2009 The Great One's Appearance(3)

The Holy Dragon Emperor could only sigh inwardly after hearing the Great
One's declaration—that he'd defeat Dragon Goddess Yeyou.

While it was true that Dragon Goddess Yeyou may not have been
improving her strength since her disappearance because she'd lost her
body, and her soul had split into several parts, nobody could say for certain
that the Great One had surpassed her, but it was definitely a possibility.

"Once I defeat her, I'll finally obtain the one thing I've yearned but failed to
claim in this life," the Great One declared, his eyes burning with fervent
determination.

The Holy Dragon Emperor narrowed his eyes at the Great One's words,
which carried an unsettling undertone, as if he saw Dragon Goddess Yeyou
not as a person, but as something to be claimed.

"In any case, I cannot help you. They didn't mention where they'd go after
leaving the Dragon Spiral Mountain."

The smile on the Great One's face slowly disappeared, and he responded,
"Maybe, but I won't know for sure until I force it out of you. How many do I
have to kill to make you talk? Half?"

The Holy Dragon Emperor sneered in disdain, "You may have gotten
stronger over the years, but your character has fallen quite lowly, Great
One. Even if you kill everyone, my answer will remain the same. I don't
know where Dragon Goddess Yeyou went."

The Great One said nothing in return, but his aura surged violently,
speaking louder than any words ever could.

The Holy Dragon Emperor wasted no time, instantly transforming into his
dragon form. Though he knew full well that the Great One stood as an even
greater threat than the Celestial Emperor had been, he refused to retreat.
Defeat was likely, but cowering was never an option.

"It's been a while since a dragon has dared to defy me, so I'll enjoy this for
a while."

Moments later, the Great One and the Holy Dragon Emperor collided in a
thunderous clash, their fierce exchanges unleashing shockwaves in every
direction, each impact chipping away at the Dragon Spiral Mountain, piece
by piece.

"Heavens! The Great One is attacking us!"

"W-What should we do?!"

The Holy Dragon Clan was thrown into momentary panic, but their
hesitation didn't last. Just like when the Celestial Emperor attacked, they
surged forward to assist him, even if their efforts barely made a dent in the
overwhelming power of the Great One.

Though the Great One's individual power surpassed even that of the
Celestial Emperor, the Holy Dragon Clan managed to hold out against him
far longer than expected. Of course, this endurance was only possible
because the Great One was clearly holding back.

If the Great One had gone all out from the beginning, the Holy Dragon Clan
would've perished almost instantly.

Eventually, the Great One hovered alone above the Dragon Spiral
Mountain, his presence dominating the skies. Below him, the Holy Dragon
Emperor and the rest of the clan lay scattered across the battered
landscape, defeated and motionless, unable to lift even a finger after their
overwhelming defeat.

Their fight had attracted many spectators again, though not as many as
when the Celestial Emperor attacked.

"What the hell? Isn't that the Great One? Why is he attacking the Holy
Dragon Clan, too?"

"I don't know what the Holy Dragon Clan did, but to offend both the
Celestial Emperor and the Great One… they're fated to be erased from
existence soon."

"And since it's the Great One, the other Royal Dragon Clans wouldn't be
able to do anything about it."

Some time later, the Great One's voice echoed across the battered peaks,
loud and clear, rippling through the mountain like thunder, "Though I do not
wish to do this because of my respect for Dragon Goddess Yeyou, your
defiance cannot go unpunished. As retribution, I shall destroy the final
Dragon Spiral Mountain in the Nine Heavens."
The Great One raised a single finger, and in an instant, an overwhelming
aura surged from his body. At the tip of his finger, a small orb of condensed
energy began to form, glowing intensely. It rapidly expanded, growing
larger and brighter until it blazed in the sky like a miniature sun, radiating
power that shook the heavens.

Moments later, the Great One gave a casual flick of his finger, and the
blazing miniature sun shot through the air toward the mountain. As it
descended, the heat radiating from it was so intense that it caused the
surrounding sea to boil violently, sending waves of steam rising into the
heavens.

The Holy Dragon Clan could do nothing but watch in helpless silence as
the blazing sun descended upon them. One by one, they began to close
their eyes—not out of fear, but in solemn acceptance of the death they
could no longer escape.

However, amid the chaos and impending doom, a lone figure silently
appeared between the descending sun and the Dragon Spiral Mountain
like a ghost.

He was small in stature, appearing no older than a young teenager, yet his
eyes gleamed with ancient knowledge and unfathomable experience.
Strangely, he emitted no presence whatsoever, and his body was semi-
transparent, as if he didn't exist within the fabric of reality itself.

Though the Holy Dragon Clan failed to notice him because of his lack of
presence, the Great One did not.

The moment his eyes fell upon the small figure, his body tensed, and a
flicker of something rare flashed in his eyes: hesitation. Without a word, he
clenched his fists, and in an instant, the blazing sun above dissipated,
abruptly canceling his attack.

"What is the meaning of this?" The Great One spoke with a frown on his
face.

"It'd be problematic if you were to destroy the Dragon Spiral Mountain,"

"I wasn't talking about the Dragon Spiral Mountain. Why are you here?"

"Isn't it obvious? I'm here to stop you."

"You're right. I don't have any power in this state, so I cannot physically
stop your actions. However, I can offer you a word of advice. If you were to
destroy the Dragon Spiral Mountain, Senior Sister Yeyou will not forgive
you," said the young teenager.

"You speak as if it's a certainty. Both you and Yeyou vanished without a
trace after that bastard's era came to an end—only to reappear now, at the
exact same time?" The Great One's eyes narrowed, voice edged with
suspicion and frustration.

"What is the meaning of this… Dragon Ancestor?"

The Great One's last words shocked all of the spectators. Nobody there
could've anticipated the reappearance of the Dragon Ancestor.

"That teenager is the Dragon Ancestor?! The third Dragon of Origin?!"

"I thought he died long ago!"

"No, he simply disappeared, just like Dragon Goddess Yeyou. For both of
them to show up now… something big will happen in the Nine Heavens
very soon…"

As murmurs of concern spread among the spectators, the Dragon Ancestor

He paused, his gaze unflinching.

"Well, maybe that wouldn't have happened if you hadn't spent those days
hounding Senior Sister Yeyou like some lovesick, perverted maniac."

The Great One trembled, his eyes flaring with rage.

"Do not mock my feelings for her!" he roared.

"I am not mocking you. I am merely reminding you why Senior Sister Yeyou
despised you and why she ultimately chose to keep you out of our group.
And if you continue to chase after her like you did in the past… I doubt
she'll be able to resist killing you."
"Hahaha! Kill me?! Maybe she had that power in the past, but things are
different now! I am stronger than her!" The Great One laughed.

The Dragon Ancestor merely shook his head with a pitiful smile, "Oh, you
ignorant one. Senior Sister Yeyou's power is far more than you can fathom,
and what you witnessed in the past was merely a fraction of her true power
since neither you nor I was strong enough to make her fight seriously."

"..."

The Great One was left speechless, his eyes widening in disbelief.

'What she showed me… was only a fraction of her true strength?'

Even for someone like him, such a thought was difficult to accept—nearly
unfathomable.

The Dragon Ancestor suddenly glanced down at his body, watching as it

"Looks like my time is running out," he muttered, then lifted his gaze to
meet the Great One's.

"If you truly intend to destroy the Dragon Spiral Mountain, there's nothing I
can do to stop you. However, bear this in mind—that Senior Sister Yeyou
would skin you alive if you did. And instead of chasing after her, why don't
you come find me? I'll share with you one of Senior Sister Yeyou's greatest
secrets."

Before the Great One could respond, the Dragon Ancestor's body vanished
as if he had never existed in the first place.

"..."

The Great One continued to hover above the Dragon Spiral Mountain long
after the Dragon Ancestor had faded, his expression unreadable as he
lingered in silence, lost in deep thought.

Eventually, the Great One clicked his tongue in annoyance, and without
saying a word, he vanished from the skies above the Dragon Spiral
Mountain, leaving behind only the weight of his presence and the silence
that followed.

The Holy Dragon Emperor could only stare at the sky in disbelief.
"Looks like we're fated to continue serving Dragon Goddess Yeyou..." he
mumbled.