Azure waves displaced the snowy sky, while drifting gulls rose and sank with the tide.
By this moment, the Old Dragon Lord had long since retracted his mountain-like true form. Shrinking to the size of a mud loach, he resembled a streak of lightning as he fled frantically toward the deeper reaches of the outer seas.
Holy mother!
As the Old Dragon Lord fled, he couldn't help but curse vehemently in his heart. He had recognized exactly who—or rather, what—had just appeared before him.
Of course, he didn't recognize Lu Yang.
But with his vast experience, how could he fail to recognize the [World-Retribution Incarnation]. That thing might be able to fool the other three Great Sages, but it could never deceive him.
There's no mistake, [Sky-Shrouding] must have returned! No, wait, it's not necessarily [Sky-Shrouding]... he cultivates [Great Forest Wood], so he couldn't possibly reveal his true face... Does that mean it's the one who fought him across the void back then? Have they joined forces? It's very likely... This is going to be the death of me!
The thought made the Old Dragon Lord even more panic-stricken.
After all, he knew just how ruthless those two were. One had devoured the [Overturned Lamp Flame] to regain mastery over the Dharma Body great dao, while the other had snatched meat right out of the World Honored One's mouth...
Both were absolutely vicious characters!
People that ruthless carry karma heavy enough to crush the world. My old bones can't afford to get mixed up with them. One wrong move, and this dragon is dead meat!
The Old Dragon Lord swam even faster.
But just then, he suddenly noticed streaks of brilliant light abruptly emerging in the surrounding waters. They looked breathtakingly beautiful.
Not good!
Caught up already?
The Old Dragon Lord groaned inwardly, though he understood: The opponent possesses the [Overturned Lamp Flame], which can illuminate and break through my stealth. It's not surprising he tracked me all the way here.
In the next second, a voice drifted over leisurely:
"Senior, I'm not some flood or savage beast. Why run the moment you see me?"
Rolling soundwaves caused the surrounding seawater to oscillate violently. This was deep underwater; had it been on the surface, it would have undoubtedly caused terrifying tsunamis.
"Senior, why not stay for a chat?"
"I simply wish to inquire about a few minor matters."
"Stop running..."
Lu Yang's voice continued to arrive, instilling a deep sense of unease in the Old Dragon Lord. What does he want? Is there something wrong with this voice?
Before the Old Dragon Lord could react, the surrounding brilliance suddenly converged, illuminating his body as bright as day. There was nowhere left to hide. Even more troublesome was that after landing on him, these lights didn't dissipate. Instead, they danced joyfully, blooming one after another on his shoulders and head.
In an instant, three lamps appeared on the Old Dragon Lord's body.
Three flames. The light of each was incredibly weak, flickering as if a mere breeze could snuff them out. The Old Dragon Lord almost instinctively tried to blow them out.
However, a split second later, he realized what they were.
Immediately, instead of extinguishing the lamps, he circulated his spiritual power to protect them.
These three lamps aren't attacks directed at me; they are things that were already located on my body, simply illuminated by him. If they go out, the consequences will be unimaginable!
Meanwhile, Lu Yang's movements did not cease.
"Old Dragon Lord!"
A thunderous explosion rang out. Soundwaves rolled, and blazing light swept through like a gale, crashing straight toward the Old Dragon Lord—aiming directly for the three candle lamps on his body.
Forced by circumstance, the Old Dragon Lord had to divert his spiritual power, slowing his escape to defend against the surrounding dazzling illusions. But by slowing down, he allowed Lu Yang to get closer. And the closer Lu Yang got, the more ferocious the soundwaves imbued with profound wonder became, forcing the Dragon Lord to divert even more power.
As a result, his speed dropped further.
It was a vicious cycle!
"Hiss!"
The Old Dragon Lord sucked in a breath of cold water and couldn't help but let out a long roar. "Fellow Daoist, leave a line in life so we may meet on good terms in the future! Why must you press me so hard?"
Lu Yang didn't answer, simply continuing to drive his profound wonders.
Seeing this, the Old Dragon Lord finally grew angry.
Right, what 'leave a line'... this is a beast!
An absolute bastard!
With that thought, he finally stopped focusing solely on evasion. He abruptly halted his flight, spiritual light dancing in his hand to reveal an exquisite conch shell.
The [Sea-Ordering Conch]!
The Old Dragon Lord's True Treasure!
At this moment, the Old Dragon Lord mustered his energy and blew forcefully into the True Treasure. Instantly, a clear, gurgling sound echoed across the seabed.
The sound quickly turned melodious and heavy. Under the call of the conch, the originally boundless outer ocean collapsed inward with a roar. Infinite seawater converged, manifesting radiant brilliance. The ocean spanning a million li was reduced in that instant to a mere thin layer on the surface.
The endless waves beneath the sea had completely collapsed!
By the time Lu Yang caught up, not a drop of seawater remained. All that filled his vision was a thumb-sized, azure-clear illusion hovering horizontally before him.
[Myriad Rivers Converge — Radiance of Pure Clarity]!
In the next second, the illusion surged like a dam release.
Invisible tremors reverberated violently in Lu Yang's ears. The intense conceptual profound wonder allowed Lu Yang to identify the technique the Old Dragon Lord had unleashed.
The profound wonder of [Vast Ocean Water]!
[Vast Ocean Water] gathers hundreds of rivers, boundless and limitless, encompassing the greatness of heaven and earth, rising and sinking with the light of the sun and moon. This water possesses both clarity and turbidity, so it is divided into two aspects.
This is the variation of Clear Water!
Lu Yang sneered internally. Clear water possesses the number of Pure Yang. It delights most in seeing mountains; it is the circulating water, possessing the wonder of endless growth... But this move is used against the wrong person!
Thinking this, he showed absolutely no intention of retreating. Raising his hand, he punched fiercely straight into the [Myriad Rivers Converge — Radiance of Pure Clarity] driven by the Old Dragon Lord.
BOOM!
Instantaneously, the thunderous sound of the collision shook the seabed. The brilliant illusion was endless and circulating; even if Lu Yang destroyed one layer, another would regenerate. If this war of attrition continued, Lu Yang would certainly be the one to exhaust his strength first—this was the terror of the [Myriad Rivers Converge — Radiance of Pure Clarity].
But Lu Yang possessed another layer of profound wonder.
He spread his arms, resembling a statue of a thousand-armed god. In a split second, he unleashed millions of punches, completely disregarding the injuries caused by such a ferocious offensive.
In fact, he truly didn't need to worry about them.
All the injuries were being siphoned away by his [Future Life Aspect]. During this process, the damage accumulated by the [Future Life Aspect] grew heavier and heavier.
Until finally—
Now!
Lu Yang grinned. He finally took a step back, extreme motion transforming into extreme stillness. Above the hand seal he formed, a speck of gloomy, dark color slowly emerged.
[Tribulation Evil Profound Light]!
KA-BOOM!
In the next second, the [Myriad Rivers Converge — Radiance of Pure Clarity] unleashed by the Old Dragon Lord was corroded by the gloomy color. In an instant, it turned turbid and putrid before crumbling away.
The Old Dragon Lord was so terrified his scales stood on end. What shocked and enraged him even more was that the damage to his technique didn't vanish with the dissipation of the profound wonder. Instead, following an unseen connection, it acted directly upon the [Vast Ocean Water], and subsequently, resonated onto his own body!
ARGH—!
The Old Dragon Lord let out a miserable scream on the spot. His human form dispersed, revealing his majestic, mountain-like dragon body. He had no will left to fight, choosing instead to ride the water and flee once more.
But how could Lu Yang give him another chance?
Stay here!
In a flash, the [Past Life Aspect] behind Lu Yang stepped forward, the lamp in its hand inverted, seizing the perfect opportunity as the Old Dragon Lord turned to run.
Since he was running and injured, he no longer had the strength to protect the three candle lamps on his body.
Whoosh!
An invisible wind blew past.
In the next second, the Old Dragon Lord watched as the three lamps on his shoulders and head extinguished. The firelight dimmed, and a deep, heavy darkness instantly engulfed his entire body.
[Driving Night]!
Black light, like chains, crawled all over the Old Dragon Lord's majestic dragon body, causing his dragon pupils to widen in disbelief.
He was sealed!
His dragon body felt as if its connection to his consciousness had been severed; he couldn't move a single scale!
The light of [Driving Night] governs Hidden Mystery. Although it has many restrictions when used against an opponent—requiring the "Life Lamp" to be lit and then extinguished—the effect was miraculous.
However, Lu Yang did not let his guard down.
At the same time, [Sky-Shrouding] inside the [World-Retribution Incarnation] whispered a warning: Be careful, this old loach... is strongest when he's cornered!
The Old Dragon Lord was not weak.
On the contrary, he was strong—very strong. Especially after the [Vast Ocean Water] returned to the Supreme Position, he was actually terrifyingly powerful... he was just accustomed to running away.
But now, he couldn't run anymore.
ROAR—!!!
Within the sea domain of a million li, all fell silent, save for a heaven-shaking dragon roar that remained, rolling like angry thunder through the sky, echoing endlessly!