Chapter 41: Dragon Slaying News

Four months had passed since the Wushuang City battle that shocked martial artists across Tianxia, yet the topic of that battle grew ever more heated.

They realized they knew far too little about this world; five martial legends of a century had burst forth all at once.

Especially since the other four were all defeated beneath Jiang Xuan's sword—it was truly terrifying.

Was this still the Shen Zhou martial world they knew?

That day, a piece of news leaked out from Wushuang City.

"Wushuang City's Old Sword Saint invites Tianxia Hui's Lord Jiang Xuan to slay the dragon in seven days, share the Dragon Core, and share longevity."

Once the news broke, Tianxia was in an uproar.

"The Divine Dragon... is it the legendary auspicious beast, the Divine Dragon?"

"I remember now. On the day of the decisive battle, the Old Sword Saint once said he obtained the Divine Dragon's opportunity to extend his lifespan. Could it be that the Sword Saint had already come into contact with the Divine Dragon long ago?"

"Outside rumors say that over ten years ago the Sword Saint entered closed-door seclusion. Calculating it, the Sword Saint is now nearly a hundred years old, yet judging by his battle momentum, he shows not a trace of old age."

Countless martial artists were shocked, and they drew a conclusion.

The Old Sword Saint merely obtained some marginal opportunity to extend his lifespan; the Dragon Core truly can grant longevity.

The entire Shen Zhou martial world boiled over.

"Dragon Core. This Seat has lived two thousand years before calculating that the Divine Dragon appears once every six hundred years, manifesting on the Auspicious Day. How did the Sword Saint know?"

"Moreover, there are still over ten years until the Auspicious Day, and the Divine Dragon has not yet appeared. How can one slay the dragon?"

"But the Sword Saint has indeed extended his lifespan—that cannot be faked. Could slaying the dragon be true? Does the Sword Saint have other means to make the Divine Dragon appear?"

"Why pay attention to the Divine Dragon? Is it not better to grow old and die in peace? Why seize power that should not belong to you? Would it not be better to let this Seat wait until the Auspicious Day to slay the dragon alone and achieve longevity?"

Within an Ice Cave of Tianmen, Di Shi Tian sat high upon the Xuanbing Treasure Throne, murmuring lowly, at times resentful, at times doubtful, anxiously scratching his ears and cheeks, uncertain about this news reported by his subordinates.

"Pass the order down. Keep a constant watch on the movements of Tianxia Hui and Wushuang City. Report any sign of trouble to this Seat immediately."

In Search God Palace, Longevity Immortal Bu Jingyun lay on his side within a warm tent.

"If there is a dragon in the world, can it make one never age and never die?"

"If so, this God can set aside the bodies of his clansmen."

"This Divine Dragon's Dragon Core—this God is determined to obtain it. Anyone who blocks this God shall die..."

A voice as cold as from the depths of Hell rang out. He craved a young body so desperately—a body full of vitality, with inexhaustible energy, truly too alluring.

Mount Fuji, Dong Ying.

A king wearing a high crown stood with hands behind his back atop the mountain peak, letting the fierce, cold winds stir his robes. He stood motionless, a trace of unerasable sorrow in his eyes, gazing eastward, no one knew what he was thinking.

This man was the current Dong Ying Emperor, Shen Wu Yi Fu, posthumously titled Chengwu Emperor.

Suddenly.

A golden silhouette leapt up from below the mountain in the distance. His movement art was so fast that among the martial world he was unrivaled; within a few breaths he arrived before them.

"Jue Zhijie pays his respects to the Emperor."

Though he said he paid his respects, he actually clasped his hands in a fist salute, and his expression was more of a half-smile. Coupled with his hawk-like face, he gave off a feeling of outward obedience and inward defiance.

The newcomer was Jue Wu Shen of Wushen Jue Palace, originally named Jue Zhijie. He constantly thought of invading Zhong Yuan and becoming its hegemon. After being driven back by Nameless alone with a single sword, Jue Wu Shen returned to Dong Ying.

Jue Zhijie believed there were absolutely no gods in this world, so he changed his name to Jue Wu Shen. His usual style was to make statues of gods kneel before him, thereby demonstrating his own power.

"No need for formalities. I summoned you today; I imagine you have guessed the reason."

Shen Wu Yi Fu slowly turned around, his gaze deep and distant.

"Spies have brought news that the Old Sword Saint of Shen Zhou will soon join forces with Tianxia Hui's Lord Jiang Xuan to slay the dragon. The Divine Dragon, such a creature, is also recorded in our Dong Ying ancient books. Legends say it can make one immortal and indestructible. Though we do not know if it is true, as long as there is a sliver of possibility, we must seize this opportunity."

Hearing Shen Wu Yi Fu's words, Jue Wu Shen could not hide the fervor in his heart.

Longevity!

Who under Heaven does not long for longevity? Throughout ancient and modern times, how many emperors and generals sought longevity and could not obtain it.

Shen Wu Yi Fu's words struck him right in the heart.

If he could obtain the legendary Dragon Core, let alone the Dong Ying Emperor's position he had long coveted, even the throne of the Shen Zhou land, as difficult to enter as a dragon pool and tiger den, he could sit upon it.

Over these years, whether it was him, Jue Wu Shen, or the emperors of past dynasties, they all harbored a strong covetous heart toward the fertile Shen Zhou land.

The Zhaocheng Emperor of decades ago, and his Wushen Jue Palace of a few years ago, both once led armies to invade Shen Zhou. He returned with feathers cut off, and the Zhaocheng Emperor's corpse was even locked within the Lingtian Treasure Pagoda at Shi Family Fort in Shen Zhou, to warn Dong Ying not to offend Shen Zhou again.

If what their spies left in Shen Zhou said was true, and the Divine Dragon truly existed, then as long as he seized the Dragon Core, everything would be possible.

"The Emperor invites this old man today; surely there is something important to discuss. Speak plainly."

Jue Wu Shen said coldly. His martial arts were not inferior to Shen Wu Yi Fu's, and the armies under his command were feared even by the Emperor. He was a hegemon of Dong Ying and could not be bothered to put on a posture of fawning compliance.

"Good. Then I will speak plainly. I am determined to obtain the Dragon Core. I hope you and I join forces and plot for the Dragon Core together."

Shen Wu Yi Fu looked at Jue Wu Shen with a burning gaze. On the day of dragon slaying, there will surely be several Myth Realm masters of the martial world fighting, wanting to snatch food from the tiger's mouth. How difficult it is!

He had not entered the Myth Realm. Only by joining forces with Jue Wu Shen did he have a sliver of possibility to seize the Dragon Core.

Jue Wu Shen's eyes trembled, and he snorted coldly:

"If we truly seize the Dragon Core, how will you and I divide it?"

"Ancient books record that the essence of divine beasts can be divided into multiple portions. Presumably the Dragon Core is the same. If we seize the Dragon Core, you and I will split it evenly."

At this moment Shen Wu Yi Fu made a promise. If there truly were gains, what harm was there in the two of them splitting it evenly?

"Even if this old man joins forces with the Emperor, the possibility of seizing the Dragon Core is still minuscule, is it not?"

"I am not unaware of this. At that time, those who participate in the dragon slaying will surely be martial world Myth Realm masters. That Jiang Xuan surpasses ordinary Myth Realm masters by who knows how many. Sword pressure upon Myth Realm is merely commonplace. To say you and I have a sliver of possibility is an exaggeration. But Jue Wu Shen, are you willing to resign yourself?"

Shen Wu Yi Fu's tone was calm as he countered Jue Wu Shen.

"..."

Jue Wu Shen fell silent, his gaze flickering, for a long while.

"Good, this old man will join forces with the Heavenly Lord; this trip we must seize the Dragon Essence and lay the foundation for you and me to unify Shen Zhou and contend for the path of Longevity."

……

East Sea, on a desert island unknown to men.

Huge waves crashed against the shore, violent billows heaving hundred-zhang-high waves; eagles soared in the sky, circling above the surf, from time to time snatching a sea fish that had been swept to the bank.

Whoosh! Crash!

Great flocks of eagles suddenly panicked, beating their wings and fleeing frantically into the distance, as if they had encountered some primordial fierce beast.

Whoosh!

A narrow cave on the desert island.

Thunder-like tremors emanated from the cave, spreading in all directions.

Accompanying the steadily approaching presence was an old man, bald on top with long whiskers at his temples, continuously striking Xuan Light at a mirror; as the mirror surface shook, a scene familiar to him appeared, the old man's expression changed drastically, anger emerging, his vast Qi Force unable to be restrained as it scattered outward.

"The Millennial Great Tribulation — it is actually these two rebellious sons……"

Instantly a sense of frustration surged in his mind; for four thousand years he had cared for Shen Zhou, taking it as his duty to stop the Millennial Great Tribulation, never expecting that two of the Ten Demons in this Millennial Great Tribulation would be his own two sons.

This man was precisely one of the world's extraordinary figures, Dragon-Turtle blood flowing in his body, enjoying Longevity — Xiao Sanxiao.

Mu Guang weathered, gazing at the round, ancient, unadorned mirror before him.

This was the Zhaoxin Mirror obtained from a virtuous high monk, the Monk Emperor, in the martial world; under Heaven's warning, it could reflect from within the Zhaoxin Mirror the matters one thinks of in the heart.

Since obtaining the Zhaoxin Mirror, he had used it several times with no scene reflected; today on a sudden impulse, he never expected it would actually react.

The scene in the mirror showed it was precisely his two sons, Xiao Jing Tian and Xiao Ao Shi, the chief culprits who stirred up the Millennial Great Calamity.

"This is…… Dragon Island?"

The mirror surface flashed, his two sons appearing on an island; a dragon corpse lay prone, several martial myths contending for the scattered Dragon Essence.

This living chronicle who had experienced four thousand years could no longer sit still, emerging into the world in anxious haste.

He did not know when the scene in the mirror occurred, but he had patience aplenty.

(Chapter End)