Chapter 1960 — 1960: Fighting the First Elder

"Why do you even care about such things when you're about to die?" The First Elder sneered. "You should be worrying about your own life."

Yuan shrugged and replied, "Why bother worrying about something that's out of my control? You're a God Ascension Realm cultivator, while I am still a mortal. The outcome should be obvious. And if I am going to die, I want to at least know why."

"It's simple. The reason you're going to die is because you stuck your nose into something you shouldn't have."

Yuan sighed, "What else am I supposed to do? I need the key you took from the Holy Dragon Clan. By the way, aren't you afraid of offending Dragon Goddess Yeyou? In case you forgot, I am her envoy."

"Dragon Goddess Yeyou? Hahaha!" The First Elder began laughing out loud. "Who'd be foolish enough to believe such a lie? There's no way you're Dragon Goddess Yeyou's envoy. She died long ago!"

"Why are you so certain that she died? Did you witness her death with your own eyes?" Yuan asked.

"She hasn't been seen since the Immortal Monarch Era. That's more than enough proof! Anyway, enough yapping. I'm going to kill you now."

"Are you sure you want to do that? The others might become suspicious of you if you return alone."

"I'm going to tell them that you'd never returned. They can't prove that I'd killed you if your corpse is in a place where nobody can reach. Even the Holy Dragon Emperor, who came here with you, won't be able to reach this area."

"Is that so? What a pity. Unfortunately for you, it won't be that easy to kill me."

"We'll see about that."

The First Elder raised his hand, palm facing Yuan, and unleashed a wave of Immortal Qi. The pressure surged through the water, seeking to suppress him with overwhelming force.

Yuan, however, remained unfazed. A faint smile curved his lips.

"Immortal Qi?" he said calmly. "What—afraid to use Celestial Qi? Worried you might alert the others?"

"..."

Although the First Elder had reached the second level of the God Ascension Realm, he had yet to fully master Celestial Qi. Because of this, he was reluctant to risk using it, especially when doing so might alert the others to his betrayal.

"Looks like I hit the nail on its head," Yuan smiled. "You won't be able to kill me with Immortal Qi alone, even if you're at the God Ascension Realm."

Yuan activated Dragon Awakening, causing his aura and strength to surge tremendously.

It was so powerful that it took the First Elder by surprise.

'How can a mortal human release such pressure? And why does he seem so… confident? Does he really think that he can defeat me with the difference in our cultivation?'

"WHAT A JOKE! I'LL RIP THAT HEAD OFF THOSE SHOULDERS WITH MY BARE HANDS!"

The First Elder flew at Yuan.

Yuan retrieved Number One Under Heaven and began fighting the First Elder.

'A God Ascension realm cultivator, huh? Need my help?' Zi Xuan's voice suddenly resounded inside Yuan's head.

'So you're finally awake. Not yet. I want to test my current limit,' he said.

'If you say so…'

Hundreds of exchanges later, a grim realization settled over the First Elder—he couldn't overpower Yuan through brute strength.

The revelation was nothing short of shocking. He was a God Ascension Realm cultivator, a dragon no less, beings renowned for their overwhelming physical might and dominance in close combat.

And yet, he was being steadily pushed back by a mere human... one who stood several cultivation realms below him.

"Is this the strength of a God Ascension Realm cultivator? What a disappointment." Yuan mocked.

However, he knew that the First Elder was holding back most of his strength.

"Imprudent brat!"

Suddenly, the First Elder's appearance began to shift. Blue scales rippled across his skin like living armor. His eyes burned brighter, and his aura surged. He had activated Dragon Awakening, though not in its complete form. Even so, the partial transformation greatly amplified his power, making his already formidable presence even more oppressive.

After activating Dragon Awakening, the First Elder's power surged, and he began to push Yuan back—but only slightly.

"I guess you don't want a painless death! In that case, allow me to assist you!"

Realizing brute force alone wouldn't be enough, the First Elder finally began unleashing his martial techniques, skills he had deliberately withheld until now.

"Current Cleaving Strike!"

The First Elder swung his claws with such immense force that the very water around him split apart.

Trapped by the water's resistance, Yuan's movements were heavily restricted, making it impossible to evade the devastating blow.

The First Elder's claws tore through him with brutal precision, rending his body into three separate parts—blood clouding the water as shockwaves rippled through the depths.

"Hmph."

Believing he had finally ended the battle, the First Elder let out a breath and deactivated his Dragon Awakening.

But just as the mist of blood began to settle, a gleam of silver light tore through it—a spear, surging forth with deadly precision.

"What?!" the First Elder gasped, caught off guard. He moved to evade, but his guard was down, and the strike was too sudden.

The spear pierced through him before he could fully react.

Though the spear struck him, it hadn't landed a fatal blow. The First Elder jumped backward through the water, blood trailing from the wound as he clenched his teeth in pain and disbelief.

As the blood mist fully cleared, the First Elder's eyes widened in disbelief.

Yuan stood there with the Dragon God's Vengeance in his grasp, completely unharmed.

"H-How are you still alive?!" the First Elder roared, his voice echoing with disbelief and fury. "I know I tore your body to pieces!"

"You sure? Maybe it was just your imagination," Yuan calmly spoke. "After all, you're quite old already."

"Bullshit! I know my technique landed! There was even blood! What the hell are you?!" The First Elder clenched his fists in frustration.