The Azure Dragon Soul Crystals brilliant blue light and that ancient dragon roar crossing millennia was like casting a stabilizing divine needle into the chaotic hall. Time seemed to freeze at this moment.
Elder Youquans certain strike was blocked by an invisible barrier, the scale-covered palm where it met the blue light produced sizzling sounds, wisps of black smoke rising, making him groan in pain, pull back his hand like electrocuted, his eyes under the silver mask full of shock, anger and disbelief.
Those three madly attacking Shadow Snake Pavilion disciples Dragon-Man guardians, the moment hearing this dragon roar, their massive bodies suddenly stiffened, turbid violent yellow eyes actually showed a trace of bloodline-instinct fear and confusion, attack movements also slowed down.
Even the green lightning striking from above the altar temporarily subsided.
All gazes focused on that glowing altar top.
The Azure Dragon Soul Crystals emitted blue light did not dissipate but became even more concentrated, finally above the soul crystal, outlining a massive and dignified, slightly illusory blue dragon shadow!
This dragon shadow was not a solid object, even unclear on specific scale and claw details, more like a remnant will condensed from countless years and unwillingness. It coiled above the soul crystal, those eyes like blue obsidian carrying the power to see through the heart, slowly sweeping across all invaders below.
A massive pressure originating from the life level and soul source, like a tide, swept across, enveloping the entire main hall. This pressure was not directed at the physical body, but straight at the Dao heart and soul!
The Trial of the Dragon Soul Remnant had begun!
First to bear the brunt was the closest, sinister-hearted Elder Youquan!
That blue dragon shadow gaze fell on him, Elder Youquan immediately felt like being pressed by an invisible mountain, the cold demonic aura around him churning violently, as if encountering a nemesis, producing painful screams. Even more terrifying was that the gaze could seemingly penetrate the mask, directly looking at the deepest darkness and greed in his soul.
Gahhh!
Elder Youquan let out a suppressed painful roar, his body uncontrollably trembling. He felt like falling into an endless abyss, countless living beings he had harmed and devoured their grudges screaming tragically in his ears, the deep desire for power at any cost in his heart amplified infinitely, yet also firmly suppressed by a majestic dragon might, two extreme forces violently collided in his sea of consciousness, almost making him lose his mind, even a strand of black blood flowing from the corner of his mouth!
His demonic cultivation techniques, his hands stained with blood, the darkness in his heart, all were exposed before the pure and dignified dragon soul remnant, suffering the most direct backlash!
And those Shadow Snake Pavilion disciples were even worse, surrounded by the dragon might, each face turning deathly pale, collapsing to the ground as if their bones had been extracted, eyes full of fear, unable to even grip their magical treasures. That black-robed Foundation Establishment peak elder was also drenched in sweat, barely managing to stay standing, clearly unable to fight anymore.
The dragon soul remnant gaze, like cold judgment, swept across these crooked-hearted demonic cultivators, carrying undisguised disgust and rejection.
Then the dragon shadow gaze turned to Xiao Qi and Liu Yun who were secretly hiding in the shadows by the hall entrance.
The pressure descended!
Liu Yun suddenly felt breathless, as if countless eyes were examining her innermost heart. She saw the illusion of Qingxu Temple destruction, the masters sacrifice, the bone-deep hatred toward Shadow Snake Pavilion. These obsessions and killing intent were being amplified and interrogated by the dragon might. She clenched her teeth tightly, veins on her forehead exposed, fully activated the Ice Heart Art, firmly holding onto the protective devotion to the sect deep in her heart, and her determination for righteousness, with difficulty resisting the erosion of the dragon might.
And Xiao Qi, at the moment the dragon might descended, also felt tremendous pressure. Countless illusions came flooding in: the flames of Xu Lan Mountain Manor, parents blurred grieving faces, father Xu Zhan struggling under demonic energy control, Auntie Su warning, Tianjizi warning about the catastrophe, and all the suffering of living beings witnessed along the way. All these images pointed to the heavy responsibility and blood feud he carried.
However, unlike Elder Youquan and those Shadow Snake Pavilion disciples, Xiao Qi under these illusions and the dragon might interrogation, though his expression was grave, his body remained steady as a rock. He had not been completely consumed by hatred, nor had he retreated from fear.
His Dao heart, after experiencing sect protection, secret realm tempering, life-and-death escape, seeing the worlds breadth and darkness, had long become more resilient and transparent.
He took a deep breath, did not try to resist that dragon might, but opened his heart completely, presenting his truest thoughts without reservation to this ancient dragon soul remnant.
That was longing and redemption for departed loved ones, gratitude and duty to protect sect elders who were like teachers and father, anger at Shadow Snake Pavilion and the mastermind demon harming all beings, determination to gather the Four Symbols to stop the catastrophe, and most importantly, a simple yet firm heart of protection toward this land and countless innocent creatures!
This devotion, though perhaps not strong enough, though the path ahead remains unclear, was pure and firm, without impurity, without selfish desire.
When this protective intention was clearly transmitted, the massive dragon might surrounding him suddenly changed!
No longer just cold examination and oppression, but transformed into a gentle current of approval and recognition, slowly flowing through his limbs, washing his soul, soothing his slightly restless spiritual power caused by hatred and pressure.
The jade pendant at his chest, under the infiltration of this gentle dragon might, released an even softer and deeper light, faintly resonating with the Azure Dragon Soul Crystal.
The blue dragon shadow coiling above the soul crystal, those obsidian-like dragon eyes falling on Xiao Qi, had less dignity, more indescribable complex emotions, with relief, anticipation, and even a sense of relieved entrustment.
It seemed to see from Xiao Qi a kind of hope, a possibility to inherit the Azure Dragon Sacred Beasts essence of generating and protecting.
The dragon roar sounded again, this time no longer full of anger and dignity, but carrying a desolate yet resolute meaning.
The blue dragon shadow deeply looked at Xiao Qi, then its massive body slowly dissipated, transforming back into the purest soul power, like all rivers returning to the sea, flowing into that verdant Azure Dragon Soul Crystal below.
The soul crystals light gradually dimmed inward, but that vast soul power fluctuation became even more condensed.
The trial had ended.
Shadow Snake Pavilion everyone, including Elder Youquan, were all mentally wounded, their strength greatly damaged.
And Xiao Qi, with his pure and firm protective Dao heart, gained the Azure Dragon remnant recognition!
The best time to claim the soul crystal was now!