[A might far surpassing that of an Emissary erupts like a tidal wave.]
[Without even lifting a finger, you send the towering Divine General reeling as if struck by an invisible fist. The colossal figure stumbles back over a dozen steps before barely steadying itself.]
[The Vidyadhara are most familiar with this aura.]
[This is unmistakably the presence of the long-fallen Aeon of Permanence—the Eternal Dragon!]
[The effect on the Vidyadhara is especially pronounced.]
[Dan Heng's dormant Dragon Lord power awakens instantly. Azure waves swirl around him as horns and a tail sprout from his body, but in the next moment, the pressure of this kindred force drives him to one knee, leaving him immobilized.]
[Bailu, too, is forced down, clutching her head as she crouches on the ground.]
[The other Vidyadhara fare even worse. The weight of this aura crushes them like a mountain—whether they be Dragon Elders, Pearlkeepers, or ordinary clansmen, none can resist. All are pressed flat against the earth.]
[The power of the Path of Permanence holds absolute dominance over the Vidyadhara.]
[Only Lingsha remains standing, stubbornly enduring the crushing force. Blood trickles from the corner of her lips, yet she refuses to kneel. Her gaze remains fixed on you, unyielding, as you hover midair.]
[Your eyes sweep past her indifferently, settling instead on Jing Yuan.]
["Still eager to fight? I wouldn't mind stretching my limbs with you."]
["I'll have to pass. This old bones would rather enjoy his retirement," Jing Yuan replies with a bitter laugh.]
[Repelling the Divine General's strike with sheer presence alone—since when could an ordinary Emissary accomplish such a feat?]
[Unlike Jing Yuan's wariness, the Dragon Elders and the Disciples of Sanctus Medicus are ecstatic.]
[They had resisted at first when you controlled them with poison. But after a mix of threats and rewards, they submitted completely.]
[At their core, they revere strength. The more power you displayed, the more their thoughts of rebellion withered away.]
[Suddenly, two streaks of light—one azure, one crimson—streak across the sky. The Heaven-Smiting General Feixiao and the Abyssflame General Huaiyan arrive, having sensed the disturbance in the Scalegorge Waterscape after defeating Huyei.]
[With a single glance, Feixiao identifies you as the source of the chaos.]
["So you're the mastermind behind all this," she snarls.]
[Perhaps due to absorbing Huyei's "Crimson Moon," Feixiao seems unusually aggressive.]
[Veteran Huaiyan, however, notices more. He sees that Jing Yuan has already clashed with you—and suffered for it. As Feixiao summons her halberd, poised to strike, he quickly intervenes.]
["Wait! Don't act rashly!"]
[But Feixiao's bloodlust is at its peak. She isn't listening.]
["We'll capture him first and interrogate him later!"]
[In an instant, she transforms into a streak of azure lightning, charging straight at you.]
[The tattoos on her bare back glow with radiant light, as if alive, further enhancing her already blinding speed.]
[Each General's blessing from the Hunt manifests differently. Jing Yuan commands the Divine General, while Feixiao's divine spirit, Feihuang, grants her unparalleled velocity.]
[As the saying goes: "In all martial arts, speed reigns supreme."]
[With Feihuang's power and the Crimson Moon's enhancement, Feixiao's physical abilities surpass the limits of the Foxian race. Her combat prowess has multiplied—no ordinary Emissary could hope to match her now!]
[She combines her twin blades into a massive halberd, swinging it toward you with devastating force.]
[Countless azure streaks engulf you, each one a slash capable of cleaving through stars.]
[Yet, faced with this cataclysmic onslaught, your expression remains utterly calm.]
[What is "Permanence"? That which never fades, never perishes—that is Permanence!]
[A golden radiance envelops you, as if gilding your body. Upon closer inspection, shimmering golden scales have emerged across your skin, and a pair of majestic draconic horns now crown your head—symbols of supreme authority.]
[Clang! Clang! Clang! The halberd strikes relentlessly, but all it produces are sparks. Not even your clothing is torn.]
[Instead, Feixiao's face twists in pain.]
[When she finally pauses, panting, blood drips from her hands onto the shaft of her weapon. The recoil has split her palms open.]
["Tired already? Need a break?" you ask, feigning concern.]
[To the proud Feixiao, these words are nothing short of mockery.]
[Enraged, she summons a maelstrom. The skies above the Scalegorge Waterscape darken as howling winds gather.]
[Imaginary energy converges around her, cloaking her in an azure aura.]
[A colossal storm engulfs you like a prison. Feixiao channels all its fury into her halberd and strikes with everything she has.]
[Boom—! The impact reverberates through the air.]
[A blow that could split planets in half lands squarely on you… and yet, you remain unscathed.]
[Shock flashes across Feixiao's face. Before she can react, your scaled hand lashes out, seizing the halberd's blade. With a single crushing motion—]
[Crack! The divine weapon shatters into pieces.]
[Then, you kick her squarely in the stomach, sending her crashing like a cannonball into the ancient ruins.]
["My apologies. Treading over ants without crushing them requires… delicate control," you say, your tone devoid of sincerity.]
[Jing Yuan and Huaiyan watch you grimly. After a silent exchange, Huaiyan speaks: "What is your goal?"]
[You sweep your hair back, your style shifting into a slicked-back, commanding look.]
["The throne of the Vidyadhara has sat empty for too long. This intolerable interregnum ends now. From this day forth, I shall stand at the summit."]
[Their expressions darken further.]
[Your words, though oddly phrased, are clear—and your ambition stuns them.]
[You seek to unite all the Vidyadhara of the Xianzhou Alliance under your rule!?]
[The shrewd Jing Yuan is the first to doubt. His instincts scream that after biding your time for so long, your aspirations must run deeper.]
[Lingsha suddenly clings to you tightly.]
["Teacher, if you say I don't understand you… then I'll stick to you until I do!" She even throws in a playful wink.]
[You hesitate, then flip her onto her back.]
[Very well. Tonight, you'll play the role of Xu Xian!]
[...]
[After the storm passes, you gaze coldly at the sleeping Lingsha beside you. With a wave of your hand, a faint, shimmering powder drifts into her nose and mouth—unnoticed by the slumbering woman.]
[A woman who loves you is reliable, yes. But human hearts are fickle. You trust only yourself. And so, you've left her with… an insurance policy.]
[Should her loyalty never waver, it will remain dormant forever.]
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