Supreme Sword Exalt

Originally transformed from the Dragon Seal, Yun Ao had imbued a sliver of his soul into the little green dragon. His goal was to refine this supreme treasure faster and master more of its power. Sure enough, his control over the Dragon Seal far exceeded the Flame Emperors control over the dragon mark. This was precisely why he still held the advantage even against four opponents.

However, it was also because of this that he and that little green dragon shared prosperity and loss. When the other was destroyed by the curse power, he suffered the consequences.

Staggering backward, he vomited a mouthful of foul, stinking black blood. “Nether clan? Curse? Cough, cough...”

The green flame in his hand rapidly dissipated.

Chi Yao was half right. Yun Ao had never entered the Dragon Seal. It wasn’t because of the other monsters, but simply because he feared drawing the nether clan’s attention. No one understood better than him just how terrifying the clan’s curse power was.

He stared fixedly at the Flame Emperor. “You gave the Nine-Chi Coiled Dragon Seal to him?”

The Flame Emperors showed a trace of a smile. “I guess the kid isn’t dead.”

From Yun Ao’s question and condition, the emperor could roughly infer what had happened. Although he didn’t know how Gu Han had obtained the seal, the important thing was that he had gotten out. The man had also inadvertently drawn out the curse power, severely injuring Yun Ao.

He sighed softly. “You lost. The grudges of so many years need to be settled!”

Not only did Yun Ao’s face grow increasingly aged, but he also faintly emitted a foul stench of decay. Even his cultivation continuously dropped, making it difficult to even maintain the Feather Transformation realm.

At the same time, the green light that had constantly and heavily pressed down on everyone also rapidly dissipated.

***

Within the distant void, Fu Youde felt a weight lift from him, his cultivation once again moving nimbly.

He was full of anger. “It’s gone? Destroy them!”

He was seething from being pushed back by the four barbarians. The others shared the sentiment.

The group struck out in anger, unleashing various techniques of immense power. The four barbarians were beaten back step by step. However, compared to their own injuries, what they found even harder to accept was Yun Ao’s failure.

One man showed a look of despair. “Did the hall master lose?”

Another man had a fierce expression. “That’s impossible! The hall master is invincible! No one is his match! He cannot lose!”

Suddenly, one barbarian turned around and fled into the distance. “Go!”

The few barbarians lost all will to fight. Their bloodline power suddenly erupted, barely blocking the ten’s assault. Without hesitation, they fled into the distance.

The ten gave chase in unison.

“Thinking of leaving?”

“Dream on!”

***

Ten thousand li from the War God Hall, with a single page of a Dao book, a patch of demonic clouds, and a ray of grey light, the three pressed down on Yun Ao. The weakened green flame compressed within a zhang of him, on the verge of collapsing.

The Luoheng Holy Master said calmly, “Accept your defeat, Fellow Daoist.”

Fu Dahai nodded. “I bet you never expected to stumble because of a minor cultivator! This is heaven’s will!”

Yan Qianjue waved his hand grandly. “Enough talk! Destroy him and end this battle!”

Their attacks grew increasingly fierce, scattering Yun Ao’s green flame.

The Flame Emperor stepped forward, instantly arriving before Yun Ao. Condensing a clump of purple flame to the extreme, he then pressed it directly against Yun Ao’s chest.

Yun Ao cracked and faintly turned black, blood splattering endlessly. Yet as if unaware, he asked in a low voice, “Do you really think you’ve won?”

He grew even more decayed, his appearance rapidly shifting from middle-aged to elderly. “Yun Tian, you never beat me even once! This time will be the same!”

Using a secret technique again, his cultivation rose step by step, returning to the Ascension realm. A strand of green flame immediately coiled up. The grey light scattered, the Dao book disintegrated, and the demonic clouds melted. Even the Flame Emperor grew even more transparent.

Yun Ao’s slightly cloudy eyes were full of defiance. "Heaven's will? Bullshit! I am Yun Ao, a descendant of the Dragon Ancestor!”

The domineering green flame spread like wildfire, then transformed into a thousand-zhang green dragon.

“I will kill anyone who stands in my path! Should heaven stand against me, then I shall defy it!”

The dragon’s head rose high, letting out a deep roar, resonating with Yun Ao’s voice.

“Success or failure? It lies with me, not heaven!”

The dragon’s eyes flashed with a violent intent. With a swing of its tail, green flames swept across the sky, blasting the four away.

The four barbarians rejoiced at the sight of the green dragon, “Hall Master!”

Behind the four, the ten’s attacks arrived again.

Yun Ao roared, his large sleeve flicking, “Suppress!”

A strand of green flame flew out, falling upon the ten. The green light flashed in the void again, guiding the four barbarians to his side.

The four had escaped disaster. Upon seeing Yun Ao so powerful, their emotions surged as they repeatedly bowed.

“Thank you, Hall Master!”

At the same time, the Flame Emperor and the other three also struck together, helping the ten extinguish the green flame.

The War Prince felt a chill. “Brother, Yun Ao, he...”

Yun Ao had some of the power he possessed back when he wasn’t injured.

The Flame Emperor shook his head, and briefly explained, “Don’t worry about it. Go and bring him back first!”

Yun Ao was also instructing the four, “Go and kill that kid!”

After receiving their orders, both sides prepared to move again.

Almost at the same time, a strand of green flame blocked the War Prince and the others’ path, while a strand of purple flame simultaneously blocked the four barbarians. Whoever moved first would suffer the others storm-like assault.

The Flame Emperor remained impassive. “Send orders to the border army! Break through the barbarian border at all cost, charge into their heartland, and bring him back safe and sound!”

The War Prince nodded and began sending messages. “Alright!”

Yun Ao stared intently at the Flame Emperor. “Send orders! Mobilize all barbarians of the Northern Domain. Keep the Great Flame Border Army tied down there at any cost! Also, send word to those remaining in the War God Hall and the various tribes. Search with full force. Once you find that one called Gu Han, execute him on the spot!”

The four barbarians sent messages as instructed. “Understood!”

The two stood in opposition, each deploying their forces. Suddenly, Yun Ao trembled slightly, unable to suppress the curse power. Two streams of black blood flowed from his eyes again.

He coughed softly, still staring at Yun Tian. “This kid ruined my great plans. You think I’ll let him walk out of the Northern Domain alive?”

Even if he repeatedly used secret techniques, seizing the dragon mark today was basically impossible. However, if he wanted to leave now, the others couldn’t stop him either. But he didn’t want to leave! Fleeing in disgrace had never been Yun Ao’s style.

At that moment, everyone began their onslaught. The green dragon let out a furious roar as it coiled, tightly protecting Yun Ao within.

The barbarians panicked after seeing more and more black blood in Yun Ao’s eyes. “Hall Master, are you okay?”

Yun Ao sighed. “The four of you, please lend me your strength.”

The four were flustered and terrified. “It would be our honor! We have served you for thousands of years. We are willing to die for you!”

Yun Ao nodded. “Good. Then die.”

What? The four were stunned. Though they had claimed countless times over the millennia that they were willing to die, they never expected to truly face that moment. Had their words become prophecy?

“Suppress!” Yun Ao roared, and green light appeared again.

Although defeating the Flame Emperor and the others was somewhat difficult, dealing with four Saint realm cultivators was more than enough. In the blink of an eye, the barbarians completely vanished.

At the same time, Yun Ao gained a surge of vigorous life force. He suppressed the curse power and regained some youth.

The green dragon coiled again, landing beside him. “I told you! Success or failure lies with me, not heaven! You shall watch him die with your own eyes! If I can’t win, then neither can you!”