Chapter 537: Showdown

Chapter 537: Chapter 537: Showdown

Long Ao was incredibly frustrated. After a full day and night, Long Fu still hadn’t come up with a way to deal with the Nine-Tribulation Demon Dragon.

Long Ao was growing anxious. After all, with every passing minute, no one knew what might be happening back in Kyushu.

With the Beast Tide’s invasion, Kyushu was in grave peril.

Long Ao had only one fear: if the Four Great Forces failed to close the legendary passages, Kyushu would be in real trouble.

But Long Fu had already told him that the Stone Stele was his great opportunity. If he missed it, he would regret it for the rest of his life.

The main reason Long Ao hadn’t rushed back was a matter of timing.

The reasoning was simple. The Beast Tide invasion was set to last ten days. Seven of those days had already passed, leaving only three. Even if he returned now, he likely wouldn’t be able to change anything.

That was why Long Ao had decided to stay and deal with the Stone Stele first.

"Long Fu, what’s the verdict?"

"Master, while the Nine-Tribulation Demon Dragon’s power is only a tenth of its true self, you are still no match for it. Trying to achieve the Refinement of the Stone Stele with your own strength is practically impossible."

’Dammit.’

He cursed internally. ’If I’d known it would come to this, why did I waste all this time waiting?’

Just as Long Ao prepared to get up and return to Kyushu, Long Fu suddenly spoke up. "But there is one method we could try. It is, however, fraught with danger."

"What is it?"

Long Ao was completely exasperated with Long Fu, even feeling the urge to go over and beat the daylights out of him.

As if sensing his master’s displeasure, Long Fu finally cracked a smile. "Patience, Master."

Long Ao, who was already at his wit’s end, was taken aback for a moment when he saw Long Fu smile. He could only let out a helpless sigh.

Long Fu had never smiled in all the time he’d known him. ’I’ll let it go this once, for his sake.’

"Master, to achieve the Refinement of the Stone Stele, you must first handle the Nine-Tribulation Demon Dragon. Otherwise, it’ll be nearly impossible for you."

’Obviously.’

"So, Master, you only have one thing to do right now: handle the Nine-Tribulation Demon Dragon first."

"Long Fu, I know I have to deal with the Nine-Tribulation Demon Dragon first! The problem is, how do I actually do it?"

Long Ao was completely baffled. He didn’t know what was wrong with Long Fu today. He wasn’t normally like this; he seemed to be talking in circles, almost rambling incoherently.

"Master, the only way now is to use the Dragon Seal Space to forcibly suppress the Nine-Tribulation Demon Dragon within the Stone Stele."

"What would be the consequences?"

Long Ao was no fool. He knew the Dragon Seal Space couldn’t just forcibly help him without consequence. If the Dragon Seal Space were to be damaged, he would rather give up on this Treasure. In Long Ao’s heart, the Dragon Seal Space was more important than anything.

"Master, this is your only chance. I can tell you this: if you can obtain this Stone Stele, you are destined to become one of the most powerful beings in the world. This is a rare opportunity that you absolutely cannot afford to miss."

Long Ao understood Long Fu’s meaning perfectly, but he waved his hand dismissively and said in a firm voice, "Long Fu, say no more. I won’t agree to it. No matter what, the Dragon Seal Space cannot come to harm. I’ll handle the Nine-Tribulation Demon Dragon myself."

Without giving Long Fu any chance to object, Long Ao left the Dragon Seal Space.

Long Ao took a long look at the Stone Stele before him. Without further delay, he strode forward.

"Kid, you’ve got some real nerve, actually daring to come back."

The Nine-Tribulation Demon Dragon’s disgruntled voice echoed from within the Stone Stele. Thinking about it, its anger was perfectly understandable. For a Divine Dragon to be trifled with by a mere human Martial Artist... forget everything else, the loss of face alone was unacceptable.

"Nine-Tribulation Demon Dragon, let’s skip the pleasantries. I’m here for this Stone Stele. I’m not interested in you. Just tell me what your terms are."

The Nine-Tribulation Demon Dragon seemed somewhat surprised, but it was a pleasant surprise that bordered on ecstasy.

After being Sealed for so many years, unable to leave, an opportunity had finally presented itself. How could the Nine-Tribulation Demon Dragon possibly let it go?

"Kid, you’re refreshingly direct. In that case, I won’t beat around the bush either. I’ll give you a chance. You’re just afraid I’ll go back on my word and come after you for revenge once I’m out of this Stone Stele, right? I can swear a Blood Oath right now that I will absolutely not harm you. How about it?"

"Not good enough."

"Kid, are you deliberately messing with me?"

"Nine-Tribulation Demon Dragon, I can’t just let you out for nothing. As a Divine Dragon, I’m sure you wouldn’t expect me to. My terms are simple: you will give me three drops of your Life Essence Blood, and you will help me break through to the Semi-Saint Realm."

"You son of a bitch!"

Without giving the Nine-Tribulation Demon Dragon a chance to curse him out, Long Ao turned to leave.

"Kid, wait."

A jolt of joy shot through him. Long Ao was completely confident. ’The Nine-Tribulation Demon Dragon has been Sealed for so many years; there’s no way it wants to stay that way. I’m its only hope. Unless the Demon Dragon has completely lost its mind, it will agree to my terms.’

"Kid, three drops of Life Essence Blood is fine. But I’ve just sensed your physical constitution, and it’s far too strange. Even with my methods, the most I can do is raise your Cultivation to the level of a Peak Semi-Saint. As for the Saint Realm, I’m powerless to help you. If you agree, we’ll begin. If not, then get the hell out of here."

Long Ao didn’t doubt the Nine-Tribulation Demon Dragon’s words in the slightest.

Long Ao knew perfectly well that whether he was at the Peak of Semi-Saint, a Basic Level Saint, or even a Peak Saint, he was nothing compared to the Nine-Tribulation Demon Dragon. Therefore, the Demon Dragon had no reason to lie to him.

Besides, he was all too familiar with the constitution the Nine-Tribulation Demon Dragon had mentioned. Others might not recognize it, but how could he not? The Desolate Sacred Body—hailed as the greatest divine body of all time, yet also known as the ultimate Wasted Body. Without a colossal source of power to sustain it, trying to advance in cultivation was nothing but a pipe dream.

For this very reason, anyone else born with a Desolate Sacred Body was doomed to a tragic end. But Long Ao’s situation was different. The arrival of the Dragon Seal Space had allowed it to perfectly merge with his Desolate Sacred Body, causing his Cultivation to advance by leaps and bounds.

But at the end of the day, the Dragon Seal Space wasn’t omnipotent. It was unrealistic to expect he could rely on it to effortlessly break through realm after realm until he reached the legendary Celestial Divine Realm.

At this thought, Long Ao’s resolve hardened. No matter how difficult it might be, he would rely on his own perseverance and effort to reach the legendary Celestial Divine Realm, stand at the Martial Arts Peak, and look down upon the very heavens.

Hearing the Nine-Tribulation Demon Dragon agree, Long Ao was inwardly ecstatic. He said nothing, simply watching quietly. Cunning as it was, the Nine-Tribulation Demon Dragon instantly understood the meaning behind his stare.