Chapter Twenty-Six: The Dragon Clan’s Encirclement, Chenxing Battles the Ancestral Dragon

Ten years later, on Fangzhang Island in the Eastern Sea.

Chen Xing watched silently as the island’s creatures clustered around the little demon, reluctant to part. Was it really necessary to make such a scene just for a journey of training? Years ago, when Feng Ling’er left the island to return to the Phoenix Clan, the same melodramatic farewell had occurred; at his wit’s end, Chen Xing had simply transported Feng Ling’er thousands of miles away, cutting the matter short and sharp. Yet here they were again. What sort of people lived on his island?

The little demon, accompanied by Niu Zhengwei and the others, was comforting a group of young ones. The few departing youths, having refined the Yellow Plum bestowed by Chen Xing, had reached the realm of Great Luo Golden Immortal and fancied themselves adults. They joined the little demon in soothing their companions.

“All right, now, you stay behind and look after the island. In due time, I’ll take you out to train as well. Focus on your cultivation.” Chen Xing’s tone was calm.

Hearing his words, and with the little demon’s promise to bring them along next time, the young ones finally let go, ceasing their clinging farewells.

Chen Xing did not notice the odd look in Fuxi’s eyes as he watched from the side. Fuxi had always known Chen Xing’s cultivation was unfathomable, never able to see through it. But today, to his surprise, he found that he could finally discern Chen Xing’s level—though still two minor realms above his own, it was nonetheless within the Quasi-Saint stage.

Fuxi knew it was not because his own strength had soared, nor because Chen Xing’s had waned; he suspected Chen Xing was deliberately hiding his power, feigning weakness. With a twitch of his lips and a silent shake of his head, Fuxi thought: I wonder who will fall victim to Chen Xing’s schemes in the future.

The little demon, with Niu Zhengwei and the others, walked over to Chen Xing. Seeing that all was arranged, Chen Xing pointed a finger, causing the island’s defensive array to open a portal. Following him, the group flew out from Fangzhang Island. Once they had departed, the island’s restrictions restored themselves.

Outside the island, Chen Xing turned to the little demon and Nuwa with a gentle gaze. “Are you sure you wish to take the little ones to train alone, rather than join me?”

Both women nodded firmly. Though they longed to travel with him, they knew that with Chen Xing by their side, they would never truly experience hardship or growth—he protected them too well. Only by growing strong themselves could they help him in days to come. Their last venture into the primordial wilderness, where they encountered the Qilin Clan, had not served as true training at all.

Seeing their resolve, Chen Xing asked no further. He cupped his hands to Fuxi and said, “I’ll rely on you to look after them in the days ahead.”

Fuxi quickly returned the gesture. “Rest assured—I will do my utmost!”

Chen Xing nodded, about to speak, when suddenly a thunderous shout rang out: “Are you the ones who slew my Dragon Clan?”

They turned to see, at some unknown point, tens of thousands of dragon warriors had encircled them, led by a middle-aged man in dragon robes, radiating majesty—the Ancestral Dragon himself.

After he and Prime Minister Turtle had deduced that the culprit behind the massacre of the aquatic clans was still nearby, the Ancestral Dragon had led his army to search the area, but found nothing. Years of fruitless searching had left him frustrated, until a decade ago, an island suddenly appeared in these waters. Delighted, he had tried to lead his forces onto the island.

But, to his dismay, not even his late Quasi-Saint cultivation, combined with his tens of thousands of subordinates, could make the slightest dent in the island’s defensive array. With no other choice, he surrounded the island, waiting for its inhabitants to emerge. For ten long years he had waited—and now, finally, someone had come out. Naturally, the Ancestral Dragon needed to vent his accumulated rage.

Chen Xing regarded the Ancestral Dragon with a playful smile. “Are you speaking of the feast we enjoyed ten years ago?”

Fuxi, the little demon, and the others, initially bewildered by the accusation, suddenly realized the truth at Chen Xing’s words. So the delicacies of that day had come from this very group! The memory of those flavors lit up their eyes; they now regarded the surrounding dragons as so many gourmet treats, the younger ones nearly drooling.

Seeing the utter lack of fear, and instead those strange, hungry stares, both the Ancestral Dragon and Prime Minister Turtle, despite their cultivation, felt a chill and gooseflesh rise under their skin.

Enraged, the Ancestral Dragon roared, “You dare treat my aquatic kin as food? Today I shall capture you all and throw you into the North Sea Abyss, to suffer its cold and gnawing torment forever!”

Chen Xing looked at him as if he were a fool. “So even the Ancestral Dragon is just one to overrate himself? With the force you’ve brought today, are you planning to deliver us more ingredients?”

The Ancestral Dragon instantly sobered, finally examining Chen Xing and his companions in detail—and his heart plummeted. Though his Dragon Clan was the mightiest in the primordial world, boasting only two Quasi-Saints—himself, at late Quasi-Saint, and Candle Dragon, at early Quasi-Saint—the rest were at best Great Luo Golden Immortals at consummation, like Prime Minister Turtle beside him.

Yet, the cultivation of those before him was deeply alarming. Chen Xing, the apparent leader, was at least his equal, possibly a step higher—likely at the peak of Quasi-Saint. Nuwa, her brother, and the little demon were all early Quasi-Saints, and even the seven remaining youths were Great Luo Golden Immortals.

He was now riding a tiger he could not dismount. If he fought, even with his elite army, their top fighters were merely a few Great Luo Golden Immortal commanders and Prime Minister Turtle. The rest were Jinxian and Xuánxiān—mere cannon fodder in this context. In terms of high-level combat power, he was hopelessly outmatched.

Noticing the Ancestral Dragon’s predicament, Chen Xing’s eyes sparkled. “Why don’t you and I fight one-on-one? If you win, you may do with us as you wish. If I win, I’ll spare your subordinates, but I’d like your few Great Luo Golden Immortals to spar with our young ones. What do you say?”

The Ancestral Dragon’s eyes lit up. Though a realm lower, his Dragon Clan’s physical might gave him some hope. If it came to a brawl, the losses today could be catastrophic.

Making up his mind, he replied, “Agreed! Let us settle this with single combat, and whether I win or lose, the matter ends here.”

Chen Xing could not help but admire his opponent. Truly, one born at the dawn of the world—knowing that even in victory, he could not do much to Chen Xing, the Ancestral Dragon was gracious enough to ease tensions between their factions. After all, Fangzhang Island lay in the Eastern Sea. Now, Chen Xing owed him a favor, and it would not be fitting to harm him. Two birds with one stone!

Without another word, Chen Xing made a beckoning gesture. “After you.” With that, he soared into the heavens, lest their battle affect Niu Zhengwei and the others.

The Ancestral Dragon gave orders to his subordinates, then vanished from the sea’s surface in a flash.

The little demon and the others, untroubled by the prospect of Chen Xing’s defeat, watched the battle unfold above with leisure.

High in the sky, Chen Xing and the Ancestral Dragon clashed fiercely. For the first time, Chen Xing summoned the Twelve-Petaled Lotus of Creation to shield himself, engaging the Ancestral Dragon in bare-handed combat.

The Ancestral Dragon, meanwhile, spat forth his natal treasure, the Dragon Pearl, launching it again and again at the lotus defending Chen Xing. But the lotus’s defense was unbreakable, and so, relying on the Dragon Clan’s formidable physique, the Ancestral Dragon engaged in hand-to-hand battle, the thunder of their blows echoing down to the onlookers below.

Chen Xing observed that the Ancestral Dragon, for all his brute strength, fought with little finesse or technique. With a sly smile, he employed martial arts and movement skills recalled from other worlds, weaving around his opponent like a ghost, elusive as a fleeting shadow. The Ancestral Dragon, left breathless, could not land a single hit.

With a furious roar, the Ancestral Dragon hurled the Dragon Pearl at Chen Xing once more. This time, Chen Xing did not evade; his right hand, sheathed in purple light, smashed down hard upon the pearl, which let out a mournful cry before flying back into its master’s mouth.

But as it reentered his body, the soul-bound pearl wounded, the Ancestral Dragon spat a mouthful of blood, his strength instantly withering.

He had always believed his pearl to be indestructible, able to withstand even the finest innate treasures; never did he imagine it could be harmed by a mere punch.

Today, however, Chen Xing’s prowess left him in shock. Physically, he was certain he surpassed Chen Xing, but the defense of that lotus was despairingly strong. Most terrifying of all was Chen Xing’s bizarre fighting style—each blow followed an inscrutable rhythm, more powerful by far than the instinctual, brute-force attacks the Ancestral Dragon could muster.

Below, the young ones, seeing Chen Xing’s victory, leaped up with joyous cheers. Only the little demon and Nuwa were puzzled; wasn’t Chen Xing usually able to dispatch any opponent in a matter of breaths? Why had this fight taken so long?

The Ancestral Dragon’s subordinates, witnessing their leader’s defeat, hung their heads in dejection. In their hearts, the Ancestral Dragon had been invincible; now, that illusion was shattered.

Seated cross-legged in the air, the Ancestral Dragon took a moment to steady his injuries, then rose and bowed to Chen Xing, who stood with his hands behind his back. “You are formidable indeed. I concede, and shall honor my promise.” There was a hint of desolation in his eyes.

He had fancied himself among the very strongest in the primordial world; he had not expected such a crushing defeat. For one so proud, it was a bitter pill to swallow.

“Good. So be it,” Chen Xing replied coolly.