Chapter 406: Hope's Dawn

Shura was, after all, a genuine god. Even in his current form, merely a wisp of soul, his words carried an undeniable weight that none dared to underestimate.

Since the esteemed Shura himself had spoken, the group could only nod solemnly. They couldn't conceive of a better solution than his suggestion.

However, everyone knew that these seven days would be an excruciating ordeal for every member of Xu Yang's team.

Each person present shared a profound bond with Xu Yang, and forcing them to endure seven days and nights of anxious waiting was an unspeakable torment.

Ultimately, though, it was also an unparalleled test of their mental fortitude.

Moreover, the energy in their current location was highly unique. If they managed to persevere for seven full days without breaking, it would signify a massive leap in their spiritual realm and cultivation.

Shura became the sole powerful protector for Xu Yang's team. With his aura present, no other energy could intrude or invade this special zone of spatial intersection.

This created the perfect cultivation environment for every member of Xu Yang's team.

As expected, these individuals did not disappoint Shura. He couldn't help but admire Xu Yang's discernment in choosing his teammates; each of them hovered on the brink of anguish and yearning but refused to give up or collapse.

In the blink of an eye, seven days passed. When everyone's vision returned and they opened their eyes, each person's strength had seen an unimaginable, rapid increase.

Even the young girl Xiaotuantuan had reached the very edge of the Half-Step Tribulation Realm, while every other member of the team had formally entered the Great Tribulation Realm.

It's worth noting that in the real world, cultivators in the Tribulation Realm are peak existences capable of influencing entire major domains.

It was conceivable that if Xu Yang could successfully complete this trial, his team would become a colossal, overarching force dominating the entire continent!

And the long-dormant name, Heavenly Emperor Sect, would resound across the continent overnight, solidifying its place as a truly insurmountable legendary epic!

Unbeknownst to them, during these same seven days, Xu Yang and Wushuang were undergoing life-and-death trials that others could barely imagine.

This Yama's Purgatory was, in fact, the other levels of the Endless Tower, sealing countless powerful departed souls and demons from across heaven and earth.

There were ninety-nine levels in total. Xu Yang and Wushuang journeyed together, slaying monsters and banishing demons, enduring countless perils and hardships along the way.

Finally, on the last hour of the seventh day, Xu Yang and Wushuang arrived at the ninety-ninth level, the ultimate abyss.

Guarding this deepest part of the ninety-ninth level was none other than a true, colossal dragon.

"Oh my goodness, this is a legendary dragon. A living, breathing colossal dragon!"

Wushuang, being from a fantasy world, had never seen a real dragon before.

In her world, the reverence for the dragon lineage had been passed down for millions of years. Facing this true dragon, Wushuang found herself utterly unable to muster any desire for resistance.

It was as if, in her eyes, the dragon was the only deity truly worthy of worship.

Little did she know that dragons were merely self-proclaimed supreme divine beasts in the real world who wove laws, not truly comparable to actual gods.

Nevertheless, their power was not inferior to that of true god-level cultivators.

"It has been a very long time since any living beings reached this place," the dragon said. "You two are a miracle."

"Enough talk," Xu Yang retorted. "Our time is running out. Only by defeating you can we possibly return to the real world in the final stage."

"No," the dragon corrected. "What Lord Daojun told you was merely a ruse. I can responsibly inform you that if you defeat me, behind me lies another entrance to the real world. You won't need to retrace your steps to return to the real world. Furthermore, if you can complete this final trial with me, even this young woman from the Tri-Element Great Fantasy World can obtain her materialized physical body in the real world."

While such a claim sounded incredible, Xu Yang knew that a true dragon's majesty meant it had no reason to lie to humans.

Xu Yang couldn't fathom the dragon's true motivation for facilitating these events.

However, it was clear that Xu Yang had no other choice but to adhere to the rules of the game. After all, he wasn't alone; he needed to protect Wushuang, who was by his side.

"Very well, we accept your terms," Xu Yang declared. "In that case, let's fight to our hearts' content!"

Although he no longer possessed the Shura Divine Sword, when Xu Yang unleashed the two divine artifacts, Desolate Heaven and Boundless, from his hands, the true dragon before him was visibly startled.

"I can't believe it," the dragon exclaimed. "You actually possess such incredible fortune! Those Desolate Heaven and Boundless are true Dragon Divine Artifacts!"

Xu Yang gave a cool smile. "I originally had the Blood of the Ancestral Dragon within me, but after inheriting the power of the Shura God, the Ancestral Dragon's Blood completely merged with my own, leaving no trace of dragon aura. Regardless, once I return to my peak state, even a true colossal dragon cannot stop my progress."

As Xu Yang spoke, he exchanged a knowing glance with Wushuang, an unspoken understanding passing between them.

Under the protection of Xu Yang's Desolate Heaven and Boundless divine artifacts, Wushuang stepped forward a few paces, shielding Xu Yang. At the same time, Xu Yang immediately closed his eyes and began to use his soul to attempt to connect with the myriad laws of the external real world.

If he could grasp the materialized form of his physical body in the real world from his soul space, then he would have a 100% chance of restoring his peak strength.

This process existed only in Xu Yang's theoretical understanding; theoretically, he could achieve it, but he had never truly attempted it before.

However, aside from this sole method, having lost the Shura Sword, Xu Yang simply had no idea how else he could defeat the colossal dragon before him.

Boom!

In an instant, Xu Yang's true aura fully erupted. The immensely powerful divine fluctuation almost illuminated all ninety-nine levels of Yama's Purgatory.

An incredibly powerful soul force shot forth from above Xu Yang's head, its light piercing all the way from the ninety-ninth level down to the first, until this reddish glow penetrated the starting point of the cerulean light where the team members were located!

"Oh my god, look! This soul light is clearly Boss's soul aura; he's really fine!"

"So that's it," someone realized. "Boss is trying to communicate with his true body in the real world this way. If he succeeds, he'll regain his peak strength, and then there won't be any trouble."

After Bai Lianxue revealed this fact, everyone's expressions visibly relaxed. The Empress also let out a long sigh of relief.

In truth, throughout these seven days, the Empress had been the most worried about Xu Yang.