Chapter 22: The Mirage Dragon's Tempest, Thunderous Killing Intent Surges

The golden hook was immobilized, and the golden light that flowed atop it, like a rushing stream, struck with a thunderous force. The power that had frozen even the void in its wake now collapsed, and faintly, one could hear the brittle cracking from the virtual realm, unable to bear the strain. Ye Chen suffered a heavy loss this time, though fortunately the white lotus was not snatched away. The radiant brilliance atop the white lotus flickered, attempting to escape, but was firmly suppressed by a mighty force, unable to move.

“This must be the influence of the virtual realm’s power.”

The virtual realm, intent on resisting the golden hook, had no strength left to spare the white lotus; with the two so close together, it was inevitable that both would be caught up in the turmoil. There was nothing to be done—Ye Chen had only just made a breakthrough, barely able to pull the virtual realm across, but his technique was still unrefined. If one hesitated or lacked the resolve to risk everything, even briefly holding back the golden hook would be nothing but a fantasy.

A ruthless determination welled in Ye Chen’s heart; he was willing to cut even himself if need be. The white lotus struggled fiercely, splitting open a rift in the virtual realm. Through this gaping breach, half the virtual realm fell into the Sea of Laws, while the other half remained above the Bamboo Tribe, mysterious energies spilling forth.

In a peach grove, atop a charred peach tree, a single blossom swayed, glowing with a red light. As the radiance spread, within it appeared the vague figure of a woman, her expression thoughtful. Now, through the breach, she could enter the virtual realm with ease.

At that moment, a terrifying force surged from the golden hook—it had grown stronger. Clearly, the white lotus could not be allowed to escape; after such careful plotting, how could the plan come to nothing? If not for the fear of provoking a rampage from the Heavenly Dao of this world and exposing his presence, the Dao Ancestor could have easily achieved his aim. Unfortunately, the world was teeming with traitors, countless who wished for the Dao Ancestor’s downfall.

Beyond the rift in the void, an elder with the bearing of a sage deliberated briefly, then resolved to take the risk and draw upon his power. As long as he acted swiftly enough, danger could not catch up with him; by the time the Heavenly Dao reacted, he would be gone, and their anger would be for nothing.

Without further hesitation, the elder sent a profound force surging into the golden hook.

A resonant hum erupted. The golden hook trembled; the virtual realm nearly exploded. The white lotus was instantly immobilized—escape was impossible.

Just as the white lotus was about to be snared, a thunderous crash resounded. A wild storm of lightning poured in through the breach in the virtual realm, followed by a deluge of furious bolts, striking down in wrath.

Ning Peach Blossom did not simply stand by. Though the gap between her and the Dao Ancestor was vast, the Dao Ancestor’s covert actions here were greatly limited in power—he was far from omnipotent.

A rain of peach blossoms fell, and the lightning overhead that had shrouded the peach grove dissipated. The misty vapor flowing like crystal, now shaped into a mirage dragon entwined with lightning, charged into the Bamboo Tribe, striking terror into the hearts of its people, who hurriedly prayed to their totems.

Waves of incense and prayer flowed into Ye Chen, replenishing him—he had exhausted his stores with repeated use, and now his pockets were empty; to run out entirely would be disastrous for a deity, like a gun without bullets, his power would be drastically diminished.

No wonder they say that fear begets gods—a stick in one hand, a sweet date in the other; such is the proper way.

The mirage dragon ignored the tribe, instead diving through the breach into the Sea of Laws. Had there been no breach, Ning Peach Blossom would have hesitated; though she had left hidden means in the virtual realm and could enter the Sea of Laws, she would have had to consider Ye Chen’s feelings. If she could come and go freely, his wariness would only deepen.

For now, Ye Chen’s predicament left him unconcerned, but once safe, he would surely reflect and grow ever more suspicious. Even if Ning Peach Blossom acted to save him from danger, gratitude fades quickly, while suspicion and enmity linger like fish bones in the throat, impossible to swallow or spit out.

The mirage dragon, armored in scales, claws extended, roared with thunder, electricity coiling around it. It opened five talons and seized the golden hook, sparks flying.

The struggle was fierce; Ye Chen, at last able to breathe, regained a little strength. Yet at this point, he no longer wished to flee outright—before, he had no choice, but now, to run would be unacceptable. After suffering such a plot, nearly losing his path, how could he let it go so easily?

Ye Chen glanced at the golden hook, a ruthless resolve rising: “Whatever your schemes, to make me suffer so, I’ll see you pay dearly, even if I break my own teeth in the process.”

To trouble the Dao Ancestor directly was out of the question—even at his most arrogant, Ye Chen knew the gap in power was vast; intent alone was useless.

Ning Peach Blossom, clever and composed, seized the opportunity, letting the mirage dragon carry the storm of lightning away, entangling itself with the golden hook—a move that served two purposes at once.

Though the mirage dragon was formed from the boundless miasma of the peach grove, its departure meant the grove’s defenses were greatly weakened. After all, miasma and mirage dragon were not the same; transforming one into the other was no simple feat, and Ning Peach Blossom had surely spent much effort in the process.

For some time, there would not be a second mirage dragon at her beck and call.

Nevertheless, Ning Peach Blossom could at least catch her breath; the grove, though battered, could recover.

With the golden hook temporarily contained and no energy left to trouble Ye Chen, he would not simply wait for the outcome to be decided.

A fierce courage surged in Ye Chen; the white lotus swirled and lunged at the celestial medicine.

The Dao Ancestor, caught off guard and struggling with the mirage dragon, suddenly saw the white lotus reach for the celestial medicine. Outrageous! Though the celestial medicine was but a shadow, and its power insignificant to the Dao Ancestor, its unique nature imbued it with a trace of true divinity. Even if lost, it would matter little.

Yet, the shadow of the celestial medicine could be given, but never taken by force.

“So, it seems I came at just the right time. So weak in power, and yet with the daring to challenge the emperor—such defiance! If he ever grows strong, what then?”

The Dao Ancestor cast a cold glance at Ye Chen through the rift in the void, murderous intent surging within. How could this world be so ungrateful? Always, heroes and dragons rise from the grass and mud, refusing to yield to his grand design, to complete his great Dao.

Entangled by the mirage dragon, the Dao Ancestor’s killing intent toward Ye Chen was fierce, but he could do nothing for the moment—a bitter feeling. Had Ye Chen truly stolen a march?

One was a Dao Ancestor, lofty and supreme; the other, an ant crawling on the ground—ordinarily, their paths would never cross, let alone to the death. If he could act at full strength, crushing the ant would be effortless.

Within the celestial medicine, torrents of power surged, overflowing like a breached dam, pouring forth without restraint.

The medicinal force, surging like a tide, flooded into the white lotus at its center, making it glow with an unimaginable brilliance.

The white lotus rapidly swelled, growing as thick as an arm. Ye Chen’s butterfly-like form shone with light, and in his flesh and blood, faint peals of thunder echoed.