As the Essence Blood inside him burned wildly, Luo Xiu's skin began to crack and peel away, emitting waves of scorching heat.

A single drop of Emperor Blood Essence could split the heavens and shatter the earth!

Yet, along with this immense power came extreme pain that nearly drove Luo Xiu to insanity.

Hiding deep underground, Hua Muyan also sensed a terrifying power spreading at an alarming rate. This dreadful aura signaled a mortal threat, and fear began to bloom in her heart.

This little fellow... why has he suddenly erupted with such terrifying power? Then again, he managed to cross the Dragon Ridge Plains to reach Holy Star City, which must mean he defeated Zhu Meique. I absolutely cannot underestimate him. I have to be cautious.

With this in mind, Hua Muyan dared not hesitate and immediately unleashed her Demon Art. She had to stop Luo Xiu before he had enough time to stabilize this formidable power.

"Hundred Flowers Bloom!"

Within the sea of flowers, countless Flower Vines suddenly twisted with wild abandon, swarming toward Luo Xiu from all directions!

Luo Xiu, however, remained motionless. The Indestructible Divine Flame quietly flared from his body, pouncing on the encroaching Flower Vines like a fiery Fierce Beast and instantly igniting a roaring blaze.

Just then, a dazzlingly beautiful flower bloomed before him, and from within it, Hua Muyan's mocking voice emerged. "Little brother, your flame may be powerful, but fire is useless against me. Not only can it not harm me, I can even absorb and use it."

Expressionless, Luo Xiu crushed the talking flower underfoot. He glanced around and saw that, just as Hua Muyan had claimed, the Flower Vines were not burning but were actually absorbing his Indestructible Divine Flame.

The Flower Vines that had absorbed the Indestructible Divine Flame seemed to have been empowered. They glowed like red-hot iron chains, coiling toward him with terrifying might!

As expected of one of the Upper Nine Deities. You do have a few tricks up your sleeve.

A smirk touched Luo Xiu's lips, his eyes filled with disdain. His crimson skin gradually returned to its normal color, and the cracked wounds on his body healed at an astonishing rate.

Once again, mystical patterns emitting a cyan light surfaced on his skin.

Just as on the Dragon Ridge Plains, after burning his Essence Blood, he had once again entered that wondrous state and awakened the "Azure Emperor persona" within him!

However, in the face of absolute power, all else is futile.

A cyan light quietly spread from his body. It appeared gentle and devoid of any power, yet the moment the surrounding Flower Vines came into contact with it, they were annihilated instantly!

Deep underground, in the pitch-black darkness, Hua Muyan's eyes flew open, her expression incredibly grave.

This is trouble! What in the world is this boy's origin? How can he be so absurdly powerful? It seems... I have no choice but to risk it and go devour the Empress. Otherwise, I will die by his hand!

Meanwhile, Luo Xiu walked unhurriedly through the sea of flowers. Wherever he passed, the wildly growing Flower Vines were reduced to ash.

Suddenly, he stopped in his tracks as if he had noticed something. He then gently stamped his right foot on the ground.

BOOM—!

The next moment, a deafening, thunderous explosion erupted!

The woods before the Ancient Mountain Residence trembled violently. Towering trees toppled one by one as the earth began to fracture and collapse. Shaken by the terrifying force, countless rocks and building fragments leaped high into the air as if they had escaped gravity.

Inside the tower's space, Xia Chan was so stunned by the scene outside that she was rendered speechless.

Just a gentle stamp of his foot unleashed such power?!

Little Pouch laughed proudly. "My big brother is incredible! Too bad, Sister-in-law, you didn't see him tear that Vermilion Bird apart with his bare hands. Now *that* was thrilling! This paltry Flower Demon thinks she can put on airs in front of my big brother?"

Just then, a graceful figure shot out hastily from a fissure in the cracked ground. It was none other than Hua Muyan, who had been hiding below!

She had intended to sneak into the Ancient Mountain Residence from underground and quietly devour the Hua Country Female Emperor. However, the moment she made her move, an immense force crushed the earth, causing it to collapse and forcing her to flee.

Stepping upon a Green Lotus, Luo Xiu slowly ascended into The Void. His gaze was calm as he watched the beautiful silhouette fleeing in the distance. "Is that your true form?"

By this point, Hua Muyan had pushed her speed to its absolute limit. She forcibly bored through the gigantic bell suppressing the Ancient Mountain Residence, flying toward its depths.

Luo Xiu, however, appeared completely unruffled. He took a single step, ephemeral Green Lotuses blooming beneath his feet, and in the blink of an eye, he appeared before the gigantic bell.

Unlike Hua Muyan, who had risked an attack from the Nine Dragons Killing Formation to force her way in, Luo Xiu simply threw a casual punch and shattered the enormous bell.

With a thunderous crash, the bell shattered. The entire suppressed Ancient Mountain Residence was instantly unobscured, as if everything within had been liberated.

The next moment, Luo Xiu shattered The Void with a single step, appearing before Hua Muyan like a phantom.

Unable to stop in time, Hua Muyan slammed her soft, fragrant body directly into Luo Xiu's arms.

Despite the powerful collision, Luo Xiu stood firm. Hua Muyan, however, was sent flying backward by the rebound.

"A mere little Flower Demon dares to dance before me?"

Luo Xiu drifted forward and casually wrapped his hand around Hua Muyan's neck, lifting her as if she weighed nothing.

Hua Muyan's long, beautiful legs kicked helplessly as she struggled, her eyes filled with terror. This version of Luo Xiu only filled her with utter despair and helplessness.

The hand around her neck slowly tightened. Luo Xiu smiled faintly. "I much preferred your provocative little act from before. Weren't you going to punish me?"

Hua Muyan's face contorted in pain as she choked out, "I... I was wrong... Spare... me..."

CRACK!

But Luo Xiu simply snapped her neck.

Unexpectedly, her body dissipated into a shower of fragrant flower petals that scattered in the wind.

At the same time, a Flower Vine erupted from the ground not far away, spreading rapidly toward the dazzling, golden Dao arena.

Above the arena, Di Xuanji hovered in The Void with her arms spread wide, as if frozen in time. Her long hair fluttered, and her torn dress revealed large patches of her snow-white skin. Her eyes were closed tightly, as if she had fallen into a deep sleep.

The Flower Vine shot through the air, enduring the backlash of the Dragon Qi. It grew frenziedly even as it was being destroyed. With relentless effort, it finally pierced Di Xuanji's protective Dragon Qi, stabbing violently into her navel before burrowing into her body and vanishing.

The next moment, Di Xuanji's eyes snapped open, and a maniacal laugh burst forth—but it was Hua Muyan's voice.

"Little one, you are indeed strong. Despairingly so... but now, it's my turn to teach you a lesson!"

Luo Xiu looked at Di Xuanji, his expression unchanging.

In his current, strange state, he did not recognize Di Xuanji. He had already lost consciousness. Another personality within him was now in control of his body.

And this personality, awakened by the burning of his Essence Blood, was none other than the Azure Emperor himself—the one who had once fought alone against the Three Thousand Worlds of the Upper Realm!

But as he gazed at Di Xuanji's face, he felt a strange sense of familiarity, and even a pang of heartache.

A palm-sized golden pagoda suddenly flew to Luo Xiu's side. It was Little Pouch.

From the pagoda came Xia Chan's voice, "Chen Shuisheng, that woman is the Hua Country Female Emperor! Legend says she possesses the Saint Ancient Dragon Physique. Hua Muyan must be trying to devour her!"

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