Ao Lie Betrays the Dragon Clan, Makes His Name in One Battle

The moment Ao Lie said those words, the entire altar fell silent for a moment.

The Dragon Clan's faces darkened, and Ao Yin's gaze grew so gloomy it seemed as though water might drip from it.

"Uphold Guixu's rules?"

"Good. Very good."

"Blackwater Dragon Palace raised you for years, gave you bloodline resources, gave you the Dragon Clan's inheritance."

"And now, for the sake of a few minor Guixu clans, you dare stand in this elder's way and seize treasure?"

"Ao Lie, this is betrayal of the clan!"

At the words "betrayal of the clan," Ao Lie's eyes flickered slightly.

The Dragon Clan members all turned to look at him.

In the past, Ao Lie would have flown into a rage.

But now, he was surprisingly calm.

He glanced at Lady Mingzhu, then at Lan Shuang, Han Jue, Ancestor Xuan Jia, and the Guixu Guardian Team cultivators behind him.

Finally, his gaze returned to Ao Yin.

"Blackwater Dragon Palace raised me. I remember that."

"I remember the Dragon Clan's inheritance too."

"But do you remember the hatchlings of the Black-Shelled Turtle Tribe?"

Ao Yin's expression darkened.

"This has nothing to do with you."

Ao Lie continued, "Do you remember the young and able members of the Cold Sand Clan who died in the Water Palace after being conscripted?"

Ao Yin said coldly, "Weak clans should be grateful to serve the Dragon Clan."

"What about the Sea Spirit Clan?"

"What about the Mystic Clam Tribe?"

"What about those minor clans you treat as blood food, slaves, and materials for refining artifacts?"

Ao Yin roared, "Ao Lie!"

Ao Lie's voice turned cold as well.

"During my years guarding Dragon-Suppressing Pass, I saw many things."

"Those fugitive slaves you speak of cultivate Spirit Fields in Guixu, repair formations, teach children cultivation, and obey the rules."

"They are not numbers in the Dragon Clan's ledgers."

"They want to live too."

A strange light flashed through Feng Li's eyes.

Lin Yue also revealed a thoughtful expression.

Han Jue could not help but laugh.

"That sounded like something a Guixu man would say."

Ao Lie did not turn around.

His gaze remained fixed on Ao Yin.

"I once trespassed into Guixu and was punished by the Emperor, who ordered me to guard Dragon-Suppressing Pass."

"At the time, I found it humiliating."

"But over these years, I have at least come to understand one thing."

"If rules only protect the strong, then they are shackles."

"Only rules that protect the weak have any meaning."

"Today, the Black Tortoise Sea-Calming Pearl was obtained by Guixu according to the rules."

"You, Ao Yin, are breaking those rules by trying to seize it."

"As the guardian of Dragon-Suppressing Pass, those are the rules I protect."

By this point, Ao Yin was furious beyond measure.

"What a fine guardian of the rules."

"Then today, this elder shall cleanse Blackwater Dragon Palace of its traitor!"

Ao Yin stepped forward.

The aura of a peak Supreme Unity Golden Immortal erupted in full.

The Blackwater Long Halberd in his hand surged with rolling dragon energy as it thrust straight at Ao Lie's heart.

Ao Lie's expression grew grave.

His cultivation was inferior to Ao Yin's.

The gap was not small.

But he did not retreat.

Blackwater dragon energy surged from within him.

The formation seal of Dragon-Suppressing Pass's outer gate appeared on his forehead.

Though he had been punished and assigned to guard the gate all these years, the Black Tortoise Sea-Calming Formation, the Northern Sea-Calming Stele Fragment, and Guixu's water aura had all subtly transformed his magical power.

He was no longer the Dragon Clan prince who had once barged into Guixu.

Boom!

The Blackwater Long Halberd collided with Ao Lie's dragon claw.

Ao Lie was sent flying at once.

But he quickly steadied himself and once again stood in front of Lady Mingzhu.

Ao Yin frowned.

He had not expected Ao Lie to withstand that strike.

"The formation seal of Dragon-Suppressing Pass?"

"Guixu actually gave you a formation seal?"

Ao Lie said coldly, "I told you. I guard the outer gate."

A flash of jealousy passed through Ao Yin's eyes.

"Do you really think a Guixu Formation Seal allows you to contend with this elder?"

He attacked again.

This time, the Blackwater Long Halberd split into nine halberd shadows.

Each carried a Dragon Clan secret art capable of tearing apart the Primordial Spirit.

Ao Lie defended with all his strength.

Blackwater dragon energy condensed into a dragon-scale barrier before him.

Bang! Bang! Bang!

The nine halberd shadows crashed down in succession.

The dragon armor on Ao Lie's body shattered without end.

The blood at the corner of his mouth became more and more obvious.

Yet he still did not step aside.

Han Jue frowned at the sight.

"This guy won't be able to hold on much longer."

Lan Shuang immediately said, "Realm Guard, form up!"

Han Jue had been waiting impatiently.

"Form the Black Tortoise Formation!"

Three hundred Realm Guard elites swiftly spread out.

Rather than charging Ao Yin head-on, they formed a defensive formation around Ao Lie.

A phantom Black Tortoise appeared, enveloping Ao Lie within it.

The pressure on Ao Lie immediately lessened.

He turned back to glance at Han Jue.

"Who told you to help me?"

Han Jue sneered.

"If you die, who will guard the outer gate of Dragon-Suppressing Pass?"

Ao Lie gritted his teeth.

"Busybody."

Han Jue raised his spear.

"Cut the crap. We can argue after the fight."

Ao Yin looked at the Guixu Guardian Team, his expression turning even darker.

"A pack of ants dares interfere in the Dragon Clan's internal affairs?"

Lan Shuang opened the Book of Cause and Effect in her hand.

Black-and-white radiance shone upon Ao Yin.

Scenes emerged within the water mirror.

Black-Shelled Turtle Tribe hatchlings being escorted away.

Young and able members of the Cold Sand Clan being forcibly conscripted.

The spirit pearls of the Mystic Clam Tribe being seized.

Several weak clans being casually wiped out by Blackwater Dragon Palace.

Though many of these acts had not been personally committed by Ao Yin, as the second elder of Blackwater Dragon Palace, he had participated in issuing the orders and tacitly allowed their execution. The karmic consequences still bound him.

The radiance of the Book of Cause and Effect fell upon him.

Ao Yin's aura immediately sank.

"This damned thing again!"

Lan Shuang's voice was icy.

"Ao Yin, karma illuminates your body."

"Today, not only did you fail to seize the treasure, you also attempted to kill Guixu's defending general."

"Suppressing you is in accordance with Guixu's rules."

Ao Yin laughed furiously.

"Just you people?"

Ancestor Xuan Jia slowly stepped forward.

"And this old man."

The aura of the Great Principle emerged.

Ao Yin's expression finally changed.

He feared Ancestor Xuan Jia.

Previously, with the Sea Swallower Remnant Soul present and the three clans mutually restraining one another, he had still dared to launch a sneak attack.

Now that Sea Devourer had become a soul pearl, the Black Tortoise Sea-Calming Pearl had been secured, and Guixu's people had freed their hands, he would gain no advantage if the battle continued.

But if he retreated now, he would lose all face.

In that instant of hesitation, Ao Lie seized the opportunity and charged forward.

Blackwater dragon energy and the Guixu Formation Seal erupted at the same time.

He transformed into a half-dragon and slammed a claw brutally into Ao Yin's chest.

Boom!

Ao Yin was forced back dozens of zhang.

Though the injury was not severe, the meaning of that strike was entirely different.

The third prince of Blackwater Dragon Palace had driven back the second elder of Blackwater Dragon Palace before the experts of the three clans.

Ao Yin's face flushed red.

"Ao Lie!"

Ao Lie stood in midair, covered in blood, yet his eyes shone brightly.

"Ao Yin, go back and tell my royal father."

"My sentence has not yet ended, so I will not return to the Dragon Palace for now."

"If the Dragon Clan invades Guixu again, I will still guard Dragon-Suppressing Pass."

"If Blackwater Dragon Palace wishes to punish me, then when my sentence ends, I will return and accept it myself."

Ao Yin stared at him fiercely.

"You will regret this."

Ao Lie said calmly, "Perhaps."

"But today, I do not regret it."

Ao Yin ultimately did not attack again.

Ancestor Xuan Jia had already locked onto him.

Feng Li and Lin Yue were also watching from the side.

If the battle continued, the Dragon Clan would certainly be the ones to suffer.

Ao Yin snorted coldly and led the Dragon Clan away.

After the Dragon Clan left, Lin Yue did not continue fighting for it. The Black Tortoise Sea-Calming Pearl was already in Guixu's hands.

The Sea Swallower Remnant Soul had also become a soul pearl.

If they kept fighting, they would only completely fall out with Guixu.

Now that Guixu had Ancestor Xuan Jia holding the fort, and Feng Li's relationship with Guixu had clearly eased...

It was not worthwhile for the Qilin Clan to act alone.

Lin Yue glanced at Lan Shuang.

"Guixu obtained a treasure today. That is your capability."

Lan Shuang gave a slight nod.

"You flatter us."

Lin Yue left with his team.

But Feng Li remained behind.

She looked at Lan Shuang and said softly, "Fate Overseer Lan Shuang, there is something I wish to ask."

Lan Shuang looked at her.

Feng Li spoke slowly.

"If the Frost Phoenix Lineage wished to enter Guixu to avoid the calamity..."

"Would Guixu accept us?"

Everyone's expressions shifted.

A branch of the Phoenix Clan also wanted to join Guixu?

Han Jue's eyes lit up instantly.

Ao Lie glanced at Feng Li, deep in thought.

Lan Shuang did not agree immediately.

She merely said, "Those who enter Guixu shall be scrutinized by the Book of Cause and Effect and abide by Guixu's rules."

"If the Frost Phoenix Lineage is willing to accept this, you may come to Dragon-Suppressing Pass."

Feng Li nodded.

"I understand."

"Once I return to discuss it with my clan, we will certainly give Guixu an answer."

With that, she departed with the Frost Phoenix Lineage.

The Northern Dark Water Palace gradually quieted down.

Lady Mingzhu held the Black Tortoise Sea-Calming Pearl and let out a long breath.

"We finally got it."

Lan Shuang looked at everyone.

Ao Lie was severely injured.

Han Jue and the Realm Guard had also expended no small amount of strength.

Although Ancestor Xuan Jia was unharmed, he had maintained the defenses all along.

The journey had been perilous, but the gains were immense.

The Black Tortoise Sea-Calming Pearl.

The Sea-Swallowing Soul Pearl.

And Feng Li's expressed intention to enter Guixu.

Guixu's first expedition had truly made a name for itself.

Lan Shuang gave a slight bow in Guixu's direction.

"Emperor, we have not failed in our mission."

Deep within Guixu.

After hearing the entire account, Lu Chen's feelings were exceedingly complicated.

He had told them to run if they could not get it.

They had gotten it.

He had told them to retreat when they encountered powerful enemies.

They truly had not fought a Great Principle to the death.

He had told them not to announce his name.

Yet the Sea Swallower Remnant Soul had recognized the aura of the Guixu Black Tortoise on its own.

This really could not be blamed on Lan Shuang.

But why did new troubles always keep appearing?

The Frost Phoenix Lineage of the Phoenix Clan wanted to come too?

The Sea-Swallowing Soul Pearl wanted to see him as well?

Ao Lie had even fought a Dragon Clan elder on the spot?

Lu Chen silently sighed.

"Forget it."

"At least we got the Black Tortoise Sea-Calming Pearl."

The system's voice rang out at that moment as well.

"The Guixu team has completed the Northern Dark Water Palace trial."

"Ao Lie upheld Guixu's rules and repelled a Dragon Clan elder."

"The Black Tortoise Sea-Calming Pearl has been obtained."

"The Guixu Dharma Body's solidity has increased."

"The Guixu Womb Membrane is about to undergo aquatic evolution."

Lu Chen's eyes lit up.

The Guixu Womb Membrane was evolving?

This was good.

As long as the Guixu Inner Realm continued to grow, his chances of successfully avoiding the calamity would continue to rise.

As for those troubles...

Lu Chen looked into the distance.

"Bring the pearl back first."

"We'll talk about everything else after I wake up."