The ancient hall became completely silent.
Dust slowly settled from the shattered entrance.
On one side stood Ye Xuan and Su Lian.
On the other stood more than twenty cultivators from the Blood Moon Sect.
At their center was the crimson-robed woman.
Her beautiful face carried a cold arrogance.
Her cultivation—
Spirit Sea Ninth Layer.
Only one step away from the next great realm.
She looked at Ye Xuan.
"Last chance."
"Give me the inheritance."
Ye Xuan glanced at the silver crystal floating behind him.
Then back at her.
"No."
The woman narrowed her eyes.
"You know who I am?"
"No."
She was stunned.
Several Blood Moon Sect disciples looked at Ye Xuan as if he were an idiot.
The woman laughed coldly.
"
Luo Qinghan.
"
"Core disciple of the Blood Moon Sect."
"Remember that name."
Ye Xuan nodded seriously.
"Sure."
Luo Qinghan raised an eyebrow.
"You're not afraid?"
Ye Xuan smiled.
"Should I be?"
"You should."
Her spiritual pressure suddenly erupted.
BOOM!
The entire hall trembled.
Su Lian immediately stepped in front of Ye Xuan.
"Junior Brother, stay behind me."
Ye Xuan looked at her back.
"Senior Sister."
"Hm?"
"You don't need to protect me."
Su Lian looked over her shoulder.
"She's at the Ninth Layer of Spirit Sea."
"I know."
"You are only at the Seventh Layer of Body Tempering."
"I know."
"Then don't act brave."
Ye Xuan smiled.
"I appreciate the concern."
He gently stepped beside her.
"But..."
His golden eyes flashed.
"I'd like to see how big the difference really is."
Su Lian stared at him.
"You're insane."
"Maybe."
He grinned.
"But I have a good feeling about this."
Luo Qinghan's eyes narrowed.
"Kill them."
The Blood Moon Sect disciples immediately moved.
"YES!"
More than twenty figures rushed forward.
Su Lian drew her sword.
SHING!
Cold sword intent swept across the hall.
Ye Xuan activated his Battle Instinct.
Everything slowed.
He could see every movement.
Every footstep.
Every sword.
Every attack.
His newly fused bloodline began circulating.
Golden-blue energy filled his body.
[Host.]
"Not now."
[The system merely wanted to remind the host—]
"Later."
[Understood.]
Ye Xuan disappeared.
Spatial Step!
He appeared beside the first attacker.
BOOM!
One punch.
The disciple flew backward.
Ye Xuan turned.
Another sword came toward his head.
He tilted his body.
The sword passed beside his face.
He grabbed the attacker's wrist.
"Too slow."
BANG!
The attacker crashed into the floor.
Three more surrounded him.
Ye Xuan smiled.
"Much better."
His fist erupted with golden-blue light.
BOOM!
The three were thrown backward simultaneously.
Su Lian glanced toward him.
Her eyes widened.
His strength increased again?
She couldn't understand it.
Three days ago, Ye Xuan had struggled against a Peak Spirit Sea beast.
Now he was casually fighting Spirit Sea cultivators.
And he was only at Body Tempering Seventh Layer.
What kind of physique does he possess?
Luo Qinghan watched silently.
Her expression became increasingly serious.
"Interesting."
She stepped forward.
"Enough."
The Blood Moon Sect disciples immediately retreated.
Luo Qinghan raised one hand.
A crimson spiritual sword appeared.
The pressure from it was terrifying.
Su Lian's face changed.
"Junior Brother."
"I know."
Ye Xuan looked at the sword.
Spirit Sea Ninth Layer.
This was completely different from the previous opponents.
Luo Qinghan disappeared.
WHOOSH!
Ye Xuan's pupils contracted.
He barely raised his arm.
CLANG!
The crimson sword struck his forearm.
A powerful shockwave exploded.
Ye Xuan was thrown backward.
His feet dragged across the stone floor.
He stopped after nearly twenty meters.
His arm was numb.
He looked at it.
A thin line of blood appeared.
Ye Xuan smiled.
"So this is the Ninth Layer."
Luo Qinghan's eyes narrowed.
"You're still smiling?"
"Why shouldn't I?"
She stared at him.
Then her lips curved upward.
"You're arrogant."
"Thank you."
"That wasn't a compliment."
"I'll take it anyway."
Luo Qinghan suddenly laughed.
"You really are interesting."
She raised her sword.
"Then let's see how long you can keep smiling."
BOOM!
She attacked again.
This time, Ye Xuan didn't retreat.
His Golden Azure Dragon Emperor Bloodline exploded.
A faint dragon phantom appeared behind him.
ROAR!
The pressure forced several Blood Moon Sect disciples backward.
Luo Qinghan's expression changed.
"Dragon bloodline?"
Ye Xuan's fist collided with her sword.
BANG!
The entire hall shook.
He was forced backward.
But he didn't fall.
Luo Qinghan's eyes became serious.
How can a Body Tempering cultivator block me?
Ye Xuan's golden eyes flashed.
"Again."
He used Spatial Step.
His body disappeared.
Luo Qinghan immediately turned.
Too late.
Ye Xuan appeared behind her.
BOOM!
His fist struck her back.
She flew forward.
But before she could stabilize—
Ye Xuan appeared above her.
He brought his fist downward.
BOOM!!!
Luo Qinghan crashed into the ground.
Cracks spread across the ancient floor.
Silence.
Everyone stared.
Ye Xuan landed.
He looked at the crater.
"Did I overdo it?"
A cold laugh came from inside.
"No."
Luo Qinghan slowly stood.
Blood trickled from the corner of her lips.
Her crimson robe was slightly torn.
But her eyes—
Were burning.
"That was fun."
Her spiritual energy exploded.
Spirit Sea Ninth Layer — Full Power.
Su Lian's expression changed.
"Junior Brother!"
Ye Xuan's smile disappeared.
This was serious.
Luo Qinghan raised her sword.
"Blood Moon Sword Art."
The entire hall darkened.
A crimson moon appeared behind her.
The pressure was suffocating.
Ye Xuan clenched his fist.
His blood began boiling.
The Golden Azure Dragon Emperor Bloodline roared.
Then—
Something unexpected happened.
A faint silver light appeared inside his blood.
Ye Xuan froze.
That isn't the Dragon Emperor Bloodline.
The system appeared.
[Warning.]
[Nine-Tailed Moon Fox Bloodline Fragment is reacting.]
Ye Xuan's eyes widened.
"Now?"
[Apparently.]
Silver light spread across his body.
For a brief moment—
A silver fox phantom appeared behind Ye Xuan.
Nine tails slowly unfolded.
Luo Qinghan's pupils contracted.
"What... is that?"
Ye Xuan himself was stunned.
The fox phantom suddenly opened its violet eyes.
BOOM!
A strange spiritual pressure swept across the hall.
Luo Qinghan's sword trembled.
Her crimson moon shattered.
CRACK!
Her expression changed completely.
"Impossible..."
Ye Xuan stared at the silver fox.
Then at his hands.
"What exactly did I obtain?"
[The system recommends discovering that later.]
Ye Xuan sighed.
"You're really terrible at explanations."
[Thank you.]
Luo Qinghan suddenly coughed blood.
The strange silver pressure had disrupted her spiritual energy.
She stared at Ye Xuan.
"That bloodline..."
Her voice became quieter.
"I've never seen anything like it."
Ye Xuan smiled.
"Neither have I."
She looked at the inheritance crystal.
Then back at him.
After a long silence—
She lowered her sword.
"Retreat."
The Blood Moon Sect disciples were stunned.
"Senior Sister?"
"We're leaving."
"But the inheritance—"
Luo Qinghan looked at them coldly.
"Do you want to die?"
Nobody spoke.
She looked at Ye Xuan one last time.
"You've won this time."
Ye Xuan raised an eyebrow.
"That's it?"
She smiled.
"No."
She turned around.
"This is only the beginning."
Then she looked back.
"When we meet again..."
Her eyes carried a strange intensity.
"I'll be stronger."
Ye Xuan smiled.
"I'll be stronger too."
Luo Qinghan nodded.
"Good."
Then she left.
Once the Blood Moon Sect disappeared—
Su Lian finally relaxed.
She looked at Ye Xuan.
"Are you injured?"
"No."
She grabbed his arm.
"Let me see."
Ye Xuan blinked.
"I'm really fine."
"Stop talking."
She examined his arm.
There were no serious injuries.
Only a small cut.
Su Lian sighed with relief.
Then she suddenly realized she was still holding his arm.
She quickly released it.
"You're reckless."
Ye Xuan smiled.
"But you were worried."
"I was worried about a fellow disciple."
"Of course."
Su Lian glared.
"Don't misunderstand."
"I didn't."
She looked away.
Her ears were slightly red.
Little Snow suddenly jumped onto Ye Xuan's shoulder.
"Hungry."
Ye Xuan stared at it.
"We almost died."
"Carrot."
"You only care about food."
"Important."
Su Lian laughed.
"I agree with Little Snow."
Ye Xuan looked at both of them.
"Traitors."
Then—
The silver inheritance crystal floated toward Ye Xuan.
It slowly entered his chest.
[Ding!]
[Nine-Tailed Moon Fox Bloodline Fragment has been absorbed.]
[Bloodline compatibility increased.]
[Current compatibility: 7%.]
Ye Xuan frowned.
"Only seven percent?"
[Correct.]
"How do I increase it?"
[Cultivation.]
Ye Xuan nodded.
"Expected."
Then another notification appeared.
[Special Skill Unlocked.]
Moon Fox Illusion
Effect:
Creates realistic spiritual illusions using the power of the Nine-Tailed Moon Fox Bloodline.
Current Limit:
Low-level illusions.
Ye Xuan smiled.
"Another skill."
[The system reminds the host that the skill is currently weak.]
"I'll make it stronger."
[That's the correct attitude.]
The ancient hall suddenly began shaking.
Su Lian looked around.
"What happened?"
Ye Xuan's expression changed.
The stone statues began collapsing.
The entire ruin was slowly falling apart.
A voice echoed through the hall.
"Inheritance has been claimed."
"The trial is complete."
"The Ancient Bloodline Temple will now close."
Ye Xuan looked at Su Lian.
"Time to leave."
They quickly ran toward the entrance.
Behind them—
The ancient hall collapsed.
BOOM!
The entire ruin disappeared beneath the ground.
Ye Xuan and Su Lian jumped outside.
They landed in the valley.
For several seconds, neither spoke.
Then Little Snow raised its paw.
"Carrot."
Ye Xuan looked at the rabbit.
"After all that..."
He sighed.
"Fine."
He took out a carrot.
Little Snow happily began eating.
Su Lian laughed.
But they didn't have time to rest.
A terrifying roar suddenly echoed from the distant mountains.
ROOOOOAR!!!
Ye Xuan's smile disappeared.
His Golden Azure Dragon Emperor Bloodline reacted instantly.
This roar was different from before.
Much stronger.
Much closer.
And this time—
The system spoke immediately.
[Host.]
"Yes?"
[The system recommends immediate evacuation.]
Ye Xuan's expression became serious.
"How strong?"
A pause.
Then—
[Minimum estimate: Saint Realm.]
Ye Xuan's eyes widened.
"Saint Realm?"
Su Lian looked at him.
"What happened?"
Ye Xuan looked toward the horizon.
The sky was turning dark.
Clouds gathered above the mountains.
Something enormous was rising.
Ye Xuan's voice became low.
"Something very strong is coming."
Then—
A gigantic shadow appeared above the distant mountains.
A creature's head slowly emerged through the clouds.
Its body was covered in dark golden scales.
Its enormous eyes looked across the entire secret realm.
Then—
Those eyes stopped.
Directly on Ye Xuan.
The creature's pupils contracted.
And a voice that only Ye Xuan could hear echoed inside his mind.
"Dragon Emperor's blood..."
Ye Xuan froze.
The creature slowly lowered its head.
"...why does it exist in a human?"
Ye Xuan stared at the enormous beast.
For the first time since arriving in the cultivation world—
He felt truly insignificant.
And somewhere far beyond the Lower Realm...
Something else seemed to notice his existence.
But that was a mystery for another time.
For now—
The beast opened its mouth.
And the entire Azure Ancient Secret Realm trembled.