Chapter 246: Fallen Ambitioner

Having gained immense improvement from this experience, Xu Yang planned to develop his unique domain next, perfectly integrating the power of the Dao's laws with a true domain. This was his greatest goal to accomplish.

As time passed, Tuoba Hong unleashed various techniques repeatedly, only for Xu Yang to mercilessly interrupt and destroy them each time.

With Xu Yang's current power, eliminating Tuoba Hong would only require a few cultivation techniques; he wouldn't even need to use divine artifacts. But to avenge Taotie and bring justice to the innocent teammates of the Seven, Xu Yang wanted Tuoba Hong to experience true pain.

"Next, protect your eyes. This is compensation for Taotie." Xu Yang said calmly, without even glancing at the already battered and bruised Tuoba Hong before him.

"Hmph, feeling mighty again? You're starting to judge me, aren't you?"

Xu Yang smiled. "You're right. But it's not judgment; it's retribution!"

With a single outstretched finger, Tuoba Hong's protective aura instantly shattered. This was the overwhelming dominance only possible with a significant difference in cultivation realms!

Tuoba Hong completely panicked. His eyelids twitched uncontrollably, and at this moment, he began to contemplate retreat.

"No, don't..."

How could Xu Yang give him more chances? Earlier, when they entered the Dragon Slaying Battlefield, Xu Yang had already intended for him to be eliminated, but ambition had allowed Tuoba Hong to make a comeback, becoming the biggest variable on the battlefield. Therefore, this time, Xu Yang would not give him a second chance. Fate had been sealed; the moment Tuoba Hong decided to come to this ancient Dragon Slaying Battlefield, his life and death were already predetermined.

"One Sword, Seven Kills!"

In the blink of an eye, seven formidable Eternal Divine Sword Auras materialized behind Xu Yang. The piercing sword edges whistled, causing the entire illusory battlefield to tremble. Xu Yang gently brought his two fingers together, and the seven sword auras simultaneously converged into one, forming a concentrated silver gleam the size of a needle tip. Guided by his spiritual power, it instantly struck Tuoba Hong's left eye.

"No!!"

Tuoba Hong instinctively tried to resist but found there was nowhere to escape. In desperation, he turned his attention to the Shadow Asura beside him. Unfortunately, this time, even the Asura's position was completely sealed by Xu Yang's aura. Tuoba Hong was now an isolated lamb awaiting slaughter; no one could save him from his tragic fate.

*Pffft...*"Arghh!!"

The sword aura flashed and disappeared. Tuoba Hong's left eye turned into a bloody mist, and he himself was sent flying backward, his hysterical screams echoing across the entire battlefield.

"Serves him right! Tuoba Hong brought this upon himself!"

"Sigh, it's true what they say: good is rewarded, and evil is punished. Our boss is the true master of this Dragon Slaying Battlefield!"

Tuoba Hong had lost all ability to resist. For human cultivators, the eyes were essentially equivalent to half an inner core. With a shattered eye, it was almost certain to cause a drop in cultivation realm. At his peak, Tuoba Hong could break into the Tribulation Transcendence Realm, although that combat power was achieved by burning his limits. But now, even if he wanted to perish together, he could at most unleash the power of the early Divine Infant Realm. A portion of his irreparable core essence had shattered along with his pupil.

Speaking of which, the same applied to Taotie, who had also lost an eye. Unless repaired by the power of Dragon Source, there was no lineage or method on the entire continent that could restore a shattered pupil.

"Tuoba Hong, do you have anything else to say? Or anything you'd like me to convey on your behalf? When I leave this place, I expect I'll be making a trip to the Northern Jin Dynasty. Your brother, and that Northern Jin Sword Alliance, should all be thoroughly sorted out."

Xu Yang calmly uttered grand words that would reshape the world's power dynamics. Yet, everything seemed so natural; no one thought Xu Yang was boasting. Now, with his power alone, he could reshuffle the entire Three Thousand Dao States' power structure.

"Hahahaha... I've lost, completely and utterly! Xu Yang, I underestimated you in the end."

"No." Xu Yang cut him off decisively. "You didn't lose to me; you lost to yourself. If the Seven were still here, your situation wouldn't be this dire. You neglected the people around you too much. This contest might seem to be just between you and me, but I have the Empress assisting me. Otherwise, I would have struggled to defeat you. Your cunning and your inherent strength have both impressed me."

Tuoba Hong sneered. "Women... they might help you at crucial moments, but they can also become a hindrance in the future. The more women there are, the more entanglements. One day, you'll understand what I mean."

*Boom!*

Tuoba Hong suddenly erupted with a surge of elemental true energy. His arms and legs completely shattered, and his physical body actually merged with the Eight-Armed Insect Emperor. Theoretically, a host and a sacrificed guardian beast cannot merge bodies. The domineering nature of the Rashomon lineage's cultivation technique was evident; it could turn many impossibilities into possibilities.

In Xu Yang's view, if Tuoba Hong hadn't possessed such intense ambition and malevolent desires, and had cultivated diligently and peacefully, he would surely have achieved great things and become a peerless figure. Unfortunately, he had been blinded by desire, sacrificing others recklessly, ultimately forcing himself onto a path of no return.

Seeing that the situation was settled, the Empress dispersed her concentrated spiritual power. The illusion vanished completely, and the surroundings reverted to the scene before the shattered temple in the Dragon Slaying Battlefield. The others gathered behind Xu Yang, gazing at Tuoba Hong and the temporarily unconscious Shadow Asura nearby. A wave of emotions swelled within them.

"It's finally over... Tuoba Hong, commit suicide! Our boss won't lay a hand on you in your current state." Long Kun, with a blade of grass in his mouth and arms crossed, taunted Tuoba Hong with a mocking tone.

"Hehehe, truly a tiger fallen to a low plain. Even Xu Yang's dogs dare to yap at me now."

Long Kun didn't bother arguing with him. He directly flew up and unleashed the power of true Phoenix fire upon Tuoba Hong. "Boss was right. In your eyes, the only way to measure human relationships is through profit. You couldn't see the camaraderie we share through thick and thin, only so-called beneficial connections. That's what doomed you today. Let me send you on your way!"

The scorching Phoenix flames burned fiercely. Tuoba Hong's life force was rapidly fading. Earlier, he had crippled his own limbs, intending to use the Eight-Armed Insect Emperor's life force to preserve his core. But now, he had no chance at all.

The flames didn't last long. Tuoba Hong, body and bones, was incinerated into a charred black mass, completely devoid of any life aura. A renowned and carefree prince from the Northern Jin Dynasty had met such a tragic end.

What Xu Yang and the others didn't know was that the moment Tuoba Hong fell, his elder brother, Tuoba Yun, the Emperor of Northern Jin, instantly sensed it and instinctively spat a mouthful of fresh blood in the imperial palace's inner hall.

"Xu Yang... how dare you kill my brother! I, Tuoba Yun, swear to be your sworn enemy!!"