Chapter 501: Blood of the Dragon: Night of Carnage

The dark night turned as bright as day.

Yet daylight was bathed in blood. A crimson surge streaking into the heavens transformed an ordinary night into a blood-soaked one – a night of dragon clan bloodshed.

Cultivators from both inside and outside the Jin Guang Mansion raced here, each standing hundreds of meters away, watching the scene on Dragon Island. Silence fell over everyone, replaced by bewilderment and shock.

Even the powerhouses from the Pantheon of the Third Prince’s Bizarre Temple and Bizarre Temple remained silent.

The Ninety-Nine-Tiered Myriad Dragon Killing Array!

This was the most renowned killing formation on Dragon Island. Even the supreme beings could be restrained and suppressed by it!

Yet, against all odds, the formation was shattered. Countless members of the Four Seas Dragon Clan bled tonight. The corpses of fallen dragons, like withered leaves, blanketed the cold stone mountain of Dragon Island.

Everyone watched the every-step killing of a dragon, their faces still calm and placid.

How could such slaughter be so gentle…

Is this really the humble woodcarver?

Nan Lihuo and the others were dumbfounded. It was the first time they witnessed Li Che in this form. Master Li was famous in Jingguang City for his renowned kindness and simple nature.

Especially his peers at the Imperial Watch unanimously described Li Che as an honest man.

But…

When an honest man goes berserk, he truly goes mad!

He slaughtered his way forward with a smile on his face – even holding his daughter’s hand. Doesn’t that risk giving her nightmares?

Oh… many recalled that Li Che’s daughter, the new Sect Leader Li Nuǎnxi, was known for wielding mechanized cannons that could effortlessly obliterate even a Divine Calamity Advancement. There was little worry about her.

It can only be said that the Four Seas Dragon Clan had truly met their match in this father-daughter pair.

The onlookers were utterly shaken by the searing, volcanic surge of terrifying energy.

A Martial Immortal – a paragon of the orthodox Celestial Path – roaming unchecked among humans, invincible in his wrath!

In short, in the mortal realm, this father-daughter duo was unbeatable!

On the banks of the Jiulong River.

Inside an opulent carriage.

Su Da, with her coquettish look, half-closed her alluring eyes as she lifted the curtain. She gazed toward Dragon Island stretching across the Jiulong River, observing the unfolding scene.

Though distant, she possessed a level of ability that even the Third Prince could not fathom, effortlessly seeing what transpired on Dragon Island.

She witnessed rivers of blood and fields of dragon corpses.

Naturally… she also saw the stone mountain above slowly transforming into the bloody Xuan Lei Vajra Qiankun Ring!

“What grand ambition from the Four Seas Dragon Clan… They intend to trade the entire clan’s blood to resurrect the Dragon Emperor during this divine tidal return!”

“The Four Seas Dragon Clan… truly betting everything!”

Su Da took a deep breath; a faint white haze seemed to rise in her eyes.

No one knew what was sealed beneath Dragon Island.

Being the Qingqiu Spirit of the Xie Yao Cave, how could she not know?

The Dragon Emperor slumbered across the Nine Heavens and Ten Earths, yet the Lesser Dragon Emperor had been slain by the Third Prince of the Yulian Camp during the previous divine tide, sealed beneath Dragon Island as the Temple Spirit!

Only when the Lesser Dragon Emperor revived could his imperial dragon blood awaken one of the Dragon Emperors on Dragon Island!

The Dragon Emperor… even among the immortal deities, stands among the foremost!

“Such audacity… using the blood of countless dragons from Dragon Island to push the Xuan Lei Vajra Qiankun Ring into a state of divine wrath. In that state, it would trigger the divine weapons within Li Nuǎnxi’s body to awaken, channeling the will of the heavens to summon the Nine Heavens Thunder!”

“The Four Seas Dragon Clan has truly calculated every move!”

“Even a human Martial Immortal could not withstand the Nine Heavens Thunder. It is a calamity forged by the will of heaven – even if a supreme being faced it directly, they would be reduced to dust! Even deities struck down would see their divine flames wavering and their bodies injured!”

Su Da shook her head.

It appeared that the Four Seas Dragon Clan planned to outright annihilate Yulian’s head general.

They aimed to exterminate the Daughter of Yulian to trigger the revival of the Lesser Dragon Emperor!

But how simple could it be to kill the Daughter of Yulian?

Do not be deceived by her current Martial Saint cultivation. If she were to fully embrace Yulian’s power, the transformed Daughter of Yulian would be truly terrifying…

Absolutely dreadful!

Even the forces of the Pantheon, knowing that the Daughter of Yulian was Li Nuǎnxi, were reluctant to use extreme measures against her, understanding the risk of her completely losing control.

Thus, they planned to first sever her wings, eliminating potential Pantheon members of the Yulian Camp before they could resurrect.

Su Da’s eyes sparkled as a bright white aura gathered above her head, forming the image of a white fox.

Inside the carriage, Third Prince Lü Litong stiffened, his heart pounding frantically as he stared in horror at the white fox emerging above Su Da. An overwhelming pressure froze him completely.

He had never imagined that his dear, favored consort, the young Imperial Noble Consort, could be so terrifying!

Where was the grace of a consort? This was a demon consort!

Third Prince Lü Litong held his breath, sweat pouring down as he trembled uncontrollably.

At Han Diao Temple!

Save me!

Su Da seemed to catch the rapid, drum-like pounding of Lü Litong’s heart. With a charming glance, she let out a soft, mocking laugh.

……

……

Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh—

A fierce wind stirred, whipping up a dense, bloody mist.

The colossal stone mountain at the center of the Jiulong River, now dyed a deep crimson, had blood cascading over its rugged surface like tiny streams.

Atop the mountain.

Li Che held XiXi’s hand as his Black Robe billowed in the wind, resembling a droplet of ink dispersing amidst endless blood-red hues.

He lifted his head, his dark, robust hair wildly dancing in the wind, staring at the silver ring above his head gradually suffused with blood. Countless thunders were gathering, as if harboring the power to annihilate deities!

Inside the stone mountain, it looked as though wildfire raged. The searing heat evaporated dragon blood, forming billowing mists that ascended to dye the silver ring and stimulate the Xuan Lei Vajra Qiankun Ring.

At that moment, the divine weapon of the Third Prince—once a myth—seemed on the verge of complete revival, its divine aura bursting forth like a child’s cry shaking the heavens!

“So malicious… now it can no longer be hidden.”

“They treat every dragon on Dragon Island as mere chess pieces, sacrificing them in a desperate gambit to overturn fate…”

“Truly cold-blooded dragons… aren’t reptiles supposed to be cold-blooded?”

Li Che shook his head softly. The gentleness on his face vanished for the first time, replaced by boundless indifference.

“So, you four half-step supreme Dragon Gods… are you also meant to be sacrificial offerings?”

He glared at the four towering figures of the Dragon Gods standing atop the mountain.

Massive bodies clad in dark robes exuded an aura as deep and expansive as the cosmos!

Their eyes burned with determination, coldness, madness, and a desperate will to fight to the death…

“Father…”

XiXi suddenly called out softly.

Li Che turned his head to look at XiXi.

“Father, XiXi feels unwell…”

XiXi clenched her little fist, and her fair skin began to flush red. The divine energy within her surged wildly, rising uncontrollably!

The Purple-Flame Serpent Spear, God-Slamming Brick, and the Yulian Fenghuo Jingguang Wheel in her arms, along with the Yin-Yang Divine Sword coursing through her body, all trembled at that moment, unleashing their divine power!

This divine energy poured out rapidly into every limb, transforming and fortifying XiXi’s body to the utmost extent.

But Li Che’s gaze suddenly tightened!

Something was wrong!

The resonance among the divine weapons hinted at a disastrous reaction!

He glanced up at the Xuan Lei Vajra Qiankun Ring, where intermingled streaks of blood pulsed as if enraged, ready to unleash chaos!

Li Che then looked at the four semi-supreme Dragon Gods.

They wore smug grins as they spread their arms wide in a manic welcome.

“Embrace…”

“Divine Wrath!”

Boom——!!!

A terrifying aura burst forth from the four semi-supreme Dragon Gods. Unformed divine patterns of the Taoist Way swirled as they took a step—the entire stone mountain began to tremble!

In the next instant, they seemed to appear before Li Che in the blink of an eye. Their overwhelming dragon presence descended with earth-shattering roars and thunderous vibrations!

These four half-step supreme Dragon Gods were nearly at the limit of Dragon Island’s capacity!

A surge of potent, scorching dragon blood erupted, as fervent as blazing flames and as thick as molten rock!

Four enormous dragon heads spanned the blood-dyed, bone-white mountain peak. Under the Qiankun Ring, their intense blood energy and mighty dragon presence enveloped the heavens!

Lethal intent abounded!

These four Dragon Gods, fighting for their lives, charged at Li Che!

If Li Che killed them, they in turn would kill him!

Li Che’s eyes turned cold as he quickly noted the abnormal condition in XiXi, sending her to Mo City Fengdu and then pinning the Cosmic Chessboard over her head until her state gradually settled.

After XiXi’s departure, the Xuan Lei Vajra Qiankun Ring trembled even more violently. Its turbulent, dark thunderwaves ripped at the fabric of space!

Even as he battled the four half-step supreme Dragon Gods with his life on the line, Li Che could sense XiXi’s condition in Mo City Fengdu.

Although her state had declined somewhat, she still persisted – the surge of divine energy within her had been largely isolated.

“This is… a prime opportunity…”

Li Che murmured.

But for XiXi, it might bring some pain…

For the overwhelming divine energy from the weapons was refining her body, driving her mortal form to ascend wildly within the Martial Saint realm!

Yet, a stronger body meant good news for XiXi.

It meant she might withstand the impending explosion of the Yulian Curse!

With a flick of his finger,

Two black Chess Pieces erupted, instantly twisting into a form of Spiritual Confinement.

Gu Yinxuan and Gu Changqing appeared one after the other.

Their arrival resonated with Li Che’s intent. In an instant, they understood their task: to keep a close watch on the young master’s condition.

“Rest assured, my lord. I’ve got this,” Gu Changqing declared, slapping his chest.

He had retrieved Li Che’s purified supreme Demon Pill and was now constructing an elixir. With his masterful alchemy, he didn’t even need to watch over the furnace to guard the young master—it was hardly a challenge.

Gu Changqing produced a jade vial and handed it to XiXi.

XiXi opened her eyes, looking at it in puzzlement.

“Young Master, this is a solid pill – a Top-Grade Consolidation Pill. Once ingested, it will ease the pain of corporeal transformation…”

Gu Changqing’s expression was gentle, indulgent, and respectful.

Because as Li Che’s Spiritual Confinement, every disciple cherished the young master deeply.

“Oh!”

XiXi’s eyes lit up. Without hesitation, she bowed to the young master, confirming her proper address as one of her father’s subordinates!

Her father was truly magnificent!

After swallowing the pill, a sweet taste lingered. XiXi couldn’t help but stick out her tongue – the sugar-coated pill was remarkably palatable.

Immediately, under Gu Changqing’s tender gaze, XiXi began to channel the turbulent divine energy within her body to refine her form.

The medicinal effect of the solid pill warmed her body amid the wild transformation of divine energy, leaving no trace of pain. XiXi continued her cultivation, even stifling a yawn.

That sensation of growing stronger even as she dozed…

It felt incredibly comforting.

……

……

Li Che finally withdrew his mind from Mo City Fengdu. Sensing that XiXi had taken in Gu Changqing’s solid pill, he felt a surge of relief.

Truly a master in alchemy – his skills were unparalleled!

Li Che was very satisfied. With a specialist at alchemy by his side, he felt incredibly secure.

Releasing his focus on XiXi, he turned his attention back to the battle.

A lethal coldness flashed in his eyes.

Boom——!!!

A colossal torrent of dragon-shaped blood raged as if tearing the void apart. Dragon claws materialized on every corner of the mountain peak; the beating blood shook the air, rending it into countless fissures that exuded deadly intent. Those monstrous claws pounded ferociously toward Li Che!

The dragon’s roar shattered the heavens!

The overwhelming divine energy surged across Dragon Island’s skies!

Blazing, scorching blood threatened to shake the very foundations of the land!

The four half-step supreme Dragon Gods, their aura so potent it seemed to split the very air, had driven the Qiankun Ring into a state of divine wrath!

Each of the four Dragon Gods boasted a distinct color!

Their divine light fully enclosed Li Che in its grasp!

In the midst of the roaring dragon energy, atop the bleeding mountain peak, a furnace emerged – growing larger and larger like a balloon being inflated!

The golden blood blazed fiercely until it abruptly turned a torrent of purple!

As if infused with an unimaginable doom, the Myriad Transformations of Dragon Elephant Furnace!

The Purple Flame Furnace erupted!

Li Che’s jet-black hair turned purple, flaring like burning violet fire. His entire body resonated with the clash of muscles and bones as he grew in strength, his great dragon-spined back roaring fiercely!

Within his back, vortexes of blood spun upward like a radiant sunrise, exploding in dazzling brilliance!

Boom—

At this moment, Li Che’s clenched fist accompanied the sudden emergence of the furnace. Six Qimen Immortal Seeds spun into activation!

A dazzling conflagration of purple and gold stretched across the mountaintop!

Amid the swirling winds and rising heat, a tempest roared as Li Che’s eyes burned bright. With his Martial Immortal Will ignited, he would not hold back.

No matter what schemes the Four Seas Dragon Clan had,

if death was what they sought, then so be it!

Boom—

Above the heavens, the blood-red divine Qiankun Ring trembled as dark thunder cascaded down like the crushing weight of a deity’s wrath!

The four half-step supreme Dragon Gods immediately felt the oppressive aura emanating from Li Che – a pressure so bone-chilling that they nearly gasped for air!

The mingling of purple and golden calamity fire with blood enveloped them.

Li Che’s brows furrowed as his Mud Pellet burst through flesh and blood, revealing his Star Plucking Gaze as if opening his celestial eye to see all!

Clenching his fist tightly, he launched an overwhelming punch directly at a massive dragon claw that had stretched out like a palace corridor!

The Myriad Transformations of Dragon Elephant Furnace collided with it!

Countless bursts of fire exploded as waves of flame and a demonic purple fire charged forth, with a purple fiery demon elephant roaring mightily!

Above the heavens, it was as if the most brilliant fireworks had burst into life!

Over Dragon Island, a storm of chaos and violence reigned – wild energies clashed in a maelstrom!

The powers of Dao Calamity, dragon presence, blood, and divine energy swirled together like a tempestuous vortex!

The visible air rippled outward in concentric circles, like expanding ripples.

Boom—!!!

At the moment of collision, the massive divine dragon let out a pitiful, sorrowful roar!

The enormous dragon claw, as large as a palace corridor, exploded – its scales shattered, flesh scattered, and blood vaporized into mist!

The semi-supreme Dragon God’s claw was utterly blown apart in that single clash!

Li Che’s body grew robust and imposing as his eyes turned icy cold. Intertwined with purple Dao Calamity fire, it formed a magnificent armor of blazing flames on his skin.

The unparalleled strength of his Martial Immortal Golden Body and the dominating power of his martial flesh were truly revealed in that moment!

Harnessing the martial fortune forged over five thousand years, his human Martial Immortal body surpassed even the dragons in might!

The remaining three frantic half-step supreme Dragon Gods were astounded – the Four Seas Dragon Clan, known for their phenomenal physical strength, were being overrun by a human!

It was simply inconceivable!

With one colossal punch powered by the Myriad Transformations of Dragon Elephant Furnace, Li Che shattered the dragon claw without pause. A torrent of blood surged forth like a breaking dam!

The Martial Immortal energy burst forth without reservation, scattering the blood of the four Dragon Gods. The dominion of their dragon presence vanished – like melting snow under a scorching sun!

Li Che’s outstretched hand, with the power of Qilin Sealing Inscription unleashed, summoned six swirling vortexes of blood along his back – merging might and blood into one!

They coalesced into a form like a Qilin, trampling through the void!

Li Che’s purple hair cascaded like a waterfall, his gaze icily detached. Every inch of his body transformed into a majestic bow as the essence of heaven and earth surged out, bathing him in radiant glory!

Boom—!!!

The semi-supreme Dragon God, whose claw had been shattered, was struck down by Li Che’s massive, Qilin Inscribed palm. With a resounding thud, his head smashed onto the mountain peak of Dragon Island. The entire mountain trembled as numerous dragon caverns burst open, their cracks weaving like spider webs!

The clashing sounds echoed with the faint appearance of Taoist markings of the great Way!

These four ancient dragons nearly reached the Supreme realm, teetering on the brink of disaster and tribulation!

Their combat power was terrifying!

Yet, Li Che was even more fearsome now – as if an invincible immortal with an indomitable mortal body. Every punch he threw was accompanied by the roaring impact of a gigantic purple furnace!

The four ancient dragons trembled in fear as Li Che’s punch, forged in true might, sent a surge of purple copper fire – not a fake display, but the real thing – colliding with interwoven dragon presence, translucent and ever-changing!

Boom—!!

The furnace exploded in an overwhelming burst, unleashing a ferocious power that toppled mountains and rivers!

The void shattered as if a tattered painting were violently flung in a hurricane. An ancient dragon was brutally pounded, hurled into the void, coughing up dragon blood and disintegrating flesh!

The Dao essence and divine markings on its body collapsed…

Li Che’s gaze was icy as he had not even resorted to his Thunder Demon Three-Pronged Twin-Edged Blade. He attacked with his fist, merging the Myriad Transformations of Dragon Elephant Furnace – a technique incorporating 90% primeval fire tribulation – with the six activated Qimen Immortal Seeds to battle the ancient dragon!

He had not even triggered the Immortal Seed, seeking instead a thoroughly exhilarating battle!

That way, he might harvest even greater maturity for his Dragon Elephant Vajra Dao Fruit!

The great battle erupted with an overwhelming aura as the Jiulong River roared, surging thousands of meters high!

Many were left in stunned silence!

Onlookers could only feel stifled and oppressed – even behind the barrier of Dragon Island, it was nearly unbearable to witness such a horrendous battle!

Martial Immortal…

This was what a Martial Immortal looked like!

A mortal body so powerful, surpassing even divine dragons and demons!

Endless dust churned as torrential blood and scorching energy burst forth. Everyone’s eyes widened in disbelief as Li Che, wielding a purple-gold fist, delivered a savage blow that shattered another ancient dragon into a bloody mess. The colossal dragon’s body trembled, shedding scale after scale!

Dragon blood rained down!

It drenched the stone mountain of Dragon Island!

Clad in a flowing Ink Robe, Li Che stood atop the mountain, his purple flames billowing like a cloak behind him.

This spectacle stirred excitement among the warriors of Jin Guang Mansion to the point of tears!

The supreme style of a Martial Immortal – a once-in-a-lifetime sight for them – was simply exhilarating!

Martial Immortal slaughters dragons!

All four half-step supreme Dragon Gods were eradicated!

This battle was enough to shake the heavens!

The Jiulong River roared, and from the depths of the Third Prince’s Bizarre Temple, a weighty gaze was cast.

“Has he ascended into the supreme realm?”

“Not exactly. He hasn’t condensed the Taoist markings or mastered a single technique. He isn’t supreme yet, but… he can battle supremacy on equal footing!”

“The one enduring three disasters and one tribulation – he must possess formidable power!”

……

A powerful expert commented, definitively affirming Li Che’s Martial Immortal strength and his potential to clash with a supreme being wielding a Taoist inscription!

On the banks of the Jiulong River.

Inside the carriage.

Su Da exhaled deeply, her graceful form quivering slightly.

Third Prince Lü Litong was long resigned; his entire body trembled, his eyes filled with disbelief.

“Has he… become supreme?”

“A supreme being who walks among mortals?”

Third Prince Lü Litong trembled, at a loss for words.

Su Da cast him a knowing look, seemingly aware of the conflict between Li Che and his daughter, and let out a soft, mocking laugh.

“Not truly supreme. But a Martial Immortal among humans is no weakling. When one masters the way of Martial Immortals to perfection, battling deities is no mere talk.”

“You’d better wish for good fortune.”

Su Da laughed in a tinkling manner.

Her bewitching eyes lifted toward the heavens.

“But… slaying dragons is truly exhilarating… Yet what of the divine Nine Heavens Thunder under the wrath of the divine weapon?”

“In this state of divine wrath, who can claim the Qiankun Ring? Even Li Nuǎnxi, the Daughter of Yulian, wouldn’t be able to seize it. Perhaps only the revival of the Third Prince’s Temple Spirit can achieve that!”

“What will you do?”

A white fox behind Su Da swayed its tail seductively as its eyes gleamed.

……

……

Boom—

Scorching dragon blood soared high into the sky.

Li Che lifted his head proudly, gazing at the Xuan Lei Vajra Qiankun Ring now ignited with divine wrath.

The divine aura surged uncontrollably, coalescing into a dense, blood-red cloud as countless dark thunderbolts brewed within the ring – like a celestial storm spanning the firmament.

Meanwhile, Li Che’s purple-tinged hair fluttered with burning flame as his fingers hung at his waist, every fiber of his being humming magnificently. He lowered his eyes, silently savoring the scene.

Within his chest, two Dao Fruits raced in a frenzied contest.

One was the Dragon Elephant Vajra Dao Fruit.

The other…

Was the Thunder Magnetic Conduit!

The Dragon Elephant Vajra Dao Fruit, having fiercely clashed with the four half-step supreme ancient dragons in this battle, was now feedback-maturing vigorously.

But then…

Li Che slowly raised his head, his gaze fixed on the terrifying, wrath-induced Nine Heavens Thunder within the Qiankun Ring…

His eyes gradually burst forth with dazzling, expectant brilliance!

“I’ve finally been waiting for you…”