The moment the words fell, lightning flashed and thunder roared. Thunder Serpents danced wildly, illuminating the pitch-black Diseased Domain as if it were broad daylight.
Amidst the torrential rain, the Silver Radiance King quietly held up a golden Sanskrit umbrella, shielding against the storm.
Jiang Yan looked at the seven severed, shattered chains, his gaze calm.
They did not fall despite being cut by the Dragon-Pacifying Nail. Instead, they spiraled in the air, swiftly intertwining into the form of a dragon head. A single horn protruded, and the chains transformed into fluttering dragon whiskers. Thunder flowed beside it, merging into its eyes, turning into dazzling pupils.
It looked down on Jiang Yan from above, with the vast might of a dragon sweeping forth, exuding a suffocating sense of oppression.
That was the instinctive fear of life when encountering a creature at the top of the food chain, capable even of suppressing an individual’s strength.
Even Jiang Yan was not exempt—however...
The flame atop the Ash Lamp flickered, dispelling the suppression brought by the dragon’s might.
The ghostly candlelight shone through the ages!
The thunderous pupils atop the dragon head fixed upon Jiang Yan and let out a booming voice: “Human, how did you discover it?”It did not deny it. After all, Jiang Yan had used the Dragon-Pacifying Nail to sever the chains, indicating he had already found the answer.
There was no point in arguing.
What intrigued it more was—when exactly had it exposed itself?
Could it be that its performance, so earnest and heartfelt, still failed to resemble a True Dragon guarding all living beings?
Jiang Yan chuckled lightly, “Your acting was decent, but unfortunately, it couldn’t escape my eyes.”
Though the Wild Histories mentioned that the Earth Serpent tried to transform into a dragon but was suppressed by the Nine Dragons, that was merely the most widely circulated tale.
Beyond that, many other Wild History stories existed.
For instance, that the Earth Serpent was formed from Nüwa’s intestine, locked down by the Nine Dragons. That the Taiping Army’s dragon vein was nailed down by the Qing Dynasty, leading to the creation of the Nine Dragon Stone Statues to seal it, and so on...
Especially when the Xiang Nu anchored the Diseased Domain with millions of beliefs, Jiang Yan was fully convinced that this was not a singular Diseased Domain, but rather a hybrid type—formed from a mixture of numerous Wild Histories.
If orthodox Diseased Domains were likened to benign tumors, then Wild History Diseased Domains would be malignant cells.
Without an anchor point, they would run rampant, ultimately piling together, mutating and evolving into something even more twisted and chaotic.
As for the core of the Diseased Domain, although it was well-hidden—
Jiang Yan was a master at “spot the difference” games, once topping his circle of friends.
Especially after cultivating the [Lamp-Igniting Method], his soul became powerful and his analytical abilities surged. When vast amounts of information surfaced, he habitually compared for differences.
Predictably, he found nothing.
So, he chose reverse thinking, locking onto similarities—and found a clue.
In all Wild History stories, the protagonist wasn’t the Earth Serpent.
For example, in Yang Jian splitting the mountain to save his mother—was the protagonist Mount Hua or the Three Holy Mothers?
Or the Jade Emperor who was merely background?
Naturally, it was Yang Jian.
Likewise, the Nine Dragons were the story’s core.
The Xiang Nu had not yet reached Ancient Talisman level. To fabricate nine True Dragons of at least Ancient Talisman grade, and to bring them from illusion to reality—was clearly unrealistic.
Thus, another protagonist emerged—what the Nine Dragons had transformed into…
Chains!
In every story, the Earth Serpent was bound by chains and imprisoned in a lake.
The serpent-headed Longbo giant bore signs of draconic transformation via chains, confirming his speculation.
Polluted by dragon blood, such creatures must exhibit matching transcendent traits.
Like how children resemble their mothers.
A chained Earth Serpent—could its transcendent essence be chains?
Not to mention that the serpent-headed Longbo giant outside the Diseased Domain was entangled in countless chains to keep it from being swept away by the Historical Long River.
If it could control chains, would it need to struggle?
Wouldn’t it simply break free?
All evidence pointed clearly—who was collaborating with the Xiang Nu? The answer was obvious.
Jiang Yan curiously asked, “You must have developed spiritual essence while suppressing the Earth Serpent, slowly absorbing its power over time. Once you accumulated enough, you initiated the Dragon Transformation ritual.
And you took advantage of its inability to speak, using it as a scapegoat to shield yourself from the tribulation of humanity. Am I right?”
“Human, you are indeed clever.”
The Spirit of the Chains of the Nine Dragons praised, surprised that the other party deduced most of the truth from such tiny details.
Even as an enemy, it felt admiration and—
Greed.
The spiritual essence of clever beings was often delicious.
Jiang Yan ignored its malicious gaze and asked curiously:
“But this plan still had risks, right? Clearly, devouring the Earth Serpent to ascend would be safer, yet you didn’t do that. Was it because...”
As he spoke, he raised the “Dragon-Pacifying Nail” in his hand.
The Chains of the Nine Dragons trembled violently in the distance, thunder roaring.
Seeing this, Jiang Yan smiled, “So that’s it. Before transforming into a dragon, you didn’t expect the Dragon-Pacifying Nail, which suppresses the Earth Serpent, to also restrain you, did you?”
This sealing item that bound the Earth Serpent—unexpectedly became its own lifeline!
Hence, the Spirit of the Chains of the Nine Dragons tried to use heavenly lightning to electrocute the Earth Serpent.
Unfortunately, that fellow was of the Earth element, naturally highly resistant to lightning, and withstood it through sheer force.
“Karma, how wondrous it is.”
Jiang Yan sighed, gaining deeper insight into causality. He could perhaps use this in future calamities to stir the forces of fate.
Clatter—!
“Human, so what if you’ve seen through everything? The weaker you are, the more despair your knowledge brings!”
The Chains of the Nine Dragons lamented. A great number of dark gold dragon-scale chains spread out, instantly covering the mountaintop. Golden dragon patterns flickered, transforming into a mysterious dome.
‘Law Seed——Nine-Dragon Heavenly Lock Dome!’
“This ability’s quite like the Nine-Dragon Divine Flame Dome—except you’re using thunder.”
Jiang Yan commented. Behind him, the Silver Radiance King raised the Dragon-Pacifying Nail, causing the immense dragon aura to tremble incessantly.
But it was quickly suppressed by the Chains of the Nine Dragons, which sneered, “So what if the [Dragon-Pacifying Nail] restrains dragon-kind? A mere Foundation Establishment Stage brat like you can’t bring out its true power.”
"I should thank you for clearing the final obstacle of the Transforming into Dragon. As a reward, I shall merge with you, and together we shall become a True Dragon and soar through the skies!"
"Roar! Roar! Roar!"
Before the words had finished, several dragon-shaped chains spread forth, wrapped in mighty thunder, roaring toward them. The aura of the peak of the Law Seed Stage surged forth, carrying with it the vast Dragon’s Might, sweeping over like a flood.
This was Jiang Yan’s strongest opponent in direct combat—without exception.
In response, the Silver Vajra King behind Jiang Yan did not wield it as a weapon, but instead released his grip, falling from the sky.
"Have you given up struggling?" The Chains of the Nine Dragons sneered.
Jiang Yan said blandly, "Quit playing dead. It’s your turn to work."
Ka! Ka!
With two loud cracking sounds, the Earth Serpent broke free from the remaining chains. Within its serpent eyes, human-like confusion and bewilderment welled up.
Clearly, it was the true target of captivity, the core of this plan—yet now, it could no longer make sense of the situation’s direction.
Who am I?
Where am I?
What am I doing?
The only thing it could confirm was that the human atop its head was perhaps... an ally?
Clearly not strong on his own, yet he manipulated the tides, forcing the stronger self to become a grasshopper tied to the same rope.
Of course, the Earth Serpent could have refused.
But following Jiang Yan gave a hope for survival.
It could not die yet!
So...
In just a moment of swirling thoughts, the Earth Serpent made its decision and bit down on the fallen Dragon-Pacifying Nail with its fangs.
Due to countless years of its body being pierced, fused with its flesh and blood, and constantly refined by thunder, in a way, it had become a furnace through which its Spiritual Essence had gradually aligned.
Moreover, since it had not transformed into a dragon, it lacked any innate suppression.
As long as it was not nailed into its flesh, the Dragon-Pacifying Nail would not suppress the Earth Serpent’s power.
Thus, Jiang Yan connected two Heart Monkey arms between himself and the Earth Serpent, constructing a bridge of the heart.
Heart Monkey Technique—Witnessing Truth of Heart Connection!
At that moment, the Earth Serpent felt as if it had become an external limb of this human—a strange sensation.
The world seemed... clearer!
The chains that had trapped it for years, like a nightmare, suddenly appeared especially fragile, full of weaknesses.
Beyond that, it could sense the will of Jiang Yan transmitted through the Heart Monkey arms.
Cold, indifferent, utterly rational!
Still weak in strength, yet he treated this Diseased Domain like a chessboard. Whether it was himself, the Earth Serpent, the Chains of the Nine Dragons, or others—all were pieces in his hand.
Every action was to gamble for the final victory.
A madman!
Not much saner than a Xiang Nu.
The Earth Serpent grumbled inwardly, somewhat regretting whether it had boarded a pirate ship.
But at this point, there was no turning back.
"Stop thinking. Leave everything to me."
Jiang Yan’s calm voice echoed, and then he controlled the massive serpent body of the Earth Serpent.
Having experience operating the Shadow-Eating Serpent, Jiang Yan quickly got the hang of it, feeling the vast, earth-like power within.
He raised his hand, and the Earth Serpent twisted its body, swinging the Dragon-Pacifying Nail down with force.
Earth Serpent at peak Law Seed Stage + Dragon-Pacifying Nail + his insight into weaknesses—
The combination of the three triggered a wondrous reaction.
Buzz!
The Sanskrit script on the White-Bone Dragon-Pacifying Nail lit up one after another, radiating brilliant Buddha light, entwined with the aura of death, transforming into a sweeping sword aura.
Great Bliss Vajra Cleaver!
Rumble—!
A golden sword aura storm swept through, instantly crushing several dragon-shaped chains that approached, and rapidly expanded, forcibly breaking the dome formed by the Dragon’s Chains, dispersing into a rain of golden light.
Had the Chains of the Nine Dragons not dodged in time, their bodies would have been nearly severed, their Spiritual Essence extinguished.
Even so, more than half of the chains were severed.
Drip—
Dark gold blood seeped from the broken ends of the chains, dripping to the ground, appearing extremely wretched.
Boom!
The Earth Serpent shattered the bindings of the Nine-Dragon Heavenly Lock Dome, soared through the sky using the fluttering ribbon on its tail, and leapt into the air, feeling the long-lost...
Freedom!
Its dark golden serpent eyes gazed at the Real World just within reach. Emotions surged within those eyes, and it could not help but lower its head as tears fell.
Home was just ahead!!
This unconscious act by the Earth Serpent sent Jiang Yan to the apex of the Diseased Domain.
He sat regally on the golden serpent horn like a throne, gazing down at the spirit of the Chains of the Nine Dragons atop the mountain, and said calmly:
"Next, it’s your turn to please me. The loser shall witness the great feat of dragon slaying. Of course..."
"There’s only one dragon here—and that’s you!"