Netherdark Dragon Venerable

Biodata

Power Progression

His documented changes in power concern suppression, revival, and temporary restoration rather than cultivation breakthroughs.

History

Defeat by the Great Emperor of Eternal Night

The Netherdark Dragon Venerable awakened and began slaughtering living beings, offering the world in a blood sacrifice. His rampage also devastated the Heavenly Radiance Dynasty. Ye Muxi, already worn down by ten thousand years of fighting demons, underwent ultimate sublimation and confronted him with the All Under Heaven Sword 24.

As the battle approached its end, Ye Muxi called upon the world's sword cultivators to lend him their power. Sword Qi from his younger self, his present self, and the future Ye Wushuang converged with countless other sword strikes to defeat the dragon. Ye Muxi sacrificed his life; the dragon's body was destroyed, but he was suppressed rather than permanently killed 24 39.

Escape from the Sword Heart Tomb

Ten thousand years later, the stirring of the All Under Heaven Sword allowed a wisp of dragon essence to escape the central altar in the Sword Heart Tomb. His skeleton emerged and absorbed Netherworld Qi, regenerating into a demon dragon 33 34.

Though reduced to less than one ten-thousandth of his former strength, he overwhelmed the secret realm's young cultivators. He slaughtered them to replenish his blood Qi and effortlessly shattered the swords summoned by the Gravekeeper Elder. Ye Wushuang and several leading prodigies remained behind to resist him while others fled 34 35.

Final Battle and Death

The pressure of fighting him awakened Ye Wushuang's Supreme Bone, whose Heavenly Tribulation Light inflicted a wound that resisted immediate regeneration. The dragon retaliated with Netherdark Dragon Claw and then nine destructive dragon souls. The newly awakened All Under Heaven Sword destroyed the souls and enabled Ye Wushuang to continue fighting, eventually cutting the dragon's sparsely scaled neck 35 36 37.

A surviving wisp of Ye Muxi's divine sense then emerged from the sword. Wielding his former weapon, Ye Muxi stripped away the dragon's scales and battered apart his Dao foundation. Cornered, the Netherdark Dragon Venerable burned his remaining body and soul for a final attack 38.

Ye Muxi and Ye Wushuang answered with a joint sword strike, aided by Sword Qi that Yun Chenxi sent across time. The blow destroyed the dragon's body and divine soul permanently. The Heavenly Book of All Things absorbed his remaining skeleton and formed the Netherdark Heavenly Dragon Diagram, recording his divine abilities for Ye Wushuang to comprehend 38 39.

Appearance

• Enormous draconic body: Possesses scales, claws, and a neck with comparatively sparse scale coverage near the head 35 37.
• Skeletal form: First emerges from the Sword Heart Tomb as a dragon-shaped demon skeleton before Netherworld Qi restores his flesh and blood 34.
• Surrounding phenomena: His attacks fill the sky with dark Netherworld Qi and overwhelming draconic might 34 36.

Personality

The Netherdark Dragon Venerable treats weaker cultivators as “ants” and potential nourishment. He regards human affection and loyalty as foolish weaknesses, mocking Ye Wushuang for risking his life to protect his companions. He also deliberately attempts to damage Ye Wushuang's Dao heart, recognizing the danger the Human Emperor Body could pose if allowed to mature 35 36.

His arrogance does not prevent him from recognizing talent: he admits that matching Ye Wushuang at the same cultivation realm would have been difficult even for him. His composure collapses when Ye Muxi returns, exposing his deep resentment toward the emperor who suppressed him. Defeat drives him to sacrifice everything in an attempt to take his enemies with him 36 38.

Abilities & Skills

Netherworld Qi and Draconic Might

Controls vast quantities of Netherworld Qi alongside the oppressive power of his dragon body.

• Knocks down multiple prodigies despite their blood-essence sacrifices and strongest techniques 35.
• Traps Ye Wushuang's companions within Netherworld Qi, forcing him to intercept attacks rather than dodge 36.
• Remains overwhelmingly dangerous even with less than one ten-thousandth of his original strength 34.

Blood Qi Devouring and Regeneration

Consumes the blood Qi of living cultivators to replenish his depleted power.

• Targets sacred-beast bodies, innate sword physiques, imperial bloodlines, and the Human Emperor Body as especially valuable nourishment 35.
• Regenerates ordinary injuries almost instantly; Netherworld Qi also reconstructs his flesh around his surviving skeleton 34 35.
• Heavenly Tribulation Light and the All Under Heaven Sword's lingering imperial might impede his healing 35 37.

Netherdark Dragon Claw

Combines dragon essence and Netherworld Qi into a phantom claw capable of seemingly tearing through the void 35 36.

• Forces Ye Wushuang to combine tribulation lightning, faith power, and his strengthened Human Emperor Dharma Manifestation to survive 36.
• Heavenly Dao tribulation lightning disperses the claw's Netherworld Qi, but its remaining draconic force still sends Ye Wushuang flying 36.

Nine Netherdark Dragon Souls

Transforms boundless Netherworld power into nine destructive dragon souls.

• Described as stronger than Netherdark Dragon Claw 36.
• The All Under Heaven Sword restrains them, severs their heads, and scatters their souls 37.

Draconic Body and Breath Attacks

Uses physical strength, resilient scales, and breath-based attacks in close combat.

• Shatters incoming swords with a claw and breaks through large swathes of protective Sword Qi 34 37.
• Exhales Netherdark Fire and projects dragon essence at opponents 37.
• Resists Ye Wushuang's sword strikes across most of his body, but the sparse scales at his neck provide an opening 37.

Sacrificial Peak-Strength Attack

Burns his body, blood essence, and divine soul to unleash one final attack at his peak strength.

• Undertaken after Ye Muxi severely damages his body and Dao foundation 38.
• Intended to destroy everyone present rather than secure his own survival 38.

Relationships

• Ye Muxi / Great Emperor of Eternal Night — Long-standing enemy who destroyed his original body and suppressed him for ten thousand years. Ye Muxi's surviving divine sense later helps kill him permanently 24 34 38 39.
• Ye Wushuang — Opponent whose Human Emperor Body he covets and fears. Ye Wushuang helps destroy him and inherits his recorded divine abilities; he later uses Netherdark Dragon Claw to conceal his identity and mislead rival factions 35 39 47.
• Gravekeeper Elder — Opposes his escape using the swords and power of the Heavenly Sword Secret Realm, but cannot substantially injure him 34.
• Yun Chenxi — Sends Sword Qi across time to support the joint strike that ends his life 38 39.

Notable Quotes

“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!” 34

“Boy, you truly are powerful. Even I would have found it difficult to match you at your cultivation realm.” 36

“Eternal Night, why does your ghost keep haunting me?!” 38