377: Chapter 377: They're really out of options.

"Seventy-two Formations. The Aura is impressive, but the power is a bit lacking."

Ao Ye looked at the piece of bamboo he had crushed in his hand. The Formation patterns inscribed on it had already turned into specks of golden light as the vessel was destroyed.

"It's a shame you set them up so quickly, but it was still too hasty."

The offensive resumed. Ao Ye began to evade while rapidly analyzing the flaws in these Formations, prioritizing the destruction of those supplying energy and those used for recovery.

"If I had given you more time, I might have truly encountered some trouble. But at this level... heh."

Attacks rained down on Ao Ye. Some he dodged, others still struck him.

But wherever he was hit, a mist of water erupted, and with Ao Ye's breathing, the mist intensified.

The mist grew thicker, while the Formations grew fewer.

Fortunately, with the aid of the Formations, Bai Ling had already recovered and had accumulated a vast amount of magic power.

"Hah—Although it didn't meet expectations, it's enough."

Under Ao Ye's reckless charge, forty percent of the Formations had been destroyed, but Bai Ling had already grasped the method to secure victory.

"Ao Ye, retreat now, and no one will be hurt. If you take another step forward, it will be a fight to the death."

Bai Ling pressed both hands to the ground, establishing a connection with the distant Formation arrays. The Formations, which had been outputting normally, instantly began a frenzied output. The Formation cores inscribed on the bamboo were already showing signs of collapse.

It was also thanks to Ao Ye primarily destroying auxiliary and enhancement-type Formations that most of the attack-type Formations were preserved.

Under this numerically reduced but increasingly ferocious assault from the Formations, more and more water splashes erupted from Ao Ye's body.

The situation had originally been very favorable, but in an instant, the scattered water mist all exploded.

Bai Ling only saw a dragon's silhouette. Then, all the remaining Formations dissipated along with the explosion of the water mist, and Bai Ling himself was sent flying by the tremendous impact force.

"How is this possible?"

This was Bai Ling's final thought before he was sent flying.

He had clearly made so many preparations. Why was he still so easily dealt with?

The Dragon Clan couldn't possibly have such a powerful Prodigy without any reputation. Given their proud nature, if they had someone of this caliber, they would have been boasting to the heavens long ago. How could they remain unknown?

Then, based on the opponent's performance, it could only be that one situation.

Bai Ling stabilized his posture in mid-air. After landing, he swiftly reconnected the shattered Formations.

The specks of light that had already dissipated reappeared, forming lines of runes. Talismans were drawn in the air one after another. This was originally his reserved final killing move, but now he was using it ahead of time to buy himself time.

Meanwhile, within the water mist, the water flow was gathering once again to form Ao Ye's dragon body.

As if the previous fight had caused no loss at all, Ao Ye still wore a confident expression.

Plans aplenty but strength lacking, techniques numerous but none mastered. With this level of skill, how dare you call yourself the Human Race's top Prodigy?

Seeing the gathering Talismans, Ao Ye simply exploded once more, merging the water vapor he had preserved in advance into them. Those originally complete incantations were either deleted or modified, most losing their original efficacy.

Only a small portion succeeded in releasing, causing numerous explosions. But this time, Ao Ye did not choose to transform into water vapor; instead, he directly used his Physical Body to withstand the blasts.

Because he had already anticipated what Bai Ling was about to do. After Bai Ling's final force was exhausted and all his preparations turned to dust...

Bai Ling turned and ran without the slightest hesitation. Ao Ye was also prepared, transforming into a water current and quickly giving chase.

Ao Ye's speed was clearly far greater than Bai Ling's. Even though Bai Ling fled first, he was about to be caught in no time.

But Bai Ling wasn't too panicked either, constantly calculating distance and position in his mind.

Soon, they arrived at a more spacious area that looked like a training square.

Ao Ye also saw a section of bamboo that suddenly lit up with a golden light.

"So it appeared here. A pity you came at the wrong time."

After saying this, he casually slashed out with a water blade, splitting that bamboo vertically.

The golden light also vanished as the bamboo was destroyed.

It was precisely because of this that Bai Ling gained more time, allowing him to turn, form hand seals, and slap the ground in one fluid motion.

What followed was the Nascent Soul Domain that Bai Ling had long prepared.

A massive workshop rose from the ground, enveloping Ao Ye within.

Ao Ye now surveyed his surroundings, quietly waiting for Bai Ling to release his Domain. Bai Ling's expression, however, gradually turned grim.

He was gambling on a possibility. It seemed he had gambled correctly now, but after winning the bet, the trouble might be even greater.

The Nascent Soul Domain actually has further subdivisions. After all, many Cultivators are stuck at the Nascent Soul Stage. Even the methods of the Late Nascent Soul Stage have numerous development directions.

Therefore, the Nascent Soul Domain is roughly divided into three types.

The first is the Blank-Slate Domain like those of Zhou Yan and Shi Suiyan. Its properties are added by the user only after expansion.

The second has characteristics of the user's main cultivation path, with an exceptionally distinct style capable of modifying terrain.

The third combines the traits of both, pre-constructing one's own style within the Blank-Slate Domain and releasing them together when needed.

The first type is the original Nascent Soul Domain, primarily focused on controlling the Laws of Heaven and Earth in a partial area, with assisting one's own combat as secondary.

Its characteristic is the ease of adding one's own traits and making changes, not being confined to a single path and affecting cultivation.

The second type greatly enhances the user. Once the Domain possesses a strong personal style, whether in duration, consumption, or the user's bonuses within the Domain, it far surpasses the former.

Its weakness is that once countered, there are fewer countermeasures, and it can have a certain impact on one's own cultivation path.

Hence, some developed the third type, which is what Bai Ling is using now.

Within the originally possessed Domain, traits similar to the second type are pre-constructed. It has rich personal characteristics but can still enjoy the properties of the original Domain.

However, compared to the second type, the third leans more towards being disposable, requiring replenishment after each use.

Currently trapped within Bai Ling's Domain, Ao Ye also examined this workshop that had risen from the ground.

Looking at the three or four-story structure inside, the tools on each floor were different: spears, swords, halberds, as well as brooms, wardrobes, and tables and chairs.

"Immortal Master Bai Ling, is this your Domain?"

"Even after understanding the gap between us, you're still attempting a final resistance?"

"Not understanding the gap is bravery. Understanding it and still resisting is foolishness. I thought you were a smart person, but why can't you grasp this?"

Bai Ling only managed a strained smile.

He looked at "Ao Ye" and asked.

"At the Perfection of the Nascent Soul Stage, yet you couldn't expand a Domain to oppose me, and could only watch me complete my Domain expansion."

"With this level of strength, this level of talent, and hailing from a top force of the Yao Race, you're not going to say you don't have a Nascent Soul Domain, are you?"

"With this level of foundation and still unable to master a Nascent Soul Domain... only those who crossed the Nascent Soul Stage before the Nascent Soul Domain was developed fit that description."

"Then there's only one answer. May I ask, which Dragon Ancestor of the Dragon Clan has crawled out from the Sea Abyss to play with us juniors?"

"Ao Ye" seemed to have expected this, showing only some surprise.

"I guessed long ago you might deduce my identity. I just didn't expect you to be foolish enough to say it outright."

"You clearly know that since I dared to come out, it means I'm not afraid of my identity being exposed. But by publicly exposing it, you're bound to suffer some hardship."

"Is this the intelligence of this generation's Double-Pupil Bearer? Or has your Flawed Pupil affected your intellect?"

Seeing the other party not deny it, Bai Ling finally confirmed his suspicion, and couldn't help but feel some despair.

"Since it's something we both know perfectly well, and Senior hasn't deliberately hidden it, if I still pretended not to know, that would be covering my ears to steal the bell."

"Besides, at this point, even if I don't say it, would Senior let me go?"

Ao Ye merely cracked his neck, his smile growing increasingly ferocious.

Seeing Ao Ye's demeanor, Bai Ling knew he could no longer buy time through conversation.

He could only shake his head and sigh.

"What a truly undeserved calamity. All the unlucky things seem to happen to me."

"Tsk, but never mind."

The disappointment vanished from Bai Ling's eyes, replaced only by resignation and a surge of intense Battle Intent.

"In that case, let me do my best to delay your steps, so my teammates can accomplish more."

"It's a pity I can't relay the intelligence."

Seeing Bai Ling assume a stance, "Ao Ye" also licked the corner of his mouth.

"Your courage is the only thing about you worth praising."

"Then, as a reward for the brave, I'll tell you exactly who your opponent is."

"My name is Bhagala."

"Hahaha."

Upon hearing this name, Bai Ling directly laughed out loud. Not out of joy, but because he was truly out of options.