The Final Battle

Qingyun City was shrouded in an eerie silence before dawn. Ning Xiaochuan stood on the eastern city wall, his fingertips brushing over the cracks on the bricks – they were claw marks left by the monster Ning Yuan had transformed into yesterday.

"There's movement," Su Linger suddenly whispered, pointing to the sky in the northeast.

Ning Xiaochuan narrowed his eyes, Sacred Source Power flowing through his pupils. He could see the anomaly in the distance – a mass of black clouds was moving towards Qingyun City at an unnatural speed, with streaks of blood-red lightning flashing within.

"It's not clouds," the Sacred Spirit Dragon warned, its scales bristling as it let out a "guruguru" sound.

Indeed, as the distance closed, the "black cloud" revealed its true form – a massive flock of crows! Each crow's eyes pulsed with an eerie red light, and corrosive black mist rained down with every beat of their wings.

"All troops, stand ready!" Ning Xiaochuan shouted sternly, his voice amplified by Sacred Source Power to reach the entire city wall.

The horns immediately sounded. The defenders, who had just fought a fierce battle, mustered their strength and redeployed. Ning Zhantian, ignoring his injuries, personally ascended the city wall to command. Ning Yuan remained unconscious, placed in the safest basement of the City Lord's mansion.

"Is Dark Star leading the charge this time?" Su Linger gripped her sword hilt, the Mysterious Ice Phoenix Source Soul flickering behind her.

Ning Xiaochuan nodded. "The flock of crows is Dark Star's signature. He's recovered much faster than expected."

The flock of crows dispersed three miles outside the city, revealing a cloaked figure suspended in the center – Dark Star! He no longer wore a disguise, revealing his true face: skin as pale as paper, blood-red eyes, and a black crystal embedded in his forehead, identical to the eye-shaped mark on Ning Yuan's chest.

"Son of Sacred Source!" Dark Star's voice, like grinding metal, echoed across the battlefield. "Hand over the Primal Fragment, or this city will be utterly annihilated!"

Ning Xiaochuan sneered in response. "Dark Star, or should I say, Uncle, are you even going to kill your own nephew?"

Dark Star visibly faltered for a moment, then burst into maniacal laughter. "So you already know your origins! Then you should understand even better how ridiculous the Sacred Origin Tribe's mission is!"

He waved his hand violently, and the flock of crows split into three, attacking the city walls from different directions! Even more terrifying was the ground shaking as dozens of giant black centipedes burrowed out of the earth, each as thick as a bucket and over thirty feet long!

"Earth Devouring Demon Worms!" Su Linger's face turned ashen. "The legendary monsters that can devour entire cities!"

Ning Xiaochuan made an immediate decision. "I'll go out to deal with Dark Star. You stay on the wall and command the defense!"

Before Su Linger could object, he had already leaped onto the Sacred Spirit Dragon's back. The little creature let out a roar, its body swelling to fifty feet long, carrying Ning Xiaochuan as it charged towards Dark Star!

"Excellent timing!" Dark Star grinned menacingly as he met the charge, forming hand seals. Dozens of black lights shot out like venomous snakes!

The Sacred Spirit Dragon dodged nimbly, while Ning Xiaochuan guided Sacred Source Power into light arrows to retaliate. The two clashed fiercely in the air, their speed so great it was barely discernible to the naked eye, only the golden and black energy trails weaving into a net.

On the ground, the Earth Devouring Demon Worms had already approached the city walls. Su Linger remained calm, directing the defenders to pour boiling oil and torches down upon them. The demon worms feared fire and were temporarily held back outside the moat.

"A futile struggle!" Dark Star laughed wildly in the air. "The Eye of the Deep Sea has already granted me immortality!"

Ning Xiaochuan didn't reply, focusing on finding a weakness in Dark Star. After several exchanges, he noticed that Dark Star's forehead crystal flickered slightly before each attack – that was the weak point!

"Little one, cover me!" Ning Xiaochuan whispered.

The Sacred Spirit Dragon understood, suddenly executing a sharp dive. Dragon breath sprayed towards Dark Star's face. Dark Star dodged hastily, exposing an opening. Ning Xiaochuan seized the opportunity, condensing Sacred Source Power into a golden spear aimed directly at the black crystal!

"Naive!" Dark Star sneered, and a blood-red barrier suddenly appeared before him.

But Ning Xiaochuan's strike was a feint! His true killing blow was the Sacred Spirit Dragon – the little creature suddenly changed direction, biting down on Dark Star's left arm, and its dragon breath poured into the wound!

"Ah!" Dark Star let out a pained howl as his left arm instantly carbonized. "Damn beast!"

He formed his right hand into a claw and plunged it into the Sacred Spirit Dragon's abdomen! The little creature let out a pained cry and fell, releasing its grip. Ning Xiaochuan quickly leaped off the dragon's back, catching the Sacred Spirit Dragon in mid-air while simultaneously throwing a Sacred Source light blade at Dark Star.

Dark Star couldn't dodge in time, and his right shoulder was pierced, but the black crystal immediately released black energy to repair the wound. He chased with a wild laugh, "Let's see which one you can save!"

Ning Xiaochuan, carrying the heavily wounded Sacred Spirit Dragon, landed on a rooftop and hastily checked its injuries – a large gash had been torn open in the dragon's abdomen, and black energy was corroding its internal organs.

"Hold on..." Ning Xiaochuan injected Sacred Source Power into the wound, but the effect was minimal. Dark Star's attack carried the corrosive essence of the Eye of the Deep Sea, making ordinary purification ineffective.

At this critical moment, an ice-blue figure flashed over – Su Linger! She landed beside Ning Xiaochuan, her Mysterious Ice Phoenix Source Soul unleashing its full cold power, temporarily freezing the pursuing Dark Star.

"The city wall can't hold!" she said urgently. "The Earth Devouring Demon Worms have broken through the defenses. Father is retreating to the inner city with the wounded!"

Ning Xiaochuan looked towards the city wall and saw the giant demon worms destroying the defensive structures. Even worse, Dark Star had already broken free from the ice and was attacking again!

"Take the little one to a safe place," Ning Xiaochuan handed the Sacred Spirit Dragon to Su Linger. "I'll hold off Dark Star."

"No!" Su Linger firmly objected. "We'll go together!"

Ning Xiaochuan shook his head. "His target is me and the Primal Fragment. You all retreat first, I have my own plan."

Su Linger was about to say something else when Dark Star arrived! Ning Xiaochuan shoved her aside and faced Dark Star alone. The two clashed fiercely, shockwaves flattening the surrounding houses.

Su Linger gritted her teeth, picked up the Sacred Spirit Dragon, and retreated towards the City Lord's mansion. Along the way, she saw Ning Zhantian organizing the last line of defense, and Ning Yuan had also been moved to safety.

"Where is Ning Xiaochuan?" Ning Zhantian asked anxiously.

"He..." Su Linger was about to answer when a deafening roar suddenly came from the sky!

Everyone looked up and saw that the battle high in the sky had entered its white-hot phase. Ning Xiaochuan was covered in blood, his Sacred Source Power depleted, while Dark Star, though battered, was having his injuries constantly repaired by the black crystal.

"Give up, nephew," Dark Star's voice was filled with mockery. "Your mother couldn't kill me back then, and neither can you!"

Ning Xiaochuan panted heavily, then suddenly smiled. "Mother didn't want to kill you. She believed there was still Sacred Origin Tribe blood in you."

"Foolish mercy!" Dark Star roared. "It's this kind of weakness that led the Sacred Origin Tribe to ruin!"

He charged at Ning Xiaochuan, the black crystal erupting with unprecedented light. "Let's end this!"

At the critical moment, Ning Xiaochuan suddenly took out the Primal Beacon from his bosom and activated a teleportation portal to the Sacred Source Land! A flash of golden light, and both he and Dark Star vanished from their positions!

"Ning Xiaochuan!" Su Linger cried out in shock, but it was too late to stop him.

Deep within the forbidden area of the Sacred Source Land.

The golden light dispersed, and Ning Xiaochuan and Dark Star appeared before the Primal Gate. The seal remained stable, but the black spots around it were more numerous than last time.

"Why did you bring me here?" Dark Star asked, looking around warily. "Are you trying to use the seal against me?"

Ning Xiaochuan didn't answer, only walked towards the altar. Dark Star wanted to stop him but found himself unable to move—the Sacred Source Land was suppressing his dark power!

"It's no use, Uncle," Ning Xiaochuan said tiredly. "The Eye of the Deep Sea can't help you here."

He took out a Primal Fragment and placed it on the altar. "Mother was right, you're still of the Sacred Origin Tribe at heart. Look at this."

The fragment projected an image—a young Dark Star, then known as Bai Chen, teaching a young Bai Li how to cultivate. The scene was warm and harmonious, showing no hint of their later enmity.

Dark Star—Bai Chen's expression flickered with a hint of daze. "That... happened long ago..."

"No, it's always been in your heart," Ning Xiaochuan pointed to the black crystal on his forehead. "The Eye of the Deep Sea only amplified your ambition and resentment, but it couldn't erase the real you."

Bai Chen suddenly clutched his head and fell to his knees in pain. "Shut up! What do you know! I watched the Sacred Origin Tribe stagnate and let other worlds be devoured! We could have been the rulers!"

"And then what?" Ning Xiaochuan retorted. "Survive by destroying others like the World Devourers? That's not power, it's a curse."

He walked up to Bai Chen and placed his hand on the black crystal. "Let me free you."

"No!" Bai Chen struggled frantically. "This is a gift from the gods!"

Ning Xiaochuan said no more, unleashing his Sacred Source Power to its fullest. Golden light clashed fiercely with the black crystal, shaking the entire forbidden area! Bai Chen let out a heart-wrenching scream, his forehead split open, and cracks began to appear on the black crystal!

"Ah! Stop!" Bai Chen pleaded. "It will take all my power!"

"That's not true power," Ning Xiaochuan remained unmoved. "Look around you, Uncle. This is our home, the place you once swore to protect with your life."

With a final crisp sound, the black crystal shattered completely! A dense black mist surged out, transforming into a miniature version of the Eye of the Deep Sea, which shrieked and tried to escape. But the purifying power of the Sacred Source Land immediately enveloped it, and in an instant, it vanished.

Bai Chen collapsed on the ground, leaving only a gaping wound on his forehead. He stared blankly at his hands, his skin regaining its color at a visible rate.

"What... did I do..." he rasped, his eyes filled with regret.

Ning Xiaochuan, also drained of strength, sat down beside him. "You were misled, but it's over now."

Bai Chen suddenly grabbed his hand. "No... it's not over... the Eye of the Deep Sea was just the vanguard... the real Dark Devourer army is still outside the seal..."

He struggled to point at the Primal Gate. "They've already found a weak point... soon..."

Before he could finish, the seal suddenly vibrated violently! The cracks on the gate widened visibly, and black mist gushed out like a spring!

"This is bad!" Ning Xiaochuan forced himself to stand up. "We must reinforce the seal immediately!"

Bai Chen, however, pulled him back. "It's too late... there's only one way..."

He crawled with difficulty to the altar and retrieved a small bottle containing a golden liquid. "My... Sacred Origin Essence Blood... combined with yours... can temporarily repair it..."

Ning Xiaochuan immediately understood. "But you'll die!"

"I should have died long ago..." Bai Chen gave a bitter smile. "Let me... atone..."

He poured the essence blood onto the altar, then gestured for Ning Xiaochuan to do the same. Ning Xiaochuan gritted his teeth, cut his palm, and dripped his golden blood onto the altar. The two bloodlines merged, erupting in unprecedented radiance!

The cracks on the Primal Gate began to slowly heal, but the speed was far from enough. Bai Chen suddenly used his last ounce of strength and lunged towards the crack!

"Bai Chen!" Ning Xiaochuan tried to grab him but was too late.

The moment Bai Chen's body touched the black mist, it transformed into golden light and merged with the seal. The cracks immediately stopped expanding and began to close rapidly.

"Remember... the heart of protection..." Bai Chen's last voice echoed in Ning Xiaochuan's mind. "Sacred Origin Tribe... I'm counting on you..."

As the last crack disappeared, the forbidden area returned to its peaceful state. Ning Xiaochuan knelt before the altar, tears silently falling.

Outside Qingyun City, with the clone of the Eye of the Deep Sea destroyed, the Black Tide army instantly collapsed. The Earth Devouring Demon Worms burrowed back underground, and the flocks of crows scattered and fled. The defenders looked at each other, disbelieving that the crisis had been resolved so easily.

Su Linger stood on the city wall, anxiously gazing at the sky, waiting for Ning Xiaochuan's return.

Suddenly, a golden light flashed, and Ning Xiaochuan appeared before her. He was covered in wounds, holding Bai Chen's body in his arms, his expression solemn and sorrowful.

"Is it over?" Su Linger asked softly.

Ning Xiaochuan nodded. "Yes, it's all over."

He handed Bai Chen's body to Ning Zhantian, who had rushed over. "Bury him with honor. He finally found himself."

The Sacred Spirit Dragon flew out from Su Linger's embrace. Though weak, it still affectionately nuzzled Ning Xiaochuan's cheek. Ning Xiaochuan gently stroked its scales. "You worked hard, little one."

As the sun set, the three stood on the city wall, looking at the land gradually returning to peace. In the distance, surviving citizens began to emerge from their shelters, rebuilding their homes.

"Where do we go next?" Su Linger asked.

Ning Xiaochuan looked into the distance. "First, back to the Sacred Source Land to formally inherit the throne. Then..." He held Su Linger's hand. "I want to take you to see the places Mother mentioned in her diary."

The Sacred Spirit Dragon let out a happy chirp and flew between them, its small claws resting on their clasped hands.

The setting sun cast long shadows of the three, but the road ahead was even longer.