Chapter 463: The Tale of the Underworld

"As for dragons, I have indeed slain a few. However, I'm not clear what connection those specific ones have to you."

Xu Yang's voice remained calm, showing no sign of panic despite being simultaneously targeted by four dragon souls.

"You possess a total of four draconic auras. Two of them carry the essence of the Burial Mound, and another dragon aura is imbued with rich water elemental properties. How do you explain this?"

Xu Yang offered a slight smile: "Since you're so interested, I don't mind telling you. The first dragon soul I encountered was in the underground palace of the Ancient Desolate Dynasty. It was a self-originating dragon inheritance, belonging to the guardian dragon of the Ancient Desolate Dynasty, and should have no relation to your Nine Dragon Tribulation."

"The second dragon soul was a water-attribute dragon I met at the end of the deep sea, west of the continent, when entering the Penglai Archipelago. It was connected to the distant Shadow Asura lineage of the Tuoba clan. I encountered this water-attribute giant dragon through a clan that mysteriously vanished tens of thousands of years ago, and eventually gained its dragon origin inheritance."

"As expected, Ninth Sister, you really won't be coming back!"

Dragon Fifth was heartbroken, his eyes filled with murderous intent. Unbeknownst to Xu Yang, the water-attribute giant dragon that had bestowed its inheritance upon him and the Empress — the youngest dragon of the Nine Dragon Tribulation, known as Ninth Sister — was none other than Dragon Fifth's beloved.

Xu Yang sensed the other party's emotional fluctuations, but he did not stop his recounting.

"As for the latter two dragon souls, both were encountered after entering the Burial Mound. One of them, a bone dragon, was conquered by the previous owner of the King's Sword over a hundred thousand years ago. Its timeline doesn't align with the Nine Dragon Tribulation, nor did it die by my hand. As for the very last one..."

Xu Yang didn't describe it. Since its slaying was recent, he directly released the imprint of the scene where the giant dragon had reshaped Wushuang's body that day.

"Eighth Brother!!"

Upon receiving this imprint, all four dragon souls simultaneously let out an earth-shattering roar, inadvertently pushing the Burial Mound area back into the spotlight.

Unbeknownst to them, at the same time, top forces from across the Three Thousand Dao States and other surrounding continental regions had already begun dispatching large-scale teams, hurrying towards the Northern Frontier. A new continental storm seemed poised to erupt at any moment.

However, Xu Yang had no mind for anything else at this moment. His immediate priority was to confront the ongoing battle against this group of dragons.

"So, after all this, it turns out both of them were participants in the Nine Dragon Tribulation, and now they've become beings with deep connections to me. One must say, fate truly plays tricks on us."

Xu Yang couldn't help but sigh with emotion.

"You... are despicable!"

Dragon Fifth's soul form was constantly enveloped by a special power, allowing only his eyes to be clearly seen, which were now filled with a dismal crimson.

Xu Yang snorted coldly, then suddenly swung the Asura Sword horizontally, unleashing a powerful burst of sword aura.

The terrifying sword energy was even more potent than before. It was truly remarkable for Grandmaster Xu Yang to unleash such astonishing combat power after repeatedly engaging in top-tier real combat.

Dragon Fifth's strength was equally formidable, but at this moment, most of his power had been nullified by the aura of the Nine-Colored Universe Bell.

It could be said that both Xu Yang and the spirit of the Nine-Colored Universe Bell were now operating at their full combat potential.

Boom!

Another startling explosion echoed, waves of sound reverberating throughout the world. The peak showdown between man and dragon continued.

However, that last strike had caused Grandmaster Xu Yang's vital energy to churn for quite some time.

"As expected of a true dragon soul, its combat power is extraordinary."

Without hesitation, Xu Yang immediately summoned the Desolate Heaven Wuji Divine Artifact once more. It continuously circled around his body, releasing an immensely powerful defensive force.

"Fifth Brother, this human youth indeed possesses some skill. Although your strength is not inferior to his, he holds numerous top-tier inheritances. To completely kill him, it will likely still require considerable effort. Perhaps we should..."

White Dragon spoke up, inquiring. In truth, White Dragon Seventh Sister secretly harbored feelings for Dragon Fifth, or rather, had a deep affection for him. However, due to his profound bond with the Ninth Sister who vanished years ago, Seventh Sister had never confessed. At this moment, she still cared for Dragon Fifth, as his situation was indeed very unique compared to the other Nine Dragons.

As for the secrets hidden within Dragon Fifth, they were beyond what Xu Yang and the others could guess.

"No need! Have I forgotten the solemn vow I made before Eldest Brother? If I cannot avenge my missing brothers, if I cannot avenge Ah-Jiu, then I, Dragon Fifth, shall suffer eternal damnation! Lad, let me show you my true power!"

Crack!!

The next moment, an incomparable, world-shaking arc of light erupted in the sky. Brilliant blue-black lightning flames descended from above, striking directly onto Dragon Fifth's draconic body.

The arrival of the lightning seemed to unlock a specific sealed power hidden within Dragon Fifth.

An immense power of dragon origin was rapidly released. At this moment, Xu Yang finally discovered that the most astonishing aspect of this creature was the incredibly unique conversion method between its dragon soul and its draconic physical body!

"What? Your physical body is actually bound to your dragon soul?"

Xu Yang was truly shocked.

One must know, he was considered a top human prodigy who had roamed the continent for tens of thousands of years, yet he had never heard of anyone capable of achieving such a feat! To be able to control a physical body thousands of miles away using only a soul form, or even to transport it directly before one's own soul!

After all, for most beings, very few could separate their physical body and soul. Even for those who could, the physical body remained dominant, with the soul moving freely.

Simply put, the soul form actively sought out the physical body! A soul separated from its physical body could not control the body's movements!

Yet, Dragon Fifth, standing before him, could achieve this!

Despite his immense shock, Xu Yang immediately formulated an initial hypothesis that he found convincing.

That hypothesis was: another incredibly powerful soul form lay hidden within Dragon Fifth, controlling his draconic body on his behalf.

After much consideration, this possibility existed, but it was extremely low.

Dragons were incredibly proud beings. How could a dragon soul, for the sake of survival, willingly share a body with another dragon of its generation? Especially if it meant being in a disadvantaged, subservient position. Such an act would undoubtedly trample on the dignity of a dragon soul.

Secondly, if this possibility was ruled out, then the soul origins of other races could not perfectly integrate with the true dragon's body, which bore immense power.

Without the strength of a soul born from a divine bloodline, it would be impossible to withstand the tyrannical attributes of a true dragon's body.

Therefore, Xu Yang had to temporarily set aside this judgment. Regardless, it was an exceptionally bizarre ability.

"Hahaha! What, surprised? Wherever my soul is, my physical body naturally follows. I can assume my complete form anytime I wish! Because... I come from the Underworld!"