Chapter 1976 — Mystic Sea Dragon Clan’s Reinforcement

As the God Ascension expert turned to flee, Yuan immediately gave chase. However, being underwater—and with his opponent a native sea beast—Yuan quickly found himself outpaced, the distance between them widening with every passing second.

Unable to close the distance, Yuan resorted to mockery, hurling taunts laced with scorn in hopes of provoking his opponent into a reckless, rage-fueled mistake.

"You dare call yourself a God when you’re running away from a mortal like a frightened cat?!"

"Your comrades are still fighting for their lives while you abandoned the battlefield! Are you not ashamed of yourself?! Even if you survive, you’ll become an object of derision!"

"Damn, look how fast you’re going! I can’t wait to tell my friends and the rest of the world about this!"

The God Ascension expert trembled with a mix of rage and humiliation as Yuan’s taunts echoed from behind. He even coughed up a mouthful of blood in an effort to suppress his fury. But in the end, his fear ran deeper than his pride, leaving him powerless to turn back.

However, just as Yuan was about to give up the chase, the man abruptly came to a halt.

Yuan stopped as well, but instead of excitement, a deep frown formed on his face, sensing that something wasn’t right.

Sure enough, moments later, Yuan sensed numerous powerful auras rapidly closing in from the distance.

"Hahahaha! They’re finally here! The Mystic Sea Dragon Clan’s main army has finally arrived!" The man laughed out loud after realizing what was going on.

"..."

Yuan had anticipated the possibility of reinforcements arriving, but when he saw just how many powerhouses were converging upon him, he couldn’t help but let out a weary smile.

With a single glance, Yuan could tell their reinforcements numbered over 300,000. It was a massive army, far larger than the entire reported population of the Mystic Sea Dragon Clan. This could only mean one thing: the Mystic Sea Dragon Clan hadn’t come alone and had arrived backed by other forces.

It didn’t take long for the others to notice the Mystic Sea Dragon Clan’s reinforcements. And when the Azure Dragon Clan realized the situation, their expressions turned grim, darkened by a growing sense of dread.

Upon seeing their reinforcements arrive, those who had been clinging to life on the battlefield felt a surge of hope, and their morale soared to its peak.

The Third Elder, who had been losing to Jiao Zhenhai, let out a booming laugh. "Hahaha! I hope you didn’t think we were all you had to deal with because the real fun is only just beginning!"

Jiao Zhenhai clenched his fists. He remained silent, but his eyes were filled with despair. Even if his parents showed up right now, they’d still be completely outnumbered by the reinforcements.

At the forefront of the massive army stood several figures exuding overwhelming presence—each one a God Ascension realm cultivator ranging from the first to the fourth level, their very aura weighing down the atmosphere like a crushing tide.

Leading them was a strikingly beautiful woman with silver horns curling from her head and a tail swaying behind her. Her cultivation dwarfed the rest, standing at the sixth level of God Ascension.

Some time later, the army halted before Yuan and the God Ascension realm cultivator.

"General Zhi, where do you think you’re going?" the woman suddenly spoke, her voice calm yet oppressive. "Why are you heading away from the battlefield?"

"T-That’s..."

General Zhi hesitated, shame flickering in his eyes. He couldn’t possibly admit to fleeing from a mere mortal—not in front of so many watchful eyes. Even if he survived today, he would be reduced to nothing but a laughing stock.

The woman spoke again, "Is something stuck in your throat, preventing you from speaking? Or are you just too ashamed to admit that you’d run away from the battlefield—from a mortal, no less."

General Zhi’s entire body trembled the moment he realized the woman had witnessed everything.

"M-My actions are inexcusable, Mystic Empress!" he stammered, dropping to his knees. "I am willing to accept whatever punishment you see fit!"

"Hmph. I will deal with you once we return. Until then, stay there and watch how it’s supposed to be done."

"As you wish!"

The woman then turned her attention to Yuan with an amused smile tugging at her lips.

After a moment of silence, she spoke, "I have lived a long time, but this is my first time seeing a mortal wield Celestial Qi. You have my admiration and respect."

"Thank you."

"My name is Cang Xuanji, the head of the Mystic Sea Dragon Clan, and I have a proposition for you. Instead of fighting for the Azure Dragon Clan, who are destined to be destroyed soon, why don’t you join my Mystic Sea Dragon Clan?"

"?!?!?!"

General Zhi expressed shock when the Mystic Empress offered Yuan to join their ranks instead of killing him, but he didn’t dare utter a sound.

"If you serve my Mystic Sea Dragon Clan well," the Mystic Empress said with a faint, amused smile, "I might even consider accepting you into my family—as a concubine."

Yuan couldn’t help but chuckle at her random offer.

"A concubine, huh? Did you offer the Three Elders the same thing?" he asked.

"What is that bastard saying?!" The Third Elder couldn’t believe what he was hearing.

"The Three Elders? They’re useful, but ultimately nothing more than tools. You’re different. If you desire, I can even dispose of them for you after you join our side."

"M-Mystic Empress! That wasn’t part of our agreement!" the Third Elder blurted out in panic, his face draining of color.

The Mystic Empress’s expression darkened, her gaze turning icy as it locked onto the Third Elder.

"To think you still have the nerve to speak of our agreement," she said coldly, her voice rising with each word. "Not only have you failed to obtain the Tear of the Azure Heavens, but you’ve also forced us to abandon a plan that took many millennia to perfect—all because of your incompetence! Trash!"

With that final word, the Mystic Empress’s voice erupted like thunder, unleashing a powerful ripple that swept across the battlefield, shaking the hearts of all who heard it.