Chapter 104: The Azure Dragon Versus the Blood Dragon

He chose to accept the mission directly.

Wu You flew onto the back of Qiong Qi.

Divine power of the demon god, transformation through a new medium, he selected the Lion-faced Vajra Garuru.

Bones and muscles crackled and snapped beneath his skin. Qiong Qi could clearly feel the sudden increase in weight from the man on its back.

Wu You felt his T-shirt, worn beneath the robe, tightening around his torso. Outwardly, nothing seemed amiss, but he knew his muscles were rapidly bulging, swelling beneath his clothes.

It was peculiar: using the mighty Ao Guang as a medium, his physique had remained unchanged; but using the relatively smaller Lion-faced Vajra, his transformation was as dramatic as a Saiyan's metamorphosis.

Ah, except for the hair.

He snapped his fingers a few times, and the vampires nodded in understanding, dispersing in all directions.

Below, the Blood Jiao paid no heed to these bronze-level "little ones." Its attention was fixed entirely on Ao Guang and Qiong Qi, with most of its gaze locked onto Ao Guang.

Several city guards and Wu You's companions had already fled to a corner of the city wall. Here, soldiers and martial artists huddled together, none daring to descend from the wall.

They understood, more clearly than the deceived citizens, that Nine Cottage City was on the verge of being submerged, and the city wall was likely to stand firm against the flood—far more reliable than the houses within.

Those inside the city, blocked by the walls, were largely ignorant of what was happening. Yet the panicked shouts from the wall had reached many ears, prompting crowds to rush into the streets seeking answers.

Compared to the soldiers and martial artists atop the city wall, the citizens below were in dire straits. Faces drawn and sallow, they asked each other what was happening with weariness and despair. Many looked so thin and frail, they seemed liable to collapse at a touch.

Grain had been scarce for a long time within the city; the price of rice climbed higher each day. Ordinary families had been forced to sell all they had just to survive.

At this moment, those atop the city walls beneath Nine Cottage City noticed something unusual: the Blood Jiao, which had terrified tens of thousands, showed no intention of attacking them. Instead, it maintained a single posture.

A soldier asked his companion, "What is it doing?"

But the answer came from another man, clad in a white robe and wielding a steel blade. "It seems to be looking at the sky."

"What's in the sky—hmm? There's something up there!"

Even without the soldier's shocked cry, many people had, at that same instant, looked up to see two monstrous figures—one large, one small—hovering in the heavens.

For a moment, even breathing ceased.

...

Wu You's face now was handsome, melancholic, and weathered.

It was impossible to discern his exact age, yet it was clear he had endured much; amidst his dark hair, strands of white gleamed.

He leapt to Qiong Qi's head and drew a deep breath.

In the next instant, a powerful sonic wave erupted from Wu You's mouth.

"Wretched beast!"

"Daring to disturb the mortal realm—prepare to die!"

Everyone in the city below heard these thunderous shouts.

Unable to help themselves, they covered their ears, yet all raised their heads to behold the spectacle above.

Those atop the city wall, with keen eyes, had already spotted Wu You standing upon Qiong Qi.

"Look! There's a person standing on the little one's head!"

...

On a high ground outside the flood zone near Nine Cottage City—over ten kilometers away—stood several distinct groups, each separate and vigilant.

They bore swords and peculiar weapons of every kind.

Their auras were long and deep, revealing them as masters of martial arts.

Having received reports from scouts about the appearance of the Blood Jiao, they hurried to observe.

No sooner had they arrived than they heard, from afar, the wrathful cries echoing from the sky.

Wu You's words shocked everyone present.

A man—flying in the air!

Among them, the two leaders from the Liu family suppressed their astonishment, exchanging furtive glances.

From each other's eyes, they understood—they both recalled the "Heretic" and his words.

...

Wu You finished speaking and turned his head slightly.

"Ao Guang, go!"

From the start, Wu You had sensed Ao Guang's eagerness to fight.

Similar in size, similar in form—though, truth be told, Ao Guang outshone the Blood Jiao in appearance.

He would not interfere in this "fated duel" for now.

If Ao Guang proved insufficient, he would call his brothers to join the fray.

The watchers atop the city wall cried out in amazement.

"It's coming down! It's getting closer—a dragon! A real dragon!"

"What!?..."

"What should we do?"

"Should we hide?"

"But I want to see..."

...

The Blood Jiao's crimson crown glowed as it opened its maw, issuing a sibilant hiss toward Ao Guang as he soared down from the sky.

This time Wu You could see a transparent wave beam shooting toward Ao Guang.

A sonorous roar followed.

The attack was swift and unknown; Ao Guang took the hit directly, feeling only a sharp pain—he shook his head, unharmed.

But for those on the city wall close by, the aftermath was devastating. Though the attack mostly targeted Ao Guang, its residual force was tremendous for mortals.

Those with strong martial skills could withstand it; many less-skilled soldiers immediately collapsed, blood streaming from their orifices, their fate uncertain.

Before everyone's eyes, the azure dragon descended from the sky, drawing ever closer to the Blood Jiao.

A thunderous crash echoed.

Two serpentine behemoths collided violently.

Water sprayed high, raining down upon the city wall.

The battle began with fierce grappling. Ao Guang, possessing claws, held a clear advantage.

The Blood Jiao's head was pinned beneath a claw, forced into the water.

The Blood Jiao opened its massive jaws and bit fiercely at Ao Guang's claw.

Another explosive splash followed, this time directed outside the city.

Ao Guang deftly withdrew his claw, tearing a string of scales from the Blood Jiao's head.

A piercing dragon's roar rang out.

Ao Guang's tail whipped up a torrent of water, striking the Blood Jiao's head with tremendous force.

With a swish, the gigantic red serpent's body carved a V-shape across the water, smashing into the city wall a hundred meters away.

An enormous boom resounded.

The city wall—and the city itself—trembled violently. Those huddled at the wall's corner lost their footing and fell to the ground.

Rising from the water, Ao Guang coiled his body beneath him.

He raised his head, jaws parted.

A resounding dragon's howl soared through the air.

Thunder rumbled across the sky.

At some point, heavy leaden clouds had gathered above Nine Cottage City.

The Blood Jiao raised its head from the flood beneath the wall.

Its eyes burned crimson, the crown atop its head glowing ever brighter, its gaze locked unblinkingly onto Ao Guang.

It had barely opened its mouth to unleash an attack—

A water-barrel-thick bolt of lightning crashed down, striking the Blood Jiao's head, scattering sparks and electricity, slamming it once more into the water.

Countless fish and shrimp floated belly-up, stunned by the shock.

Ao Guang gazed with contempt at the Blood Jiao, which, after a long moment, finally rose from beneath the wall, shaking its head.