Moonlight Mystique

Chapter Sixty-Two

The crowd turned in shock. Wu Zhao, who had been lying unconscious on the ground, now stood behind the King of the Yiren, his hand plunged into the king’s chest, pulling out a bloody inner core. Within that core lay a slumbering golden dragon.

Everyone’s gaze sharpened.

“A golden dragon?” Mu Jiu blurted out. “Why is Mu Guang’s dragon form here?”

“That’s not Mu Guang’s true body. A thousand years ago, Mu Guang used two dragon scales to set up the Spirit-Sealing Array—one became the dragon soul at the city gate, and the other transformed into the dragon body at the array’s core,” Fan Yue explained.

“As expected of the Lord of the Haoyue Hall, truly knowledgeable.” Mu Jiu gave a thumbs-up.

The young man frowned slightly, sensing that this wasn’t the memory of the so-called Lord of the Haoyue Hall.

But there was no time to dwell on such trivialities. The moment the King of the Yiren’s inner core was extracted, the dormant spirits in the blood pool let out a mournful wail, transforming once more into streams of black resentment.

Outside the city, the colossal dragon shadow, which had been gradually dissipating, roared and reformed.

“No! The Dragon Soul of Divine Execution has been reawakened!”

Jin Yao’s expression darkened.

In the stone hall, the King of the Yiren, now bereft of his inner core, spat out a mouthful of blood and collapsed to the ground.

“No!” Hua Hong leaped forward, catching the falling king.

The king’s crown tumbled away, his face ashen as he weakly reached out to Hua Hong. “H-Hong’er…”

Hua Hong stared at him blankly.

Blood gushed from the king’s mouth in horrifying torrents.

“I… I was wrong, my child. I doomed our people. D-Don’t hate Yong’er… Live… live well.”

With his last strength, the king pressed a finger to Hua Hong’s forehead. A faint wisp of soul-light flickered briefly before vanishing into her brow.

As the light faded, the king’s eyes closed forever.

Whatever Hua Hong saw in that fleeting soul-light, she turned her dazed gaze toward the sleeping Hua Yong nearby before suddenly rising to her feet. With a sweep of her hand, her iron staff flew back into her grasp. Her eyes burned crimson as she glared at the one holding the king’s inner core.

“Why?!”

“You shouldn’t have come back.” By the blood pool, Wu Zhao cast a cold glance at the king’s corpse, avoiding Hua Hong’s gaze.

“Was it you who secretly stole the spirits of all the Yiren using dark arts?” Bai Shuo suddenly spoke up.

Only when Wu Zhao tore out the king’s inner core did Bai Shuo finally realize who had silently taken the spirits of the entire Yiren race—and who had poisoned Hua Yong.

Wu Zhao had been deeply trusted by the king. In all of Yiren City, only he could have done it.

“Yes, it was me. I poisoned Hua Yong, and I took the spirits of the Yiren.” Wu Zhao’s expression remained impassive.

“Why would you betray our people?!” Hua Hong’s voice trembled.

“Why? Because they deserved to die. The king deserved to die. Hua Yong deserved to die. They killed your mother—they owed her their lives!”

Because of Consort Mei? Seeing the hatred in Wu Zhao’s eyes, Bai Shuo was stunned. Could it be that Wu Zhao had feelings for the consort…?

“Our people are innocent! For the sake of one woman, you’d condemn an entire city?!” Hua Hong roared.

“Why not?” Wu Zhao pointed at the wailing spirits in the blood pool. “For the sake of these wretched outcasts abandoned by heaven and earth, my foster father sacrificed his own power to that ungrateful wretch and got your mother killed! What did a thousand years of the Mei family guarding this city earn them? Nothing but ruin and death!”Wu Zhao was actually the adopted son of General Mei. No wonder Hua Hong, upon returning to the foreign city, treated everyone coldly, yet still held some lingering affection for Wu Zhao alone.

"No, Father, he didn't—"

"Silence! He is unworthy of being your father!" Wu Zhao roared, cutting Hua Hong off mid-sentence. Gripping the Foreign King's Sword, he leaped onto the blood pool as countless streams of sinister Qi surged into the inner core of the Foreign King. The small golden Dragon sleeping within was instantly invaded by the malevolent energy and opened its eyes.

Those Dragon eyes held no intelligence—only pure, violent killing intent.

The moment the Dragon's eyes opened, that savage intent transformed into a surge of sinister Qi that shot straight toward Fan Yue, coiling tightly around the young man.

It was the body of a Dragon of Slaughter, forcibly awakened by the malevolent Qi. Whoever possessed divine power would become its target.

The golden Dragon's killing intent was overwhelming. Fan Yue's spiritual core felt as though it were burning, his expression twisted in agony.

"Mu Mu!" Bai Shuo's face paled as she rushed toward Fan Yue.

"Don't come any closer!" the young man shouted in terror.

Sure enough, the golden Dragon suddenly turned its gaze toward Bai Shuo, and countless tendrils of sinister Qi shot from its eyes, hurtling straight at her.

The Dragon's might was terrifying—how could Bai Shuo, a mere half-immortal, withstand it? Struck by the sinister Qi, she was sent flying backward.

"Master!"

"A-Shuo!"

Two cries of alarm echoed through the hall simultaneously. Fan Yue tried to reach Bai Shuo, but the sinister Qi held him firmly in place.

With a furious roar, the young man slashed at the surrounding malevolent energy with his silver chain. The Qi trembled, and a few strands were severed.

Enraged, the golden Dragon intensified its killing intent, this time directing it straight at Fan Yue's brow.

Blood spilled from the young man's lips as his silver chain clattered to the ground, emitting a silent lament.

Chong Zhao leaped forward, catching Bai Shuo as she fell from midair.

At the same time, a Dragon's roar resounded from the heavens. The stone hall trembled violently as everyone sensed an immense force charging toward the Foreign King's palace.

Bei Chen's expression darkened. "The Dragon soul formed from the other Dragon scale has awakened!"

Once the Dragon soul merged with the golden Dragon's body, it would become a true weapon of divine slaughter!

The entire hall shook. Seeing Fan Yue scorched by the Dragon's killing intent, Bai Shuo struggled free from Chong Zhao's arms and shouted at Wu Zhao.

"Wu Zhao! If the Dragon soul merges with the Dragon's body, everyone will die—including Hua Hong! She is the only daughter of Princess Mei! The Foreign King is already dead—what grudge do you still hold onto?!"

The figure hovering above the blood pool hesitated, a flicker of conflict flashing in his eyes. But in an instant, it vanished, replaced by bone-deep hatred.

"Not enough! His life alone is not enough!"

Wu Zhao screamed in madness, hurling the inner core into the blood pool, where it voraciously absorbed the spirits of the Foreign people. The small golden Dragon visibly expanded, its golden scales gradually turning black.

Fan Yue, enveloped in sinister Qi, knelt on one knee, his brow drenched in blood as the Dragon soul's power pierced his spiritual core like a blade.

"Mu Mu!"

"A-Shuo! The golden Dragon's might is too strong—you can't get close to him!" Bai Shuo tried to rush toward Fan Yue again, but Chong Zhao held her back firmly.

"Words are useless now. Wu Zhao's mind has been consumed by hatred, controlled by the malevolent spirits." Bei Chen's eyes darkened. "We must stop the Dragon soul from merging with the Dragon's body. If the golden Dragon falls under the control of the malevolent spirits, the entire wasteland will be annihilated!"

"Destroy the inner core! If we kill the Dragon's body within it, the Dragon soul will disperse as well!" Bai Shuo suddenly shouted, her gaze fixed on the black Dragon in the blood pool.

Back then, Mu Guang had left the Forbidden Spirit Array to protect the Foreign people, yet split the Dragon scale in two—perhaps fearing that one day, the divine array would fall into the wrong hands.Above the blood pool, Wu Zhao's gaze was vacant as he raised his hand and waved. The Yi Wang Sword on the ground instantly flew to the blood pool, transforming into four swords that formed a sword array, shielding the golden dragon's body.

"Kunlun Sword Cultivators, those from Piaomiao, charge!"

Aside from Bai Shuo, Mu Jiu was the most cautious about his life. Fearing the dragon soul might awaken, he instantly swung his Little Nirvana Wheel, taking the lead in the attack.

Bei Chen and Chong Zhao leaped into action. The three of them coordinated flawlessly, attacking Wu Zhao from three sides.

A cold glint flashed in Wu Zhao's eyes as he swung his palm. The three, deprived of their spiritual power, were sent flying before they could even land a single strike.

Hua Hong soared into the air, catching the three with her staff.

It was rare to see the usually noisy fox so fierce. Mid-air, Hua Hong even steadied Mu Jiu, channeling a surge of Spiritual Qi into his chest with a pat.

Mu Jiu, dazed and with his blood churning, suddenly felt warmth in his spiritual core. Turning his head, he met a pair of cold, clear eyes.

His heart skipped a beat, but before he could utter thanks, Hua Hong had already leaped up, her staff striking toward Wu Zhao in the blood pool.

This time, Hua Hong held nothing back.

As the iron staff clashed with the long saber, flames erupted from the staff, their power capable of incinerating mountains and melting seas. The entire stone hall trembled.

Wu Zhao's saber was instantly split in two by the flames. The staff pierced through his chest, sending him flying and pinning him to a stone pillar.

Mu Jiu stared at Hua Hong, who now resembled a god of slaughter, utterly stunned.

Holy heavens! Wu Zhao was at least a High Lord. Just how powerful was this Yi Wang Princess?!

Only then did everyone realize that through life-and-death battles, Hua Hong had never truly exerted her full strength.

"Blazing Heaven Staff, you are the Heavenly Flame Demon Lord," Bei Chen said, looking at Hua Hong with awe.

Heavenly Flame Cang Shan, one of the two infamous figures under the Haoyue Palace, whose fearsome reputation had echoed through the Three Realms for centuries.

No one had expected that the former Yi Wang Princess, Hua Hong, was the Heavenly Flame Demon Lord of Haoyue Palace!

"Heavenly Flame? The one who could slay thousands with a single strike, the top-ranked Demon Lord at the Peak?!"

Mu Jiu gulped. A Peak Demon Lord's decisive strike was indeed terrifying!

Hua Hong seemed not to hear, her gaze fixed silently on Wu Zhao pinned to the pillar, her eyes hiding an unfathomable sorrow no one else could see.

She had personally killed the last of the Mei family.

On the pillar, Wu Zhao lay dying. Perhaps sensing her sorrow, his frenzied mind regained a sliver of clarity. He smiled gently at Hua Hong and reached out his hand.

"Your Highness, don't cry. I... I..."

Wu Zhao never finished. The last light in his eyes faded as his hand fell limp, and he closed his eyes forever.

No one knew what he had wanted to say to Hua Hong.

Perhaps she understood even without words.

Everything he had done, even unto death, he regretted nothing.

"Quick, Big Iron, destroy that core!"

The hall fell silent with Wu Zhao's death, but Bai Shuo, ever concerned for Fan Yue, wasted no time.

Hua Hong snapped back to reality and flew toward the blood pool. Just as her staff was about to strike the core, a dragon's roar echoed through the hall. A massive dragon soul surged in, its tail lashing toward Hua Hong.

The Blazing Heaven Staff met the dragon soul head-on. The dragon's maw opened wide, snapping the staff in two. The dragon soul flew toward the dragon's body in the blood pool, its tail swinging again at Hua Hong.

Even a Peak Demon Lord was merely an immortal. How could they contend with the power of a dragon god?

As the dragon tail came crashing down, Hua Hong's pupils contracted. At that moment, a faint demonic force intercepted the tail's strike. A fiery red tail shot up from the ground, swiftly wrapping around Hua Hong's waist and pulling her back from mid-air.Hua Hong stared at the Little Extinction Wheel split in half mid-air, still in shock, when a teasing voice sounded in her ear.

"Heavenfire Demon Lord, we're even now."

Turning her head, Hua Hong saw the little fox blinking mischievously, grinning cheekily while his fox tail brushed against her palm.

Hua Hong instantly felt goosebumps rising all over. Just as she was about to punch this stupid fox to death, Bai Shuo shouted from the side.

"Bad news! The dragon soul is merging with its body!"

At that moment, a dragon's roar echoed through the hall as a powerful golden light engulfed the stone chamber, shaking heaven and earth. Everyone was sent flying.

The Kunlun Iron Sword was summoned, protecting Hua Hong and Mu Jiu. Chong Zhao tightly embraced Bai Shuo as countless falling rocks struck his back. He let out a muffled groan but didn't budge an inch.

When the golden light dissipated and the tremors ceased, everyone looked up and froze.

A colossal black dragon, towering like a mountain, rose from the blood pool. Its overwhelming draconic might filled the chamber, pressing everyone to the ground.

This was the true power of the Dragon God.

A chill ran through everyone's hearts.

Outside the city, the dragon's roar pierced the sky as demonic energy took the form of a dragon shadow, breaking through the barrier and incinerating everything in its path.

The immortals' eyes filled with terror. Jin Yao transformed into his Baize true form and roared, using his demi-god body to block the rampaging dragon soul.

Inside the stone chamber, the dragon's savage eyes coldly fixed on the bloodied youth kneeling at the center of the hall.

With another roar, the black dragon swung its claw down toward Fan Yue.

"Mu Mu!" Bai Shuo pushed Chong Zhao away and without hesitation ran toward Fan Yue.

"A-Shuo!" Chong Zhao's face paled.

"Girl, are you trying to die? That's the Dragon God!" Mu Jiu yelled, but Bai Shuo seemed not to hear.

She threw out her Qiankun Bag, from which countless paper figures flew out, shouting as they recklessly charged at the dragon's claw like moths to flame.

A beam of immortal light shot from Bai Shuo's hand as two turtle shells struck the demonic energy surrounding Fan Yue.

Amid the chaotic explosions, Bai Shuo didn't pause for a second, lunging toward the kneeling youth.

Chong Zhao grabbed at empty air. Watching Bai Shuo exhaust all her magic treasures, his Dao Heart—steadfast since beginning cultivation—momentarily fractured.

In the vortex of demonic energy, the youth was barely conscious. With great effort, he lifted his head to see a familiar face rushing toward him.

"Master, are you looking for someone you love?"

"No, your master is looking for a benefactor."

"Then I'll accompany you."

"Accompany me how?"

"I'll help you find them."

The turtle shells finally pried open the demonic energy entangling Fan Yue. Bai Shuo broke through the narrow gap and reached out.

She caught him.

As the emaciated body fell into her arms, Bai Shuo's eyes grew hot with tears.

She feared death, but in that moment, she feared Mu Mu dying before her even more.

The paper figures exploded one after another in mid-air, turning to ash beneath the dragon's claw. Just as Bai Shuo embraced Fan Yue, the claw descended upon them.

With his last strength, the youth shielded Bai Shuo beneath him, using his own flesh to bear the dragon's strike.

Bai Shuo shut her eyes tightly, trembling with terror.

Oh heavens, she was really going to die!

The claw came down—a flash of light—but the expected pain of being crushed never came.

Dazed, Bai Shuo looked up and met her little disciple's gaze.

In those blood-filled eyes was an emotion she couldn't decipher.

"Hey, you two! Help us already!!!"A feeble wail came from the side. Bai Shuo turned her head to see Hua Hong, Chong Zhao, Bei Chen, and Mu Jiu standing in front of the two, desperately holding back the Dragon's claw suspended mid-air.

True brothers indeed! Bai Shuo was nearly moved to tears. The overwhelming joy of survival made her forget the faint stirring in her heart moments ago.

Blocked in its attack, the black Dragon in the blood pool roared in fury. Its massive body surged forward, charging toward the group.

Though devoid of reason, it was enraged—how could mere ants in the hall force it to exert its full strength?

As the Dragon's claw tore toward them, a burst of demonic light erupted from Chong Zhao, momentarily halting the Dragon's advance. No one but Chong Zhao saw the explosion of blood mist and eerie flowers within that light.

Above the strange city, the moment the blood mist flowers exploded, Fu Ling's expression changed as she half-knelt to the ground.

Zhen Yu glanced at her indifferently, his face unreadable.

Back in the hall, the Dragon's body loomed over the group. Seizing the moment of distraction caused by the demonic light, Mu Jiu turned and shouted at Bai Shuo.

"Damn girl! The evil Dragon seeks the gods?! Where are the gods, ahhh?!"

Bai Shuo stared at her young disciple as Mu Jiu's furious roar echoed in her ears.

As the Dragon's claw descended, she hesitated no longer. With a swift motion, she sliced her palm with her Sword and pressed her bloodied hand against the youth's forehead.

The boy's pupils abruptly changed, and he struggled to break free.

"Master... don't..."

"Lord of the Haoyue Hall! Wake up!"

Bai Shuo's voice trembled as she gripped the youth tightly, unable to meet her disciple's gaze.

The moment Bai Shuo's blood spilled, the black Dragon's eyes paused mid-air, as if sensing that trace of a unique Bloodline. A faint glimmer of Divine Power flickered in its eyes, long drowned in malevolent Qi.

That was...?

In that same instant, as the blood seeped into the youth's spiritual center between his brows, a dazzling crimson Divine Power erupted like flames within the stone hall. A figure leaped out from the blaze, and the silver chains on the ground trembled with joy, flying into his grasp.

High above, the figure swung the chain down at the black Dragon. A magnificent Divine Light struck the Dragon's body, eliciting a mournful howl as its form shattered. Countless tendrils of dark malevolence burst forth, transforming into spectral figures of strange beings that fled through the hall's dome.

Amidst the Divine Light, the figure—clad in crimson robes—slowly bent down, a faint smirk playing at his lips as he gazed at Bai Shuo.

"So, you always knew how to awaken this venerable one."