Chapter 452: Full Alert

The Heavenly Gang Dragon-Spirit Gathering Formation is a formation that gathers the dragon qi and spirit qi from around Linghai into the Linghai Dragon Palace's formation; this is what benefits the Linghai Dragon Palace.

But now, someone has set up the formation in reverse, intending to let all of Linghai's dragon qi and spirit qi leak out.

And this news exactly confirms my suspicion.

I looked at Liu Junyan's figure stubbornly guarding the 'Heavenly Gate' amidst flashes of lightning and thunder, my steps somewhat unsteady.

Xiaoye asked, "Younger sister-in-law, Su Su sent me to ask you: do you really not need to do anything? She said that if we forcibly seal these formations, she has seventy percent confidence, but any longer and it might be too late."

At this moment, I dared not make a hasty decision.

Liu Junyan did not kill the White Dragon's eighth po; instead, she let the Copper Coin Person and the White Dragon's eighth po enter the 'Heavenly Gate' together, and the two eighth po are now competing for the dragon qi condensed by the Nine Dragon Coronation.

When the 'Heavenly Gate' opens again, who emerges first is of utmost importance.

And I must make a decision before the 'Heavenly Gate' opens.

This formation is meant to drain all of Linghai's dragon qi; if we destroy the formation and forcibly retain the dragon qi, what should we do next?

To seal the dragon qi back into Longling once more.

And part of this dragon qi was originally released from Longling.

Between this release and retrieval, the White Dragon's eighth po was drawn out.

Is this Liu Junyan's ultimate goal?

No, obviously not.

Because he just didn't make a move.

So, Liu Junyan might not know the exact details of this formation, but he knows that after Ji Lan successfully steals all the dragon qi, he must disperse the dragon qi from Linghai and then concentrate it toward the Zàng Qū.

Then where exactly should it be dispersed to?

These eight directions can cover all regions of the Flowery Country……all regions?

My heart gave a sudden jolt, and tears instantly blurred my vision.

Xiaoye and Hu Yulin were both confused by my reaction.

Hu Yulin anxiously said, "Xiao Jiu, don't cry; I'm just asking for your opinion, no one is forcing you to decide."

Xiaoye also nodded immediately.

I shook my head: "No, I just thought of a possibility, feeling a bit sorrowful; the final decision must be made by me."

I turned my face away, wiped my eyes with my sleeve, and tried to calm my emotions.

Liu Junyan once evaluated the Empty Silence Abbott as a person of deep scheming.

He said, "Sincerity is the ultimate killer move."

In the Empty Silence Abbott's 'sincerity,' there is a true statement: he told Liu Junyan that he is destined to have at least ten years of 'wandering the world.'

And he told Liu Junyan that the timing is uncertain; when that moment arrives, he will naturally know.

During the past few months, at every critical juncture, I would ask Liu Junyan, 'Has that moment arrived?'

Each time, it was not.

But this time, even without asking, I know it……has come.

I adjusted my emotions, and when I looked at Xiaoye again, my eyes were clear and resolute.

I asked, "Xiaoye, if this dragon qi disperses, are you afraid?"

Xiaoye's body stiffened suddenly.

He obviously never expected me to ask that.

Their branch is not the true Dragon King main line; with the dragon qi present, they can still maintain the overall situation and dignity of the Linghai Dragon Palace.

If the dragon qi disperses… speaking seriously, the Linghai Dragon Palace will surely fall into great chaos.

The struggle for the Dragon King's throne among the Linghai Dragon Clan will officially begin.

As the leader of the original Dragon Clan main line, Xiaoye's branch will bear the brunt!

They will face a combined attack from all the branch lines.

Whether to hold the original position or step forward into a step full of unknowns and challenges, at this critical juncture, this decision is extremely difficult to make.

This question actually should have been asked of the Linghai Dragon King.

But the Linghai Dragon King's entire spirit rests on Xiaoye and Liu Junyan.

Liu Junyan cannot remain in the Linghai Dragon Clan; the burden of the Linghai Dragon Clan has always rested on Xiaoye's shoulders.

So, this decision still requires Xiaoye to muster the courage to make it.

Liu Junyan and Xiaoye share few secrets between them as brothers, so when I asked this, Xiaoye understood after a brief thought.

"Not afraid!" Xiaoye declared firmly, "If Ah Yan dares to take this step, we have no reason to hold him back; moreover, I don't think we will lose—this might even be an opportunity for us to consolidate our position and truly grasp power."

Yes.

The White Dragon is dead, its eighth po has been exterminated, and its dragon qi has been completely dispersed, which means the former hegemon of Linghai has fallen.

Linghai will be completely without a master.

The new Dragon King needs to be won by Xiaoye.

If he wins, the superiors will issue an appointment document, and he will then become the true Dragon King.

The transfer of power is always accompanied by much blood and sacrifice.

Courage and strength are equally important.

Xiaoye chose to contend.

I then made my final decision: "Okay, tell Su Su not to move the formation, and at the same time tell my three uncles, Linghai… full alert."

Xiaoye nodded, then added a reminder: "Younger sister-in-law, once fighting breaks out, we might not be able to attend to this side; with the dragon qi completely drained, the yin-sha resentful qi that the Linghai Forbidden Ground has been suppressing will seize the opportunity to act…"

Hu Yulin said, "Go ahead and do your business; I'll help Xiao Jiu on the forbidden ground side."

As for this point, I am actually not afraid.

I raised the Soul-guiding Lamp in my hand and said, "If it can be crossed, cross it; if it cannot be crossed, kill it; I will do my utmost to safeguard Āyàn's rear."

Thus line: Xiaoye gave me a deep look, then raised his hand and slapped Hu Yulin's shoulder hard, and strode off.

Time is pressing, the mission is heavy.

They must complete all deployments before the Heaven Gate opens, ready to welcome the onslaught of this fierce battle at any moment.

The entire Linghai Forbidden Ground was sealed off, leaving only me, Hu Yulin, and Liu Junyan.

No! There are also the Copper Coin Persons, and… the Longling tomb guards, the Bādà hùfǎ left behind by the White Dragon back then!

When the Bādà hùfǎ appeared beneath the Heaven Gate, Hu Yulin and I felt our hearts, which had been in our throats, instantly drop.

I even felt a surge of inexplicable emotion welling up in my heart.

At this moment, I suddenly recalled the words the Dahui Chan Master had told me to pass on to Liu Junyan back in the tall tower of Songshan Valley: "Having chosen this path, one must follow it to the bitter end; at the end of darkness lies dawn!"

This path is arduous and lonely, the way ahead unseen, the outcome unfathomable.

Every step taken is like holding one's own head in one's hand.

But Liu Junyan is not alone, for he still has us.

Crackle!

At the moment the ninth Jiǔ dào tiānléi exploded, a terrifying howl came from within the Heaven Gate.

Roar after roar, accompanied by violent impacts, as if trying to break through the Heaven Gate's barrier and burst out from inside.

Liu Junyan waved the Ancient Bronze Sword in his hand, pointing its tip at the Heaven Gate.

This is his true purpose in ascending the Dragon Gate.

He must hold the Heaven Gate, hold the Dragon Qi!

A huge dragon's head thrust out from the Heaven Gate's barrier, head raised, roaring with a force like splitting bamboo.

At the instant the dragon's head was about to burst forth, countless Golden Copper Coins spread out along the dragon's head, red threads weaving through them, each coin touching the next, layer upon layer, then suddenly contracting…