88: Bone Dragon's Revenge 4

He reached out, and a giant golden hand that covered the firmament condensed and grabbed toward Ming Gu.

This grab contained the Law of the Golden Immortal; space was frozen, and time seemed to stand still.

Ming Gu's pupils constricted as he felt a fatal threat.

But instead of retreating, he advanced, roaring to the sky as he unleashed the Heavenly Demon Disintegration!

"Boom!"

Ming Gu's aura surged wildly, skyrocketing from the Late Stage of the True Immortal Realm, breaking through shackles until it reached the Middle Stage of the Golden Immortal realm!

Though it was only temporary, it was enough to fight Immortal Lord Tian Xing.

"Nine Netherworld · Yellow Springs Burial · Ultimate Form!"

Ming Gu struck with all his might. Nine rivers of the underworld surged out from the Void Realm, transforming into nine giant black dragons that collided with the golden hand.

"Rumble!"

A terrifying explosion of energy swept across the entire Lower Realm. Had it not been for the protection of the Heaven-Defying Immortal Slaying Formation, the aftershocks alone would have been enough to destroy billions of lives.

Immortal Lord Tian Xing's expression changed; he hadn't expected Ming Gu to be able to burst forth with such combat power.

"Interesting, but still not enough."

He summoned his natal Immortal Artifact, the "Heavenly Punishment Sword." It was a longsword, golden all over and engraved with runes of punishment, which had slain countless demons.

"Heavenly Punishment Sword · Immortal Slaying!"

With a single sword strike, golden light illuminated the world, and even the blood-colored Formation began to tremble.

Ming Gu did not dare to be careless. He activated the Nine Netherworld Dragon Pearl, transforming it into a giant black shield to block the attack.

Clang!

The sound of clashing metal echoed through the heavens. Ming Gu was sent flying ten thousand miles away; his dragon scales shattered, and blood sprayed wildly.

But a look of madness appeared in his eyes.

"Now is the time!"

He triggered the ultimate killing move of the Heaven-Defying Immortal Slaying Formation—Blood Sacrifice of the Heavens!

"With my blood, I sacrifice to the heavens! With my soul, I defy the immortals and gods!"

The blood-colored Formation contracted frantically, turning into a beam of bloody light that pierced through Immortal Lord Tian Xing's chest.

Puchi!

Immortal Lord Tian Xing looked down at the bloody hole in his chest in disbelief.

"You... how dare you..."

Before he could finish his sentence, his body began to disintegrate.

The power of the Blood Sacrifice of the Heavens not only destroyed his immortal body but also polluted his Divine Soul, leaving him with no chance of Reincarnation.

"No!"

Immortal Lord Tian Xing let out a desperate roar and finally turned into a shower of light motes, dissipating between heaven and earth.

With the commander fallen, the thirty thousand immortal soldiers fell into Chaos.

"Kill them! Leave none alive!"

Though Ming Gu was heavily injured, he forced himself to give the order.

The Dragon Clan army and the Cultivator alliance took the opportunity to slaughter them. Without their commander, the immortal soldiers were routed and killed until blood flowed like a river.

This battle lasted for three days and three nights.

In the end, all thirty thousand immortal soldiers were wiped out, with only a few who had acted early managing to tear through space and flee back to the Immortal Realm.

The Lower Realm had won a great victory!

But Ming Gu also paid a heavy price as the side effects of the Heavenly Demon Disintegration began to take hold.

His cultivation fell from the Middle Stage of the Golden Immortal realm to the Early Stage of the True Immortal Realm, and he would be unable to advance for a hundred years.

"Your Majesty!"

Ao Guang supported the staggering Ming Gu.

"It's fine."

Ming Gu waved his hand. Though weak, his eyes shone with an unprecedented light.

"This battle was dangerous, but it was worth it."

"After this battle, the Immortal Realm will not dare to descend to the Lower Realm easily for a short time. My Dragon Clan... has finally won a chance to breathe."

He looked at the devastated land, his voice firm.

"Pass down the order: repair the Formation with all our strength and nurture the new generation."

"In a hundred years, when I have recovered, it will be time for us to counterattack the Immortal Realm!"

"Counterattack the Immortal Realm! Counterattack the Immortal Realm!"

Cheers of victory resounded through the clouds.

After this battle, Ming Gu's fame not only rang through the Lower Realm but also shocked the entire Immortal Realm.

Countless Lower Realm Cultivators saw him as a savior and flocked to join him.

The Dragon Clan's power expanded rapidly, and in just ten years, they had unified eighty percent of the Lower Realm's territory.

However, Ming Gu knew that the real challenge was still to come.

The Immortal Realm would never let this go; the next attack would surely be even more ferocious.

A hundred years. He only had a hundred years.

In a hundred years, it would be decided whether the Dragon Clan rose or was completely annihilated.

But no matter what, he would not back down.

Because he was Ming Gu, the Abyssal Dragon Emperor, an avenger who had died once and returned from Hell.

His path was only just beginning.

And those high and mighty beings of the Immortal Realm would eventually pay for their arrogance... A hundred years is a long life for a Mortal, but for a Cultivator, it is merely a few sessions of secluded meditation, and for an immortal or god, it is but a fleeting moment.

But for Ming Gu and the entire Lower Realm, these hundred years were an era of earth-shaking transformation.

Dragon Emperor Peak had been expanded into the "Dragon Emperor Sacred City," spanning a mountain range of thirty thousand miles.

Residing in the city were not only ten million members of the Dragon Clan but also billions of Cultivators who had submitted from various realms.

In the center of the Holy City stood eighty-one Sky-Piercing Dragon Pillars, with a true dragon perched atop each one.

Those were the eighty-one True Immortal Rank powerhouses newly born to the Dragon Clan.

The Heaven-Defying Immortal Slaying Formation had been improved into the "Myriad Dragons of All Heavens Formation." With eighty-one true dragon Bloodlines as its core and the essence blood of a million Dragon Clan members as its foundation, it could trap and kill a Profound Immortal once activated!

As for Ming Gu, after a hundred years of bitter cultivation, he had not only recovered from the losses of the Heavenly Demon Disintegration but had also broken through to the Middle Stage of the Golden Immortal realm in one go.

He had devoured the remnants of Immortal Lord Tian Xing's Divine Soul, gaining some insights into the Laws of the Golden Immortal, making his strength far exceed that of an ordinary Golden Immortal.

On this day, in the Dragon Emperor Sacred City, ten thousand dragons came to pay homage.

"Your Majesty, the hundred-year period has arrived. Although the Immortal Realm has not made another large-scale descent, small-scale incursions have been constant."

Ao Guang had broken through to the Peak of the True Immortal Realm and was currently reporting to Ming Gu.

"According to reports from scouts, the Ethereal Immortal Sect is uniting with the other three major immortal sects to assemble a hundred thousand immortal soldiers, led by a Profound Immortal, to invade the Lower Realm once more."

"A Profound Immortal, is it..."

Ming Gu sat on the Nine Dragons Imperial Throne, his finger lightly tapping the armrest.

Above the Golden Immortal is the Profound Immortal, above the Profound Immortal is the Grand Unity Golden Immortal, and further up is the Immortal Emperor.

A Profound Immortal is already a backbone force of the Immortal Realm, capable of opening a Small World and ruling over billions of immortal citizens.

"They are finally getting serious."

A cold smile curled at the corner of Ming Gu's mouth.

"That's fine; it saves me the trouble of seeking them out one by one."

He stood up, his purple-gold pupils scanning the dragons below.

"After a hundred years of recuperation, our clan is no longer what it used to be."

"Since the Immortal Realm wants to come, we'll make sure they never return. No—this time, we are the ones who will counterattack the Immortal Realm!"

"Counterattack the Immortal Realm!"

The dragons shouted in unison, their Battle Intent soaring to the sky.

"Pass down the order: in three days, assemble a million dragon soldiers and follow me to conquer the heavens!"

"Conquer the heavens! Conquer the heavens! Conquer the heavens!"

Three days later, the million-strong dragon army was fully assembled.

Ming Gu stood at the front of the Formation. Behind him were eighty-one true dragon Elders, a hundred thousand Dragon Clan elites, and nine hundred thousand allied forces from various races.

He no longer hid his strength, fully unleashing the pressure of the Middle Stage of the Golden Immortal realm, causing heaven and earth to change color.

"Gentlemen, a hundred years ago, the Immortal Realm viewed us as ants and slaughtered us at will."

"A hundred years later, we will let them know that even ants can shake the heavens!"

He tore through space, opening a passage to the Immortal Realm.

"Target: Ethereal Immortal Sect. Depart!"

The army of a million poured into the passage like a flood, beginning the unprecedented act of defying the Immortal Realm... Immortal Realm, Ethereal Immortal Sect.

Immortal Venerable Yuqing was discussing the invasion of the Lower Realm with the masters of the other three major immortal sects.

"That vile dragon has shown no movement for a hundred years; he must still be recovering from his previous heavy injuries."

Immortal Venerable Yuqing said indifferently.

"This time, 'Venerable Immortal Xuan Ming' of the Profound Heaven Immortal Sect will personally take action, leading a hundred thousand immortal soldiers. He will surely be able to wipe out the Lower Realm in one fell swoop."

Venerable Immortal Xuan Ming was a white-haired old man with an unfathomable aura, having already reached the Middle Stage of the Profound Immortal realm.

He stroked his beard and smiled.

"Fellow Daoist Yuqing, rest assured. I have refined the 'Profound Heaven Seal.' Once this seal is released, it can suppress ten thousand demons. A mere vile dragon from the Lower Realm can be extinguished with a flip of my hand."

The other two Sect Masters also chimed in, believing that there was no suspense in this battle.

Just then, a Disciple rushed into the hall in a panic.

"Report! This is bad! The Lower Realm... the Lower Realm army has attacked!"

"What?!"

The four Immortal Venerables stood up simultaneously.

"They have already broken through the Southern Heaven Gate and are heading straight for the Ethereal Immortal Sect!"

Immortal Venerable Yuqing's face turned ashen.

"What a vile dragon! I didn't go looking for you, yet you've delivered yourself to my doorstep! Pass the order: activate the sect-protecting Formation and meet the enemy!"

However, it was already too late.

The million-strong army led by Ming Gu had broken through the Southern Heaven Gate with the force of a thunderbolt, pushing forward irresistibly toward the Ethereal Immortal Sect.

The Immortal Realm's defenders never expected the Lower Realm to dare counterattack, and caught off guard, they retreated steadily.

By the time Ming Gu reached the gates of the Ethereal Immortal Sect, Immortal Venerable Yuqing had only just organized a defense.

"Ming Gu, you have quite the nerve!"

Immortal Venerable Yuqing stood above the mountain gate, glaring at the giant black dragon in the sky.

"Daring to lead an army to attack the Immortal Realm is a crime punishable by clan extermination!"

"Extermination?"

Ming Gu sneered.

"When you sent immortal soldiers to the Lower Realm to slaughter us a hundred years ago, did you ever consider today?"

He stopped wasting words and directly ordered:

"Myriad Dragons of All Heavens Formation, activate!"

Eighty-one true dragons roared simultaneously, and the essence blood of a million dragon soldiers burned. A blood-colored Formation covering the entire Ethereal Immortal Sect formed instantly.

"Not good!"

Venerable Immortal Xuan Ming's expression changed drastically.

"This Formation... can trap a Profound Immortal!"

He wanted to flee, but it was already too late.

The Formation sealed off space, and even the flow of time was altered.

"Kill!"

Ming Gu personally took action, pouncing toward Immortal Venerable Yuqing.

Meanwhile, Ao Guang led the eighty-one true dragons to surround and kill Venerable Immortal Xuan Ming, while the other Dragon Clan elites fought with the Immortal Realm's defenders.

This battle was even more tragic than the one a hundred years ago.

Although Ming Gu was only at the Middle Stage of the Golden Immortal realm, with the Demonic Technique inherited from Qin Jiuge and the boost from the Myriad Dragons of All Heavens Formation, he actually fought to a standstill with the Early Stage Profound Immortal, Immortal Venerable Yuqing.

"Nine Netherworld · Yellow Springs Burial · Ultimate Profound Truth—Reincarnation's End!"

Ming Gu unleashed his strongest killing move. The nine rivers of the underworld merged into one, turning into a river of time and space that spanned the past, present, and future, drawing Immortal Venerable Yuqing into it.

"No!"

Immortal Venerable Yuqing discovered in terror that her immortal body and Divine Soul were being eroded by the power of time, changing from an adult back to a youth, then from a youth to an infant, and finally returning to nothingness.

An Early Stage Profound Immortal had fallen!

On the other side, Venerable Immortal Xuan Ming was also heavily injured under the siege of the eighty-one true dragons, and his Divine Soul was torn apart by Ao Guang's claw.

With the fall of two great Profound Immortals, the Immortal Realm's allied forces collapsed.

Ming Gu pressed the advantage, destroying three major immortal sects in succession, slaying countless immortal soldiers, and capturing a mountain of Immortal Artifacts and Magic Treasures.

After ten days of bloody battle, the four major immortal sects of the Immortal Realm were wiped out!

When the news spread, the entire Immortal Realm was shaken.

Countless immortal sects trembled, fearing they would be next.

Ming Gu did not continue the offensive but instead moved all the resources of the four major immortal sects back to the Lower Realm.

Using his supreme magic power, he refined the immortal mountains and blessed lands of the four sects into four "Immortal Source Beads."

He integrated these into the Dragon Emperor Sacred City, making the city's Spiritual Qi more than a hundred times denser.

After this battle, Ming Gu's prestige shook the heavens.

The remaining forces of the Immortal Realm no longer dared to look down on the Lower Realm, let alone mention invasion.

Some small and medium-sized immortal sects even proactively came to submit, swearing loyalty to the Dragon Clan.

But Ming Gu knew that the true powerful enemies had not yet appeared.

Above the Immortal Realm was the Divine Realm; above the Profound Immortal was the Grand Unity Golden Immortal and the Immortal Emperor.

The Ethereal Immortal Sect was only a second-rate force in the Immortal Realm; the truly top-tier immortal sects had not yet made a move.

"Your Majesty, what do we do next?"

Ao Guang asked.

Ming Gu looked toward the firmament, a deep light flashing in his purple-gold pupils.

"In the next hundred years, we will not expand further."

"Focus all efforts on nurturing the new generation. I am going into secluded meditation to break through to the Profound Immortal realm."

"The day I emerge will be the time to unify the Immortal Realm!"

A hundred years—another hundred years.

Before going into seclusion, Ming Gu organized Qin Jiuge's Demon King Inheritance into the "Nine Netherworld Demonic Dragon Art" and taught it to the core members of the Dragon Clan.

He also filtered and improved the captured immortal methods and Divine Abilities to create the "Dragon Emperor Armory" for all loyalists to practice.

The Dragon Clan entered a period of rapid development.

In fifty years, the first Profound Immortal was born: Ao Guang.

In eighty years, ten Profound Immortals and a hundred Golden Immortals were born, with countless True Immortals.

In ninety-nine years, Ming Gu emerged from seclusion.

At that moment, heavenly anomalies appeared, and ten thousand dragons came to pay homage.

He had broken through to the Peak of the Profound Immortal realm, just one step away from the Grand Unity Golden Immortal realm.

More importantly, he had completely fused with Qin Jiuge's Demon King Origin and created his own Dao—the "Netherworld Dragon Great Dao."

"It is time."

Ming Gu stepped out of his seclusion place, his purple-gold pupils scanning the billions of Dragon Clan members below.

"By my imperial decree: dispatch the troops to the Immortal Realm and unify the heavens!"

This time, it was no longer an army of a million, but ten million dragon soldiers and billions of Cultivators!

The remaining forces of the Immortal Realm were like clay chickens and pottery dogs before Ming Gu, unable to withstand a single blow. In just three years, seventy percent of the Immortal Realm's territory fell into the hands of the Dragon Clan.

Finally, the top-tier forces of the Immortal Realm could no longer sit still.

Three Immortal Emperors joined forces, leading thirty Grand Unity Golden Immortals and a million immortal soldiers to fight a decisive battle with Ming Gu at "Immortal Burial Valley."

It was a battle for the ages.

With his Peak Profound Immortal cultivation, Ming Gu fought the three Immortal Emperors alone, fighting until the sky collapsed, the earth cracked, and the galaxy was overturned.

In the end, he burned his Origin to unleash the ultimate Profound Truth of the "Netherworld Dragon Great Dao," the "Heavens Return to Netherworld," dragging the three Immortal Emperors into the endless Netherworld Domain to perish together.

No, it wasn't perishing together.

A hundred years later, in the depths of Immortal Burial Valley, a figure slowly stood up.

It was Ming Gu!

Not only had he not died, but he had also broken through his shackles between life and death, stepping into the realm of the Immortal Emperor in one go!

As for the three Immortal Emperors, they were forever sunk in the Netherworld Domain, their Divine Souls completely extinguished.

After this battle, the Immortal Realm had no power left to resist.

Ming Gu ascended to the pinnacle of the Immortal Realm, bestowed with the title "Netherworld Dragon Immortal Emperor," ruling over the heavens and myriad worlds.

The Dragon Clan became the head of all races, enjoying supreme glory.

As for those human Cultivators who had once viewed the Dragon Clan as Materials and slaughtered them at will... they either submitted or perished.

Ming Gu stood at the highest point of the Immortal Realm, looking down at the sentient beings below.

From a bone dragon that could be killed at will to the Netherworld Dragon Immortal Emperor who ruled the heavens, this path had taken him a thousand years.

A thousand years of bloody battle, a thousand years of conquest, finally exchanged for the eternal prosperity of the Dragon Clan.

"Qin Ya, did you see that?"

Ming Gu looked toward the Void Realm, as if he could see that woman whose body and soul had long since been extinguished.

"That sword strike of yours back then—look at the kind of being it carved out."

He turned around and looked at his loyal subjects behind him.

"By my imperial decree: from this day forward, in the heavens and myriad worlds, any form of hunting or enslaving of the Dragon Clan is forbidden."

"Those who violate this order shall have their clans exterminated!"

"Long live the Immortal Emperor! May the Dragon Clan prosper forever!"

Cheers resounded through the heavens and myriad worlds.

The legend of the Abyssal Dragon Emperor thus became an eternal myth.

And Ming Gu knew that his journey was not yet over.

Above the Immortal Emperor was the Divine Realm, and beyond the heavens and myriad worlds was the endless Chaos.

But those were matters for later.

At least for now, the Dragon Clan could finally hold their heads high, standing tall between heaven and earth.

And that was enough.