134: Civil strife among the dragon clan, the origin of dragon and phoenix

The battle in Dragon Burial Forest, though swift, saw the fall of a Peak Three-Star Dou Zun Black Dragon Commander, causing a significant stir. Xiao Chen and the two others dared not linger, pushing their speed to the limit, transforming into three blurry streaks of light that rapidly traversed the dim forest. Along the way, they could clearly feel the energy fluctuations emanating from the depths of Ancient Dragon Island growing increasingly violent, with dragon roars and energy explosions echoing one after another. The air was thick with a rich smell of blood and chaotic Dragon Might.

"The rebels' offensive is fierce; Dragon God Palace probably won't last much longer!" Qing Zhi's expression was grave. He was extremely familiar with the terrain of Ancient Dragon Island and led Xiao Chen and Feng Xian past several rebel checkpoints and patrol teams. However, the closer they got to the core area, the tighter the rebel defenses became.

"Ahead is 'Dragon Blood Canyon', one of the essential paths to Dragon God Palace, but the canyon entrance will surely be heavily guarded!" Qing Zhi pointed to a massive canyon ahead, as if cleaved open by a giant axe. The cliff walls on both sides of the canyon were blood-red, emitting a scorching aura and violent Dragon Blood energy.

Xiao Chen's Heavenly Realm Soul Power perception subtly extended, and sure enough, he discovered a considerable rebel force stationed at the canyon entrance. The leader's aura had reached the early Four-Star Dou Zun (A cultivation rank), a Red Dragon Commander clad in crimson dragon-scale armor! Under him were two Three-Star Dou Zun Vice-Generals and dozens of elite Dragon Blood Warriors!

"Forcing our way through will likely lead to being surrounded and waste time," Feng Xian frowned.

Xiao Chen's gaze swept over the steep, crimson cliff walls on both sides of the canyon. His soul perception revealed that the cliff walls were covered in natural Dragon Blood Crystal veins, their energy chaotic and violent, but within them, some subtle spatial fissures seemed to be hidden.

"Perhaps... we can go around," Xiao Chen mused. "The energy in these Dragon Blood Crystal veins is chaotic and can interfere with soul perception. There are some naturally formed spatial folds on the cliff walls. Though dangerous, if we can utilize them, we might be able to pass through the canyon silently."

Qing Zhi heard this, carefully sensed for a moment, then nodded, "Indeed! The cliff walls of Dragon Blood Canyon, due to prolonged immersion in Dragon Blood, have a unique spatial structure with some unstable 'Dragon Blood Spatial Interlayers.' However, the spatial currents within are extremely violent and contain Dragon Blood malevolence, making them exceptionally perilous. An ordinary Dou Zun (Battle Venerable) venturing in would have a nine-in-ten chance of death!"

"No matter, I have some understanding of Power of Space and can give it a try," Xiao Chen said confidently. His Three-Star Dou Zun (A cultivation rank) spatial control, coupled with the precise premonition of his Heavenly Realm Soul, was enough to handle this level of spatial turbulence.

"In that case, we'll risk it!" Feng Xian and Qing Zhi, already confident in Xiao Chen's strength, immediately agreed.

The three of them concealed all their auras, silently climbing the crimson cliff wall like geckos. As they neared the rock face, a scorching, violent energy washed over them, as if they were in a furnace. Xiao Chen's soul power was highly concentrated, and he carefully guided the two, avoiding the energy eruption points, and slipped into an extremely hidden spatial rift that could only accommodate one person at a time.

Inside the rift, it wasn't dark, but a twisted, blood-red space! Violent Dragon Blood energy surged like a raging tide, countless tiny spatial fragments spun like blades, and an eroding Dragon Blood malevolence constantly assaulted their soul defenses!

"Guard your minds! Stay close to me!" Xiao Chen roared softly, his Star Immortal Body operating at its peak. A faint golden star-light membrane enveloped the three, resisting the energy impact and spatial fragments. He made sweeping motions with his hands, using exquisite spatial control to carve out a relatively stable passage in the violent turbulence, moving forward with difficulty.

Feng Xian and Qing Zhi followed closely, pushing their Dou Qi to the limit, gritting their teeth to endure. Especially Feng Xian, whose cultivation was lower, his face was already somewhat pale, but his eyes remained firm.

After traversing the Dragon Blood Spatial Interlayer for about the time it takes an incense stick to burn, a point of light finally appeared ahead.

"The exit is here!" Xiao Chen's spirits lifted, and he accelerated forward!

"Pfft!"

The three passed through a layer of water-like membrane, falling out of a crack on the other side of the cliff face onto a relatively flat crimson rocky ground. Looking back, Dragon Blood Canyon was already behind them.

"We made it!" Feng Xian let out a long breath and took a pill to recuperate.

Qing Zhi looked at Xiao Chen with even greater admiration: "Young friend Xiao's control over Power of Space is truly incredible! Without you, we would never have passed through here safely."

Xiao Chen shook his head slightly, his gaze fixed on the area behind the canyon. There, a majestic, towering palace, built entirely of seven-colored divine jade and exuding endless majesty and ancient aura, was already in sight! Surrounding the palace was a thin, yet seemingly indestructible, golden light barrier. Nine divine dragon phantoms coiled and swam on the light barrier! It was the Dragon Emperor's sleeping quarters—Dragon God Palace!

However, at this moment, Dragon God Palace was under fierce attack! Outside the light barrier, a dense mass of rebels surged like a tide. Various Dragon Clan Dou Techniques and Soul Hall death qi attacks poured down onto the light barrier like a torrential rain, erupting in deafening roars! The light barrier violently fluctuated, and the golden dragon phantoms let out angry roars, but their light had clearly dimmed considerably. Inside the light barrier, some loyal Dragon Clan warriors could vaguely be seen resisting desperately, but they were clearly at a disadvantage.

"The main rebel force is besieging Dragon God Palace! We must get in quickly!" Qing Zhi said anxiously.

"How do we break through this light barrier and the rebel encirclement?" Feng Xian asked.

Xiao Chen's soul perception carefully swept across the battlefield, and he said in a deep voice: "Although the light barrier's energy is strong, after a prolonged attack, there must be a weak point. Although the rebel attacks are fierce, their formation is scattered, not a solid block. We can find its weak point, break through at a single point, and force our way in!"

He pointed to an area in the southeast corner of the light barrier where the energy fluctuations were relatively chaotic: "There! The rebel attack frequency is lower, and the light barrier's energy has also shown a slight stagnation! We'll break through there!"

"Good!" Qing Zhi and Feng Xian nodded.

The three no longer hesitated, adjusting their states to their best, like three arrows released from a bowstring, silently approaching the southeast corner of the Dragon God Palace light barrier from the flank!

"Enemy attack!" There were many strong individuals among the rebels, and they immediately discovered the trio's traces! A small team led by a Three-Star Dou Zun Vice-General immediately split off to intercept!

"Those who block the way, die!" Xiao Chen's eyes turned cold, and his speed increased instead of decreasing! The dark-gold Star Battle Axe phantom instantly condensed, and a "Void Breaking" axe aura, fused with Power of Space, swept out horizontally!

"Screech!"

Where the axe aura passed, space twisted, and the Three-Star Dou Zun Vice-General's defense was torn apart like paper. He and his weapon were split in two! Several Dragon Blood Warriors behind him were also shattered into blood mist by the residual axe aura!

Instant kill! Xiao Chen's ruthlessness and power instantly intimidated the other rebels!

"Charge!" Qing Zhi and Feng Xian seized the opportunity to erupt, with Star Sword Aura and Azure Dragon Claw shadows clearing the way, scattering the rebels blocking their path!

The three, like a sharp knife, fiercely plunged into the rebel formation, instantly reaching the weak point of the light barrier!

"Now! A combined strike!" Xiao Chen roared, injecting the star origin into his battle axe. Qing Zhi and Feng Xian also concentrated all their power at a single point!

"Heaven Opening Axe Intent!"

"Azure Dragon Splitting Sky!"

"Star Piercing Sun!"

Three attacks, embodying the trio's strongest power, fiercely slammed into the light barrier's weak point!

"Boom—!!!"

The light barrier violently vibrated, golden light flashed at the weak point, and a tiny crack appeared! The crack rapidly spread, forming a temporary opening!

"Go!"

The three transformed into streaks of light, instantly rushing into the opening! The moment they entered, the light barrier's opening rapidly closed, blocking the pursuers outside!

They successfully broke into the Dragon God Palace area!

However, before the three could even catch their breath, a terrifying pressure that made their souls tremble suddenly descended from the depths of the divine palace! At the same time, a cold voice filled with killing intent resounded throughout the heavens and earth:

"Qing Zhi? And two human ants? How dare you trespass my Dragon God Palace? You're courting death!"

A hunched figure, shrouded in a black robe, with death qi and Dragon Might intertwined around him, appeared like a ghost above the divine palace square! His aura was so strong that it had reached the Peak Five-Star Dou Zun (A cultivation rank)! He was even slightly stronger than the Two Netherworld Elders of Soul Hall! He was none other than the rebel leader—Third Elder Rebel Leader!

Behind Rebel Leader were two figures with chilling auras, precisely the two Five-Star Dou Zuns from Soul Hall! One of them, Xiao Chen recognized, was one of the Two Netherworld Elders he had encountered in Ghost Crying Ravine!

"Rebel Leader! How dare you collude with Soul Hall and betray His Majesty the Dragon Emperor!" Qing Zhi's eyes were bloodshot, and he roared in anger.

"Betrayal? Heh heh... This old man is doing this for the future of the Dragon Clan!" Rebel Leader chuckled sinisterly. "His Majesty the Dragon Emperor is old and muddled, guarding that useless dragon phoenix origin fruit, yet unwilling to cooperate with my Soul Hall to achieve great things! Today is his death day! As for you all... you'll just be used to consecrate the banner!"

Before his words finished, Rebel Leader's withered hand suddenly shot out, and a gigantic dragon claw, entwined with netherworld death qi, tore through space, grabbing towards Xiao Chen and the two others! This claw's power far surpassed that of the previous Black Dragon Commander, containing the terrifying strength of a Peak Five-Star Dou Zun (A cultivation rank)!

"Be careful!" Qing Zhi's face changed dramatically, and he fully activated his Azure Dragon bloodline, transforming into an Azure Dragon phantom to meet the attack!

"Boom!"

The Azure Dragon phantom and the Netherworld Dragon Claw violently collided! Qing Zhi grunted, flying backward, blood spilling from the corner of his mouth. He was clearly no match!

"An ant trying to shake a tree!" Rebel Leader sneered disdainfully, and the dragon claw's momentum did not diminish, continuing to grab towards Xiao Chen and Feng Xian!

Facing this deadly strike, Xiao Chen's eyes were icy cold to the extreme. His Heavenly Realm Soul Power frantically circulated, and the star origin imprint between his eyebrows violently throbbed! He knew he could no longer hold anything back!

"star origin, burn! Nine Axes of Heaven Opening—Pseudo-Heaven Opening, cleave!"

He roared, activating the power stored in his star origin imprint at all costs! An unprecedented giant axe phantom, seemingly condensed from stars and galaxies, appeared in the sky! Upon the giant axe, the will to create heaven and earth and the eternal artistic conception of stars perfectly fused, carrying the power to destroy heaven and earth, and fiercely cleaved towards the Netherworld Dragon Claw!

This axe strike was the strongest attack he could currently unleash!

"What?!" Rebel Leader felt the terrifying power contained within the axe light, and his face changed for the first time! He dared not be negligent, fully activating his death qi, and the dragon claw's power increased again!

"Rumble—!!!"

The moment the giant axe and the dragon claw collided, the entire Dragon God Palace square seemed to fall silent for an instant! Immediately, an indescribable energy storm swept out! Space shattered inch by inch like a mirror! The rebels and Dragon Clan warriors below were sent sprawling!

"Crack!"

A clear crack appeared on the Netherworld Dragon Claw! The crack rapidly spread, finally collapsing with a roar! Rebel Leader's body shook violently, and he retreated several steps. A muffled groan came from beneath his black robe! He... was actually repelled by a junior Three-Star Dou Zun (A cultivation rank)?!

The entire scene was dead silent! All eyes stared in horror at the green-robed figure standing with an axe in the center of the square!

Xiao Chen's face was ashen, his aura unstable. Forcibly burning his star origin to unleash the Pseudo-Heaven Opening Axe placed an immense burden on him. But his eyes were like burning stars, fixed on Rebel Leader, utterly fearless!

"Brat... you're very good!" Rebel Leader's voice was full of killing intent and a hint of surprise. "It seems the Xiao Clan's legacy is indeed with you! Today, I cannot let you live!"

Just as he was about to strike again, a majestic and weary dragon roar suddenly came from the depths of Dragon God Palace! At the same time, an even more ancient and vast Dragon Might permeated the air!

"Rebel Leader! Your ambition ends here!"

A golden light shot out from the divine palace, transforming into a phantom of a middle-aged man wearing a golden dragon robe, with a majestic face, yet showing a hint of sickly paleness! It was His Majesty the Dragon Emperor's Projection!

With the appearance of His Majesty the Dragon Emperor's Projection, the entire Dragon God Palace's light barrier suddenly brightened, and the nine golden dragon phantoms let out earth-shattering dragon roars, their pressure greatly increasing!

"Old man, you finally decided to come out!" Rebel Leader's eyes were sinister, yet he did not retreat. Instead, he sneered, "However, what can a mere projection do to me? Today, Dragon God Palace will surely fall! The dragon phoenix origin fruit is mine!"

A great battle was on the verge of breaking out! But Xiao Chen's gaze was fixed on the depths of Dragon God Palace. He felt a mysterious fluctuation there that subtly resonated with his bloodline—the dragon phoenix origin fruit!