Ding! As the blood-colored light radiated from the jade ring and repelled the surrounding crowd, Zong Yang bit the tip of his tongue and spat a mouthful of essence blood onto it. The moment the blood was absorbed, a strange crimson glow surged from the surface of the ring. Immediately after, the entire ground began to tremble violently, and ripples of space spread out, distorting the very space within the Dragon Tomb.
"Haha! So the legend is true after all!" Zong Yang's eyes flickered with fervent excitement as he continued to pour spiritual energy into the jade ring. As the space ripples intensified, a massive stone coffin—towering as if it split the heavens—emerged from the twisted void.
At once, an ancient and wild aura flooded the mountain range, as though it had crossed the vast stretch of time from a primeval era. Under the weight of that presence, even Peak Ninth Grade Sovereigns felt like mere ants, completely insignificant. There was no doubt—this was an aura that could suppress the very heavens and earth.
"That... could it be the coffin of the Dragon Emperor?" someone murmured, shocked. With such terrifying pressure, only a Heavenly Sovereign-level entity could emit such force. Given that this was said to be the Dragon Emperor's burial ground, the identity of the figure within the stone coffin was becoming increasingly obvious.
As the oppressive presence pressed down on the land, Xiao Yan instinctively felt a surge of revulsion. In his mind, the twin flickers of battle intent left behind by Long Fan trembled violently, as though they longed to burst from his body and obliterate their sworn enemy. Every sign pointed to the same conclusion—this coffin was indeed tied to that ancient betrayal.
Based on what Xiao Yan knew, this stone coffin should be where the Dragon God had sealed the Dragon Emperor long ago. If it were to be opened, the Dragon Emperor trapped inside would most likely reawaken. Fortunately, Xiao Yan noticed that the lid of the coffin was etched with strange symbols—it was the faint trace of a spiritual array. Though weak and flickering, the seal was still in place.
Despite how fragile the seal appeared, it had been placed by a Saint-Rank Heavenly Sovereign. Even after millennia, it wasn't something that an ordinary Ninth Grade Sovereign, even one at Peak level, could casually break. Xiao Yan's plan was simple: kill the Dragon Emperor before he could fully emerge from the seal.
"Zong Yang, what's going on? Why hasn't the stone coffin opened yet?" one of the allied forces that had partnered with the Kunpeng Clan frowned as he spoke. The reason they'd cooperated was because Zong Yang had promised to share the Dragon Emperor's inheritance. Now, with the prize within reach, their urgency was greater than ever.
"A Heavenly Sovereign's tomb naturally wouldn't be without its defenses. But don't worry—now that I have this jade ring, opening the coffin is only a matter of time." Zong Yang's eyes gleamed with a strange light. "Still, I'll need a bit of help from you all."
"As long as the coffin opens, that's all that matters," the others responded in unison.
"You said it yourselves..." A twisted smile spread across Zong Yang's face. In the next instant, crimson light erupted from the jade ring, and the bodies of those standing closest to him exploded into showers of blood and flesh, which were drawn straight into the jade ring.
The unexpected eruption caused a panic. Those farther away attempted to flee, but the blood-colored light spread at terrifying speed, catching them in moments and dissolving them into blood mist as well. As more blood was absorbed, the smile on Zong Yang's face deepened sinisterly.
"Zong Yang! What the hell are you doing?!" those who had avoided the initial blast shouted in anger and fear.
"He's not Zong Yang!" Xiao Yan suddenly interjected. Though this was his first time seeing Zong Yang, he had sensed something was off from the very beginning—the man's movements had been strange, unnatural. Now, he was certain: this was no longer the real Zong Yang.
"Oh? If I'm not Zong Yang, then who am I?" The fake Zong Yang turned his gaze toward Xiao Yan, his expression slightly intrigued. But in those narrow eyes, a flicker of killing intent gleamed coldly.
"If my guess is right, you're the Dragon Emperor." Xiao Yan's eyes fixed on the man in front of him. "Your body is still sealed within that coffin, but your soul was hidden in the jade ring. When the real Zong Yang obtained it, you took over his body. Am I wrong?"
"The Dragon Emperor? That's impossible!" someone exclaimed. In the eyes of many, the Dragon Emperor was a noble and righteous hero. Especially among the divine beast clans—those with dragon bloodline—such an accusation was unthinkable.
"A noble figure? Don't make me laugh. He's nothing but a traitor who allied with the Extraterritorial Evil Clan." Xiao Yan sneered. "It's ironic, really. When you and the other Heavenly Demon Emperors ambushed the Dragon God and tried to steal his legacy, you probably never imagined you'd end up sealed away like this, did you?"
"You... who are you?! How do you know all this?!" A dark expression twisted the fake Zong Yang's face. That ancient secret was known to only a handful, all of whom were long dead. For someone in the present to know it...
As the imposter indirectly confirmed Xiao Yan's claims, Qin Wan'er and the others looked on in shock. The once-revered Dragon Emperor—revealed as a traitor? They were also baffled by how Xiao Yan, a relative unknown, possessed such insider knowledge that even divine beast clans had never heard.
"If you don't want people to know, don't do shameful things." Xiao Yan's voice rang coldly. "Long Nixian—how dare you, a member of the dragon race, betray your kind and join hands with the Evil Clan at such a critical time. You're a disgrace to your bloodline."
Of course, this righteous tirade didn't fully come from Xiao Yan himself. It was the accumulated wrath and obsession of the Dragonbone Guards sealed within him—voicing their long-suppressed rage through his lips.
(End of Chapter)
---
This Fanfiction Has Been Completed on Patreon, There is 2 Chapters Ahead of Release for Free Members on my Patreon.
Support me if you like this Fanfiction.
Patreon,com/Fallen_Archangel_
(Remove comma for dot.)
Leave a 5 star Review and a Power Stone.