Chapter 499 - Farewell, My Old Friend

Amid the pouring rain in the Western Desert, the battle between the Flame Emperor and Yun Ao had also reached its final stage. The purple and green dragons each let out a clear cry and charged at each other.

As violent rumbles echoed, streams of purple and green flames fell rapidly. The rain evaporated. The earth burned and cracked. The yellow sand melted. Covered in yellow sand and desolation, the barren land was nearly destroyed beyond recognition.

However, Yun Ao was ultimately much stronger. The purple dragon was in such a grievous state. Not only had it lost more than half of its scales, but one of its horns had also broken off. Deep wounds that exposed bone covered it. In contrast, the green dragon was in much better condition.

In the next moment, the green dragon circled around and raised its head, biting down on the purple dragon’s neck. Boundless green flames scattered down, extinguishing its purple flames. The green dragon’s two front claws pierced deep into the purple dragon’s body. A hint of ferocity flashed in its eyes as it violently tore apart in both directions.

A pained roar rang out, and the purple dragon was torn into half. Blood gushed forth in torrents. Before it could even hit the ground, it had already turned into patches of purple flames, reducing the battlefield into a sea of purple fire. The Flame Emperor’s form also became much more transparent.

His condition was somewhat similar to Yun Jiansheng’s, in which his physical body had been destroyed long ago, leaving only his divine soul. He could only exist for so long without possessing someone because he had merged with the Dragon Mark. The purple dragon itself was formed from his divine soul and was also his very foundation. Together, the two shared honor and disgrace, loss and gain.

Without hesitation, Yun Ao took a step forward and pressed down with his palm. His green flames blazed fiercely and spread downward, compressing the purple flames to within three zhang of the Flame Emperor.

He frowned slightly. “Why wouldn’t you understand?! From childhood to adulthood, you were never my match. You could never beat me! If it weren’t for that brat back then, do you think you would have had these ten years of peace? You cannot defeat me! I’ll say it one last time, give me the Dragon Mark! Otherwise, even if you die, I will find Yun Zhan, Yun Fan, and that Feng kid!”

When the Flame Emperor heard Feng Xi’s name, his eyes closed. The next moment, his mark trembled slightly, and a corner of his body slowly crumbled. A trace of white-tipped flame, tinged with purple, slowly rose.

The dissipating purple dragon condensed once more, burning with white flames! Moreover, its size had increased, and even its aura had crossed the Feather Transformation realm. With a roar, it swung its tail fiercely, sending Yun Ao and the green dragon flying.

The Flame Emperor’s eyes snapped open. “Yun Ao!”

Two balls of white flame danced in his eyes. Even though his expression was unclear, one could tell how furious he was from his tone alone. A dragon has reverse scales; touch them and die. Feng Xi was the Flame Emperor’s reverse scale.

In just the span of a breath, a third of his divine soul had already burned away. His dragon mark grew clearer and clearer. A trace of vast and domineering dragon might scattered down, and the green dragon crumbled.

The two had known each other well since they were kids. They understood each other even better than they understood themselves. Yun Tian considered himself inferior to Yun Ao in every aspect. If there was one thing he was certain Yun Ao could not beat, it was Yun Tian’s willingness to sacrifice himself. This was his only chance of victory, and his only hope of defeating Yun Ao.

With a flicker, Yun Tian was already before Yun Ao. As his form burned faster and faster, a white flame was about to fall upon Yun Ao.

Yun Ao raised an eyebrow. “Are you that desperate? Think this through, Yun Tian! If you fail to kill me, everything you’ve done will be wasted—”

A violent rumbling sound suddenly came from the sky, and a vast divine power fell upon the field. To be precise, it fell into Yun Tu, who was watching the battle from afar.

Yun Tu knelt on the ground fanatically. “Glory to my god! Thank you for your blessing!”

His originally sturdy figure swelled tenfold, and his cultivation base also faintly reached the peak of the Ascension realm.

After letting out an inexplicable chuckle, he raised his head and smiled at the Flame Emperor. “Father, I have won against you in the end! Go to hell!”

The third eye on his brow opened. A red beam, carrying endless destructive intent, crossed the distance and shattered layers of space. The Flame Emperor couldn’t react in time. Even if he had, given the gap in their cultivation bases, he simply couldn’t have dodged this strike.

The white flames in Yun Tian's eyes and the dragon mark on his brow dimmed. He then crumbled at a rate faster than before. Gently, he let out a sigh as he understood his demise. He hadn’t lost to his archnemesis, but to the nether clan’s curse within the Dragon Mark. Father and son turned against each other; flesh and blood fought among themselves.

Yun Tu’s four arms pushed off forcefully, arriving before the two. Sweeping his gaze over them, his smile grew even wider. “Sorry, but I am the final victor!”

Yun Ao shot back, “Yun Tu, he is your biological father!”

A hint of sorrow flashed across Yun Tu’s face. “I have no choice! Seventh Brother and Father are the same! I never wanted to lay a hand on them, but I had no choice! Who told them to stand in my way? If they don’t die, how can I get ahead? How can you get the Dragon Mark?”

He grinned at Yun Ao. “Shouldn’t you thank me?!”

Yun Ao sneered disdainfully. “Indeed, even heartless and ungrateful isn’t enough to describe your insanity!”

Then, he shifted his gaze to the Flame Emperor. “Any last words?”

Although he had won, he felt no joy. There was even a hint of sorrow in his expression. Compared to Yun Tu, this sorrow came from the depths of his heart.

The Flame Emperor was silent. At this moment, only a small part of his body remained, and the Dragon Mark between his brows trembled nonstop, seeming on the verge of collapse.

Yun Ao frowned slightly. “Yun Tian, give it to me. I promise I will keep that Feng kid safe! If you destroy the mark, I will destroy her!”

The Dragon Mark’s collapse paused. Even though only the Flame Emperor’s head remained, a rare trace of struggle appeared in his eyes. “You better keep your words.”

“I mean what I say!”

The Flame Emperor turned away from Yun Ao and Yun Tu, gazing toward the direction of the Eastern Wasteland. Endless sorrow and reminiscence filled his eyes. Through the haze, he seemed to see a stunningly beautiful woman slowly walking toward him, her long dress flowing like autumn river.

His expression was somewhat dazed. “Feng Ling? Why are you here?”

“To see you.”

He said self-reproachfully, “I’m sorry. I might not be able to protect her anymore in the future.”

A trace of tenderness flashed in her eyes as she slowly came before him. Her hazy, jade hand gently caressed his face. “Can you win?”

“I don’t know.”

“You’re tired, aren’t you?”

“Yes.”

“Rest a while. The burden you carry is too heavy.”

He smiled. “Alright. I’ll listen to you.”

Thus, he stopped thinking about winning or losing entirely, and slowly closed his eyes. This last wisp of his divine soul also vanished, leaving only a mysterious and extraordinary Dragon Mark floating in the air, exuding vast dragon might.

Yun Ao stared at the Dragon Mark with complex emotions. This time, it truly is farewell, my friend.