Dragon Aspect Formed, Dragon Hidden in the Abyss

Above the star chart evolved from the Tui Bei Tu, a slanting moon hung high, drawing all the stars into motion.

Yuan Tiangang's gaze was sharp, his tone carrying a trace of unusual anticipation.

"Come! Let me see how much weight your Emperor Star carries."

As the bright moon shone upon the star chart and the stars gathered in attendance, the Ziwei Emperor Star seemed to be drawn by the other stars. It glimmered faintly, then swiftly dimmed again.

Yet Yuan Tiangang had seen that flash of purple light. His eyes narrowed slightly as he murmured, "Purple Qi solidifies, gathering form into a dragon. The dragon's head hangs north, a line to the edge of the world. The Emperor Star lies in Great Feng. This doesn't look like a young dragon at all!"

After pondering for a while, Yuan Tiangang let out another somewhat puzzled sigh. "Of the Fourteen Main Stars of Ziwei, counting the Ziwei Emperor Star, nine stars are already shining together. This dragon is truly no small one. The Great Feng Imperial Clan still has the leisure to send troops into You Province? Aren't they afraid that when they wake up, heaven and earth will have changed?"

Though the Ziwei Emperor Star had only shone for an instant before the Heavenly Dao muddled it, Yuan Tiangang had still seen quite a few things within it.

There was plenty to work with here as well.

At the instant Ziwei shone, eight great main stars such as Wu Qu, Tianji, and Po Jun converged to attend Ziwei.

As the saying went: when Ziwei moves, wind and clouds rise; the stars take their places at the fore, and the multitude of stars follows. When the Fourteen Main Stars gather, the day the world settles shall come.

Now, including this Ziwei Emperor Star, nine stars were shining, with eight great main stars gathered around Ziwei in attendance.

It was not far from its complete form.

It was practically about to say: I lack nothing now.

And Purple Qi had solidified; its Dragon Aspect had formed, and the destiny of a true dragon had gathered upon it.

What newborn young dragon was this? It was clearly a sly old dragon that had matured for decades, quietly waiting for its chance—a ferocious dragon already lowering its gaze.

Great Feng still had the mood to come looking for trouble with Dagan?

If unrest broke out, it might only take finding any old river to divide the land and rule from opposite banks.

But this dragon was still lying prone for now, unable to lift its head. This person was not a member of the Great Feng Imperial Clan.

If he had been born into the Great Feng Imperial Clan, he would inevitably be entwined with its National Destiny. Then Purple Qi would stretch thirty thousand li, and the true dragon would raise its head to overlook all beneath heaven.

He did not dare show himself, which meant he dared not appear. He knew that the moment he revealed himself and exposed his form, he would die.

Great Feng's power was at its height now, suppressing the Five Realms.

Dare reveal a Dragon Aspect at a time like this?

Show your head, get instantly killed!

After all, Dragon Qi and Dragon Destiny were peerless materials, and that fellow's Dragon Destiny would bring immense benefit to National Destiny.

Mm, in truth, Yuan Tiangang had his eye on the Heaven-Bestowed true dragon set worn by this Ziwei Emperor Star as well.

Especially the Ziwei opportunity upon him. If it could be refined into pills, or passed on to his Your Highness, it would save him a great deal of effort in the future.

Recalling the star signs from Ziwei's brief flash, Yuan Tiangang sighed. "Born within Great Feng's borders, with the destiny of a true dragon gathered upon his body, yet bowing his head and concealing himself amid the mortal world, lying dormant beneath the Nine Abysses, awaiting only a Heaven-Bestowed opportunity. An Emperor Star takes the throne, favored by the Heavenly Dao—a Chosen of Destiny. Dragon Aspect formed, dragon hidden in the abyss. How truly interesting."

This also made him all the more wary. This Ziwei Emperor Star had already been added to Yuan Tiangang's kill list.

Still, this counted as good news. Did the Great Feng Imperial Clan know about it, he wondered?

After all, another true dragon had emerged on their territory. Perhaps there would be two nations in the future. When that time came, if the two nations joined forces to attack Dagan, it would truly be difficult to handle the combined strength of two countries!

Hahaha!

At that thought, a rare thrill of delight surfaced in Yuan Tiangang's eyes.

For the moment, he did not need to worry about this Ziwei Emperor Star, but he would keep watch. This Emperor Star was no ordinary one.

If he encountered him, whether for his Your Highness's future road to the throne or for that fellow's entire true dragon set, he would have to crush him to death.

Since he was an Emperor Star, he had to die. The Ziwei Emperor Star was not his Your Highness but someone else—then he deserved death all the more.

Not only did he have to die; his bones had to be ground to ash, his soul severed and his spirit extinguished.

Only then could Yuan Tiangang rest easy.

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Yuan Tiangang knew all too well what this Ziwei Emperor Star represented, much less that it was favored by the Heavenly Dao and bore the mandate of fate.

One misstep, and the dragon would rise above the nine heavens, its might shaking the cosmos and the four seas. By then, trying to deal with him would not be easy.

And if Ziwei were defeated, would Great Feng not be finished? Its momentum was at its peak now—if it devoured all the Dragon Destiny upon Ziwei, would it not soar straight into the heavens?

Therefore, this Emperor Star had to die by his hand, and the fortune it carried had to belong to his family's Your Highness.

Looking at the star chart, now placid and unremarkable once more, Yuan Tiangang's state of mind gradually calmed from his initial shock and killing intent. It was not yet time to deal with that fellow.

He said with keen interest, "So, you can no longer hold yourself back either?

After decades of lying low and enduring in silence, you saw no changes in the winds and clouds. You grew anxious too. Tianji's scheme was yours, operating behind the scenes.

It was not that Tianji stirred and Ziwei was about to emerge.

It was a fierce dragon seizing chaos to plot for heaven and earth.

You wanted to see whether there was an opportunity to seek the change you desired.

Youzhou!

Even the Emperor Star has entered the game.

Great Feng knocks at the gates; Mars has already appeared.

The baleful star answers in echo, and the Emperor Star stirs in secret.

This Battle of Youzhou is truly splendid."

Of course, the Emperor Star could not really be said to have entered the game. That fellow merely wanted to secretly fuel the war, yet did not dare to truly step out. He was still watching, weighing whether to place his bet.

If the war ended after a single battle and he exposed himself in the process, things would become disastrous.

He was exceedingly cautious, not daring to reveal even the slightest trace.

Yet even that fleeting moment of maneuvering behind the scenes had ultimately been caught by Yuan Tiangang.

Mainly because the Ziwei Emperor Star was far too important. Yuan Tiangang did not dare show the slightest carelessness; so long as it was any change connected to it, even if it merely brushed against the edge, he had to investigate it thoroughly.

Even if it sneezed, Yuan Tiangang would have to determine whether it had been chilled by a cold wind or caught a cold. Sensitive.

Only the Ziwei Emperor Star could make Yuan Tiangang attach such importance to it and receive such treatment.

Look at Yujing Star—though it had turned toward Youzhou, Yuan Tiangang would not bother with it. So long as it did not turn right before him and block his path, even if it mutated, it had nothing to do with him.

Yuan Tiangang then put away the Tui Bei Tu. He already knew everything he wished to know. Next, he needed to make proper plans.

With such a stage before him, how could Yuan Tiangang possibly settle for an inferior role? Since he dared come to Youzhou, he had to leave something behind.

Emperor Star of destiny, since you had already lain low for so long, there was no need for you to rise again.

Once the matters in Youzhou were settled and Your Highness's foundation was secure, he would have a proper game with you.

Lowering his head to look at the rushing current, he saw that the world seemed calm and peaceful, yet beneath the surface it surged like this river.

Once, he too had stood atop the undercurrents of the world, watching the winds and clouds, playing chess against heaven, using himself to open the board.

Yuan Tiangang's lonely voice rang out.

"A great age is about to begin; destiny has appeared? But I have never believed in fate."

At this moment, Yuan Tiangang had drawn in every trace of his aura. Only a solitary figure stood with hands behind his back upon the turbulent river, darkness all around him. He seemed to merge into that darkness as he raised his head to the sky.

As a gust of wind swept over, the hem of his robes rose and danced in the breeze, suddenly evoking a desolate feeling that drew sighs.

Looking at the sky, he said in a deep voice, "Heavenly Dao, heaven's will—nothing but shackles.

Every hardship is but a trial of calamity.

Newborn as no more than an infant, how could one know life's many hardships?

Heaven's will grants all beings a fate; half a lifetime's destiny is half a lifetime of tribulation.

One dream has passed, and I am no longer a child; looking back, all has already been squandered.

We once drank together, speaking laughter and joy; life and death, parting and farewells, have ended in this mortal world.

There are no longer any fellow travelers upon my path; in my heart remains only the will to repay my country's grace.

To obey heaven's will is to be a prisoner; to defy heaven is to refuse to believe in fate.

All beings see me as a vile man; I sing aloud and laugh as I play chess with heaven.

Though wind, snow, and mountains may bar the way, I shall still the wind, melt the snow, and shatter the mountains.

Guarding my original heart until clouds part and moon shines, I tread the land alone, leaving only a solitary shadow.

Ten thousand tribulations have passed, yet my heart holds no regrets; this life was not wasted.

Heavenly Dao—ha ha ha! I say destiny is not Heaven-Bestowed; even heaven can be changed.

This time, Yuan Tiangang will not lose again. Let us test our edge."

With that, Yuan Tiangang's figure vanished without a trace, leaving only an echo drowned out by the roar of the surging waves.

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