245: Chapter 244 Inviting the Grand Elder on His Way

"Ahhh! Ahhh! Ahhh! F*ck your mother!"

Golden Immortal Ao Li's massive dragon body hovered in a withered state. Large swathes of his golden scales had cracked and peeled away, and dense, countless wounds covered his entire body. Scalding golden dragon blood dripped continuously from these wounds, falling onto the desolate land and staining the parched earth a golden-red.

His pride-and-joy Golden Immortal immortal power was completely chaotic and on the verge of exhaustion. The dragon might lingering around his body had grown thin and dim; he no longer possessed even a shred of his majestic Aura.

His three trump card Medium Grade Immortal Artifacts were completely ruined, and his offensive and defensive foundations were shattered. His ancient heritage had been thoroughly crushed in the battle just now.

That light, casual sentence from Yuan Chen was like the sharpest of blades, ruthlessly piercing through Golden Immortal Ao Li's final shred of dignity and pride.

Just four short words—without any grand killing intent or sharp pressure—were more humiliating, painful, and infuriating than thousands of slaughters, making him wish he were dead.

Rumble—

His massive dragon body trembled uncontrollably. His scarlet dragon eyes locked onto Yuan Chen, bloodshot and filled with bone-deep hatred.

He was a Golden Immortal of the orthodox Dragon Clan from the Immortal Realm!

Since ancient times, whenever a Golden Immortal descended to the Lower Realm, they had always dominated the region, and no one dared to defy them. It was always the ants of the Mortal world who had to bow down and tremble in fear!

Yet today, having crossed realms to descend, he should have trampled the Imperial Dynasty, ruled the Mortal world, and established his might across the heavens. Instead, he had been insulted by a junior and, in the end, unilaterally beaten and thoroughly defeated by a maid under the other party's command. His trump cards were broken, his immortal foundation damaged, and his dignity shattered!

Looking back through the history of the Immortal and Mortal realms, spanning tens of thousands of years, has there ever been a Golden Immortal who ended up in such a stifling, pathetic, and unbearable state?

No!

Throughout history, he, Golden Immortal Ao Li, was likely the first Golden Immortal from the Immortal Realm to be frontally crushed and thoroughly defeated by a force from the Lower Realm!

This humiliation would accompany him throughout his eternal immortal path, becoming the greatest stain of his life, one that could never be washed away!

"Yuan Chen!!!"

A hoarse, violent dragon roar squeezed from the depths of Golden Immortal Ao Li's throat, the sound laden with endless malice and madness, causing the sky to ripple. "You have gone too far!"

"Just you wait! I will remember this humiliation in the Mortal world! Today's defeat, today's shame—I will surely exact it back a hundredfold, a thousandfold in the future!"

These mad, harsh words echoed across the world, carrying the final obsession and malice of a Golden Immortal expert, attempting to salvage a shred of face while venting the monstrous unwillingness in his heart.

The million Cultivators present listened quietly. No one spoke; their eyes held only indifference and mockery.

Spouting threats after defeat was merely the last, futile struggle of the loser—pale and ridiculous.

"Using foul language! How rude. Slap his mouth!" Yuan Chen glanced over indifferently and said calmly.

Slap!

Fortune Spirit did not hesitate to land a heavy slap on Golden Immortal Ao Li's dragon face.

Slap, slap!

After finishing, Fortune Spirit felt it wasn't enough: "One isn't enough; I'll give you two more."

In the Void Realm nearby, Zhao Miao stood with his hands behind his back, watching Golden Immortal Ao Li's crazed state: "Tsk tsk, how miserable. A dignified Golden Immortal descending, only to end up like this?"

Zhao Miao's tone was relaxed and teasing, completely forgetting that not long ago, he had been suppressed by Golden Immortal Ao Li, struggling at every step and covered in wounds. At this moment, he adopted the posture of a clear-headed bystander, commenting on the battle from a high position, which made the surrounding Cultivators secretly amused.

He thought to himself again that it was fortunate he was wise and mighty, having made the right choice; otherwise, the one being rubbed into the ground right now would be him.

But just as his voice fell, a cold, indifferent, and blunt voice suddenly rang out, pouring cold water on him in front of everyone, every word sharp and merciless.

"Heh, others may have room to be stubborn after defeat, but you have no right to mock Golden Immortal Ao Li."

A calm gaze swept over Zhao Miao: "Golden Immortal Ao Li couldn't beat Fortune Spirit, and you couldn't beat Golden Immortal Ao Li. Comparing the layers, aren't you even more useless than the defeated Golden Immortal Ao Li?"

One sentence, a precise critical hit, directly blocked all of Zhao Miao's snide remarks, leaving him instantly speechless and his expression stiff.

The atmosphere of the entire scene stalled slightly. Everyone's gaze instantly focused on Zhao Miao, their eyes holding a hint of suppressed laughter.

Zhao Miao's face turned from green to white, and he immediately jumped up, his previous composure and playfulness instantly gone. He stared fixedly at Elder Hei Yan, his eyes holding a hint of vigilance and displeasure, and spoke in a deep voice: "Who are you? How can a Golden Immortal envoy be criticized by an unknown nobody?"

Elder Hei Yan's expression was indifferent, neither humble nor arrogant. He spoke calmly, revealing his identity, his voice ringing clearly across the sky: "My name is Elder Hei Yan."

"I am a close friend of Yuan Chen across generations. I have assisted Yuan Chen in battle for several years and have always stood firmly on Yuan Chen's side."

"Even when I left the Dragon Clan, I did not hesitate for a moment."

Upon hearing this, Zhao Miao's heart suddenly chilled. He instantly retracted all killing intent and coldness, and after two seconds of silence, he said: "Your words are too harsh. Don't do that next time."

He realized completely at this moment; besides those close to Yuan Chen, who else would dare to speak to him like that?

I was too anxious! Sigh, still can't keep my cool. I need to go back and practice more.

Meanwhile, in the airspace on the other side, the members of the Dragon Clan had already completely collapsed mentally, panicked and at a loss.

Great Elder Ao Yin, Young Master Ao Xing, and the group of Lower Realm Dragon Clan Cultivators had originally relied on Golden Immortal Ao Li's Golden Immortal might, acting arrogant and overbearing, fully confident that this trip to the Lower Realm would be a certain victory.

Yet in just half an hour, the situation had been completely overturned. Their pride-and-joy Golden Immortal Old Ancestor had been unilaterally crushed by a Mortal maid, thoroughly defeated and critically injured.

The Dragon Clan disciples filling the sky were pale and trembling all over, their Dragon Qi chaotic and their minds shattered; they no longer possessed a shred of the Dragon Clan's arrogance and savagery.

Clan Leader Ao Yi looked at Golden Immortal Ao Li, who was failing in breath and covered in blood in mid-air. No longer caring about the clan's face, he hurriedly stepped forward, bowed slightly to Yuan Chen, and spoke in an eager and humble tone, taking the initiative to plead for mercy.

"Master Yuan! Please calm your anger! I beg you to calm your anger!"

"This matter was a misunderstanding from start to finish! A huge misunderstanding!"

"Our Dragon Clan Old Ancestor, Senior Golden Immortal Ao Li, just arrived in the Lower Realm and was unfamiliar with the rules here. Listening to the one-sided words of our clansmen, he was momentarily blinded by rage, which is why he rashly crossed realms, brought troops to the Imperial City, and offended the Mansion Master's dignity! He absolutely had no intention of being an enemy to the Mansion Master, and certainly had no malicious heart to destroy the Imperial Dynasty or slaughter the common people!"

"Previously, our Dragon Clan members causing chaos in the Lower Realm was due to our clan's lax discipline and ineffective restraint; it is the Dragon Clan's fault!"

"But we are all of one clan; there is no conflict that cannot be resolved by sitting down. Please calm down!"

Clan Leader Ao Yi spoke extremely fast, desperately trying to justify the situation.

He was afraid that Yuan Chen would treat Golden Immortal Ao Li just like he treated Second Elder Ao Ni, mercilessly executing him.

Facing Clan Leader Ao Yi's urgent plea and explanation, Yuan Chen stood in the Void Realm, silent in his white clothes, his expression calm and waveless. He neither nodded nor shook his head, neither refuted nor spoke.

His gaze was heavy, sweeping indifferently over the shivering Dragon Clan disciples below. His eyes held neither joy nor anger, yet they carried an supreme majesty that looked down upon all living things, making it impossible to guess his thoughts and inspiring awe.

The next second, he lifted his hand slightly: "Take them all!"

Hum—!

An invisible Aura instantly spread out, and the entire airspace of the wilderness trembled slightly.

The next moment, dozens of terrifying figures suddenly appeared!

Swish, swish, swish!

Dozens of figures tore through the air, their Auras frigid and their speed unparalleled. Like tigers descending a mountain or falcons swooping on prey, they instantly surrounded them!

Among them, besides Elder Hei Yan and the others, there were also Sect Masters and Old Ancestors of various major forces. Since even Golden Immortal Ao Li from the Immortal Realm had been frontally crushed and thoroughly defeated, in this Mortal world, Yuan Chen was already an absolutely invincible existence! If they didn't take this opportunity to pick a side, express their stance, and submit today, they would surely regret it later!

Young Master Ao Xing and the surviving Dragon Clan disciples were already mentally shattered and had lost all combat power. Being thoroughly crushed by the overwhelming momentum, they had absolutely no power to resist.

Even with ten thousand grievances in their hearts, they could only watch helplessly as countless binding forces descended, instantly locking them firmly within the small space.

Layers of binding arrays wrapped around their bodies, completely sealing their immortal power and imprisoning their figures. All Dragon Clan Cultivators were subdued, instantly losing their cultivation just like Mortals.

Afterward, they all hung their heads, standing honestly in place, not even daring to let a single thought of struggle arise.

Great Elder Ao Yin, who had originally held onto luck and desperately pleaded for mercy, saw the scene of all his clansmen being captured, and his expression changed drastically in an instant.

He knew very well that at this moment, any further stubbornness, excuses, or wishful thinking would only implicate the entire Dragon Clan and lead to their total destruction.

Recognizing the situation, Great Elder Ao Yin immediately retracted all his posturing. His demeanor became increasingly respectful, his tone increasingly sincere, and he completely played the emotional card, his tone extremely soft and humble.

"Master Yuan! This Great Elder is old, and I know I was wrong!"

"From start to finish, I was too arrogant, too narrow-minded, and too ignorant! We have lived in high positions for too long, looking down on the Mortal world; we had long since become complacent and arrogant."

"I have also thought it through. It is indeed true that our Dragon Clan went too far. What Clan Leader Ao Yi said earlier was right; our Golden Dragon Clan was too overbearing. But everything we did was for the sake of the clan becoming stronger, wasn't it?"

"I know you have suffered quite a few grievances, but no matter how much we quarrel, we are all family, aren't we? Give this Great Elder a chance. Let's make up, shall we? Once the misunderstanding is cleared up, we don't actually have any hatred, do we?"

Hearing this, Yuan Chen almost laughed in anger.

Make up? Do you think this is playing house?

He raised his eyes slightly, his gaze sweeping over the kneeling, fearful Dragon Clan disciples, then looked at Golden Immortal Ao Li, who was critically injured and unable to resist in mid-air. Finally, he spoke slowly, his voice light yet carrying an absolute, irresistible power of control that echoed across the ten-thousand-mile wilderness.

"A misunderstanding?"

"In this world, all offenses and oppositions are never so-called misunderstandings; there is only wanton bullying due to unequal strength, and forced repentance after the momentum has collapsed."

"Previously, your Golden Dragon Clan relied on your powerful influence; you didn't have this face then. Why has it changed now?"

Great Elder Ao Yin hurriedly lowered his head and cupped his hands, responding respectfully: "Master Yuan's words are absolutely correct! It is our Golden Dragon Clan that was shallow, ignorant, arrogant, and foolish; I dare not refute! I only beg the Mansion Master to show mercy and give our Golden Dragon Clan a chance to reform!"

Yuan Chen's gaze was deep. He spoke indifferently, throwing out his final decision, his tone calm yet carrying absolute pressure that allowed no refusal.

"A chance can be given."

"Since you keep saying we are all family and that it was just to make the Dragon Clan stronger, then so be it. From now on, the entire Dragon Clan shall be under my command. From this day forward, I, Yuan Chen, am the only one who calls the shots for the Dragon Clan."

Hearing this, Great Elder Ao Yin's eyes lit up instantly, the boulder hanging in his heart crashed down, and he hurriedly bowed to thank him: "No problem, it should be so."

But before his joy could even settle, Yuan Chen's next words instantly changed his expression.

"There is one more requirement. I don't like you, so... for the sake of the Dragon Clan, would the Grand Elder please sacrifice yourself a little?"

A simple sentence, falling lightly, yet carrying an unarguable intent of absolute killing, instantly dropping the atmosphere of the entire scene to freezing point.

The entire scene was instantly silent; all Cultivators fixed their gazes on Great Elder Ao Yin.

Great Elder Ao Yin's entire body stiffened violently, his face turning as pale as paper, all blood draining away. His pupils contracted violently, his face full of disbelief. He looked up at Yuan Chen sharply, his body trembling uncontrollably, extreme terror sweeping through his entire being.

"You... what do you mean by this?!"

"The Dragon Clan's surrender, I can accept. But you, Great Elder Ao Yin, do not need to remain."

"Why go this far? I have the strength of a Twelve-Tribulation Loose Cultivator; killing me will surely damage the Dragon Clan's heritage and weaken our combat power in vain. It's not worth it! I have already admitted my mistake; what more do you want?!"

Yuan Chen lowered his eyes for a calm glance, the corners of his lips hooking into an indifferent arc: "You? You are irrelevant. The Dragon Clan has no shortage of talent; one less of you is no loss, and one more is superfluous. I have never cared about a little loss in combat power."

"Rest assured, just go to your death in peace."

Great Elder Ao Yin felt icy cold all over, completely speechless, his throat tight. He could no longer speak a single word of defense, frozen in place with total despair, his body trembling slightly.

As for fighting to the death, there was no need to think about it.

Given the commotion caused by the battle between Fortune Spirit and his father just now, killing him would be a piece of cake.

Just as the scene was dead silent and everyone was waiting for Great Elder Ao Yin to speak.

A steady figure suddenly stepped out from the Dragon Clan ranks; it was the Dragon Clan Clan Chief, Clan Leader Ao Yi.

He raised his eyes to look at Great Elder Ao Yin, a hint of apology in his eyes.

Then, he cupped his hands in a polite salute and spoke loudly: "Grandson Clan Leader Ao Yi respectfully asks Grandfather to depart. The Dragon Clan Clan Chief respectfully asks the Grand Elder to depart!"

Great Elder Ao Yin turned back in disbelief: "You bastard!"

"As Clan Chief, I naturally must be responsible for the Dragon Clan. In this matter, I and all the Elders have inescapable responsibility. The Grand Elder should rightfully step aside for the interests of the Dragon Clan. After this matter, I, Clan Leader Ao Yi, will also voluntarily step down from the position of Clan Chief."

Great Elder Ao Yin completely broke down: "You say it so lightly! I am also willing to resign from the position of Grand Elder! Can you go die instead?"

"Grand Elder, watch your words!" The other Dragon Clan Elders hurriedly spoke up to scold him. One death is enough; what are you doing?

After exchanging glances and scolding him, the many Elders' gazes collided rapidly.

Yuan Chen is already of the Dragon Clan, and a Five-Clawed Golden Dragon at that; there's no problem with him being the Clan Chief.

If the Grand Elder dies, the Dragon Clan will return to how it once was, or perhaps even become stronger. It seems there is nothing bad about that.

It's just a normal change of Clan Chief.

Feasible!

After nodding to each other.

Simultaneously, they took a large step back, in perfect unison.

Great Elder Ao Yin was wondering what these people were doing.

He saw all the dragons cup their hands and bow simultaneously: "Respectfully asking the Grand Elder to depart."