Chapter 489: Mind Abyss and Dragon Transformation, Ancient Cultivation Artifact Emerges

From his initial contemplation, Zhao Xing confirmed that the life structures contained within the Life Dao Diagram belonged to the Xuanhuang Dragon Clan.

The realization that these dragons had been fashioned into a Life Dao Diagram ignited a surge of anger within Zhao Xing.

Unaware of Zhao Xing's reaction, the Black Sea Emperor continued, "I've only encountered dragons in your Great Zhou... Zhao Xing, you ascended from the Shenluo Desolate Domain, didn't you? Perhaps Venerable Bai Han visited the Shenluo Desolate Domain before; he might even be your 'fellow countryman'."

Emperor Xuxing interjected, "The earliest historical record of the Shenluo Desolate Domain dates back to Emperor Luo's era. So much time has passed that calling them 'fellow countrymen' is a stretch. They might merely bear a resemblance; these might not even be dragons from the Great Zhou."

Zhao Xing, caught between sorrow and rage, momentarily froze upon hearing the Black Sea Emperor and Emperor Xuxing's remarks.

A sudden thought struck him: the Xuanhuang Dragon Clan had never been sighted in the Xuanling Star Domain after their ascension.

While there might be various 'dragon' races scattered across the Xuanling Star Domain, most were winged beasts with no bloodline connection to the Xuanhuang Dragon Clan.

Even extensive historical research yielded no trace of the Xuanhuang Dragon Clan.

Zhao Xing had initially assumed that, much like the Xia Dynasty, the Dragon Court had faced severe adversity after its ascension, leading to its demise before it could truly flourish.

Being too weak to leave any mark in the Xuanling Star Domain, it naturally vanished without historical documentation.

If the Dragon Court had ever attained the scale of the current Great Zhou, records would undoubtedly exist.

Yet... this specific Life Dao Diagram documented the life structures of over three hundred dragons, infused with various bloodline secret techniques. Each of these dragons possessed an Emperor-level life stage, implying that the Ancestral Dragon (Dragon God) would have been even more formidable.

"A race of such immense power, even if extinct, should surely be recorded in history."

"Why is there no information, not even a single record, of the Xuanhuang Dragon Clan anywhere in the cosmos?"

"Could it be that the Dragon Court ascended during an era too ancient to be remembered?"

"No, that theory doesn't hold up," Zhao Xing mused. "Emperor Xuxing mentioned the Shenluo Desolate Domain first appeared during Emperor Luo's reign. However, Emperor Yu predates Emperor Luo, and we already have a Divine Feather Life Dao Diagram, which suggests Venerable Bai Han existed at least as far back as Emperor Yu's time."

"Yet, the Dragon Court completely relocated then because the Xuanhuang Realm had become a desolate domain. The timelines simply don't align," Zhao Xing thought, his mind clouded with doubt.

Through the Life Dao Diagram, he had a glimpse into the formidable power of the Xuanhuang Dragon Clan.

Venerable Bai Han had captured over three hundred Emperor-level dragons, implying that the Dragon God and Dragon Emperor would have been true Divine realm beings.

Such a force should, by all accounts, be comparable to a super-power. However, it remained entirely unknown in the Xuanling Star Domain, with neither the Black Sea Emperor nor Emperor Xuxing having ever heard of it.

It was only after passing through the Great Zhou's territory and encountering the Black Armored Army's dragon riders and Yin Xiu that they grew curious about this previously unknown race.

Moreover, the timeline of Venerable Bai Han's existence and the Dragon Clan's ascension did not align.

According to the Earth Vein Era calculations, the Bai Han Realm was created approximately during the Emperor Yu era.

This implies that the Dragon Clan should have ascended during Emperor Yu's reign, and in considerable numbers.

However, based on the Shenluo Desolate Domain's formation, the Dragon Clan would not have ascended to the Xuanling Star Domain until Emperor Luo's era, at the very earliest.

When Venerable Bai Han crafted the Life Dao Diagram and traversed the starry expanse in his inter-domain boat, the Dragon Clan should logically have still been confined to the Xuanhuang Realm, merely at the Origin realm. It's completely illogical that he could have captured Emperor-level dragons!

Furthermore, geographically, the Siyue Desolate Domain, where Venerable Bai Han appeared, and the Shenluo Desolate Domain are entirely disparate locations.

"Could I be mistaken? Is this not the Xuanhuang Dragon Clan?"

Yet, the feeling of resonance was undeniable. As the Dragon Emperor, who had even developed the Ancestral Dragon Transformation, how could Zhao Xing possibly be wrong?

A wave of absurd confusion swept over him, prompting Zhao Xing to shake his head.

"There are too many uncertainties to draw a conclusion. However, if Venerable Bai Han is still alive, then upon passing this challenge, I should encounter him directly. At that point, I can seek to verify these matters."

The Heavenly Master's Residence speculated that Venerable Bai Han was likely still alive, though this remained only a 30% probability.

Whether he was alive or deceased could only be determined by someone who successfully navigated the trials set by Venerable Bai Han.

"Zhao Xing, you can continue your contemplation here. We'll go check on the Seven Star Rice Fields," the Black Sea Emperor stated.

It was clear that the Black Sea Emperor and Emperor Xuxing intended to stay here for the long haul. Although they couldn't withstand the Marquis Transformation array on the fifth floor's floating island, the fourth floor's array was trivial for them. They could even harness its power to cultivate crops and produce food.

"You needn't concern yourself with the Marquis Transformation array on Starfish Island. Our Counter-Dipper Heavenly Array has stabilized this contemplation area, allowing you to fully immerse yourself," Emperor Xuxing said. "However, don't become overly absorbed; the Life Dao Diagrams on the fourth-floor floating islands are exceptionally profound."

"Should you stray and find yourself unable to revert, it would be extremely problematic. The Marquis Transformation method is not an illness and cannot be cured. Even deities may not fully comprehend all the mysteries of the Great Dao of Life. Once extreme changes manifest in your body, even a god would find it difficult to intervene."

"Yes, thank you, esteemed seniors," Zhao Xing replied, knowing he must be cautious, especially with Emperor Tianwu as a cautionary tale.

Emperor Tianwu had become a forbidden entity on one of the nine floating islands of the fifth layer. No one dared to approach the island where he resided, transformed into a monster, for contemplation.

Naturally, Venerable Bai Han's Dharma Realm had its own regulations; once transformed into a monster, one was confined to the floating island and couldn't cause destruction.

From the moment he arrived at Starfish Island, Zhao Xing devoted himself entirely to contemplating the Dragon Clan Life Dao Diagram.

Time flowed onward, and thirteen years passed in the blink of an eye.

On this particular day, Starfish Island welcomed new arrivals.

"Whoosh!"

A man cloaked in black robes materialized at the edge of the floating island. His arrival caused the surrounding light and space to warp, as if a black hole had opened, naturally drawing in all ambient energy.

"Hm? Someone's here," remarked the Black Sea Emperor. He and Emperor Xuxing were deep in discussion beside the Seven Star Rice Fields when they sensed their array being breached. They immediately rushed to the scene.

"Who are you?" Emperor Xuxing asked, his gaze fixed on the black-robed figure, a wary glint in his eyes. "Why did you destroy our array without a word?"

"My name is Bojiu," the black-robed man stated, his voice a grating scrape like steel blades. "This island is now mine. You two will serve me, cultivating delicious food. In return, I will spare your lives and permit you to reside on the island."

The Black Sea Emperor burst into laughter. "Hahahaha, you not only intend to seize Starfish Island, but you also wish for us to become your slaves? Do you take us for mere cultivators? What audacity!"

"I am serious," Bojiu said flatly. "If you refuse, then prepare for reincarnation."

"Enough talk!" Emperor Xuxing, incensed by the man's arrogance, immediately attacked.

"Boom!" A bolt of crimson-gold lightning, moving with astonishing speed, suddenly materialized and shot directly towards the black-robed man.

Emperor Xuxing's opening move was his renowned technique, the Origin Heavenly Thunder, which integrated seven fundamental Dao origins into a single lightning spell.

"Thump!"

Bojiu's body quivered almost imperceptibly, directly absorbing the divine lightning as if he were a black hole.

"You're not bad, but your attack has no effect on me."

A layer of black swirling light enveloped Bojiu, yet he remained perfectly still and unperturbed.

Emperor Xuxing's pupils constricted as torrents of Origin Heavenly Thunder erupted.

The lightning swirling around Bojiu pulverized the solid rock into dust, stripping away three layers of the ground beneath him.

Yet, after the dust settled and the electrical discharge faded, Bojiu remained utterly unharmed.

"This..." Emperor Xuxing's heart filled with horror. "Even a peak Emperor-level Qi Sect master couldn't withstand his Heavenly Thunder without a scratch. What exactly is this Bojiu's origin?"

The Black Sea Emperor was well aware of Emperor Xuxing's capabilities. The simultaneous unleashing of all seven Origin Heavenly Thunders had virtually created a lightning domain. Though Emperor Xuxing appeared nonchalant, he had, in fact, exerted his full power.

The opponent wasn't just unharmed; he hadn't even budged from his position.

"What is his origin, Emperor Xuxing? Can you discern his true nature?" the Black Sea Emperor quickly asked.

"I don't know," Emperor Xuxing transmitted mentally. "My Heavenly Thunder's origin vanishes completely as if swallowed by the sea the instant it nears him. He doesn't follow the martial path; he's a practitioner of magic."

"I can only discern that he cultivates the Dark Dharma Domain, and his techniques are exceedingly sophisticated. All my spells were deflected."

The ruins of the Ancient Starfall Path seemed to have unearthed countless reclusive old-timers. Neither of the two Emperors had any knowledge of Bojiu's origins, nor could they identify the source of his cultivation method.

The two Emperors launched successive attacks, employing every technique at their disposal, yet they couldn't affect Bojiu in the slightest.

It was as if Bojiu were a bottomless abyss, every spell hurled at him vanishing into it.

"Go, quickly grab Zhao Xing and leave! I'll hold him back!" Realizing they were outmatched, Emperor Xuxing immediately instructed the Black Sea Emperor to flee with Zhao Xing while he used the Counter-Dipper Heavenly Array to buy time.

Zhao Xing's previously earned prestige and the advantages of his partnerships with Zhu Haichao, Jiang Tiansu, and others now became evident.

Despite facing a formidable enemy, the Black Sea Emperor and Emperor Xuxing did not forget Zhao Xing's safety; they were determined to take him with them, even in retreat.

"Dragons fighting in the wild, their blood a profound yellow... These dragons had endured countless battles and grueling trials. Even after being captured by Venerable Bai Han and subjected to hellish torment, they never yielded or pleaded for mercy, resisting fiercely until their dying breath."

A five-clawed golden dragon coiled upon the mountain, its gaze fixed on the scroll woven from light in the sky. Within its eyes, over three hundred colossal dragons soared and roared, their innate secret techniques manifesting before him one by one.

"Whoosh!" Azure flowers bloomed across the dragon's scales, then slowly faded, its powerful aura becoming contained. The five-clawed golden dragon transformed into a cerulean-gold behemoth.

The colossal dragon closed its eyes, then abruptly opened them, a glimmer of ferocity flashing within their depths.

The creation process of the Life Dao Diagram involved a stage akin to an enlightenment state, which was also its final step: healing the target before releasing them, then using a secret technique to compel them into an all-out battle, forcing them to reveal their innate secret techniques and all the Daos they had comprehended throughout their lives.

At the zenith of their power, the target would then be slain, their true spirit even infused into the Life Dao Diagram to create an unparalleled specimen.

The instant Zhao Xing fully comprehended the Dao Diagram, he witnessed the final moments of the Dragon Emperors' lives.

Three hundred Dragon Emperors, their immense bodies impaled by nine nail-like artifacts, were compelled to exhibit all their lifelong knowledge.

Finally, under Venerable Bai Han's control, they resorted to secret techniques akin to the 'Dragon King's Bone-Stripping Curse' and the 'Dragon King's Heart-Gouging Curse.' They self-excavated their scales and tore out their own hearts. As their bones were extracted and marrow dug out, their true spirits disintegrated inch by inch, and all their draconic essence was absorbed into the painting.

Having cultivated the Dragon Court Codex, Zhao Xing could fully understand and empathize with the dragons' anger and suffering.

This unique understanding allowed Zhao Xing to fully comprehend all the Daos and techniques within this Life Dao Diagram, including the secret arts of the three hundred Dragon Emperors.

The knowledge he gained from this subsidiary Dao Diagram even surpassed what Venerable Bai Han intended to convey through the diagram's creation itself!

"Drip." The instant he fully grasped all the essences, a single tear unbiddenly streamed from the cerulean-gold dragon's eye.

"Venerable Bai Han, you truly deserve death!"

In that moment, Venerable Bai Han appeared to him as an utterly heinous demon. Despite the benefits gained from the ruins, Zhao Xing felt not a shred of gratitude or respect.

"Boom!"

Thunder roared, and with a crashing sound, the heavens and earth suddenly dimmed.

Zhao Xing looked up, peering into the distance, and witnessed Emperor Xuxing and the Black Sea Emperor clashing with Bojiu.

Events unfolded with blinding speed. In the blink of an eye, the two Emperors were defeated. Recognizing their inadequacy, they chose to retreat.

"Whoosh!" The Black Sea Emperor unleashed a cloud of mist, enveloping Zhao Xing, intending to sweep him away with them.

There was no time for explanations. He feared that Zhao Xing, having not refined a top-grade Reincarnation Dao Weapon, would be unable to escape the Bai Han Realm via reincarnation.

Yet, the cloud of mist emitted by the Black Sea Emperor disintegrated completely within a hundred meters of Zhao Xing.

"Hm?" The Black Sea Emperor's attempt to use the Boundary Cloud Art to retrieve Zhao Xing failed. No matter how much power he exerted, it was fruitless.

"Senior, please stop trying to take me. If we flee, Emperor Xuxing will be forced into reincarnation."

The agitated Black Sea Emperor abruptly ceased his movements and looked down.

At that moment, the cerulean-gold dragon body, only ten thousand meters long, was covered in blue flowers on its scales, giving it a somewhat peculiar appearance.

The Black Sea Emperor frowned subconsciously, much like an elder seeing a man with tattooed arms.

"Zhao Xing, you don't understand. This Bojiu's Dark Dharma Domain is incredibly potent. Our spells..."

The dragon's head vanished from the mountain with a whoosh, leaving only a lingering sound.

"Bojiu is not human; he is a demonic Emperor born in the Horn Star Abyss, one of the Xuanling's Ten Great Demon Clans: the Horned Abyss Serpent."

"He's not using the Dark Dharma Domain; it's actually his innate talent — the Mind Abyss."

Upon hearing this, the Black Sea Emperor paused, then flushed with indignation. "Ah, so we were fooled by this beast!"

It wasn't that they couldn't penetrate his defenses; they were merely affected by a mental illusion, causing their spells to miss entirely.

But in their perception, it seemed as though the opponent was directly withstanding all their spells.

Standing still and directly enduring spells is an entirely different concept from using illusions to divert them.

The former impression suggested Bojiu's complete dominance, making him seem utterly unbeatable, naturally sparking fear and the urge to flee, even to proactively seek reincarnation. The latter, however, merely indicated that Bojiu surpassed them in one specific area, making such extreme fear unnecessary.

"But how did Zhao Xing figure that out?" A question flashed through the Black Sea Emperor's mind, and he swiftly pursued.

Zhao Xing had conveyed the same message to Emperor Xuxing concurrently with the Black Sea Emperor.

And just a moment earlier, Emperor Xuxing had already prepared to proactively reincarnate using his innate Dao weapon.

Bojiu felt overwhelmingly powerful. The ultimate techniques of the Meridian Heavenly Time Hall had no effect on him whatsoever; he received them all with casual ease. Even with the aid of the Counter-Dipper Heavenly Array, there was no chance of victory.

Such power was utterly despair-inducing!

Even after Zhao Xing's transmission, Emperor Xuxing didn't immediately alter his thoughts. "A Horned Abyss Serpent from the Demon Clan. How did demons enter... Oh, it's the Cross-Realm Alliance."

The Empire had forged a peace alliance with the Demon Clan, which was precisely why Demon Emperors were permitted access to the Transmission Tower. This alliance had remained active ever since.

Given this, powerful demon experts could also purchase entry slots through the War God Palace, provided they had the necessary connections.

"Even so, Bojiu is not someone we can defeat."

While the Horned Abyss Serpent's mental abilities were potent, if his illusions could cause them to hallucinate and even misdirect their spells, then it made no practical difference to their situation.

At best, the Horned Abyss Serpent wouldn't be able to kill them instantly, meaning they didn't need to rush into reincarnation.

"The Horned Abyss Serpent's mental illusion isn't insurmountable," Zhao Xing declared, landing beside Emperor Xuxing in his dragon form. "If he were to reach the Demigod realm, having undergone multiple tribulations and transformed his mind into the Mind Abyss, then it would truly be unsolvable, an innate divine ability capable of challenging even deities."

As for now? According to Zhao Xing's internal assessment, the current Bojiu was merely a late-stage Emperor, having only undergone three True Spirit tribulations. His Mind Abyss was not unbreakable.

"Zhao Xing, how did you know?" Emperor Xuxing, watching Bojiu slowly approach outside the grand array, was utterly perplexed. Neither of them had discerned Bojiu's true form, yet Zhao Xing had, and seemingly without being affected?

"Ancient Luo River's inner world contains scales and a horn from a Horned Abyss Serpent; I've sensed its aura before," Zhao Xing stated casually.

He assumed Ancient Luo River possessed such items, but whether it truly did was irrelevant. All that mattered was that everyone believed it.

After all, Ancient Luo River was reputed to be the strongest demigod, so it was only natural for him to possess greater knowledge and more treasures.

"Esteemed seniors, please relax your minds and do not resist," Zhao Xing instructed, still in his dragon form, though it now underwent another transformation.

His scales transformed into white, rendering him almost a transparent crystal dragon.

His dragon whiskers wafted, like two needles, piercing into Emperor Xuxing and the Black Sea Emperor.

The white dragon whiskers bound the three minds together, and simultaneously, a mental dragon armor materialized around both the Black Sea Emperor and Emperor Xuxing.

"Hm? This is..."

The Black Sea Emperor and Emperor Xuxing felt their surroundings brighten, their true spirits considerably clearer. Before, they were merely "awake"; now, they were profoundly "conscious."

"Comprehended from the Life Dao Diagram," Zhao Xing explained concisely.

He named the transformation he had comprehended from the Dao Diagram "Myriad Dragon Transformation," as it allowed him to seamlessly shift between the forms of over three hundred Dragon Emperors, acquiring the innate secret techniques of each chosen form.

The technique he was currently employing was Mind Watch, an innate secret technique of a Mind Dragon Emperor.

The mental will of any single individual among Zhao Xing, Emperor Xuxing, or the Black Sea Emperor would be insufficient to contend with the Horned Abyss Serpent, one of the Ten Great Demon Clans.

However, using the Mind Dragon Emperor's innate secret technique, the mental powers of all three could be unified.

Now, Black Sea Emperor, Emperor Xuxing, and Zhao Xing could all feel that whenever the Horned Abyss Serpent's Mind Abyss illusion began to affect them, another's mental power would immediately shield their companion.

As Mind Watch solidified, Emperor Xuxing realized that the attacks from the Counter-Dipper Heavenly Array he had previously controlled had either struck beside Bojiu or their power had been significantly diminished.

It wasn't that Emperor Bojiu could withstand the spells directly; rather, he himself had been weakened by the Mind Abyss!

"Boom!"

Thunderclouds coalesced, and crimson-gold lightning suddenly descended. This strike jolted Emperor Bojiu, who had been supremely confident, planning to slowly torment his adversaries and dismantle their psychological defenses.

"Whoosh!" For the first time, he broke from his linear flight path, evading the immensely