Chapter 916: Saint Emperor vs Semi-Saint

"A scale from the Black Dragon Demon Emperor?"

The surrounding cultivators, including those of the Void and Severing Dao stages, looked bewildered, clearly unfamiliar with this strange name. However, a storm brewed in Teng Shanhai's mind. A Holy Emperor's scale!

On the Sacred God Continent, even cultivators at the Void stage couldn't access the secrets of the Holy Emperor. Under the Heavenly Dao's seal, most people were largely ignorant of Holy Emperor's hidden truths. As the chief of the War Department, Teng Shanhai, however, was privileged to know these secrets. This black scale, shot forth from a crack in Void Island, was precisely the Holy Emperor Dragon Scale of the Black Dragon Demon Emperor, master of the Black Vein within Void Island's inner sanctum!

"How could something like this appear?" Teng Shanhai stared at the scale as if it were a hot potato, unsure whether to retrieve it.

Rao Yaoyao also had a headache; even she couldn't discern the secrets within this scale. If it contained a demonic beast sealed with Holy Power, the "Ghost Seeker Plate" would certainly be incapable of finding any information about such a high-level treasure. The best method now was not to collect it, but to destroy it. Yet, even with everyone present gathered, it would likely be impossible to destroy this Holy Emperor Dragon Scale!

"Seal it." After a moment of hesitation, Rao Yaoyao devised a plan. "Immediately summon Situ Yongren and Yu Zhiwen," she instructed. "Use Heavenly Secret Art to seal this dragon scale, then hand it over to the Hall Master of the Dao."

Teng Shanhai immediately took out his communication bead, intending to summon them. But it was too late! After only a brief pause, the Holy Emperor Dragon Scale in Rao Yaoyao's hand suddenly trembled violently.

"Buzz, buzz, buzz!"

In an instant, dense black Holy Power surged out like waves, layer upon layer, ceaselessly, tearing through the void and sending Rao Yaoyao stumbling backward.

"Roar—"

A resounding dragon roar echoed from within the scale, instantly spreading across the land and piercing through the entire Yunlun Mountain Range. Even the people in the Eastern Heavenly Royal City heard the dragon's cry.

"Ugh! What's that sound!"

All the trial participants in the Yunlun Mountain Range clutched their ears in agony, blood trickling from their orifices. This dragon roar contained immense pressure, inducing submission. Spirit Refiners at the Grandmaster stage simply couldn't withstand it, collapsing to their knees in prostration. The Spirit Refiners in the Eastern Heavenly Royal City also groaned in distress. Those with weaker cultivation even fainted on the spot upon hearing the dragon's roar.

Leaders from various high-level regions resisted with all their might, turning their heads to gaze toward the pinnacle of the void. On the distant horizon, accompanied by the dragon's roar, dark clouds gathered, and lightning flickered. The entire sky was dyed an inky black. The magnificent Holy Power overflowed like a breached dam, breaking through all constraints, continuously raging in all directions, devouring and staining vast expanses of space.

Powerful cultivators of the Severing Dao and Void stages could vaguely see the black dragon scale floating in the air. Within a hundred-zhang radius, no one could approach. Even Rao Yaoyao, wielding the Azure Mystic Divine Sword, was forced to retreat beyond a hundred zhang, resisting with all her might!

"Holy Power..."

Before the Void Island rift, the thirteen Void cultivators and twenty-seven Severing Dao cultivators grew envious. Such dense Holy Power fluctuations were truly rare in the world. Even if one obtained just a wisp of this Holy Power and gained a slight understanding, becoming a Half-Saint would surely be within reach!

"What exactly is this thing? A Holy Emperor's supreme treasure? Do Holy Emperor-level powerhouses truly exist in this world?" Master Huang Yang felt an uncontrollable surge of greed. Unaware that demonic energy was already emanating from him, he involuntarily took a step forward.

"A Foundation for Sainthood! This is my opportunity!" Granny Tianling's eyes had already turned black as she prepared to seize the chance.

"Something's wrong!" Hong Dang, known as the Dragon Subduing Hand, famous for body tempering and spiritual cultivation, sharply noticed that everyone present was being assailed by the black Holy Power. Demonic energy! This was demonic energy at work, stirring up inner demons in everyone!

Those present might have been unmoved by external objects, but when it came to a Foundation for Sainthood, their obsession verged on madness. In this situation, with just a slight guidance from the black Holy Power, even Void cultivators could fall into qi deviation.

Rao Yaoyao held the Azure Mystic Divine Sword in reverse, resisting the Black Dragon Demon Emperor's power with divine energy. She also realized that the people around her were acting strangely.

"Don't go near it!" Rao Yaoyao roared.

The Azure Mystic Divine Sword immediately stabilized, and the power of destiny surged forth. Combined with her infinite sword intent, it coalesced into a form. Amidst the pervasive Black Dragon's power, a golden sword phantom, imbued with the power of destiny, suddenly pierced the sky, blocking one Holy Power assault for everyone.

"This is a trap set by the Black Dragon Demon Emperor!" Rao Yaoyao's voice, like a grand bell, resonated in everyone's minds.

Master Huang Yang was jolted awake by the shout and immediately chanted the "Heart Cleansing Incantation," barely regaining his composure. "Terrifying!" He shivered with lingering fear, his back drenched in sweat. This Holy Power could so easily manipulate the emotions of even Void cultivators; it was practically toying with everyone.

Granny Tianling also calmed down. Hong Dang, the Dragon Subduing Hand, retreated several miles away, hoping to avoid all Holy Power influence. He coveted the Foundation for Sainthood. But the Foundation for Sainthood before him was clearly wrong, more like a harbinger of death. At this moment, life was far more important than this strange Foundation for Sainthood! Other Void powerhouses nearby also had strong enough resolve, and with external interference, they barely broke free from the Holy Power's influence and rapidly retreated.

However, the Severing Dao cultivators weren't so fortunate. Even though Rao Yaoyao had blocked one Holy Power assault for everyone, these individuals still couldn't recover from their obsession with the "Foundation for Sainthood." The twenty-seven Severing Dao cultivators were instantly ignited by the demonic energy, each appearing as if engulfed in demonic flames, their very appearances obscured by the overwhelming demonic aura.

"Roar!""Roar!""Roar, roar, roar..."

Strange, hoarse dragon roars ripped from the throats of the twenty-seven Severing Dao cultivators. The next second, these individuals completely lost their minds. Enduring the Holy Power's assault, they disregarded their breaking bodies and rushed toward the dragon scale.

"Mine!""This is my opportunity, get away from me!""Gah, gah, gah, die, all of you just die, gah, gah, gah!"

The twenty-seven Severing Dao cultivators, now suffering from qi deviation, swarmed forward like moths to a flame. The twenty-seven hands attempting to grasp the Foundation for Sainthood were obliterated by the Holy Power mid-flight. Their forms, the moment they touched the dragon scale, transformed into spiritual light of flesh and blood, injecting into it. Souls shattered. Will extinguished.

Before the Void Island rift, the frenzied roars ceased, and an extreme silence fell, leaving only ripples of Holy Power radiating in circles...

"My heavens!" Master Huang Yang watched, his scalp tingling. Twenty-seven Severing Dao cultivators, some even strong enough to have endured two or three Nine Deaths Thunder Tribulations, yet under the influence of this dragon scale, they had no power to resist. They rushed madly to their deaths! They couldn't even put up the slightest resistance. Perhaps, just before they died, they still thought they were about to grasp the Foundation for Sainthood?

"If not for Sword Immortal Rao's help, I might have suffered the same fate..." Master Huang Yang couldn't help but look in Rao Yaoyao's direction, swallowing with difficulty. He knew he owed a favor. Severing Dao cultivators couldn't offer any resistance before the Holy Power. Void cultivators who had lost their minds were also powerless to struggle. If not for Rao Yaoyao's sword, all thirteen Void cultivators present would have perished.

"It's over." Rao Yaoyao, observing the black dragon scale that had devoured the flesh and blood of the twenty-seven Severing Dao cultivators, felt her heart pound with unease. This dragon scale definitely held something! The Black Dragon Demon Emperor could use Holy Power to send it out of Void Island, but that external force must have been completely depleted in dealing with the spatial currents and precise targeting. Therefore, for this dragon scale to land on the Yunlun Mountain Range, it still needed to draw upon other powers to activate its inner secrets. And the external force it needed to draw upon... at this moment, it was undoubtedly the flesh and blood power of the twenty-seven Severing Dao cultivators who had rushed madly to their deaths!

"Thump."

The dragon scale, having absorbed the flesh and blood power of the twenty-seven Severing Dao cultivators, suddenly stopped diffusing Holy Power. A muffled sound, like a heartbeat, emerged from within. One beat. Two beats. Three beats... Still no movement!

Teng Shanhai's heart pounded faster, his mind racing with desperate choices. Soon, with a fierce glint in his eyes, he produced a drop of Holy Blood and intended to swallow it.

"Don't!" Rao Yaoyao, however, understood Teng Shanhai's intention. This man actually intended to risk his life to suppress this dragon scale! But you are merely a Void cultivator. Even if you consume Holy Blood, it's still Half-Saint blood. The power of a Holy Emperor is beyond human imagination. Even for just one dragon scale, drinking a bottle of Half-Saint vital blood would be futile!

Immediately, Rao Yaoyao pointed her sword, knocking the Holy Blood away. Teng Shanhai turned on her with furious eyes, roaring, "What are you doing! If we delay any longer, everyone will die!" He had already steeled himself for death, but being thwarted, his demeanor was nearing madness.

"Thump, thump..."

The heartbeat within the dragon scale suddenly intensified and began to accelerate. "Thump, thump, thump, thump, thump, thump..." Everyone began to panic. A major change was about to occur!

Rao Yaoyao didn't respond to Teng Shanhai's question. Instead, she casually swung the Azure Mystic Divine Sword. Sword energy flew forth, striking toward the dragon scale. But the moment it touched the dragon scale, all offensive power vanished, and the sword energy was completely devoured.

"If you still wish to act, by all means, continue," Rao Yaoyao said coolly.

Teng Shanhai fell silent. He retracted the Holy Blood, knowing that even if he consumed it, he would likely suffer the same fate as the twenty-seven Severing Dao cultivators—directly devoured!

"What do we do now?" Teng Shanhai slumped beside Rao Yaoyao, utterly distraught.

Rao Yaoyao shook her head slightly. "Since the Black Dragon Demon Emperor has already made a move, this matter is no longer within our control. Let's wait."

"Wait?" Teng Shanhai was furious, pointing at the black scale with its wildly thumping heartbeat. "Do you know what will happen if we wait any longer?!" he demanded.

"I know," Rao Yaoyao calmly nodded, then suddenly turned to look at the seemingly empty sky behind them.

Teng Shanhai followed her gaze. The thirteen Void cultivators also turned their heads. But the distant sky was empty.

"Waiting for what?" A collective question arose in everyone's minds. No one knew Rao Yaoyao's backup plan, nor the fundamental reason why she could remain so calm even as the dragon scale was on the verge of mutation.

"Swish."

Just then, a faint whooshing sound appeared. Following Rao Yaoyao's line of sight, a black dot suddenly appeared in the distant sky.

"This is..." Teng Shanhai's pupils constricted. He then realized that Rao Yaoyao was looking towards the direction of Gui'e Sacred Mountain in the Central Region.

"Boom!"

The moment the black dot entered everyone's vision, immense Holy Might descended, shattering the sky on the spot. Everyone collectively bowed, their legs buckling, some unable to withstand the pressure.

"More Holy Power!" someone among the thirteen Void cultivators exclaimed in terror.

"This isn't like the Holy Power from the black scale; it's more like... it's coming from that black dot!" Master Huang Yang stared at the black dot in the sky, unsure what it was.

"Whoosh!"

The whooshing sound grew louder, and the black dot expanded. This time, someone finally clearly saw what it was.

"An arrow!" Granny Tianling was shocked, her eyes wide. Remembering something, she cried out in horror, "It's an arrow! An arrow shot from the Central Region! It's Lord Cangsheng's Sinister Bow arrow!"

A speck of black light arrived first, followed by the arrow's blaze spreading like wildfire. The entire sky was engulfed by the fiery light trailing behind this arrow!

The moment the Black Dragon Demon Emperor's scale appeared, Ai Cangsheng, far away on Gui'e Sacred Mountain in the Central Region, used his Grand Dao Eye to clearly perceive everything happening in the Yunlun Mountain Range. Before the Holy Temple, from his wheelchair, he drew his bow and nocked an arrow. One arrow pierced through two regions, carrying endless wind-breaking flames, and under the horrified gaze of all, shot directly toward the small target in the Eastern Region.

"How much time has passed..." The thirteen Void cultivators were utterly stunned. They all knew that Half-Saint Ai Cangsheng was one of the Three Emperors stationed at the Sacred God Temple headquarters in the Central Region, having not left Gui'e Sacred Mountain for decades. But from the appearance of the black scale until now, wasn't it less than the time it takes to brew a cup of tea? At what speed did Lord Cangsheng's Sinister Bow arrow, shot from the Holy Mountain in the Central Region, manage to break through spatial limitations of millions of miles and land on the Yunlun Mountain Range?!

"Too insane, utterly insane!""In this lifetime, I, a humble Taoist, can actually witness Saints clashing! This is a confrontation between Saints across two regions, two worlds!""A Half-Saint! Lord Cangsheng is indeed a Half-Saint. If that arrow's holy might were aimed at me, I'd probably be obliterated by the concentrated Holy Power even before it struck.""What incredible power?""This is the power of a Saint!"

The thirteen Void cultivators were thrilled; witnessing a clash between Saints was an immense opportunity. Rao Yaoyao, however, on the other side, was not as overwhelmed as the others. She immediately realized that since the Black Dragon Demon Emperor had set up this trap, it was impossible he wouldn't have anticipated the appearance of the dragon scale would attract the attention of the Grand Dao Eye.

"It's here!"

After everyone had moved away from the battlefield, the Sinister Bow's arrow finally revealed its might, carrying boundless sinister power, and slammed into the black dragon scale at its target. Rao Yaoyao watched intently. She wanted to see what kind of trump card the Black Dragon Demon Emperor, unable to even manifest his true form, could possibly have to withstand Half-Saint Ai Cangsheng's supreme attack.

A Holy Emperor's Dragon Scale, a Half-Saint's arrow... Which was stronger, which was weaker?

As the Sinister Bow's arrow locked onto its target, the black dragon scale indeed had no time for its heartbeat. After fully absorbing the power, it hatched another fervent dragon roar.

"Roar—"

After the dragon's roar, as the arrow approached, a black light shot out from the dragon scale.

"Hum!"

The instant the black light appeared, Rao Yaoyao's Azure Mystic Divine Sword quivered, vibrating violently and erupting in a humming sword cry. "Hum, hum, hum..." All the trial participants in the Yunlun Mountain Range saw their spirit swords float into the air, as if a myriad of swords were prostrating themselves, adopting a stance of worship in the sky.

"Hum, hum, hum, hum, hum..."

Within the Eastern Heavenly Royal City, millions of spirit swords also rose into the air. Losing their masters' control, these swords formed a formation in the void, their power surging forth and converging into a tangible force that flowed into the black light at the peak of the Yunlun Mountain Range.

"A sword!" The thirteen Void cultivators were stunned. From within the black dragon scale, a sword actually flew out—this was something no one had expected. As everyone gazed at the newly emerged, unfamiliar sword, they involuntarily turned their heads in unison toward Rao Yaoyao.

"A sword..." Rao Yaoyao was also somewhat dazed. The black light flashed and vanished, but she had seen it clearly: it was a black broadsword. The black broadsword was seven chi long, taller than a human, a palm thick, and two chi wide, incredibly heavy. Nine black dragon bas-reliefs, all five-clawed, coiled around it. As the sword danced, the nine dragons moved, playfully toying with nine large skull heads, displaying an utmost disdain for the world.

No one recognized this broadsword, which had been lost to the world for hundreds of years. As one of the Seven Sword Immortals, how could Rao Yaoyao not recognize it? Famous Sword Twenty-One, ranked fourth! The Demonic Sword, Master of All Weapons!

(Trivia: Although the Famous Swords Twenty-One have a ranking, the difference in power is not significant. Their true might primarily depends on the wielder's cultivation level and how much of the sword's power they can activate.)