Yao Qi instantly filled the world as the dragon-shaped demon skeleton charged out of the Sword Heart Tomb.
All the netherworld Qi in the void gathered around the dragon-shaped demon skeleton.
Nourished by the netherworld Qi, the dragon skeleton actually grew flesh and blood, gradually becoming a demon dragon.
It was none other than the Demon Race Supreme from the Desolate Realm whom the Eternal Night Sword Emperor had suppressed ten thousand years ago.
The Netherdark Dragon Venerable!
Everyone's heart had turned to dead ashes. The Netherdark Dragon Venerable was an expert on par with a Great Emperor of the Human Race.
The Netherdark Dragon Venerable threw back his head and roared, his draconic might surging.
"Today, I have finally returned to this world! Eternal Night, you bastard! You suppressed me for ten thousand years. Today, I will bathe this world in blood!"
After being suppressed for so long, his essence had nearly been ground away. Not even one ten-thousandth of the Netherdark Dragon Venerable's strength remained.
Yet an expert at the Great Emperor level was far too powerful. Even with less than one ten-thousandth of his strength remaining, he was by no means someone the prodigies in the Heavenly Sword Secret Realm could handle.
The Netherdark Dragon Venerable glanced at the All Under Heaven Sword inside the Sword Heart Tomb and said grimly, "Once I have absorbed this realm's blood Qi, I will deal with you, you nuisance."
Within the shroud of light, Ye Wushuang and the masked sword cultivator also sensed what was happening outside.
The Old Gravekeeper transmitted his voice to Ye Wushuang. "White-haired brat, I will do everything I can to hold off this Netherdark Dragon Venerable. Find a chance to run."
The masked sword cultivator looked toward Ye Wushuang, seemingly wanting to see what choice he would make.
On one side was the All Under Heaven Sword, the imperial weapon with which the Great Emperor of Eternal Night had attained his Dao. On the other were his clansmen and friends outside.
If he spent the time to gain the imperial weapon's recognition, he might be able to keep himself safe.
But the Gravekeeper Elder outside certainly would not last long. After all, he faced an expert on par with a Great Emperor.
If Ye Wushuang still failed to gain this imperial weapon's recognition, he feared only those outside could buy him time.
Perhaps Ye Wushuang would not care about the safety of others, but his clansmen and friends were there too.
Looking at the scene before him, the Gravekeeper Elder said gravely, "Youngsters, while I hold off this Dragon Venerable, do everything you can to flee."
"Once you escape beyond the Ten Thousand Beasts Sword Forest on the first level, you may still have a chance of survival."
The masked sword cultivator patted Ye Wushuang's shoulder. "Brother Ye, will you flee with your family and friends to seek that sliver of hope, or remain here to subdue the Great Emperor of Eternal Night's imperial weapon and preserve yourself?"
Yet Ye Wushuang merely smiled calmly.
"It is only an artifact. Even if I were completely certain I could subdue this imperial weapon, I would not gamble if it meant putting my family and friends in danger."
"My Ye Lineage has never made a habit of using family and friends as stakes!"
"And my fate, Ye Wushuang's fate, rests only in my own hands!"
Ye Wushuang took one step forward and appeared directly outside the All Under Heaven Sword's shroud.
As Ye Wushuang stepped out, a voice also reached the masked sword cultivator's ears.
"I will choose neither. I will only-"
"Slay him!"
The corners of the masked sword cultivator's lips lifted slightly, a smile blooming in his eyes. "As expected of someone I acknowledge. This is how a gentleman should be."
He, too, stepped out of the All Under Heaven Sword's shroud.
The masked sword cultivator said softly, "Brother Ye, what harm is there in joining you in this madness today?"
The masked sword cultivator could have tried to draw the All Under Heaven Sword here after Ye Wushuang left.
But he, too, followed the justice in his heart and stepped out after Ye Wushuang.
Seeing Ye Wushuang emerge first, everyone looked somewhat surprised.
Why had Ye Wushuang come out first? Had he failed to gain the All Under Heaven Sword's recognition?
Had the masked sword cultivator who had yet to emerge drawn the All Under Heaven Sword instead?
At this, Jin Zhan could not help mocking him. "I thought the Ye Lineage's Heavenly Son was so capable, but he cannot even match some nameless rogue cultivator."
Ye Wushuang did not so much as glance at Jin Zhan before coming to stand in front of everyone.
Xie Qianli, however, shot straight back, "Mangy bird, you can't even keep yourself safe, yet you still love squawking."
When he saw the masked sword cultivator emerge right afterward, Jin Zhan's expression relaxed slightly. It seemed neither had gained the All Under Heaven Sword's recognition.
An instant later, however, Jin Zhan's expression turned ugly again, because the situation outside made him realize something.
With a Supreme from the Desolate Realm here, Jin Zhan would find it very difficult to survive today's calamity.
The Old Gravekeeper gave a deep shout, and all the swords within the Ten Thousand Swords River flew toward him.
He was already drawing on the power of the entire secret realm to resist the Netherdark Dragon Venerable and buy these children some time.
Ahead, the Netherdark Dragon Venerable had already begun his slaughter, reaping life after life.
Overwhelming blood Qi spilled forth, staining the land red.
The Netherdark Dragon Venerable was devouring these prodigies' blood Qi to restore his strength.
Facing the oncoming swords, the Netherdark Dragon Venerable did not even raise his head.
He merely swung his dragon claw, and the swords snapped and fell.
The Netherdark Dragon Venerable said coldly, "What an unpleasant sight. Another pile of scrap metal coming at me with Sword Qi."
"But you are far inferior to your master with this move." The Netherdark Dragon Venerable cast a sidelong glance at the Gravekeeper Elder.
The Gravekeeper Elder's expression was grim, and his figure had already become somewhat illusory.
Even after drawing on the secret realm's power, he had inflicted no substantial injury on the Netherdark Dragon Venerable.
Seeing most of the prodigies retreating, he smiled in relief. "As long as these children can get away."
But as he looked at the leading prodigies from the various factions who had all remained, he was somewhat puzzled. Why had they not retreated?
With a smile at the corners of his lips, Ye Wushuang walked calmly forward.
He fully activated his Human Emperor Body, and the Human Emperor Dharma Manifestation took shape behind him.
The gulf in cultivation realms between Ye Wushuang and the Netherdark Dragon Venerable was simply too vast.
Merely withstanding the Netherdark Dragon Venerable's oppressive might already required him to activate his Human Emperor Dharma Manifestation.
Even with the situation so dire, even with the legendary Netherdark Dragon Venerable of the Desolate Realm before him, Ye Wushuang still stood straight and advanced to face him.
His white hair streamed in the wind, his white robes untouched by a speck of dust, displaying his divine bearing to the fullest!
Ye Wushuang shouted, "It is only human nature for ordinary people to retreat. But we have reasons why we cannot-and will not-retreat!"
"We are Emperor Clans! We have righteousness in our hearts!"
The Emperor Clans enjoyed the worship of the masses, and their descendants, too, had to shoulder this responsibility of their lineages!
"Do you know what it means to be an Emperor Clan? Having borne that honor, we cannot retreat-for this sky we protect together! For the living beings who place their faith in us!"
"Calamity has descended upon the people. How could we break the proud backbone of our Emperor Clans?"
Even Jin Zhan had not retreated.
The prodigies who remained all knew that the proud backbone of an Emperor Clan would be tempered into even greater brilliance through sacrifice!
"As an Emperor Clan, how can we retreat!" Ye Wushuang roared, striding into the sky.
"Well said. Although I have never liked you, today I acknowledge that you deserve the world's title of Heavenly Son," Jin Zhan replied.
Jin Zhan ignited the bloodline within him, assumed his true form, and soared into the sky. "My pride will not let me retreat. The blood flowing within me is that of the Golden-Winged Great Peng!"
"My Immortal Ancient Ye Clan would always rather break than bend!" Ye Jinghong also rose on his sword.
Ye Jinghong unleashed his Ethereal Sword Body to its fullest. "One sword of the startled swan, all turns to nothing in an instant!"
"Lord Heavenly Son's choice is our choice." Ye Kongling and Ye Yanling stepped out together and exchanged smiles.
"One ethereal thought, all forms fall silent!" "The fire spirit descends, all evil melts away!" The two also flew into the sky, following Ye Wushuang.
"Brother Wushuang said it real well. I ain't much for book learning, but same here!" Xie Qianli laughed heartily and also flew into the sky.
The markings on his back lit up again, blazing especially brilliantly this time, and actually formed the image of a fire qilin on his back. "I've never tasted dragon meat before!"
"Big Brother White-haired Heavenly Son is so handsome. I can't lose face either," Situ Xue said, looking utterly lovestruck.
She fully activated her spirit-channeling power, and the phantom of the Immortal Spirit Goddess formed behind her. "My heart communes with all spirits, my will commands the nine heavens!"
"Ye Wushuang is mine to lay a hand on. But you, even if you are some Supreme from the Desolate Realm, may not touch him!" Golden light appeared in Nie Qingcheng's eyes as she ascended on flames.
The Sun-Shining Saint Phoenix's innate divine ability, the Power of the Shining Sun, burst forth! "The shining sun descends upon the world, illuminating all heavens!"
"You are someone I acknowledge, so I believe you can do it," the masked sword cultivator said, following close behind.
Righteous power surged, and Sword Intent shot into the sky. "While a trace of righteous Qi remains between heaven and earth, my righteousness shall sweep across the cosmos!"
At that moment, everyone followed in Ye Wushuang's footsteps, advancing to meet the Netherdark Dragon Venerable.
They shouted in unison, their momentum surging into the heavens.
"As an Emperor Clan, fight to the death and never retreat!"