With a single stroke of the sword, endless sword light blazed forth and crashed down.
In just an instant, the Netherdark Dragon Venerable's body was destroyed, and myriad strands of Sword Intent pierced through his divine soul.
Along with his final roar, the Netherdark Dragon Venerable's divine soul turned to ash and scattered between heaven and earth.
The dragon skeleton left behind was drawn straight into the Heavenly Book of All Things within Ye Wushuang's body.
Another page of the heavenly book turned, revealing a Netherdark Heavenly Dragon Diagram that had actually formed upon it.
The Netherdark Dragon Claw and the other divine abilities the Netherdark Dragon Venerable had used were also imprinted in Ye Wushuang's mind, ready for him to comprehend at any time.
His flesh had crumbled, his divine soul had dissipated, and even his dragon skeleton had been suppressed by the Heavenly Book of All Things.
From that day forth, the Netherdark Dragon Venerable existed no more!
With that sword stroke, the last trace of Ye Muxi's divine soul was also about to burn out, and his figure was no longer solid.
Ye Muxi offered his final words of guidance. "My disciple from ten thousand years in the future, I haven't taught you much. But righteousness already lives in your heart, and that gives me great comfort."
"Today's battle was my final lesson to you."
Ye Muxi gave a faint smile as well.
"I've shown you some of the All Under Heaven Sword's divine abilities today. From now on, you'll have to comprehend them yourself."
"I leave this All Under Heaven Sword to you. But I'm afraid I won't live to see the day you carry it to greater glory."
"The younger generation is truly formidable. You'll surely surpass me one day."
"The future belongs to you!"
The worth of a Great Emperor's recognition was beyond question.
If others learned that a Great Emperor had praised Ye Wushuang so highly, their jaws would probably drop in shock.
Having said his piece, the final trace of this Great Emperor of Eternal Night's divine consciousness began to dissipate as well.
Ye Wushuang cupped his hands and bowed to Ye Muxi. "Farewell, Senior."
Ye Muxi truly deserved the title of Great Emperor. For the sake of all living beings, the Great Emperor of Eternal Night had still made the same choice: to burn himself away, solely to protect!
At last, the dust settled.
Between heaven and earth, only one figure remained, standing alone in the sky, peerless.
Everyone gazed at Ye Wushuang high above, feeling somewhat as though none of this were real.
Who could have imagined that the legendary Supreme of the Desolate Realm-the Netherdark Dragon Venerable-would fall here today?
Even the Great Emperor of Eternal Night had only destroyed his body and suppressed him back then.
Today, however, this Heavenly Son of the Ye Lineage had buried the Netherdark Dragon Venerable here for good.
"This Heavenly Son of the Ye Lineage actually stood shoulder to shoulder with a Great Emperor, and together they slew a Supreme of the Desolate Realm."
"Let's see who still dares question this Heavenly Son of the Ye Lineage. Didn't you see that all you could do was flee?"
"That courage to face a Supreme head-on, that strength to stand beside a Great Emperor-he truly deserves to be the Immortal Ancient Ye Clan's Heavenly Son, possessing both bearing and strength."
At that moment, everyone trembled with excitement, wild with the joy of surviving certain death. Ye Wushuang had utterly won them over.
Below, Xie Qianli's face flushed red as he exclaimed, "See that? The man who stood beside a Great Emperor-that's my brother!"
Nie Qingcheng had long since had enough of Xie Qianli's racket and sent a burst of phoenix flame burning toward him.
With the crisis resolved, Xie Qianli remained all grins even as he burned. "Little Sister Qingcheng, why are you burning me? There's no need to celebrate like this."
"What? How did you know Ye Wushuang is my brother?"
"What? How did you know my brother Wushuang fought shoulder to shoulder with a Great Emperor?"
"What? How did you know my brother Wushuang slew a Supreme of the Desolate Realm?"
These boasts carried all the way to Ye Wushuang's ears.
Ye Wushuang's vision nearly went black. Even he, who had faced the Netherdark Dragon Venerable without a change of expression, now wore a look of utter resignation.
Ye Wushuang grumbled inwardly, Having you as a brother really is my good fortune, Xie Qianli!
The next moment, Ye Wushuang flashed into view before everyone.
Everyone gathered around, moving forward to surround him.
The masked sword cultivator smiled. "I knew I hadn't misjudged you, Brother Ye. You're a model for all of us sword cultivators."
Ye Kongling and Ye Yanling also stepped forward and hugged Ye Wushuang's arms. "We thought we'd die here today and never see you again, Lord Heavenly Son."
Seeing Ye Wushuang embraced by the two women, Nie Qingcheng gave a soft snort.
Her face full of jealousy, she said, "As expected of our Heavenly Son of the Ye Lineage. Stop spreading your charm around!"
Situ Xue giggled instead. "Big Sister Qingcheng, you're so jealous. When you like someone, of course you have to take the initiative. Watch me."
With a face full of mischief, Situ Xue rushed over, heading straight for Ye Wushuang's embrace.
"White-haired Heavenly Son, those two big sisters from your Ye Lineage are only holding your arms. Did you save your embrace for me?"
The corner of Ye Wushuang's mouth twitched. He dodged straight out of the way and said calmly, "Fairy Situ, mind your boundaries."
Looking at Ye Wushuang's expression, unmoved by worldly attachments, Situ Xue could not help gritting her teeth and stamping her feet in anger.
Behind them, Jin Zhan was already speechless. It could be said that he had truly come to understand his own place.
He no longer felt any jealousy or anger. The gulf between him and this Heavenly Son of the Ye Lineage was simply too vast. They belonged to entirely different worlds.
Inside the Sword Heart Tomb, Ming Ye slowly climbed to his feet. Despite being scoured by that wisp of dragon essence, he had actually survived.
Because of his devouring power and the shared origin of their netherworld power, Ming Ye had actually gained a blessing from disaster. His Nine Nether Qi had grown even more condensed.
But he did not ask for humiliation by provoking Ye Wushuang again.
That little improvement was nothing in Ye Wushuang's eyes.
Ye Wushuang freed his hands and walked slowly over to the Gravekeeper Elder. "Senior, I've subdued the All Under Heaven Sword. What plans are there for the Heavenly Sword Secret Realm from now on?"
The Gravekeeper Elder smiled. "My mission is complete. Seeing that my master's legacy has found a successor is all the satisfaction I need."
"From now on, I'll remain here guarding the Heavenly Sword Secret Realm. It will no longer open on its own. Only your All Under Heaven Sword Intent can open it."
Delight rose in Ye Wushuang's expression. The Heavenly Sword Secret Realm had actually become his own private back garden, and the Gravekeeper Elder had even become his steward.
Only with his permission could anyone enter.
In the future, the Lineage's juniors, as well as the trusted followers he cultivated himself, could come here to temper their Sword Intent, subdue swords, and improve their strength.
Ye Wushuang was already making plans for the future.
At that moment, everyone remaining also stepped forward together and thanked Ye Wushuang. "Thank you, Heavenly Son of the Ye Lineage, for slaying the demonic dragon. Only because of you were we able to emerge unharmed."
"From now on, I'll be the Heavenly Son of the Ye Lineage's most devoted believer!"
The Human Emperor Body stirred repeatedly as well. Ye Wushuang marveled inwardly that there was even such an unexpected boon.
Wisps of faith power flowed from everyone into his Human Emperor Body, and the Human Emperor Dharma Manifestation grew even mightier.
As more and more faith power accumulated, the Human Emperor Dharma Manifestation would also become stronger in future battles against his enemies.
Ye Wushuang smiled as well and said to everyone, "Everyone, prepare to leave."
With a slight wave of the All Under Heaven Sword in Ye Wushuang's hand, the Heavenly Sword Secret Realm's exit appeared before them, and everyone prepared to leave.
As a halo of light lit up, the various factions waiting outside also saw everyone emerge.
They looked at Ye Wushuang, who came out holding the All Under Heaven Sword without concealing it at all.
The entire gathering erupted in an instant. "It's the Great Emperor of Eternal Night's All Under Heaven Sword!"
An imperial armament had emerged into the world!