"ROAR~~~" The Crimson Dragon Sword pierced into the evil spirit through its gaping maw and out through its rear, running clean through its entire body. The evil spirit let out a miserable shriek, writhing in agony.
"Naive spirit. Did you really think we brothers would turn on each other? We were just putting on an act to lower your guard—so we could deliver a killing blow."
"The golden lotus from earlier was a fake. It had all the appearance of force but no real offensive power—enough to fool everyone beneath us." The Imperial Ancestor sneered.
"An evil spirit is still an evil spirit—all power, no brains. Hahaha!" The Supreme Elder joined in with a mocking laugh.
"Damn you humans, you're despicable to the very core! I'll take you down with me!" The evil spirit was consumed by rage. It had schemed against the two of them from the start, only to realize it had been the one played all along.
It unleashed every last ounce of its strength from its grievously wounded body, prepared to sacrifice everything and drag the Imperial Ancestor down with it.
"Do you really think you can still fight me?"
But the Imperial Ancestor gave it no chance. The Crimson Dragon Sword swept forward once more, and a crimson dragon roared off the blade to meet the evil spirit head-on. In a single collision, the spirit was blasted to oblivion—not a trace of it remained, not even a wisp of aura.
"Big Brother, this replica golden lotus of yours really is something. It's practically indistinguishable from the real one. When you used it just now, even I almost believed it was genuine—that's why I had to raise the Crimson Dragon Sky-Shielding Shield to defend myself." After the spirit's demise, the Imperial Ancestor smiled.
"Indeed. The golden lotus was bestowed upon me by Father. Its offensive power is absolute, and I've never been willing to waste one."
"However, after considerable research, I did manage to create these replicas—identical in appearance and deterrent force to the real golden lotus. They're quite weak in actual destructive power, but at the very least they can scare people." As the Supreme Elder spoke, another golden lotus appeared in his palm.
"But don't dismiss them as mere fakes—they still carry some offensive capability. Why don't you test it out with your barrier and see just how much power this replica packs?" the Supreme Elder said with a grin.
"That's..." The Imperial Ancestor's expression shifted slightly. He was about to say something.
"Go!" But the Supreme Elder had already flicked his sleeve. The golden lotus shot from his hand, splitting into several golden arrows that streaked toward the Imperial Ancestor with blinding speed.
Even so, the Imperial Ancestor didn't panic. He didn't raise his sword to block either. Instead, he spoke calmly: "Big Brother, this golden lotus of yours keeps getting more and more convincing. It would certainly frighten off plenty of strong fighters. As for its real power—let me analyze that for you."
With those words, his robes billowed, and a thin barrier shimmered into existence before him—intended to meet the replica golden lotus head-on.
"Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang!"
But the instant those golden arrows collided with the barrier, it was shattered in the blink of an eye. At the same moment, the arrows surged forward with terrifying momentum, hurtling straight toward the Imperial Ancestor.
"Not good!" The instant his barrier crumbled, the Imperial Ancestor's composed expression changed drastically. He realized with shock that the golden lotus was no replica—it was the genuine article.
But by the time he realized it, it was far too late. There was no room to dodge; he could only brace and take the hit head-on.
His will surged, and layer upon layer of purple barriers erupted from his body in an unending cascade, attempting to withstand the incoming golden arrows.
"Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang!"
Explosive booms rang out ceaselessly before the Imperial Ancestor. Yet one after another, the purple barriers were obliterated. In the end, every single golden arrow struck him dead-on.
"Hummm."
But the moment the golden arrows landed on the Imperial Ancestor, his golden robes erupted with dazzling golden radiance that intertwined with the arrows.
"A treasure weapon—the Crimson Dragon Robe. I should have known. Father must have given you this as well."