Blood Battle at Tianyuan

The Sacred Spirit Dragon's wings tore through the sky, leaving a milky-white trail of light above the desert. Ning Xiaochuan gripped its scales tightly as fierce winds battered his face, nearly forcing his eyes shut. Su Linger leaned against his chest. Though her injuries had improved somewhat, the long journey had still left her pale.

"Hold on a little longer!" Ning Xiaochuan shouted into her ear. "We're almost at the Tianyuan Sect!"

Su Linger nodded faintly. Her right hand gripped her ice sword, while her left pressed against a jade token at her waist—the identity token of a Xuanyu Peak disciple. It was currently flashing with a dangerous red light.

"Something has happened to the sect... Master Xuanyu has activated the emergency transmission." Her voice was hoarse. "Red light means... the highest level of crisis."

Ning Xiaochuan's heart tightened. There were less than two days left until Twin Moons in the Sky. The Grand Elder had most likely made his move ahead of time!

Just then, five Dark Figures suddenly burst out of the clouds ahead—five enormous eagles, black from head to toe, each carrying a Black Robe on its back. Their masks gleamed coldly beneath the sun.

"The Dark Source Soul Hall's aerial patrol!" Su Linger instantly tensed. "They've actually sealed off the Tianyuan Sect's perimeter already!"

The lead eagle let out a piercing cry. The five Black Robes raised their arms at once, and pitch-black chains shot from their sleeves, winding toward the Sacred Spirit Dragon like venomous snakes!

"Soul Devouring Chains!" Ning Xiaochuan immediately activated his Origin Qi. "Ice Crystal Dragon Armor!"

A crystalline suit of ice armor instantly covered his body. The Sacred Spirit Dragon sensed the danger as well and rolled sharply to the side, avoiding most of the chains. Yet two still wrapped around its tail, and Black Qi immediately began corroding its scales.

"Ah!" The Sacred Spirit Dragon let out a Painful Roar, its body losing balance as it plunged downward.

Ning Xiaochuan gritted his teeth and tried to draw upon the Sacred Source Power within him. Ever since awakening in the Land of Origin, a golden energy had appeared in his body. It was clearly distinct from ordinary Origin Qi, yet the two complemented each other.

"Sacred Source Power, purify evil!"

He pressed his palms together, and a beam of golden light shot from them, spreading along the chains. The Black Robes screamed as the chains seemed to be consumed by fire, instantly turning to ash!

"It works!" Ning Xiaochuan was overjoyed. Sacred Source Power truly was the nemesis of Dark Origin Qi!

Su Linger did not remain idle either. Enduring the pain of her injuries, she pointed her sword, sending dozens of ice spikes shooting forth and knocking two Black Robes from their eagles.

Seeing that things had turned against them, the remaining three Black Robes immediately scattered and fled. Ning Xiaochuan wanted to pursue them, but Su Linger stopped him. "Forget them! The sect is more important!"

The Sacred Spirit Dragon gave a long cry and beat its wings, soaring high once more. After passing through the clouds, the Tianyuan Sect's mountain range finally came into view—but the sight before them made both draw in sharp breaths!

Eerie black-red clouds shrouded the seven main peaks. In particular, a pitch-black pillar of light rose into the heavens from the direction of Xuantian Peak. Flames flared between the peaks, and the flashes of exploding Origin Qi collisions could faintly be seen.

"The civil war has already begun..." Su Linger's voice trembled. "Look over there!"

Xuanyu Peak was enveloped by a blue Light Screen, clearly a Defense Formation. But countless men in black surrounded it outside, attacking without pause. Fireballs and ice arrows occasionally shot from the peak, but they were outnumbered, and the defensive perimeter was steadily shrinking.

"Lei Lie and Mu Qing are surrounded!" Ning Xiaochuan urged the Sacred Spirit Dragon to accelerate. "We have to save them!"

The Sacred Spirit Dragon gave a long cry, its speed increasing once more. As they drew nearer, the details of the battlefield gradually became clear—on Xuanyu Peak's plaza, Lei Lie wielded a crimson greatsword, Origin Qi swirling around him like fiery dragons as he fought three powerful Black Robes alone. Mu Qing was maintaining the Defense Formation, with several injured disciples lying beside her. Farther away, True Man Xuanyu sat cross-legged atop a Giant Rock, his face ashen and the front of his robes soaked in blood.

"Master!" Su Linger cried out.

The Sacred Spirit Dragon's arrival immediately drew the battlefield's attention. Several Black Robes turned toward them, unleashing Origin Skills like a rainstorm.

"I'll clear a path!" Ning Xiaochuan leaped from the dragon's back, and the Sacred Spirit Dragon swooped down in perfect coordination to catch him. Man and dragon crashed into the enemy ranks like a meteor. Sacred Source Power erupted, and wherever the golden light passed, the Black Robes scattered in defeat.

Seizing the chance, Su Linger flew toward Mu Qing. With a light tap of her sword, the Mysterious Ice Phoenix Source Soul spread its wings and let out a long cry, pouring fresh power into the Defense Formation.

"Junior Sister Su!" Mu Qing exclaimed in surprise and delight. "You've finally returned!"

"How is it?" Su Linger quickly examined the formation core, channeling Origin Qi into it to stabilize the teetering Light Screen.

"Terrible." Mu Qing's face was pale, clearly from excessive depletion of Origin Qi. "The Grand Elder suddenly attacked three days ago and took control of every main peak except Xuanyu Peak. Master Xuanyu was severely injured in Han Li's sneak attack... We've held out until now..."

As she spoke, Ning Xiaochuan and the Sacred Spirit Dragon had already cleared out a safe area. Lei Lie retreated into the formation, covered in blood, and grinned when he saw Ning Xiaochuan. "Not bad, kid. You've gotten stronger!"

Ning Xiaochuan was just about to reply when he suddenly sensed something and spun around. "Watch out!"

A Dark Figure shot up from the ground, aiming straight for Mu Qing's back! Ning Xiaochuan had no time to think. He instinctively waved his hand and fired a beam of golden light. The Dark Figure was struck and let out a shrill scream—it was Han Li's source soul, the Shadow Leopard!

"Han Li is nearby!" Lei Lie immediately became alert, sweeping his greatsword through the air. "That bastard loves sneak attacks!"

Sure enough, a nearby "rock" suddenly twisted and distorted, revealing Han Li's sinister face. He sneered. "Struggling at death's door. The Grand Elder has already led his men to the Frozen Abyss. The ritual is about to begin, and none of you can stop it!"

"We'll kill you first!" Lei Lie roared as he charged forward, his flaming greatsword cleaving out a blazing arc.

Han Li calmly retreated while blowing a whistle. More Black Robes surged in from all directions. Several of them held strange black banners, and with each wave, they released thick black mist.

"Soul Devouring Mist! Don't breathe it in!" Mu Qing warned urgently.

Ning Xiaochuan immediately held his breath while circulating Sacred Source Power, forming a thin golden film over his body. He tried to expand its protective range, but Sacred Source Power was being consumed too quickly. He could barely cover the few people around him.

"This won't work!" Su Linger gritted her teeth. "We have to break out!"

"Follow me!" Ning Xiaochuan suddenly thought of a risky plan. He jumped onto the Sacred Spirit Dragon's back and pressed both hands against its neck. "Little One, try that!"

The Sacred Spirit Dragon seemed to understand. It threw back its head and let out a long cry. To everyone's shock, the Golden Markings on its forehead suddenly lit up, resonating with the Sacred Source Power inside Ning Xiaochuan!

"Sacred Spirit Breath—Purifying Light!"

A golden-white beam several times thicker than usual erupted from the dragon's mouth. Wherever it passed, the black mist dispersed, and the Black Robes melted away like snow beneath the scorching sun! The beam struck directly at Han Li's position. He dodged in panic, but it still grazed his left arm, instantly carbonizing the entire limb!

"Ah!" Han Li let out an inhuman scream. "What kind of power is this?!"

"Sacred Source Power!" Ning Xiaochuan pressed the attack, leaping from the dragon's back and throwing a punch at Han Li's face.

Han Li barely raised his black sword to block, but when the blade came into contact with the golden light on Ning Xiaochuan's fist, it actually began to melt! His eyes widened in terror. "Impossible! This is the Soul Devouring Sword bestowed by the Hall Master!"

"Go back to your master!" Ning Xiaochuan roared, his punch losing none of its force.

Seeing that the situation had turned against him, Han Li suddenly pulled out a black talisman and crushed it. His body instantly turned into black mist and vanished, leaving behind only a vicious threat. "Just wait! When the Hall Master descends, all of you will die!"

With Han Li's escape, the remaining Black Robes also retreated one after another. Xuanyu Peak was safe for the moment, but everyone knew that the true crisis had only just begun.

"Ning Xiaochuan... come here..." True Man Xuanyu's voice came weakly, yet clearly.

Ning Xiaochuan hurried to the old man's side. True Man Xuanyu's face was ashen, and a black wound on his chest was horrifying to behold. The skin around it had already necrotized.

"Master!" Su Linger knelt on the other side, tears filling her eyes.

True Man Xuanyu struggled to raise a hand and gripped Ning Xiaochuan's wrist. "Listen to me... there isn't much time..."

His voice came in broken fragments, yet it revealed a shocking secret. "The Dark Hall Master... was once the most brilliant genius of the Sacred Origin Tribe... A thousand years ago, he was sealed at the bottom of the Frozen Abyss by the first Venerable Sage Source... The Great Elder's sacrificial ritual... is actually the key to undoing the seal..."

Ning Xiaochuan's heart shook violently. "So the 'return of darkness' the ice dragon statue spoke of refers to this?"

True Man Xuanyu nodded, then suddenly coughed violently and spat out a mouthful of Black Blood. "The Sacred Spirit Young Dragon... is the core of the seal... Only the Sacred Source Bloodline can reinforce it... You must... reach the Frozen Abyss before the Twin Moons in the Sky..."

"But your injuries..." Ning Xiaochuan looked anxiously at Su Linger. "Is there any way to cure the poison?"

Su Linger examined the wound, and her expression grew uglier by the moment. "This is Heart Devouring Powder... There is no cure..."

"No, there must be a way!" Ning Xiaochuan suddenly thought of something and took out the Dragon Soul Jade. "Sacred Source Power can purify Dark Origin Qi. Maybe..."

He pressed the jade pendant against True Man Xuanyu's wound while circulating the Sacred Source Power within his body with all his strength. The jade blazed brightly, and strands of Black Qi were drawn out from the wound—but painfully slowly.

"It's working! But... it's too slow." Cold sweat seeped from Ning Xiaochuan's forehead. "At this rate, it'll take at least a full day to purify it completely..."

Lei Lie walked over and patted him on the shoulder. "Kid, go do what you need to do. Leave Master Xuanyu to us."

"But..."

"No buts!" Lei Lie was rarely this serious. "If the Dark Hall Master breaks free of the seal, the entire Open Source Continent will be finished! We'll hold this place to the death. You head for the Frozen Abyss immediately!"

Mu Qing nodded in agreement as well. "Senior Brother Lei and I will protect Master Xuanyu until the very end. Junior Sister Su will go with you."

Ning Xiaochuan looked at Su Linger. Though her face was pale, her gaze was resolute as iron. "We started this journey together. We'll see it through together."

True Man Xuanyu weakly held both their hands. "Be careful... Han Li may have escaped... but he'll certainly set ambushes along the way... And by the Great Elder's side... there is also the Golden-masked Soul Hunter..."

Ning Xiaochuan nodded solemnly. "We will."

Just then, the ground began to shake violently! In the direction of Xuantian Peak, the pitch-black pillar of light grew even thicker, with blood-red lightning faintly writhing within it.

"The ritual has already begun!" Mu Qing's expression changed drastically. "Judging by the sky, there's less than a day left before the Twin Moons in the Sky!"

Ning Xiaochuan looked up. Sure enough, although it was still daytime, the faint outline of one moon could already be seen—that was the precursor to the Twin Moons in the Sky. Once night fell, the second moon would appear as well.

"We leave immediately!" He grabbed Su Linger's hand and leaped onto the Sacred Spirit Dragon's back.

Lei Lie tossed him a bundle. "There are some pills and talismans inside. They might come in handy on the road."

Mu Qing handed Su Linger a jade slip. "These are methods for breaking the restrictions on the various peaks of the Tianyuan Sect. Use them if you encounter any obstacles."

The Sacred Spirit Dragon let out a long roar and spread its wings into the sky. Ning Xiaochuan cast one final glance at everyone on Xuanyu Peak, his heart heavy. Whether they would live or die after this departure was impossible to tell...

During the flight, Su Linger leaned against Ning Xiaochuan's back, her breathing somewhat hurried. Ning Xiaochuan could feel that her body temperature was too high. Clearly, her injuries had not healed, yet she had forced herself to fight again. Her condition was far from good.

"Should we rest first?" he asked worriedly.

Su Linger shook her head. "There's no time... Look ahead!"

The mountain range containing the Frozen Abyss had faintly come into view, but what unsettled them was the dense black clouds circling above it. Blood-red lightning flashed through the clouds from time to time. Even stranger, the outline of the mountains seemed to be subtly twisting, as though space itself were being warped by some force.

"Space is unstable... The seal has already begun to loosen!" Ning Xiaochuan urged the Sacred Spirit Dragon to fly faster.

As they drew closer, they saw a large crowd gathered at the entrance to the Frozen Abyss. The Great Elder stood at the very front, with dozens of Black Robes behind him. The Golden-masked Soul Hunter was especially conspicuous among them. They formed an eerie formation around a young woman bound in chains at its center, struggling in agony.

"That's... Junior Sister Lin from Jingshui Peak!" Su Linger recognized the woman. "They're using her as a sacrifice?"

Ning Xiaochuan looked carefully and discovered that the woman's wrists had been cut, her blood flowing into the intricate patterns carved into the ground. Even more terrifyingly, the Ice Layer at the entrance to the Frozen Abyss was melting at a visible rate!

"We have to stop them!" Ning Xiaochuan clenched his fists.

At that moment, the Golden-masked Soul Hunter suddenly raised his head and looked directly in their direction! Even from so far away, Ning Xiaochuan could feel the icy chill in that gaze.

"We've been spotted! Prepare for battle!"

Sure enough, more than a dozen enormous black eagles rose into the air from the mountainside and swooped in to surround them. Two Black Robes stood on the back of each eagle, holding black longbows. Their arrows were wreathed in ominous Black Qi.

"Soul Devouring Arrows! Don't take them head-on!" Su Linger warned.

The Sacred Spirit Dragon made a sharp turn, evading the first volley of arrows. Ning Xiaochuan tried to attack from afar, but the range of his Sacred Source Power was limited and could not threaten the distant enemies.

"We need to find a way to get closer..." Ning Xiaochuan frowned in thought.

Su Linger suddenly pointed toward the ground. "Look over there!"

A narrow mountain path ran along the side of the Frozen Abyss. A small group was quietly approaching the ritual site—it was reinforcements sent by Lei Lie! Ning Xiaochuan recognized the leaders as several elite disciples from Xuanyu Peak.

"Are they going there to die?" Ning Xiaochuan grew anxious. "We have to help them!"

"Wait!" Su Linger grabbed him. "Look over there!"

She pointed to the other side of the mountain path, where several white specks were moving rapidly. Ning Xiaochuan focused his eyes and saw that it was Mu Qing leading several disciples from Jingshui Peak! They were clearly planning to rescue their captured fellow disciple.

"A diversion!" Ning Xiaochuan suddenly understood. "Lei Lie's people will draw their attention, while Mu Qing rescues her!"

He immediately formed a plan. "We'll split up too. You go help Mu Qing rescue her. I'll strike directly at the core of the ritual!"

Su Linger was about to object when Ning Xiaochuan had already stuffed the Dragon Soul Jade into her hand. "Your injuries need treatment, and Mu Qing's side needs source qi support more. Take this. It can strengthen your Mysterious Ice Phoenix."

Before she could respond, Ning Xiaochuan had already leaped from the dragon's back! The Sacred Spirit Dragon dove in perfect coordination, allowing him to land steadily on a protruding rock.

"Little One, follow me!" Ning Xiaochuan patted the Sacred Spirit Dragon's neck. "It's time to show them what a real Sacred Spirit Dragon looks like!"

The Sacred Spirit Dragon let out a long cry, its body expanding once more. The ice-blue patterns on its scales fully unfurled, forming magnificent designs. The golden Dragon Horn on its forehead also grew longer and sharper, radiating imposing Dragon Might.

Ning Xiaochuan drew a deep breath and circulated the Sacred Source Power within him with all his strength. Golden light seeped from his body and merged with the Sacred Spirit Dragon's ice-blue Origin Qi, forming a peculiar suit of blue-gold light armor.

"Charge!"

Man and dragon shot toward the center of the ritual like an arrow released from its bow! The Black Robes' attention was indeed drawn to them, and most of the giant eagles wheeled around to intercept. This gave Mu Qing's team a perfect opportunity. They seized the chance to break into the enemy formation and rescued Junior Sister Lin, who was barely clinging to life.

"Stop them!" the Golden-masked Soul Hunter shouted sharply. "The ritual cannot be interrupted!"

The Grand Elder also spotted Ning Xiaochuan, his face darkening. "The Sacred Source Bloodline... it really has come." He turned toward the Frozen Abyss. "Speed it up! The first stage of the unsealing must be completed before we're disrupted!"

Ning Xiaochuan weaved left and right atop the Sacred Spirit Dragon. The Sacred Source Power proved highly effective at suppressing Dark Origin Qi, and Black Robes scattered wherever he passed. But there were simply too many enemies, and he was unable to break through their encirclement for the moment.

In the distance, Su Linger and Mu Qing had successfully rescued Junior Sister Lin and were covering the wounded girl's retreat. Su Linger kept looking back toward Ning Xiaochuan, her eyes filled with worry.

"Focus on retreating!" Mu Qing grabbed her. "Ning Xiaochuan can handle it!"

Just then, a deafening roar suddenly erupted from the Frozen Abyss! The entire mountain range shook violently, the Ice Layer melted faster, and a pitch-black opening was revealed. A suffocatingly evil aura surged from within, instantly shrouding the entire area!

"Damn it... the first stage of the unsealing is complete!" Ning Xiaochuan's heart sank.

The Golden-masked Soul Hunter burst into wild laughter. "The Hall Master is about to return! Open Source Continent will usher in a new era!"

The Grand Elder revealed a vicious smile as well. "The second-stage sacrifice begins! Capture that Sacred Source brat!"

More Black Robes flooded in from All Directions, and Ning Xiaochuan was plunged into a bitter fight. Though Sacred Source Power was formidable, it was consumed at an alarming rate. He was already beginning to feel overwhelmed. The Sacred Spirit Dragon was also entangled by several giant eagles and could not break free.

At the most critical moment, an ice-blue sword light descended from the sky and drove back several Black Robes besieging Ning Xiaochuan!

"Su Linger?" Ning Xiaochuan stared in surprise at the Maiden who had returned. "Why did you come back?!"

"Partners should live and die together!" Su Linger landed beside him. The Dragon Soul Jade floated before her, supplying the Mysterious Ice Phoenix with an endless stream of energy. "Mu Qing has already escorted Junior Sister Lin to safety."

Warmth filled Ning Xiaochuan's heart, but this was no time to be moved. "The second-stage sacrifice is about to begin! We have to stop them!"

Su Linger nodded and stood back-to-back with him. "Let's go!"

They released their source souls at the same time. The Mysterious Ice Phoenix and Sacred Spirit Dragon intertwined and circled through the air, forming an enormous blue-white wheel of light. Wherever it passed, Black Robes fell like wheat before a scythe!

"Source Soul Combined Skill—Ice Dragon Roar!"

The light wheel erupted with a blinding radiance, transforming into a blue-white beam that shot straight at the entrance to the Frozen Abyss! The Defense Barrier hastily erected by the Grand Elder shattered like paper, and the attack was about to strike the core of the ritual...

"Don't even think about it!" The Golden-masked Soul Hunter suddenly flashed before the beam. His hands formed seals. "Soul Devouring Barrier!"

A pitch-black shield appeared and collided with the beam. A violent energy shockwave spread outward, blasting dozens of Black Robes away. Rocks crumbled, while ice and snow melted!

When the dust settled, half of the Golden-masked Soul Hunter's mask had shattered, revealing a face covered in black patterns. Blood trickled from the corner of his mouth, yet he had actually blocked their combined skill!

"You... have underestimated the power of a Source Venerable..." he said with a sinister smile. Then his figure flashed, and he instantly appeared before Su Linger!

"Watch out!" Ning Xiaochuan tried to shove her away, but he was one step too late.

The Golden-masked Soul Hunter struck Su Linger in the chest with his palm, and Black Qi instantly invaded her body! Su Linger spat out blood and flew backward like a kite with its string cut!

"Su Linger!" Ning Xiaochuan's eyes split with fury, and the Sacred Source Power inside him boiled from rage! Golden light flared brilliantly across his body as he threw a punch at the Golden Masked Man.

The Golden Masked Man did not dare take the blow head-on and dodged aside. Ning Xiaochuan did not pursue him, immediately rushing to Su Linger's side instead. Her face was deathly pale, blood continuously spilling from the corner of her lips. A black palm print on her chest was horrifying to behold.

"Hold on..." Ning Xiaochuan clumsily tried to heal her with Sacred Source Power, but the Black Qi had already invaded her heart meridians. Her condition was dire.

In the distance, the Grand Elder's voice rang out. "The second-stage sacrifice is complete! Retreat! Everyone, make way for the Hall Master's arrival!"

With a cold laugh, the Golden-masked Soul Hunter grabbed the heavily wounded Grand Elder and swiftly withdrew with the remaining Black Robes. At the entrance to the Frozen Abyss, Black Qi erupted like a volcano, and a vague, enormous Humanoid Form was taking shape!

"The Dark Hall Master... is about to break free of the seal..." Su Linger said weakly. "Don't worry about me... go stop him..."

Ning Xiaochuan was caught in a dilemma—Su Linger's life hung by a thread, but the Dark Hall Master was about to descend. The Sacred Spirit Dragon had been injured as well and no longer had the strength to fight.

At that critical moment, the Sacred Spirit Dragon suddenly threw back its head and roared, golden light blazing from the Dragon Horn on its forehead! It nudged Ning Xiaochuan with its snout, then pointed toward the Frozen Abyss, then at Su Linger, and finally at itself.

"You mean... you'll stop the Dark Hall Master, and I'll stay here to save Su Linger?" Ning Xiaochuan guessed.

The Sacred Spirit Dragon nodded firmly, its eyes utterly fearless.

Ning Xiaochuan's eyes burned as he gently stroked the dragon's head. "Good partner... be careful!"

The Sacred Spirit Dragon gave a long cry and turned toward the entrance to the Frozen Abyss. Its body grew larger and larger in flight, eventually transforming into a majestic giant dragon over thirty meters long as it violently collided with the enormous Humanoid Form within the Black Qi!

Ning Xiaochuan, meanwhile, devoted all his strength to healing Su Linger. Sacred Source Power flowed into her body without end, engaging in a desperate tug-of-war with the Black Qi.

"Hold on... please..." His voice choked. "Don't leave me..."

Su Linger slowly opened her eyes, her trembling hand gripping his wrist. "Ning Xiaochuan... if I..."

"No ifs!" Ning Xiaochuan cut her off. "You'll be fine. We'll all be fine!"

In the distance, the battle between the Sacred Spirit Dragon and the Dark Hall Master shook heaven and earth. Black Qi and golden light intertwined, and the entire mountain range trembled. The phenomenon of Twin Moons in the Sky had already begun, with the phantom of a second moon appearing in the heavens...

Ning Xiaochuan faced his most difficult choice—should he go help the Sacred Spirit Dragon fight the Dark Hall Master, who was about to fully descend, or continue saving Su Linger, whose life was hanging by a thread?