Chapter 185: Night Raid on Yuanyang Palace

While Xu Yang's soul cultivation was indeed unparalleled, stemming from 100,000 years of practice and an unfathomably deep foundation, no one in this world is truly perfect.

A critical, and indeed his only, flaw consistently plagued Xu Yang's martial arts: his weak defenses.

He had always dominated the world with his unparalleled offensive power. However, when facing an opponent of the Silver Dragon's caliber, his physical defense and resilience became the sole weaknesses limiting his true combat potential.

Now, however, having absorbed these two Dragon Origins, Xu Yang became flawless, possessing astonishing vitality and rapid physical recovery.

"That's wonderful, Big Brother! Surely you have no rivals left on the entire continent now?"

Little Tuantuan excitedly looked up at Xu Yang, overjoyed to have such a powerful expert as her personal bodyguard.

"No, my dear. This world is vast; there's always a higher power and someone greater. But I promise you, even if the sky were to fall, no one will ever be able to harm you in the slightest. If they try, they'll have to step over my dead body!"

Without dwelling on Little Tuantuan's excitement, Xu Yang gently lifted her into his arms, soared into the sky, and swiftly returned to the spirit ship.

Once the two of them, large and small, had finished absorbing the Dragon Origins and returned to the spirit ship, they found that the others had already arrived back, each showing significant improvements.

Xu Yang, however, fixed his gaze on Ling Yao.

"How do you feel now?"

Ling Yao nodded calmly. "It seems I've taken a significant step closer to the awakening of my Sword Heart," she replied, "though I can't yet determine the full extent of its development."

Xu Yang chuckled lightly and nodded. "No need to rush; we have plenty of time. However, the power of the Dragon Origin is truly astonishing. With the Silver Dragon's demise, the other eight Dragon Souls must have sensed it. I'm concerned that those who share this unique destiny with us might act more quickly. If this powerful legacy falls into the wrong hands, we could face significant trouble."

Bai Lianxue looked up at Xu Yang. "But Master," she asked, "currently, only the Phoenix clan can locate other Dragon Treasure inheritors, and the old woman from the academy has also disappeared. How will we identify these other inheritors?"

Xu Yang also shook his head helplessly. "I can't think of a solution right now either," he admitted. "We'll have to wait for Ling Yao's Sword Heart to fully awaken before we can further confirm my suspicions."

*Boom!*

Suddenly, a tremendous roar echoed from the direction of the Yuanyang Imperial Palace. At the same instant, the soul imprint Xu Yang had placed on Yuan Haotian flared with light.

"Damn it, Yuan Haotian is in danger!"

In an urgent dash, Xu Yang soared into the air, with the others swiftly following in the direction of the imperial palace.

"Boss, can you handle it? I'll take you there!"

At that moment, the Little Dragon Python volunteered, instantly expanding its body to about three meters in length. It then carried Xu Yang swiftly towards the palace, covering the distance in less than half a minute!

It must be said, the Dragon Python proved to be an exceptionally reliable mount. Not only was its speed impressive, but the protective aura it emanated was also outstanding, completely shielding them from the biting wind.

*Roar!* A thunderous roar, akin to a dragon's cry, shook the air above the entire imperial palace, naturally drawing the attention of the invaders.

Upon landing, Xu Yang's gaze swept across the scene. Over a hundred figures had already surrounded the imperial palace. Yuan Haotian was lightly wounded, and the ground was strewn with bodies, most of whom belonged to the Imperial Elder Hall. Each of the masked invaders possessed the foundational strength of the Cave Heaven Realm, their true faces concealed.

"Who are you, daring to meddle in our affairs?"

Xu Yang chuckled. "You're after Yuan Haotian for the imperial tomb's treasure, aren't you? Well, I'm the one who stole it. So, you can direct whatever you want to say to me. Even if you kill him, you won't gain anything."

In the masked legion, over a hundred individuals were simultaneously drawn by Xu Yang's powerful aura, turning to surround him.

"Be careful! While none of them are top masters, their Heavenly Stellar Formation is incredibly potent!"

Yuan Haotian's qi and blood surged violently within him, making it difficult even to speak. He quickly sat cross-legged on the ground to regulate his breathing.

Xu Yang, of course, showed no fear. In his eyes, no formation, regardless of its type, posed any threat anymore.

The primary purpose of a formation is to consolidate the strength of multiple individuals for concentrated attacks, unleashing overwhelming power capable of instantly eliminating an opponent.

However, Xu Yang now possessed the Desolate Heaven Boundless, a top-tier divine artifact offering both offense and defense. Coupled with his body's extreme vitality and resistance, enhanced by True Dragon Blood, the power of a mere formation could not threaten him in the slightest.

"Hmph, a Heavenly Stellar Formation? If I'm not mistaken, you must have some connection to that so-called Sword Alliance, right? Come on, let me see what you're truly capable of!"

Xu Yang's eyes gleamed with disdain as he provocatively beckoned to the masked figures, completely enraging them.

"Prepare to die!"

Countless black light figures surged into the air, concentrating their attacks on Xu Yang. Their primary offensive method consisted of sword techniques. What they failed to realize, however, was that Xu Yang was a top-tier sword cultivator who had reached the pinnacle of the sword dao. Using such a formation against him was akin to teaching a fish to swim.

"Hmph, a bunch of amateurs! That's not how you wield a sword!"

As thirty-six sword edges locked onto him, yet failed to conjure even a trace of murderous intent, Xu Yang merely shook his head in exasperation. With a backhand flick of his sleeve, thirty-six streaks of sword light instantly coalesced around him!

"Go!"

With a sharp, piercing hum, the sword lights shot forth, blazing like meteors streaking across the nine heavens, engulfing the masked figures before them.

"What?!"

"Such potent sword energy fluctuations! Who *is* this person?!"

The black-clad figures on the scene were utterly astonished, immediately abandoning their formation and scattering to evade Xu Yang's overwhelmingly potent sword attacks.

"The Yuanyang Empire is not yours to scheme against. Since you've come today, I shall leave my mark upon you."

With this thought, Xu Yang sharply raised his left hand. A minuscule cross totem flared to life in his palm, and propelled by his immense palm force, it instantly blasted into the bodies of every black-clad figure surrounding him.

*Pfft...*

Large gouts of blood spurted from their mouths. Each black-clad figure felt an intense burning sensation within their bodies, as if a tiny, scorching sword light was coursing through their meridians, impossible to extinguish.

"That is a Sword Light Rune. Go back and find your leader to dispel it for you. If even he is powerless, then you can only await your demise. Now, get out!!"