Chapter 126: Defeating the Eight-Headed Serpent

Xiao Yu’s words slowly reached Yaqi’s ears. Immediately, Yaqi revealed a grim smile, his eyes narrowing as he said, “Of course, our connection is far more than mere acquaintanceship. Back then, you were such a gentle breeze, yet with your strength alone, you thwarted our world-ending plans.”

Hearing this, Xiao Yu frowned deeply. He was half in disbelief. Yaqi was an ancient deity from primordial times; if he had truly crossed paths with him, did that mean Xiao Yu was also from that ancient era? Such a notion was absurd.

“Heh, judging by your expression, you don’t seem to believe a word I say. But you must know, at that time, you were just like us in essence—perhaps even more savage. Yet when the moment of reckoning came, you turned against us, striking us down into slumber before ceasing your assault!”

As Yaqi recounted the past, his tone grew increasingly agitated, culminating in a furious roar.

Xiao Yu remained cold and indifferent, utterly lacking any recollection of these events. Slowly raising his sword and pointing it at Yaqi, he said in a cold voice, “Whether your words are true or false, if what you say is correct—that I once forced you into slumber—then today, I will do the same again.”

“Haha! With that mortal flesh of yours? I once held you in awe, but now, you are nothing but an insignificant ant before me! Even as a mere energy form, you have no right to spout such arrogance!”

With a furious roar, Yaqi opened his mouth, unleashing a torrent of black flames that surged fiercely toward Xiao Yu. Xiao Yu’s eyes sharpened, and with a swift flash, he dodged. In the blink of an eye, he closed the distance to Yaqi and struck with a sword slash.

A sharp sword aura lashed toward Yaqi’s head. In response, Yaqi’s hands trembled, summoning a pair of black fiery swords to block Xiao Yu’s attack. He then pressed forward, engaging in fierce close combat.

However, this close-quarters battle put Xiao Yu at a disadvantage. Yaqi, though only an energy form, was elusive and cunning. Xiao Yu’s sword strikes caused little harm, while Yaqi’s elusive maneuvers nearly ambushed him several times.

“Damn it! I refuse to believe your energy form is impenetrable!” Xiao Yu cursed under his breath, flashing once more into combat with Yaqi. Eventually, Yaqi manifested eight arms, each wielding a black fiery sword. His offense and defense became flawlessly coordinated, leaving Xiao Yu momentarily helpless.

Just as Xiao Yu found himself at an impasse, his mind suddenly filled with a familiar voice.

“Boy, if ordinary attacks cannot pierce his energy form, then unleash your greatest power. The strength of the sun, moon, and stars within you can suppress this foe.”

Instantly enlightened by this advice, a fierce aura burst forth from Xiao Yu’s body. His tightly gripped sword trembled violently.

“Void-Splitting Slash!” Xiao Yu shouted, raising his sword high before bringing it down upon Yaqi with tremendous force.

Sensing this familiar power, Yaqi’s disdain faded. His eight arms swung their fiery swords wildly, but he had underestimated the power of the sun, moon, and stars.

Though seemingly ordinary, Xiao Yu’s strike was imbued with a formidable cosmic energy. That single slash shattered Yaqi’s fiery sword defense and struck directly upon his shoulder.

This time, instead of merely grazing Yaqi’s form, the sword severed one of his arms completely.

Under the corrosive might of the celestial power, Yaqi howled in agony and hastily retreated, avoiding further blows.

Remarkably, the severed arm did not regenerate, likely because of the sun, moon, and star energy’s suppressive effect.

“Damn you! How is it that your body contains the power of the sun, moon, and stars?” Yaqi snarled furiously at Xiao Yu.

Xiao Yu ignored the rage-filled cry, shaking his sword to unleash a volley of piercing sword auras. Corroded by celestial power and grievously wounded, Yaqi had no way to evade. The sword auras struck him repeatedly, causing most of his form to vanish, leaving only a faint upper torso flickering in the void.

With the strike successful, Xiao Yu rested his sword behind his back, his gaze icy as he stared at the weakened Yaqi. After two severe blows, the energy form was no longer as strong, its aura faltering.

“Heh, this is the second time you’ve gravely wounded me. Even if you force me into slumber again, so what? One day, we will all awaken and bring destruction to everything before us. Hahaha!”

With those words, Yaqi’s remaining half-body slowly dissolved into the void, his mad laughter echoing endlessly.

As the fierce battle ended, calm swiftly returned to the surroundings. Xiao Yu stood alone in the void, his mind swirling with the mysteries behind Yaqi’s words, stirring countless questions. He turned silently to look at Kong Wu Dao and the other.

Seeing Xiao Yu’s gaze, the two sighed helplessly, saying nothing. Without a word, they tore through the void and vanished over the horizon.

Watching them leave so abruptly, Xiao Yu was certain his two mentors knew more than they revealed. Once back in Yanxia, he resolved to seek the truth.

Now, only Feng Qingge remained beside Xiao Yu in the void. When and how Dongtiao and the others departed was unknown.

“Do you still wish to fight?” Xiao Yu asked Feng Qingge calmly, his face betraying no emotion.

Feng Qingge smiled wryly and shook his head. Fight? What chance did he have against Xiao Yu now? Even the god revered by the Sakura Kingdom had fallen so easily to him. For Feng Qingge to continue would be self-humiliation.

With that thought, Feng Qingge said slowly, “I am no longer your match. Now, no one in the Sakura Kingdom can stand against your steps.”

After speaking, Feng Qingge’s figure slowly faded away. Xiao Yu made no move to stop him. Watching Feng Qingge vanish, Xiao Yu’s form flashed, and he approached the Twelve Celestial Descendants.