Heavenly Might

A star so immense it defied description, so brilliant it surpassed imagination, revealed one hundred-millionth of its true form within the space of consciousness.

Beneath that colossal sun, the Flood Dragon's enormous phantom was too insignificant to count as even a speck of dust.

Forget a Flood Dragon with such a diluted bloodline-even if a True Dragon had appeared in person, it would have been equally insignificant before this vast sun.

It was like a figure in a painting meeting the artist who held the brush, like a marionette meeting the puppeteer behind the curtain.

This was a dimensional gulf that could never be bridged.

"...!!!"

Utter terror seized every part of it, and its remnant soul instinctively began to tremble.

It had roamed unchallenged all its life, devoured countless living beings, and fancied itself to have touched the edges of the laws of heaven and earth. Yet only now did it truly understand what was meant by...

Heavenly might.

How could the depths of a Foundation Establishment Realm human's consciousness conceal... conceal an existence like this?!

"You... you... what... are you!?"

It seemed to want to roar something else, to demand more answers.

But it was already too late.

Merely by existing, that blazing colossal sun naturally leaked an infinitesimal trace of pressure...

That pressure lightly "swept" over the Flood Dragon's remnant soul, and it began collapsing on its own, unable to bear the burden...

"No-!!!"

The Flood Dragon let out one final shriek of despair and defiance.

The resentment it had amassed over countless years, its ambition to return to life, and all its consciousness were utterly annihilated in that instant.

Within the consciousness space, only Si Chen and the slowly fading colossal sun remained.

Si Chen stood where he was, his expression somewhat... speechless.

He blinked, looking at the place where the Flood Dragon Remnant Soul had vanished.

"That's... it?" he muttered. He had never intended to kill it.

He had wanted to ask the old Flood Dragon about the secrets deeper within Dragonfall Land, or for news of "Yang Thunder."

He had not expected it to be so... fragile.

He had only just switched on this "lamp." Before he could get a proper look at anything, it had already burned away.

"Still, it really has been a long time..." Si Chen glanced back at the gradually disappearing colossal sun, a hint of nostalgia rising in his heart.

Restricted by this human body, even he dared not casually immerse his consciousness completely in this Origin Space.

The burden it brought was too great. One misstep, and this body might collapse first.

Fortunately, the old Flood Dragon had barged in on its own and volunteered to bear most of the pressure and impact for him, allowing him that fleeting glimpse.

Did this count as... delivery to his doorstep?

Si Chen shook his head, casting those stray thoughts aside.

He checked on his body in the outside world. Though it was still under some strain, there seemed to be no serious harm.

"Looks like this body still needs some thorough tempering."

The colossal sun's radiance faded completely, and peace returned to the consciousness space. Every trace of the Flood Dragon's foul aura had been washed away.

Si Chen did not dare linger in the depths of his consciousness either. With a thought, the scene before him receded like a tide.

In the real world, within the Blood Pool.

Si Chen's eyes snapped open. A trace of golden light seemed to linger in his pupils before swiftly disappearing.

He immediately surveyed his surroundings.

The humans and demons who had been frantically attacking him and the Thunderbolt Grid now stood frozen in place.

The ferocity on their faces and the crimson in their eyes remained, but they seemed somewhat vacant.

Clearly, with the complete annihilation of the Flood Dragon Remnant Soul, its control over the Blood Pool and those soaking in it had crumbled as well.

This chance couldn't be missed!

Without further hesitation, he drew a deep breath and repeated the same method, pouring every last bit of the remaining plant vitality into the Blood Pool beneath his feet!

Humm-!

This time, without the interference of the Flood Dragon Remnant Soul, the process went exceptionally smoothly.

Emerald radiance spread swiftly from him to every corner of the Blood Pool.

In just a few breaths, the entire enormous Blood Pool changed color completely, and its savage aura vanished with it.

Once it was done, Si Chen let out a long breath. His face was slightly pale; the expenditure of spiritual energy had indeed been immense.

But he did not stop.

Thunderbolt Flash activated again!

His figure became a ghostly streak of lightning, weaving among the frenzied humans and demon beasts whose eyes remained blank and whose movements were sluggish.

Thud!

He kicked a cultivator who was still roaring into the purified Blood Pool.

Thud!

Another kick sent a wolf-shaped demon beast in as well.

Next came Black Mountain and Red Wind.

Gathering all his strength, he planted a kick on Black Mountain's furry backside.

"Splash!"

The little mountain that was Black Mountain tumbled into the pool, throwing up a great spray of water.

Red Wind came next. Si Chen repeated the procedure, "inviting" Red Wind into the pool too.

"Splash!"

"Splash!"

"Splash!"

Like dumplings being dropped into a pot, all the remaining dazed, frenzied humans and demon beasts were unceremoniously kicked into the purified Blood Pool by Si Chen one after another.

Something remarkable happened.

The moment they entered the warm red water, thick black smoke began hissing from their bodies!

The smoke carried a nauseating, bloody stench. It seemed to be the source of contamination being purified and expelled from their bodies.

As the black smoke rose, the unnerving crimson in their eyes began fading rapidly.

"Cough, cough... I... what happened to me?" A cultivator clutched his forehead, looking around in confusion.

"I remember! It was that Blood Pool! There was something wrong with it!" Another cultivator looked at the dried blood on his hands, his face deathly pale. Clearly, he had remembered what he had done while frenzied.

Then came Black Mountain and Red Wind.

Black Mountain shook that enormous head, clarity returning to those crimson bear eyes. Looking at the water, then at Si Chen on the bank, Black Mountain seemed a little bewildered. "I... did I just..."

Red Wind shook out that dripping fur as well, looking at Si Chen apologetically. "Brother, we just..."

Si Chen waved a hand. "As long as you're all right. I know you didn't mean it."

The other human cultivators and members of the Demon Race gradually regained their senses too. After a brief confusion came relief at having survived the disaster, followed by waves of lingering fear.

They looked at one another and at the blood on their bodies that had yet to dry. All of them understood what had just happened.

A slightly older cultivator was the first to bow deeply to Si Chen, his voice still trembling a little. "Thank you for saving our lives, fellow Daoist! If not for you, I fear we would all have become crazed fiends who knew nothing but slaughter, until we exhausted ourselves and died..."

"Yes, thank you, fellow Daoist!"

"We will remember this kindness until our dying day!"

Grateful voices rose one after another. Human or demon, all of them now felt heartfelt respect for Si Chen.

Black Mountain finally grasped what had happened, abruptly rising from the pool in a spray of water. That bear face trembled with rage as Black Mountain unleashed a torrent of curses:

"Fuck your granny's leg, you sneaky old bastard of a Flood Dragon! You can't even stay quiet after dying! Setting a trap so rotten it practically smokes! Fuck eighteen generations of your ancestors!"

Spittle flew as Black Mountain cursed, foul language pouring out without pause. Yet every word spoke straight to the hearts of everyone present.

Exactly! That rotten bastard deserved to have eighteen generations of its ancestors fucked!

"Chirp!"

Just then, Red Bean descended from the air, returning to that original tiny form. Looking somewhat weary, Red Bean landed on Si Chen's shoulder and rubbed a little head against his cheek.

But Red Bean's gaze toward Black Mountain and Red Wind was plainly displeased, apparently still holding a grudge over the two big fellows chasing and attacking earlier.

Under that tiny glare, Black Mountain grew a little embarrassed, gave two awkward chuckles, and hurried to find a way to change the subject.

"Ahem... that old bastard Lü Ci actually dared block our way! Watch me smash it open!"

With that, Black Mountain charged over and slammed a bear paw into the rubble blocking the cave entrance, as though venting that anger!

"Boom!"

Amid the thunderous crash, rubble flew in every direction. The enraged strike of a third-tier demon beast blasted a huge opening straight through the passage.

"Come on! Let's settle the score with that old bastard!" Black Mountain roared, ready to charge outside.

Just then, a group of recovered demons nearby noticed that Si Chen was still somewhat pale and his aura was unsteady. They immediately stirred.

"Brother Si Chen's tired! I'll carry him!" The ox demon who had greeted him earlier bellowed, trying to squeeze over.

A giant leopard beside the ox was unhappy with that and gently blocked the way with its body. "Move aside, old ox. Your back's all hard and uncomfortable! Let him ride me. I've got a steady stride!"

"Roar! You're not broad enough. This old pig's back is the comfortable one!" Another Pig Demon crowded over, trying hard to show off that broad back.

For a moment, several demon beasts of sufficient size, known for their speed and steadiness, gathered around, vying to let Si Chen rest on their backs.

Their gratitude overflowed. They felt that carrying the young brother who had saved their lives would be the greatest honor.

Watching the squabbling bunch, Red Wind gave an irritated growl and stood in front of Si Chen.

"Stop arguing."

"My brother's used to riding on my back, and he's most comfortable with my pace. All of you, move aside."

Watching the scene before him, Si Chen found it rather novel.

He did indeed feel a little tired. Purifying the Blood Pool had cost him a great deal, and after that ordeal in the consciousness space, his soul felt weary as well.

He took out a "household medicine-cabinet staple" and popped it into his mouth. Without declining, he nodded to the concerned demon beasts around him, thanking them for their kindness.

Then he lightly leaped onto Red Wind's warm, broad back.

Red Bean obediently settled back onto his shoulder, though those tiny black-bead eyes still occasionally glanced at the somewhat sheepish Black Mountain nearby, accompanied by soft, dissatisfied huffs.

Those looks left Black Mountain uncomfortable all over, with nothing to do but urge them on in a muffled rumble. "Let's go, let's go! Time to make that old bastard miserable!"

With that, Black Mountain took the lead and ducked into the blasted-open passage.

Carrying Si Chen, Red Wind followed close behind with steady steps.

The humans and demons who had survived the disaster followed one after another. Curses filled the procession, but there was also the lightness of having lived through a calamity.