The alarm reverberated through the Dragon Palace Treasury like rolling thunder, shaking the entire hall violently. The moment Xuan Chen rushed out of the hall, he saw a figure emerge at the entrance to the passage. The man wore golden dragon armor, with Five-Clawed Golden Dragon horns upon his head. His face was stern and dignified, his gaze sharp as blades, and the aura of an Early-Stage Zenith Heaven Golden Immortal surged around him. He was Ao Lie, the elder stationed at the Dragon Palace Treasury.
As a core member of the Dragon Clan, Ao Lie possessed profound cultivation and commanded powerful water-based divine abilities. He had been ordered to guard the treasury's core region. Although Xuan Chen had concealed his aura as much as possible while breaking the Dark-Ice Dragon-Pattern Gate and taking the Proto-Dinghai Needle Iron, Ao Lie had still keenly detected the energy fluctuations caused by the treasure's disturbance.
"You audacious thief! You dared to infiltrate the Dragon Palace Treasury and steal the Proto-Dinghai Needle Iron! Leave the treasure behind, and I will spare your life!" Ao Lie roared. Dragon might erupted, shrouding the entire passage in vast water-based energy. The water pressure instantly surged, crushing down upon Xuan Chen. A golden spear appeared in his hand, its shaft coiled with dragon patterns and radiating a chilling edge. It was the innate spiritual treasure, the Sea-Calming Dragon Spear.
Xuan Chen halted, Chaos mist churning around him as he resisted the impact of the dragon might and water pressure. He looked at Ao Lie with calm, fearless eyes. "The Proto-Dinghai Needle Iron has already acknowledged me as its master. How could you possibly take it back? If you wish to stop me, you should first see whether you have the ability!"
"Arrogant!" Ao Lie flew into a rage. With a sweep of the Sea-Calming Dragon Spear, he condensed an enormous Water Dragon spear aura and shot it toward Xuan Chen with a heaven-destroying, earth-shattering force. Wherever the Water Dragon spear aura passed, space twisted and warped, while the seawater in the passage was torn apart, forming a massive vacuum.
A glint flashed through Xuan Chen's eyes. Rather than retreating, he advanced. The Primordial Unity Sword reappeared in his hand as he poured all his Primordial Unity Power into it, causing the blade to erupt with dazzling Chaos light. He swung the sword, condensing a sword radiance capable of cleaving through ten thousand laws, which collided with the Water Dragon spear aura.
Boom! A world-shaking explosion rang out as the Chaos sword radiance collided with the Water Dragon spear aura in the middle of the passage, unleashing a vast energy shockwave. Cracks instantly spread across the walls on both sides, countless stones fell, and seawater surged in wildly, forming enormous whirlpools. Xuan Chen was forced back three steps by the shockwave, his blood and qi churning, yet the formidable physique of his Chaos Imperishable Body left him uninjured. Ao Lie likewise retreated two steps, surprise flashing through his eyes. He clearly had not expected the infiltrator before him to be so powerful.
"A Late-Stage Zenith Heaven Golden Immortal? Who exactly are you? Since when did the Primordial World possess a powerhouse like you?" Ao Lie asked in a low voice, with a trace of wariness in his tone. He could sense the Primordial Unity Power emanating from Xuan Chen. Though it had been deliberately restrained, that aura containing Great Dao Origin was something no ordinary Daluo Golden Immortal could possess.
Xuan Chen did not answer. Instead, he swung his sword again, sending an even sharper sword radiance slashing toward Ao Lie. He knew this was no place to linger. He had to drive Ao Lie back as quickly as possible; otherwise, once other Dragon Clan experts arrived, escape would become difficult. The Primordial Unity Sword was a Chaos spiritual treasure with boundless might. Wherever its sword radiance passed, Ao Lie's dragon might and water-based energy were forcibly torn apart.
Ao Lie did not dare lower his guard. He circulated all his cultivation as the Sea-Calming Dragon Spear danced in his hand, transforming into countless golden spear shadows that formed a tight defensive net. At the same time, he continuously unleashed powerful water-based divine abilities. Water Dragons, ice spikes, tsunamis, and other attacks emerged one after another, pouring down upon Xuan Chen. The seawater within the passage fell under his control, forming massive walls of water that blocked Xuan Chen's assault.
Seeing this, Xuan Chen snorted coldly and activated the Chaos Dao Art. The Chaos mist around him surged explosively, transforming into a colossal Chaos Vortex that devoured every water-based attack Ao Lie unleashed. Chaos Power was the nemesis of all laws. The instant the water-based divine abilities encountered the Chaos Vortex, they were broken down and assimilated, transformed into the most primordial energy.
What kind of cultivation art is this? It can actually restrain my water-based divine abilities! Ao Lie was greatly shocked. He cultivated the orthodox water Dao of the Dragon Clan and was almost invincible in water, yet this mysterious man's Chaos Power rendered his divine abilities utterly useless.
Seizing the instant Ao Lie lost focus, Xuan Chen flashed forward like lightning and appeared before him. The Primordial Unity Sword carried a force capable of cutting through all things as it stabbed toward Ao Lie's chest. Ao Lie reacted swiftly, hurriedly raising the Sea-Calming Dragon Spear to block it. With a deafening clang, metal struck metal, and sparks scattered in every direction.
As the edge of the Primordial Unity Sword collided with the Sea-Calming Dragon Spear, Ao Lie felt an immense force travel up the spear shaft. His arms went numb, his tiger's mouths split open, and blood flowed freely. Xuan Chen's strength forced him back again and again, deepening the wariness in his eyes. He knew he was no match for this mysterious man and had to summon reinforcements at once.
Ao Lie suddenly opened his mouth and released an earth-shaking dragon roar. The roar carried a plea for aid that spread throughout the entire Dragon Palace. At the same time, he activated a secret Dragon Clan art. The dragon scales across his body rapidly expanded, and his form instantly grew, transforming into a Five-Clawed Golden Dragon dozens of zhang long. His dragon might became even more overwhelming as he lunged fiercely at Xuan Chen.
"Trying to call for reinforcements? Too late!" A cold gleam flashed through Xuan Chen's eyes. How could he allow Ao Lie to succeed? Xuan Chen unleashed the full power of a Primordial Origin Golden Immortal, and the Chaos mist around him condensed into an enormous Chaos Dharma Avatar a hundred zhang tall. The avatar held the Primordial Unity Sword and radiated an awe-inspiring might capable of suppressing heaven and earth.
The Chaos Dharma Avatar had been formed through Xuan Chen's fusion of the Chaos Dao and his own cultivation. Its power was limitless, far surpassing ordinary Dharma Avatar abilities. The avatar swung the Primordial Unity Sword, and a sword radiance that blotted out the sky and covered the earth instantly condensed, slashing toward the Five-Clawed Golden Dragon. Wherever it passed, space shattered, seawater boiled, and even Heavenly Dao Law trembled.
Fear flashed through the Five-Clawed Golden Dragon's eyes, but there was nowhere left to evade. It could only brace itself and spit out a mouthful of dragon flame containing origin power while swiping its dragon claws toward the sword radiance. The dragon flame was instantly torn apart upon colliding with the sword radiance. The dragon claws also received a deep wound from the slash, blood spraying forth.
"Pfft!" The Five-Clawed Golden Dragon let out a pained wail. Its massive body was blasted backward by the sword radiance and slammed heavily into the wall of the passage. The wall instantly collapsed, and rubble buried more than half of the golden dragon's body. Ao Lie struggled out from the pile of stones and returned to human form, blood gushing from the corners of his mouth. His aura was weak and listless; he had clearly been severely injured.
Xuan Chen did not press the attack to the bitter end. His goal was to take the Proto-Dinghai Needle Iron, not fight the Dragon Clan to the death. He glanced at the heavily wounded Ao Lie and snorted coldly. "I will spare your life today. If you dare obstruct me again, I will surely cut you down without mercy!" With that, Xuan Chen turned into a streak of light and sped toward the exit of the passage.
At this moment, dense footsteps and dragon roars were already sounding outside the passage. Clearly, the other Dragon Clan guards had received the alarm and were rushing toward the treasury. Xuan Chen did not dare delay. He raised his speed to the utmost limit, and every patrol soldier he encountered along the way was sent flying by casually released strands of Chaos True Qi, utterly unable to hinder him.
After rushing out of the outer passage, Xuan Chen once again used the Chaos Breath Concealment Art, hiding both his form and aura as he avoided the arriving Dragon Clan forces. He transformed into an invisible streak of light and raced toward the surface of the Eastern Sea. Behind him, furious dragon roars and pursuing footsteps rose and fell in succession, but Xuan Chen was incredibly fast. Bolstered by his concealment art, he soon shook off the pursuers.
Half an hour later, Xuan Chen burst out of the Eastern Sea and turned into a streak of light speeding toward Mount Buzhou. Feeling the aura of the Proto-Dinghai Needle Iron within his storage space, he finally breathed a sigh of relief. Though Ao Lie had obstructed his infiltration of the Dragon Palace and seizure of the treasure, he had ultimately completed the task successfully. Not only had he obtained the Proto-Dinghai Needle Iron, but he was also about to receive generous system rewards.
Xuan Chen knew full well that this theft would inevitably enrage the Dragon Clan. However, the Dragon-Han Calamity was in full blaze, and the Dragon Clan's main forces were deeply embroiled in war with the Phoenix Clan and Qilin Clan. They could not possibly dispatch large forces to retaliate in the short term. Moreover, the Zichen Cave Abode was protected by the Primordial Unity Defense Formation. Even if the Dragon Clan came, they might not be able to break through it.
Several days later, Xuan Chen finally returned to the Zichen Cave Abode. Outside the abode, Nüwa and Fuxi had long been waiting, their eyes filled with anxiety and anticipation. When they saw Xuan Chen return safely, the stones hanging over their hearts finally fell.
"Master! You're back!" Nüwa hurried forward, her voice full of delight and concern. "Were you hurt? Did you get the Proto-Dinghai Needle Iron?"
Xuan Chen smiled faintly and took the Proto-Dinghai Needle Iron from his storage space. A three-foot iron needle floated above his palm, emanating a gentle aura of Water Dao. "Rest assured, your master is unharmed. The Proto-Dinghai Needle Iron is already in hand."
Nüwa looked at the iron needle in his palm, surprise flashing through her eyes. She could sense the vast energy contained within it, as well as its compatibility with her own Water Dao. Fuxi also leaned forward, his eyes filled with amazement. "As expected of the Proto-Dinghai Needle Iron. It truly is a peerless treasure!"
Xuan Chen handed the iron needle to Nüwa. "This treasure has already acknowledged its master. From now on, it will be your weapon for self-protection. It can change size according to your will, contains vast water-origin power, and complements your Creation Dao. It will also greatly benefit your cultivation."
Nüwa accepted the iron needle, warmth filling her heart. She said solemnly, "Thank you, Master! Your disciple will make proper use of this treasure, protect the cave abode, perfect the Creation Dao as soon as possible, and never disappoint Master's expectations!"
Just then, the system's notification sounded in Xuan Chen's mind:
[Ding! Main Quest — Infiltrate the Dragon Palace and seize treasure completed!] [Mission rewards issued: Chaos True Water ×1, Primordial Unity Origin Power +10%, Water Control divine ability unlocked!]
Xuan Chen was overjoyed. Chaos True Water and Primordial Unity Origin Power could greatly increase his cultivation, while the Water Control divine ability would allow him to command all waters beneath heaven. This would be immensely beneficial to his future cultivation and his response to the great calamity.
The Zichen Cave Abode brimmed with joy due to the arrival of the Proto-Dinghai Needle Iron and the issuance of the system rewards. Both Xuan Chen and Nüwa understood that this was merely a minor interlude in the Dragon-Han Calamity. The Primordial World would face even more challenges in the future. They had to raise their strength as quickly as possible in order to gain a firm foothold in these chaotic times and protect this patch of pure land.
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