Dragon Kingdom Arc: Chapter Twenty-Two - The Divine Dragon (Part I)

"The Tao of ten thousand swords through the ages knows no bounds, for there is none in this world like me!" With this thunderous roar, Wang Ping seemed to ignite, his entire being radiating an overwhelming aura.

He gripped the sword hilt with both hands, pouring his strength into the blade. In an instant, the sword began to tremble, emitting a resonant hum as if answering its master’s call.

Wang Ping’s eyes shone with an incredibly sharp light, like twin bolts of lightning piercing the void before him, as if he were trying to see past the nothingness to the very edge of the universe.

"State of No-Self, one sword breaks the firmament!" With another shout, he lunged forward, swinging his blade.

A sharp, piercing whistle tore through the air. The sword transformed into a dazzling bolt of lightning, striking toward Knox with lightning speed. Wherever the tip passed, the air was shredded like paper, and behind the rift, a mysterious and alien world slowly emerged.

Powerful sword qi spilled forth, causing the surrounding air to vibrate violently. The entire space seemed to grow unstable, teetering on the brink of collapse.

At this moment, Wang Ping became one with his sword. His heartbeat synced perfectly with the blade’s vibration, each pulse fueling its power; his breath harmonized with the whistling wind of the sword’s passage, creating a strange rhythm.

Fully focused and free of distraction, Wang Ping poured his entire essence and will into this strike, fueled by a single conviction: to unleash unprecedented power and secure a killing blow.

The surrounding crowd was mesmerized, their breath held, eyes wide, fearing to miss a fraction of this miraculous moment. Wang Ping’s image transformed in their minds; he was no longer a mere swordsman, but a peerless Sword God, an supreme Human Emperor to whom their souls bowed in reverence.

As for Wang Ping, he was consumed by the vast power he unleashed. Wherever the sword pointed, the void itself gave way. A tidal wave of indescribable power surged from the blade, overwhelming his senses. He knew this was the peak of his martial journey, surpassing all previous limits.

Even though Knox possessed the legendary power of the Alien King, he could not shake this mortal frame. This sudden frustration ignited a fury that tripled his power. His form twisted and warped in his rage, like a storm in the dark of night, sweeping forward with an unstoppable momentum.

Knox’s eyes burned a manic, crimson red, like flames rising from the abyss, eager to consume all in darkness and heat. Swathed in deep, thick black mist, he stood like a demon god emerged from the underworld, exuding a heart-stopping pressure.

This power, born from an unknown abyss, carried a primal, ancient wildness that made space tremble, as if time itself lost its meaning before him.

Knox: "Hahaha... I love this power! Hahahahaha..."

Knox: "Do you see? I am the strongest on this continent! I am..."

Wang Ping felt the crushing pressure, but he did not retreat. He tightened his grip, pointing his sword at Knox, ready to die. He knew if this strike did not kill Knox, he would have no chance of victory.

Knox spread his wings: "Wings of the Demon Dragon!"

"I cannot lose." Wang Ping once again unleashed the final technique of the Heavenly Steel Sword Art: The Union of Man and Sword, the State of No-Self.

"Heaven and earth are sorrowful, the vast sea is boundless; among the legends of love and history, only one name remains: the Human Emperor, Wang Ping."

"State of No-Self, one sword breaks the firmament!"

The void split once more. Knox’s wings expanded in the gale, his figure twisting in the nothingness. Though his body was being torn by the void, he charged at Wang Ping madly, intent on devouring him entirely.

Knox: "Human, welcome your death!"

Knox: "I am the king of this world!"

The Demon Dragon Wings flapped violently, creating a massive black tornado that instantly swallowed Wang Ping's sword qi, exhausting nearly all of Knox’s magical energy.

At this breathtaking moment, time seemed to freeze. The battlefield fell into a deathly silence. Wang Ping’s ferocious sword qi dissipated into the black tornado like a flash in the pan, leaving no trace. Knox, on the other side, fared no better, looking equally wretched.

Wang Ping’s body reached its limit. He knelt on one knee, gasping for air, his breath as weak as a candle in the wind. His sword was his only support, keeping him from collapsing. The world blurred as if behind a veil.

Yet, even in this desperate situation, Wang Ping’s eyes shone with unwavering resolve. He knew he could not give up, nor could he let Knox run rampant. He gritted his teeth, using his last ounce of strength to rise, but his body felt bound by invisible chains, refusing to move.

At this critical juncture, Wang Ping felt a warmth like spring tide pouring into his body. It was a call from the distant heavens, reaching into his soul. His body shuddered, and his exhaustion began to fade.

As this mysterious power surged, his heart beat like a war drum, reigniting his fighting spirit.

Wang Ping opened his eyes. His sword had become sharper, glowing with blinding light. He stood, his gaze as sharp as a hawk’s. Warm, radiant light broke through the dawn, piercing the deep night and illuminating the world. The light danced across the sky like a dragon, majestic and powerful, shaking everyone to their core.

"That is... the light of the Divine Dragon!" Wang Ping whispered, filled with awe and joy. He looked at the figure with reverence. It was the god he believed in, their protector, the supreme deity of all the Divine Dragon kin.

As the Divine Dragon appeared, the people knelt in unison, their voices rising like a surging sea: "Lord Divine Dragon!" The entire world seemed immersed in reverence, no one daring to show the slightest disrespect.

The Divine Dragon emerged in the light, colossal and solemn, covered in brilliant scales that shimmered with mystery. Its eyes, deep as the sea, revealed infinite wisdom and power, sharp as swords, piercing through the heart.

Golden dragon blood flowed between the scales, a symbol of life and power. Each drop contained enough energy to ignite the universe. Its horns reached the clouds, sharp as thunder, a testament to its majesty.

Its limbs were powerful, each step shaking the earth. Its claws were sharp, easily tearing through any obstacle. Its tail was like a pillar of heaven, supporting its massive frame, allowing it to roam freely.

The Divine Dragon’s aura was as fierce as a tempest, its voice like thunder, impossible to ignore.

This was the Divine Dragon, an ancient and mysterious being of infinite wisdom and strength. Its presence symbolized the order and balance of the world, as well as endless possibilities and challenges.

Its voice was low and majestic, piercing through all obstacles to reach the soul: "Brave warriors, I have seen your faith and courage. Today, I shall fight alongside you to protect the peace and justice of this world. This is the destiny commanded by the Dragon Emperor, and our mission."

As the Divine Dragon spoke, the battlefield erupted. Hope ignited in the soldiers' eyes. They roared, their voices like a storm, filled with conviction.

They waved their weapons, becoming fearless warriors, ready to face any challenge for their ideals.

Every person on the battlefield felt this surge of passion and courage. They gripped their weapons and charged at the other demon dragons. Fear and hesitation vanished, replaced by resolve. They believed that united, they could overcome anything.

The overwhelming power and suffocating aura of the Divine Dragon were hundreds of times stronger than its own! The Demon Dragon understood this deep down. Despite its long life, compared to this unfathomable existence, it was as insignificant as a drop of water in the ocean.

Its scales trembled uncontrollably, each one whispering of soul-deep terror that spread like a plague.

"Great-grandfather, oh Great-grandfather, has the legendary Divine Dragon you spoke of truly returned to the world? If so, today is surely my end..." the Demon Dragon muttered, memories of ancient tales flooding its mind. It was said that the Divine Dragon was the strongest being in heaven and earth, possessing absolute majesty beyond the reach of any common demon dragon. It never imagined it would face the legend itself, and that its power would make even a Demon Dragon King tremble.

The Demon Dragon’s eyes were filled with profound terror, a bottomless abyss threatening to devour its soul. It knew this Divine Dragon was an unstoppable force of nature, and the outcome of this battle was already sealed—it would be a crushing defeat.

The Demon Dragon began to back away, each step agonizing, as if walking on molten lava. Its pride was replaced by awe and dread; it felt as if it were carrying the weight of the world. Yet, it could not stop, desperate to flee from that mysterious presence.

Just then, the Divine Dragon, which had been standing still, opened its mouth and let out a heaven-shaking roar: "You wish to leave?" The roar was like rolling thunder, tearing through the sky and echoing across the land. The sound waves shifted the clouds and shook the earth; even the air itself distorted under the immense pressure.

Hearing the roar, the Demon Dragon King shuddered and fled in terror. Utter fear overwhelmed its reason. It felt the chill of imminent death.

At this moment, the air seemed to freeze, and the tension became suffocating.