Chapter 1967 — 1967: Consuming the Tear of the Azure Heavens

After putting away Number One Under Heaven, Yuan turned to look at Jiao Zhenhai, who was sitting on the floor with a dazed look on his face, and said, "I apologize for the destruction of this place."

Jiao Zhenhai looked around with a dumbfounded look on his face before responding, "I-It's fine. As long as the treasures themselves aren't damaged."

"Thank you. Now then, about what you were trying to tell me about our offer…"

Jiao Zhenhai slowly stood up before speaking in a solemn tone, "I am willing to give you the Tear of the Azure Heavens for the Immortal Monarch's blood, but I want one more thing from you."

"What is it?"

"Help me defend my Azure Dragon Clan," said Jiao Zhenhai with a serious frown on his face.

"Defend the Azure Dragon Clan? What about you talking about?" Yuan raised an eyebrow, unaware of what the Second Elder said to Jiao Zhenhai through voice transmission.

Jiao Zhenhai immediately explained the situation.

"The Mystic Sea Dragon Clan, whom the elders have been working with, are coming here as we speak. The Second Elder said this to me right before his death through voice transmission. Without the Three Elders, our chances of defeating the Mystic Sea Dragon Clan are slim to none. However, with you—and your sword's assistance—we might be able to win."

Yuan didn't immediately respond. Zi Xuan had expended most of her energy just now and would probably take several weeks, if not months, to fully recover. If the Mystic Sea Dragon Clan showed up before she recovered, it might get a bit dangerous.

Of course, he still had Dragon Goddess Yeyou, but he wasn't sure how much she could actually do in her current state.

After contemplating for some time, Yuan nodded and said, "Alright, I'll help the Azure Dragon Clan. However, I will need the Tear of the Azure Heavens now. My sword is exhausted after killing the Second Elder and needs to recover."

Jiao Zhenhai nodded, "Okay."

Some time later, Jiao Zhenhai handed the Tear of the Azure Heavens to Yuan.

"I'm going to use this right now. You should alert the rest of your family."

"I know this isn't the proper time to ask this, but… what does it do?" Jiao Zhenhai couldn't contain his curiosity.

However, Yuan shrugged and responded in a genuine voice, "I don't know."

"What? Then why do you want it?"

"My instincts," he said.

"..."

Jiao Zhenhai fell silent.

After a moment, he asked, "Are you going to do it here?"

"Preferably. Since nobody can disturb me here. Don't worry, I won't steal your treasures, if that's what you're worried about."

"I trust you."

Without saying anything else, Jiao Zhenhai left the treasury and summoned everyone from the Azure Dragon Clan.

Meanwhile, Yuan sat on the floor with the Tear of the Azure Heavens in his grasp.

Yuan's cold resistance has been increasing since he touched the Tear of the Azure Heavens, which was a pleasant surprise.

"Do any of you guys know what this is?" Yuan asked the others.

"No." Lan Yingying quickly responded.

"I have also never seen or heard of this treasure before," said Yu Ning.

"That is the heart of the Heaven-Chilling Ice Phoenix," said Feng Yuxiang.

"This is the heart of a phoenix?" Yuan repeated, raising an eyebrow in surprise.

"Yes," Feng Yuxiang confirmed. "The Heaven-Chilling Ice Phoenix is a rare and powerful species whose flames don't burn, but freeze everything they touch. Their hearts contain immense yin energy and are considered priceless among yin-attribute cultivators."

"Honestly, I'm surprised one managed to be preserved for this long," Feng Yuxiang remarked. "The Heaven-Chilling Ice Phoenix has been extinct for ages, after all."

"So, what kind of effect does it have?" Yuan asked.

"It's quite extraordinary," Feng Yuxiang explained. "For cultivators, it grants the ability to cultivate and wield yin-attributed energy, even if they had no prior affinity for it. As for beasts, consuming it can transform their bloodline into one aligned with yin. And if they already possess a yin-attributed bloodline, it will elevate their lineage to an entirely new level."

"No wonder the Mystic Sea Dragon Clan is trying to destroy the Azure Dragon Clan just so they can get their hands on this treasure," Yuan mumbled.

"Anyway, I am going to consume this now."

Without a moment of hesitation, Yuan brought the heart of the Heaven-Chilling Ice Phoenix to his lips and took a bite. Though it had the hardness of crystals, his teeth sank into it effortlessly, as if biting into a piece of delicate cake.

The moment it touched his tongue, the crystallized heart melted away like cotton candy, releasing an intense wave of chilling energy that spread through his body.

Suddenly, Yuan's entire body erupted in a blaze of azure-colored flames, radiating an intense cold so profound it felt as though he were being burned and frozen simultaneously.

The surrounding air trembled, and in the blink of an eye, the entire treasury was coated in a thick layer of glistening ice. Shelves, walls, even the very ground beneath him crystallized under the overwhelming yin energy now pouring from his body.

Yuan himself also turned into an ice statue.

As for his Cold Resistance, it improved at a frightening rate.

In just a few days, his progress skyrocketed to 99 percent.

Meanwhile, the Azure Dragon Clan began mobilizing for war against the Mystic Sea Dragon Clan.

With a population exceeding 100,000, including those residing in the city, their forces were vast. While not every member was suited for combat, the overwhelming majority had already reached at least the Divine Realm.

The city, once bustling like any ordinary settlement, transformed into a fortress overnight.

Barricades rose where markets once stood, defensive formations were activated across the seafloor, and patrols of armored warriors now roamed the area around the Azure Dragon Clan's territory.