Chapter 352: Azure Dragon Armament!
At the volcanic altar, beneath the blazing sun and scorching heat, the tension was palpable.
"Peak Dou Zun... at least nine rotations!" Medusa's gaze was cold, but her grip on the sword tightened unconsciously, her knuckles faintly whitening.
"Our goal isn't to kill him..." Xiao Yi Xian's eyes flickered. Their task was to buy time time for Lu Bu and Yun Yun to finish controlling the flames, time for Zi Yan to awaken.
Exchanging only a few words, the two women stepped forward together, standing firmly in the way of Xia'ao, the powerful Ancient Void Dragon of Western Dragon Island.
"Two five star Dou Zuns?" Xia'ao looked at the two women who appeared before him, and an amused smile curled on his lips. "What's this? Eastern Dragon Island is so short on people that they've sent two little bugs to block my path?"
Medusa and Xiao Yi Xian remained silent. Behind them, golden and silver lights intertwined as over ten puppets slowly emerged. The one at the forefront radiated the aura of a six star Dou Zun, its energy surging outward.
"Heh... just more trash!" Xia'ao smirked mockingly. "Move aside. Crushing bugs like you would only dirty my hands."
Ignoring him, Medusa's sword radiated a sharp and frosty light, while Xiao Yi Xian's hand pulsed with a dim gray purple mist. In an instant, a chilling and murderous aura surged forth, enveloping the air around them.
"Not bad, this killing intent," Xia'ao said with a faint nod, as even he, at the peak of Dou Zun, couldn't entirely disregard it. But that was all it was just a passing remark.
"If you refuse to move... then die!" Xia'ao's gaze turned sharp as he raised his right hand abruptly, gripping the air tightly.
Crack! Crack! Crack!
In an instant, the space around them trembled, emitting groaning and fragmented sounds.
Under her veil, Medusa's face turned pale. It felt as if the very space around them was compressing rapidly. Xia'ao's figure seemed to expand infinitely, and an overwhelming pressure surged forth like a raging tidal wave.
This was no mere illusion.
This was real.
The space around them began collapsing inward. Thin cracks spread like arrows, carrying an aura of destruction as they shot toward the two women.
Under her veil, cold sweat trickled down Medusa's face. It had been a long time since she felt the aura of death pressing so heavily upon her so vividly, so tangibly.
This was a feeling she hadn't experienced since the battles in the Tagore Desert, surrounded by countless enemies intent on her death.
The weight of imminent death sent her nerves into overdrive. Her mind raced, and she recalled the despair she hadn't felt since she began following Lu Bu.
"Argh!"
Medusa's eyes suddenly turned crimson, and she let out a sharp cry. Her five star Dou Zun aura burst forth without reservation.
Behind her was Lu Bu, her husband. How could she retreat or falter now?
In an instant, colorful lights shot skyward. Seven colored arcs of lightning crackled as they gathered at the blade of her frosty sword. The killing intent and boundless energy intertwined, creating a chilling atmosphere even at the edge of the fiery volcano.
"Hah! A mantis trying to block a chariot. Overestimating yourself!" Xia'ao sneered, increasing the pressure in his grip. He knew he had to act quickly to avoid complications.
Clang!
With a sharp metallic clang, a golden puppet suddenly shot forward, positioning itself between Medusa and Xia'ao. The deafening clash of energy erupted as Xia'ao's strike met resistance.
The golden puppet, forged by the elders of Di Ming Sect, shattered instantly, its remnants falling powerlessly to the ground.
"Hm?" Xia'ao frowned slightly. "For something so weak, how could it endure my attack for even a moment?"
"Now's the time!"
Medusa's eyes sharpened, and she seized the brief moment of hesitation.
Clang!
The sound of her sword resonated through the air. A dazzling serpent shaped blade of light surged forth, its cutting edge compressed and honed to absolute precision.
Medusa's movements blurred as her figure flashed forward, her body twisting gracefully yet powerfully like a taut bowstring. Her sword was aimed straight for Xia'ao with all her might.
Shing!
The piercing sound of her blade rang out as a seven colored arc rose into the sky like a second sun. The immense pressure of the sword light split the darkened space with a deafening crack, leaving a deep fissure behind.
In an instant, the sword energy surged like a raging tide.
Swish! Swish! Swish!
Xia'ao's robes were shredded in multiple places, his hair and beard partially sliced away. Blood seeped from a shallow three inch wound on his palm, a sharp contrast to his previous arrogance.
Meanwhile, Medusa staggered, her face pale and her aura weakened significantly. Even her sword trembled in her grasp. That attack had been her all out effort, leaving her nearly drained.
"Seven Colored Swallowing Python... I've underestimated you," Xia'ao said, raising his palm to lick the blood off it. His tongue caught the faint metallic taste as his expression turned from arrogance to cold calm.
Boom!
A terrifying aura erupted from Xia'ao, roaring like a primordial beast awakened from its slumber. His overwhelming aura filled the air, radiating bloodlust, ferocity, and a ravenous desire to kill.
"This is your turn now…" Medusa whispered softly as she retreated gracefully, pulling out a vibrant green pill shaped like a small rabbit. She quickly consumed it, allowing the potent medicinal energy of the eighth tier pill to replenish her depleted Dou Qi.
Xiao Yi Xian's expression was somber. Medusa's attack had appeared effective, but in reality, it had only managed to break through Xia'ao's defenses superficially, leaving a shallow wound. The gap between a five star Dou Zun and a nine rotation Dou Zun was like a vast chasm one that could not be overcome without an unconventional approach.
Xia'ao's gaze turned cold as he took a step forward. The space warped and twisted around him as he vanished into thin air like a ghost.
"So, the Seven Colored Swallowing Python isn't from Eastern Dragon Island. And neither is the other woman. They're not Void Dragons," Xia'ao sneered inwardly. Against these kinds of opponents, killing them with spatial techniques was the simplest and most efficient option.
Behind him, Xiao Yi Xian's expression changed drastically. She had lost all sense of Xia'ao's presence. Her hands moved quickly, forming seals, and a grayish purple toxic mist burst outward, spreading in all directions.
Swish!
As the toxic mist spread, a bloodied hand suddenly emerged from the void behind Xiao Yi Xian, aiming directly for her back.
Boom!
A dull impact resounded, the terrifying force carrying a violent wind that shattered the air.
Xia'ao had set aside his earlier arrogance. Though this wasn't his full strength, it was enough to turn a nine star Dou Zun into a bloodstained pulp.
But to Xia'ao's surprise, as he emerged from the void, Xiao Yi Xian had already turned to face him.
"Oh... so you noticed me. But what does it matter? Can you even run now?" Xia'ao sneered coldly, pressing forward with his attack.
Xiao Yi Xian planted her foot lightly, her body radiating golden light. With incredible speed, she turned and launched a palm strike infused with her signature grayish purple poisonous mist.
Bang!
The dark golden light of Xia'ao's palm clashed with the poisonous mist, sending Xiao Yi Xian flying backward. Blood splattered across her white veil, and her right arm hung limp, shattered and bloody. Her shoulder was grotesquely swollen from the impact, and her arm was barely attached.
"You're far weaker than the Seven Colored Swallowing Python!" Xia'ao sneered, his bloodstained right hand forming a blade as sharp golden light gathered into a massive decapitating sword.
"Heh..." Xiao Yi Xian sneered coldly. Direct confrontation was never her strength.
"Die..." Xia'ao raised the massive blade, preparing to cleave off both women's heads. But at that moment, a strange icy blue hue crept across his face.
Pfft!
Xia'ao's body shuddered violently, and blood spurted from his mouth.
"You... Emperor Python's Corrosive Heart Poison?" A look of uncontrollable shock crossed Xia'ao's face. Waves of frigid cold coursed through him, throwing his Dou Qi into chaos.
At the same time, sharp stabs of pain radiated from his heart, as if it might explode at any moment.
"Well, well... I really underestimated you two little insects!" The icy blue on Xia'ao's face darkened, resembling stormy skies before a tempest. His repeated setbacks had worn down his patience, stoking a towering rage. While his underestimation had contributed to his predicament, the sheer audacity of these two "bugs" challenging a dragon infuriated him even more.
"This Emperor Python's Corrosive Heart Poison might've made me flinch if wielded by an Ancient Heavenly Python, but you? What are you?" Xia'ao's face flushed a deep red as layers of dark gold scales emerged on his body, forcibly suppressing the deadly poison.
"Kill him now!" Xiao Yi Xian gritted her teeth and shouted coldly. Strike while the iron is hot! Such an opportunity could not be wasted.
"Roar!"
The ten or so Heaven Earth Puppets roared in unison, their golden and silver energies surging. The Six Star Dou Zun puppet forged from the remains of the Senluo Ghost Sovereign's body suddenly erupted with a violent aura, pushing its power to the Eight Star level.
With a thunderous stomp, it shot forward like a golden cannonball, swinging a massive iron fist directly at Xia'ao's head.
"Scum!" Xia'ao's fury surged as his left hand clenched into a fist, swinging forward to meet the blow.
Clang!
The deafening clash reverberated like a massive bell. The Eight Star Heaven Earth Puppet's chest caved inward from the impact, sending it hurtling backward like a projectile.
The full strength of an enraged Xia'ao was terrifying. Even poisoned, his might seemed unshaken to Medusa and Xiao Yi Xian, his dominance undiminished.
"Lu Bu... hurry up!" Medusa bit her lip, glancing back toward the volcanic altar. The purple gold crystal around Zi Yan had completely melted, but there were still no signs of her awakening.
"Recover while you can. Just hold on..." Xiao Yi Xian gritted her teeth, her white veil stained with blood and dripping with cold sweat.
Her exposed bone had already been forced back into place, but the searing pain lingered, making her tremble.
Clang!
Another deafening crash rang out as a golden arm, along with half of its torso, came flying toward the poison mist array, landing with a sickening thud.
Medusa and Xiao Yi Xian turned in shock. Not far away, the Eight Star Heaven Earth Puppet lay in Xia'ao's dark golden claw, reduced to a mangled heap.
Crack! Crack!
The claw tightened, and the golden puppet's head shattered, revealing shredded flesh beneath its metallic exterior.
Both women's faces turned pale. Never had they seen the Heaven Earth Puppets so thoroughly crushed.
"Die!"
Xia'ao wasted no more words. With a wave of his claw, a massive golden dragon talon descended from the sky, blotting out the sun as it hurtled toward them.
This overwhelming strike didn't just target them it also aimed for Lu Bu and Yun Yun behind them!
Xia'ao intended to kill them all in one fell swoop.
"...!"
Medusa and Xiao Yi Xian exchanged a glance, their teeth clenched, determination burning in their eyes.
Lu Bu was destined to become a Dou Di, a hero standing tall in the heavens. How could they allow him to fall here?
In an instant, the women's auras surged violently. Blood red hues appeared in their eyes as they prepared for their final stand.
Atop the Volcanic Altar
Lu Bu's expression darkened. Thanks to the Devouring Ancient Seal, he had no fear of running out of Dou Qi. With a Heaven Tier cultivation technique and an abundance of medicinal pills at his disposal, the task of melting the Dragon Phoenix Origin Fruit's crystalline energy brought him no significant strain. In fact, he even periodically infused Yun Yun with his Dou Qi.
The moment the other Dragon Islands intervened, Lu Bu had sensed it.
Yet, above him, the energy of the melted crystal swirled a golden dragon coiled around a column, a purple phoenix soared in the skies, and an ocean like surge of energy enveloped Zi Yan as she hovered on the brink of awakening.
Lu Bu had believed that the powerhouses of Eastern Dragon Island, though unable to fully repel the assault of the three Dragon Islands, could at least hold the enemies off for a while.
But events unfolded far beyond his expectations. In the blink of an eye, Medusa and Xiao Yi Xian were locked in combat with a peak Dou Zun.
With their current strength, even with the help of the Heaven Earth Puppets, there was little chance of withstanding an opponent of this level.
"Lu Bu... leave this to me. Go help Medusa and Xiao Yi Xian!" Yun Yun's face turned pale as she cried out urgently. Her soul, already having entered the Spirit Realm, sensed the drastic shift in their energies and realized what the two women intended.
Self destruction!
Lu Bu's face darkened instantly. With a sharp turn, his figure vanished from the altar, leaving behind a calm, emotionless figure identical to him in appearance.
Three Thousand Lightning Shadow!
To Lu Bu, Medusa, Xiao Yi Xian, and even Zi Yan were equally important. He wouldn't let any of them fall. He had made up his mind he wanted them all!
Outside the Poison Array, Under the Colossal Dragon Claw
Xiao Yi Xian and Medusa stood shoulder to shoulder, their delicate hands tightly clasped. Around them, colorful radiance and gray purple mist intertwined and surged, their white robes billowing wildly in the wind.
"Any last words?" Medusa took a deep breath and asked softly, her gaze fixed on Xiao Yi Xian.
"Just a little regret..." Xiao Yi Xian lifted her hand, removing her bloodstained veil. Turning to Medusa, she offered a radiant smile. "Perhaps... we should've tried dual cultivation together?"
A faint blush appeared on Medusa's pale face. Lu Bu had once suggested that dual cultivation between the two of them might yield extraordinary results, but both women had refused.
Now, in retrospect, letting go of their inhibitions didn't seem like such a bad idea...
"It's a good suggestion, but it's too late for us now..." Medusa sighed with a hint of regret in her long, narrow eyes.
She would never get the chance to accompany Lu Bu to the end...
Swish!
At that moment, a rune appeared in the sky, expanding rapidly with the wind.
In the blink of an eye, a massive black hole manifested between them and the descending dragon claw, its fierce rotation dispelling the suffocating aura of death hanging over them.
"Your Majesty, Xiao Yi Xian... don't forget what you just said!" A teasing voice whispered in their ears as strong arms enveloped them both.
A light tap on their foreheads sent a calming energy surging into their cores.
In an instant, the raging Dou Qi within them was subdued and gradually returned to balance.
"Hmph... finish off that beast first!" Medusa spat lightly, though the tension in her heart eased.
"Ahem... we'll discuss this later," Xiao Yi Xian murmured, avoiding Lu Bu's gaze.
Roar!
Above them, a massive azure dragon shadow coiled in the sky, its roar shaking the heavens and radiating an overwhelming dragon might.
"Now, leave the rest to me!" Lu Bu's gaze sharpened, and dazzling azure light filled his eyes.
"Azure Dragon Armament!"
As he clenched his hands, radiant purple gold light surged around him, and the low rumble of a dragon's roar echoed across the battlefield.
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