268: Chapter 268 Return and Final Battle

Outside the lotus.

The ten thousand acres of lotus pond remained the same, lotus leaves like covers, lotus stems like pillars.

The massive lotus supporting the sky still bloomed quietly, petals crystalline, immortal light flowing.

On the palace atop the lotus, Mythical Dragon Son still squatted, eyes slightly closed, as if everything had nothing to do with him.

On the spirit boat, Ao Xue stood at the bow, motionless.

She had waited for a very long time.

So long that she couldn't remember the days.

But she did not leave.

She just waited.

She knew, Gao De would definitely return.

Just like that moment back at the Qianjiang Dragon Palace when he saved her from the Dragon Transformation Pool — she knew, this Dragon would not abandon her.

Never.

Suddenly —

Deep within the giant lotus, a golden light lit up.

The golden light grew brighter and more intense, until finally —

A figure slowly rose from the heart of the flower.

Purple-patterned dark robes, black hair with a jade hairpin, golden light flowing around his body.

Exactly the same as before he entered.

Yet —

Completely different.

Ao Xue was stunned.

She saw that figure land on the top of the lotus, in front of Mythical Dragon Son.

She saw Mythical Dragon Son open his eyes, and for the first time, those pale golden pupils revealed — awe.

She saw that figure turn his head and look at her.

In those eyes, there was calmness, gentleness, and — everything she was familiar with.

My King! Ao Xue cried out.

Gao De smiled slightly.

He took a step and landed in front of her.

Waited long? he asked.

Ao Xue opened her mouth, wanting to say something, but nothing came out.

She just reddened her eyes and shook her head desperately.

Gao De raised his hand and gently rubbed her hair.

Let's go, he said, Going home.

Ao Xue nodded vigorously.

The spirit boat started and drifted downstream.

Behind them, the voice of Mythical Dragon Son came from afar:

Latecomer —

The sleeping figure behind the Outer Realm rift is about to wake up.

Are you ready?

Gao De did not look back.

He just waved his hand.

Mythical Dragon Son watched the gradually receding back, a hint of gratification flashing in his eyes.

Ancestral Dragon... he muttered, The person you chose was indeed correct.

He closed his eyes and continued to sleep.

The ten thousand acres of lotus pond returned to silence.

Seven days later.

Dongting Lake.

When that familiar misty landscape came into view, Gao De was momentarily dazed.

The last time he left, it was to go to the Central Continent.

At that time, he was at the fourth stage of Perfection, with the Law just beginning to form.

Now returning —

He was already sixth stage.

Already the Lord of the Dragon Clan.

Already the new Ancestral Dragon.

My King, Ao Xue stood by his side and said softly, We are here.

Gao De nodded.

He took a deep breath and looked deep into the bottom of the Lake.

There, he had his first Water Mansion.

He had his first followers.

He had his first home.

Let's go, he said.

The two figures turned into light and escaped into the bottom of the Lake.

Qianjiao Cliff Water Mansion.

When the figures of Gao De and Ao Xue appeared at the entrance of the council hall, the entire Water Mansion boiled over!

My Lord —!!!

Turtle Three Thousand was the first to rush out, tears streaming down his face.

Behind him, Mysterious Turtle, Dragon Peach, Green Edge, Iron Pincer, Crab Eighteen... all the core members were present.

Subordinates pay respects to My Lord!

Pay respects to the Cliff Master!

Pay respects to My King!

The shouts were like a tide.

Gao De looked at those familiar faces.

Mysterious Turtle had aged a lot, but his Aura was steadier — all these years he had managed Qianjiao Cliff on his behalf, diligent and never slackening.

Dragon Peach remained cold, but in those eyes, there was joy that could not be concealed — her Myriad Wood Senluo Great Array had managed the entire Lesser Qingqiu into an impenetrable fortress.

Turtle Three Thousand was still that old self, hunched back, but his face was glowing — he was the first to follow Gao De, from the deep pool at the bottom of Dongting Lake to the current Qianjiao Cliff, never leaving.

Green Edge, Iron Pincer, Crab Eighteen... everyone was there.

Everyone was alive.

Everyone was waiting for him to return.

Rise, Gao De said, All of you, rise.

Everyone got up, but they still surrounded him, unwilling to disperse.

Mysterious Turtle stepped forward and said with a trembling voice: My Lord, you... you are now...

He sensed it.

The Aura on Gao De's body was completely different from when he left.

It was a kind of — indescribable pressure.

Not a deliberate release, but a natural existence.

As if standing there, he was a world unto himself.

Gao De nodded.

Sixth stage, he said.

The room fell silent.

Then —

Cheers shook the sky!

My Lord is mighty!

Lord of the Dragon Clan!

New Ancestral Dragon!

Gao De raised his hand, signaling everyone to be quiet.

These years, you have worked hard, he said, Next —

He paused.

There is one last thing.

Everyone's expression became solemn.

Gao De looked outside the council hall, toward the distant north.

There, was Xianyang City.

There, was the Outer Realm rift.

There, was the sleeping Lord of Demonic Entities.

Wait until I am ready, he said, then we go to the Outer Realm.

Go settle the account from ten thousand years ago.

Go seek justice for the Ancestral Dragon.

Go eliminate future troubles for this world forever.

Everyone responded in unison:

As you command!

Three days later.

Qianjiao Cliff Water Mansion, secret chamber.

Gao De sat alone, closing his eyes to look inward.

Inside his Dantian, that chaotic golden-green Dao fruit hovered quietly.

Inside the Dao fruit was an inner world with a radius of ten thousand miles.

In the center of the world, the mountain of Suppressing Prison stood towering.

In the mountain, it suppressed countless paths he had walked, Dao he had comprehended, and enemies he had killed.

Under the mountain, a river flowed slowly.

That river was the — time — he had traveled from Wuyue to Ancestral Dragon.

By the river, there was a giant tree.

That giant tree was the — Karma — he had encountered from Dongting to Yangzhou.

On the tree, countless fruits hung.

Every fruit was a memory, a person, a battle.

He opened his eyes.

Still missing a little, he muttered.

He raised his hand.

In his palm, a golden token appeared.

Dragon Gate Token.

This was given to him by the Ancestral Dragon when he left the Ancestral Court.

Hold this token, you can return to the Ancestral Court at any time, the Ancestral Dragon had said at the time. Inside the Ancestral Court, there is the heritage of the Dragon Clan for billions of years. If you need help, you can come and take it.

Gao De put away the token.

He stood up.

Walked out of the secret chamber.

Outside the door, Ao Xue was already waiting.

My King, she said, Mysterious Turtle sent news, Senior Mythical Dragon Son has arrived.

Gao De nodded.

He looked up at the sky above the Water Mansion.

There, a pale golden light was slowly descending.

The light dissipated.

A strange beast with a dragon head and frog body landed in front of him.

Mythical Dragon Son.

Sixth stage.

One of the nine sons of the Dragon.

Junior, he spoke, his voice still loud, This seat has thought about it, and decided to come in person.

Gao De asked: Senior, what advice do you have?

Mythical Dragon Son stared at him.

In those pale golden eyes, there was scrutiny, and also expectation.

The Lord of Demonic Entities is about to wake up, he said, Three years at most.

Three years later, the Seal of the rift will completely collapse.

At that time, it will descend again.

Are you ready?

Gao De was silent for a moment.

Three years, he said, Enough.

Mythical Dragon Son was stunned.

Three years is enough?

Gao De nodded.

Three years is enough for me to refine all the heritage of the Dragon Clan's Ancestral Court.

Three years is enough for me to expand the inner world by another fold.

Three years is enough for me to refine the taia sword to the extreme.

He looked at Mythical Dragon Son.

Three years later —

I will go find it.

Mythical Dragon Son stared at him.

For a long time.

He laughed.

The laughter made the entire Water Mansion tremble.

Good, he said, What a good junior.

This seat will wait for you.

Three years later, this seat will go with you.

He turned around, turned into golden light, and shot into the sky.

The voice came from afar:

This seat will go to guard the rift first.

When you are ready, come.

The golden light disappeared into the horizon.

Gao De withdrew his gaze.

Looked at Ao Xue.

These three years, he said, you accompany me.

Ao Xue was stunned.

Then, she smiled.

That smile was as bright as a flower.

Okay.

Three years later.

Above Xianyang City.

Before the Outer Realm rift.

A figure stood quietly in the Void Realm.

Purple-patterned dark robes, black hair with a jade hairpin, golden light flowing around his body.

Behind him stood two figures.

One blood-colored, with awe-inspiring Dragon might.

One pale gold, with an Aura like a mountain.

Ao Xue.

Mythical Dragon Son.

Further behind were countless figures.

There were Dragon souls from the Dragon Clan's Ancestral Court, condensed into physical form, following him.

There were old subordinates from Qianjiao Cliff, Mysterious Turtle, Dragon Peach, Turtle Three Thousand, Green Edge, Iron Pincer... all here.

There were reinforcements from the Heavenly Dao Alliance, with Situ Kong personally leading two hundred and twelve fourth-stage Elders to assist.

There were experts from all over the Central Continent, hearing of this battle, coming spontaneously.

They all knew —

Today was the day of the decisive battle.

Today was the day to continue the unfinished battle from ten thousand years ago.

Today was the day for the new Ancestral Dragon and the Lord of Demonic Entities —

To fight to the death.

Gao De looked at the rift.

Looked at the huge figure that was gradually waking up behind the rift.

He raised his hand.

The taia sword was unsheathed.

The golden sword light illuminated the entire sky.

Everyone, he spoke, his voice not loud, but it spread for ten thousand miles.

Ten thousand years ago, the Ancestral Dragon was here, fighting the Demonic Entities alone, and died from exhaustion.

Today —

He raised the taia sword high.

We are here to seek justice for the Ancestral Dragon.

To eliminate future troubles for this world forever.

To act for ourselves —

He took a step forward, stepping into the rift.

Survive!

Behind him, the army moved in unison!

Killing toward the Outer Realm!

Killing toward that — Lord of Demonic Entities — who had slept for ten thousand years and finally woken up!