Cultivating with Bragging System-Chapter 628 - 288: The War Ends, Securing the Origin (5200 words)_3

"Is this the Origin of Zhulong? There's just too much information contained within it..." Wang Xiu's face turned slightly pale. He didn't know if it was because he held Zhulong's Scale, but he felt the Laws and Dao Yun crazily surging into his body. The unstoppable onslaught was making him dizzy.

"I am the Dragon Emperor, the supreme Dragon Emperor!"

A familiar voice echoed in his ears. Wang Xiu's heart skipped a beat. That voice... It was Dragon Emperor Ao Lie. But isn't he dead?

He turned his head to look. Through the dense fog, he could vaguely make out a figure in a black dragon robe fighting someone. Who could it be if not Dragon Emperor Ao Lie? He took a closer look. The person fighting Dragon Emperor Ao Lie was himself!

Is that... another Wang Xiu?

His gaze shifted, and in another direction, yet another Wang Xiu appeared, walking toward him. As he walked, that Wang Xiu suddenly sighed, "Even without all this, those people wouldn't have been able to get anywhere near the Origin of Zhulong!"

Wang Xiu's eyebrows rose slightly as he began to understand. These... are they me from just a moment ago?

Zhulong was an entity that controlled time and space, a being whose level of existence was beyond imagination. Legends said that a Zhulong who reached the Emperor realm possessed the ability to freely walk the river of time, to visit the past and future, and even to change fate. The Origin of Zhulong naturally possessed such abilities. This entire space was affected by it, but because the Origin of Zhulong lacked consciousness, it was unstable, causing reality to flicker in and out of existence.

"No wonder those runes felt so unfamiliar. They involve the Dao of Time and Space!" Wang Xiu marveled.

Although cultivators possessed the power to move mountains and part seas, and even those at the Nascent Soul Stage could easily tear open the void, that had little to do with the Dao of Space. It wasn't even qualified to be called a Dao. It was merely the most superficial of methods. Cultivators in the Emergence Stage and the Saint Manifestation Stage had a deeper understanding of the void, but it was limited to just that—understanding.

Throughout history, few had ever truly comprehended the void and integrated the laws of space into their own Dao. Without exception, they were all great figures who shocked the Nine Heavens and Ten Earths.

As for the Dao of Time, that went without saying. Even if one wished to cultivate it, one wouldn't even know where to begin. It seemed to be an ability exclusive to deities. And now, this Origin of Zhulong contained the incredibly profound Dao of Time and Space. This was a true, ultimate treasure. No wonder those great powers from the Nine Heavens would go into a frenzy over it.

More and more Dao Yun surged into Wang Xiu's mind, inevitably slowing his thoughts. The sheer volume of information was overwhelming; even with the strength of his Divine Soul, he found it difficult to remain lucid. If any other prodigy were here, they would likely be reduced to an idiot in an instant. An opportunity like this was not something just anyone could handle. One misstep could turn a blessing into a disaster.

No, I have to refine the Origin of Zhulong right here. Otherwise, I won't be able to take another step...

Wang Xiu struggled to stay conscious as he assessed his situation. He had originally planned to secure the Origin of Zhulong first and figure out how to refine it later. But now, that plan was impossible. In his current state, he could hardly even get close. The farther he went, the more violent the Dao Yun became.

He took a deep breath and sat down in the void. The Heavenly Book materialized above his head, each Daoist Text flickering with brilliant light.

"The Heavenly Book also seems to contain the Daoist Texts for 'time' and 'space.' By combining them, my efficiency of comprehension might just double!" Wang Xiu muttered to himself, having made an unexpected and welcome discovery.

The light from the Heavenly Book cascaded down, clearing his mind as countless insights flooded his consciousness. The throbbing, painful pressure instantly eased significantly.

It's working! Wang Xiu thought. He then fell silent, closed his eyes, and sank into a state of deep comprehension.

The space fell utterly quiet, like the silent, starry sky.

「Meanwhile.」

Outside Longhuang Island, on a desolate outcrop, several figures stood or sat, all facing the island with anxious expressions.

"It's been several days! Why hasn't he come out yet?" Yu Xiaolong asked anxiously.

Meng Ran frowned. "We don't know what happened on that island, either."

Ao Canghai's brow was furrowed. "Do you all really remember nothing at all?"

Han Yi, Zhao Qingyu, and the others were all present. They exchanged worried glances and shook their heads. Their memories had been tampered with. They only vaguely recalled going to the deepest part of the Dragon Palace with Wang Xiu and encountering someone. That person was extremely dangerous, possessing the strength of an Earth Immortal. In the end, to protect them, Wang Xiu had sent them out while he stayed behind alone to face the danger.

As for who that person was or what they looked like, not a single memory remained.

Zhao Qingyu's voice was heavy. "Why would that person alter our memories? Could there be some kind of dark secret?"

Yu Xiaolong gritted his teeth. "Who gives a damn who it was! But if he dared to touch one of my brothers, I'll make him regret it!"

He was usually the picture of amiability and good-natured humor, but now, a cold light flashed in his eyes. His tone was so chilling that even Ao Canghai and the others beside him shivered, their expressions shifting.

RUMBLE!

「Just then.」

A tremendous noise echoed between heaven and earth. The sky-obliterating Longhuang Island lost its brilliance and plummeted from the heavens. It was no longer sacred and majestic; all its Law's Light had dissipated. It was now just a ruin of palaces, plunging into the depths of the Northern Sea.

Everyone was shocked.

"What... What's going on?" Meng Ran exclaimed.

A prodigy commented, "Longhuang Island has fallen. Could it be that the Origin of Zhulong has vanished?"

Zhao Qingyu, recalling the bizarre events on the island, said, "Whether the Origin of Zhulong was ever here is still a question. What's more important now is whether Wang Xiu is still alive."

Everyone fell silent. Even the usually lively young woman beside Zhao Qingyu said nothing. The last person who had appeared was a genuine Earth Immortal. No matter how capable Wang Xiu was, how could he possibly have escaped from such a being?

They all knew this in their hearts but were unwilling to say it aloud, still clinging to a sliver of hope.

What if?

Yu Xiaolong stared at the calm surface of the sea, murmuring, "Brother, you're not the type to die young. Hurry up and come out. I told you I'd take you to live it up in the Nine Heavens..."