Destiny is ashes

Chapter 1024 Siege of the Sun Candlelight?

Within the void rift of the Zhaolin Realm, the chaotic currents of spacetime intertwine and clash, like a sharp blade that cuts through everything, shattering any existence that strays into this place.

Two streaks of light, one walking on fire and the other a pale gold that resembled white, were rapidly traversing the endless turbulent currents.

Zheng Huayan and Duan Chenguang were being pursued. With each flash, they narrowly avoided a devastating dragon breath that was coming from behind and could instantly annihilate a true cultivator.

"This is not the way to go!"

The two wounded soldiers helped each other and dodged at lightning speed. Duan Chenguang coughed up another mouthful of blood. Holding the Flame Spear, he forcefully suppressed the surging spiritual energy within his body. His face was extremely pale due to his severe injuries, making him look like a living person.

Behind him, a massive, ferocious black dragon shadow and a blurry human figure blending into the darkness were relentlessly pursuing him. The pure killing intent and malice emanating from them, even through layers of distorted spacetime, still pierced his soul with pain.

Now that things have come to this, Duan Chenguang no longer needs to guess. The traitor within the Dragon Clan is the Timeless Dragon Clan. Although it is hard to imagine that the Timeless Dragon Clan, which has always been on good terms with the Shangxuan Sect, would attack him, this also explains why the traitor chose such a good time.

"I know who the dragon is, but who is the human? Which celestial sect would join forces with the Heavenly Demon?!"

Zheng Huayan's voice was equally solemn. He was surrounded by a layer of cyan-gold light composed of countless fine runes, like pages of a book, with many text-like prompts appearing inside, indicating the directions of all attacks aimed at him nearly ten breaths in advance.

The fundamental great supernatural power of the Miro Heaven, the Book of Calamity Relief—as long as one masters this supernatural power and strictly deduces its application, acting in accordance with all the instructions in the Book of Calamity Relief, the holder will never be forced into a desperate situation, will never be defeated, and at most will only be forced into retreat.

It was this supernatural power that allowed the two of them to barely hold on during this certain death chase.

As Zheng Huayan flew away, he said quickly, "They know our whereabouts like the back of their hand. Every time we try to get away or hide to rest, they can anticipate our movements."

"I don't think this is a coincidence. The Book of Relief also tells me that I can only escape by abandoning you—I don't mean to abandon you, but to make you think about where you slipped up!"

"I think I know!"

Duan Chenguang gritted his teeth: "There are definitely no traitors within the sect, and I was teleported directly from within the sect to the Heavenly Sea Dragon Court. Uncle Zhang definitely didn't reveal any flaws, but I may have indeed exposed some of my aura... which means..."

"That time you talked with An Jing?"

Although Zheng Huayan arrived at the Ancestral Dragon Palace later, Mi Luotian was all-knowing. He immediately reacted, quickly dodging a dragon's breath, his brows furrowed: "How could Heaven's Mandate cooperate with the Heavenly Demon! What nonsense are you spouting!"

But he quickly realized, "Wait, you mean the last person who communicated with An Jing was the Great Chen De King..."

"Da Chen?!"

Duan Chenguang did not reply. At first, he really could not have thought of this possibility. After all, Da Chen did not send anyone this time, and the Prince of De himself returned to Bei Xuan Ji Zhou later. They did not arrange any manpower at all!
But if we have to say, there's only one possibility: the Great Chen Dynasty... The Heavenly Sect, which is on good terms with the Four Seasons Dragon Clan, is indeed the only force that could make the Dragon of Death betray the Upper Profound Sect!
"If that's the case, then I'm definitely going to die this time."

Duan Chenguang let out a long breath, his expression becoming much more composed: "This is probably karma—because one of the highest secret orders of my sect was to find an opportunity to investigate the traitors within the Dragon Clan and eliminate the Blood Sea Demon Sect and the Heavenly Demon's hidden forces in the Zhaolin Realm!"

"Then why didn't you just take action from the beginning?" Zheng Huayan asked with a puzzled look, rapidly activating his supernatural powers to deduce a way out. "Given our suspicions about the Xuanjiao's modus operandi, why did you sit idly by and watch the situation deteriorate to this point?"

“Because… some people within the sect intend to prove that the Four Seasons Dragon God is wrong.” Duan Chenguang sighed: “In order to forge a future ‘Heavenly Court’ that will unify Huai Xu, the Dragon Clan must be completely incorporated—and the recovery of the Ancestral Dragon Scales is the first step.”

"Originally, there was no excuse. The Ancestral Dragon Palace was our most steadfast ally. But since there is unrest within the Dragon Clan, we might as well let them cause great destruction. Then, we, the Upper Mystic Sect, can gain the moral high ground, and after the Ancestral Dragon Palace and the Heavenly Sea Dragon Court suffer heavy losses...we can completely incorporate them!"

"Similarly, the principles of my sect would never lead to something as lenient as condoning the Blood Sea Demon Sect. However... they need to wait for a 'timing opportunity,' waiting for the other side to truly commit an irreparable mistake before striking with lightning speed to turn the tide in the face of extreme danger!"

At this point, Duan Chenguang's tone carried a hint of self-mockery: "But it's too late—who could have imagined that the other Heavenly Sects would tacitly allow it? Who could have imagined that the Blood Sea Demonic Sect's plan would be so insane?"

—It's not that we couldn't have thought of it.

Zheng Huayan was starting to lose his composure. Duan Chenguang's words actually meant that 'the Shangxuan Sect ignored and allowed the Blood Sea Demon Sect to do big things,' yet they were surprised that other Heavenly Sects were also letting it go—what's so surprising about that? Maybe everyone wants to do the same!
"And you?" Noticing Zheng Huayan's tense expression, Duan Chenguang asked in return, "And what's the deal with your Mi Luo Tian?"

Zheng Huayan sighed deeply. He glanced at the bronze lamp burning with purple demonic fire in his hand and said quietly, "The Zhaolin Realm is the most crucial point. Here, the past and the future intersect, and all methods of foreknowledge will fail. I must personally enter the game to see the truth shrouded in mist."

"Our goal has always been simple: to suppress the Heavenly Demon."

At this point, his expression became extremely solemn. After dodging the divine light attacking from behind once again, he said in a deep voice, "Fellow Daoist Duan, I have the worst guess... The Blood Sea Demonic Sect and the traitors of the Dragon Clan may not be aiming to control the Zhaolin Realm."

"They want to awaken a wisp of will slumbering within... the ancestral dragon scales, from the former [Supreme Heavenly Demon - Hundred Demon Lords]!"

Before the words were even finished, both of them were simultaneously shaken to their core.

Because at this very moment, the entire Zhaolin Realm, even the depths of the spatial rift, was pierced by an unparalleled heat and light!

The sun hangs over Tang Valley.

The purplish-blue sun fell from the sky, transforming into a boundless, ever-boiling ocean of light.

This place is 'Tang Valley', the domain of the Sun Ancestral Spirit, Sun Candle, the source of light in this world, and also the extreme point of blazing.

Simply by getting close, the protective aura of the Divine Treasure True Man would sizzle and crackle, as if he were in a furnace that refined all things.

The extraordinary phenomenon was so powerful that all the top experts in the Zhaolin Realm who were qualified to compete for the opportunity to pay homage to the Ancestral Dragon Scale were drawn to it.

Even those who couldn't come saw the pillar of light that pierced through the heavens and earth.

Zhou Jin and Ming Heguang stood on a distant mountain. Holding forbidden land talismans, they were qualified to join the final battle, but clearly, they had no intention of stirring up trouble, as they already had enough problems.

"There are just too many Heavenly Demons and Blood Sea Demonic Sects!"

Behind him lay a sea of ​​blood and the corpses of various corrupted ferocious beasts. Zhou Jin stood on the corpse of a demonized white tiger, groaning and complaining, "Why did you let me in all this time, after all the fighting and killing?"

"In the end, it's absurd enough that Jin Yuantian was rejected by Zhaolin Realm, but it's even more absurd that I have to do such a big thing all by myself!"

"Perhaps it's not just one person."

Ming and Guang were already used to their friend's nagging: "In the end, don't you think it's too fast? Huai Xu is vast and boundless, yet almost all of it is experiencing the Blood Sea Calamity at the same time—I think that among the Blood Sea Demonic Cult, or rather, among the forces that cooperate with them, some are also members of your faction!"

“Jinyuantian is dedicated to fighting the Heavenly Demons, so it’s impossible for them to let Jinyuantian Walkers do this, right?” Zhou Jin was somewhat doubtful, but Ming Heguang thought of all the outrageous things his own Mingjing Sect had done to save the sect, and couldn’t help but sigh and take a sip of wine: “What if cooperating with the Blood Sea Demon Sect is for the purpose of better eradicating the Heavenly Demons, or for some… well, a greater goal?”

"Perhaps in the eyes of others, this is colluding with the Heavenly Demon, but in their own eyes... it is a necessary sacrifice!"

"Here's the question," Zhou Jin shrugged. "Who exactly is it?"

"Who knows?" Ming and Guang were too lazy to guess such things. "Anyway, if you ask me, none of the members of the Heavenly Sect are good people, especially Da Chen. They have let the demonic calamity run rampant more than once or twice, and I don't think they would mind a third time."

That is at this time.

The direction of Yugu.

They saw a flash of sword light.

Om-!
A dazzling, unparalleled sword light streaked across the sky, becoming the only source of light in the world besides the falling purple-blue sun.

It arrived the fastest and most fiercely, its sword aimed directly at the center of Tanggu Guanghai, at the terrifying entity that was being gestated.

However, just before the sword light was about to touch the core, the endless sea of ​​light suddenly surged with a radiant glow. This radiant tide seemed gentle, yet it contained the law of illuminating and overturning everything. With a light sweep, it deflected the sword light, which was enough to harm a True Monarch, and it disappeared into the depths of the void without causing the slightest ripple.

The sword light faded, revealing a figure dressed in white with a refined, scholarly appearance. It was none other than Yue Qingge of the Sword Court.

At this moment, he was no longer the refined gentleman he once was. Holding a seemingly ordinary longsword, his clear eyes burned with pure and intense fighting spirit, transforming him into the most classic pure sword cultivator in the Huai Xu Realm!
His attack failed, but his expression remained unchanged. However, a soaring crimson sword aura suddenly rose from the longsword "Blood Sea of ​​Peace" in his hand. This sword aura was completely different from Yue Qingge's own pure sword intent, filled with violence and ominousness. Like a crimson smoke, it crossed a vast distance and locked onto the figure in the center of Tang Valley.

Sword cultivators have always operated this way. What appears to be a one-on-one battle is actually a two-on-one fight between the sword cultivator and the divine sword. At this moment, Yue Qingge probes the way with a sword and locks in with a single breath; this is the first offensive move.

Immediately afterward, before Yue Qingge could fight again, two streaks of light, one black and one red, arrived at the edge of Tang Valley almost simultaneously.

Mo Kongche, wielding the Heavenly Sword, broke through the spell, his body shimmering with pure light, isolating himself from all the erosion of blood energy and demonic thoughts. Meanwhile, Cang Anqi of the Heavenly Mother Palace kept his eyes closed, keenly sensing the faint yet omnipresent bloody aura throughout the entire Zhaolin Realm.

"What a grand gesture." Mo Kongche frowned deeply. "How many lives must have been slaughtered to stain the laws of this entire grotto-heaven with blood?"

"This is the sustenance for the great calamity," Cang Anqi said calmly, "just like you and me."

Subsequently, Lian Baizheng of the Lianzhen Sect and Yong Zhizhen of the Changsheng Sect also arrived together.

Both of them were surrounded by a surge of blood energy and had long, powerful auras, clearly indicating that they had preserved considerable strength in the previous battle. In particular, Lian Baizheng, also a True Spirit Path cultivator, was like a fish in water in the Zhaolin Realm, and the Blood Sea Spawns he had killed were merely resources to benefit him.

In the far distance, amidst a swirling mass of chaotic clouds, a slender and majestic black dragon silhouette appeared and disappeared.

The little candle dragon from the Great Wilderness Realm looked down.

Sword Court Yue Qingge, Jingming Mokongche, Tianmu Palace Cang Anqi, Lianzhendao Lian Baizheng, Changshengjiao Yongzhizhen, and the mysterious dragon shadow.

Apart from Fa Zichen of Zhaixing Mountain, who has been confirmed dead, there is also Duan Chenguang of Shangxuan Sect who is missing, Zheng Huayan of Miluo Tian, ​​Hui Tianyu of Miaofa Shenzong who has not yet arrived, and finally, An Jing, who nominally represents Dachen. All the Tianzong prodigies who are qualified to compete for opportunities in this final place have arrived.

Although they had different goals, they all understood that they had to deal with their most powerful enemy before them, even before considering their own struggles.

That which was conceived in the sea of ​​light, is the [Sun Ancestral Spirit - Sun Candle]!
"Attack! After slaying this ancestral spirit, we'll have another battle to determine who owns the true talisman!"

Yue Qingge let out a low shout and drew her sword first!

Blood Sea Peace was suddenly drawn, a pure and ultimate sword light, as if it had gathered all the sharpness in the world, slashed towards the center of Tang Valley, as if it wanted to split the entire Zhaolin Realm in two, and pierced straight into the core of Tang Valley!

This is the [breakthrough]!
The other five also launched attacks from different directions at the same time!

Mo Kongche raised his axe-like celestial sword high, followed closely by a magnificent, all-encompassing radiance. Its purpose was not to kill, but to shatter the Sun Candle's domain with supreme purity, clearing the way for subsequent attacks!

This is the opening!
Cang An lightly tapped his fingertip in the air in front of him, and endless vitality surged from his body, transforming into a blood-red light that blotted out the sky and enveloped the entire Tang Valley sky. This radiance merged with the sunlight and began to enlighten the spiritual energy within, turning it into his own power, severing the connection between this place and the outside world, and preventing the ancestral spirit from borrowing the power of the cave heaven!

This is transformation!
Lian Baizheng unleashed a blood-red divine blade. Wherever the blade passed, the life force of all things was forcibly stripped away. His target was not Zhu Zhou's main body, but the boiling sea of ​​light. He wanted to extract all the life force and spiritual energy that made up this domain, to cut off its source!
This is [theft]!
Yongzhizhen held a crystal-clear magic seal, pointing it downwards. An invisible yet incredibly terrifying sealing and suppressing force crashed down, attempting to imprison all of Taiyang Zhuzhou's actions and all his changes in law, rendering him unable to move!

This is the town!
Even the distant dragon shadow of the Great Wilderness Realm let out a long dragon roar, and a transparent dragon breath, whose color and shape could not be seen, crossed time and space and silently merged into the sea of ​​light.

This dragon breath does not harm the physical body or break supernatural powers, but it directly affects existence itself, aiming to reduce or deprive all beings of their lifespan.

This is the [mill]!
Break, open, transform, seize, suppress, grind—the six prodigies joined forces, each strike reaching the Manifestation Saint realm, even extremely powerful. Their might was enough to make ordinary Manifestation Saint True Monarchs change color and have no power to resist!
(End of this chapter)