd often been accompanied by a cat, a goat, and a dog—all still residing in Gu Ting's royal city.

"Exactly," Ji Mengjun affirmed. "They grew up from humble beginnings together. Their bond is naturally deep. As a former soldier, I understand that kind of camaraderie."

What puzzled Tong Jin, however, was Ji Anming's decision to allow Zhao Xing to take such a dangerous risk.

Even if Zhao Xing possessed a dragon artifact, could it truly sway the current situation?

Suddenly, Ji Mengjun's gaze sharpened as she looked toward the ship's exterior. "Someone's there."

Tong Jin sprang up like a startled cat, darting outside.

The Dragon Ascension Platform was not located within True Dragon King City but rather outside its boundaries.

It resembled the altars and sacrificial platforms used in human rituals for heaven and earth.

Surrounding the platform were numerous dragon totems and statues of dragon emperors.

It was a place to comprehend dragon spells and learn the Dragon Language.

Rumors suggested it was the Dragon Emperor's command platform or a site for receiving guidance from dragon gods and rewarding dragon clan heroes.

Whatever its true purpose, the Dragon Ascension Platform was a popular exploration site in the Central Dragon Court.

Every time the Dragon Court opened, human visitors would inevitably stop by to explore the platform.

Now, with large-scale battles breaking out in the Central Dragon Court, the previous tenuous peace had collapsed.

Aside from Bai Yunwu, the other three dukes of the Great Zhou had issued direct orders.

At present, any encounter between the Great Zhou and hostile alliances in any location would escalate into immediate conflict.

Having lost the initiative, the Dragon Ascension Platform was now occupied by three opposing factions.

As Zhao Xing's flying boat approached, they quickly noticed signs of numerous scouting sentinels.

"Ye Yukong, capture one of them for questioning," Zhao Xing instructed.

"Consider it done," Ye Yukong replied, transforming into a streak of moonlight as he shot toward a massive boulder in the east.

"Swoosh!"

Behind the boulder, a streak of red light tried to escape, but it was immediately intercepted by the moonlight and extinguished on the spot.

"Whoosh~"

In just five breaths, Ye Yukong returned to the flying ship from a thousand meters away. Alongside him was a man in a Daoist robe wearing a white bone mask.

Two streams of sword energy pierced the man's shoulder blades. The pure, dense energy was almost tangible. Like moonlight, the sword energy spread in thin strands, extending into his internal organs and locking down all his vitality.

"Kneel," Ye Yukong commanded, kicking the back of the man's knees. The bone-robed man collapsed to the ground with a thud.

By this time, Ji Mengjun, Tong Jin, Jiang Chuan, and Xiao Huang had all stepped forward.

"This is someone from the White Bone Sect, third-rank beginner level. Judging by his attire and the token, he's likely an elder in the sect," Tong Jin stated.

"Lord Shenwei, allow me to handle the interrogation," Ji Mengjun offered, looking toward Zhao Xing.

"I'll leave it to you, Lord Ji," Zhao Xing nodded. Third-rank cultivators in sects typically possessed powerful safeguards to prevent the leaking of secrets. Standard torture techniques were often ineffective.

However, Ji Mengjun was no ordinary interrogator.

Ji Mengjun merely stepped into the captive's line of sight. The third-rank member of the White Bone Sect suddenly raised his head, his expression dazed.

The moment he saw Ji Mengjun, his gaze became entirely fixated on her. Unconsciously, he took two steps forward, and his life soul floated right out of his body.

Even the seasoned King Shenluo, Ye Yukong, the second-rank sorcerer Jiang Chuan, and musician Xiao Huang showed visible respect for the display.

Zhao Xing, too, felt the terrifying power of Ji Mengjun as a Soul Dancer. He couldn't even discern what technique she had used to draw the man's soul out so effortlessly.

There was no need for further questioning. The captive began to speak on his own: "My name is Gu Shisan. I am an elder of the White Bone Sect and a disciple of Zigu Heavenly Venerable—"

Zhao Xing listened quietly. In the sectarian world, the title "Heavenly Venerable" was generally reserved for first-rank cultivators. Super first-rank cultivators would be addressed as "Divine Venerable." Titles for second and third ranks were more flexible, ranging from True Lord to Origin Lord, and could vary wildly depending on personal preference.

"My master instructed me to patrol the area around the Dragon Ascension Platform. There are seventy-five people like me. Our sect is responsible for the southern perimeter of the platform."

"There are sixteen Heavenly Venerable-level figures, four in each direction… True Lord, Origin Lord, and Respected Master number a total of thirty-five…"

"There are one hundred and two Dragon Tribe leaders—"

"There are Dragon Tribe city lords numbering—"

The captive quickly revealed all this information voluntarily.

Ji Mengjun then pressed further: "What artifacts do the Heavenly Venerable-level figures possess, and what are their effects? If there are formations, where are they set up?"

A third-rank cultivator would typically be considered high-ranking in the Great Zhou Dynasty and held an even higher status in sectarian domains. Only in the chaos of a massive battle in the Central Dragon Court could such a figure be reduced to a pawn. Yet, this individual's knowledge would still be substantial under normal circumstances.

However, just as Ji Mengjun delved deeper, Gu Shisan's life soul began to tremble violently, and he fell silent.

Ji Mengjun noticed this and swiftly extended a finger, lightly tapping the air. Gu Shisan's soul steadied once more.

"Lord Ji, what's happening?" Tong Jin asked.

"He has self-destructive measures in place," Ji Mengjun replied, pondering for a moment as the silver chain on her wrist jingled softly.

Moments later, several nail-like magical tools surfaced on Gu Shisan's life soul at various points—his forehead, lower back, shoulders, abdomen, and thighs. These nails were red and blue, emitting thin glowing threads that wove through his soul, creating an eerie sight.

Everyone present felt a chill.

"Bone Soul Nails?"

"Indeed, these are Bone Soul Nails."

"Bone Soul Nails are exceptionally cruel. Each nail driven into the soul feels like enduring a thousand cuts."

"They are designed to destroy the life soul, preventing it from being manipulated and leaking secrets. Life and death are entirely in the hands of the superior who controls the nails."

"However, they're not without benefits. Bone Soul Nails can stabilize the life soul, allowing it to travel farther during soul projection and endure stronger attacks."

"Truly vicious!"

Ji Mengjun turned to the side. "King Shenluo, can you remove these?"

Soul artifacts were powerful treasures, and the micro formations inscribed on them would likely require the King Shenluo's expertise.

Yet, upon hearing Ji Mengjun's question, the King Shenluo appeared somewhat embarrassed. "Soul artifacts are rare, and the micro formations within them are not my specialty. My focus lies in the Shenluo school—"

The Shenluo school typically dealt with grand-scale formations, making them ill-suited for studying micro formations. A practitioner of the Dao Soldier school would have been a better fit.

"Should I go capture another one?" Ye Yukong suggested.

"They're not fools," Tong Jin shook his head.

The previous capture had been a stroke of luck, achieved through a sudden and swift attack. Now that their enemies had retreated, it would be nearly impossible to seize another live captive so easily.

Ji Mengjun didn't argue further. She initially intended to destroy Gu Shisan's life soul directly, but upon noticing Zhao Xing deep in thought, her eyes glimmered. "Lord Shenwei, do you have something to add?"

Zhao Xing spoke, "During the period of unrest, I once killed a White Bone Sect elder and inadvertently acquired a 'Bone Soul Nail Seven-Star Diagram.' At the time, I noticed the nails were adorned with a pattern resembling a starry sky, though I didn't understand its purpose. I only committed it to memory."

"Now, hearing King Shenluo's explanation, it occurs to me that this knowledge might be useful. With Lord Ji overseeing, perhaps I can share this method with him and see if it helps."

The King Shenluo, eager to redeem himself in Ji Mengjun's eyes, quickly said, "If there's a secret method to learn, I'm confident I can handle it."

Zhao Xing replied, "I can't guarantee it will work, but it's worth a try since there's nothing to lose."

The micro formations on the Water-Fire Bone Soul Nails were akin to the intricate wiring of a bomb. Zhao Xing didn't actually possess any secret method for King Shenluo; he merely knew the sequence for removing the nails.

Years ago, when he had ventured through the Heavenly Craft Hall at Grand Dream Academy, he had memorized similar techniques to bypass certain mechanisms. However, this situation was far more complex.

Even so, experimenting with Gu Shisan carried little risk.

Zhao Xing considered for a moment, then stepped beside Gu Shisan's life soul, standing shoulder to shoulder with the King Shenluo.

He waved his hand, manipulating the Five Elemental Qi to filter out all but the water and fire elements.

Having cultivated the Yin-Yang Self Canon to the third layer, Zhao Xing's control over the Five Elemental Qi had reached an extraordinary level.

The water and fire qi intertwined delicately, quickly replicating the thirteen Bone Soul Nails.

The nails, formed entirely of elemental energy, mirrored the structure of the real Bone Soul Nails. Those present, all highly skilled, could easily discern the replica's fidelity.

"King Shenluo, you need to analyze his life soul along with his physical organs, skeleton, and meridians," Zhao Xing instructed. "The manual describes this as a dual solution method for both soul and body."

"Understood." King Shenluo nodded, magnifying his vision to observe at the micro level.

Although the nails appeared no larger than a fingertip, countless star-like points of light adorned their uneven surfaces.

Zhao Xing began to recite the sequence.

"The Bone Soul Nails shift the Fate Star, and to unlock the soul, one must first restore the primary nail."

"If starlight locks the Three Soul Threads, a glimmering chill will pierce through clarity."

"To plant the nails, one begins at the feet, with the Death Line often locking the ribs and shoulders."

"If the light of Zhaoyang flows toward the Northern Dipper, closing the cycle leaves no salvation—sending the soul directly to the Netherworld."

As Zhao Xing finished reciting, the others were visibly bewildered. Xiao Huang, the musician, Jiang Chuan, the warlock, and Ye Yukong exchanged confused looks, while even Tong Jin and Ji Mengjun appeared puzzled.

However, King Shenluo fell into deep thought.

Before he could say anything, Zhao Xing continued, "The manual includes annotations. Essentially, the Bone Soul Nails shift a person's Fate Star. To remove the control over the soul, the location of the primary nail must first be identified."

"If the Three Soul Threads are locked, the Clarity Point of the body and life soul will emit a cold glimmer. This represents the most advanced level of Bone Soul Nail's locking method, and not the Water-Fire variant."

"The implantation of the nails typically begins at the feet. The soul threads produced by the starlight create lines, with the Death Line usually secured along the ribs or shoulder."

"If the Zhaoyang Point's light bends entirely toward the Northern Dipper, that means…" Zhao Xing hesitated slightly, "...there's no saving them. It's akin to sending the soul to the Netherworld."

King Shenluo asked, "Are the soul threads those red and blue lines? And what exactly is the Death Line?"

Zhao Xing shrugged. "That's probably correct. As for the Death Line, the manual doesn't clarify."

In truth, the manual did mention it—but deciphering the rules for the Water and Fire energies attaching to the soul threads was King Shenluo's task. Zhao Xing deliberately left that part ambiguous to let King Shenluo figure it out himself.

"The foot nail corresponds to Water and is tied to the Upper Yuan constellation, shifting sixteen stars to the Refulgence Point."

"The Divine Light flows through the kidneys, connecting the upper ribs on the left and the lower leg bone on the right. The Water's flow to Zhaoyang breaks as thin as a strand of hair. This is necessary to reset the Seven-Marked Nail positions."

"If not the Seven-Marked positions, restoring the positions quickly is essential. Otherwise—"

"Ahhh!" Before Zhao Xing could finish, Gu Shisan's life soul and physical body let out agonized screams.

King Shenluo looked embarrassed, while Zhao Xing remained expressionless and finished the phrase: "Otherwise, the pain will be unbearable."

Cough. King Shenluo cleared his throat. "That was just the first attempt. Let me try again."

"Take your time," Zhao Xing replied flatly.

The process required precision and patience. Extracting crucial intelligence could significantly smooth their entry into the Dragon Ascension Platform. Charging in without intel was not an option, as their team had only two first-rank powerhouses among the seven members.

Unfortunately for Gu Shisan, he had fallen victim to his enemies' meticulous methods.

Though King Shenluo was skilled, dismantling the Bone Soul Nail—a masterpiece of top-tier sect techniques and treasures—was not his area of expertise. His progress was slow and unsteady. Meanwhile, Zhao Xing recited from memory, sometimes feigning ignorance on certain points, forcing King Shenluo to experiment and learn on the spot.

Thus, Gu Shisan's screams continued unabated.

Had Zhao Xing been making random guesses, Gu Shisan might have died swiftly. But Zhao Xing knew the correct sequence. If King Shenluo made significant mistakes, death might have been an escape. Yet King Shenluo only made minor errors, prolonging the torment. And with Ji Mengjun stabilizing his life soul at critical moments, survival became a grim certainty.

To encounter such a well-coordinated team—was this not sheer bad luck?

"Kill me! Just kill me already! I beg you!" Gu Shisan wailed. "End it! Ahhhh—"

His cries grated on Ye Yukong's nerves. "Can you stop yelling? You sound like a dying pig. It's unbearable."

"You've reached the third rank, yet you lack even a shred of resilience. Shameful."

Gu Shisan: ….

Is this even human reasoning? After all I've endured, you accuse me of not being tough enough?

Xiao Huang raised his bamboo flute and offered, "I could play a Requiem. It might quiet him down and extend his endurance, giving King Shenluo more time to work."

Gu Shisan broke down entirely.

After two grueling hours, Gu Shisan finally succumbed.

The nails in his life soul were successfully extracted through the combined efforts of Zhao Xing, King Shenluo, Ji Mengjun, and Xiao Huang.

Once Gu Shisan revealed all the information they needed, Zhao Xing granted him a swift death. As he had often advised Long Xiao, torturing for the sake of torture served no purpose. Once he had what he needed, there was no reason to prolong his enemy's suffering—it was crucial to maintain a proper mindset.

Of those present, everyone except Gu Shisan was relatively pleased with the outcome.

King Shenluo had learned a valuable technique. With the newly acquired intel, the upcoming battle would be significantly less dangerous for the team.

"We'll enter the Dragon Ascension Platform from the southern perimeter guarded by the Bone Sect."

"I'll need approximately half an hour of uninterrupted time to unseal the artifact," Zhao Xing explained.

By the twelfth month of the third year of Dazhi, with the location of Dragon King Yin Xiu revealed and the mission objective clear, the team now understood Zhao Xing's true purpose: to unseal a Dragon Clan artifact.

The official records, curated by Ji Mengjun, would later describe the mission's goal as such. They wouldn't foolishly claim that Zhao Xing was acting recklessly or pursuing a personal agenda to save Long Xiao.

"The Purple Bone Sovereign and Red Bone Sovereign of the Bone Sect are first-rank powerhouses. Neither wields an artifact, but they have numerous second- and third-rank members," Tong Jin noted.

"Is half an hour the minimum time required?" Tong Jin asked.

"It might take less, but I can't guarantee it," Zhao Xing replied. "However, if it takes more than two hours, it'll indicate significant issues, and we'll need to retreat."

Zhao Xing needed to locate the correct Dragon Ascension Platform to unlock the fragment of the Dragon Court Codex in his possession.

"Understood," Tong Jin nodded.

"No objections," Ji Mengjun agreed. "I don't carry treasures, but all my equipment is top-tier ninth rank. Tong Jin is from the Qi Sect and doesn't require weapons or armor."

After some thought, Zhao Xing pushed a box toward Ye Yukong and gestured toward a large door on the dragon ship for King Shenluo. "Stand guard aboard the ship. Avoid combat if possible. If powerful enemies appear in large numbers, Ye Yukong, open this box. King Shenluo, open this door."

Though unclear on the contents, the two nodded. They assumed the precautions had been set up by Ji Mengjun. In truth, even Ji Mengjun and Tong Jin didn't know the box contained the Infinite Sword Embryo and the door concealed the Colossal Mecha Warrior.

The operation began, and Zhao Xing's group of seven sailed southward into the Dragon Ascension Platform.

The platform's vast area and the intel gleaned from Gu Shisan allowed them to infiltrate smoothly, avoiding detection by both Bone Sect members and Dragon Clans.

Aboard the flying vessel, Zhao Xing scanned the area rapidly, searching for the platform specific to unsealing the Dragon Court Codex Fragment. On his person were two ancient purple-gold coins and an activated Fortune Coin. He had temporarily entered a Derivation Seven state.

Ji Mengjun and Tong Jin each carried a Fortune Coin, which helped the group progress unscathed deep into the platform.

Time passed swiftly. Fifteen minutes into their journey, the ship's tense silence was almost suffocating.

Twice, they narrowly avoided detection by groups of Dragon Lords, their stealth intact but nerves frayed.

At the eighteen-minute mark, Zhao Xing's voice broke the tense atmosphere. "I've found it—southeast, about eight kilometers ahead."

King Shenluo immediately steered the dragon ship toward the designated location.

Beneath them lay numerous ruins of Dragon Cities, though the towering Dragon Ascension Platforms remained intact.

As they neared the target, they could no longer use high-altitude flight to conceal their movements.

The group descended. Around this Dragon Ascension Platform were numerous dragon lords and city masters.

"Whoosh—"

Ji Mengjun leaped from the dragon ship without hesitation.

Below, a chaotic cluster of dragon lords and city masters numbered roughly thirty to forty, spanning Second and Third Rank.

As Ji Mengjun descended, her entire demeanor changed. Her vibrant ribbons, delicate dress, and even her shoes shifted colors mid-air. She had been a graceful and harmless beauty before, but now her aura exuded an untouchable majesty.

She spun three times in the air before landing gracefully.

"Crack, crack, crack—"

The unsettling sound of bones snapping echoed around them.

A bizarre sight unfolded. The dragon lords and city masters below twisted their necks in sync with her motion, spinning three full rotations before their heads snapped off.

"Roar—"

Although their physical bodies perished, their fate-bound souls remained intact. Ethereal dragon spirits emerged, howling at the sky.

Yet, their spectral wails emitted no sound. Even the gruesome noises were overshadowed by a flute's ethereal melody.

Zhao Xing could clearly see the sound waves emitted from Xiao Huang's flute distorting into an elegant sound barrier. This barrier enveloped the platform and stretched twenty kilometers outward.

"Ding—"

Ji Mengjun flicked her wrist, as if performing a delicate gesture, and the dragon spirits scattered into nothingness in the next moment.

The entire fight lasted less than a breath. It ended without alerting anyone.

"Whoosh—"

Zhao Xing himself flew up to the Dragon Ascension Platform, placing a half-person-high engraving slab at its center.

"Boom—"

Dust swirled as the slab settled. Small pebbles danced across the surface, as though delighted by the return of a long-lost companion.

"Fire Transformation!"

Zhao Xing's form erupted into flames.

"Pfft—"

A sharp incision appeared across his abdomen, causing blood to flow freely. This heart's blood dripped onto the slab.

Though the blood fell drop by drop, Zhao Xing's massive form, over a thousand meters tall, meant each drop was enormous. Soon, the liquid pooled into a small stream that flowed along the platform's engravings.

"Rumble—"

Thunderclouds, dark as ink, loomed low over the horizon. A fierce wind howled, as if heralding the arrival of war.

Xiao Huang's expression turned grim. The sudden phenomena caused his sound barrier, Flowing Sound Domain, to falter.

"My lord, I'm losing control."

"Roar—"

The heavens responded with a deafening roar. A pillar of light descended from the sky, engulfing the entire Dragon Ascension Platform.

Xiao Huang's domain shattered completely.

Ji Mengjun shook her head slightly, unable to alter the oppressive heavenly rules descending upon them.

Above the platform, the immense force of celestial laws blanketed the area. Initially, Zhao Xing's chanting in the dragon language was audible. However, the light pillar soon drowned out his voice entirely.

"He's begun the unsealing ritual," Ji Mengjun stated, scanning their surroundings. "Prepare for battle."

No further words were needed. The six immediately took their positions, guarding the Dragon Ascension Platform.

There was no way to suppress such a disturbance. They could already sense powerful figures from the Bone Sect and countless dragons rushing toward their location.

"Creak, creak, creak—"

On the platform, cracks appeared across the slab, and its dark shell began to peel away, revealing golden light underneath. A faint, dragon-shaped silhouette flickered within.

"At this rate of bloodletting, the unsealing will complete in just over one quarter-hour," Zhao Xing calculated. Continuing his chants, he sent a clone to the ship to relay the timeframe to Ji Mengjun and the others.

Chapter 299: Nine Revolutions of the Marquis Method and Ancestral Dragon Transformation, Divine Court Decree, All Dragons Heed the Command!

The architectural style of the Dragon Ascension Platform was grand and imposing, a hallmark of the dragon clan's majestic and solemn aesthetic. However, the southern platform, named "Mu," was distinctly different. The surrounding structures exuded a mysterious and eerie aura, and even the environment was grim and chilling. Once lush and towering trees had been stripped bare, leaving behind sharp, twisted branches that resembled clawing specters.

A biting wind howled through the area, swirling around a lone purple figure.

Amidst the tornado of purple light stood the Purple Bone Heavenly Venerable, tall and imposing like an ancient pine. His dark purple robes seemed to merge with the void. His face was gaunt, his flesh nearly desiccated, giving the impression of someone on the brink of death.

Yet his eyes shone with a profound purple light, as though capable of piercing directly into one's soul.

He held a staff crafted from mysterious purple bone—the Purple Flame Demon Bone Staff. Wreathed in flickering purple flames, it radiated an aura capable of incinerating anything in existence. Each sweep of the staff unleashed a terrifying storm of purple fire.

He was altering the laws of heaven and earth—not for offense, but for a ritual.

Beneath the Mu Dragon Ascension Platform, a massive dragon skull rested on a meticulously constructed altar. The skull alone was nearly half the height of the platform, lying horizontally on the altar and towering over 800 meters tall.

On either side of the skull were two immense blue dragons, each over 5,000 meters long, chained to the altar and immobilized completely.

As the Purple Bone Heavenly Venerable waved his staff, beams of blue light flowed from the bodies of the two lord-tier peak dragons into the dragon skull below.

A red-clad figure stood beneath the altar. His handsome yet sinister face gleamed with fiery red eyes, as though capable of igniting a person's soul.

This was the Red Bone Heavenly Venerable.

The sword in his hand, the Blood Bone Sword, glowed a deep crimson like freshly spilled blood and emanated an overwhelming aura of death.

With each wave of the Purple Bone Heavenly Venerable's staff, the Red Bone Heavenly Venerable would draw blood from the two lord-tier peak dragons, steadily bleeding them dry.

It wasn't long before the two dragons succumbed entirely.

Their flesh and souls were consumed in the ritual, merging with the colossal dragon skull.

"Bone One, Bone Two, bring two more," the Purple Bone Heavenly Venerable croaked, his raspy voice issuing a command to the two elders nearby.

"Yes, Heavenly Venerable," replied Bone One and Bone Two.

These two were false first-rank cultivators. Their bodies lacked flesh and blood, consisting solely of skeletons animated by soul flames. Standing over ten meters tall, they were shrouded in black robes. Even their skeletal frames were not originally their own but had been refined from the bones of other powerful beings.

The character "Mu" in the Dragon Language signified summoning spirits, and the Mu Dragon Ascension Platform was rooted in the Netherworld's energy.

The two Heavenly Venerables were attempting to refine the massive dragon skull using this platform.

The skull belonged to a Grand Dragon King, excavated from an ancient burial site.

"Sixteen Heavenly Venerables collaborated to unearth the dragon's tomb and divide the remains of the Grand Dragon King, 'Wu.'"

"With the Purple Dragon Court's support, our Divine Sect claimed the dragon skull. If successfully refined, it will become at least a treasure-tier artifact!" the Purple Bone Heavenly Venerable thought, his gaze brimming with greed as he looked at the dragon skull.

In the Dragon Court Ancient Land, treasure-tier dragon artifacts exhibited unparalleled power. Here, the laws of heaven and earth favored the dragons, and a Grand Dragon King's strength far exceeded that of a human first-rank cultivator. In the Royal City, they were even more formidable. If not for this disparity, human experts would have long since killed them and claimed their treasures, eliminating the need for tributes.

Treasure-tier dragon artifacts created by the dragon clan were inherently superior to those crafted by humans.

As for the Grand Dragon King, there was no human counterpart to compare against. Super first-rank humans simply couldn't enter this land.

Given this pattern, a living Grand Dragon King would undoubtedly surpass a super first-rank human in strength within this territory.

"This refinement plan has been in the works for a thousand years. If it succeeds in my hands, the next Divine Venerable will be chosen between me and him," the Purple Bone Heavenly Venerable thought.

"If he doesn't fight me for it, fine. But if he dares—" The Purple Bone Heavenly Venerable glanced at the red figure below, a flash of deeply hidden killing intent flickering in his eyes.

At that moment, Bone One and Bone Two, who had just left to capture live dragons for the ritual, hurriedly returned.

"Heavenly Venerable, a powerful intruder has entered the southern region of the Dragon Ascension Platform, approximately a thousand miles away. The ten lord-tier dragons and thirty-two city-lord-tier dragons stationed there are all dead."

"Even Elder Bone Thirteen has perished."

"What?" The Purple Bone Heavenly Venerable's brow furrowed deeply. "Which faction is responsible?"

"We have yet to ascertain," Bone One replied.

The Purple Bone Heavenly Venerable rotated his staff, initiating a divination. As a first-rank Life Palace cultivator, he was proficient in such methods.

However, as the staff spun, one of the skulls adorning it emitted a golden light, signaling a backlash.

"There's a Life Palace cultivator within our territory. They aren't part of the alliance," he muttered. "That means they must be from the Great Zhou."

Despite receiving limited information, he could infer the intruder's identity with a high degree of certainty.

"Bone One, Bone Two, take a squad of lord-tier dragons and investigate."

"If they can be killed, kill them. If not, drive them toward the eastern, western, or northern zones," the Purple Bone Heavenly Venerable ordered.

Uncertain of the intruder's strength, he decided to first test the waters.

"Yes, Heavenly Venerable," Bone One and Bone Two replied, swiftly executing the command.

"A first-rank cultivator from the Great Zhou," the Purple Bone Heavenly Venerable muttered, gazing into the distance with a hint of trepidation.

He had previously clashed with Great Zhou experts during the Southern Barbarian War, where the Great Zhou forces had pushed deep into the Yin Nether Mountains, killing many experts from the Purple Dragon Court.

Although the rebellion of King Liang had slightly tarnished the Great Zhou's reputation, he remained acutely aware of their power.

"The alliance's main battlefield is on the Infernal Plains. The Dragon Ascension Platform isn't a primary objective. Driving them off is sufficient. Let the other three factions handle them."

"So long as they don't provoke me, I'll turn a blind eye. Refining the Grand Dragon King's skull takes precedence."

A thousand miles away, on the Dragon Emperor Ascension Platform, the once pitch-black stone had turned a dazzling gold.

Each ancient dragon rune etched into the stone radiated the power of laws.

The dark clouds above had transformed into auspicious golden clouds, and in the eastern section of the platform, an enormous statue of a Dragon Emperor rose.

The golden statue radiated a majestic brilliance, its head held high with eyes that sparkled like stars, exuding an overwhelming sense of authority and dominance. The dragon scales overlapped intricately, containing the mysteries of space and time.

Meanwhile, the fire used for the ritual had visibly diminished, as though drained.

"Activating this thing is no easy task," Zhao Xing remarked, feeling utterly drained.

The Dragon Emperor Codex, in its complete form, was a peerless treasure. Even the fragment in his possession was a treasure-tier artifact of immense power.

Despite having reached the Sixth Revolution of the Marquis Method, he found it insufficient for the task.

"I need to recover!" Zhao Xing exclaimed, grabbing two bottles from the ground and greedily absorbing the true blood stored within.

The blood, originally intended to aid his breakthrough to the Seventh Revolution, was now being consumed to sustain the ritual.

Without it, he feared he'd be reduced to a dried husk—a mere "dragon jerky."

"Akulama, Land of Sotú—."

"Primordial Dragon Codex, Divine Blessings of the Hidden Treasury—."

With the ritual chant in the Dragon Sovereign's language, Zhao Xing continued to recite the incantation for unsealing.

Thanks to Shi Wenxuan's guidance and the extensive records available in the Grand Dream Academy, Zhao Xing's unsealing speed was impressively efficient.

However, the enemies arrived even faster.

Half a quarter-hour into the ritual:

Swish, swish~

Bone One and Bone Two, aboard a bone-white warship, arrived at the outskirts of the Dragon Sovereign's Ascension Platform. They were accompanied by ten elders at the Fortune Realm and fifty dragon lords.

"What, this is—?"

Bone One and Bone Two were stunned.

"Is this the manifestation of Dragon Sovereign Xie?"

"This Ascension Platform has always been obscure and unremarkable. Why is Dragon Sovereign Xie's manifestation suddenly appearing here?"

"Bone One, are you sure you're not mistaken—"

"How could I be! Look at them!" Bone One pointed at the dragon lords surrounding the warship.

Previously, these lords obeyed the Dragon King's Command Standard mounted on the warship—a massive banner towering a hundred meters. With its commanding authority, Bone One and Bone Two could control these dragon lords.

But now, the lords grew restless, howling toward the Ascension Platform even before receiving any orders.

"Argh~~"

"Roar!!"

Fifty dragon lords collectively prostrated themselves toward the Dragon Sovereign's manifestation.

"This is truly Dragon Sovereign Xie! Otherwise, such a scene would be impossible!"

"Could it be that the strong cultivators of Great Zhou are conducting a ritual to honor the Dragon Sovereign?"

"Advance!"

Bone One swung the massive dragon-bone staff in his hand, striking the Dragon King's Command Standard at the warship's bow.

The staff hit a specific point, calming the dragons momentarily.

However, commanding them to attack the Dragon Sovereign's Ascension Platform proved futile.

"We'll have to do it ourselves!"

Bone One and Bone Two signaled two revered elders and then proceeded with ten second-class elders, advancing toward the platform.

Buzz~

When they approached within twenty li of the Ascension Platform, a formation barrier appeared before them.

"The Boundary Stele Formation of Great Zhou? Child's play!"

Bone One sneered. If this ninth-rank Boundary Stele Formation were situated within Great Zhou's territory, it might have posed a threat. But here, it was no match for them.

"Dragon King Bone Spikes, go!"

Bone One's black robe tore apart, revealing his skeletal battle form. Nine bone spikes protruded from his spine, the shortest three meters long and the longest five meters.

Under his control, three bone spikes detached and shot forward, piercing the barrier.

Pfft, pfft, pfft!

Each spike embedded itself into the barrier, resembling seeds planted into its surface.

The spikes began to absorb the barrier's power through the tiny apertures on their surface.

"Break!"

With Bone One's gestures, the three bone spikes formed a triangular gap in the barrier.

Ten elders of the Fortune Realm squeezed through, followed closely by Bone One and Bone Two.

"The first barrier is breached," reported the Shenluo King, standing by the dragon warship.

"Ten second-class elders and two first-class ones. They've brought Dragon King Bone Spikes."

"That's all the forces they've deployed?"

Jiang Chuan, Xiao Huang, Ye Yukong, Tong Jin, and Ji Mengjun exchanged puzzled glances.

According to Bone Thirteen's intelligence, the Bone Sect possessed four first-class elders, sixteen second-class elders, and over a hundred dragon lords.

Of course, Bone Thirteen was unaware of the ongoing refinement of the Dragon King's skull.

Though they didn't fully understand the discrepancy, the fight was inevitable.

Whistle~

Xiao Huang's flute sounded, signaling the battle. Among the six of them, only he stayed behind while the remaining five flew out to confront the enemies.

As they left the dragon warship, the figures of Tong Jin, Ye Yukong, Shenluo King, and Jiang Chuan warped and ultimately disappeared.

"Great sounds are silent; great forms are invisible!"

Using the Dao of Great Sound, Xiao Huang distorted the rules of heaven and earth, concealing his four companions entirely. This supreme invisibility technique hid not just physical traces but also their energy, true essence, and even Dao fluctuations.

Of course, Ji Mengjun didn't require such concealment.

Her battle dance techniques conflicted with this invisibility technique, requiring her presence to be seen.

Zhao Xing's avatar observed as the four figures vanished.

"Second-class Fortune Realm cultivators can twist the rules of heaven and earth. I can barely comprehend the changes."

"As for first-class Destiny Palace cultivators, their ability to alter the rules is beyond my understanding."

"Without mastering the Dragon Sovereign Codex, I can't participate in this level of combat."

"But it doesn't matter. Once I master the Codex, the situation will be entirely different."

"Right now, during the unsealing process to activate the Dragon Sovereign's Ascension Platform, the dragon lords won't attack."

"Once I master the Codex, I'll hold authority higher than even a Dragon King!" Zhao Xing glanced up briefly before lowering his head to continue the ritual.

The Ancient Dragon Grounds belonged to the dragons. Here, the rules of heaven and earth favored them.

It was all about dragon authority—not human martial prowess.

Everyone knew that Dragon King Yin Xiu had countless treasures. Yin Li likely possessed just as many. Dragon Kings corresponded to the first class, yet even the King's City of Gu Ting, filled with first-class cultivators, wouldn't dare rob them, opting instead to pay tribute and trade according to protocol.

The reason was simple—they couldn't win.

If brute force were sufficient, the Ancient Dragon Grounds would have long been turned into a human playground. There'd be no need to study the Dragon Language; conquest would have sufficed.

As the battle raged outside the Ascension Platform, Zhao Xing entered the final stage of the ritual.

Thanks to his blood offerings and the techniques learned from Grand Dream Academy, Zhao Xing had reduced the unsealing time to one and a half quarters of an hour.

The Purple Bone Sovereign would need time to send reinforcements after learning of the ritual, as the Ascension Platform represented a significant location for humans.

Crack~

The final fragment of the carved shell on the Dragon Sovereign's Ascension Platform broke apart!

Zhao Xing's expression shifted; he ceased chanting the incantation, his eyes gleaming with excitement. He quickly stepped forward, descending to the center of the platform.

"Finally! I've spent half my blood, but the unsealing is complete!"

At this moment, the true form of the codex was finally revealed.

Nine five-clawed true dragons circled a golden ancient book, ten meters long and three meters wide.

"Just possessing it ensures I won't be attacked, but if I want to truly use its power and gain the codex's blessing, I must at least open it and gain preliminary mastery!"

"Roar!"

Zhao Xing opened his mouth wide and swallowed the codex in one gulp.

Boom!

As he swallowed the codex, a tremendous weight bore down, causing him to crash heavily to the ground.

The artifact's weight felt as if he had consumed the entire heavens and earth!

"Argh~"

A majestic and primordial dragon roar echoed from within his body.

Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom!

Zhao Xing's body began to radiate waves of golden light. The fiery red scales and aura on his body were instantly transformed into a radiant gold hue.

From within his stomach, particles of golden light emitted by the codex washed over Zhao Xing's body like an explosive torrent.

"This is a test of bloodline purity!"

"The Dragon Sovereign Codex is undeniably the most powerful artifact of the post-Dragon Court era. Even fragments of it cannot fall into the hands of other races!"

"If it were any other matter, I might not be able to handle it. But this is about Hou Transformation! When it comes to bloodline, I am a true dragon!"

Other methods like Dharma Manifestations or Dragon Blood Golden Bodies couldn't compare to the purity of the Hou Transformation.

The essence of the Hou Transformation was that once the transformation reached a point of no return, the user became entirely a part of that race!

Even if killed in their Hou Transformed state, they would perish in the form of the corresponding race.

Generations of inheritance within the Myriad Transformation Cave-Heaven preserved one of the purest dragon bloodlines.

Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom!

The golden light surged repeatedly, its power penetrating deep into Zhao Xing's flesh and blood.

This wasn't just a test; it was an evolution!

Zhao Xing could feel his life structure progressing toward a more perfect dragon form!

The bottleneck from the sixth to the seventh transformation of the Hou Transformation began dissolving at an astonishing pace.

Simultaneously, his dragon scales started to molt, his flesh and blood tearing apart and rapidly regenerating.

"Argh~"

At one moment, Zhao Xing let out an earth-shaking roar.

The pressure from the codex sharply diminished as he soared into the air!

A shocking transformation occurred!

His Hou Transformation surged from the sixth transformation to the seventh, then to the eighth!

At this moment, Zhao Xing's Hou Transformation evolved from fire to the legendary kiss transformation.

However, his form bore significant differences from the common depiction of a "Kiss."

"Legend has it that the Kiss has a dragon's head, a fish's body, and no claws, yet I've grown claws."

"The power of the codex has unlocked a new Hou Transformation method for me, though it's still incomplete." Zhao Xing gazed at his appearance quietly, awaiting the second trial.

"Woo~"

Within his sea of consciousness, the rules of heaven and earth descended, carrying the Dao of the Dragon Court, and collided with his Fate Soul.

"Unite!"

Zhao Xing immediately merged his seven main souls into one, transforming it into a Seven-Star Fate Soul. As the soul shifted, it took on a dragon shape.

The essence of the Seven-Star Fate Soul, a foundation of the Yan Shen Jue, merged with the seven Fate Stars. Its external appearance was secondary, as soul-related secret techniques often led to transformations, whether into soul knives, soul swords, or soul spears.

Crack! Crack! Crack!

The Fate Soul trembled as if it would collapse. Zhao Xing felt as though he had returned to the early days of cultivating the Yan Shen Jue.

Back then, it was the suppression of the Secret Pattern Stars; now, it was the pressure of the Dragon Court's heavenly Dao.

Though Zhao Xing had only mastered the first level of the Yan Shen Jue, his spiritual power had reached 49,999 strands—a level surpassing many second-level practitioners of the technique. Coupled with his seven Fate Stars, he was fully capable of withstanding this trial of willpower.

Facing the test of the rules of heaven and the Dao of the Dragon Court, Zhao Xing's Fate Soul repeatedly suffered damage yet continued to repair itself.

At the same time, his body underwent further changes, refining the new Hou Transformation method.

Crack! Crack! Crack!

Zhao Xing's expression twisted in pain. Under the extreme pressure, he instinctively recalled the scene from the Primal Dragon Chant, depicting the Primordial Dragon opening the heavens.

His body involuntarily roared out, "Huang!"

The sound was like a drumbeat, a heavy Dao resonance echoing through the heavens and earth, shattering the rules between them.

At that moment, Zhao Xing completed his ultimate transformation.

The Hou Transformation reached its pinnacle—the ninth transformation!

Buzz~

The Dragon Sovereign Codex within him ceased all phenomena.

Zhao Xing looked down at his body.

"This has nothing to do with the Kiss Transformation anymore. Dragon head, five claws, golden scales, and overwhelming bloodline power—this is an entirely different level. Even the fiery essence blood in my apertures has vanished."

"It resembles the form of the Primordial Dragon!" Zhao Xing assessed himself.

The Primordial Dragon was the first true dragon in existence. Zhao Xing's current form was nearly identical to it, though far smaller in size.

A trace of the Primordial Dragon's divine essence radiated from his Fate Soul.

This was the divine essence he had captured while practicing the Dragon Language Incantation in the Primal Dragon Opening the Heavens.

It was also the reason he passed the codex's second trial of the Fate Soul.

"This new Hou Transformation shall be called Primordial Dragon Transformation."

"Every dragon Hou Transformation ultimately seeks to emulate the first true dragon."

"And this method's ultimate goal is no different."

Indeed, it was the creation of a path that held the potential to directly point toward the ultimate!

Of course, it was only potential for now, as Zhao Xing had merely captured a fragment of the Primordial Dragon's divine essence.

"Right now, it's at the pinnacle level. If it reaches the ultimate level, it will become the strongest Hou Transformation!"

Poof~

Zhao Xing's body rapidly shrank, returning to human form. In his hands appeared a golden codex, glowing with metallic luster and immense weight.

Buzz~

As soon as he touched it, clear images emerged in Zhao Xing's mind. One depicted a deep, dark seabed; another showed an object floating within a shadowy abyss.

"The locations of the other fragments."

"So, during this period, the codex in Yin Xiu's hands was already in a three-in-one state?"

Previously, Zhao Xing thought the Dragon Sovereign Codex was divided into nine parts, and this was merely one-ninth.

But after mastering it, he realized this was one-third of the whole.

This understanding came from the new knowledge of two additional locations.

At this moment, Zhao Xing finally realized that the Dragon Court Codex had only been divided into three parts during this period.

"I see. No wonder the trials have intensified, and I've even managed to create the Ancestral Dragon Transformation," Zhao Xing muttered, closing his eyes to connect with his past life's memories.

"The reason I knew the Codex was in Yin Xiu's possession was because it had been used in my previous life."

"When Yin Xiu awoke and began his conquest, he relied on the Codex to ascend as the Grand Dragon King. He tried to enter the Abyssal Sea to reclaim the scattered fragments but ended up in a monumental battle with the Rebellious Dragon."

"It seems that during that time, the Dragon Court Codex was broken apart. Ultimately, he failed to unify the Dragon Court," Zhao Xing thought as he pieced together the historical context.

"The Abyssal Sea floor aligns with what I know. Back then, the deathly vision I saw on the Island of the Chosen was precisely that sea."

"The second location must be within the Heavenly Abyss Demon Clan's territory."

"The Dragon Emperor Xi split the Codex into three parts: one to suppress the Abyssal Sea, one for the Heavenly Abyss, and one to govern the realm."

"After his death, the governance section of the Codex changed hands many times before ending up with Yin Xiu."

Within an instant of realization, Zhao Xing grasped the entire situation.

"Hmph! Now that it's in my hands in this lifetime, there's no way it will be scattered again! Yin Xiu—" Zhao Xing smirked confidently, "—what could you know about dragons that surpasses me?"

Just as he reached this conclusion, Zhao Xing heard a faint whistling sound in the distance.

A single Dragon King Bone Spike tore through the void, heading straight for the Ascension Platform.

As it reached the platform's edge, a figure appeared, throwing a single punch at the incoming spike.

"Heaven and Earth Dragon Fist!"

Tong Jin's muscles rippled like coiled dragons, veins pulsating across his arms. His punch manifested the shadow of seven heavenly dragons.

Boom!

The Dragon King Bone Spike was sent flying, its destination unknown.

Without sparing another glance, Tong Jin's figure vanished.

By now, Zhao Xing could sense the battlefield's movements.

The trial he had completed had only just preceded the battle, which was still in its opening stages.

"One-rank battles against one-rank, two-rank against two-rank—the battlefield has been split accordingly."

"Xiao Huang's initial diversion was very effective. Among the ten second-rank members of the White Bone Sect, three were killed in the first exchange."

"Now, the numbers are evenly matched for first-rank combatants, but the White Bone Sect still has three more second-rank fighters."

Although first-rank combatants were even in number, their strength differed significantly.

Ji Mengjun was up against Bone One.

As Zhao Xing observed the battlefield, Bone One's soul had already been driven out of its battle body, which then self-destructed. The earlier spike had been launched from this self-destructed battle body.

Its aim was to disrupt the Ascension Ritual on the Dragon Emperor's Ascension Platform.

Tong Jin, battling Bone Two, had initially held the upper hand. However, due to Ji Mengjun's swift dispatch of Bone One, the ensuing explosion forced Tong Jin to retreat and protect Zhao Xing from the bone spike's interference.

Killing the enemy wasn't the main goal—protecting Zhao Xing was the priority.

In the second-rank battlefield, Ye Yikong fought three opponents, Jiang Chuan fought two, and Shenluo King handled another pair, with Xiao Huang providing support.

Initially, they held the advantage. However, Bone One's self-destruction altered the dynamic.

Bone spikes were now directed at the second-rank battlefield, attempting to create openings for the White Bone Sect's elders to retreat.

"Ancestral Dragon Transformation!"

Zhao Xing's combat instincts kicked in instantly. He dashed toward the southern section of the Ascension Platform.

Arriving beside Jiang Chuan, Zhao Xing's dragon body coiled tightly.

Clang! Clang! Clang!

Three bone spikes struck Zhao Xing's scales. Despite their potency, rivaling ninth-rank divine weapons, the golden light of the Codex's protection shielded him.

The immense impact passed over his scales without leaving a single mark.

Zhao Xing had chosen to protect Jiang Chuan first because the man was a fragile sorcerer. Facing a first-rank self-destruction, even at a distance, posed a severe threat of injury if not precisely deflected.

As for Shenluo King, his mechanized armor provided ample protection against even multiple layers of penetrative strikes. Tong Jin was guarding Ye Yikong, while Ji Mengjun and Xiao Huang weren't immediate targets.

"Divine Marquis?" Jiang Chuan looked stunned as he stared at Zhao Xing's massive dragon form.

Zhao Xing ignored him, gliding swiftly to the edge of the barrier.

He spat out the golden Codex, flipping it open to a new page.

Then, a sonorous Dragon Language echoed through the heavens and earth.

"By the Dragon Court's decree and the true words of command, I, as the Grand Dragon King, strip you of your dragon identity!"

Golden glyphs flew out from the Codex, twisting and combining to form a colossal dragon. It surged toward the retreating Bone Two and the seven White Bone Sect elders.

With the Dragon Court Codex in hand, Zhao Xing could unleash the upper ninth-level Dragon Language Technique, the Dragon Emperor Glyphs.

Created by Dragon Emperor Xi, these glyphs functioned similarly to the Nine Great Incantations.

Mastering the Nine Great Incantations required proficiency in the Dragon Emperor Glyphs.

Holding the Dragon Court Codex and commanding these glyphs enabled Zhao Xing to enact the True Words of Command.

The first page of the governance chapter contained the Lineage Severance Decree.

This decree stripped dragonkin of their titles, identities, and bloodline power.

Zhao Xing had decided to test the Codex's capabilities using Bone Two and his accomplices as guinea pigs.

The results were astonishing. The golden glyphs transformed into a dragon and traversed the space to reach Bone Two and the seven elders.

Whoosh!

The dragon silhouette seemed to pass through all eight figures before vanishing into the Codex.

"What?!" Bone One was stunned. "The Dragon Marquis's protection has disappeared!"

This was akin to the Divine Court's official positions conferring fortune upon its officers. For dragonkin, titles carried similar effects—not as strong in augmentation but symbolizing their status and allowing kin recognition.

Bone One's Dragon Marquis title had been earned in the Grand Arena of the Ancient Thunder Kingdom, granting him the role of Dragon Trainer Lord, higher than a regular lord but below a Dragon King. His responsibility was to train dragonkin war generals.

He had earned this role through merit, not favor or contribution.

Under normal circumstances, even a Dragon King with no special equipment couldn't revoke his title.

Yet now, it had been reclaimed!

If even Bone One, with such a prestigious title, was affected, the second-rank elders were even more astonished. Never had they encountered such authority before.

"The Dragon Court's decree? True words as command? Stripping identity with a single sentence? Such authority actually exists?!"

The eight were momentarily stunned, failing to notice that the fifty lord-level dragons around their warship were looking at them differently.

Having lost their dragon identities, they were now considered outsiders.

Entering the Dragon Court required dragon bloodlines and identity; otherwise, they were deemed heretical. Now, Zhao Xing had used the artifact to reclaim their powers.

To the lord-level dragons, Bone One and his group were no longer "kin."

"People of the Dragon Court, heed my command: eliminate these intruders!"

Eight golden glyphs flew out from the Codex again, transforming into five-clawed dragon shadows.

This time, however, the glyphs didn't return but turned blood-red, spiraling above the eight intruders' heads.

Slaughter Mandate!

"Roar!"

The fifty dragon lords, already prepared, charged towards Gu Yi and the seven elders without hesitation.

At this moment, the eight of them could no longer maintain their composure.

They had escaped back, hoping to use the dragon lords as a cover to flee.

But before they could even board the ship, their permissions had been revoked, and instead, they found themselves hunted by the dragon lords!

"No! Stop!"

"I am the Grand Lord of Thunder Dragons! You cannot attack me!"

"I order you—ugh!"

It was madness!

The fifty dragon lords were acting as if they had lost their minds.

A group of colossal dragons soared into the air, their massive bodies blotting out the sun.

Among them were some Ji Meng lords, wielding sharp weapons. Their dragon-patterned swords shimmered with a chilling light, mysterious runes flowing across the blades. Each swing seemed capable of slicing through the void. Others carried massive axes, the blades thick and ferocious, cleaving mountains and splitting the earth with each strike, leaving massive craters behind.

Some relied on their claws, tails, or dragon flames to attack.

The thunderous roar of battle was deafening, and the dragons' howls echoed like a sky filled with exploding thunder.

Flames, frost, and lightning intertwined on the battlefield, each attack carrying devastating, earth-shattering power.

One crimson dragon lord spewed raging flames from its mouth, the heat distorting the surrounding air. Everything in its path turned to scorched earth.

Two elders of the White Bone Sect didn't even have time to react before being incinerated into ash by the advanced flames.

At the second-rank level, dragon lords were practically invincible against humans, especially in their own territory. And with so many of them gathered, the disparity was overwhelming.

The blue dragon lord exhaled an icy breath, the sound of its freezing blast shrill and piercing. Mist coalesced, creating a freezing net that entangled its targets.

Even more astonishing, these dragon lords demonstrated seamless coordination in their battle formations.

The stark contrast of blazing fire and bone-chilling frost left Gu Er trembling with fear. Why hadn't he realized before how fearsome these dragon lords were in combat?

Why were they going all out now, only when fighting him?

The answer was simple—they had no choice. Zhao Xing had issued a death command.

In essence, if the dragons marked by the True Words Mandate failed to kill their designated targets, they themselves would face execution!

As a result, the dragon lords unleashed their full power, sparing no effort. They used their innate secret techniques and even sacrificial abilities that came at great personal cost!

Gu Er, a dragon trainer, would never encounter such an all-out assault in training. Who trains by risking their lives?

"Boom! Boom! Boom!"

The seven second-rank elders were instantly obliterated, their bodies reduced to a fine mist.

Under the ferocity of such attacks, even their life souls couldn't endure for long, obliterated by the twisted laws of this domain.

As for Gu Er, although a pseudo-first rank, he still had some degree of first-rank strength. He managed to hold out for ten breaths, even slaying a Thunder Dragon lord, before his skeletal frame was disassembled.

"Dragon King's Bone Spike!"

"Sacred Bone Soul Sacrifice!"

At the moment of his destruction, Gu Er triggered a self-detonation.

Golden marrow streaked through his skeletal frame, merging into his primordial soul and transforming into a radiant golden beam as he attempted to escape like Gu Yi had.

"Shriek!!"

Seven Requiem Dragons, their eyes glowing with gray dragon shadows, swiftly gave chase. The space ahead distorted, blocking Gu Er's path once again.

"Requiem Dragons can even initiate a 'Heavenly Soul Blood Sacrifice'—damned officials of the Great Zhou!"

Gu Er cursed Zhao Xing's authority with all his hatred.

"Celestial Sovereign, save—"

"Boom!"

Those were Gu Er's final words before death.

This pseudo-first rank was beaten to death by the "rebellious" dragon lords, unable to even escape as a soul, unlike Gu Yi.

When the dust settled, only 48 of the original 50 dragon lords remained.

"Roar~"

The 48 dragon lords obediently lined up, prostrating themselves before Zhao Xing.

Watching this scene, Ji Mengjun, Tong Jin, Jiang Chuan, Xiao Huang, Ye Yukong, and Shenluo Wang couldn't help but be stunned.

"Old Luo, my dragon language isn't great. Can you translate? What did Zhao Xing say just now, and what are they saying now?" Ye Yukong asked, turning to Shenluo Wang.

Shenluo Wang, equally dazed, replied, "Zhao Xing just declared himself the Great Dragon King and mentioned something about the 'Divine Court' and a 'True Mandate.' Then these dragon lords followed his orders and wiped out the White Bone Sect's people."

"Permission extends across borders?" Jiang Chuan muttered, unable to comprehend but visibly shaken. "These are dragon lords of the Ancient Thunder Kingdom, right?"

"You're asking me? Who am I supposed to ask?" Xiao Huang fiddled with his flute, then turned to Ji Mengjun, the palace's deputy.

Tong Jin also looked to her. Among them, Ji Mengjun was the most knowledgeable in dragon language and culture, making her the most likely to understand the situation.

"Don't look at me," Ji Mengjun said, her eyes gleaming with layers of intrigue. "I don't understand either. But those dragon lords were indeed saluting the 'Great Dragon King.' Shenluo Wang's translation is accurate."

Unbeknownst to them, the Dragon Emperor Codex and dragon glyphs wouldn't emerge until the era of Emperor Wu, during the reign of Dragon King Yin Xiu. It was only during his campaign to unify nine nations that they became widely known.

For now, they couldn't comprehend the mandates or the rules they embodied, as they weren't true dragons themselves.

For humans to grasp and understand such things, they would need to reach the level of a Dragon King like Bai Yunwu.

Including Bai Yunwu, the Great Zhou only had four Dragon Kings.

"Whoosh~"

Zhao Xing reabsorbed the codex into his body and reverted to his human form.

The 48 dragon lords remained obedient, waiting in formation.

"Brother Zhao, what exactly is—"

"We'll talk on the way," Zhao Xing interrupted. "Let's leave here first."

The Violet Bone Celestial Sovereign and Crimson Bone Celestial Sovereign were true first ranks. Anyone bearing the title of Celestial Sovereign was no ordinary opponent. Gu Yi and Gu Er couldn't compare to them at all.

Having just gained control of the codex, Zhao Xing wasn't yet confident enough to defeat the two Celestial Sovereigns in a direct confrontation. It wasn't worth wasting time.

"Retrieve!" Zhao Xing commanded, collecting the enemy's dragon ship and the Dragon King's Battle Decree.

With a swift motion, everyone boarded the ship. Leading the 48 dragon lords, they departed the Ascending Dragon Platform.

The Ascending Dragon Platform was the White Bone Sect's territory.

After Zhao Xing and his companions left, Gu Yi's soul also returned.

"Hmm?" The Violet Bone Celestial Sovereign frowned. "Gu Yi, what happened?"

"Celestial Sovereign, something major occurred!"

Gu Yi quickly recounted everything that had just transpired.

The Violet Bone Celestial Sovereign and Crimson Bone Celestial Sovereign ascended together, listening intently.

Upon hearing that Gu Yi had been forced to self-destruct, they weren't particularly surprised.

Ji Mengjun, one of the six top dancers of the imperial palace, was unquestionably poised to become the leader of all dancers in the future.

For Gu Yi, being crushed was unsurprising—he was merely a pseudo-first rank.

But when Gu Yi recounted how Zhao Xing had descended from the Dragon Ascension Platform, transformed into a five-clawed true dragon, and inexplicably swayed the dragon lords of the Ancient Thunder Kingdom to his side, the two Celestial Sovereigns' expressions drastically changed.

"This... how is this possible? Could that truly be a Dragon Ascension Platform related to the Dragon Sovereign Xie? And did the Great Zhou obtain some kind of treasure?"

Faced with something they had never encountered, the two Celestial Sovereigns were unwilling to believe it easily.

If such a treasure indeed existed, it could upend the current balance of power. The siege against the Great Zhou would become a joke!

"Quickly, to the Dragon Ascension Platform!" the Violet Bone Celestial Sovereign and Crimson Bone Celestial Sovereign declared, abandoning their plans to refine the dragon skull bones.

Using their techniques, the two arrived at the Dragon Ascension Platform in a flash.

However, by the time they reached it, the platform had reverted to its ordinary, unimpressive state.

They ascended the platform and attempted every known method but found no clues.

The only thing they could confirm was that the dragon lords had indeed left with the Great Zhou's warriors.

"This alliance operation is doomed!" The Violet and Crimson Bone Celestial Sovereigns exchanged a glance, realizing the implications.

"Celestial Sovereign, should we report this to the royal court and the other sects?" Gu Yi asked hesitantly.

"Only partially," the Violet Bone Celestial Sovereign said after some thought.

"Agreed," the Crimson Bone Celestial Sovereign concurred.

To report "partially" meant issuing a warning to the royal court and allied forces: a powerhouse from the Great Zhou might have acquired some top-tier authority related to the Dragon Sovereign.

However, they would withhold the fact that the dragon lords had been swayed to join the Great Zhou and remain silent on the battle details.

This way, they fulfilled their duty to warn others. And if the operation on the Fire Prison Plains failed? The blame wouldn't fall on the White Bone Sect.

After all, in the Violet Dragon Kingdom, the White Bone Sect was not a state religion but merely a top-tier sect. The state religions were dominated by divine sects. Among the other top-tier sects, there were the Four Saints Sect, Qingyang Sect, Guiyuan Sect, and Corpse Puppet Sect.

A failed siege would have significant consequences. While the Great Zhou was far away in Zhongzhou and might not directly compete with the White Bone Sect for resources, their "allies," being neighbors, were another matter. Weaker allies meant stronger leverage for the sect.

For these allies? A calm narrative sufficed. For internal matters, such as notifying the "True Lord of Seven Absolutes" stationed in the Ancient Thunder Kingdom, the tone would need to be stern.

The Ancient Thunder Kingdom, Northern Seas Territory, Dragon Sovereign Yin Xiu's Slumbering Palace

"Respected Dragon Sovereign Yin Xiu, here is my tribute..."

Prince Feng Xiu of the Great Snake Kingdom, in his serpent form, lay prostrate on the Dragon Crystal Path, performing a tribute ceremony. It had taken him an eternity, but he had finally reached his fourth exchange.

Everything had been proceeding smoothly until suddenly—

"Roar~!"

The dragon spirit of Dragon Sovereign Yin Xiu abruptly left the Dragon Crystal Throne, soaring into the sky before vanishing entirely.

Prince Feng Xiu froze in place, utterly bewildered.

The offerings had been accepted, so why had Yin Xiu suddenly departed?

After waiting for a while, he noticed the Dragon Crystal Path and Throne begin to crumble.

Clearly, Yin Xiu had no intention of returning.

"Unbelievable! What kind of nonsense is this?" Prince Feng Xiu cursed loudly as he left the Northern Sea Earth Dragon Palace in frustration.

The Ancient Thunder Kingdom, Yinli's Palace

Dragon Sovereign Yin Xiu's dragon spirit suddenly appeared in the palace.

"Yinli, did you feel it?"

"Yes, Xiu."

A dragon spirit emerged from the throne, and the two dragon spirits began to circle each other midair.

"I sensed a summons from the Dragon Court, as if a new Dragon King has been born," Yinli said.

"Yinli, you're mistaken," Yin Xiu corrected. "It's not a new Dragon King—it's a power exceeding that of a Dragon King. Perhaps even surpassing the Grand Dragon King."

Yinli was visibly stunned. "Xiu, are you suggesting—?"

Yin Xiu nodded gravely. "Yes. As the inheritor of the Eastern Emperor's Glyphs, I can sense the power of the Dragon Sovereign Glyphs. The Abyss and Sky Deep appear to be stirring as well."

"The Dragon Sovereign Codex has emerged. Someone has mastered the codex."

"I can feel the connection with him."

Yinli fell silent, overwhelmed by the shocking news.

Unlike other Dragon Kings, Yin Xiu, as the inheritor of the Eastern Emperor's Glyphs, possessed superior talent and knowledge.

"I have waited many years for this moment."

"Yinli, I will awaken ahead of schedule and travel to the Dragon Court to follow his footsteps and rebuild the Dragon Court."

"Starting today, prepare for war. Above all, be ready to awaken the other ancient Dragon Kings."

Upon hearing his brother's instructions, Yinli's dragon spirit surged with excitement. "Xiu, I will begin preparations immediately."

Central Dragon Court, Wildlands

"What? It can summon Dragon Kings?" Ye Yukong exclaimed in astonishment. "What kind of divine artifact can do that?"

"The Dragon Sovereign Codex," Zhao Xing replied with a smile. "You can think of it as the dragon equivalent of the Human Sovereign Sword, the National Seal, or the Rivers and Mountains Diagram."

"Hiss—"

Zhao Xing's explanation made everyone understand, but it also left them gasping in disbelief.

"So, does that mean you can rule the entire Ancient Dragon Domain?"

"It's not that exaggerated," Zhao Xing shook his head. "The Ancient Dragon Domain has deep foundations, and this artifact is only a part of it. I've merely obtained the equivalent of a 'National Seal' piece."

Though Zhao Xing downplayed it, this fragment was more than sufficient for the current stage.

Why only for now? Because during the small-scale tide in Emperor Wu's era, the Ancient Dragon Domain would also be affected, allowing the Ancient Dragon Kings (Grand Dragon Kings) to awaken. By then, fragmented pieces would no longer suffice.

But for now, it was more than enough.

A Dragon King with a divine artifact was an existence beyond first rank. Zhao Xing didn't need to awaken too many—just summoning two Dragon Kings wielding divine artifacts to assist would suffice to sweep away the other human forces.

Currently, no human forces—whether the Great Zhou or foreign enemies—possessed authority exceeding that of a Dragon King. Rare exceptions might involve temporarily inviting other Dragon Kings, but such cases were only invitations, not direct control.

Zhao Xing's plan after leaving the Dragon Ascension Platform was clear: head to the True Dragon King City's teleportation array and summon allies—not people, but dragons!

"Marquis Shenwei, which Dragon King do you plan to summon?" Ji Mengjun asked curiously.

The others also looked on with intrigue. They were just as fascinated by this unprecedented authority.

Zhao Xing was about to reveal his plans when he suddenly frowned.

"Looks like I won't need to spend time searching after all."

"Dragon King Yin Xiu has already arrived at the True Dragon King City."