Chapter 242: Ice and Fire Create the World

Long Kun was utterly astonished. While he usually couldn't help but be smitten by beautiful women, he swore that this time, his reaction wasn't due to the Empress's stunning looks. Instead, he was genuinely captivated by the breathtaking illusion before him, which felt perfectly real and seamless.

More importantly, the illusionary space created by the Empress using the profound mysteries of her Cold Moon Art was far more stable and powerful than those conjured by the five female disciples of the Cold Moon Empire.

While this space couldn't match the resilience of a Divine True Dragon Domain, it could withstand full-attribute attacks from cultivators below the Tribulation Transcension realm. As the creator of the illusion, the Empress could also use minor divine abilities to control and interfere with the environment. This allowed her to selectively aid her allies or create additional suppressive effects against opponents through various means.

This level of hallucinatory power was something the young female disciples simply couldn't achieve.

At this moment, Xu Yang's team, including the severely wounded Taotie, had been relocated to the ice illusion. Directly above this illusion, at the zenith of the sky, lay a Fire Domain forged from raging flames.

"The Ice-Fire Qiankun Barrier! Your Majesty, have you finally achieved a breakthrough? This is one of the most advanced illusionary array spaces within the Cold Moon Art!"

The female disciples were overjoyed, unaware that the Empress had already advanced her cultivation significantly ever since she accompanied Xu Yang to the island of the Blazing Titan.

"Senior Taotie, this ice array can help you recover your essence and heal your injuries more quickly. You..."

The Empress turned to look at the mountainous Taotie, who was gasping for breath, his entire body covered in a spreading greenish-blue poisonous light. He appeared to be in extremely poor condition, and she could even sense his vital spiritual energy, mixed with life essence, rapidly draining away.

"It's no use. That guy's dagger has seeped into my inner core. It won't be long before I completely lose my cultivation. My inner core is damaged, and while my primeval bloodline won't perish, my cultivation will be severely diminished. If it weren't for your presence, I fear I would have lost my life here."

Taotie had completely lost his former arrogance. He didn't regret his overall plan, but the sudden emergence of Tuoba Hong as an unforeseen variable was something he had never anticipated. The combined strength of Tuoba Hong and Ghost Shadow Asura, two supreme powerhouses, had created immense trouble for everyone.

Simultaneously, Tuoba Hong and Ghost Shadow Asura were sealed within the Fire Domain above.

Unlike the restorative effects of the Ice Domain, the Fire Domain served primarily as a suppressive space for enemies not attuned to fire. Potent flames permeated the entire illusion, their savage and violent fire elements causing dual interference to the physical bodies and spiritual power of those trapped within.

Tuoba Hong was also wounded; Taotie's powerful counterattack had crushed half of his upper torso, damaging his ribs and internal organs. He was currently concentrating deeply, eyes closed, to heal himself.

Ghost Shadow Asura, who was sitting cross-legged beside him, was in a semi-conscious state due to the extreme expenditure of spiritual energy. He, too, was exerting himself to recover. Simultaneously, both of them had to contend with the scorching fire elements surrounding them, making their situation precarious. Their only path to freedom was to quickly regain their combat strength, shatter the illusion, and defeat Taotie in one fell swoop.

"Alas... is there truly no other way? Senior Taotie, even though you imprisoned us, and there's no goodwill between us, we are now allies fighting side-by-side on the same ship. If possible, we still wish to help you. After all, it takes a primeval ancestral beast of your caliber millions of years to reach maturity. It pains us to see you losing your power!"

Long Kun's words were truly heartfelt. They had previously loathed Taotie, but now, seeing him with one eye blinded and half his inner core corroded, appearing greenish-red, and with no one able to offer any help...

"As a matter of fact," the Empress suddenly spoke after a moment's thought, drawing the attention of everyone around her, "I do have a method that could ensure Senior Taotie's life and preserve his strength. However, I fear he might be unwilling to make the necessary sacrifice."

"Oh? Youngster, do tell." Taotie turned his massive head to face the Empress and inquired.

"It's quite simple: pledge yourself to Xu Yang and become his companion and guardian."

"What did you say?!" Taotie raged, immediately letting out a hysterical roar. Yet, he harmed no one, merely roaring towards the sky as if to vent his inner fury.

To think, a primeval ancestral beast, a true monarch among the beast race in the pre-divine beast era, was now wounded so grievously.

It was no exaggeration to say that even if Taotie managed to survive by enduring his current state, his future would be fraught with peril.

If one Tuoba Hong existed, another would surely emerge. Furthermore, places like the East Sea were inherently teeming with powerhouses. Should other top-tier demonic beasts discover Taotie in his current weakened state, they would undoubtedly attempt to exploit him, and his unique status as an ancestral beast king would soon cease to exist.

"Senior, you must understand the benefits of pledging yourself to Xu Yang better than I do. You are well aware of his power; he is the only one here capable of accepting the bloodline of a primeval ancestral beast. Furthermore, he has never before accepted a demonic beast's pledge, so if you are willing, you would be the first, ensuring the highest level of compatibility between you.

Secondly, after the pledge is complete, Xu Yang can use the True Dragon power within him to restore your essence. Even if it can't immediately restore you to your peak, it will at least prevent your injuries from worsening. Moreover, once the pledge is complete, Xu Yang's body will become your greatest sanctuary; as long as he wishes it, few across the entire continent could threaten your safety.

As for the third point, Ghost Shadow Asura, who possesses a complete Dragon Origin within him, is directly above us. Now, the hope for Mu Qingtian's revival is slim. As long as we can defeat Tuoba Hong and completely eliminate this threat, then once Ghost Shadow Asura's soul is scattered, Xu Yang will undoubtedly be the primary heir to that complete Dragon Origin.

If you pledge yourself to Xu Yang, even if he only absorbs half of the Dragon Origin's power, he can replenish everything you've lost. Even if your incomplete inner core prevents you from reaching the divine level, he can safely mend all your injuries.

To be frank, if you refuse, do you believe you'll still have a chance to share the Dragon Origin once we unite and eliminate Tuoba Hong?"

"You! Youngster, are you threatening this venerable one?" Taotie snarled through gritted teeth. In his own estimation, he felt like a tiger stripped of its might, but the reality was stark: if Xu Yang and his team were truly ruthless, Taotie would not only gain nothing, but once they discarded him after he had served his purpose, his efforts would be for naught, serving only to benefit others.