Ascension Experts... so terrifying... Wang Mu thought.

The battle hadn't even officially started, yet the aura was already so formidable. In fact, it had been over a decade, and Wang Mu had never truly seen an Ascension Expert in battle, mainly because he didn't even qualify to watch.

But... truly striking... Wang Mu sighed, gazing at Mu Hongyuan's retreating figure—the silhouette of a powerful expert. Even in her practical, form-fitting attire, she was still graceful and poised. Of course, in the eyes of the Dragon Clan members at this moment, she was an unparalleled powerhouse descended from the heavens, though they had no idea where she had come from.

"Sister Ao Qing, look quickly! Wang Mu is here! Oh... wait... Wang Mu doesn't seem that strong, does he?" Little Jiao Huo said excitedly, pointing at the figure in mid-air, then paused, looking puzzled.

"That's an Ascension Expert..." Ao Qing flicked her Dragon's Horn, speechless. I just don't know which one... Her Wang Mu should still be at the Golden Core stage...

"Ascension?" Little Jiao Huo tilted her head in thought. "Then that must be a friend of Wang Mu... Is it that old ancestor?"

"This one is male," Ao Qing's eyes brightened slightly. "Perhaps we're saved."

"Huh?" Little Jiao Huo was confused. "Then it probably has nothing to do with Wang Mu..."

「In mid-air.」

The Ancient Black Dragon roared. The Immortal Island's glow vanished instantly, the change as swift as an aurora shifting between day and night. Space fluctuated, and in a flash, it transformed into a colossal crimson light, clashing with Mu Hongyuan.

Ugh... I still can't see clearly...

The moment they clashed, the surrounding space warped. In a battle between Ascension Experts, those with insufficient strength wouldn't dare probe the aftershocks with their Divine Sense, fearing the residual power would instantly shatter their Primordial Spirits. One would need to be at least at the Crossing Tribulation stage, right? Besides, this was an all-out confrontation; neither was holding back.

Even so, Wang Mu could faintly perceive Mu Hongyuan's graceful bearing. He still felt a little worried, as Mu Hongyuan was still afflicted by the Emotion Poison.

Fortunately, according to Mr. Lee, three individuals had smuggled themselves from the Upper Realm. Only one of them was an Immortal holding an Immortal Position. However, restricted by the heavenly laws in the Lower Realm, their strength was only at the Ascension Peak standard, roughly equivalent to Mu Hongyuan and the others. The other two Immortal Beasts were merely at the initial stage of Ascension. But, because they possessed Immortal Seed Divine Blood and carried artifacts of Upper Realm Immortals, they were quite formidable.

Rumbling sounds echoed continuously—a soul-shaking tremor, the treacherous resonance of the battle's aftermath.

Combat methods at this level... are generally beyond conventional rules, relying entirely on one's personal comprehension of their Great Taoist... I wonder what Great Taoist Heroine Yan's Sword Dao is based on... Sister Mu likely follows a Yin Yang Dao... but as for what specific kind of Yin Yang Dao...

Wang Mu wasn't too clear; he was still quite far from that realm. Judging by the aura of Fatian Xiangdi that had appeared just now, it should be a Yin Yang Dao that harmonized with heaven and earth. Coupled with the Unrivaled Bell as her Lifebound Magic Treasure...

At worst, she can still retreat fully intact...

Wang Mu held his breath, concentrating and carefully sensing the fluctuations.

On the Immortal Island, the Dragon Clan members instantly broke free from their cages due to the battle's aftershocks. However, most of them didn't dare to move. Under the terrifying pressure of the residual power, they could only struggle to resist, not daring to flee randomly, terrified of being obliterated into dust by some stray shockwave.

Amidst it all, Wang Mu faintly heard the chime of the Unrivaled Bell. Then, two strange rays of Yin Yang light flared in the void, followed by a tragic dragon's roar that thundered through the air.

Sister Mu truly is skilled...

Wang Mu realized Mu Hongyuan must have gained the upper hand.

Indeed, having reached Mu Hongyuan's level, the techniques she employed were far beyond the Magic Powers recorded in the Great Yin-Yang Harmony Diagram. Especially her Fatian Xiangdi; a single movement could unleash world-destroying power. Before such might, all other Magic Powers seemed insignificant.

Those two strange rays of Yin Yang light... they remind me a bit of a move from the Four Seasons Yin Yang Palm... To think she could use it with Fatian Xiangdi and the Unrivaled Bell... I never anticipated that the Martial Arts routines from the game, after her improvements, could unleash such power in the Ascension Realm...

Perhaps it was like Heroine Yan's Love Nine Swords. Even in the Ascension Realm, its might was still terrifyingly unimaginable. These techniques, which had evolved with them over a millennium, hadn't been discarded. Instead, they had become fully integrated with their cultivation, strength, and understanding of the Great Taoist. The abilities they now wielded were far beyond what he had once imagined as simple Martial Arts.

However, the roars of the Ancient Black Dragon gradually subsided. A strange, ominous light began to rise, emanating an incredibly eerie power as thunderclouds gathered and rolled across the sky.

Tribulation clouds? It's inducing changes in the fundamental rules... Could it be those artifacts the Immortal Beasts brought, items used by Immortals from the Upper Realm?

Wang Mu was startled.

「The next second.」

A figure in red suddenly flew out from the void. She reached down, scooped up Ao Qing and Little Jiao Huo, and then, as if teleporting, landed on the Immortal Boat.

"Let's go," Mu Hongyuan said, her expression grim. "This Dragon Clan member is too strange... The Dragon Spear it just used—its power was almost too much for even me to bear. It's probably not a Magic Treasure from our Nine Provinces."

As Mu Hongyuan appeared, the thousands-of-feet-long Giant Dragon also rose, coiling to block their path. Ao Qing and Little Jiao Huo, beside her, were still dazed.

"Senior... it's blocking the way..." Ao Qing said weakly.

Mu Hongyuan looked ahead, frowning slightly. "I'll hold it off. You take them and go first."

"No," Wang Mu shook his head. "Your aura is weaker than I expected. I can't rest easy if you stay behind."

Mu Hongyuan glared at Wang Mu. "Even if I'm weaker, I'm still stronger than you. What, are you planning to step in?"

"It's time for me to make my move," Wang Mu nodded.

"..." Mu Hongyuan was speechless.

She looked at Wang Mu, a mix of amusement and annoyance in her eyes, and was about to speak when, unexpectedly, he walked over to her and reached out towards her cheek.

Mu Hongyuan froze, a hint of shy anger in her gaze. "At a time like this... you... what are you doing..."

Before she could finish, Wang Mu's fingertip gently brushed her face.

Wang Mu looked at the drop of Dragon Blood on his finger and said, "This is that dragon's blood, isn't it?"

"..." Mu Hongyuan remained silent, then nodded slightly. In the battle just now, she had come close to flaying the beast alive. Unfortunately, its Bloodline was incredibly strong, and it also possessed an Exotic Treasure. Compounded by the Emotion Poison afflicting her, she hadn't been able to unleash her full strength.

Wang Mu took a deep breath and stepped in front of Mu Hongyuan. "Watch me."

It's my turn now!

With that, Wang Mu directly took out the Immortal Binding Rope and the Demon Capturing Bottle, and slowly smeared the Dragon Blood he had collected from Mu Hongyuan's face onto them.