"The Nine Mysterious Golden Lightning… it has truly been born here!"
Even with Xiao Hua's composure, his breathing involuntarily grew heavier at the sight. For a long while, he could only stare, until a low murmur escaped his lips without his notice—his voice laced with shock and disbelief.
In the heart of the lightning sea lay a colossal golden dragon, its eyes closed in deep slumber. Golden arcs danced ceaselessly across its body, radiating an annihilating power that warped the very fabric of the empty realm around it.
Ten thousand feet away, countless bolts of Black Demon Lightning lingered in reverent stillness, as though worshipping their sovereign.
"Huuu…"
Xiao Hua exhaled softly, his gaze locked upon the Nine Mysterious Golden Lightning. In this deathly silence, that faint sigh seemed thunderous. The sound stirred the Black Demon Lightning—one after another, they surged toward him like a tide of enraged serpents.
Yet before they could draw near, the six Lightning Beasts unfurled their majestic auras. The pythons of black lightning froze mid-charge, their bodies trembling violently. If the Nine Mysterious Golden Lightning was their king, then the six Lightning Beasts—each carrying the will of the Primordial Heavenly Lightning—were gods beyond question.
At once, the Black Demon Lightning scattered in terror, retreating with frantic reverence, like devout believers begging forgiveness for their offense.
Witnessing this scene, Xiao Hua was momentarily stunned before shaking his head with a faint, dry smile. It seemed the status of the Lightning Beasts was far greater than he had imagined.
The golden-hued Lightning Beast stepped forward, closing the distance to the slumbering golden dragon.
As it approached, the golden dragon's eyes trembled open, sensing the presence drawing near. Within those immense draconic pupils, lightning blazed and thunder rumbled, as though the boundless heavens themselves were contained within.
Reverence and obedience flickered in the golden dragon's gaze as it regarded the approaching Lightning Beast.
Roar—!
When the two finally stood face to face, a deep, rumbling roar erupted from the Lightning Beast, its tone carrying the weight of communication.
Once its words fell, the golden dragon's brows furrowed. Its gaze shifted to Xiao Hua standing upon the Lightning Beast's head. In those golden eyes, confusion and unwillingness intertwined.
Roar—!
Sensing its concern, the golden Lightning Beast rumbled again, its voice like rolling thunder across the void.
The golden dragon's eyes widened in shock, its gaze turning inward as if weighed down by deep contemplation. After a brief silence, it seemed to reach a decision and gave a slow, solemn nod.
Throughout this exchange, Xiao Hua remained quiet. He could not comprehend the words exchanged between the two beings, and so could only wait patiently, watching from the sidelines.
Roar!
Without warning, the golden dragon stirred. It raised its majestic head and unleashed a roar that shook the very fabric of space. Countless massive arcs of golden lightning burst forth from its colossal form, dancing wildly across the lightning sea.
Roar!
A second roar followed—this one steeped in a profound and bitter sorrow. The mournful cry rolled through the boundless sea of lightning like a tide of grief, its power causing the surrounding Black Demon Lightning beings to recoil and scatter into the distance in fearful retreat.
Watching this scene, Xiao Hua narrowed his eyes. Through his spiritual perception, he could faintly sense an elusive aura gathering upon the golden dragon's form.
He muttered softly, "The Nine Mysterious Golden Lightning… is attempting to give birth to a spirit!"
Though incomparably fearsome, this Nine Mysterious Golden Lightning had never possessed true intelligence. In other words, it could not yet be considered a spirit.
This so-called spiritual gathering was the very process of birthing wisdom—a transformation that, if completed, would elevate it to an existence akin to the Purifying Demonic Lotus Flame that remained sealed away. It would become a heavenly treasure with a mind of its own… the first Nine Mysterious Golden Lightning to awaken as a true spirit!
Naturally, Xiao Hua's heart stirred with desire. Though he did not know the exact words exchanged between the golden dragon and the golden-coloured Lightning Beast, he could sense that he would profit greatly from their accord.
And that profit… would certainly be a thread of the Nine Mysterious Golden Lightning's own energy!
Even with his steady heart, Xiao Hua felt his pulse quicken as visions of such a gain surged through his mind.
While the Nine Mysterious Golden Lightning let out its mournful roar, the surrounding Black Demon Lightning scattered into the distance. At this moment, they had no mind to pursue Xiao Hua.
Instead, they lingered ten thousand feet away, instinctively aware—despite their lack of intelligence—that the Nine Mysterious Golden Lightning was undergoing an extremely critical ordeal.
Crackle!
A golden bolt, nearly one-fifth the size of the Nine Mysterious Golden Lightning itself, suddenly burst forth upon its surface. Arcs of golden lightning, brimming with annihilating power, writhed violently.
Even a being as fearsome as the Nine Mysterious Golden Lightning trembled under such retaliation. Yet, within the dragon's previously cold and lifeless eyes, a faint trace of spirituality began to emerge—like a spark within eternal frost—granting it a hint of vitality that dispelled its earlier statue-like stillness.
However, the moment that trace of spirituality appeared, the retaliatory force within its body grew even more frenzied.
Thunderous detonations erupted from within the golden dragon, each blast sending numbing waves down Xiao Hua's spine. Against such wild and violent destruction, the fragile spark of spirituality within its eyes began to flicker and scatter.
At this critical juncture, the golden-coloured Lightning Beast stepped forward. With a deep, guttural roar that shook the very void, it unleashed countless streams of majestic golden light from its maw. Each beam shot directly into the Nine Mysterious Golden Lightning's body.
Upon contact, the savage detonations within the golden dragon's form began to subside. From his sharp perception, Xiao Hua discerned that this golden light was not only mending the golden dragon's battered form but also absorbing the rampaging retaliatory force within it.
With the retaliatory force suppressed, the Nine Mysterious Golden Lightning's radiant golden body shone even more brilliantly. The intelligence within its eyes grew sharper and denser with each passing breath.
Rumble—!
Suddenly, the golden dragon opened its maw, releasing a blinding stream of golden lightning that shot toward Xiao Hua at astonishing speed.
Startled for an instant, Xiao Hua quickly regained his composure. He lifted his hand, and six flames instantly coiled upward, wrapping around his palm before receiving the incoming strike.
Opening his hand, he gazed at the golden lightning glow, which had formed into a miniature lightning dragon. The six flames flared and wove themselves into a massive fiery net, tightly restraining the struggling dragon of lightning.
This was pure essence drawn from the Nine Mysterious Golden Lightning itself—its destructive might far exceeded Xiao Hua's expectations. Though confident in the resilience of his body, he could not help but worry whether it would withstand such terrifying power without bursting apart.
'I can only hope the Heavenly Judgement Lightning will let me endure this…' He sighed inwardly. Though he trusted it would absorb most of the force, his body was certain to suffer agonizing torment in the process.
Thinking of the inevitable pain, Xiao Hua's mood sank, and a faint heaviness settled over his posture.
Roar.
The golden lightning dragon bellowed, its voice filled with unwillingness and grievance. It longed to struggle and break free, yet instinctively sensed the presence of Heavenly Lightning within the six flames. That primal fear bound its will, leaving it no choice but to accept its fate.
Without further ceremony, Xiao Hua tossed the bound lightning dragon toward one of the Lightning Beasts, allowing it to swallow and store the creature within its body. He dared not place it inside the Mysterious Heaven Ring—should it rampage, the consequences would be far too dangerous.
Only after the task was done did Xiao Hua exhale in relief. Turning around, he found himself facing a golden dragon over a thousand feet long, its immense eyes fixed upon him. A faint ripple of surprise passed through his heart as his spiritual sense confirmed its current strength—it had already reached the peak of Dou Zun realm.
"Congratulations on successfully gaining intelligence," Xiao Hua said with a faint smile, cupping his hands.
The golden dragon gave a solemn nod, then turned toward the golden-hued Lightning Beast, lowering its head in deep gratitude and reverence. One by one, it offered the same gesture to each of the other Lightning Beasts.
The six Lightning Beasts responded with faint nods before turning away, their massive forms gliding across the lightning pool. They began devouring the surrounding lightning energy, though with restraint—absorbing no more than a little over twenty percent, leaving the remainder to maintain the pool's balance.
"They're treating this place as if it were their own…" Xiao Hua murmured, shaking his head with a faint smile. He glanced at the golden dragon, gauging whether their action had caused any offense.
From the look of it, the golden dragon did not mind in the slightest. Instead, it continued to fix its gaze upon him, its eyes brimming with an almost childlike curiosity.
Before long, the six Lightning Beasts had devoured their fill of the lightning energy within the pool. Satiated, they returned to Xiao Hua's body, sinking into deep slumber within his spiritual sea.
Xiao Hua gave a small nod and turned away. His figure transformed into a streak of light, shooting out of the lightning pool.
Behind him, the eyes of the Nine Mysterious Golden Dragon followed his departing silhouette. At this moment, it was like a newborn beast—its first memories firmly etched with the image of the man who had witnessed its birth. It would remember him for the rest of its life.
…
In the vast emptiness of the realm, a bright light shot forth from the lightning pool, flashing several times before emerging completely. The figure within turned back, scanning the depths behind him. Only after confirming that nothing unusual had occurred did he quietly exhale in relief.
This figure was none other than Xiao Hua. The process of obtaining the Nine Mysterious Golden Lightning's strength had gone far more smoothly than expected, and now, with the lightning pool behind him, the burden on his heart finally eased.
Joy flickered in his eyes—he had not only replenished the six Lightning Beasts to the point where they could freely unleash their abilities but had also gained an unexpected fortune.
He had never imagined that the Nine Mysterious Golden Lightning would already be within the pool. That alone was enough to make this trip far more rewarding than he had dared to hope.
'Now, I can begin the final trial—one that will push me to the peak of the Dou Sheng realm and allow my soul to finally step into the Di State…' A faint smile rose in Xiao Hua's heart, excitement and amusement surging deep within him.
Chi!
A sharp wind-tearing sound suddenly echoed from afar, breaking through the stillness just as Xiao Hua was savoring the joy of his gains. At the same time, a clear voice rang out, "Little brother Xiao Hua, are you alright?"
Hearing this familiar voice, Xiao Hua's excitement faded, replaced by a calm and composed expression.
"Hah, I finally found you. Fortunately, your body carries the dragon seal placed by the great Dragon Emperor. Without it, tracking you down would have been far from easy…" Hei Qing sighed in relief when he confirmed that Xiao Hua was safe and unharmed.
"Dragon Seal? So Zi Yan placed one on me while I was unconscious…" Xiao Hua raised his brows and let out a helpless smile.
"Ke ke. The Dragon Emperor is merely concerned for you. You've always pushed yourself too far." Hei Qing chuckled heartily.
"Besides, your enemies are terrifyingly powerful. Naturally, she would take precautions to ensure your status," he added, his tone tinged with admiration.
After all, he still remembered clearly the time when they had fought alongside Ming Cheng, Li Mei, Little Fairy Doctor, and Saint Tian Huo against the experts of the Hall of Souls.
That desperate battle had reached its bleakest point when the First Tianzun appeared—only for them to learn that Xiao Hua had already slain him before retreating. Even more unbelievable was how Xiao Hua had survived the devastating strike from the Hall of Souls' chief.
And all of this… while still at the Dou Zong level. It was no wonder Hei Qing could not help but feel deep respect and admiration for this young man.
Xiao Hua shook his head, letting the matter drop. He understood that Zi Yan's actions carried no malice, and naturally, he would not take offense.
He was merely surprised that she had placed the dragon seal on him despite them already possessing the communication jades—artifacts that allowed them to instantly check on each other's status and speak across any distance.
"Regardless, I have already accomplished what I came here for. We can leave now," Xiao Hua said with a faint smile.
"Thank the heavens. I was about to go mad from staying in this place…" Hei Qing rejoiced upon hearing Xiao Hua's words. The longer he lingered here, the more the hair on his scalp seemed to stand on end.
He had entered the lightning pool solely to find Xiao Hua, and now that his task was complete, relief washed over him. In truth, he wished never to set foot in this dreadful place again.
Without wasting time, Hei Qing shot forward, with Xiao Hua following at a leisurely pace. From the way Hei Qing rushed to escape, it was clear he was truly unsettled by this place—a fact that brought a hint of quiet amusement to Xiao Hua's heart.
…
Upon returning to the Eastern Dragon Island, Xiao Hua immediately noticed that the atmosphere had shifted. The air carried a heavy undercurrent, and he could sense many more hidden auras scattered across the island.
This discovery brought him a measure of relief—Zi Yan would not be in danger anytime soon.
Naturally, he understood the source of these powerful presences. They were likely Elders of the Ancient Void Dragon Tribe who had been cultivating in seclusion within the empty realm. Now that the Dragon Emperor had reappeared, even those who had distanced themselves due to the tribe's internal divisions had returned to the Eastern Dragon Island.
The Eastern Dragon Island had long been ranked the weakest among the Four Dragon Islands. From this alone, one could imagine just how terrifyingly powerful the so-called Three Great Dragon Kings truly were.
Although they carried royal blood, their bloodline was neither as pure nor as profound as Zi Yan's. With the vast and unrestrained ambitions harbored by the Three Great Dragon Kings, it was certain they would never willingly allow Zi Yan to complete the unification of the tribe.
If such a thing came to pass, their positions would inevitably diminish. A single ruler would once again stand above them, able to dictate their every move. Having grown accustomed to wielding authority themselves, the Three Great Dragon Kings would find this prospect intolerable.
"You finally return, you brat. Do you even know how to send a message or two?"
Mei Ling, Wei Jie, and the Little Fairy Doctor appeared before Xiao Hua and Hei Qing not long after they stepped onto the Eastern Dragon Island. Mei Ling sighed as she spoke, yet the faint smile on her face betrayed her relief that nothing untoward had happened to him.
"Ke ke. I simply thought there was no need—nothing was going to happen to me. After all, I wasn't planning on initiating that so soon," Xiao Hua said with a soft chuckle and faint smile.
"We simply worry that you might be rushing things, that's all…" Wei Jie chuckled softly, speaking with a faint smile.
Xiao Hua returned the smile and nodded before turning to the Little Fairy Doctor. "Sorry for making you worry, Xian'er."
"Though I can't deny that I agree with Elder Sister Mei Ling's words, I'm simply glad you're safe," the Little Fairy Doctor replied with a warm smile, shaking her head.
Xiao Hua stepped forward, wrapping his arms around her slender, delicate waist. He placed a gentle peck upon her head, causing a deep blush to spread across her cheeks—yet she made no attempt to resist.
The soft fragrance of spring flowers drifted into his senses, and he allowed himself to savor the moment, a joyous smile playing on his lips as time seemed to slow.
"Ke ke. It seems little friend Xiao Hua has a habit of making others worry for him."
A few minutes later, Elder Zhu Li appeared before him, smiling as he spoke.
"It's simply because of my past…"
Xiao Hua let out a dry laugh, helplessness rising in his heart. He could hardly fault Mei Ling and the others for their concern. After all, they had witnessed firsthand the trials he had endured, and it was only natural for them to fear he might attempt the final trial the instant he obtained the lightning strength of the Nine Mysterious Golden Lightning.
After speaking, Xiao Hua's gaze swept over the two white-robed elders standing behind Elder Zhu Li. They were unfamiliar faces to him, yet the depth of their auras made it clear—they were both peak Dou Zuns.
"Ke ke, these two are Elders of my Ancient Dragon Tribe," Elder Zhu Li explained with a smile, catching the curiosity in Xiao Hua's eyes. "They have been training in the void all this time and have only just returned."
"Greetings to both Elders," Xiao Hua said with a polite smile, cupping his fists toward them.
The two Elders returned his courtesy with equal respect. Elder Zhu Li had already informed them of Xiao Hua's connection to the great Dragon Emperor, and naturally, they would not dare to slight him.
"Elder Zhu Li, has Zi Yan still not emerged from her retreat?" Xiao Hua asked after a moment's thought.
"Unfortunately, not yet. As Lady Mei Ling has mentioned, the great Dragon Emperor's retreat this time will require a long period. Even I cannot say for certain when she will emerge…" Elder Zhu Li replied with a faint frown.
Xiao Hua gave a quiet nod. "In that case, I cannot remain here much longer. I have already been away for too long—I still need to make an appearance at the Moonlit Chaos Mansion."
"Oh? So what Master Wei Jie said was true… You still haven't shown your face at the Moonlit Chaos Mansion?" Elder Zhu Li's eyes twitched slightly upon hearing this.
After his own inquiries, Elder Zhu Li had learned that the Moonlit Chaos Mansion had risen to become one of the great powers of the Central Plains, rivaling the long-established forces. Yet, to his astonishment, the Mansion Master had never once appeared before the disciples or elders.
Many had been shocked—some even thinking the Mansion Master careless or irresponsible. But once they learned of Xiao Hua's true capabilities, none dared to speak such words aloud again.
"Ahem… some circumstances arose, so I wasn't able to appear…" Xiao Hua coughed lightly, a trace of awkwardness and embarrassment flickering across his face.
Seeing his expression, the Little Fairy Doctor let out a soft, amused chuckle, Wei Jie could only shake his head with a wry smile, and Mei Ling released a long, weary sigh.
"At the very least, he knows to feel guilty about it…" Mei Ling muttered.
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