Heir Of The Celestial Throne & The Blooming Empress

Chapter 10 - The Roar of the Azure Dragons

The shadowy figures, dark and indistinct, moved with unnerving precision. They were relentless, their every movement calculated. At the cave's entrance, the Azure Dragon at Divine beast realm stood tall, its body a massive barricade against the shadows attempting to escape.

Tianyang and Yuqing, cloaked in the dense mist, observed from a distance. Tianyang's voice, low but commanding, broke the silence. "Yuqing, let's fall back further. We'll let them fight."

Yuqing's brow furrowed in confusion. "Are we retreating because of them?"

Tianyang nodded. "I need to observe. If we fight too soon, we risk making a fatal mistake. Let's see what they're really after."

Yuqing hesitated, her eyes never leaving the figures attacking the dragon. She reluctantly took a step back, her grip on her sword firm. "I trust you, Tianyang. Just... be careful."

The shadows, now growing more desperate, continued their fierce assault. Their strikes were aimed at the Divine Azure Dragon's legs, wings, and neck. The beast roared in fury, retaliating with blasts of azure flame that lit up the darkness. The intensity of the battle sent shockwaves through the ground.

From their vantage point, Tianyang and Yuqing could discern a troubling pattern in the shadows' attacks. Every strike seemed calculated not to harm the dragon fatally, but rather to shift its position, to force it aside.

Tianyang's sharp eyes narrowed as the truth became clear. "They're not trying to kill it," he muttered. "They're trying to move it."

Yuqing, who had been watching intently, gasped. "They want to get past the dragon... but why?"

Before Tianyang could respond, a loud roar echoed from deep within the cave. The earth itself trembled with the force of the sound. A new, far more overwhelming presence surged out from the cave.

Yuqing turned her head sharply. "That... it's—"

Tianyang finished her thought. "A Saint Azure Dragon." He stared at the dark silhouette now emerging from the cave, dwarfing the already massive Divine Dragon.

The Saint Azure Dragon's form was a terrifying sight. Its scales glittered with an ethereal golden hue, ancient markings glowing faintly beneath its surface. It was far larger than its counterpart, its wings outstretched and shimmering like a storm cloud. The air around it seemed to crackle with power.

As the beast emerged, it glanced at the Divine Dragon, then at the shadows. The two dragons roared in unison, their combined voice sending ripples through the forest.

Tianyang's eyes gleamed with a mixture of awe and caution. "Looks like the one we fought before was his woman."

Yuqing blushed slightly, her gaze flickering between the two dragons. "Tianyang, focus."

Tianyang smirked but didn't respond. His attention was fixed on the battle before them.

With a final roar, the Saint Azure Dragon surged forward, its massive claws tearing through the shadows' ranks. The shadows, in response, moved with deadly precision, most of them falling into formation. The Divine Dragon joined the fray, using its azure flame to scorch the enemies in its path.

The battle was a fierce one. The Saint Azure Dragon and the Divine Azure Dragon fought as a pair, each knowing exactly what the other would do. The shadows, led by their leader—a cultivator in the low Ascendant Realm—were relentless in their assault.

Tianyang could feel the raw power emanating from the dragons. Their techniques were potent, but the shadows were just as skilled. The leader of the shadows, standing in the back, unleashed a terrifying technique, Dark Reign, a mid-Sky-tier technique that could distort the very air itself.

The Divine Azure Dragon roared, launching a counterattack—Azure Skyfire, a devastating flame technique that collided with the Dark Reign technique. The explosion shook the entire area, lighting up the mist with a fiery glow.

Tianyang's gaze flickered toward the battle. "This isn't going to end easily."

Yuqing, her eyes narrowed, analyzed the situation. "Their techniques... they're highly coordinated. And their weapons..." She frowned. "Those aren't ordinary weapons."

Tianyang's mind raced. "Beast Taming Sect," he muttered. "This must be one of their elite squads. They're trying to capture these dragons to tame them."

The shadows were closing in, but the dragons fought back with equal force. The Divine Azure Dragon's Azure Flame Fury collided with the Void Chains of the shadows, shattering the restraints in a burst of blue fire. At the same time, the Saint Azure Dragon unleashed a torrent of lightning that struck the ground like a thousand spears, forcing the shadows to scatter.

But the shadows were no less relentless. They regrouped quickly, most of them at the Void Tribulation Realm and the leader in the low Ascendant Realm, all using a combination of powerful artifacts and techniques. Their attacks were overwhelming, but the dragons remained resolute.

The Saint Azure Dragon swiped its massive claws, slashing through several of the shadows, but the leader's next move was swift. With a single word, the shadows unleashed the Void Collapse, a high Sky-Tier technique with a mid-Legendary-grade artifact that formed a barrier of crushing gravitational force, threatening to tear apart everything in its path.

The two dragons fought against the barrier, their combined force pushing back the weight of the technique. The battle had reached a critical point.

As the battle reached its peak, the Divine Azure Dragon took a heavy blow from the Void Collapse technique, and the Saint Azure Dragon rushed forward to protect it. The two dragons struggled, each attempting to shield the other from the shadows' onslaught.

Tianyang and Yuqing watched the exchange, their hearts stirred by the bond between the dragons. Despite the fierce battle, the dragons were fighting not just for survival, but to protect one another.

Yuqing, her voice soft yet determined, spoke. "Tianyang, we have to help them."

Tianyang nodded. "Let's do this."

The couple stepped forward, their presence now more evident as they joined the fray. Their combined power surged, and they pushed forward, ready to aid the dragons in their battle against the shadows.

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Important Information!

Technique Levels

Techniques are categorized by their complexity, rarity, and destructive power.

1. Mortal Tier

Basic techniques; widely available and easy to learn. Suitable for Qi Condensation and Foundation Establishment stages.

Examples: Basic Sword Arts, Stone Palm Strike.

2. Earth Tier

Intermediate techniques; require significant talent and comprehension. Ideal for Core Formation to Nascent Soul cultivators.

Examples: Heaven Splitting Slash, Rolling Thunder Palm.

3. Sky Tier

Advanced techniques; incredibly rare and difficult to master. Suitable for Void Tribulation and above.

Examples: Celestial Bloom Cataclysm, Starfall Barrage, Dragon Ascension Fist.

4. Divine Tier

Legendary techniques; created by immortals, these techniques rewrite the laws of nature. Reserved for Ascendants and beyond.

Examples: Eternal Harmonization Of Sun & Moon Breathing, Heavenly Sovereign Bloodline.

5. Forbidden Tier

Techniques that demand immense sacrifices or disrupt the balance of the world. Often outlawed.

Examples: Void Devourer Art.

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Artifact Levels

Artifacts are tools, weapons, or treasures imbued with spiritual energy, and they scale with the wielder's cultivation.

1. Common Grade

Basic artifacts, often mass-produced. Useful for beginners in the Qi Condensation stage.

Examples: Steel Essence Sword, Spirit Gathering Pendant.

2. Rare Grade

Mid-tier artifacts with special properties, often tied to specific elements.

Examples: Flame Forged Saber, Wind Walker Boots.

3. Unique Grade

Custom-crafted artifacts, often bound to their wielder. Ideal for Core Formation to Nascent Soul cultivators.

Examples: Moonlit Fang Blade, Frost Crystal Bow.

4. Legendary Grade

Artifacts forged with celestial materials, imbued with extraordinary power. Reserved for high-level cultivators.

Examples: Soulpiercer, Dark Orb, Heavenly Blade.

5. Divine Grade

Artifacts that are considered relics, crafted by immortals. Possess world-altering capabilities.

Examples: Yin & Yang Swords.

6. Forbidden Grade

Artifacts that defy the natural order, often linked to ancient calamities.

Examples: Asura Devil Swords, Demonic Armors.