Chapter 173

"You still have some courage, and as a disciple of the Divine Prayer, though I cannot spare your life, you may receive a proper burial."

Check we didn't add extra: "You still have some courage, and as a disciple of the Divine Prayer, though I cannot spare your life, you may receive a proper burial." That's fine.

"Shaohao said that those who have the courage to face him should always be given some favor."

"If it were an ordinary Dragon Clan person, fallen into the hands of beasts, their corpses would mostly become food in the beasts' bellies; Shaohao granting him a proper burial, in today's circumstances, shows how highly he values him."

"Neither of them ever discussed surrender or taking prisoners; as cultivators, death is death, and one should naturally have integrity."

"Ao Xing activated the Water Splendor Awakening World Drum, while simultaneously forming hand seals and casting the Five Thunder Seal."

"Instantly, dark clouds gathered in the sky, heavenly thunder rolled, and the Water Splendor Awakening World Drum burst forth with pure light, shattering the dark clouds, yet within the clouds it transformed into a thunder dragon that probed ahead."

"Merely revealing a little, one could gauge its enormous size; the heavens' dark clouds could not even cover it."

"Shaohao saw this scene, his brow slightly furrowed, and said: 'With such power, it's no wonder he could earn the title of True Lord; if he were merely an ordinary Great Luo Golden Immortal, he would likely be unable to escape.'"

"Looking at your cultivation period, you could be considered a genius; if left to grow, given time, the Dragon Clan might add another Primordial Dao."

"It's just a pity the timing is wrong; being in the midst of the Great Calamity, there's no chance for you to grow, otherwise perhaps someday we could address each other as Dao companions."

"Shaohao finished speaking, the gale wind surrounding him suddenly expanded; facing the thunder dragon descending from the heavens, the gale wind directly blew it apart."

"Ao Xing's eyes flashed with disbelief; this was one of his strongest techniques, yet he never imagined he couldn't even get close."

"'Is the gap between a Great Luo Golden Immortal and a Luo Heaven Honored God really this great?'"

"Ao Xing now felt somewhat desperate, not because his death was imminent, but because he felt his arduous cultivation was meaningless, while his strongest attack was easily destroyed."

"Shaohao has always been dignified, yet for those about to die he still shows some leniency, especially for a genius he intends to strangle in the cradle with his own hands; he is even more so."

"'The gap between a Great Luo Golden Immortal and a Luo Heaven Honored God is actually not that great; among those with outstanding heavenly talent, there are also those who can rival the Luo Heaven Honored God.'"

"'Like the Vengeful Beast, although he is a Great Luo Golden Immortal, his foundation is solid, he excels in combat, and his fighting power is no different from that of an ordinary Luo Heaven Honored God.'"

"'But that is ultimately a rare genius who has grown up; you are considered a genius, yet you cannot grow.'"

"'Moreover, in the Primordial Wasteland I can also be considered one of the rarest; looking upon the myriad innate deities, I dare say I am among the outstanding.'"

"'Compared to your teacher, my status may not be his equal, but in terms of strength I do not feel inferior to others.'"

"Few people know that Shaohao is also a heavenly god, though he wandered the Primordial Wasteland much earlier."

"Nor is he like the Azure Dragon and Vermilion Bird, who chose to join a great power or co-create a clan with others."

"Shaohao is similar to the Black Tortoise in choosing the same path, founding his own clan; the only difference between them is that the Black Tortoise arrived earlier, landing in Bei Fang, while Shaohao landed in the West."

"Even in terms of racial talent, Shaohao surpasses the Black Tortoise, not only founding the White Tiger Clan but also giving rise to the Tiger Clan as the second-largest among the beasts."

"If the Qilin Clan were to fall, the most likely successor to lead the beast clan would be none other than Shaohao."

"Although Ao Xing was desperate, he did not cease resistance; facing the gale wind about to spread before him, Ao Xing made a sword-finger gesture and pointed at Shaohao, and pure divine light burst forth instantly."

"The divine light collided with the gale wind, instantly transforming the gale wind into an airflow that dispersed in all directions."

"Shaohao was somewhat surprised; he did not expect Ao Xing to actually withstand his gale wind, and although only the first round, it already surpassed most Great Luo Golden Immortals in the Primordial Wasteland."

"The Water Splendor Awakening World Drum exploded, and countless Purple Firmament Divine Thunderbolts again attacked Shaohao."

"Shaohao said nothing, merely raising his hand slightly, and countless Golden Halberd Qi gathered from all directions into his palm."

"These Golden Halberd Qi combined with the gale wind, transforming into countless golden longswords, each flying toward Ao Xing; Ao Xing felt a bit panicked, wanting to dodge, but realized he could not escape—no matter how far he moved, they would always appear before him."

"Ao Xing did not sit idle, but continuously released Purple Firmament Divine Thunder from the Water Splendor Awakening World Drum, attempting to destroy those golden swords."

"Unfortunately, in the end, they still caught up to him and pierced through."

"At this moment Ao Xing's consciousness grew hazy; after the golden swords entered his body, they turned into countless Golden Halberd Qi that wreaked havoc within him."

"From the wound's tendons and bones, it spread through his meridians, scattering his five viscera and six bowels, and proceeded straight toward his dantian, where the Dao fruit resides."

"Ao Xing sensed the danger but could not stop the Golden Halberd Qi's destruction; he could only quietly await death's arrival."

"'You are a courageous person; I will preserve your true spirit, not letting it be destroyed together with the Golden Halberd Qi; as for whether you have a chance at reincarnation, that depends on your fate.'"

"'Out of respect for your teacher, do you have any last words to convey? I will not actively help, but if he should happen to meet you, I can also relay a message or two on your behalf.'"

"Shaohao's dignified voice echoed from within Ao Xing's spirit platform; at this moment Ao Xing's hearing and vocal cords had already been destroyed by the Golden Halberd Qi, and only within the spirit platform could the two communicate easily."

"Although he himself was about to die, Ao Xing still felt fortunate, at least having encountered an opponent who was a gentleman."

"'The Water Splendor Awakening World Drum is my teacher's divine treasure; if there is a chance, I hope you can return it to him, apologize to my teacher on my behalf; disciple Ao Xing ultimately failed to inherit the Cloud Dream Marsh Dao lineage.'"

"Ao Xing's apparition appeared within the spirit platform, albeit faint, yet his form could still be discerned."

"'Certainly, he is a person who knows propriety, understands respecting teachers and valuing the Way; that drum, if we ever have the chance to meet, I will return it.'"

"Shaohao's dignified visage bore a hint of a smile as he said: 'Today I am in a good mood; is there anything else you need to convey, such as words to your clansmen or friends?'"

"Ao Xing saw this, and his tranquil apparition bowed with clasped fists and said:"

"'Thank you for your compassion, honored one; in the Cloud Dream Marsh I have a friend named Bai Ling; if you ever have the chance to meet him, please thank him on my behalf for his years of care.'"

"'Nothing else? Don't you have anything to say to your clansmen?'"

"Shaohao waited a moment, but seeing no further words from Ao Xing, he couldn't help but wonder."

"Ao Xing merely smiled faintly and said: 'Nothing more; I have repaid my clansmen's kindness with my life, and I feel no guilt toward them.'"

"'Xing, since childhood, has followed his teacher to the Cloud Dream Marsh; clan affairs have long been forgotten, his parents are deceased, and he has no close acquaintances, so naturally there is nothing to say.'"

"Shaohao heard these words, looked at Ao Xing with interest for a few moments; after a while, Ao Xing's apparition faded from the spirit platform, and Shaohao's divine sense returned to himself."

"Gazing at the corpse before him, Shaohao murmured: 'He is indeed a remarkable person, alas also an ill-fated one; with such an innocent heart, I will leave him a favorable ending as I see fit.'"

"Shaohao reached out and gently grasped; the Water Splendor Awakening World Drum then automatically emerged from Ao Xing's body."

"Looking at the damaged Water Splendor Awakening World Drum, Shaohao took up the drumstick and struck it casually, but only a dull sound emerged."

"'Divine artifacts losing their luster are truly meaningless.'"

"Turning his head to look at Ao Xing's corpse, Shaohao shouted:"

"'This person shall be given a proper burial!'"

"As he turned and departed, Shaohao faintly transmitted: 'Indeed, sometimes the truth is not important.'"

(End of Chapter)