231: Chapter 231 Stop pinching me, Master

"Come to think of it, this Little Pebble is quite interesting." High above in the sky, Second Elder Ao Ni suddenly spoke, his voice carrying a hint of playful coldness.

"I thought it was some Innate spirit fetus nurtured by some power."

Second Elder Ao Ni sneered, a flash of disdain and contempt crossing his eyes, while the Dragon aura around him stirred faintly. "So it was just a broken rock. I don't even know how it gained sentience. A waste of time."

Tossing the Little Pebble in his hand casually, Second Elder Ao Ni grew even more disgusted; the rock had cracks in it, making it uncomfortable to hold.

Of course, the one who was even more uncomfortable was Little Pebble. "Sir, stop pinching! It hurts!"

"Shut up!"

Second Elder Ao Ni's gaze grew sharper. He turned his head to continue speaking to Young Master Ao Xing, "Today, the two of us have arrived at Daming Imperial City. We must reveal ourselves uprightly and openly, declaring it to the world! Let everyone know clearly that the Dragon Clan has arrived!"

"By joining forces with Daming, no one will be able to protect that Exotic Beast Mansion anymore! After today, the once-renowned Exotic Beast Mansion will surely be completely annihilated and turned to dust!"

The two moved at lightning speed, crossing a thousand miles of mountains and rivers in an instant, with the majestic and vast Daming Imperial City already coming into view.

The two changed direction and suddenly stopped directly above the Imperial Palace. Floating clouds surged beneath their feet, and the living beings of the Imperial City could not sense the two Supreme figures above their heads.

Second Elder Ao Ni's eyes were cold as he looked down at the entire Imperial Palace below. He no longer deliberately restrained the Dragon aura around him, allowing his overbearing presence to spread faintly. With a condescending posture, he had absolutely no intention of sneaking in.

He had come this time specifically to create momentum and to manifest the majesty of the Dragon Clan; naturally, he wanted to make it known to everyone.

The next moment, he directly circulated the Dragon power within his body. His deep, majestic voice, carrying endless Dragon aura, boomed across the entire Imperial City. It pierced through the clouds, echoed through the palaces, and clearly reached every corner of the Imperial Palace. "Ao Ni of the Dragon Palace requests an audience with the Emperor of Daming to discuss the eradication of the Exotic Beast Mansion. Please come out and meet me!"

The voice was like a thunderclap, causing the air of the entire Imperial City to tremble violently. The guards, imperial troops, eunuchs, palace maids, and civil and military officials within the Imperial Palace all felt their hearts tremble.

"What? Did I hear that right?"

Countless people in the Imperial City looked up at the sky with strange expressions.

Deep within the solemn and majestic Imperial Palace below, from between the once calm and waveless halls, several streaks of thick, ink-like black smoke suddenly shot up. The black smoke soared into the sky at an extreme speed, like ghostly afterimages. With a few soft, swift sounds, several tall and sharp black figures instantly broke through the palace roof, stood in the air, and steadily blocked the space above the palace, confronting Young Master Ao Xing and Second Elder Ao Ni.

The person in the lead was none other than Elder Hei Yan. He wore a black combat outfit, his posture was tall and straight, and his aura was steady and heavy. Surrounded by thick, black misty spiritual energy, his Face was cold and stern, his eyes sharp as knives, and his whole body exuded a chilling Evil Qi from long experience in slaughter. Following closely behind him were several core experts of the Exotic Beast Mansion, each with solid auras and deep foundations. Their eyes were cold, showing not a shred of fear as they stared fixedly at the two Dragon Clan experts before them.

Just at a single glance, all the confidence, arrogance, and certainty on the Face of the previously high-spirited and proud Second Elder Ao Ni were instantly crushed as if by a gale, freezing rigidly on his Face.

He was completely stunned, his pupils contracting sharply as his gaze locked onto Elder Hei Yan and his group, his mind going instantly blank.

The wind high above the sky suddenly stopped, the flowing clouds froze, and the world seemed to become extremely quiet, so silent that a pin drop could be heard.

"What was it that you just said? Say it again?"

Elder Hei Yan looked at Second Elder Ao Ni, somewhat speechless. Had he just come out of the mountains?

Endless embarrassment and panic swept through Second Elder Ao Ni's body. As arrogant as he had been just moments ago, he was now that much more pathetic. He kept his lips tightly sealed, saying nothing.

Compared to Second Elder Ao Ni's stiffness and astonishment, Young Master Ao Xing's state was even worse.

The moment he saw Elder Hei Yan and his group rush into the sky, an extreme chill shot from the soles of his feet straight to his head, making his scalp numb and his heart tremble violently.

The Clan Chief's words boomed in his mind like thunder. Was Daming really gone?

He stiffened his neck and slowly turned his head, his gaze falling on the still-dazed Second Elder Ao Ni. His voice was dry and hoarse, carrying an unconcealable tremor. It was as if the words were squeezed from the depths of his throat, and he whispered urgently, "Leave! Leave immediately! Go now!"

"It's too late."

The moment Young Master Ao Xing's voice fell, a gentle and indifferent smile drifted slowly from the Void Realm, carrying extreme composure and teasing. "The two of you have come from afar to visit my Daming Imperial Palace. Why are you in such a hurry to leave?"

Yuan Chen stood still, his tone relaxed and casual, like an old friend chatting. He looked at Young Master Ao Xing's legs. "Oh, they're healed?"

These two understated words precisely struck Young Master Ao Xing's sore spot.

Second Elder Ao Ni's Face flushed red from the mockery, feeling both ashamed and angry. The panic from just a moment ago was gradually replaced by extreme annoyance and rage.

He gritted his teeth and narrowed his eyes, forcibly suppressing the panic in his heart, and shouted coldly, "Yuan Chen! Do not be so arrogant! Last time we fought, we were caught off guard and accidentally lost and were injured; it wasn't that we were truly no match for you! Today, the two of us have come personally to give you a warning: prepare yourself! My Dragon Clan army will arrive soon to settle old debts and eradicate your Exotic Beast Mansion!"

"Oh? Does that mean you're letting it go this time?" Hearing this, Yuan Chen's smile grew wider, and the mockery in his eyes became even more apparent.

"What else? When two armies are at war, one does not kill the messenger!" Young Master Ao Xing set aside his pride and stiffened his neck.

People could actually die here; he wasn't stupid.

"A dead duck with a stiff beak." As the words fell, Yuan Chen couldn't be bothered to waste any more breath. He lifted his hand slightly, his tone instantly shedding its playfulness, becoming flat and cold, devoid of any emotion. "Since you insist on seeking death, then stay. Take them."

Two simple words. There was no monstrous Killing Intent, no fierce shouting or roaring, yet it carried an absolute authority that could not be resisted.

As the words landed, Elder Hei Yan and his group moved instantly in response. The black mist around them surged, and the chilling spiritual Evil Qi soared into the sky, instantly sealing all retreat routes in the entire high altitude. Dense layers of spiritual energy barriers completely cut off any possibility of escape for Young Master Ao Xing and Second Elder Ao Ni.

"Presumptuous!" Second Elder Ao Ni shouted angrily. The Dragon power around him erupted violently, and mysterious golden dragon patterns faintly emerged from beneath his skin. The vast Dragon aura swept in all directions, attempting to break through the opponent's blockade and crush the people before him.

Young Master Ao Xing also suppressed all his panic at this moment, forcibly calming his mind. He circulated the remaining Dragon power in his body, and the spiritual light around him surged as he stood shoulder to shoulder with Second Elder Ao Ni.

Boom—a heaven-shaking battle erupted instantly high in the sky. The roar of clashing spiritual energy shook the heavens and earth; fierce winds raged, and clouds exploded. Elder Hei Yan and his group coordinated tacitly, with orderly offense and defense, advancing and retreating with precision. Countless sharp techniques and pitch-black spiritual energy blade beams swept out, covering the sky and earth, sealing them layer by layer and pressing in step by step.

After only a few dozen rounds, Young Master Ao Xing and Second Elder Ao Ni gradually fell into a disadvantage, their auras becoming chaotic.

"A bunch of ants, how dare you trap me!" Second Elder Ao Ni's eyes were blood-red; he was thoroughly enraged.

With a sharp roar, the Dragon's cry shook the heavens. Golden light surged around his body as he held back no power. His body suddenly expanded, and brilliant golden light tore through the sky. With menacing scales and towering dragon horns, a gigantic mysterious golden dragon appeared, its dragon body coiled in the clouds, its majesty vast.

The ten-thousand-foot dragon body spanned the firmament, shaking the entire Imperial City.

"Get down there!"

Before he could be majestic for even two seconds, a ten-thousand-meter-large palm suddenly appeared in mid-air, pressing Second Elder Ao Ni down to the ground in one go.

Fortune Spirit appeared beside Yuan Chen and clapped her hands. "Do you take me for a mascot?"

Then she looked at Yuan Chen ingratiatingly. "Hehe, Dad, how was that?"

"Ah!"

Second Elder Ao Ni's entire body shook violently. His massive dragon body trembled intensely, and all the Dragon power within him seemed to be completely Sealed and frozen; he could no longer circulate even a shred of it, and the vast Dragon aura suddenly dissipated.

The next moment, countless streaks of silver light rooted and spread along the dragon body's Acupoints, turning into countless chains that pierced through the dragon body, firmly locking the bones and Meridians.

With a loud boom, the massive True Dragon body was pinned firmly directly above the Imperial Palace, unable to move a single inch. The dragon body trembled heavily, and blood dripped continuously from the gaps in the scales, staining the clouds below red, as the stench of blood filled the sky.

Even Young Master Ao Xing was suppressed on the spot, his Face ashen.

Yuan Chen walked slowly, stepping through the air toward the two True Dragons pinned in the clouds.

He looked down at the two who couldn't move and sneered. "That's it?"

"Senior, it's me! It's me!"

Little Pebble hurriedly shouted.

Yuan Chen waved his hand, and Little Pebble happily broke free from Second Elder Ao Ni's claws.

It spat on the opponent's Face, "Ptui!"

"That's for pinching me, you old codger!"

"Farewell!" Yuan Chen raised his hand.

Just then, Elder Hei Yan stepped forward quickly and pleaded respectfully, "Please show mercy. After all, he is a Five-Clawed Golden Dragon; spare his life!"

The other Dragon Clan experts also retracted their Killing Intent, bowed, and cupped their hands, pleading together, "We implore the Young Master to deal with this leniently!"

"Young Master Ao Xing is the current orthodox Young Lord of the Dragon Clan, bearing the orthodox Legacy of the Dragon Clan. If we directly kill the orthodox Young Lord of the Dragon Clan today, it will inevitably completely intensify the conflict with the Dragon Clan, inviting the crazy retaliation of the entire Dragon Clan. That scene… sigh!"

Although they had left the Dragon Clan, that was mainly due to resentment; they still felt a sense of belonging to the Dragon Clan.

Yuan Chen's eyes darkened slightly, his expression indifferent. He did not immediately agree, nor did he immediately refute.

He wondered whether to give them this Face. After all, these Seniors before him had followed him without hesitation when he decided to leave, so he couldn't refuse their plea now, could he?

Moreover, Young Master Ao Xing really didn't amount to much in his heart anyway.

Just then, the communication device stirred.

It was Clan Leader Ao Yi. His voice carried a hint of respect and pleading, his tone earnest. "I hope you, Yuan Chen, will hold your hand. For the sake of the Dragon Clan, spare his life. If you have any conditions, our Dragon Clan can discuss them; we will never shirk."

Yuan Chen listened quietly to the transmission, his expression calm and waveless, thoughts flickering in his eyes. After a moment, he spoke slowly, "Forget it, forget it."

As the words fell, he raised his hand and tapped gently, sending out a warm, moist spiritual light that landed on Young Master Ao Xing's dragon body. The silver chains that had been pinning Young Master Ao Xing instantly loosened and dissipated, and the power of the Seal slowly faded away.

The massive Azure Dragon body shuddered slightly, and the stiff body gradually regained sensation. Young Master Ao Xing let out a long sigh of relief, endless lingering fear sweeping through his body. He knew that his life had been saved after all.

But before Young Master Ao Xing could completely relax, Yuan Chen's indifferent voice sounded again, the cold tone carrying an undeniable authority. "The death penalty can be waived, but living punishment is unavoidable."

As his tone shifted, the spiritual light at Yuan Chen's fingertips changed, and a wisp of extremely special, gentle yet overbearing silver spiritual energy slowly condensed into shape—Turning Stone into Silver.

Young Master Ao Xing's Face changed drastically. An old acquaintance!

Before he could react, the wisp of silver spiritual energy flew out instantly and landed precisely in the center of the dragon body's brow.

The silver light entered his body and instantly spread to Young Master Ao Xing's limbs, bones, and through his Meridians and Bloodline.

Young Master Ao Xing instantly felt his Bloodline become stagnant again, and the vast, boundless Dragon Clan spiritual energy in his body was instantly Sealed by more than half, beginning to slowly petrify from his head down.

After dealing with Young Master Ao Xing, Yuan Chen's gaze turned suddenly, his cold sight instantly locking onto Second Elder Ao Ni, who was still pinned tightly in the clouds nearby.

That gaze was indifferent, cold, and devoid of temperature, having completely shed the composure from just a moment ago, leaving only pure apathy and slaughter. "As for you…"

The moment he was targeted by this gaze, Second Elder Ao Ni felt a sudden chill, and a sense of panic arose in his heart. But in an instant, the arrogance and wishful thinking in his heart regained the upper hand.

He had seen with his own eyes that Young Master Ao Xing was spared the death penalty and only had his cultivation Sealed, so he became completely convinced that Yuan Chen was ultimately afraid of the Dragon Clan's power and dared not truly kill a member of the Dragon Clan. All the strength and ruthlessness were just a show of intimidation.

As this thought arose, the fear in Second Elder Ao Ni's heart completely dissipated, and the remaining arrogance grew and expanded wildly. Even though he was still pinned to the Void Realm by the silver nails, unable to move, covered in blood, and in a pathetic state, he still refused to bow his head.

Instead, he raised his head again, staring directly at Yuan Chen, his tone arrogant and wild, carrying thick provocation and disdain. He shouted harshly, "Yuan Chen! If you know what's good for you, release the Seal on me immediately and let me go; this matter can be dropped!"

Elder Hei Yan and the others on the side, looking at Second Elder Ao Ni's arrogant, ignorant, and reckless appearance, had no ripples in their eyes, only a faint apathy.

They all had grudges!

They had pleaded for Young Master Ao Xing just now to consider the overall situation of the Dragon Clan and weigh the pros and cons, but as for Second Elder Ao Ni… let him die!

Out of consideration for the Dragon Clan's Face, Elder Hei Yan and the others still symbolically bowed slightly and spoke casually, pretending to plead, "Young Master, Second Elder Ao Ni is also a member of the Dragon Clan. We hope the Mansion Master will show discretion and leniency."

The words were light, without any earnestness, just going through the motions to fulfill a sense of Face.

Yuan Chen quietly watched Second Elder Ao Ni, who was shouting incessantly and acting arrogantly. There was no anger or ripples in his eyes, only extreme coldness and apathy.

He spoke slowly, his voice light and cold, pronouncing the final verdict. "Stop shouting. Farewell."

As the words fell, Yuan Chen's eyes were waveless. He raised his hand gently, and a silver light flashed at his fingertips. There were no extra movements, no extra words.

An extremely sharp silver spiritual light instantly broke through the air, fast to the extreme. In an instant, it cut through the Void Realm and precisely swept across the neck of Second Elder Ao Ni's massive dragon body.

The sword light fell, silent and soundless.

The incomparably hard True Dragon scales, which could resist ten thousand techniques, were easily torn apart like paper.

The huge dragon head instantly flew into the air, and hot dragon blood gushed out, staining the entire high altitude red.

Young Master Ao Xing stared blankly at the Second Elder, who had fallen with a boom and was separated from his head beside him. His whole body was cold, his heart and soul shaken, unable to recover for a long time.