"Fourth Strike—Immortal Saint Pillar!"
The moment his words fell, the white pillar shuddered and released a deep, resonant hum. Terrifying ripples surged outward as it began its descent from the heavens, slow yet unstoppable, like judgment itself descending upon the world.
In the blink of an eye, its size swelled. What was once the height of a tree expanded endlessly, becoming a colossal pillar vast enough to crush mountains and bury rivers beneath its weight.
With each inch of descent, space itself convulsed. Winds howled into storms, lightning roared as it split the skies, and heaven and earth writhed in violent turmoil before the pillar's might.
The Northern Dragon King's heart tightened in dread. He struggled fiercely, only to discover his aura had already been bound—locked completely by the white pillar's suppressive force. Even his innate gift of spatial mastery was rendered useless, for the space around him had solidified into an impenetrable cage.
Roar!
Trapped with no path of retreat, the Northern Dragon King could only lift his power in desperation, roaring as he faced the descending Immortal Saint Pillar head-on, forced to stake everything to block its divine weight.
"This king will not fall here!"
The Northern Dragon King roared from the depths of his chest, a sound filled with madness and desperation. The eyes of the colossal blood dragon he had merged with gleamed with a crazed light. He had already cut off all retreat—if he were to lose here, not only would his ambitions be shattered, but the fate awaiting him would be far worse than death. After all, he had sacrificed countless members of the Ancient Void Dragon tribe—there would be no forgiveness for him.
Roar!
A blinding blood light burst from the blood dragon's monstrous body, condensing with terrifying speed within its ferocious maw. Within moments, a dark-red bead—five feet wide—emerged, condensed entirely from blood and resentment.
Veins like writhing blood vessels crawled across its surface, and from it spread an incomparably suffocating stench of slaughter that drenched the Empty Realm.
Swoosh!
The instant the bead formed, the Northern Dragon King's crazed eyes gleamed with ruthless resolve. With a roar, he spat the bead forth, hurling it toward the descending Immortal Saint Pillar.
He had wished to launch it toward Xiao Hua directly, but his instincts screamed otherwise. The surrounding space twisted and dragged, forcing the bead's trajectory against his will. Even without conscious control, he knew it was inevitable—an innate instinct of the Ancient Void Dragon tribe, born with mastery over space itself—compelling the strike to meet the Immortal Saint Pillar head-on.
The moment the bead left its maw, the blood dragon began to collapse. Its body crumbled like rotting flesh, its immense energy drained entirely to forge the bead. Its roar twisted into a death wail that reverberated across the realm.
"Dragon Soul Bead!"
A furious outcry erupted from the surrounding Ancient Void Dragons who had been watching helplessly. Their eyes turned scarlet, their hearts drenched in rage and despair.
"This beast… he even devoured the souls of our tribe!"
The bead's bloody glow illuminated their faces, and in that moment, their fury burned hotter than any flame.
Zi Yan's delicate figure trembled, her small fists clenching as the murderous intent in her violet eyes surged to a terrifying peak. The rage within her heart was no weaker than Xiao Hua's—it was killing intent born from betrayal and blood.
The Northern Dragon King paid no heed to the furious cries of the others. His scarlet eyes locked unblinking upon the descending white pillar. In the next instant, the pillar collided head-on with the blood bead.
A cruel, savage grin twisted across his face—yet it froze almost instantly. His eyes widened, the madness within them stiffening as he realized the spatial lock remained unbroken. His teeth ground together as he spat through clenched jaws, "Damn it! I thought colliding with the pillar would loosen its suppression!"
"That is…!" An elder outside the formation suddenly cried out, his voice quivering as he pointed toward the enormous pillar.
All eyes turned upward. Even the Northern Dragon King himself could not resist looking. What met their gazes left them trembling in disbelief.
The blood bead, reeking of endless slaughter, was pressed beneath the pillar. Yet, there was no violent explosion, no cataclysmic shockwave tearing the realm apart. Instead—flames surged, lightning crackled, and the bead's sinister aura was swiftly devoured, its bloody miasma purified in mere breaths.
Then, an even more astonishing scene unfolded. Dragons and phoenixes carved within the pillar suddenly blazed with divine radiance. One after another, they came to life, unfurling their wings as they soared out from the pillar's surface. Dragons coiled and phoenixes danced, intertwining as though weaving the very fabric of heaven.
High above, countless dragon-phoenix pairs manifested, their light growing brighter until each condensed into a corporeal form. The purified blood essence flowed into them, along with the lingering souls trapped within the bead.
In that instant—blinding brilliance shone across the sky.
Figures emerged one by one.
The sacrificed members of the Ancient Void Dragon tribe… returned to life!
"This… this is impossible! What technique is this?!"
The Northern Dragon King's roar shook with disbelief, his voice hoarse with rage and terror. Beneath the white pillar, the blood bead rotated slowly, completely severed from his control. Not only had it failed to explode, but the bond between him and the bead was cut as though it had never existed.
Yet what truly drove him into madness was the sight of those resurrected figures. The essence blood he had consumed to strengthen himself was now gushing violently from his body, torn free against his will. Streams of scarlet energy surged toward the white pillar, where they were purified and absorbed into the newly formed bodies.
The more he struggled, the more he felt his strength being ripped apart, and the more those he had sacrificed… reclaimed their lives from his betrayal.
Xiao Hua stood silently, his eyes calm as he watched the scene unfold. The Fourth Strike was not a technique of mere destruction, suppression, or spiritual attacks. It was a force of devouring, purification, and reincarnation. Once something was devoured, it would be stripped clean, purified to its origin, and from there—whether it continued to the next stage or not depended solely on his will.
If he chose not to interfere, the purification would continue until all things dissolved into the pure essence of heaven and earth.
If he willed otherwise, as with the souls of the Ancient Void Dragon tribe, then the process would shift. Their souls would be stripped clean of every trace of corruption and removing all lingering stains, refined to purity so they could return to their bodies without the slightest rejection.
The blood essence would also be restored, surging back into the vessels prepared for them. Meanwhile, the dragons and phoenixes carved within the pillar wove flesh and bone anew, molding forms perfectly suited to each soul's physique, appearance, and race.
Thus, the so-called sacrifices of the Northern Dragon King were not lost. They were reborn. This was the divergence between the original concept forged by Xiao Hua and Lady Azure and the reality Xiao Hua had shaped. Their theory for the Fourth Strike had emphasized only devouring and purification.
Yet after experiencing million of reincarnations, and refining the Heavenly Genesis Flame, the Primordial Heaven Lightning, and the Celestial Ancient Frost, Xiao Hua had redrafted his Nine Supreme Chaos Strikes to surpass its former limits.
His gaze shifted toward the Northern Dragon King, who was still thrashing against futility. Xiao Hua's eyes were calm, yet within them flickered a killing intent that pierced to the bone.
"You have devoured too many innocents—their souls, their blood, their lives." His voice rolled out like judgment itself. "Why not return them… and face the punishment of those you betrayed?"
As Xiao Hua's words fell, he flicked his finger. The enormous white pillar finished its refinement and purification of the blood bead, fully reviving those who had been sacrificed. Without pause, the pillar stirred once more, descending inexorably toward the Northern Dragon King.
"Bastard! This king will not accept this fate!"
The Northern Dragon King's roar split the heavens, filled with despair and unyielding madness. His figure had withered into little more than a sack of loose, shriveled skin after his essence blood was stripped away, yet the lingering might of a former Dou Sheng allowed him to summon that final cry of defiance.
But it was meaningless. No matter how violently he struggled, he could not break free. Had he been at his peak, perhaps he could have provide some resistance, but with his energy and essence drained beyond recovery, he was nothing more than a beast awaiting execution.
Boom!
The white pillar finally descended, slamming onto his figure with unstoppable force. His body was crushed instantly, reduced to dust beneath its weight. At the same time, storms of devouring power erupted outward, followed by waves of pure, cleansing brilliance that rippled through the Empty Realm.
After several breaths, Xiao Hua slowly raised his hand and waved. In response, the pillar, still standing upright and piercing the skies, dissolved into countless motes of light, scattering like falling stars before vanishing completely.
"Has he… won?"
Members of the Ancient Void Dragon tribe stared wide-eyed at the enormous white pillar dispersing into motes of light. For a moment, they were stunned into silence. Then, as realization dawned, wild joy surged across their faces. Cheers erupted like thunder, shaking the heavens and rebounding endlessly across the Empty Realm.
"Mister Xiao Hua is truly extraordinary!" one elder exclaimed, his voice trembling with excitement. "Not only has he slain the Northern Dragon King, but he even revived the clansmen who were sacrificed…"
The elders of Eastern Dragon Island revealed expressions of relief and ecstasy, the crushing weight of calamity suddenly lifted. It felt as though the heavens themselves had spared their tribe.
"The Dragon Emperor's good friend is indeed a blessing to our Ancient Void Dragon tribe. With his aid, the Dragon Emperor has awakened, the Northern Dragon King has fallen, and even our lost clansmen have returned. Such a grand favor—our tribe will never be able to repay it in this lifetime." Elder Zhu Li fondled his beard as his sharp eyes swept toward the elders of Eastern Dragon Island, lingering meaningfully on a particular figure.
"That is true," the First Elder of Eastern Dragon Island said gravely, his voice carrying weight. "Even those who were sacrificed have been restored. Our foundation remains intact. Mister Xiao Hua has given us a favor so great it cannot be measured. We cannot ignore this."
Catching the implication in Elder Zhu Li's words and gaze, the First Elder's expression shifted. After a brief silence, he laughed dryly and lowered his voice. "I understand. Once our Ancient Void Dragon tribe reunites, we will ally with the Moonlit Chaos Mansion and formally enter the Supreme Court Alliance."
Elder Zhu Li's lips curved into a satisfied smile. He nodded lightly, his eyes flashing with relief. Zi Yan had spoken many times before about forming an alliance with the Supreme Court Alliance, yet back then, many elders had opposed the idea.
Their hesitation was natural. The Mansion Master of Moonlit Chaos Mansion and the five Hall Masters beneath him were powers so unfathomable that the Ancient Void Dragons had feared they might covet their tribe. Without complete unity, making such a commitment had seemed reckless.
But today was different. Xiao Hua's actions had shattered those doubts. He had revived the sacrificed clansmen, slain the tyrant who sought to drag them into ruin, and saved their tribe from despair. In the face of such immense grace, no one could find the heart—or the right—to object any longer.
However, Xun Er, Little Fairy Doctor, and Zi Yan were not present to hear the elders' discussion. The instant Xiao Hua dispersed the colossal white pillar, the three of them shot toward him at lightning speed. What they had witnessed just now horrified them to their very core.
They landed beside him in haste, each reaching out to support his swaying figure. Xiao Hua's face was deathly pale, fresh blood seeping from the corner of his lips. Worse still, terrifying cracks had surfaced across his skin, spreading like spiderwebs up to his neck, slowly creeping higher.
When they probed within, their expressions darkened. His blood was flowing in reverse, surging chaotically. Faint creaking sounds echoed from his bones as though they were being crushed beneath unbearable pressure.
"Brother Xiao Hua, you've pushed yourself far too much…!" Xun Er's soft, melodious voice quivered with deep concern, yet beneath it lingered a faint scolding tone.
The Little Fairy Doctor remained silent, her delicate hands moving swiftly, focusing all her strength on stabilizing the violent, rampaging Dou Qi within Xiao Hua's body.
"Why did you use that technique?!" Zi Yan snapped, her sharp voice trembling. "With your strength, there was no need to unleash it!" Though she scolded him, her golden-violet eyes shimmered with guilt and overwhelming worry.
"Ha ha… I couldn't just let them remain dead when I had the means to save them, could I?" Xiao Hua's weak laughter as he answered Zi Yan. "If I had ignored them, even you would have struggled to restore the foundation of your tribe."
For humans, the loss of members was painful, yet never beyond recovery. But for magical beasts—especially the Ancient Void Dragon tribe—the matter was far more dire. The laws of heaven and earth made birthing offspring exceedingly difficult, and the stronger the bloodline, the harder it was. To lose so many at once was akin to severing the roots of their lineage altogether.
Moreover, the Northern Dragon King had not only sacrificed his own people, but even those from the Western Dragon Island and Southern Dragon Island. Without Xiao Hua's intervention, the losses would have been irreversible—an unbearable wound that it not easy to mend the losses.
Zi Yan bit her crimson lips, her white teeth sinking deep. Gratitude and heartache warred within her chest—she was glad he had done it for her tribe, yet her heart ached with guilt that he had paid such a price.
Xiao Hua, his breath shallow, took out several healing pills and swallowed them in one gulp.
"Enough," he said hoarsely, though his eyes still held a sharp glint. "I'm not dead yet, so stop acting like I've fallen. Besides… Sister Azure, Sister Xue Yue, and Sister Yu Ru Meng are suppressing the three forces inside me. They're keeping my condition from worsening."
"What?!"
Xun Er, Little Fairy Doctor, and Zi Yan's faces paled at once. Their voices rose in unison, both scolding and anguished. "If even the three of them have to intervene, then your injuries are far worse than we imagined!"
As the three women poured their focus into stabilizing Xiao Hua, a sharp crack tore through the air. Space itself split apart, and two figures emerged from the rift.
Wei Jie and Mei Ling.
Their eyes swept across the chaotic battlefield before landing on Xiao Hua's battered form. Their expressions immediately darkened, a heavy solemnity flashing across their faces. Without hesitation, they vanished from their spot and reappeared at Xiao Hua's side.
Placing their fingers against the center of his brows, they released their Spiritual Strength in a steady flow. At once, Xiao Hua's turbulent blood flow slowed, returning to its proper course. The immense pressure crushing his bones was lifted, and his fractured organs were stabilized, if only temporarily.
It was only after a long moment that the cracks upon Xiao Hua's body slowly faded, the pallor of his face gradually giving way to color once more.
Wei Jie exhaled in relief as he sensed Xiao Hua's condition stabilizing. He probed carefully before speaking in a low voice, "Fortunately, Thunder warned us in advance. Without that, even with Lady Azure, Lady Xue Yue, and Lady Yu Ru Meng suppressing the three raging forces within your body, healing such injuries would have been nearly impossible."
"You were far too reckless this time, little brother." Mei Ling's gaze sharpened, her tone edged with both anger and worry. "After this, Flame and Thunder insist that you enter seclusion to focus on breaking through to Dou Di. Leave the rest to us."
"I know." Xiao Hua gave a bitter laugh. "Even without their urging, Sister Azure, Sister Xue Yue, and Sister Yu Ru Meng have already scolded me for the same thing. The former two, in particular, complained that this is the very first matter I forced upon them the instant they awoke…"
Mei Ling and Wei Jie exchanged a glance and sighed softly. Since he had already grasped the importance of this matter, there was no need to continue pressing him further.
"Regardless, thanks to you reviving them, the losses suffered by the Ancient Void Dragon tribe are not severe. Our foundation remains intact. And with the three great dragon kings all slain, none will dare hinder the unification of the tribe." Zi Yan's gaze swept toward the dragon island below, now purified of its bloody aura. Her voice softened with concern as she turned back to him. "So, you need not burden yourself with this matter any longer. Stabilizing the tribe is my duty. Yours is to recover and advance to the realm of Dou Di."
"What Zi Yan said is right, Xiao Hua." The Little Fairy Doctor nodded, her expression grave, her eyes brimming with worry and unspoken sorrow. "Our Moonlit Chaos Mansion has Elder Sister Mei Ling, Elder Brother Wei Jie, Elder Brother Ming Cheng, Elder Sister Li Mei, and Elder Sister Xin Yu. With all of them present, you need not carry everything alone."
Xun Er's gentle voice followed, her words resolute. "Yes. For now, forget the burdens of the world. Focus only on what you must accomplish."
"Alright, let's not linger on this matter…" Xiao Hua smiled faintly, a soft, bitter laugh escaping his lips. Though his injuries had already stabilized, he still felt as though he were a patient stricken with a grave illness, forced to endure constant nagging. To ease the mood, he sought to change the topic.
After a moment of silence, he turned to Zi Yan with a faint smile. "With you, the Dragon Emperor, uniting the ancient dragon clan, it is not impossible for the tribe to one day reclaim its former glory."
Zi Yan's heart trembled at his words, and a sigh slipped from her lips. She had spoken so confidently earlier only to keep Xiao Hua from worrying too much over her, or wasting his strength to assist with the matters of the Ancient Void Dragon tribe instead of entering seclusion.
She knew too well the difference between the present and the past. In its golden age, the ancient dragon tribe had stood shoulder to shoulder with the great Gu Clan, their might unquestioned. Now, their experts were either slain or scattered to the winds. Alone, she could barely hold the remnants together. To restore the tribe's former height… who could say how many centuries it would take?
"Ha ha, you shouldn't let such thoughts weigh you down." Xiao Hua's laughter rang out, light yet resolute. He reached out and gently patted her head. "You carry the legendary Dragon Phoenix constitution. Given enough time, you will surpass all Dragon Emperors before you. When that day comes, restoring the ancient dragon tribe to its peak will no longer be empty talk."
Hearing these words, Zi Yan's lips curved into a smile, her heart steadying. Xiao Hua was right. Though the present state of the tribe was bleak, she bore the unparalleled Dragon Phoenix bloodline. If she fully unleashed its potential, she would not be inferior to any Dragon Emperor—including the father she had never met, the previous ruler of their clan.
"Thank you very much. If the rest of you had not hurried over…" A faint smile curved Zi Yan's lips as she spoke words of gratitude, her delicate voice pleasant to the ear.
"There is no need for such courtesy between us," Xiao Hua shook his head gently. "Neither I, nor Xun'er or Xian'er, would ever stand idle while you were in danger. We're simply glad you are safe."
His eyes flickered as though remembering something, and he suddenly added with a mysterious smile, "That's right. Once I advance to the Dou Di realm, why don't you accompany me to a certain place?"
"A certain place?" Zi Yan tilted her head, confusion in her bright eyes at his sudden request.
Xiao Hua's smile deepened, concealing the thought of the world of magma hidden beneath the Black Ivory Tower in the Inner Academy…
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