Chapter 917: Completely Defeated

Previously, when he had just received the legacy of primal aura, the old man had stated that anyone who could simultaneously activate nine qi vortexes to control primal aura would be an absolute powerhouse, regardless of the dimensional system they were in. If one could activate the legendary tenth qi, they would be able to open up an independent miniature world within their body, thereby embodying true universal laws.

Of course, even the old man himself had not managed to activate the tenth qi. Despite founding the Shangqing Primal Qi Dao, he couldn't cultivate innate primal qi to perfection. Many things, it seemed, were predetermined and could not be achieved through mere postnatal effort.

Undeniably, Xu Yang now possessed the foundation to create miracles.

*Bang!* As his second foot landed, the ground within a hundred-meter radius below him was completely shattered.

Determined to overturn the core beliefs of the five forbidden zones, Xu Yang took another step. With each stride, the unleashed Earth Laws caused cataclysmic changes; all foundations violently crumbled. What had just been a jungle was transformed by Xu Yang in the blink of an eye into a bottomless, shadowy abyss.

"The five forbidden zones of the Eastern Domain will, after today, forever become a part of history. All powers related to curses will completely vanish from the entire Eastern Domain battlefield. Who dares defy my command!"

In an instant, the black primal aura erupting from Xu Yang, like a true nightmare, centered on the altar and furiously swept through every corner of the surrounding five forbidden zones. And wherever this boundless black aura enveloped, the Earth Laws simultaneously descended as commanded.

The only pity was that Xu Yang's dominating sweep across the battlefield couldn't be witnessed by his companions. Yun Xiao and the other two had already fallen into a sealed state; otherwise, seeing Xu Yang in his current form would have undoubtedly made them tremble and fall to their knees.

Utter destruction often signifies rebirth.

Xu Yang's destructive actions ceased as he took the final step onto the altar's last stair. The pitch-black portal before him perfectly matched the dominant color of his aura. Slowly, he raised his right hand and aimed his palm at the portal.

*Boom!* A powerful black primal energy beam instantly blasted forth, shattering the portal into dust. In the face of Xu Yang's attacks in his black-light state, all law-based powers used for concealment or defense proved utterly vulnerable, like a mantis trying to stop a chariot.

"If you don't want to die, get lost. Those who remain, not one will survive."

Xu Yang's domineering presence continued to loom. Finally, he advanced once more.

From deep within the black portal, countless battlefield machines surged out frantically. These were the first prototypes of research findings preserved within the altar, all serving as its guardians. Unfortunately, though these prototypes poured forth in full force, they were met only with a cold sneer from Xu Yang.

*Boom!* The black aura surged forward like ferocious wolves and tigers, unleashing a terrifying devouring force that far exceeded the maximum resistance of these battlefield machines. In a single clash, Xu Yang blasted them to smithereens, turning them into scattered scrap metal that he trampled underfoot, using them as stepping stones to advance.

"Listen, Grand Priest of the forbidden zone hiding inside, is that you? Come out now! Hiding like a shrinking turtle won't change your outcome in the slightest. Do you just want to watch me destroy everything here?"

Xu Yang's voice was remarkably penetrating, and his tone was distinctly calm. Yet, as it spread throughout the altar's internal space, it precisely reached its intended target, flowing accurately into the Grand Priest's ears.

"Heh heh heh, you're so ostentatious, brimming with confidence in your strength. But if I reveal something, I'm afraid you'll immediately rein in your arrogance."

Xu Yang hadn't expected the Grand Priest to actually respond to his intimidation. In the very next moment, the Grand Priest, clad in white, suddenly materialized before Xu Yang.

The two now stood on opposite sides of the altar's central hall, hundreds of meters apart. The vast internal area was spacious enough for both of them to unleash their respective abilities.

"Indeed, what a powerful aura! If we were to compete in raw strength, I would be no match for you. The power you display could easily conquer any force on the entire Yingzhou Continent, including the Royal Family."

Hearing this, Xu Yang also smirked.

"I think I already know your identity, Your Highness. You are the prince who stole the Western Emperor's immortal power, deceiving everyone in the Eastern Domain with the guise of transforming into a dragon. Everyone thought you had ascended to immortality, but it was truly just a deception."

"Hah, you are indeed very clever, Sir A-Yang. That was merely a trick I used to mislead people; how could I possibly continue to deceive in front of you? Yes, I took this quarter of the ancient jade shard from the Western Emperor's body, devoured his immortal power, stripped him of everything, and condemned him to eternal slumber in the Western Emperor's tomb. All these things were my doing."

Xu Yang's eyes turned cold. "Why did you do this? And how did you accomplish all of this?"

The Prince, however, let out a wild, arrogant laugh. "The Western Emperor is my adoptive father. When I was a child, he sent me to the Royal Family to be his informant, sacrificing everything I originally possessed to become a mere hostage. If it weren't for the various consorts in the Royal Family looking after me, I would have probably died long ago. Everything I did was to take revenge on him, to seize everything he had, and to let his ambition be forever buried in the Western Emperor's tomb!"

Xu Yang drew a sharp breath. So, after all that, it turned out to be a story of profound grievances.

"Alright, I can understand your predicament, and I won't pursue anything else. If you are willing to give up the legacy of the five forbidden zones and hand over the ancient jade, I can let you go."

Xu Yang offered this condition, but it seemed to displease the Prince.

"You offer such a condition, merely letting me leave empty-handed? You think too highly of yourself! Although you are powerful and I am no match for you, I possess immortal power. Are you so confident you can eliminate me?"

Xu Yang sneered. Without wasting words, he preferred to establish his authority through action.

*Boom!*

With a shake of his palm, terrifying black primal aura exploded, shattering all protective energy around the Prince in a single clash. Even more unnervingly, Xu Yang's palm force halted abruptly just before spreading outwards. All escaping power was forcibly reabsorbed by his will, perfectly demonstrating his ultimate control over power.

"Heh heh, how does it feel to be caressed by death?"