His domain power extended across the area, allowing Ye Longcang to sense everything within its range. The energy of his domain even seeped underground, giving him complete control over everything inside the underground palace.
"Ye Longcang!!!" Xiao Chunan shouted in a mix of terror and fury.
He couldn't accept this! His once-mighty Ice Dragon Empire was now facing destruction, all because of Ye Longcang!
"If you want to blame someone, blame yourself!" Ye Longcang replied coldly. "Your greed knew no bounds. I offered my daughter to forge an alliance, but you still wanted to swallow my entire country!"
As he spoke, his expression darkened, and his hand trembled as he remembered Ye Yaar's tragic death.
"Now, die!!!" Ye Longcang roared. He swung Boundless, sending a powerful surge of sword energy hurtling toward Xiao Chunan.
Xiao Chunan's expression changed drastically, and he instinctively tried to dodge, but the sword energy was too fast. His left arm was severed cleanly by the attack, and blood sprayed out instantly.
"Ahhhh!!!" Xiao Chunan screamed in agony but continued running deeper into the palace.
Ahead of him was a large door, seemingly leading to the inner sanctum.
Boom—
Just as he reached the door, a terrifying wave of white fire surged forth, engulfing the entire entrance.
The intense heat forced Xiao Chunan back several steps, leaving him unable to approach. This white flame was terrifying—he had already experienced its power outside. Even as a Martial Saint, he dared not come near it!
Ye Longcang was already approaching. Seeing the situation, Xiao Chunan's face contorted with fear. In the next moment, he knelt down on the ground.
"Ye Longcang, I surrender! Please, spare me!" Xiao Chunan pleaded desperately. "My empire, everything I have—it's all yours!"
He begged for his life, unwilling to die, no matter what.
"The emperor of the Ice Dragon Empire groveling like this... truly disgraceful," Ye Longcang mocked as he watched.
"Please, spare me! I'm begging you!" Xiao Chunan kowtowed, the sound of his head hitting the ground echoing through the hall.
"I won't spare you." Ye Longcang's voice was icy. "You must die."
Raising Boundless, he prepared to cleave Xiao Chunan in two.
"Then you'll die with me!!!" Xiao Chunan roared.
Suddenly, his entire body began to swell, expanding at a rapid rate.
No!
Ye Longcang's eyes widened in alarm. He knew Xiao Chunan was preparing to self-destruct!
A self-detonation by a Martial Saint was immensely powerful and devastating.
But it was too late!
From the moment Xiao Chunan had knelt and begged for his life, he had been gathering the energy to self-detonate.
Boom—
A deafening explosion shook the palace, collapsing it entirely.
In an instant, the royal palace of the Ice Dragon Empire was reduced to rubble.
Some time passed, and the remaining warriors of the Azure Dragon Empire finally reached the area.
They scanned the surroundings but found no sign of Ye Longcang.
Could it be...
A wave of dread swept through them.
But soon enough, a figure emerged from the wreckage!
"Your Majesty!" the soldiers of the Azure Dragon Empire cried out in relief.
"Almost died down there," Ye Longcang gasped, his face still showing traces of lingering fear.
He had never expected Xiao Chunan to self-detonate.
His body was riddled with injuries, his clothes soaked in blood.
Though seriously wounded, none of the injuries were fatal. With proper rest, he would recover.
Especially while holding Boundless, as his wounds were already healing visibly.
...
The battle was over.
The Azure Dragon Empire had risen once more, swallowing the Ice Dragon Empire in the process.
In just three months, the new Azure Dragon Empire was beginning to stabilize.
Inside the newly constructed palace, Ye Longcang was meditating in a training room.
He had spent much time rebuilding the empire, leaving him little time for cultivation.
Now, holding Boundless, he focused on his training.
He could feel that his strength as a Martial Saint had become formidable. With the sword's abilities, he believed he was the strongest among Martial Saints—unparalleled.
His current goal was to find a way to break through to Martial God!
But on this day, an unexpected visitor arrived.
"Ye Longcang."
A voice, ethereal and piercing, echoed from outside.
The moment he heard it, Ye Longcang's expression changed.
What's happening!?
He could feel an overwhelming power approaching—so powerful that it made him feel a trace of fear.
This strength seemed far beyond that of a Martial Saint!
"Ye Longcang."
The voice called again, like a summoning.
Taking a deep breath, Ye Longcang gritted his teeth and stepped outside.
Upon exiting, he saw that the guards, palace maids, and eunuchs all carried on as usual, seemingly unaware of the voice.
Huh? Did I imagine it?
Ye Longcang frowned, feeling confused.
But the voice called out once more, now seeming to come from the sky!
His face darkened. After a brief hesitation, he flew into the air.
Soaring into the sky, he soon saw five men in white robes floating in the air, waiting for him.
"Who are you?" Ye Longcang asked, stunned.
He could clearly sense that these people were unlike any warriors he had encountered before.
Their bodies radiated a unique energy, unlike anything from this world.
"Ye Longcang, you've slaughtered countless warriors and innocents, causing untold suffering."
The man in the center fixed his gaze on Ye Longcang and spoke calmly.
Ye Longcang frowned and gripped his sword tightly.
"We won't kill you, but that demonic sword in your hand has no place in the mortal realm."
The man's eyes fell on Boundless, and he continued speaking.