Battle Through the Heavens: Harmony of Flame and Shadow

A few days earlier, Jiang Yun had refined a Tianzun Pill, equivalent to an Emperor Pill from the Dou Qi Continent, capable of helping one break through to the Tianzun Realm.

Mandala was already on the verge of breaking through, and during the previous battle, she had repeatedly used the Binding God Whip, activating the Tianzun rules within it, deepening her understanding of the Tianzun Realm.

Moreover, after Danyang Patriarch pledged allegiance to Jiang Yun, he obtained from him the remains of an ancient Tianzun-level celestial Mandala flower, which was a priceless treasure for Mandala.

Now, with the pill refined by Jiang Yun combined with these celestial remains, Mandala has gone into seclusion to break through to the Tianzun Realm. At that time, the Heavenly Palace will welcome its ninth Tianzun.

In the Heavenly Palace, Jiang Yun sat lofty above the nine heavens, his aura as vast as the sea. Suddenly, sensing something, his eyes, shining like stars, slowly opened, and his whisper echoed in the hall.

"Now that things have settled, it's time to bring Zi Yan and the others back. However, my father-in-law has been missing since he went to the Mythical Beast Clan. I'd better confirm his situation first, otherwise, I won't be able to face Zi Yan's inquiries."

Just as Jiang Yun was about to take action, a mysterious feeling emerged within him. He paused and murmured, "What a coincidence, my main body has broken through, unlocking my realm's shackles. I suppose I should let him handle these trivial matters."

As he spoke, an endless amount of spiritual energy surged toward Jiang Yun, and his body became like a bottomless pit, crazily absorbing the incoming energy.

In the depths of the Crimson Flame Mountain Range, within a fiery space, endless flames converged where Jiang Yun stood. He felt his power incrementally increasing, bringing him closer to the legendary Saint-level Tianzun.

At this moment, it seemed that all he needed was to reach out, and he could break through the Saint-grade barrier, ascending to the peak of the Great Thousand World's highest realm.

The original strength of the Flame of World Annihilation surpassed Jiang Yun's expectations. Even though he had only refined a small portion of it, he had already surpassed the later stages of the celestial grade and reached its peak, even touching the threshold of the Saint-grade.

However, Jiang Yun still resisted the enormous temptation and did not immediately go into seclusion to break through to the Saint-level Tianzun.

Firstly, the appointed time to meet Zi Yan and the others was near. A breakthrough to the Saint-grade could take an unpredictable amount of time. Missing the appointment could cause Zi Yan and the others to worry and come looking for him, potentially leading to unforeseen dangers.

Secondly, though Jiang Yun's power was formidable, it still lacked a vital step in his planned path. His two life-and-death avatars had not yet cultivated the Supreme Law Body, causing a disconnect with his main body.

Originally, in his plan, the Supreme Law Bodies of his avatars were best cultivated using the Infinite Light Body of the Futuo Ancient Clan and the Night God Ancient Body of the Black Sky Ancient Clan—one bright and one dark, opposites that coexist and complement his Dao of life and death cycles.

Recently, however, Jiang Yun realized that such cultivation would discard his fundamental power.

As a member of the Evil Spirit Clan, a bloodline combining the Great Thousand World and extradimensional evil spirits, he could cultivate both evil and spiritual energies.

Currently, his three Supreme Law Bodies were all of the spiritual path, forgoing his advantage.

Thus, he resolved to cultivate both the Primordial Law Body of the Great Thousand and the Demon Emperor Aspect of the extradimensional evil spirits, combining both paths to assist his Dao.

The Primordial Law Body representing life for his avatar was still the Infinite Light Body, while the avatar representing death would cultivate evil energy instead.

Since his other self guards the Northern Territory and constantly engages with extradimensional evil spirits, once his main body finishes present tasks, he will take the opportunity to visit the Demon Domain and meet the Saint Demon Emperor.

"No rush for that. Better to first check on my father-in-law with the Mythical Beast Clan and see if he wants to return with Zi Yan and the others!" Shaking his head to clear his thoughts, Jiang Yun looked at the now-quiet Flame of World Annihilation and whispered softly.

During this time, he had not been idle; the flame was a manifestation of the Great Thousand's original power and a barrier in the Northern Territory, fulfilling its mission.

For years, countless have tried to refine it in vain, but Jiang Yun, who withstood the Northern Territory by his own power, was accepted by the flame, transitioning from resistance to mutual affinities.

Now understanding the requirements to refine it—not only great strength to withstand its scorching but also taking over its duties as the Northern Territory's barrier, Jiang Yun smiled gently at the crimson flame.

"Stay here for now; I'll visit you again!" he whispered, smiling as the red flame jumped and conveyed a sense of reluctance.

Jiang Yun chuckled, withdrew the surrounding arrays, now unnecessary, and waved goodbye before disappearing from the space.

Mythical Beast Continent.

The largest and strongest of all super continents in the Great Thousand World. Even after the damage from the war fifty thousand years ago, it remains the most expansive and powerful super continent.

A haven for numerous mythical beast families, including behemoths like the Dragon and Phoenix Clans, it's the mightiest continent, unmatched by others like Tianluo, Futuo, and Mohe.

Vast beyond compare, it lies in the eastern Great Thousand World. Due to the unique nature of the Mythical Beast Clan, this continent remains beyond the influence of even the Great Thousand Palace.

Many top-tier mythical beast families, especially Dragons and Phoenixes, reside there, some possessing power rivaling Saint-level Tianzuns.

Inhabited by the Dragon Clan, the deep core of the Mythical Beast Continent, lies the Dragon Valley, in its central western region, the very essence of the continent.

Dragon Valley, with its picturesque beauty of cliffs, serene valleys, and cascading waterfalls, is the revered ancestral land of the Dragon Clan. Human cultivators often flock there seeking enlightenment and fortune, hoping for the True Dragon's blessing.

One drop of True Dragon blood is enough to transform one's very being.

Within Dragon City, a colossal spiritual transmission array dominated the center.

Amidst the bustling throngs of cultivators, a black-robed young man emerged from the spiritual array.

Gazing at the bustling, prosperous city, Jiang Yun smiled. "What a treasure trove. Though the number of people doesn't match Futuo City, the cultivators' quality is remarkably higher!"

His soul sweep revealed that no one around was below the Supreme Realm.

"Indeed, on the Mythical Beast Continent, only those of certain cultivation know of its existence!"

"Young friend, being this unrestrained in the city is rather impolite!" An elderly voice suddenly sounded in Jiang Yun's ear.

Hearing this, Jiang Yun's eyes flashed, and with a grin, he vanished from his spot.

"Huh? Where did that person go?"

"Person? There was no one there. You must be seeing things."

"Seeing things? There was a black-robed young man there just now."

"Why bother? This is True Dragon territory; who would dare cause trouble here? Let's go. I heard someone from the Phoenix Clan is visiting. Maybe there's something exciting to see."

Ignoring the debate, the people moved on toward the source of the noise.

Meanwhile, Jiang Yun appeared atop a mountain peak outside Dragon City, where a middle-aged man clad in a purple-gold robe stood with his hands clasped behind.

The rugged-faced man's golden eyes exuded an aura of terror.

"Senior, your strength has reached the Saint-level pinnacle. Among the True Dragon Clan, only the True Dragon Emperor possesses such power," Jiang Yun remarked calmly.

The True Dragon Emperor, a leader among the True Dragon Clan, had reached the peak of the Saint-level Tianzun Realm.

As a super mythical beast, his life span is nearly eternal. Like the Immortal Lord, he has witnessed the cataclysmic war fifty thousand years ago, possessing unfathomable strength.

In the Great Thousand today, only the Immortal Lord can match him; even among the extradimensional evil spirits, he rivals the top ten Demon Emperors.

"Hehe, young friend, with your profound perception, my modest strength is probably barely worth noticing in your eyes!" The True Dragon Emperor turned, a playful smile on his imposing face.

"Senior, if I dared to underestimate your strength, my journey would end here!" Jiang Yun shook his head. Though confident in his abilities, he respected all strong beings. Every person reaching this stage had unique insights, and Jiang Yun wouldn't dismiss anyone.

"Hahaha, not bad. Such power and humility at a young age—no wonder you've come so far. Jiang Yun, you remind me of the Immortal Emperor. Perhaps you will reach that realm one day!" The True Dragon Emperor laughed heartily but with a trace of melancholic reflection in his eyes.

As one of the Great Thousand's strongest beings, he had long reached the limits of the Saint-level and for thousands of years was stuck at that boundary. Seeing higher vistas yet being trapped in his current state for endless ages drove one nearly mad.

After the laughter, the True Dragon Emperor's expression grew serious. "Pleasantries aside, may I ask, what brings the Demon Slaughter King of the Great Thousand Palace to the True Dragon Clan?"

The presence of a Saint-level warrior in his clan territory, without prior notice, even one as deep-rooted as the Dragon Clan, could not withstand such presence without concern. If not for his keen senses, who knew how long Jiang Yun might have remained hidden unnoticed?

"Senior misunderstands. After soaring to the Great Thousand, a man from my lower realm—my father-in-law—ascended with me. He is the Dragon King of my realm. After ascending to the Great Thousand, we parted ways. Now, with some accomplishments, I have come to check on him," Jiang Yun explained calmly, noting the True Dragon Emperor's vigilance.

"Oh?" The True Dragon Emperor's expression changed, looking at Jiang Yun in surprise. "So, it's like that. Recently, a fellow clansman from a lower realm arrived. With decent cultivation and commendable bloodline, he has broken through to Tianzun and taken the name Zhu Kun. He is your father-in-law?"

The boundless Great Thousand had numerous lower realms, with many ascenders. Normally, the True Dragon Emperor would not know each one, lacking the leisure to monitor every dragon.

However, Zhu Kun was an exception due to his decent cultivation as a high-level Earth Supreme and notable bloodline, swiftly reaching Tianzun status and becoming an elder—the reason the True Dragon Emperor took notice. Who would have thought? Zhu Kun was Jiang Yun's father-in-law—a truly unexpected surprise.

Seeing Jiang Yun nod, the True Dragon Emperor felt the marvels of fate and sent a dragon mark message to Dragon Valley. Meanwhile, his vigilance toward Jiang Yun diminished considerably.

"Roar!"

Soon, a dragon roar resounded; a massive purple-gold dragon appeared mid-air, its giant eyes alighting on Jiang Yun with delight. Moments later, in a burst of purple-gold light, Zhu Kun appeared before them.

"Grand Elder!" Zhu Kun bowed to the True Dragon Emperor, then turned to Jiang Yun, laughing heartily. "Hahaha, Jiang Yun, who would've thought you'd remain so outstanding even in the Great Thousand? I often hear your fame within the Dragon Clan—it truly makes our Dou Qi Continent proud!"