Chapter 1353: The Last Royal Family

Little did they know, everything was within Xu Yang's predictions and control. The moment the map was destroyed, far away within Xuanyuan Imperial City, Emperor Yunlong, who had been meditating with his eyes closed, slowly opened them.

He rose from his throne. At that very moment, the true form of Xuanwu also emerged once more from the dark corner of the hall.

"Your Majesty, it's time for us to depart. That fellow Xu Yang truly hasn't disappointed us. His strength is genuinely unimaginable. If our plan succeeds this time, Xu Yang's position and existence will be a factor we need to consider carefully. The presence of this person and his power is almost equivalent to a second god descending upon Yingzhou Continent."

The smile on Emperor Yunlong's face did not vanish.

"Xu Yang is indeed powerful, but as long as I obtain the Heart of the Sacred Beast and gain the qualification to speak directly with a god, then no one can shake our absolute position on this continent."

It was evident that he had absolute faith in the power of the Heart of the Sacred Beast.

Firm in this conviction, Emperor Yunlong, along with Xuanwu's true body, vanished from the hall and set off towards the northern wilderness.

Meanwhile, deep within the distant northern wilderness, Xu Yang's team reunited with Azure Dragon in an unknown area.

At this moment, Azure Dragon was far from being as disheveled as Xuanwu's clone had been upon his return, although Xu Yang could tell at a glance that he had sustained new injuries.

However, Azure Dragon always maintained a dignified appearance; even under immense pressure, he would never easily reveal his negative state to others.

Hearing Xu Yang's concerned inquiry, Azure Dragon shook his head with a helpless smile.

"I did sustain some injuries, but they're not as serious as you imagine, Boss. And this time, I've brought a major discovery."

Without hesitation, Azure Dragon projected a stream of spiritual energy into Xu Yang's mind. As for what this energy contained, no one else knew besides Xu Yang and Azure Dragon himself.

Even Little Hua, Xu Yang's most trusted companion, consciously maintained a watchful stance and did not attempt to listen.

Little Hua knew very well that Azure Dragon's method of transmitting clues indicated that he had discovered some uncertain factors within their team. As long as Azure Dragon himself wasn't the dangerous factor, it proved that he had truly become someone Xu Yang could trust.

"Heh, there's no need for you to be so mysterious, kid. That valley ahead is the location of the last royal family, guarded by the so-called Ten Demon Kings. We were struggling to find the exact coordinates of Demon King Valley, but your victorious return has provided us with immense help."

A subtle change in emotion appeared on the face of Xuanwu's clone beside him. It seemed more like a silent sigh of relief.

And how intelligent was Azure Dragon? He immediately played along, understanding that Xu Yang was also protecting his true intentions, and quickly nodded.

"Since you already know, I'm relieved. Without further ado, let's depart immediately. Once this last so-called royal family is conquered, the Ten Demon Kings' guardianship system will collapse, and the external barrier protecting the Beast Emperor clan will be completely dismantled by us."

With Azure Dragon's guidance, Xu Yang's team effortlessly reached the outer perimeter of Demon King Valley, the area of the so-called royal family.

However, the group soon discovered that the place seemed remarkably empty; it was clearly an enclosed internal area with very limited space. Yet, a glance revealed no traces of powerful, large beast-race individuals. This left the people nearby utterly perplexed. "Boss, could it be that we've come to the wrong place? This area doesn't look like where a powerful beast-race community would gather at all. There are no energy fluctuations whatsoever. Could this entire race be in hibernation?"

The young White Tiger offered a guess he himself found hard to believe.

Azure Dragon quickly added, "Actually, after I discovered this area, I observed it for a while, and there were no auras of powerful beast-race individuals. As the young White Tiger said, this place doesn't seem like somewhere large groups would frequent, yet I find it very strange. This is because the cultivation conditions here should be quite superior, and it's located in such a northern and mysterious place within the entire northern wilderness. When I first found this place, I even speculated that it might be the entrance to the Beast Emperor clan's main stronghold. However, after observing for several days, I ultimately didn't dare to act rashly, so I thought it best to quickly meet you, Boss, and relay this information."

Xu Yang nodded gently. "If the Beast Emperor clan were to show themselves, it certainly wouldn't be in a place like this. Your guesses are actually not wrong, but you've been instinctively led to believe that the royal family here must be a large population. According to the Yingzhou Continent's system and energy limit definitions, the most powerful beast-race individuals that could be nurtured here shouldn't be stronger than the Dragon King or Ox King. Furthermore, even the Ape King of the Ice Plains clan is already considered at the top of the beast-race food chain. No matter how powerful, they shouldn't exceed the power ceiling of those three. The result of a large group gathering is that the word 'King' itself implies their power should transcend the other nine Beast Kings and be more than just one level higher. Such strength is what truly fits the weight of the word 'King'."

Hearing Xu Yang's explanation, everyone seemed to gain a new understanding and perspective.

"So, according to your guess, Boss, this so-called royal family is actually a rare race composed of only a few individuals, or perhaps even just one person?"

Little Hua's speculation was confirmed by Xu Yang.

"Precisely. Furthermore, this individual might not even be a beast-race member in the traditional sense. It's highly probable that they are one of the Beast Emperor clan members, placed in this position due to some special circumstances."

Everyone found Xu Yang's judgment very reasonable and began to cautiously advance deeper into the mysterious valley.

However, no one expected that they wouldn't walk much further before a reddish-purple halo suddenly spread out from the depths of the valley.

The energy form of this halo was very unusual; it was identical to the blue halo previously released by the masked female assassin, which could alter the bloodline form of the Rodent clan.

The moment the purple light began to spread outwards, Xu Yang unhesitatingly unleashed his Angel Domain, perfectly shielding himself and his group within its spatial range from the encroaching light.