Chapter 1785: Realm-Breaking Dragon Shadow
The moment the Three Yan Mo Ancestors struck together, their demonic might was world-shaking, terrifying to the point that it seemed an instant would suffice to engulf the void and cause it to collapse and shatter.
In the space where light had been devoured, Yan Er's demon claw directly blasted toward the only remaining Four Abyss Gods of Nanming. With space-rending speed and soul-piercing demonic might, the powerful Four Abyss Gods were barely able to react in time. They struck out hastily, and four streams of interwoven Nanming divine power violently erupted in the approaching darkness.
Boom!
Golden light burst forth violently, but in an instant it was torn apart into scattered remnants. The Four Abyss Gods simultaneously trembled violently, blood burst from their lips and teeth, and the golden light in their eyes mostly dissipated.
The esteemed Four Abyss Gods — two Ninth-rank Divine Lords and two Eighth-rank Divine Lords — actually fell into obvious disadvantage under Yan Er's first strike.
Truly facing a Yan Ancestor with their own strength, the gap that was so immense it surpassed imagination nearly terrified the Four Abyss Gods out of their wits.
"Yah!" Yan Er let out a strange cry. His Yan Mo claw suddenly exploded, sending the shocked Four Abyss Gods flying far away. Then he pounced fiercely, his withered ten fingers carving millions of black marks in the dim space, like a nightmare net from the abyss of purgatory, enveloping the last Four Abyss Gods of Nanming and dragging them into an ever-deepening dark abyss.
"Yan Er, Nan Qianqiu must be taken alive." Yun Che transmitted faintly.
Yan Er accepted the order, and the power that was originally enveloping the four was forcibly redirected to concentrate on Nan Qianqiu alone.
On the other side, Yan San's ghostly figure had already approached Nanming Shendi, and a pair of dark demon claws, with soul-shattering cold light, grabbed toward his head.
"Nanming brat, die! Yah ha!"
In the past, Nan Wansheng rarely acted personally. When there was truly an unexpected event, any one of the Four Abyss Kings by his side could annihilate everything with a snap of their fingers.
But now, the Four Abyss Kings were all dead, and the last Four Abyss Gods had their own hands full. He had never imagined that as the first Divine Emperor of the Southern Domain, he would one day be reduced to "isolation."
The fury and resentment that nearly shattered his body finally found an outlet. His remaining hair stood on end, his pupils turned into a pure and dazzling gold, and the angry power of the Nanming Divine Emperor quickly condensed into a massive golden profound formation, intending to tear Yan San into dark fragments.
Crack!
A hundred miles of space collapsed in an instant. The dark demon claw and the golden profound formation shattered simultaneously. Yan San was sent flying backwards, while Nan Wansheng's body plummeted, with dozens of blood sprays bursting from wounds all over his body. Before he could even catch his breath, Yan San's terrifying ghost face suddenly appeared in his pupils, accompanied by an extremely piercing ghostly laugh.
"Yah ha ha ha ha!"
Boom!
Nan Wansheng was swept as if by a world-destroying hurricane. For a moment, even his consciousness went blank. He forcibly stopped his body, and just as his power was about to surge, he violently spat several blood arrows. On his chest, there were also five pitch-black blood holes that almost pierced through his body.
In terms of overall strength, Nan Wansheng was slightly superior to Yan San, the weakest of the Three Yan Ancestors.
However, Nan Wansheng had just been severely wounded by the Abyss God Cannon, and his qi and blood were in a state of uncontrollable frenzy due to extreme anger and hatred. In his current state, he was no match for Yan San at all.
Moreover, his injuries were extremely severe. Facing Yan San, let alone contending, even just defending with all his strength would cause his wounds to deteriorate rapidly... That was a severe injury from the Abyss God Cannon. Even if he immediately went into seclusion to recover, it would take decades to heal.
Unsurprisingly, under Yan San's offensive, Nan Wansheng retreated step by step. But as the Nanming Divine Emperor, no one came forward to buy him even a moment's respite. The Four Abyss Gods were completely suppressed by Yan Er, while Nan Guizhong stood fixed in place, because before him stood an aura so powerful that he dared not make any rash move.
Qianye Bingzhu.
"Brother Bingzhu," Nan Guizhong's expression remained calm, but the sharp light in his aged eyes seemed to have dimmed considerably. "It's been many years. To be able to spar again now is not bad."
Qianye Bingzhu said, "Sparring with an old friend is naturally good. It's just a pity that the ground where you and I stand today is a battlefield."
A storm surged, and beside Qianye Bingzhu appeared the figure of Qianye Wugu.
Two Brahma Ancestors, two former Fantian Divine Emperors. Under the combined pressure of their auras, even someone as strong as Nan Guizhong felt his blood flow abruptly stop.
Glancing at the situation of the Four Abyss Gods and Nan Wansheng, he let out a sigh, and a dark golden ancient sword appeared in his hand.
Facing either Qianye Bingzhu or Qianye Wugu alone, he was confident he could proudly remain undefeated. But facing both at the same time, he had not the slightest chance of victory.
"Remove all seals of the Royal City!" The ancient sword was raised, and Nan Guizhong's voice spread across the Nanming Divine Region like vast ocean waves. "Children of Nanming, the demons are at the city gates. This is the day that decides the life and death of our Nanming. Raise your lifelong strength and fight!"
The seals of Nanming Royal City had already been mostly destroyed by the Abyss God Cannon earlier. Now, under Nan Guizhong's command, all seals were opened. At this moment, Nanming Royal City, once the unattainable first sacred ground of the Southern Divine Region, could be entered by all beings.
Yan Er suppressed the Four Abyss Gods, Yan San fought Nan Wansheng alone, and the two Brahma Ancestors overpowered Nan Guizhong... Since the existence of the Southern Divine Region, there had never been such a high-level fierce battle.
And the battlefield for such a fierce battle was Nanming Royal City. Regardless of the outcome, Nanming Royal City would once again suffer enormous destruction and calamity.
Yan Yi alone pounced toward the three Divine Emperors — Shitian, Xuanyuan, and Ziwei. As the head of the Three Yan Ancestors, his strength surpassed everyone present. As he approached, what he brought to the three Divine Emperors was undoubtedly an immensely heavy dark pressure.
"Don't bother with them." Yun Che suddenly spoke, casting an extremely cold sidelong glance at the three Divine Emperors.
Yan Yi's figure halted and returned to Yun Che's side, making no further move.
With ears ringing and souls startled, earth-shaking roars came from below. The Nanming elders and Abyss Guards, who had just been suppressed by the might of the Three Yan Ancestors, gritted their teeth and charged forward.
"Uncle Gu," Qianye Ying'er glanced below. "You haven't killed in many years, but today, I'm afraid you will commit the greatest slaughter of your life."
Gu Zhu faintly smiled and said, "The young lady has returned safely and gained a new life. This old servant has no regrets left in his remaining years. The former persistence is no longer worth mentioning."
As his words fell, his figure gradually faded. A storm appeared out of nowhere, instantly tearing apart space and bodies, quickly dyeing the storm a shocking blood-red.
Qianye Ying'er also turned and descended. The Divine Oracle, like a golden nether snake emerging from the dark abyss, pierced through the bodies of dozens of Abyss Guards in an instant, and then directly severed the Divine Lord body of a Nanming elder.
The fierce battle began. Half of the Nanming profound practitioners were fleeing, while the other half, driven by a surge of hot blood, charged toward the Royal City.
What is a foundation? A foundation strong enough can build a tower that holds up the sky and breaks through the clouds.
But if the foundation is shattered, then even if the tower pierces the sky and enters the heavens, it will collapse in an instant.
The foundation of the Nanming Divine Realm was undoubtedly the Abyss Kings and Abyss Gods. But with the fall of the Four Abyss Kings and most of the Abyss Gods, the core power of the Nanming Divine Realm was reduced to just the Four Abyss Gods, Nan Wansheng, and Nan Guizhong. It was simply impossible for them to contend with Yun Che's group... even though the other side had only eight people!
How terrifying was a battlefield at the Divine Lord ultimate realm? Even Divine Sovereigns found it hard to approach. The vast numbers and home-field advantage were completely useless before such a level of fierce battle. Those Nanming profound practitioners who swarmed in, wanting to defend their sacred ground with their strength and lives, were nothing but a fearless and ignorant joke. Before they could even get close to the battlefield, they were already lying dead in droves under the aftershocks of Divine Lord power.
Boom! Boom! Boom rumble rumble————
The entire Nanming Divine Realm trembled. The sky, shattered by power, remained in a cracked state that could not heal.
In just half a quarter of an hour, the combined Four Abyss Gods were all wounded by Yan Er's hand. Under the invasion of darkness into their bodies and souls, not only were their bodies icy cold, but their battle intent and pride were being terrifyingly and rapidly devoured.
Nan Wansheng let out bursts of roars, but was suppressed by Yan San without any ability to fight back. His body was torn open with one black mark after another, and beneath the black marks, his bones were rapidly being stained with darkness.
Nan Guizhong was surrounded by the two Yan Ancestors, and even his defense was becoming increasingly difficult.
From the very beginning of this fierce battle, the core power of Nanming was already in full rout. As for those elders and Abyss Guards, under the hands of Qianye Ying'er and Gu Zhu, they were being slaughtered one by one, group by group.
The channel for external reinforcements had been cut off. The only factor that could possibly turn the situation for Nanming now was the three Divine Emperors of the Southern Domain.
The power of three Divine Emperors, each bringing two divine power inheritors, was definitely a force that could influence the battle.
But the three never made a move.
Yan Yi, who had charged toward them and then suddenly stopped, was undoubtedly a warning from Yun Che... telling them that his target was only Nanming. If they dared to act, they would be buried together.
"Divine Emperor, are we really... not going to act?" the Sea God standing behind Cang Shitian asked in a low voice.
Cang Shitian's eyes narrowed slightly, and he did not respond.
Both the Xuanyuan Emperor and the Ziwei Emperor had pale faces. Their minds were all focused on Yan Yi. The dark might from the head Yan Ancestor made them clearly understand that with the slightest rash move, the opponent's demon claw would pierce their heart and soul... and there would be no chance for regret.
"Urgh ah!"
A painful miserable cry came. Nan Wansheng's chest was pierced through by Yan San's demon claw, and on his noble Divine Emperor body, a blood hole emitting terrifying black mist appeared.
Nan Wansheng staggered back, clutching his chest. His gaze, filled with endless hatred, suddenly turned to the three Divine Emperors, and a desperate beast-like roar burst from his mouth: "Why haven't you acted yet!!"
The Xuanyuan Emperor and the Ziwei Emperor both tightened their faces. The Xuanyuan Emperor gritted his teeth slightly, and profound energy burst from his body, with sword energy stirring.
"Are you sure you want to act?" Cang Shitian's words came coldly, with a hint of mockery.
"Hmph!" The Xuanyuan Emperor's aura slightly retracted, and he said solemnly, "As Divine Emperors of the Southern Domain, if we are afraid of the demons and dare not act, would we not become cowards mocked for ten thousand generations!"
"That's right!" The Xuanyuan Emperor's words also shattered the Ziwei Emperor's hesitation. He fixed his gaze and said, "If the lips are gone, the teeth will feel cold. If we do not help Nanming drive away Yun Che today, then next to die will be us... and after death, we will leave behind a shameful laughingstock!"
"Heh heh heh," Cang Shitian laughed lowly. "Divine Emperor? Yes, how noble this title is. It symbolizes the pinnacle of power and status in the current world. But..."
He slowly extended his hand, pointing at Yun Che. "The three old monsters beside Yun Che — each one surpasses any of us, yet they are only fit to be loyal dogs at his feet. So what does our title of 'Divine Emperor' count for in his eyes?"
"Cang Shitian!" The Xuanyuan Emperor's eyes filled with anger. "If you fear death and are unwilling to act, so be it. But why must you demean others and yourself!"
Cang Shitian twisted the corner of his mouth and said unhurriedly, "If you can't bear to hear it, just consider it as this king passing gas. If you want to act, this king certainly cannot stop you. But just don't forget — Yun Che previously used his poisonous hand to exterminate the Dragon God, and now he is determined to destroy Nanming. But from beginning to end, he has not targeted us."
"Now, once you act, you will be actively provoking him, leaving no room for retreat." Cang Shitian's smile was grim. "And you have all seen with your own eyes the consequences of such provocation. When the time comes, don't blame this king for not warning you."
"Ridiculous!" the Ziwei Emperor said. "The current Yun Che is a madman possessed by a demon! Do you actually delude yourself into thinking Yun Che will show us mercy?"
"Delusion?" Cang Shitian said. "Judging from the current situation in the Eastern Divine Region, those whom Yun Che hates deeply and those who resist all end up miserably. But those who obediently submitted are actually living well. Especially the Liuguang Realm, the Futian Realm, and the withered Xing Shen Realm — under their active surrender, they were not even harmed in the slightest. Tsk tsk."
The Xuanyuan Emperor's face twitched, then he laughed out of sheer anger. "A demon is before us, Nanming is in peril. As an emperor of the Southern Domain, your first thought is not to help, but to... surrender? Ha... ha ha ha, Cang Shitian, although I have always held you in low regard over the years, I never imagined you would be so contemptible!"
The Ziwei Emperor also gnashed his teeth and said, "With just these words, you are a disgrace to the Southern Domain, and even more so a disgrace to the Ten Directions Canglan Realm!"
Cang Shitian showed no anger at all, instead smilingly said, "Just now, Qianye Wugu's words were very interesting. What is right and wrong, what is good and evil — the older one gets, the more unclear it becomes. But this king is different. In this king's eyes, the principles and decisions of the victor are absolute right and wrong, good and evil."
The Xuanyuan Emperor and the Ziwei Emperor were stunned.
"In today's battle, if we act, the best outcome would be merely to drive them away. We would not be able to inflict severe damage on them at all. After that, we would become irreconcilable mortal enemies."
"But if we do not act, Nanming will be defeated, and we will lose our dignity, but we will likely be preserved. After that, the only one who can truly destroy Yun Che is the Dragon God Realm. With the tragic death of the Ashen Dragon God today, the Dragon God Realm's attack on the Northern Divine Region is a foregone conclusion. If the Northern Divine Region is forced into a dead end, then we can act to avenge today's humiliation. But what if... in the end, even the Dragon God Realm cannot deal with Yun Che..."
Cang Shitian's tone sank. "If you act now, are you impatiently digging your own graves!"
"Absurd!" The Xuanyuan Emperor still had a look of anger, but his aura unconsciously retracted, and he had clearly begun to waver.
At this moment, the already dim sky suddenly darkened again.
Yun Che's figure slowly ascended. He opened his arms, his black hair dancing, and a dense dark mist coiled around his entire body. The light of the world seemed to be wildly devoured by his gloomy pupils, becoming increasingly cold and dim.
"Filthy blood of Nanming," Yun Che's lips moved slightly, his voice like a demonic curse whispering in everyone's ears. "Perish forever in the darkness!"
The light in the Nanming sky was completely extinguished. Black clouds rolled, and the chaotic airflow turned into countless surging dark storms. The darkness element in the heaven and earth increased at an amplitude beyond reason, as if wanting to devour everything.
Calamity Demon Scourge Heaven!
Yan Yi, Yan Er, Yan San, and Qianye Ying'er all had the same dark mist floating on their bodies. The already terrifying dark power circulation speed increased again, instantly causing the Four Abyss Gods to cry out in succession... Nanming Shendi's roar also clearly carried fear and a hint of despair.
At the same time, the dozens of rapidly approaching dark auras finally arrived. Yan Tianxiao arrived first, and when the Yan Emperor's aura pierced into Nanming Royal City, it covered the lightless Nanming with another layer of dark despair.
"Th-this... what is this?" the Ziwei Emperor looked up in terror.
"Act!" The Xuanyuan Emperor trembled all over, releasing thousands of sword beams from his body. "If we don't act now, it will be completely too late..."
Before he finished speaking, he suddenly looked up sharply.
In the boundless dark sky, at this moment, a rift was suddenly torn open, revealing a... yet another Tenth-rank Divine Lord aura!
Countless gazes on the battlefield involuntarily shifted. It was an aura at the Divine Emperor level, but within the dark rift appeared a figure so small that it was hard to believe.
"Th-that is!?" Exclamations arose everywhere, because the person who appeared had a reputation known to all in the current world.
Qianye Ying'er's movements paused as she looked at the suddenly appearing young girl, a hint of surprise on her face.
Yun Che slowly raised his eyes, and a special strange light surged in his pitch-black pupils. He murmured softly, "Cai... Zhi..."
Divine Lord realm... Tenth-rank!?
Her progress was actually so... abnormal!
"Urgh... Celestial Wolf... Star God!" Nan Wansheng's body swayed. Yet another Tenth-rank Divine Lord aura appeared. He prayed it would be a savior, but reality brought another layer of nightmare.
Cai Zhi, high in the sky, had a cold expression with almost no emotion in her eyes. She looked down below, and the alienated Celestial Wolf Holy Sword in her hand slowly lifted, pointing straight at the sky.
Chi!
The wolf's eye on the sword tip shone, but it was not the blue profound light of Celestial Wolf divine power, nor the black light after alienation, but a slowly blooming... crimson red light.
"...!?" Yun Che's eyebrows slightly tightened.
This red light...
The red light spread, the sky scattered, and in a daze, an enormously vast independent space unfolded.
Roar————
From within that strangely unfolding space came a soul-shaking, mind-shattering roar. And anyone could instantly tell that it was clearly a dragon's roar, a heavenly dragon's cry incomparable to any living being!
Under the dragon's cry, a massive dragon shadow broke through space and appeared above the sky.
The dragon shadow was a thousand zhang long, its body a gray-white that was especially ancient and heavy, as if carrying the endless vicissitudes of sun and moon. The aura it exuded was the vast dragon might of a mid-stage Divine Lord.
This sudden change made the battlefield hold its breath for an instant, but the appearance of this Divine Lord dragon was only the beginning.
Before the crowd could recover from their shock, a second dragon shadow appeared in the blink of an eye, also a thousand-zhang dragon body, also ancient gray-white, also exuding a Divine Lord dragon breath as heavy as ten thousand mountains.
Then a third, a fourth... tenth... twentieth... fiftieth... a hundred!
Incredibly rare Divine Lord dragons rapidly emerged before everyone's eyes in that strangely torn space. Their spread wings blotted out the sky, and a hundred streams of Divine Lord dragon breath were so heavy that they locked even the tiniest grain of dust firmly in the air.