I owe everyone a sincere apology. Due to my negligence, I failed to check the uploads carefully and ended up re-posting previously uploaded chapters for the past few months.
No matter the reason, it was my mistake, and I deeply regret the inconvenience this caused.
I've corrected everything starting from Chapter 195 onward. Thank you for sticking with me despite this error — I truly appreciate it.
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Everyone watched the battle between the Moonlit Chaos Mansion and the Hall of Souls with shock and awe. None of them could have imagined such a scene unfolding when they first arrived.
They had expected the younger generation to be firmly suppressed by the old. Yet reality proved far stranger—and more shocking—than fiction, as they now witnessed the Hall of Souls being pushed back by Xiao Hua's group.
"It looks like Gu You and the others might truly fall here if they don't act soon…"
"Hall of Souls has suffered immense humiliation for failing to suppress them. If they fall here, their reputation will be utterly beyond recovery…"
"More than just reputation, their strength will take a blow if they lose a Ban Sheng elite like Gu You. Even with their deep foundations, replacing someone at that level isn't so simple…"
Boom!
As the experts discussed among themselves, an unexpected change erupted on Ming Cheng's side. Two figures suddenly descended, forcing him to retreat.
Skidding through the empty air, Ming Cheng stabilized himself with a flicker of Dou Qi. His gaze lifted, cold and irritated, as he locked eyes with the two newcomers.
One of the figures was clad entirely in white. He was an old man, and if one were to describe him in a single word, it would be white. From his hair and robe to even his eyes—everything was a chilling, pristine white. His very presence exuded a bone-piercing coldness, as if he were a walking block of ice.
If one was white, then the other was red—entirely so. Crimson hair, a flowing blood-red robe, and even his aura radiated a bloody feeling. Merely looking in his direction made one's heart tighten, as if the scent of fresh blood had begun to pervade the air.
Upon seeing these two, Ninth Tianzun's eyes lit up. With a mix of relief and excitement, he shouted, "Eighth Brother! Fourth Brother! You've arrived!"
Hearing their titles, Ming Cheng's brows furrowed deeply. He muttered to himself with an annoyed tone, "Eighth Tianzun… Fourth Tianzun… Seems I'll be in for a tough fight."
"We only came because we completed our task and heard of the commotion here," Eighth Tianzun replied indifferently.
Fourth Tianzun, however, paid no mind to Ninth Tianzun. His gaze swept across the battlefield, silently observing the disarray of the Hall of Souls' forces. When his eyes finally took in the state of his comrades, a tremble flickered through them.
Drawing in a breath of icy air, he spoke in a voice tinged with disbelief, "To think a newly risen force could force the Hall of Souls into such a state… truly unexpected…"
"Eighth Tianzun, Fourth Tianzun! Deal with that lightning brat at once and assist the others!" Gu Yao sensed their arrival and, after forcing Saint Tian Huo back with a swift push, issued his command without delay.
The moment the order left his mouth, a massive fiery handprint surged from Saint Tian Huo's palm, carrying terrifying heat as it hurtled toward him. Gu Yao's expression darkened. Without hesitation, he countered with his own technique to meet the attack head-on.
"Yes, sir!" Eighth and Fourth Tianzun responded in unison. Even now, they found it difficult to believe that Gu Yao—their Ban Sheng powerhouse—was being suppressed. Thus, they dared not delay and intended to carry out his command with utmost speed.
However, just as they were about to act, Ming Cheng's hands moved at blinding speed. Lightning-like afterimages trailed his fingers as countless hand seals were formed in rapid succession. The moment the final seal settled, a deep and resonant cry burst from his mouth:
"Demon Lightning Transformation! Demon Monarch Transformation! Heavenly Demon Transcendence!"
Ming Cheng activated his secret technique. In an instant, his aura surged wildly and erupted like a thunderstorm, breaking past his previous limits and soaring to the Five Change Peak Dou Zun level. His presence became overwhelmingly tyrannical, akin to that of a rampaging heavenly demon.
The expressions of both Eighth and Fourth Tianzun shifted drastically. A heavy pressure weighed down upon them as they stared at Ming Cheng in disbelief. They had not imagined that his strength would climb to such terrifying heights after invoking a secret technique.
"I'm beginning to regret coming here…" Fourth Tianzun muttered through gritted teeth, his voice filled with frustration.
"It seems we share the same sentiment," Eighth Tianzun said bitterly, a helpless smile tugging at his lips as a deep sense of regret and gloom appeared on his face.
Only now did they truly grasp the strange and unfathomable nature of this group. A gnawing unease crept into their hearts—they could not shake the feeling that stepping onto this battlefield had been a grave mistake.
"If that's the case, I have a plan. Please hear me out and lend me your strength, Eighth Brother, Fourth Brother," Ninth Tianzun said softly, his tone low and deliberate as he approached the two.
After listening carefully to Ninth Tianzun's plan, Eighth and Fourth Tianzun's eyes narrowed sharply. They exchanged a glance, and after a brief moment of silence, both nodded in agreement.
"If that's how it is, then act quickly," Fourth Tianzun whispered. "Even with the two of us here, I doubt we can hold him off for long."
The reason they allowed Ninth Tianzun to execute the plan himself was simple—he was currently injured and weakened. If Ming Cheng noticed the scheme, Ninth Tianzun wouldn't be able to stop him head-on. Thus, the burden of delay fell on Eighth and Fourth Tianzun while Ninth prepared to execute his plan.
Ninth Tianzun gave a firm nod and quietly positioned himself behind the two, waiting patiently. The moment they created an opening, he would act according to their plan.
Ming Cheng's brows furrowed as he sensed something amiss. A deep chill flashed in his gaze. But just as he was about to launch his attack, Eighth and Fourth Tianzun suddenly moved, their figures flickering like phantoms as they appeared before him.
A wave of blood-red Dou Qi surged from Fourth Tianzun's body, condensing into a thick, fleshy cuticle around his palm. Without hesitation, he slammed it toward Ming Cheng with violent force.
At the same time, an eerie white Dou Qi surged from Eighth Tianzun. It condensed into a ghostly claw upon his arm, radiating a deathly cold. With ruthless precision, he thrust the claw forward, aiming to strike Ming Cheng directly.
"Hmph!" Ming Cheng let out a cold snort as Emperor Thunder surged and gathered swiftly along his spear. The white-colored spear trembled with divine lightning before thrusting forward, forcefully clashing with the combined strikes of Eighth and Fourth Tianzun.
Despite blocking their attacks, the corner of Ming Cheng's eye caught a flash of movement—Ninth Tianzun was darting toward Zi Yan's direction!
In that instant, realization struck—he's targeting Zi Yan!
"Bastard!" Ming Cheng roared, his fury igniting like a thunderstorm. With a violent burst of power, he forced the two Tianzuns back, their bodies staggering under the sudden force.
Without hesitation, he stomped down hard, and his figure shot forth like a bolt of lightning, storming toward Ninth Tianzun with terrifying momentum.
Bang—!
Just as Ming Cheng swung his spear with a devastating arc toward Ninth Tianzun, two figures appeared before him, intercepting the strike. A massive shockwave erupted upon impact, shaking the heavens and earth as a thunderous boom echoed across the battlefield.
"Ke ke… Young man, there's no need to be so ruthless toward someone already injured," Fourth Tianzun chuckled coldly, his voice laced with mockery.
"If it's a fight you want, let us two old men entertain you instead," Eighth Tianzun added, his tone equally derisive.
"Scram!" Ming Cheng bellowed, his killing intent erupting like a storm, surging even more fiercely than before.
With sheer, domineering might, Ming Cheng pushed both of them back. Though Eighth and Fourth Tianzun were elite Dou Zuns with formidable reputations, they could not compare to the overwhelming force Ming Cheng now possessed. In front of him, their strength paled—victory was beyond their reach.
"What terrifying power… He truly is a monster! If not for today's battle, I would never have dared to provoke someone like him!" Fourth Tianzun gasped, his voice trembling as he steadied himself.
"This young man's strength… I truly regret coming here today…" Eighth Tianzun muttered through clenched teeth, frustration and helplessness twisting his expression. No matter how this ended, he knew—facing Ming Cheng meant suffering a heavy price.
However, despite being forced back, Eighth and Fourth Tianzun did not cease their efforts to block Ming Cheng from pursuing Ninth Tianzun. Their task was simple—prevent Ming Cheng from interfering. Even if they lacked the strength to overpower him, they could still delay him for a moment.
From Ming Cheng's reaction, they could tell—he was the type who cared deeply for his comrades. That alone made Ninth Tianzun confident his plan would succeed. A threat to someone close to him would make him falter.
Naturally, Xiao Hua and the others also noticed Ninth Tianzun's movements. But none of them could disengage from their battles. The remaining Tianzuns and Honorable Elders were going all out, straining their power just to pin them down and prevent interference.
Each time Li Mei attempted to unleash her Secret Technique, the Black and White Tianzuns would appear before her, forcibly disrupting her momentum. They knew well—if she managed to activate it, they would be suppressed, and Ninth Tianzun would be stopped.
Little Fairy Doctor, too, tried to break through. But just as she moved, over a dozen black chains suddenly burst forth from Old Ghost Zhai Xing's sleeves, encircling her in a strange pattern. The chains coiled around her, forming an eerie formation as a dense black fog surged outward.
A strange suction force erupted from the fog—and in the next instant, Little Fairy Doctor felt a chill pierce through her soul. Her expression changed as she sensed the soul mark between her brows tremble faintly under the strange pull.
"Scram!"
With a sharp flick of her sleeve, Little Fairy Doctor unleashed a surge of dark-purple flame that swept outward from her delicate form like a raging tide. The Abyssal Calamity Ghostflame roared to life, instantly latching onto the encircling black chains.
In an instant, the terrifying chains began to corrode and burn, disintegrating under the might of the Abyssal Calamity Poison Flame with lightning-like speed.
A cold glint flickered in Zhai Xing's eyes. He had known this trick wouldn't stop her—but that wasn't his goal. As long as it bought even a brief moment, it was worth it. With that in mind, he poured even more power into sustaining the eerie formation, trying to bind her just a little longer.
Meanwhile, Ninth Tianzun wasted no time. In the blink of an eye, he appeared before Zi Yan. His hand reached out and clamped down on her shoulder with cold precision.
His voice was low and chilling, laced with an undeniable authority.
"Little girl… whether you like it or not, you will come with this venerable one."
Zi Yan, who had been suppressing the Hall of Souls' Protectors until they were battered and bruised, was caught off guard by Ninth Tianzun's sudden appearance. She instinctively tried to retreat, but a terrifying pressure erupted from him, freezing her in place. Her Dou Qi was sealed, and not even a single technique could be activated.
Staring intently at Ninth Tianzun's outstretched hand, a ruthless light flickered in Zi Yan's eyes. A cold determination rose in her heart:
"If I can't escape… then I'll make this old man pay dearly for laying a hand on me—even if I can't take him down, I'll make him regret ever trying!"
Whoosh!
Just as she was about to unleash all her strength in a desperate counterattack, the space behind her suddenly rippled. The distorted void twisted silently—and from within it, a hand emerged and calmly gripped Ninth Tianzun's wrist, halting his movement entirely.
At the same moment, an ancient and steady voice echoed from behind, calm yet carrying boundless authority.
"Anyone who dares harm this girl… our Ancient Void Dragon Tribe will go to war with you—until death."
As the ancient voice echoed across the battlefield, the hand gripping Ninth Tianzun's wrist suddenly pulled him forward—and with terrifying force, struck him squarely in the chest.
Pu!
A mouthful of blood burst from Ninth Tianzun's mouth as his body was sent hurtling backward. He was flung over a hundred meters through the air, his feet skidding across the void. The space beneath him distorted and tore apart as he struggled to stabilize himself.
The sudden development caused both Xiao Hua's group and the Hall of Souls to halt their battles momentarily, retreating a few steps as their expressions shifted.
Xiao Hua's side exhaled lightly, a hint of relief flickering across their faces.
In contrast, the expressions of the Hall of Souls members grew dark and heavy.
"Useless!" Third Tianzun spat coldly, unable to contain his fury.
"Who dares interfere in the affairs of the Hall of Souls?!" Gu Yao roared from a safe distance, his voice thunderous with rage.
Though he was furious at Ninth Tianzun's failure, what enraged him even more was the unexpected intervention—the one that had come to protect the girl. Once Zi Yan fell into their hands, Xiao Hua's group would have been forced into submission. That was the entire reason they had fought so fiercely to stall Xiao Hua and the others.
But now, everything had changed.
This sudden reinforcement had shattered the balance of the battlefield.
How could Gu Yao not be consumed with fury?
Meanwhile, Xiao Hua and the others remained silent. Each of them possessed exceptional sharp spiritual senses, and they could clearly detect the presence hidden within the void—it carried a familiar scent, one deeply similar to Zi Yan's.
'Ancient Void Dragon!'
The same thought flashed through their minds at once, shaking their hearts.
Someone from the Ancient Void Dragon Tribe had sensed Zi Yan's presence—and had come to take her away.
And that could only mean one thing: their time with Zi Yan was nearing its end.
Though they had long expected this day would come, an unspoken reluctance and sorrow stirred within them. Parting with her was something none of them truly wished for.
As these heavy thoughts lingered in their minds, the spatial ripple twisted again—two figures slowly emerged from the void.
The first was an elderly man with long white hair and beard. He wore a suit of black armor adorned with purple and gold accents, styled in the form of dragon scales—each scale glinting faintly with draconic might.
The second was a man who appeared to be middle-aged, yet his true age surpassed five thousand years. Compared to the elder, he was still considered young within the tribe. His armor bore similar colors and patterns, marking his noble bloodline. His sharp gaze locked directly onto the members of the Hall of Souls, filled with a cold, dangerous intent.
"Ancient Void Dragon…?"
Gu You's expression changed drastically as he sensed their aura. His heart trembled involuntarily, and he shouted in alarm. With his vast experience, how could he not recognize the presence of the legendary Ancient Void Dragon Tribe?
Outside of the battlefield, the watching experts shuddered as the name was spoken aloud. There were few in the world who wouldn't feel fear upon hearing of this mysterious and terrifyingly powerful tribe.
To think the little girl who had been traveling with Xiao Hua all this time was actually a member of the Ancient Void Dragon Tribe… And with a Ban Sheng elite personally escorting her, her position within the tribe was clearly not ordinary. This shocking revelation left many dumbfounded. No one had ever imagined that Xiao Hua's group was connected to such a force.
The white-haired old man ignored the murmuring of the crowd. His gaze shifted to Zi Yan, locking onto her with a scrutinizing and penetrating stare. As he examined her closely, a mix of awe, joy, and relief slowly surfaced in the depths of his eyes.
But just as he was about to approach her, a spatial crack suddenly split open beside Zi Yan—and in the blink of an eye, she vanished.
In the next instant, she reappeared beside Xiao Hua.
Xiao Hua stood protectively in front of her, his gaze sharp and vigilant as he looked toward the two newcomers. Though he could sense they were indeed members of the Ancient Void Dragon Tribe, he remained unsure of which faction they belonged to.
He was well aware of the internal divisions within the tribe—some driven by ambition, others by bloodline purity. The emotions in the old man's eyes told him this one was likely not an enemy… but that wasn't enough.
What if their intentions stemmed not from care or loyalty—but from greed for Zi Yan's pure Royal Dragon bloodline?
Until he was certain, Xiao Hua would not take any chances. No matter who they were, he would protect Zi Yan with everything he had.
The white-haired old man lifted his gaze, meeting the young man's sharp eyes. He was surprised—but not offended.
What surprised him was not the hostility, but the young man's mastery over Spatial Strength—a level of control comparable to their own, despite the fact that they, as Ancient Void Dragons, were born attuned to it.
He could also sense the protective intent behind the youth's actions and thus found no fault in it.
Even the middle-aged man behind him showed no displeasure. On the contrary, there was relief and a touch of admiration in his eyes. The young man's wariness, born from a desire to protect Zi Yan.
His willingness to shield Zi Yan, even if it meant opposing powerful forces and worsening their circumstances, had left a favorable impression on them both.
They were relieved—truly relieved—that the little girl had made such worthy companions.
"Ha ha… Apologies for startling you, young friend." The white-haired elder offered a warm smile and cupped his hands in greeting. "This old one is Zhu Li, and the one behind me is Hei Qing. We sensed this little girl's unique aura and rushed over from Ancient Dragon Island to bring her home."
His voice was courteous, calm, and sincere. From a single glance, he could tell this youth was no ordinary cultivator. To be able to suppress Gu Yao and his forces to such a degree—without relying on any powerful backing—spoke volumes of his strength and talent.
Moreover, the Ancient Void Dragon Tribe owed him a great debt—for bringing Zi Yan to the Central Plains, and allowing them to discover that a bearer of the pure Royal Dragon Bloodline still existed in this world.
Hearing Zhu Li's introduction, the tension within Xiao Hua's body gradually eased. Though Ming Cheng and the others may not have recognized them, Xiao Hua did.
"Zhu Li… Third Elder of Eastern Dragon Island. Hei Qing… an elder of the Eastern Dragon Island…" he murmured in his heart.
He felt a wave of relief wash over him. If they were from the Eastern Dragon Island, then their loyalty to the Royal Bloodline was beyond question. Their reverence toward the true bloodline ran deep—and Zi Yan, who possessed the purest Royal Bloodline of the Ancient Void Dragon Tribe, would be treated with the highest respect.
Turning to Zi Yan, Xiao Hua gently patted her shoulder. A faint smile curved on his lips as he said softly, "Go to them. While we're fighting, they'll protect you."
Zi Yan was momentarily stunned by his words. But she knew—Xiao Hua would never send her into danger. More than that, his spiritual perception could detect lies and deceit that most others could not. If he said they could be trusted, then they truly could.
Her eyes softened. She lowered her head slightly and murmured, "I hope… they know something about my parents—and treat me like family."
Xiao Hua smiled softly at her words, then gently rubbed her small head with quiet affection. His voice was warm as he said, "I'm sure they will. With your Royal Bloodline, they'll treat you with the deepest respect and reverence."
"I don't want respect or reverence… I just want something that feels like family," Zi Yan murmured under her breath, her voice barely audible.
Xiao Hua let out a light chuckle and gently reassured her, "With how much you mean to them, I'm certain they'll allow you to come visit us whenever you feel lonely."
Zi Yan slowly nodded, accepting Xiao Hua's words, though a trace of reluctance lingered in her eyes. She didn't want to part—but she trusted him.
Not far away, Zhu Li and Hei Qing were overjoyed. Their expressions brightened as they saw Zi Yan's willingness. They stepped forward and cupped their hands respectfully toward Xiao Hua, their eyes filled with gratitude. They knew clearly—it was because of this young man's sincerity that Zi Yan had chosen to trust them.
With a wave of his sleeve, Xiao Hua opened a spatial tunnel that quietly unfolded before Zhu Li and Hei Qing. Zi Yan stepped into the portal and emerged beside the two elders, who immediately moved to shield her with their very lives.
However, neither of them made a move to leave.
They knew—Zi Yan would not depart until she was certain Xiao Hua and the others were safe. Understanding her heart, both Zhu Li and Hei Qing stood ready, prepared to act at a moment's notice should the situation demand it.
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