After Ryan and his disciples defeated the bandits, Long Xin gave them no chance to catch their breath. He appeared before them like a black shadow, his aura overflowing with murderous power, his eyes narrowing with danger—as if they were mere mice caught in his trap.
"You thought you could escape?" Long Xin said with an arrogant smile, his dark aura spreading through the air like sharp blades surrounding them from every direction.
Despite his confidence, Ryan knew the gap in power between them was still vast. A direct confrontation was not an option. He shouted quickly, "Into the valley, now!"
Everyone dashed toward the Valley of Lost Souls without looking back. But Long Xin wasn't a fool—he chased after them swiftly, laughing mockingly, "Where do you think you're going?!"
Then, at the very moment they entered the valley, everything changed.
Suddenly, they all felt a terrifying pressure, as if towering mountains had collapsed on top of them. The air itself grew thick, like they were drowning in an endless ocean. Their breaths halted, and their knees trembled under an invisible weight.
Long Xin, who believed himself invincible, widened his eyes in shock. His body grew so heavy that he could barely remain standing.
"What is this?!" he roared in rage, trying to resist the pressure, but even his movements slowed, as though time itself had stumbled.
Then, before anyone could comprehend what was happening, the ground trembled and a thunderous roar shook the skies as if the heavens themselves were trembling.
Gggrrraaaaahhh!
The echo of the sound made the air quiver and the rocks shudder. From within the darkness, two golden eyes ignited like glowing embers in the void.
Then a massive body slowly emerged from the depths of the valley, surrounded by blue celestial flames. Its horns gleamed like polished metal, and its claws radiated terrifying energy. It looked at them with fanatical eyes—as if their mere presence was an unforgivable insult.
"Who dares disturb my slumber?!"
The voice was deep, like the rumble of a storm, filling the sky and earth as if it had already judged them all guilty.
Then, without warning, the colossal celestial dragon opened its mouth and unleashed a blazing heavenly fireball directly at Long Xin!
"Impossible!" Long Xin shouted, trying to dodge, but the heavenly flames engulfed him mercilessly, shredding his clothes and shattering his defenses as if they were nothing.
The scream he let out was terrifying.
He felt his strength crumble, his body shake, and realized he was on the brink of death. He had only one option left!
He activated the Absolute Escape Talisman!
In an instant, dark mysterious lights enveloped him, and he vanished completely, leaving behind only the echo of his scream filled with rage and fear.
But the pressure didn't disappear. In fact, it grew worse.
Ryan and his three disciples remained frozen in place, their hearts pounding wildly, feeling like ants before a being far beyond their comprehension.
Suddenly, a system window appeared in front of Ryan.
[Analyzing the entity before you...]
[...]
[Analysis unstable… data incomplete…]
[Retrying…]
[Extraction complete: Beast data]
Name: Fanatical Celestial Dragon
Level: Beyond Heavenly Dao
Rank: Weakest celestial beast of the Heavenly Sect
Role: Guardian of the Celestial Shrine
Status: Ready to fight – Offensive power active
Ryan felt his heart almost stop.
"This… is the weakest?!"
He had just seen it crush Long Xin in a single blow! How powerful must the stronger beasts of the Heavenly Sect be?
Before he could think further, the dragon stepped forward, and its oppressive aura intensified beyond tolerance.
It raised its head high and opened its mouth, preparing to unleash another attack.
Ryan realized he couldn't dodge it. He had no other choice.
"I am the current leader of the Heavenly Sect!"
In an instant, the dragon froze in place.
The sparks around its body faded for a moment. Its fanatical gaze turned into deep shock.
"What did you say?!"
It stared at Ryan for seconds, as if its mind was processing an impossible revelation.
Then suddenly, as if something within it broke, its violent aura dissipated, and the crushing pressure vanished.
Then…
The dragon knelt on one knee!
It lowered its head respectfully and said in a deep voice:
"I welcome the new leader of the Heavenly Sect."
The three disciples were completely stunned.
How had this terrifying celestial beast become a submissive follower so suddenly?
As for Ryan, he quickly regained his composure, though his heart still pounded violently.
The dragon raised its head and said:
"I have waited a long time for the return of the sect's heir. You may now enter the Celestial Shrine, Leader."
Despite the shock, Ryan showed no hesitation. He stepped forward, his eyes gleaming with renewed determination.
As he took his first step into the valley, the thick mist began to part, revealing massive ruins covered in glowing inscriptions, as if they had awakened from a long slumber.
This was no mere ancient place…
It was the legacy of the true Heavenly Sect!
---