Chapter 172: Trap, Shaohao

Only when it was nearly dawn did the earth transmit a series of tremors; under countless divine lights, the originally somewhat dim sky became as bright as daytime.

Ao Xing then slightly lowered his raised heart, looked around at his fellow clansmen who had come with him, and said: "Attack!"

Instantly taking the lead, he unleashed the Water Splendor Awakening World Drum; heaven and earth turned into a sea of thunder, and countless thunder snakes spread outward in all directions.

The crowd closely followed, using divine abilities and techniques to begin destroying the surroundings, until a stretch of space was entwined by thunder snakes yet showed no change, at which point they stopped.

Gazing at the portal before him, Ao Xing laughed loudly while making a hand seal; a fearsome Purple Firmament Divine Thunder surged forth from the Water Splendor Awakening World Drum.

Thunder rumbled in the distance, dark clouds followed the use of thunder techniques to fill the entire sky, and hundreds of millions of zhang of lightning fell from the heavens, striking toward the appearing portal.

Although the portal was not blasted open, it kept flickering; seeing this, Ao Xing gripped the drum mallet and heavily struck the Water Splendor Awakening World Drum.

The thunder in the sky was deafeningly loud; the countless spreading thunder snakes grew ever more terrifying, and even a light touch turned the land into a scorched, lifeless expanse.

Ao Xing combined the five vital energies in his chest with the heavenly and earthly thunder qi, matched qi with qi, united his primordial spirit with the heavenly and earthly "Thunder God", joined god with god, and instantly the heavenly and earthly five thunders responded, ready to be commanded.

"Commanding lightning and electricity for my use, uniting qi and spirit, summoning the five thunders."

Ao Xing shouted loudly; instantly the heavenly and earthly five thunders merged with the Purple Firmament Divine Thunder summoned by the Water Splendor Awakening World Drum, forming a thunder dragon that shot straight toward the portal's location.

The entire space rippled like a wave, spreading outward from the portal and intensifying until the portal shattered and vanished, revealing the spatial entrance.

Ao Xing did not enter; instead, he lightly pointed, and a Great Luo Golden Immortal voluntarily flew into it.

However, destroying some spiritual objects does not require everyone to enter; one person suffices, allowing reconnaissance of the path ahead while avoiding the need for retreat support, lest withdrawal become impossible.

Ao Xing, meanwhile, rested outside; the remaining Great Luo Golden Immortals dispersed to guard the surroundings, for the earlier commotion was too great and would surely draw investigators.

They needed to intercept the enemies coming to reinforce, buying time for those destroying supplies, and protecting Ao Xing so he could recover in peace.

As the portal broke open, countless escape lights appeared, rushing toward Ao Xing's location, surprisingly not far away.

Yet Ao Xing had just sat down to meditate when the Great Luo Golden Immortal who had entered the space returned, having taken less than a moment.

"How could you be so swift! The spiritual objects used by beasts and the like must have guardians; even if they are not strong, it is absolutely impossible to accomplish their purpose in such a short time."

Ao Xing was both startled and angry; he had a bad suspicion, yet still held a sliver of hope, wishing that the obstruction was merely due to a strong seal rather than what he suspected.

Unfortunately, what the arriving person said shattered his hope; all that was heard was his flustered voice saying:

"Lord Ao Xing, retreat quickly; inside is a trap—beyond the portal there is nothing, I was hindered by its seal and have only just managed to break free."

Ao Xing gazed at the incessantly flying escape lights from the horizon, especially the leading white escape light, which emitted an austere, lethal metallic aura.

Accompanying the white escape light came a blast of fierce wind that struck the face; even though Ao Xing was a Great Luo Golden Immortal, he still felt his cheeks ache from the wind.

Ao Xing shouted a warning, saying:

"Everyone, gather quickly."

Fortunately, the people were not far apart, and all were Great Luo Golden Immortals, so they assembled in a single breath.

At this moment, Ao Xing looked upon his clansmen before him, already resolved to die, and recognized the escape light as the White Tiger Clan's Innate Divine Sage, Shaohao.

He then said to the crowd: "You are all my clansmen, veterans of a hundred battles; if recorded by clan, you are my elders, and your contributions to the Dragon Clan surpass mine." "I left home in childhood, followed my teacher to study at Cloud Dream Marsh, enjoying the Dragon Clan's fortune, yet I have achieved no merit; now ambushed, the fault lies in my leadership."

"Shaohao is approaching; his fame is widespread, and neither you nor I can match him; if no one delays him, we will likely all fall into his hands."

"As the Team Leader who led you here, I bear the responsibility to ensure your safe return; now flee for your lives, and I will stay to block the enemy."

Everyone's eyes were red, tears welling up, unable to speak through sobs.

"Lord Ao Xing, since you say we are your elders, please hear my words."

"You are still young, yet you have already become a Great Luo Golden Immortal; compared to me, I could be called having lived a wasted life, and your future holds better choices than ours."

"The Dragon Clan would not lack us, merely missing a few ordinary Great Luo; without you, the Dragon Clan would lack a seed capable of entering the Grand Primordial Dao."

"Even if we die, we will merely return to the Dao; you are different—you are more important than we are."

"Also, do not say you have yet to earn merit; even now, the title of Five Thunders True Lord carries great renown in the Primeval Wilderness."

"These are achievements that can be built; you may go, and I will intercept just the same—after all, it is only Shaohao; what do I have to fear?"

Everyone nodded in agreement, wishing to let Ao Xing go first while they stayed to block the enemy.

Yet Ao Xing refused them all; though he knew their words, an unfulfilled future remains ultimately illusory.

Ao Xing said: "You all should still go; Shaohao is strong, and you may find it hard to stop him; moreover, the Great Tribulation has not ended, and the Dragon Clan does not have so much time to wait for my growth."

"If it were another time, I would not act this way; but the present Dragon Clan does not need someone who might enter the Grand Primordial Dao, and rather needs you all more."

"I studied under Cloud Dream Marsh, whose name is famed worldwide; if I remain, there will likely be no discrepancy, for they too are Innate Divine Sages and would not dare disgrace me."

"But you are different; you concern the Dragon Clan's reputation—life and death are trivial, the Clan's dignity is paramount—please leave swiftly."

"Now is not the time for dispute; I am still the Team Leader, orders are as firm as a mountain—go quickly!"

Ao Xing produced a command arrow, firmly demanding that everyone leave; they had no choice but to comply.

After the crowd departed, Ao Xing stood in place, awaiting Shaohao's arrival.

Moments later, the white escape light fell before Ao Xing; the fierce wind surrounding it was so strong that even Ao Xing could hardly withstand it.

Only then did Ao Xing understand the gap between ordinary beings and Innate Divine Sages.

The difference between a Great Luo Golden Immortal and a Luo Heaven Venerable God is even greater than heaven and earth; a mere fluctuation forced Ao Xing to expend spiritual power to resist.

"They have all fled; why do you stay, do you think I will spare your life?"

"Your teacher may be strong, but he is merely a Water God, unable to reach above my head."

Shaohao's voice was icy, his lethal aura blowing in; he actually did not look down on the so-called Five Thunders True Lord, but now he has taken some interest.

At least in his view, this person still has a bit of backbone and can be called a cultivator.

(End of Chapter)