With the mass mobilization of Misty Cloud Sect disciples and Gu He's sudden, frenzied actions, the entire Jia Ma Empire had become a sea of surging undercurrents.
The Imperial Family, the Three Great Families, the Alchemist Guild... all had turned their attention toward the Misty Cloud Sect.
No one noticed that on this night of a bright moon and sparse stars, a black-robed figure with his face concealed slipped into the Jia Ma Imperial Family's palace without a sound, his movements terrifyingly silent.
In the Jia Ma Empire, the night was black as ink.
Deep within the imperial palace, the black-robed figure flitted like a ghost between layer upon layer of halls, elusive as a phantom.
Xiao Yan's face was concealed by the Thousand Illusion Mask, transformed into the unremarkable features of an ordinary young man. Yao Chen's vast soul force completely hid his aura, as though he had melted into the night.
"Teacher, the Imperial Family's security... is even tighter than I imagined."
He darted over a palace wall like a wildcat, his gaze sweeping across the Imperial Guards patrolling below. Every soldier had reached at least the Dou Zhe level, while their leader was a Da Dou Shi.
With careful scrutiny, one could also sense several Dou Ling experts concealed in the shadows, utterly beyond an ordinary person's ability to detect.
"Tight?"
Yao Chen's voice held a trace of boredom. "They're nothing but decorations. With your presence concealed by soul force, even a Dou Huang expert standing right before you would struggle to detect you."
"Hurry up. The Nether Sea Flood Dragon Beast's lair seems to be in the lake on the mountain behind the palace."
Xiao Yan nodded and accelerated again, streaking toward the depths of the palace like a bolt of black lightning.
Passing one lavish hall and glittering palace wall after another, he finally reached the foot of a mountain at the very back of the palace.
The mountain was not particularly tall, but it exuded a sinister, damp chill.
At its summit, an enormous lake gleamed a shadowy blue beneath the moonlight, like a sapphire set into the mountaintop.
Yet beneath that seemingly tranquil surface, faint fluctuations rose from the depths, making Xiao Yan's heart quiver.
"This is it..."
Stopping behind a large boulder on the shore, Xiao Yan gazed solemnly into the deep, dark water.
"Nether Sea Lake... the Nether Sea Flood Dragon Beast..."
He murmured the names, his hands unconsciously clenching.
A sixth-rank Nether Sea Flood Dragon Beast was a being capable of matching a Seven- or Eight-Star Dou Emperor! Even compared with the mysterious female Dou Emperor from that day in the Magical Beast Mountain Range, it would likely be no less formidable!
"What, scared?" Seeing Xiao Yan press his lips together and clench his fists nervously, Yao Chen's voice took on a teasing note.
"Scared?" Xiao Yan raised a brow, the corner of his mouth twitching as a glint of defiance flashed in his eyes.
"I'm just excited."
"Good!"
Yao Chen laughed heartily, his spectral soul drifting out of the Bone Flame Ring, solidifying until it looked like a living body.
"Then let your teacher see just how much this guardian beast of the Jia Ma Imperial Family is worth!"
Xiao Yan sat cross-legged beside the lake and formed seals with both hands. Dou Qi surged from his body like a tide, becoming an invisible pulse that seeped toward the lake bed.
"Nether Sea Flood Dragon Beast... come out!"
He gave a low shout, crimson flames rising from his palms and scorching the surrounding air until it warped slightly.
The flames' aura spread, carrying a hint of provocation as it reached straight into the lake's depths!
Humm-
The lake's surface trembled faintly, as though some colossal creature below was slowly awakening.
At first, only a few bubbles rose from the bottom. Then they grew more numerous and larger! The entire lake seemed to boil, countless bubbles swelling across its surface!
"Glug... glug..."
The bubbles burst and mist rose, forming a hazy veil beneath the moonlight.
Xiao Yan's pupils contracted slightly. He felt a powerful, savage aura slowly rising from the bottom of the lake, like a sleeping volcano awakening!
"It's coming!"
Yao Chen's voice abruptly turned grave, and his spectral soul instantly plunged into Xiao Yan's body!
Boom!
An enormous column of water suddenly erupted from the center of the lake, shooting dozens of zhang into the sky!
The column broke into a skyful of spray that fell like a torrential downpour, shrouding the entire mountain in mist.
"Roar-!!"
A deep, strange beastly roar suddenly burst from the lake!
The mist dispersed, revealing a colossal creature upon the water!
The magical beast's winding body stretched a full hundred zhang. Coiled within the lake, its massive bulk occupied half the water's surface.
Deep-blue scales covered its entire body, reflecting chilling glints beneath the moonlight. Every scale looked cast from refined iron, indestructible.
Atop its enormous head, a single blue, spiraled horn pointed toward the heavens, radiating heart-quaking fluctuations.
Its huge, lantern-like eyes were deep, shadowy blue. Now they stared fixedly at the black-robed figure on the shore, filled with fury and bewilderment.
"Human..."
The Nether Sea Flood Dragon Beast spoke in human language, its voice echoing through the night sky like thunder.
"You dare trespass upon the Imperial Family's forbidden grounds?! Where is Jia Xingtian!"
Disbelief flashed through its enormous eyes. Nether Sea Lake lay in the deepest reaches of the palace, protected by layers of restrictive barriers. Even an ordinary Dou Huang expert would find it difficult to slip in without a sound.
Yet the black-robed man before it seemed to have only a Dou Shi's aura. How had he managed it?
"A sixth-rank magical beast... impressive indeed."
Xiao Yan lifted his head and gazed at the enormous body that blotted out the sky, but there was not a trace of fear in his eyes. Instead, a flicker of fervor flashed through them.
Although its presence was not as overwhelming and mysterious as that of the Amethyst Winged Lion King that day, its pressure still left Xiao Yan feeling as though every step would be a struggle!
"Open your mind!"
Yao Chen's voice exploded within his mind. In the next instant, Xiao Yan's aura once again soared abruptly!
His eyes suddenly grew deep and aged, as though another soul had taken control of his body.
In a flash, Xiao Yan shot skyward like lightning, lunging fearlessly at the Nether Sea Flood Dragon Beast!
"You're courting death!"
The Nether Sea Flood Dragon Beast flew into a rage. Its enormous jaws opened, and a deep-blue column of water gushed forth like a flood dragon, leaving even the air in its path laden with damp mist!
The water column contained an intensely chilling power. Even Jia Xingtian himself would not dare take it head-on!
Yet "Xiao Yan" neither dodged nor retreated. Bone Spirit Cold Flame flickered in his palm, transforming into an enormous flaming palm imprint that slammed fiercely down upon the water column!
Bang-!
Extreme cold and extreme heat intertwined. Water and fire collided with a deafening blast!
Vapor billowed across the sky. After the clash of ice crystals and flames, a bizarre, spectacular scene unfolded.
The Nether Sea Flood Dragon Beast's pupils abruptly contracted. An irresistible force surged through the water column, knocking its enormous body backward several zhang!
"What kind of fire is this?!"
It cried out involuntarily, horror flashing through its enormous eyes.
A cage of flames crashed down, completely engulfing the Nether Sea Flood Dragon Beast's head!
The eerie white flames furiously ate away at its scales. Alternating extremes of cold and heat sent violent tremors through its enormous body, making it yearn to let out an agonized howl!
The Nether Sea Flood Dragon Beast struggled madly, sweeping its enormous tail across the lake and raising towering waves. The entire mountain trembled faintly beneath that tremendous force!
"It's over."
Xiao Yan spoke indifferently and abruptly clenched his hand!
Pfft!
The flaming cage suddenly contracted. The Nether Sea Flood Dragon Beast's enormous body stiffened, and the light in its huge eyes swiftly dimmed. At last, it collapsed with a crash into the lake, sending spray flying across the sky!
"Xiao Yan" drifted down, landing upon the floating flood dragon's head. Flames condensed into a blade in his palm, and he stabbed viciously into a spot on the Nether Sea Flood Dragon Beast's abdomen!
Squelch!
Scales shattered and blood gushed out. A shadowy blue flame slowly emerged from the wound.
The flame was as deep as seawater and as piercing as ice. It danced silently in the night sky, radiating a chill that made the soul tremble.
"Sixth-rank beast flame, azure water flame..."
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