# Chapter 553: The Corrupted Golden Splendor King
The Azure Flame Xuanwu was one of the three branches of the divine beast Xuanwu's descendants. Although not as powerful as the true divine beast Xuanwu, in the eyes of ordinary people, it was still an extremely formidable world-shaking ferocious beast.
The Azure Flame Xuanwu at the bottom of the Blood Spring Sea Trench had been dead for many years, but within its body, blazing azure flames still burned fiercely.
The deeper one walked toward its abdomen, the more intense the azure flames became, and the higher the temperature.
Zhang Ruochen deployed a space domain three zhang in diameter, blocking the azure Xuanwu flames outside the domain.
It took him a quarter of an hour to pass through layer after layer of obstacles and reach the abdomen of the Azure Flame Xuanwu.
There, he saw a thick, rust-covered iron pillar piercing through the Xuanwu's body, standing at the center of its abdomen, emitting wisps of deathly evil qi like ink.
Within the black death qi sat a burly man clad in golden armor. He was about two meters tall, appeared to be in his forties, with distinct features, a tough demeanor, and a foot-long azure beard hanging from his chin.
A military token hung from his waist.
Clearly, he was also a Ruins Realm warrior.
The aura emanating from this man was terrifying, seemingly even stronger than that of the Black Bone Flood Dragon King. This indicated he was undoubtedly a Half-Saint.
Among all the human cultivators in the Western Xuan Sea, only the Golden Splendor King had reached the Half-Saint realm.
Thus, his identity was obvious.
Zhang Ruochen only needed one glance to confirm his identity, saying, "The Golden Splendor King has indeed already reached the bottom of the Blood Spring Sea Trench."
A point of light appeared at the center of the Golden Splendor King's brow.
Through that point of light, one could see deep within his brow, within his Qi Sea, what appeared to be an azure star, emitting a powerful pressure of sacred qi.
Zhang Ruochen cautiously took just one step forward.
"Whoosh—"
Immediately, the azure star at the Golden Splendor King's brow sent out a ripple, surging toward Zhang Ruochen.
Zhang Ruochen felt an invisible pressure suddenly rush toward him from the Golden Splendor King's direction, pressing down on his body. It felt like bearing ten times the gravity.
When Zhang Ruochen took a second step, the pressure increased further, equivalent to twenty times gravity pressing on him.
After Zhang Ruochen took nine consecutive steps, the pressure on his body approached one hundred times gravity.
Zhang Ruochen's eyes locked tightly onto the point of light at the Golden Splendor King's brow, thinking to himself, "Although the Golden Splendor King's cultivation is powerful, he is still only at the Half-Saint realm. He couldn't possibly possess such formidable sacred might. That azure star in his brow's Qi Sea must be the Xuanwu's Sacred Source. Only by obtaining the Sacred Source could he become so powerful."
A Half-Saint could allow their Martial Soul to grow into a Sacred Soul.
When a Sacred Soul became enraged, it could unleash sacred might, causing cultivators approaching the Half-Saint to involuntarily feel awe and reverence.
But a Half-Saint was still one step away from a true Saint. The power of sacred might had its limits.
Only by condensing a Sacred Source could one be considered a true Saint.
A Saint's sacred might was far more powerful.
When a Saint became enraged, that very emotion could trigger certain sacred law rules between heaven and earth, intimidating all living creatures into kneeling prostrate.
Just as Zhang Ruochen approached close to the Golden Splendor King, the latter suddenly opened his eyes and glared at Zhang Ruochen.
His two eyes had no pupils, for even the whites had turned black, like two black holes, emitting dense death qi.
"Not good—the Golden Splendor King has been controlled by the deathly evil qi of the iron pillar, becoming a corrupted Half-Saint." Zhang Ruochen's expression changed, and he quickly retreated.
The Golden Splendor King had not only subdued the Xuanwu Sacred Source and absorbed it into his Qi Sea, but he had also attempted to claim that iron pillar overflowing with evil qi.
That iron pillar was indeed an extraordinary war weapon, but the deathly evil qi contained within it was terrifying, far beyond what the Golden Splendor King could suppress.
For this reason, the Golden Splendor King had instead been controlled by the iron pillar, losing his sense of self.
"Whoosh—"
From the Golden Splendor King's two black eyes shot two beams of icy light, like black lightning, striking toward Zhang Ruochen's chest.
With no way to avoid it, Zhang Ruochen could only unfurl the Cosmic Divine Wood Map, infusing true qi into the scroll and blocking it in front of him.
The inscriptions on the scroll quickly emerged, emitting wisps of white radiance that collided with the two black beams of light.
"Hiss!"
Zhang Ruochen slid backward five zhang before regaining his footing.
The two beams of light from the Golden Splendor King's eyes were gradually purified by the white light of the Cosmic Divine Wood Map, turning into specks of black light that dissipated in the water.
The Cosmic Divine Wood Map possessed the special power to suppress evil qi. Back then, the Blood Spirit King had once been suppressed by it.
The Golden Splendor King was slightly surprised, saying, "Junior, you seem to have some skill. I advise you to leave this place immediately. If I strike again, you might not survive."
Zhang Ruochen grabbed the Cosmic Divine Wood Map with one hand and held the Abyssal Ancient Sword with the other, walking forward again, saying, "Golden Splendor King, the one who should leave this place is you, not me. The deathly evil qi from the iron pillar has already invaded your true heart, yet you are unaware. If you continue trying to claim the iron pillar, you will become its evil slave."
The Golden Splendor King let out a loud laugh, extremely confident, saying, "I have trained on the Ruins Realm battlefield for a hundred years, experiencing countless life-and-death bloody battles. My will is as firm as iron. How could the evil power of a mere iron pillar affect me?"
Zhang Ruochen shook his head, saying, "If there were a mirror before you, perhaps you would see how hideous and terrifying you look now."
With that, Zhang Ruochen pointed his finger forward.
"Whoosh!"
A halo of light spread from his fingertip, condensing into a circular mirror of spiritual light that floated before the Golden Splendor King.
Seeing himself in the mirror, the Golden Splendor King's eyes showed a look of panic.
The person in the mirror was completely wrapped in black evil qi, his eyes pitch black with no visible pupils, and the veins on his face were all bulging, like a fierce ghost.
The Golden Splendor King shook his head violently, unable to accept the image in the mirror, shouting hoarsely, "No... it's not me... this isn't me..."
"I am the king of the army on the Ruins Realm battlefield, victorious in a hundred battles. How could I be invaded by mere deathly evil qi? It's you, it must be you, junior! You dare to mock me? Once I refine this iron pillar, I will tear you apart limb from limb."
"Pop!"
Zhang Ruochen withdrew his finger, and the mirror of spiritual light immediately dissipated.
Zhang Ruochen took another step forward, saying, "Golden Splendor King, I am a member of the Ruins Realm warriors, and you are their commander. Yet you want to kill me. This shows that your true heart has been corroded by the evil qi on the iron pillar, and you are becoming bloodthirsty."
The Golden Splendor King grew extremely agitated, gritting his teeth, his killing intent growing even stronger.
His face twisted slightly, and he said coldly, "Black Bone Flood Dragon King, go kill this junior for me."
The Black Bone Flood Dragon King?
Zhang Ruochen was startled and secretly circulated his true qi, becoming alert.
The Golden Splendor King extended his arm forward, and a crimson flood dragon shadow flew out from his sleeve.
"Roar!"
The three-foot-long Crimson Cloud Python Flood Dragon circled the iron pillar once, emitting a crimson radiance that formed a bright ball of light.
Moments later, the Crimson Cloud Python Flood Dragon's body expanded, condensing into human form, flying out from the ball of light and landing on the ground, kneeling on one knee before the Golden Splendor King, "Greetings, master."
It really was the Black Bone Flood Dragon King.
Earlier, when Zhang Ruochen was breaking through to the Fish-Dragon Realm in the Scroll World, the Black Bone Flood Dragon King had charged into the Xuanwu's abdomen, originally intending to seize the Xuanwu Sacred Source from the Golden Splendor King.
Unfortunately, after obtaining the Xuanwu Sacred Source, the Golden Splendor King's cultivation had greatly increased, and he instead suppressed the Black Bone Flood Dragon King.
Moreover, the Golden Splendor King had used Beast-Taming Inscriptions, injecting them into the Black Bone Flood Dragon King's body, taking it as his mount.
Zhang Ruochen carefully examined the Black Bone Flood Dragon King and found that its aura was chaotic, its eyes dim and lusterless—clearly, it was severely injured.
Furthermore, strands of Beast-Taming Inscriptions were flowing across the Black Bone Flood Dragon King's eyeballs, indicating it had been controlled by the Golden Splendor King and turned into his war beast.
Zhang Ruochen roughly guessed what had happened and looked toward the Golden Splendor King, saying, "Golden Splendor King, I came here not to fight with you, but to exchange the Xuanwu Sacred Source with you. I can trade the Dragon Pearl for it."
Having broken through to the Fish-Dragon Realm, Zhang Ruochen could now summon the Dragon Pearl out of his body.
"What are you, to think you're worthy of negotiating with me?"
The Golden Splendor King had no intention of trading with Zhang Ruochen. Instead, he revealed a mocking expression and laughed, "Black Bone Flood Dragon King, kill him for me. The Dragon Pearl on him will be yours from now on."
The Black Bone Flood Dragon King's eyes lit up, showing a greedy expression.
It was of the Flood Dragon clan. If it could swallow the Dragon Pearl, it might one day transform into a seventh-level savage beast and become a Flood Dragon.
"Thank you, master. Black Bone will do his utmost to kill this brat."
The Black Bone Flood Dragon King bowed to the Golden Splendor King, then took out its Blazing Flame War Hammer and walked step by step toward Zhang Ruochen.
Zhang Ruochen gently shook his head, knowing that the Golden Splendor King had been completely corroded by the iron pillar's evil qi, turning into a demon. There was no longer any way to negotiate with him.
Now, his only option was to take it by force.
Zhang Ruochen slowly raised the Abyssal Ancient Sword, saying, "Black Bone Flood Dragon King, you are already severely injured. Under the sea, you are no match for me. I advise you to step back immediately."
"Haha! Human brat, aren't you also severely injured? You don't really think that by relying on the water pressure of the sea, you can defeat me, do you? Let me tell you the truth—even if I am suppressed by the water pressure of the sea, I am still the king of the Flood Dragon clan, while you are nothing but an ant." The Black Bone Flood Dragon King laughed.
Even with the environmental suppression, the Black Bone Flood Dragon King remained extremely confident in its own strength, refusing to believe it could lose to a human junior.
Time was pressing, so Zhang Ruochen stopped wasting words with the Black Bone Flood Dragon King. He activated his footwork, changing positions nine times in succession, appearing before the Black Bone Flood Dragon King, and swung his sword, unleashing twelve sword qi strikes.
Having broken through to the Fish-Dragon Realm, Zhang Ruochen's true qi had become much denser. Coupled with his Martial Soul, which was comparable to a Fish-Dragon Ninth Transformation cultivator, he could mobilize a large amount of heaven and earth spiritual energy.
Thus, he could activate more inscriptions within the sword body, allowing the Abyssal Ancient Sword to unleash even greater power.
A sacred artifact wielded by a Heavenly Extreme Realm martial artist versus a Fish-Dragon Realm cultivator—the power they could unleash was worlds apart.
"Bang! Bang!"
Each of the twelve sword qi strikes was over ten zhang long, taking on an arc shape, forcing the Black Bone Flood Dragon King to retreat backward.
...
There is still one more chapter.