He Was Putting on an Act, Nothing but a Paper Tiger

Was this the pressure of a Primordial Chaos Golden Immortal?

Although Zhou Qingqing was only at the early Golden Immortal stage and was painstakingly gathering Metal Qi with the Western Plain White Cloud Boundary Flag, she had the foundation of an innate supreme treasure.

She had even listened to the Dao at Purple Cloud Palace.

Even if she had been asleep the whole time.

If the Dragon Clan member before her had not released his dragon might, she truly would not have known what cultivation he possessed.

But the moment he did.

Zhou Qingqing immediately understood why her three masters had not turned hostile at once.

In the Primordial World, cultivators below the Golden Immortal realm could possibly kill enemies above their level.

But once one surpassed the Golden Immortal realm.

The suppressive force of cultivation realms became apparent.

The difference between a Primordial Chaos Golden Immortal and a perfected Zenith Heaven Golden Immortal appeared to be merely one realm.

Yet that gap was as unreasonable and insurmountable as a heavenly chasm.

To fight above one's realm, one could only rely on the spiritual treasures in one's hands.

However.

The male cultivator before them was from the Dragon Clan and a Primordial Chaos Golden Immortal, so he had surely once been one of the Dragon Clan's higher-ups.

The three innate clans had dominated the Primordial World, emerging a full Calamity before the Three Pure Ones took form. Naturally, they should have possessed many spiritual treasures.

If they fought this male Dragon Clan cultivator and ended in a draw, then there would be no point in fighting at all.

But no, something was wrong.

The Dragon Clan was indeed the strongest of the three innate clans, but at this time, most of the Dragon Clan should have been afflicted by karmic backlash.

Ancestor Dragon transforming into dragon veins and the Dragon Clan's return to the Four Seas had indeed spared them from extinction.

But a Dragon Clan member at the Primordial Chaos Golden Immortal level could never have remained unscathed.

Judging from the man's techniques, he should be the ancestor of the Azure Dragon lineage, the true Azure Dragon King. During the Dragon-Han Calamity, his cultivation might indeed have reached the Primordial Chaos Golden Immortal realm.

But in this Calamity, his cultivation realm must have fallen.

Third Master, Second Master, Eldest Master, don't be fooled by his appearance. Azure Dragon must be putting on an act—he's nothing but a paper tiger!!!

Putting on an act.

A paper tiger.

A flicker passed through the depths of Supreme Pure Laozi's eyes.

Whenever the Three Pure Ones encountered a formidable opponent at the Primordial Chaos Golden Immortal level, they had always followed his lead as their eldest brother.

As long as he did not say to attack, his second and third brothers would not make a move.

It was the tacit understanding the three brothers had developed after taking form.

Faced with Azure Dragon, a Primordial Chaos Golden Immortal, he had naturally intended to plan before acting.

The moment the dragon might enveloped the Three Pure Ones, he had already calculated 129,600 possible ways to deal with Azure Dragon's Primordial Chaos strike.

Yet his own disciple had said that Azure Dragon was putting on an act, that he was merely a paper tiger?

Jade Pure Yuanshi's eyelid twitched.

Mm.

He found this situation difficult to assess.

Upper Pure Tongtian's fingers twitched as well, but he did not dare show the slightest reaction.

After all, his eldest brother had acted for the sake of the Three Pure Ones. Even if Azure Dragon's realm had fallen, he had once been a Primordial Chaos Golden Immortal. Being briefly deceived by him was hardly shameful.

However.

Azure Dragon had already made his position clear.

If his eldest brother still did not speak, there might be a misunderstanding.

He wanted to make a move, but his eldest brother's status had to be emphasized.

Supreme Pure Laozi's face darkened as he snorted coldly.

"Ancestor Azure Dragon, is it? Do you think I cannot see through you? Karmic backlash has long since made it impossible for you to maintain the Primordial Chaos Golden Immortal realm. Who are you trying to impress with this act?"

"If you want to fight, then fight. I would like to see what strength you truly have!"

Eldest Master sees everything clearly. He truly has discerning eyes.

Supreme Pure Laozi's face darkened another shade.

"The Dragon Clan is no longer one of the glorious three innate clans of old. If you truly wish to make a request, then at least show the proper attitude."

Jade Pure Yuanshi gave a scornful laugh.

Second Master truly understands the situation.

"If you want to fight, I can accompany you at any time. But can you really withstand my Sword Dao Law?"

When it comes to fighting, Third Master has to do it. Go on, sword-wielding big brother!

"..."

The male Dragon Clan cultivator's expression shifted slightly as he listened to the Three Pure Ones.

He was the ancestor of the Azure Dragon lineage within the Dragon Clan, the first true Azure Dragon between heaven and earth.

He had originally intended to use the aura and dragon might of a Primordial Chaos Golden Immortal to frighten off the three cultivators before him. He had never expected these three Zenith Heaven Golden Immortals to see through his disguise at a glance.

They had even directly exposed his origins.

Not only that.

They were extremely certain that he did not possess the strength of a Primordial Chaos Golden Immortal, and they even intended to challenge him proactively.

At this point.

He stopped pretending.

The three cultivators before him were clearly among the foremost figures in the Primordial World.

If they said they would fight, they would certainly fight.

The moment they did, everything would be exposed.

He cupped his hands and bowed to the Three Pure Ones.

"That is correct. I am Azure Dragon. Earlier, I acted too rashly in order to save two members of my clan. I hope my fellow Daoists will not take offense."

As he spoke.

His aura suddenly began to fall from the Primordial Chaos Golden Immortal realm, dropping to the Zenith Heaven Golden Immortal realm before barely stopping at the Taiyi Golden Immortal realm.

The Three Pure Ones watched the change, their thoughts drifting into the distance.

So Azure Dragon was not merely not a Primordial Chaos Golden Immortal—his realm had actually fallen to the Taiyi Golden Immortal realm. His cultivation was even lower than that of the two golden flood dragons.

They had nearly been fooled by Azure Dragon.

An award-winning actor. Now I finally understand what the Azure Dragon Awards are. Brother, your acting is quite impressive.

Zhou Qingqing had not expected the Azure Dragon before her to possess only Taiyi Golden Immortal cultivation.

It seemed that Heavenly Dao's karmic backlash truly had an exceptionally strong effect on the Dragon Clan's upper ranks.

Moreover.

The Taiyi Golden Immortal realm was clearly not the end. There was still room for his cultivation to fall further.

Seeing Azure Dragon return to his true state, the two golden flood dragons immediately bowed to Tongtian.

"Fellow Daoist, we are willing to transform into the Golden Dragon Shears and serve at your command. Please do not blame the Azure Dragon King."

The Dragon King Ancestor only resorted to such a measure because he was desperate to save us.

They were ancient flood dragons, but their status was far inferior to Azure Dragon's. Now that the truth had been exposed, they naturally hoped to preserve Azure Dragon.

Azure Dragon waved his hand.

"You need not plead for me. You acted only because I told you to seek an opportunity for the Dragon Clan's rise."

"Ultimately, this is all my fault."

Even if you plead for me and save my life, what difference would it make?

"Before long, I, Azure Dragon, will be completely consumed by karmic backlash and perish. Whether I die sooner or later makes no difference."

Hearing Azure Dragon's words.

The Three Pure Ones' hearts stirred.

In the original course of events, Tongtian should not have encountered Azure Dragon. At that time, Azure Dragon should have died from karmic backlash.

Otherwise, Zhou Qingqing should not have failed to mention Azure Dragon at all.

In other words.

Azure Dragon was telling the truth. Before long, he truly would perish.