Chapter 708: Zhao Yunxiao

The battle between Yaoyao and Wu Huang in the sky ceased due to the black-robed man's sudden attack on Zhou Yuan. However, Yaoyao’s gaze at this moment became exceptionally cold.

Such a look had not appeared even when she was fighting Wu Yao earlier.

Evidently, she was truly angered now.

Wu Yao naturally noticed the change in Yaoyao's expression. However, she was also somewhat displeased by the black-robed man's intervention. Her personality was too strong; although she was determined to acquire the Sacred Dragon Qi within Zhou Yuan, she preferred to do so honorably through her own abilities, rather than relying on others.

Below, the black-robed man, whom Wu Yao called Zhao Yunxiao, naturally heard the anger in Wu Yao's voice and smiled a little helplessly.

He hadn't intended to intervene, as in his view, Zhou Yuan, who was only at the initial stage of the Divine Dwelling realm, naturally couldn't escape Wu Yao's grasp.

But who could have foreseen Yaoyao appearing out of nowhere, possessing astonishing strength no less than Wu Yao's? That's why he had planned to secretly injure Zhou Yuan severely to help Wu Yao obtain the Sacred Dragon Qi and win her favor.

However, to his surprise, Wu Yao did not appreciate his efforts.

Zhao Yunxiao smiled at Wu Yao, then raised his hands and chuckled, "Oh, oh, don't be angry. Alright, alright, I won't interfere. I'll leave this kid for you to deal with. Is that satisfactory?"

He only looked at Wu Yao, seemingly apologizing, but his gaze never once fell upon Zhou Yuan, who had almost been killed by his previous strike.

Yet, no sooner had he spoken than Yaoyao, her face icy cold, wasted no words. With a shake of her jade-like hand, the long whip forged from soul flame tore through the void and lashed fiercely at Zhao Yunxiao.

Zhao Yunxiao's eyes narrowed at the whistling soul flame whip. Facing Yaoyao, he dared not show the same disdain he had for Zhou Yuan earlier; her powerful spirit energy was enough to make him wary.

So, Zhao Yunxiao stamped his foot, and a surging surge of Genesis Qi roared out from within him. Light coalesced behind him, forming three halos of Divine Dwelling light.

The halos radiated an eight-colored glow.

This Zhao Yunxiao was also at the late stage of the Divine Dwelling realm, having opened eight Divine Dwellings!

Although slightly inferior to Wu Yao, being able to open eight Divine Dwellings already marked him as a top-tier genius.

The soul flame whip descended, lashing fiercely onto the Divine Dwelling halos rotating around Zhao Yunxiao. A muffled thunder-like sound erupted instantly, and the halos vibrated violently.

The soul flame whip's assault grew increasingly fierce, causing the Divine Dwelling halos to become precarious.

Zhao Yunxiao's expression shifted slightly. He had not underestimated Yaoyao in the slightest, but he still hadn't expected to misjudge her mastery of spirit energy. Such an ability would be enough to rank her among the top Divine Dwelling realm cultivators in the Hunyuan Heaven.

While Zhao Yunxiao was filled with surprise and doubt, the Divine Dwelling halos around him reached their limit and then burst apart with a resounding crash.

Lightning flashed across Zhao Yunxiao's body, and his figure vanished from his spot, reappearing in the distant sky. His handsome, jade-like face was now filled with solemnity.

In just a short moment, his protective halos had been breached, demonstrating the sheer intensity of Yaoyao's attack.

"Miss, why be so aggressive?"

Zhao Yunxiao looked at Yaoyao, a hint of astonishment flashing in his eyes. Wu Yao was arguably the most outstanding among the many women he had met, which was why she had lingered in the mind of someone with such high standards, even making him willing to follow her to Cangxuan Heaven. He had previously believed no other girl in this world could surpass Wu Yao, but now, Yaoyao, standing before him, was clearly not inferior to Wu Yao in any aspect.

Zhao Yunxiao glanced at Zhou Yuan below, feeling a trace of jealousy deep down. This rat-like young man could actually be associated with these two girls, who were blessed by heaven and earth. It truly was a great fortune cultivated in a previous life.

Below, Zhou Yuan stood up. He looked at the slightly shattered silver armor on his body, a chilling intent flashing in his eyes. In that previous moment, if he hadn't been vigilant, he might have truly been severely injured or even killed.

Yaoyao's figure descended, guarding Zhou Yuan's side. Her clear, ethereal eyes, however, were fixed on the void. "Be careful," she said, "there are more of their people here, and they're very strong!"

Zhou Yuan was immediately startled by her words.

"Heh heh, what a perceptive little girl," an aged voice chuckled from the void just as Yaoyao finished speaking.

Then, Zhou Yuan saw a black-robed elder gradually materialize from the void.

Zhou Yuan's entire body tensed as he looked at the black-robed elder, his expression solemn. The oppressive aura emanating from this elder was definitely not something they could contend with.

The black-robed elder glanced at Zhou Yuan, then waved his hand. "Youngsters, don't be nervous. This old man won't get involved in your affairs."

He looked up at the void and chuckled, "Besides, if I were to intervene, things would become complicated. Your Cangxuan Sect likely wouldn't tolerate it."

Evidently, he could sense some extremely powerful presences watching them.

The black-robed elder turned his gaze to Wu Yao and smiled, "Girl Wu, it seems today's matter cannot continue. It's best to know when to stop."

Wu Yao nodded slightly, and her delicate figure slowly descended.

Her phoenix-like eyes first lingered on Yaoyao for a moment, then shifted back to Zhou Yuan. She gazed at him for a long while, her red lips parting slightly. "The struggle for Dragon Qi will never cease until it's fully integrated, until one of us perishes."

"Zhou Yuan, perhaps between you and me, it truly is as the prophecy states: only the devourer survives."

"I don't deny that the Sacred Dragon Qi originated from you. However, the path of cultivation is inherently a world of fierce contention, so I will show no mercy."

"Although this Sacred Dragon Qi is what I detest most, it has indeed brought me some benefits over the years. Therefore, regardless, I consider myself to have received a measure of karmic connection from you."

She took a deep breath and said, "In the future, if there's an opportunity outside of the Dragon Qi struggle, I will naturally repay this debt."

Zhou Yuan looked at Wu Yao's beautiful face, feeling a touch of surprise. When he had encountered Wu Huang and King Wu in the past, they would never admit that the Sacred Dragon Qi originated from him. Wu Huang, in particular, had repeatedly called him a fake dragon, merely a vessel.

Only Wu Yao, however, spoke plainly about the matter and offered no excuses. Though a woman, her magnanimity was notably greater than that of Wu Huang or King Wu.

Despite these thoughts, Zhou Yuan showed no sign of backing down, for he knew that the girl before him was far more dangerous than Wu Huang or King Wu.

"What belongs to me, I will always take back. Those things do not belong to you," Zhou Yuan replied, his tone still firm and unyielding.

The black lightning around Wu Yao gradually receded, and sunlight illuminated her jade-like cheeks, making them gleam.

"If one day you can truly take the Sacred Dragon Qi from me, then it will naturally mean your abilities are superior. At that time, even if I perish, I will have no complaints."

Wu Yao's phoenix-like eyes stared at Zhou Yuan. "Of course," she added, "I hope that will be accomplished by your own hand, not by using others."

As she spoke, she glanced at Yaoyao.

Yaoyao said coolly, "If not for someone protecting you, you wouldn't be leaving today either."

She cast a look at the black-robed elder.

Wu Yao's phoenix-like eyes narrowed, like a phoenix whose authority was challenged, and her voice grew colder. "Though your spirit energy is strong, if we truly fought, I would not fear you."

The two women glared at each other, and the atmosphere instantly became tense again.

The black-robed elder smiled helplessly. Although Wu Yao was usually strong-willed, not just anyone could provoke her temper. Yet, facing Yaoyao, for some reason, she seemed like a powder keg.

However, the two women ultimately did not resume their fight, knowing it would be largely meaningless.

Zhou Yuan looked at Wu Yao and smiled faintly. "When Wu Huang's name resounded across the Boundless Continent, I was still in Great Zhou, unable to even open my meridians and cultivate. Yet, I was fearless then. What more now, when both you and I are in the Divine Dwelling realm?"

"So you should be careful. If we meet again, you might not have any advantage."

"Arrogant rat." Wu Yao did not speak, but Zhao Yunxiao chimed in with a beaming smile, contempt deep in his eyes. "Do you really think that just because you've made a name for yourself in Cangxuan Heaven, you can be arrogant toward anyone?"

"You should know, compared to Hunyuan Heaven, Cangxuan Heaven is insignificant."

"Therefore, you must also understand that there's a significant difference between true Saint Child geniuses from both places... don't lump them together."

Zhou Yuan glanced at Zhao Yunxiao, his tone unruffled. "Your previous palm strike, if I get the chance in the future, I will return it."

Zhao Yunxiao clapped softly, chuckling, "My pleasure."

His demeanor, however, clearly indicated he took it as a joke.

Wu Yao, on the other hand, gave Zhou Yuan a deep look. She clearly knew more about him, and in truth, she was quite surprised by his ability to rise from such a state of ruin.

To be able to progress from a frail youth with blocked meridians to his current level, slaying Wu Huang and destroying Great Wu... this person, who once possessed the Sacred Dragon Qi, was indeed no ordinary being.

However, Wu Yao was also a proud individual; she did not believe she would lose to anyone, not even the former Sacred Dragon of Great Zhou.

Therefore, facing Zhou Yuan, she merely nodded slightly and said, "I'll be waiting."

Having spoken, she withdrew her gaze and turned to look at the desolate mausoleum. She spoke softly, "Elder Yan, please allow me one last homage to my mother."

The black-robed elder nodded gently.

Wu Yao, clad in red, slowly approached the tombstone. She gazed at the inscription, as if seeing her gentle mother, who had always protected her, in the deepest recesses of her memory.

She knelt before the tombstone and bowed deeply.

"Mother, Great Wu is no more. All past events end here."

"From now on, Yao'er is alone, with no more attachments."

"I bid farewell here. May you rest in peace, Mother."

As Wu Yao knelt, her phoenix-like eyes closed, and her long eyelashes trembled slightly. Finally, a single crystal tear rolled down her cheek and shattered upon the ground.

She knew that after this departure, she might never return to this place in her lifetime.

All past events vanished like smoke.

Wu Yao's bow lasted for a long time. Eventually, she composed her emotions and slowly stood up.

When Wu Yao turned around again, Zhou Yuan noticed that her demeanor seemed much calmer. This calmness, however, was more akin to indifference. With that bow, it was as if she had resolved her final emotional entanglement.

All past affairs were sealed deep within her heart, frozen forever.

At the same time, her once soft and kind heart was gradually covered by layers of hard ice, leaving no cracks.

Let the innocent and kind little princess of the Great Wu royal palace die completely...

From now on, in this world, there would only be Wu Yao, who pursued the path of the strongest.