Inside the stone palace.
Lan An stood at the valley's edge, looking down. He saw the three corpses orderly return to their coffins, mouth twitching.
Though these three inner disciples had sturdy Eighth-Turn bodies, they were dead. Combat movements only instinct from life, unable to fully use Body Arts. Combat power greatly reduced, no match for current Lan An.
This disappointed him. He had hoped for all-out battle against Manhuang Sacred Ground's strongest inner disciples. Instead, fighting mindless corpses.
Thus, Lan An lost interest in serious fight. Didn't go all-out destroying them. Used Eight Desolate Tyrant Flame and Charm Shadow Evasion Steps, fighting while retreating. After escaping valley, battle ended, saving pointless time.
The three corpses only attacked cemetery intruders…
"If we can't find the Saintess, I'll go back for that female disciple's bones!" Lan An said casually.
Among three corpses, two male, one female. Female bones barely enough for Tribulation body. But with Manhuang Saintess available, Lan An wanted the best for master Xiao Qingxuan.
Dan Mengji had suffered too long, he wanted to compensate her.
"No need to waste effort. That female disciple's bones already enough for me. Focus on seeking Manhuang Sacred Ground Lord's inheritance, increase your strength!" Dan Mengji inwardly touched, speaking for his sake.
In her judgment, Manhuang Sacred Ground so terrifying, its Lord surely peerless in his era. Possibly reached unimaginable level. His inheritance, like carp leaping dragon gate.
Lan An smiled, said nothing. Others might go mad for Lord's inheritance. He was different, nice to have… fine without.
WHOOSH…
Entire space suddenly shook. A world-dominating aura descended. War drums thundered overhead, like million soldiers marching.
Lan An's face paled. That conquering aura pressed his soul, body taut like bowstring, pores bleeding.
BOOM BOOM BOOM…
Space shook increasingly violently. Before Lan An's contracted eyes, sky-shaking roars.
ROAR ROAR…
In his vision, above palace sky, an ancient war chariot pulled by five bone dragons rampaged. On chariot, golden throne. Seated a golden skeleton, majestic, incomplete. Wearing dragon robe, crowned in golden light. At waist, bone tablet like heaven pillar, radiating killing intent. Like emperor touring, personally leading troops.
The chariot, carved with most majestic ancient patterns, far larger than Dream Immortal Boat. Five bone dragons, imposing, body length rivalled Giant Race. Bones from primordial era, seemingly alive.
Most striking, the arrogant skeleton on chariot. Incomplete, cracked skull, many broken bones. Yet whole body shone noble gold, extraordinary aura. Slight vibration, made Lan An's hair stand.
"Peerless Under Heaven!" Against overwhelming chariot aura, Lan An forced Heaven Emperor Transformation, finally breathing relief.
The moment Lan An used Heaven Emperor Transformation, golden skeleton on chariot suddenly turned cracked skull toward him. Even five bone dragons paused.
Lan An instantly battle stance, heart pounding.
Five bone dragons' aura, Eighth-Turn. Skeleton on chariot, gave extreme danger feeling. Only lesser than Great Hand Immortal King's strike on Yuelong Star Realm.
But quickly, chariot ignored him, continuing forward. Each bone dragon step, space violently shook, extremely stimulating.
"Gasp, this figure… likely Manhuang Sacred Ground Lord? Even dead, lingering might undiminished. Like emperor touring, patrolling cemetery. Wherever passes, myriad spirits kneel!" Dan Mengji's voice trembled.
Just now, even she feared. Golden skeleton's aura too domineering. Certain Tribulation Realm before him, powerless.
"Those bone dragons terrifying too. Clearly dead, yet retain spirituality. All Bone Cultivators!" Lan An concluded.
"From their bones, I guess alive they were five Earth Dragons. Bone Cultivation reached Eighth-Turn. Though great war destroyed flesh, bones indestructible. Still mighty war machines!" Dan Mengji sighed.
Earth Dragons, though not comparable True Dragons or Azure Dragons, had some Dragon Race bloodline. Using five Earth Dragons to pull chariot, who but Manhuang Sacred Ground Lord?
Hard to believe Lord not normally buried, instead eternally touring after death.
"If alive, Body Cultivation qualified for Immortal Ascension in Manhuang Realm. Pity, died in battle…" Jin'er rarely sighed.
Lan An nodded. Manhuang Sacred Ground Lord, alive strength at least surpassed current Giant Race and Giant Han Clan Chiefs.
Wu San Niang once said, those two chiefs Tenth-Turn or above. So Eleventh-Turn for ascension?
Lan An silently guessed levels above Tenth-Turn. Didn't ask, knew Jin'er wouldn't answer.
"Just now, he glanced at you!" Dan Mengji recalled, saying. Though small detail, golden skeleton clearly turned cracked skull observing Lan An.
"Who knows?"
Lan An shrugged. Truth, he drooled over Bone Dragon Chariot. If he had such transport, parading with beauties, Prestige Points wouldn't skyrocket?
But mere fantasy, such things fate, not forceable.
…
Yuelong Star Realm.
Demon volunteered, Perfect Harmony aura gradually spreading, reassuring many Yuelong cultivators.
Demon extremely mysterious. Few battles, but each cross-realm victory. Short debut time. Multitude Treasure Pavilion used much evidence and deduction, judging age under 500, adding to Golden Board.
No one knew real name or origin. Only knew sudden appearance at Black Demon Mountain.
Most battles at Black Demon Mountain, eliminating notorious demons and long-established evil cultivators.
Name "Demon" not from evil deeds like many guessed… Because his power extremely mysterious. Many experts secretly researched, fruitless. One enemy mustered courage asking:
"What power do you use? Else I die unaccepting!"
Demon silent moment, indifferently: "Demon."
Name "Demon" born thus…
"Hmph, Perfect Harmony? I have too!" Four-Heart Blood Envoy sneered, clapping.
Six Blood Princes calmly stepped out, removing masks, revealing pale but strangely calm faces.
"Blood Three, Late Harmony"
"Blood Two, Late Harmony"
"Blood One, Perfect Harmony"
"Blood Wu, Perfect Harmony"
"Blood Xuan, Half-Step Tribulation"
"Blood Tian, Half-Step Tribulation"
Seeing Blood Xuan and Blood Tian's aura, Tian Wanbao's face slightly grave. Half-Step Tribulation, strength enough trigger Heavenly Tribulation, but suppressing. Either unwilling or unconfident passing.
Not everyone Tribulated easily like Yueqi and Qingzhu, slightest mistake death.
"Heh heh, if big win this round, great motivation for brothers' successful Tribulation!" Blood Xuan licked lips, smiling at Blood Tian.
Blood Tian evilly nodded. Disciples of two Four-Heart Envoys, just accumulated enough trigger Tribulation, unprepared.
"Hmph, impressive? Rear Palace already has Tribulation on Golden Board!" Thai Ling Laoren snorted disdainfully.
Blood Envoys faces ugly, knew true, no retort.
They witnessed Yan Yueqi and Hua Qingzhu's Tribulation. But ancient times, no one interfere Tribulation, or dragged in, heaven's wrath.
Why many hate new Tribulation experts, but dare not ambush during process.
"Tribulation how? She can't participate this round. Produce Half-Step Tribulation like us, heh heh!" Three-Heart Blood Envoy smirked.
By rules, Yan Yueqi broke through Tribulation, ineligible.
Thus, Blood Emperor Domain advantage two Half-Step Tribulation Blood Princes. Yuelong Golden Board none that realm, their calculation.
"Half-Step Tribulation? Rear Palace doesn't care!" Liu Yuqing mocked, smiling faintly, eyes on women.
"This round, no need Mother personally!" Qin Mengying confident, noble, stepping forward.
Ji Bing and Ji Ya exchanged glances, Ji Ya stepped up. Ji Bing colder, disliked showiness.
"I want to fight too!" Yan Ruoxue heroic, Water Desolate Bloodline influenced temperament.
"I've never properly fought for Rear Palace, today I should!" Shui Niangkhan smiled gracefully, stepping elegantly.
As Bai Suomei also wanted, among Beast Controlling War Sect experts, young master Yu Lin finally stepped forward, loudly:
"This young master though not strong personally, master Beast Controlling Art. Age under 500, can I fight using my beasts?"
"Foolish!" Yu Yuhuang paled, pulling Yu Lin back, inwardly cursing son stirring trouble.
Yuelong experts faces ugly, just happy Bai Suomei about to fight.
Bai Suomei identity long public, pure ancient divine beast descendant, cross-realm battle easy.
Bai Suomei fighting, certain win.
What this idiot Yu Lin doing?
"No, not on Golden Board, ineligible!" Niu Wuba, prejudiced against Beast Controlling War Sect, first opposed.
"Haha, that woman on Golden Board?" Yu Lin sneered, pointing Su Mi.
"You…" Niu Wuba choked, true, Su Mi not on Golden Board before.
"Yu Lin, I know you young, competitive. But strength from beasts, not yourself. Invalid!" Xuan Sha Laoren gently advised.
"Haha, ancient saying three thousand Great Daos. My Beast Controlling Dao, orthodox… why not recognised?" Yu Lin laughed, righteous tone.
Yu Yuhuang eyes moved, didn't expect son mature today.
Pitiful Yu Yuhuang didn't know, Yu Lin saw women step up, wanted show off before beauties. Also display strength for beast women like Little Lion, Bai Suomei, Hu Qingyu, Kun Mingyue. Nothing noble as father thought.
"Well said!" Four-Heart Blood Envoy clapped, admiring yet gleeful eyes on Yu Lin.
"We agree this one fight. Yuelong narrow-minded, beast controlling also strength. As long as Yu Lin under 500, fine!" Blood Envoys unanimously said.
They inwardly wanted kiss Yu Lin. Bai Suomei terrifying, they investigated. Worried Blood Princes couldn't beat her. Didn't expect idiot Yu Lin solve strong opponent for them.
Now, even if Yu Lin spouted nonsense, they'd agree.
"Suomei, let him, doesn't affect overall!" Liu Yuqing smiled leisurely. In her view, Ji Ya, Mengying, Ruoxue, Niangkhan win enough.
Ma and Yu Lin results, irrelevant.
Bai Sumei obediently nodded to mother-in-law, eyes never glancing Yu Lin.
"Fine… Yu Lin, go!" Tian Wanbao same thought as Liu Yuqing, finally agreed.
Yu Lin overjoyed, gracefully stepping under crowd gaze.
But quickly, face stiffened.
Because opponent before him, Half-Step Tribulation Blood Tian…
…