Chapter 177: The Ultimate Force

The phantasms of the four goddesses encircled Xu Yang, coalescing into four unbreakable obsessions that swiftly transformed into chains, completely binding his body.

The challenge awaiting Xu Yang was to sever these four deeply ingrained bonds one by one.

Undoubtedly, this was a soul-wrenching test!

After all, memory is the most vital instinct for a person living in the world. Without memories, all the joys, sorrows, partings, and reunions of life would become meaningless, and even the sky would lose its color.

Meanwhile, the three young women present also cast fervent gazes upon Xu Yang, each intensely hoping to be the one who remained with him until the very end.

As Xu Yang remained motionless, the goddesses grew anxious. It was only then that they gradually realized: what meaning did the existence of their bonds hold, compared to Xu Yang's life or death?

"Big brother, I'm here!"

At this critical juncture, Little Tuan Tuan grabbed her paintbrush and, on her drawing board, drew another version of herself!

In a flash of shimmering light, another Little Tuan Tuan leaped vibrantly off the drawing board, bouncing and flying towards Xu Yang, carrying her strong devotion.

"Heavens! As expected of a successor of the Ancient Barren lineage, Tuan Tuan's aura is completely unconstrained by any surrounding forces!"

Long Kun muttered in shock. In truth, this was a power Tuan Tuan had gained as her bloodline partially revived after absorbing dragon qi; had she attempted this when she first entered, it would have been utterly impossible.

Tuan Tuan's spiritual manifestation swiftly flew to the top of the heavenly steps and embraced Xu Yang.

The little girl's soul power was incredibly fervent; the moment she embraced Xu Yang, the four chains binding him shattered simultaneously, and the tribulation vanished. Xu Yang was once again able to move freely.

"Silly girl, remember this: your big brother will never break his promise to you! No matter what happens in the future, I will never abandon you, not until the very end of my life!"

Tuan Tuan's soul power seemed to affect her physical body at this moment. Their eyes met, and a fervent dragon soul power roared unbridled, as if transmitting a profound and unique spiritual bond between the siblings!

Xu Yang soon realized that Tuan Tuan's presence now resided within the small world of his heart.

In the endless chaos, he was no longer moving forward alone...

CRACKLE!

A thunderclap that shook the heavens exploded in the sky, interrupting everyone's stunned thoughts and forcefully propelling Xu Yang to the 999th heavenly step.

"Hahaha! I never imagined that after so many years of dormancy, the legacy of the Ancient Barren lineage has truly been awakened by a descendant! Huang Tian, you can now rest in peace!"

"Uncle Long, it's still too early to say that. Although this individual is powerful, he might not be able to withstand the true dragon's might. Nevertheless, I believe he can do it!"

From the heavens, the voices of a human and a dragon were clearly conversing.

Soon, after a myriad of lightning bolts exploded, the truly complete, peerless Dragon Diagram slowly materialized. A gap seemed to open in the center of the heavenly array, and a complete, dark golden dragon soul slowly emerged.

Indeed, it was the soul of a true five-clawed giant dragon!

This colossal dragon was nearly a hundred meters long, hovering in the void. It was identical to the outline revered by the world, save for some subtle differences in its draconic form. Yet, the dominant aura, unique to the Dragon Clan as rulers of all things, was so overwhelmingly powerful it was suffocating.

With the emergence of this dragon soul, Long Kun and the others immediately perceived that the formerly vast and empty imperial tomb suddenly seemed to shrink significantly...

"My goodness, there are truly dragons in this world! It seems the so-called Nine Dragon Tribulation really does exist!"

After its appearance, the dragon soul simply hovered overhead, calmly meeting Xu Yang's gaze without immediately making a move.

"Young human, your strength is astonishing. It's as if I see the Ancient Barren and the End-World Huang Tian in you—those two extraordinarily talented individuals who made me believe for the first time that humanity is capable of dominating the entire continent."

Xu Yang, too, developed immense interest in the colossal dragon.

"Esteemed Dragon Senior, could you please explain the so-called Nine Dragon Tribulation? And what special status and significance does the Dragon Clan hold for the entire continent?"

The colossal dragon sighed softly. "The Dragon Clan's dominion over the continent was a million years ago. In this current era, countless races flourish, yet no single power has emerged to truly unite the continent. Even within the Dragon Clan, there is fragmentation. Although I don't know the specific details of the later Nine Dragon Tribulation you mentioned, I can surmise it's a calamity unleashed by internal Dragon Clan factions to prevent humans from ascending to the second heavenly domain. That young man, Huang Tian, was likely also a victim. Regrettably, I no longer possess a physical body, so I cannot do more for you. The answers, you must pursue yourselves. Of course, if you survive today, perhaps the Huang Tian Wuji can offer you some guidance."

Xu Yang's thoughts stirred. Could it be that the Huang Tian Wuji artifact was also connected to dragon power?

CRACK!

Just as his thoughts drifted, the dragon soul suddenly attacked, beginning its final test for Xu Yang.

"Dragon souls are eternal. Once their physical body is destroyed by humans, the dragon soul becomes a companion to a powerful individual. If you defeat me, you will qualify to inherit the Huang Tian Wuji. And I will follow you, supporting you on your path to the peak! What you don't realize is that this continent is far less simple than you imagine. There are heavens beyond heavens, and ends beyond ends. To reach the pinnacle of cultivation, your goal must be to transcend the entire Dragon Clan!"

The giant dragon's single insight instantly illuminated the path that had confounded Xu Yang for ten millennia, opening a new door for him and his entire team.

"Many thanks for your guidance, Esteemed Dragon Senior. I will surely live up to this life's conviction!"

Xu Yang stepped into the air, his left hand forming the Yin-Yang Diagram, evolving his self-created laws of heaven and earth. His right hand, holding the Eternal, manifested the pinnacle of Guan Yun Sword Dao. It was a perfect fusion of the power of the Dao and the strongest destructive techniques permitted in this era, all to unleash his true ultimate strike.

"Ah, hahaha! See that? This is our boss's true limit! A power that can even contend with a giant dragon!"

"Master, you must succeed! Only by crossing this final heavenly step can you open the gateway to the peak and embark on a new journey!"

At once, everyone in the team closed their eyes, clasping their hands in front of their chests, offering the most fervent prayers for Xu Yang.

At this very moment, the imperial tomb erupted with an intensely powerful dragon's roar. Two forces were now poised to decide the future fate of the entire continent!