Chapter 17: Dragon Soul

A terrifying screech echoed through the underground lair, shaking its very foundations. Xia Jiuxuan instinctively flew backward, placing himself protectively in front of Xia Ran.

“Impudent beast!” he shouted, immediately unleashing his divine soul intent in an attempt to intimidate the black dragon.

In truth, his soul intent could only harm entities that existed in spiritual form, such as the sorcerer he had previously slain. Against living beings, it had little effect. After all, he was now in a reincarnated state, no longer the true Killing Emperor.

A massive shadow of a black dragon burst from the earth below, wreathed in terrifying black flames—its draconic breath radiating menace. For Xia Jiuxuan in his present state, a black dragon was an overwhelming foe.

He was contemplating escape when his Killing Arena suddenly reacted.

“Hm? This beast…”

Xia Jiuxuan immediately relaxed. The dragon was already dead; this apparition was merely a remnant of its soul, born of lingering resentment.

Since it was a spirit, there was nothing for Xia Jiuxuan to fear.

“Killing Arena, restrain it for me!”

Ordinarily, when a living creature dies, its soul is extinguished in an instant. To capture a soul, Xia Jiuxuan typically had to be the one to deliver the fatal blow. But this black dragon was different. He could see that it had used a draconic technique—a method of self-dismemberment—destroying its own body while preserving its soul in hopes of a future resurrection.

If any other cultivator encountered this dragon soul, even one who had reached the Saintly Realm would be suppressed. But it had encountered Xia Jiuxuan. He could restrain its soul with the Killing Arena, or even slay it outright with his soul intent alone.

A surge of irresistible power bound the black dragon’s shadow. It writhed in desperation, but its efforts were futile. In an instant, the Killing Arena had made it a puppet.

Delighted, Xia Jiuxuan sent his consciousness into the Killing Arena. There, a giant dragon a thousand yards long was bound in midair by chains forged of law. The sight was awe-inspiring—majestic and grand beyond measure.

“I never expected such a windfall. Excellent!” he cried. Though he failed to obtain dragon blood, capturing a dragon soul was no less than acquiring a priceless treasure for Xia Jiuxuan in his current, still-weak state.

“Wow, Second Father, you’re amazing!” Xia Ran, who had been petrified with fear, regained her composure. Indeed, Second Father was always Second Father. A steadfast belief took root in her young heart—Second Father was invincible!

“It’s nothing. Your Second Father was even more formidable in the past,” Xia Jiuxuan replied, his mood soaring.

“If only Father and Mother were as powerful as you, Second Father…” Xia Ran said wistfully.

Hearing these words, Xia Jiuxuan felt both surprise and sorrow. “Ranran… do you know where your father and mother went?” he asked gently.

“Father and Mother are dead. Second Father, what does ‘dead’ mean?” Xia Ran asked, her voice full of confusion.

A pang gripped Xia Jiuxuan’s heart. “Who told you that?” he asked.

“Those uncles did,” she replied.

“Dead… means they’ve gone somewhere very far away,” he explained softly.

“Then why didn’t Father and Mother take me with them? I don’t like them. Second Father is the best, humph.” Xia Ran pouted, her little lips pursed.

“Silly girl, don’t say such things. They went to earn money, so they could buy you tasty treats,” Xia Jiuxuan said, his heart aching. When she grew older, such stories would no longer fool her.

“Really?” Xia Ran’s eyes sparkled hopefully.

“Really. Now, let’s go find some delicious fruits together,” he said.

“Mm! You’re the best, Second Father.” Xia Ran threw herself into his arms, her little face radiant with pride.

All the way back, Xia Jiuxuan gathered many delicious fruits for Xia Ran. Along the way, he also slew several eighth-rank spirit beasts, collecting materials to use or sell if necessary.

After several hours, Xia Jiuxuan and Xia Ran returned to the entrance they had come through. By now, Xia Jiuxuan had reached the eighth level of the Innate Realm.

“These spirit crystals are consumed so quickly. At this rate, by the time I reach the Palace Opening Realm, every last one will be gone,” he mused. And this was only the Innate Realm—at higher levels, the consumption would be astronomical. He would have to find a way to amass greater reserves.

Nearly six days had passed when they arrived at the entrance to Black Dragon Mountain. The two masked men in black were still there, collecting “tolls.”

“Halt,” one of them ordered, blocking Xia Jiuxuan’s path as he emerged.

“Second Father, it’s those two bad uncles again,” Xia Ran said.

“Do you remember what I promised you?” Xia Jiuxuan smiled.

“You said if they took your money, they’d have to pay it back double,” she replied.

“Good memory,” he nodded.

The masked man swept his cold gaze over Xia Jiuxuan. “Enough dawdling. You know the rules.”

“What rules?” Xia Jiuxuan asked indifferently.

“Don’t play dumb. Fifty crystals to enter, a thousand to leave. If you don’t have it, pay in materials.”

“Are you giving them to me?” Xia Jiuxuan replied with utter nonchalance.

The man’s expression shifted instantly, killing intent radiating from him. “You little brat, are you courting death?”

When he’d entered days before, Xia Jiuxuan had wanted to avoid provoking Palace Opening experts. But now, with this windfall presented to him, how could he pass it up?

“That’s right, I am,” Xia Jiuxuan replied calmly.

As his words fell, murderous intent surged violently.

Boom!

A burst of force exploded, sending the masked man staggering backward.

“Die, you little bastard!” the man roared in fury, drawing his sword and charging forward.

Xia Jiuxuan’s spear whipped out, its domineering aura erupting in a flurry of dragon-like roars.

“What? Spear intent!” the other masked man exclaimed in shock, immediately rushing to assist.

“Kill him quickly, or we’re doomed!” Sensing the power of the spear intent, terror gripped their hearts. If they failed in a single strike, death was certain. They had to give it their all.

Blades and swords flashed as the two unleashed high-grade combat skills.

“Die,” Xia Jiuxuan said coldly. Throughout the battle, he remained detached. With a sweep of his spear, several dragon-like shadows shot forth to clash with his foes.

With two thunderous booms, blood mist exploded—their chests pierced clean through.

The Profound Dragon Spear Intent—this technique unleashed the full might of the Innate Realm. With Xia Jiuxuan’s extraordinary comprehension, its power exceeded the limits of that realm. Killing first-level Palace Openers at the eighth Innate level was effortless for him.

If Xia Kongming could comprehend the Profound Dragon Spear Intent to such a degree, he could kill fifth-level Palace Openers with ease at the third level.

“You… whose family are you from?” the two masked men gasped, horror-stricken.

In the outskirts of these small cities, how could such a terrifying prodigy exist? It was simply unthinkable.

Xia Jiuxuan paid them no heed. With a palm to each, he crushed their skulls.

He searched their belongings—two spatial rings.

“Well, they’d plundered quite a haul,” he mused. Inside, he found over twenty thousand spirit crystals—a fortune. That wasn’t counting the materials, which, when totaled, amounted to fifty thousand crystals.

Having captured the two souls, Xia Jiuxuan took Xia Ran and headed toward Dragon Lair City.

“The seven days are up. It’s time to return and deal with those old scoundrels,” he said.

A verdict pronounced by Xia Jiuxuan would never be overturned.