Immortal Martial Emperor

Every last Blue Demoness within the Spiritual Passage had been devoured.

Hong Yu’s power surged once again. His Spiritual Power had now reached the level of the Late-stage Primordial Spirit Realm, and his combat prowess rose with it.

He now possessed the strength to face a true Unparalleled Genius.

’Still, my strength is probably only on par with the seventh or eighth-ranked Unparalleled Genius. It’s more than enough to deal with Xiahuang Ba, but if I were to face Bai Luoxue...’

Hong Yu muttered to himself, clenching his fists involuntarily.

Although Xiahuang Ba was the number one Unparalleled True Dragon, it was widely acknowledged that he possessed the combat power of the seventh or eighth-ranked Unparalleled Genius. He just hadn’t dueled a real Unparalleled Genius and dethroned them, so he remained in the ranks of the Unparalleled True Dragons.

Hong Yu was fairly confident he could fight and defeat Xiahuang Ba.

But if his opponent was Bai Luoxue, the mighty third-ranked Unparalleled Genius, his chances of victory would be minuscule.

What’s more...

his opponents included not only Bai Luoxue, but also mysterious powerhouses from the Blood Killing Tower, and even the number one Unparalleled Genius—Xiahuang Zun!

This level of strength was still not enough!

’I have to get the Purple Thunder Winged Flood Dragon. I have a feeling that if I can obtain it, a tremendous opportunity will await me.’ Hong Yu rubbed his nose and walked out of the Spiritual Passage.

The Evil-eyed White Tiger stared blankly at Hong Yu, its eyes filled with a strange expression.

Hong Yu looked at it and laughed, "What are you looking at? It’s not like you don’t know me!"

Two puffs of hot air shot from the Evil-eyed White Tiger’s nostrils. It said in a muffled voice, "This king truly can’t figure out if you’re even human anymore."

"Huh?"

Hong Yu was taken aback.

The Evil-eyed White Tiger continued, "Your physical strength is off the charts; you can obliterate a Stone Golem with a single punch. Your Spiritual Power is even more terrifying—you devoured all the vast Spiritual Power contained within the Spiritual Passage. If it weren’t for the human scent on you, I would’ve thought you were some big-bellied Desolate Beast that had taken human form."

’A big-bellied Desolate Beast?’

The corner of Hong Yu’s eye twitched. He was utterly speechless.

"Let’s get going," Hong Yu said.

The Evil-eyed White Tiger nodded its massive head and led Hong Yu forward.

After passing the first trial of body and strength, and the second trial of Spiritual Power, the path ahead was much smoother, with no further gates or troubles.

"This is where the Old Flood Dragon usually secludes itself for cultivation," the Evil-eyed White Tiger said, bringing Hong Yu before an Underground Palace.

The Underground Palace was immense.

In eight directions stood enormous pillars, each one entwined with a soaring Azure Dragon amidst the clouds.

The Azure Dragons seemed to roar, suffused with infinite power.

"Let’s go in and have a look!"

Hong Yu said.

The Evil-eyed White Tiger nodded.

However...

just as they were about to step into the Underground Palace, the eight stone pillars erupted in a brilliant light, blocking the Evil-eyed White Tiger from entering.

Hong Yu, on the other hand, entered smoothly.

"Hm?"

The Evil-eyed White Tiger froze, looking toward the Underground Palace.

A voice like a bursting mountain flood boomed out, "You damn tiger, what are you doing here?"

"Hm? Old Flood Dragon, you’re not dead yet?" the Evil-eyed White Tiger snarled, baring its fangs.

"Hmph. You wish I were dead?"

The deep voice carried a trace of sorrow.

The Evil-eyed White Tiger paused, hesitated for a moment, and then sighed. "Old Flood Dragon, in the end, you still failed."

"Hmph, so what if I failed? Since I can’t leave, can’t soar freely in the outside world, I’d rather die under the thunder tribulation!" The voice clearly belonged to the Purple Thunder Winged Flood Dragon.

A massive, purple Flood Dragon head materialized in the air.

It looked incredibly majestic. Even its central horn had transformed, becoming a pair of Dragon Horns.

Unfortunately...

it still hadn’t been able to take that final step.

The Evil-eyed White Tiger stared at it, silent for a long time, before finally sighing. "Old Flood Dragon, we’ve known each other for centuries. We’ve fought all the fights and competed for all the prizes. You should know what you mean to me."

"..."

The Purple Thunder Winged Flood Dragon was silent for a long while, then suddenly said, "Old Tiger, do you remember that piece of a White Tiger’s skull I stole from you back then? My time is short. That bone is in the treasury. Go and take it for yourself. I’ve already prepared it for you."

"Old Flood Dragon, are you really on your last legs?" the Evil-eyed White Tiger asked.

The Purple Thunder Winged Flood Dragon’s voice was filled with grief. "My Lifebound Dragon Pearl is all but shattered, and my Dragon Soul is so damaged it’s nearly broken. I’m just clinging to my last breath. Old Tiger, go get that tiger bone!"

"What about Hong Yu...?"

The Evil-eyed White Tiger looked worriedly at Hong Yu inside the Underground Palace.

The Purple Thunder Winged Flood Dragon’s enormous head floated in the air. It said coolly, "Don’t worry. This human has the aura of the Dragon Race’s bloodline. If he can pass my test, I will naturally grant him a tremendous opportunity. If not, then he’ll just be one more person to be buried with me!"

"Old Flood Dragon, can you spare his life for my sake?"

Hong Yu was the key to its own freedom, so the Evil-eyed White Tiger naturally didn’t want anything to happen to him.

The Purple Thunder Winged Flood Dragon said coolly, "I know what I’m doing."

With that, the massive Flood Dragon’s head dissipated.

The Evil-eyed White Tiger felt helpless. It took one last deep look at Hong Yu’s figure in the Underground Palace and sighed, "Hong Yu, oh, Hong Yu. Whether you live or die, whether this is a disaster or a blessing, it’s all up to you now."

With those words, the Evil-eyed White Tiger turned and left.

...

「Inside the Underground Palace」

Hong Yu looked around in astonishment. The eight Azure Dragon Stone Pillars had erupted with a terrifying Prohibition, trapping him within.

However, there was no immediate danger inside the Prohibition, so he waited quietly.

BUZZ!

Space trembled, and the massive Flood Dragon head materialized in the air.

The Purple Thunder Winged Flood Dragon’s enormous eyes, like two scorching suns, stared intently at Hong Yu. They were incredibly dazzling. "Human, what is your name?"

"This junior is Hong Yu. Greetings, Senior Purple Thunder Winged Flood Dragon," Hong Yu said.

The Purple Thunder Winged Flood Dragon nodded and said coolly, "Hong Yu, you must know that this one is on the verge of death. This one won’t beat around the bush with you. If you want to obtain this one’s body and Treasures, you must pass a test. If you can complete this test, then everything this one has will be yours, and I will even grant you a tremendous opportunity. Of course..."

After a pause, the Purple Thunder Winged Flood Dragon continued, "If you cannot pass the test, not only will you get nothing, but you will also pay with your life. You may now consider whether you will accept this test."

Hong Yu was silent for a moment.

The Purple Thunder Winged Flood Dragon’s words echoed in his mind.

He took a deep breath and said, "Senior, this junior is willing to accept the test!"

"Good. Very good!"

A trace of approval flashed in the Purple Thunder Winged Flood Dragon’s massive eyes. It said coolly, "This test is called the Dragon Blood Inheritance. In a moment, this one will guide Dragon Blood to pour into your body. If you can withstand it, you will naturally pass the test. If you fail, the lightest consequence is the complete dissipation of your cultivation. The worst is that your body will explode and you will die."

"This junior understands!"

Hong Yu nodded.

"Now, sit cross-legged in the center of the Underground Palace!"

Hong Yu did as he was told and stepped forward.

At the central intersection of the lines extending from the eight Azure Dragon Stone Pillars, a Lotus Platform made of azure stone stood silently.

Hong Yu sat down on the azure Lotus Platform.

BUZZ!

An azure light emanated from the Lotus Platform, enveloping Hong Yu.

Then, an illusory azure lotus flower bloomed, its petals unfurling in all eight directions.

Streams of azure Flowing Light surged out, entering the eight Azure Dragon Stone Pillars.

RUMBLE-CRACK!

The grinding sound of massive stones rolling could be heard.

The eight Azure Dragon Stone Pillars were moving, changing positions, and the entire Underground Palace began to rotate like a turntable.

After a full thirty-three rotations and thirty-three changes,

the ground was covered in a dense web of strange Runes. The Runes flowed across the surface, searing grooves and etchings into the floor, creating a dazzling and disorienting sight.

"The Dragon Blood Inheritance is about to begin. Hong Yu, I hope you can endure until the very end," the Purple Thunder Winged Flood Dragon said placidly.

Hong Yu nodded, his gaze becoming extremely resolute.

ROAR!

Faintly, the roar of an Azure Dragon could be heard.

It was like the sound of a mountain flood, like the evening drum and morning bell, piercing the heavens and cracking the void.

The winds howled and the clouds churned.

SPLASH!

The sound of flowing water suddenly rang out.

Hong Yu saw thick, crimson liquid flowing from each of the eight Azure Dragon Stone Pillars. The liquid radiated an immense heat and was accompanied by energy fluctuations so vast they made his heart palpitate.

Though it was blood, it seemed extremely heavy.

It flowed along the runic etchings, completely filling the grooves of the Array Disc on the floor of the Underground Palace, revealing a vast and mysterious pattern.

It radiated a red halo, and the floor seemed unable to bear the weight of the blood, sinking slightly.

GULP!

Hong Yu gulped, sweat covering his forehead. ’Th-this is Dragon Blood? Such terrifying Dragon Blood... it can actually weigh down azure stone?’

The azure stone that made up the Array Disc was incredibly hard.

Even a punch from a powerhouse at the Peak of Primordial Embryo Realm probably wouldn’t leave a mark, yet this blood was heavy enough to nearly make it collapse. One could only imagine the terrifying energy it contained.

"Hong Yu, focus your mind. The Dragon Blood Inheritance is critical. One misstep and you will face death and the dissipation of your soul!" the Purple Thunder Winged Flood Dragon said faintly, its voice seeming much weaker.

Even so, its voice still sounded like muffled thunder.

Hong Yu nodded, his gaze focused. He watched as the crimson Dragon Blood flowed slowly toward him, about to reach the azure Lotus Platform.

Hong Yu took a deep breath. ’It’s finally here. Dragon Blood Inheritance, let me see just how terrifying you really are!’

BUZZ!

At that same moment, the Dragon Blood poured completely into the Lotus Platform.

The azure light abruptly changed color, turning into a hazy, blood-red mist that completely enveloped Hong Yu.

Even though Hong Yu had been prepared, he still felt as if his whole body was being torn apart. An inexplicable, piercing pain swept over him.

The sensation was like placing a small bottle under a waterfall.

The violent, surging water cascaded down, filling the bottle in an instant, with even more water trying to force its way in, nearly bursting it apart.

Hong Yu gasped. In that instant, cracks actually began to appear on his body.

Fresh blood seeped out as a bloody light erupted.

This was a moment of life and death.

Survive, and he would live. Fail, and death awaited him.

But whether he could endure to the very end... remained to be seen.