Chapter 163: Mud Dragon Pool

With a single thought from Ye Jiuyao, an infinite and majestic surge of primordial energy poured into the decree, its terrifying suppressive force pinning the Heavenly Demonic Fire motionless.

Yet, this was far from over.

"Demonic-Sealing Decree, appear!"

Ye Jiuyao formed hand seals rapidly, and within the span of a breath, a sealing mantra manifested, radiating a brilliant, overwhelming might as it dispersed outward.

"Hiss, hiss!"

The Heavenly Demonic Fire emitted scorching waves of heat, its crackling sound causing the surrounding space of heaven and earth to freeze solid.

"Seal!"

Ye Jiuyao pressed a finger downward, and instantly, a frost-bound realm spread across ten thousand miles.

However, something seemed on the verge of erupting from beneath.

"Hum!"

A resonant hum echoed, transforming the terrifying force into a power of breaking seals, surging straight toward the decree that bound the Heavenly Demonic Fire.

"Th... The third Heavenly Demonic Fire?!"

A smile bloomed on Ye Jiuyao's face. This Heavenly Demonic Fire truly existed, and it was a presence of terrifying magnitude.

It directly devoured the dreadful Heavenly Demonic Fire, letting out a cheerful laugh, and in an instant, it arrived right before Ye Jiuyao.

"Seal..."

However, before Ye Jiuyao could finish, the Heavenly Demonic Fire instantly transformed into a little child, affectionately rubbing against him without a trace of scorching heat; instead, it felt rather chillingly refreshing.

"What... what kind of trick is this?!"

Ye Jiuyao was instantly dumbfounded.

Yet it wasn't just him; even Xing Yanyu was somewhat bewildered, unable to understand how the previously overbearing and invincible entity could have turned into this state.

Hesitantly, Ye Jiuyao reached out his hand.

The Heavenly Demonic Fire fluttered onto his palm, leaping about joyfully as if it had finally found its kin.

"Da... Daddy..."

Ye Jiuyao: "............"

Why on earth would a tiny little flame insist on calling him daddy?

Anyone unaware of the situation would think he had done something outrageous.

"There, there, be a good child."

Yet, Ye Jiuyao dared not ignore it.

After all, this creature possessed unfathomable and ruthless power; who knew if its bloodlust might suddenly flare up in the next moment? Thus, Ye Jiuyao had no choice but to acknowledge it.

"Young Master, tuck it into the Canglang Scroll. I'll help you take care of it for a while. After all, the third Heavenly Demonic Fire is extraordinary. Perhaps... the new era has arrived."

An aged voice echoed in Ye Jiuyao's mind. Nodding, Ye Jiuyao retrieved the Heavenly Demonic Fire from his palm and stowed it within the Canglang Scroll.

A moment later, a sudden storm erupted.

"The Gluttonous Sleep Mantra... has broken through?!"

A booming resonance reverberated within Ye Jiuyao's body, successfully elevating his physical vessel to the realm of the Sage Monarch in a single instant.

Yet, his cultivation of primordial energy remained entirely stagnant, showing no signs of movement whatsoever.

Ye Jiuyao let out a sigh, knowing full well that one should not be too greedy.

With that thought, Ye Jiuyao let the matter drop.

"Let's go, let's go take a look."

Ye Jiuyao said to Xing Yanyu.

At that moment, Xing Yanyu sensed that Ye Jiuyao's aura had grown even more unfathomable and mysterious, so she nodded in agreement.

...

A short while later.

Suddenly, a strange location appeared before the two of them.

"Mud Dragon Pool?!"

Ye Jiuyao pushed aside the overgrown weeds and wildflowers concealing a stone tablet, reading the inscription aloud.

Before Ye Jiuyao and Xing Yanyu lay a bottomless pool of water, yet it bore not the slightest resemblance to anything deserving of the word "mud."

Nevertheless, Ye Jiuyao's eyes darted up and down, scrutinizing the depths of the pool, because he sensed an aura within it that made him feel deeply wary.

"Grand Uncle-Master, is there something inside this place?!"

Xing Yanyu asked, observing Ye Jiuyao's solemn expression.

"Haha... nothing, nothing at all. Let's be on our way."

Naturally, Ye Jiuyao couldn't tell her the truth. As long as he refrained from disturbing whatever lay within, whatever resided inside presumably wouldn't dare to make a move against him either.

With that, the two of them turned to leave.

Suddenly, however, a strange sound rang out.

"Gurgle, gurgle... gurgle, gurgle... gurgle, gurgle..."

"Keep up!"

Ye Jiuyao's expression turned extremely grim as he muttered in a low voice to Xing Yanyu.

At that moment, Xing Yanyu also understood that his earlier dismissal had merely been a fabricated lie meant to avoid alarming the entity within.

The speed of the two figures reached an absolute peak, moving like a pair of lightning bolts.

In an instant, they prepared to dash across the distance.

However, from deep within the muddy pool, the sound of churning water suddenly burst forth.

"Splash!"

Accompanied by a sound akin to towering waves crashing, a colossal head rose from the pool, carrying immense billows of water. The terrifying force startled both Ye Jiuyao and Xing Yanyu into a state of shock.

"Hisss!"

A sound resembling the breath of a giant water snake echoed. Without looking back, Ye Jiuyao bolted forward at top speed. He originally intended to tear through space, only to discover that spatial manipulation was restricted here.

An oppressive and terrifying pressure descended. While Ye Jiuyao was still able to run, Xing Yanyu found herself in a miserable plight, utterly unable to move a single inch.

"Grand Uncle-Master, save me..."

At that moment, the proud pride of the starry clan retained not a shred of her former arrogance. Her face was deathly pale, her mind dazed, and she cried out repeatedly.

With a sigh, Ye Jiuyao whipped around and dashed back at full speed.

Abandoning someone to die was something he simply could not do.

Thus, a long sword materialized in his hand. Mountains and rivers roared, rivers surged, and primordial energy crashed forth like rolling thunder.

"What manner of creature dares to dwell here?!"

The entity within the pool pried open its eyes—a pair of copper-bellied orbs suddenly swung wide, staring directly at the two of them.

"It has been so long since humans last came here. The starry clan seems to have forgotten me, but the two of you... have terrible luck!"

Ye Jiuyao narrowed his eyes. The entity within the mud pool possessed cultivation no higher than the Saint realm—comparable to the strength of someone like Xing Hui—yet it emanated an aura of acute danger.

"How long has Senior lived? What deep, irreconcilable hatred do you bear toward the starry clan?!"

"How long have I lived? Long enough that the ancestor of the starry clan was of the very same age as I. Yet, trapped here year after year, my strength has long since waned from its peak... however..."

"Dealing with the likes of you is more than enough!"

Without waiting for Ye Jiuyao to reply, the entity within the pool manipulated the water, launching a fierce assault toward the pair.

"Soul-Severing!"

"Heaven-Shattering Ruler!"

Dividing his focus, Ye Jiuyao brandished his sword with his right hand while condensing the [Heaven-Shattering Ruler] with his left. The two formidable forces erupted in unison!

"Ants! You court death!"

The creature within the pool let out a furious roar at Ye Jiuyao. The water surged with even greater violence, unleashing a terrifying wave of power in an instant.

"Boom!"

"Boom!"

"Boom!"

The two colliding forces generated a horrifying gale of wind that swept in all directions, kicking up a violent storm.

"You are... a snake?!"

The tempest scattered the water, finally revealing the true form of the entity within the pool, prompting an exclamation of surprise from Ye Jiuyao.

"Ant! I am a dragon!!!"

Seemingly provoked beyond endurance by Ye Jiuyao's misidentification, the dragon prepared an even more terrifying attack.

The River and Mountain Sword in Ye Jiuyao's hand emitted a joyful, humming resonance. Gazing at the swordsman before her, Xing Yanyu's eyes filled with a resolute determination.

"He is not what I thought... he is someone willing to shoulder responsibility!"

"I... I cannot let him get hurt because of me."

Overcoming her inner terror, Xing Yanyu was infected by Ye Jiuyao's spirit. A look of resolute confidence bloomed on her face as she stepped forward, swiftly arriving by his side.

"I will fight side by side with you!"

Xing Yanyu declared, looking straight at Ye Jiuyao.

Though slightly taken aback, Ye Jiuyao nodded in agreement.

Side by side, their eyes locked fixedly upon the creature that called itself a dragon.