Dragon Prince Yuan c1-1251

by Translator: Yeow

  This pressure was vast and boundless, as if it was the aura of a king.

  Everyone looked over, only to see a scroll within the golden light.

  Zhao Tianlun and the rest were stunned as they involuntarily cried out, “This is… king Wu’s Imperial Decree?!”

  The presence from the scroll was all too familiar to them. It was the same presence from the Great Wu Empire’s king Wu.

  “You actually possess an Imperial Decree of king Wu’s?” The eyes with which Zhao Tianlun looked at Qi Yuan were filled with envy. King Wu’s Imperial Decree was no ordinary Imperial Decree. In a certain manner of speaking, it represented king Wu himself. Its most extraordinary attribute was that it was also a Genesis Treasure that had been imbued with king Wu’s will and the blessings of the Great Wu Empire.

  Even the numerous military leaders and great ministers of the Great Wu Empire would have to bow before anyone who possessed it.

  Most importantly, king Wu’s Imperial Decree had the ability to summon a projection of king Wu that wielded incredible power.

  Hence, king Wu’s Imperial Decree was insanely valuable and extremely difficult to create. It was rare to find anyone who had one even in the Great Wu Empire.

  No one had expected that Qi Yuan would actually have one!

  The golden Imperial Decree in Qi Yuan’s hand gave off rays of light as the aura of a king pulsed outwards, causing everyone to involuntarily feel like kneeling.

  However, a chilling coldness was revealed in Zhou Qing’s eyes as he gazed at the golden Imperial Decree. Had Qi Yuan brought king Wu’s Imperial Decree to Great Zhou to show off?

  “Zhou Qing, I was originally unwilling to use this treasure, but I have no choice now that it's come to this.” Said Qi Yuan through gnashed teeth. King Wu’s Imperial Decree was a one use item that would disappear soon after. Thus, Qi Yuan would only use it as a final resort.

  Mockery suddenly surfaced on Qi Yuan’s face as he stared at Zhou Qing.

  “Zhou Qing, a shadow was left in your heart when you lost to king Wu and he took one of your arms, causing your strength to fall, never improving even till now. Today, I will use king Wu’s projection to kill you!”

  “I want you to know just how useless you are when compared to king Wu, because he is a true king!”

  Qi Yuan laughed loudly. Without any hesitation, the golden scroll in his hand was flung open. Thousands of golden rays immediately shot out, as a faint human silhouette seemed to emerge from within.

  The human silhouette was very blurry. He seemed to sit atop an imperial throne, eyes filled with dignity as he looked down from above. Anyone who met his gaze would be awed by the aura of a king.

  The most shocking aspect of the golden figure was his Genesis Qi undulations, undulations that had reached the fifth layer of the Alpha-Origin stage!

  Out of all the individuals present, only Zhou Qing and Qi Yuan had reached the third layer of the Alpha-Origin stage, while everyone else was at the two layer level.

  Five layer Alpha-Origin was clearly enough to steamroll over everyone here.

  The golden figure on the throne was clearly just a projection, yet it caused the entire area to turn silent.

  “Is that… king Wu?”

  Zhou Yuan also observed the golden figure, his fists clenching tightly as iciness flowed within his eyes. It was this very person who had placed him on that cold atlar many years ago and stole his sacred dragon blessing. That same man had even sealed the dragon’s resentment in his body, causing the Dragon’s Resentment Poison to form.

  “King Wu… Wu Xuan!”

  In front of Zhou Yuan, Zhou Qing’s body trembled, veins of blood crazily climbing up in his eyes his unwavering gaze locked onto the golden figure. Back then, he had fought king Wu outside Great Zhou City, lost an arm and even personally witness his son’s blessing being stolen.

  These scenes had once again emerged from deep within his memories, still as bloody and bone reachingly painful as it had been on that very day.

  A pleased look flitted across Qi Yuan’s eyes when he saw Zhou Qing’s current appearance. With a cruel smile and a swing of the golden Imperial Decree, the golden figure slowly stood up from the throne. Astonishing Genesis Qi undulations exploded from its body, shaking the very heavens itself.

  Zhou Yuan’s expression turned grave. The power of five layer Alpha-Origin was enough to reverse the situation once again.

  He looked towards Wei Canglan and the rest and said in a serious voice, “We’ll attack together. The power of this Imperial Decree may be strong, but it will not last for long.”

  The others nodded in acknowledgement. Any one of them would likely be killed if they were to face a five layer Alpha-Origin stage opponent alone.

  However, just as Genesis Qi began to surge around them, Zhou Qing, who was at the very front, suddenly extended his hand to stop them.

  “Your majesty?” Wei Canglan looked towards Zhou Qing in confusion.

  Zhou Yuan also looked over.

  Zhou Qing’s hand tightly gripped the scarlet-red Nine Flames Spear while his body continued to tremble. Blood red veins had already climbed out in his eyes as he stared at the golden figure.

  Moments later, a hoarse voice sounded from this mouth.

  “I will deal with him.”

  Wei Canglan’s expression immediately changed upon hearing this and could not help but say, “Please don’t be reckless your majesty. That Imperial Decree golden figure… has cultivation of the five layer Alpha-Origin stage!”

  The current Zhou Qing was only at the third layer Alpha-Origin stage!

  Zhou Yuan’s expression fluctuated indeterminately.

  Zhou Qing slowly turned his head and looked towards Zhou Yuan, his voice still hoarse as he spoke, “The defeat from back then left a shadow in my heart, leading to a huge drop in my strength and making me unable to progress ever since that day…”

  “I need to overcome this myself, or I will never be able to take another step forward.”

  Zhou Yuan’s nose suddenly felt a little sour as he gazed at the Zhou Qing’s bloodshot eyes. How could the former not understand at this point that Zhou Qing had likely been living in that shadow for so many years?

  Wasn’t the appearance of the Imperial Decree golden figure a chance for Zhou Qing?

  However, this chance may end up in failure. If so… Zhou Qing would never be able to walk out from that shadow.

  Just how much courage was needed to make this decision?

  Warmth suddenly surfaced in Zhou Qing’s eyes as he looked at Zhou Yuan. He gently patted the latter’s shoulders as he smiled and said, “My failure to protect you back then was my mistake, but… I will not let him hurt you this time.”

  This was his final pride as a father.

  After saying these words, Zhou Qing delayed no further. With a small jerk of the Nine Flames Spear, he slowly advanced as he pointed the spear at the golden figure of king Wu.

  “Come Wu Xuan!”

  Chapter 109 Destroying the Shadow

  Zhou Qing took a step forward as the scarlet-red spear pointed at the golden figure. His expression was determined, as if nothing could stop him from destroying the shadow that had been left in his heart.

  “Zhou Qing ah Zhou Qing, it seems that you will not shed tears till you see the coffin.” Qi Yuan let out a sinister laugh, his eyes filled with mockery when he saw that Zhou Qing was going to take on king Wu’s projection alone.

  “If you were at your peak, this Imperial Decree golden figure would not be able to do anything to you. But the current you is a mere third layer Alpha-Origin, yet you still dare to be so arrogant?”

  Zhou Qing ignored Qi Yuan’s mockery. The former’s gaze was so tightly glued to the blurry golden figure that it was as if no other foe could enter his sights.

  “Since you wish to seek death, I will grant your wish!”

  Qi Yuan laughed icily, more than happy to watch Zhou Qing try to act tough. If Zhou Qing was killed, the advantage wo
uld be theirs again.

  With these thoughts in mind, Qi Yuan shook the golden Imperial Decree. Astonishing Genesis Qi exploded from the golden figure, making it even more intimidating.

  The bottom of Zhou Qing’s spear slammed into the ground. Thunder rumbled within his scarlet-red Genesis Qi as it dashed out from the top of his head.

  Boom!

  A hundred feet long stream of scarlet-red Genesis Qi swept out and headed straight for the golden king Wu projection. The Genesis Qi was scorching and violent, burning even the surrounding air.

  However, the king Wu projection did not even flinch. Instead, it shot forward as a punch was sent straight into the scarlet-red stream.

  Bang!

  The berserk Genesis Qi was blown away by the punch, causing the scarlet-red stream to fall apart.

  The power of this king Wu projection was more than enough to overwhelm any third layer Alpha-Origin.

  Zhou Yuan and the rest were naturally clearly able to see this, causing worry to rise in their eyes.

  Rumble!

  The king Wu projection stepped forward, fast as lightning as numerous fist images began to engulf Zhou Qing.

  Zhou Qing did not back down, choosing to match force with force!

  However, the outcome a dozen rounds later was him sent flying backwards. Blood had appeared at the corner of his mouth, evidence that he had gained no advantage in the previous clashes.

  “I’m afraid that Zhou Qing has gone mad.” Qi Yuan laughed coldly. It was indeed insane for a third layer Alpha-Origin to clash directly against a fifth layer Alpha-Origin.

  Beside him, the Zhao Tianlun trio nodded. It seemed that Zhou Qing had been triggered by the golden king Wu projection, causing him to lose all reason.

  The two figures continued to exchange blows in the sky. Zhou Qing seemed not to care how much he was being overwhelmed, continuing to relentlessly charge forward and meet the king Wu projection head-on.

  Thud! Thud!

  Muffled sounds echoed in the air, originating from the king Wu projection’s fists landing on Zhou Qing’s body.

  Crack!

  Zhou Yuan’s eyes were glued to the battle in the sky, fists clenched so tightly that cracking noises were emitted.

  After a few minutes, the king Wu projection was practically undamaged, while Zhou Qing’s figure now appeared exceptionally miserable, his lone arm gripping his spear as fresh blood dripped from his body.

  Even with such serious injuries, the Nine Flames Spear in his hand did not tremble as it was slowly raised.

  It was a tragic yet solemn scene.

  However, Zhou Yuan and the rest knew that the one Zhou Qing was challenging was not the golden king Wu projection in front of him, but the shadow that had been branded in his heart when king Wu had taken one of his arms so many years ago.

  Fresh blood flowed down the long scarlet-red spear as Zhou Qing looked at the king Wu projection and said in a hoarse voice,

  “Come!”

  Qi Yuan’s expression darkened somewhat. Zhou Qing’s tenacity made him a little uneasy. Hence, he immediately said in an eerie voice, “Fine, since he wants to die, I shall grant him his wish. It has been tiring for him to live in king Wu’s shadow for so long after all.”

  The golden Imperial Decree in his hand jerked.

  The king Wu projection paused for a moment before making a grabbing motion as powerful Genesis Qi began to gather behind it. As golden light surged, the Genesis Qi transformed into a golden wheel of light that was about a dozen feet wide.

  Rays of golden light emerged from the wheel, floating in the air in front of it as each ray transformed into a golden sword made from Genesis Qi.

  Swish! Swish!

  In the next instant, several thousand golden swords abruptly shot forward, seemingly covering the entire sky while blocking every possible route of escape for Zhou Qing. Such an attack could be said to be a finishing move.

  Golden swords filling the entire span of his vision, Zhou Qing roared, the Nine Flames Spear in his hand spinning like a fiery-red wheel. Flames and lightning twisting around it, forming a wheel of light.

  Clang clang!

  The swords arrived and smashed into the fire lightning wheel, astonishing Genesis Qi undulations exploding from every hit.

  The scarlet-red wheel did its best to endure, but the golden swords were too many and too powerful. Several penetrated the wheel’s defences, stabbing into Zhou Qing’s body with a ‘squilch’.

  A dozen breaths later, the golden swords finally disappeared.

  Countless gazes were cast in Zhou Qing’s direction, only to see that his head was slightly lowered, his only arm tightly gripping the Nine Flames Spear. Golden swords dotted his body, fresh blood dripping from them.

  Even with such serious injuries, his body remained as straight as a rod like the spear in his hand.

  This scene shook everyone from both sides, making them incapable of speaking. Even the soldier’s of Great Qi were awed by his unretreating and fearless posture.

  Zhou Yuan’s eyes suddenly reddened at this moment. He seemed to see the scene from over a dozen years ago when he had just been born, a figure standing in this same manner on the city walls, exhausting all of his power to stop king Wu.

  Although he had ultimately failed, he had clearly done everything he could.

  “He should soon be dead, right?” Qi Yuan’s eyes were grim as he stared at the extremely battered form of Zhou Qing. The former could feel the Genesis Qi around the latter gradually weakening.

  Every gaze both inside and outside the city had converged on Zhou Qing.

  Blood slowly dripped from the long spear. However, Zhou Qing’s shut eyes slowly cracked open at this moment. With a jerk of his body, the golden swords embedded in it were shattered.

  His eyes seemed to become extremely dazzling at this moment, as if the many years of dirt that had obscured them was gradually being washed away.

  The bloody holes on his body had also began to close.

  He stared at the king Wu projection. Although he knew that it was merely an empty vessel endowed with power, he still slowly said, “The battle back then had indeed ended your victory.”

  “And I had always believed that I lost to you.”

  “But… I now suddenly realise that I did not lose…”

  “Because I managed to protect my son’s life.”

  “You may have won the lands of the Great Zhou Empire and the sacred dragon blessing… however, you will one day realise that all of these external things you have won is not even worth a single hair on my son.”

  “He will definitely take everything back!”

  “The battle between Zhou and Wu has not ended yet!”

  The moment his final word faded, scarlet-red Genesis Qi suddenly exploded from within Zhou qing’s body like a volcano. His eyes became as glaring as the sun, while his Genesis Qi undulations began to rise!

  Fourth layer Alpha-Origin stage!

  Fifth layer Alpha-Origin stage!

  In short span of several breaths, Zhou Qing’s cultivation had risen from the third layer to the fifth layer of the Alpha-Origin stage!

  Horror immediately filled the faces of Qi Yuan, Zhao Tianlun and the rest.

  “His majesty… has broken free of the shadow in his heart and his strength has gradually begun to recover!” Wei Canglan trembled as he watched, his eyes suddenly reddening.

  Zhou Qing seemed to have cast off his many years of concession and tolerance, once again regaining his kingly dignity.

  Just like many years ago during the golden age of the Great Zhou Empire, the king whose might made even the seas shudder.

  Zhou Qing gripped his scarlet-red spear as powerful Genesis Qi erupted like a volcano. In the next instant, his figure disappeared as a streak of scarlet-red was painted across the horizon.

  Speed so quick that no one could detect him.

  Nine flaming pythons seemed to curl around the long scarlet-red spear while lightning danced at its tip
.

  Squerch!

  Zhou Qing’s figure appeared behind the king Wu projection as a flash of scarlet pierced the golden figure’s chest. Back facing back, Zhou Qing’s hand closed around the Nine Flames Spear that landed within it.

  The king Wu projection began to tremble violently at this moment. In the end, it gradually crumbled, transforming into golden light that filled the sky.

  Bang!

  The golden Imperial Decree in Qi Yuan’s hand exploded at this moment. Behind him, Zhao Tianlun and the rest were trembling, ashen-faced as they looked up at Zhou Qing in the sky.

  They never imagined that the shadow that had trapped Zhou Qing for so many years would be broken by him today through the king Wu projection!

  “It’s… truly over now.”

  Despair began to rise in Qi Yuan’s eyes.

  Chapter 110 End of the War

  Outside the main city gate, Zhou Qing stood in the air, flames burning and lightning cackling on the Nine Flames Spear in his hand. The powerful pressure that flooded out from his body was akin to a storm as it engulfed the land.

  As countless people gazed upon this figure, they seemed to once again see the dignified king of the Great Zhou Empire at its peak.

  “King Zhou Qing!”

  “King Zhou Qing!”

  Innumerable cheers filled with reverence exploded from the city walls, almost bursting one’s eardrums.

  Joy flooded Zhou Yuan’s eyes as he gazed at Zhou Qing’s mountain-like back. Overcoming the shadow in his heart meant that his strength would gradually recover, something that made Zhou Yuan sincerely happy.

  “Father, you did not lose to king Wu. The baby you gave everything to protect has now began to grow up.”

  “Retreat!”

  “Quickly!”

  While Great Zhou’s morale had skyrocketed, Great Qi’s had completely crumbled. Even Qi Yuan had a frightened look on his face as he yelled for them to withdraw.

  A split second after giving the signal, he was the first to shoot away, hoping to escape.

  The Zhao Tianlun trio also beat a frightened retreat. Zhou Qing’s strength had reached the five layer level, making none of them his match.