Bab 86: Chapter 86: Out of the Frying Pan into the Fire
Back in the heart of the central area, where the once-ebbing tide of Flood Dragons had surged, Cang Yue and Little Fairy found themselves locked in a tense standoff with the two colossal dragons hovering above them. The sudden appearance of these ancient beasts had sent the gillians slinking back into the shadows of the Garganta, their ranks broken by Yun Che's strategic intervention that had weakened Granz and disrupted their control.
Now, with the gillians in retreat and the lower-level hollows scattering like leaves before a storm, only the defiant trio of Cang Yue, Little Fairy, and Kon remained to face the looming threat of the dragons.
As the dragons fixed their piercing gazes upon the three figures standing resolute amidst the mountain basin, the male dragon's voice reverberated with a primal intensity. "Two humans dare to intrude upon our domain."
With a threatening aura suffusing the air, the male dragon's next words hung heavy with menace. "I shall rend them limb from limb until they relinquish our offspring."
Cang Yue and Little Fairy braced themselves, their senses keenly attuned to the palpable danger emanating from the dragons. The beasts had driven back the hollows, their power undeniable. Against adversaries of such magnitude, even Little Fairy, with her mastery hovering at the pinnacle of the Grand Perfection of Sky Profound Realm, felt the weight of uncertainty pressing down upon her. Now, reduced to the Fifth Level of the Emperor Profound Realm, their chances seemed slim, their odds insurmountable.
Kon, trembling with fear, sought refuge behind Cang Yue's protective stance, his eyes wide with trepidation as he clung to her like a lifeline in the face of the dragons' relentless advance.
One of the Flood Dragon swing by and started to smash their location with its tail. Little Fairy and the others immediately avoid its attack and started to run. There's no way for them to engage the dragons.
As the ferocious Flood Dragon swung its colossal tail, the ground trembled beneath the force of its assault, sending debris scattering in all directions. With lightning reflexes, Little Fairy and her companions leaped clear of the impending destruction, their hearts pounding with adrenaline-fueled urgency as they scrambled to evade the dragon's relentless onslaught.
Bounding away from the danger zone, they watched in awe and dread as the two dragons, resembling a formidable pair of primal titans, unleashed a devastating onslaught upon the remaining hollows with twin torrents of swirling tornadoes. The tempests, initially no more than mere whirlwinds, swiftly grew to monstrous proportions, engulfing everything in their path with an unstoppable fury.
Realizing the futility of direct confrontation, Little Fairy seized Cang Yue and Kon, her resolve firm as she propelled them to safety with all the swiftness her enhanced abilities could muster. Her mind raced with the sobering acknowledgment of their predicament – facing two Emperor Profound Rank dragons was a perilous gamble, one they could ill afford to take lightly.
"There's no hope of besting them head-on," she muttered grimly to herself, her thoughts a whirlwind of determination amidst the chaos surrounding them. "But I won't let harm befall these two under my watch."
With practiced precision, Little Fairy halted their retreat, her steely gaze fixed upon the approaching maelstroms of destruction. Drawing upon her mastery of the Frozen Cloud Sword Technique, she focused her energy, weaving a spell of frost and fury into a vortex of her own creation. As the icy tornado surged forth to meet the dragons' onslaught, a clash of elemental forces erupted, sending shockwaves reverberating through the mountainous terrain.
The collision of titanic energies unleashed a cataclysmic storm, shrouding the landscape in chaos as rocks and trees were swept up in the tempest's fury. Amidst the chaos, Little Fairy swiftly erected a protective barrier, encasing herself, Cang Yue, and Kon within its icy embrace, shielding them from the worst of the devastation.
"So it is actually a human who has stepped halfway into the Emperor Profound Realm and another one who has stepped halfway into the Earth Profound Realm. Since you humans took our child away from us. You can forget about ever leaving again!" Yet even as the tumult subsided and the dragons' voices echoed ominously overhead, Little Fairy knew that their trials had only just begun. With grim determination etched upon her features, she steeled herself for the challenges ahead, resolved to defy fate itself in order to safeguard those entrusted to her care.
In the midst of the escalating confrontation, Little Fairy's voice cut through the tension like a blade of ice, her words laced with a frosty resolve. "We stumbled upon this place by chance, defending ourselves against your aggression. We bear no knowledge of your child."
But the female dragon's fury brooked no dissent, her accusations ringing out with a venomous intensity. "Your kind's treachery knows no bounds! It was your brethren who betrayed our mercy, slaughtering our offspring in cold blood after we showed them clemency. We shall not be fooled again! Human, prepare to meet your end!"
As the dragons surged forward, jaws agape and talons poised to strike, Little Fairy unleashed her full power with a resolute cry. "It's now or never! Frozen Cloud Domain!"
In an instant, the landscape was transformed into a realm of crystalline ice, suffused with an ethereal blue glow that spread like a blanket across the mountain basin. Snowflakes danced upon the frigid breeze, and the very air itself seemed to crystallize, ensnaring the dragons within its icy grasp.
"A Domain...she's created a Domain!" Cang Yue exclaimed, her eyes wide with astonishment as she beheld the awe-inspiring spectacle unfolding before her.
Kon, clinging to her shoulder, looked on in wonder. "What's a domain?" he asked, his voice tinged with curiosity and fear.
Cang Yue's explanation came swift and sure, her voice filled with both awe and trepidation. "Domain Arts are legendary abilities, wielded only by those of the highest echelons of power. Within a Domain, the wielder holds dominion over the elements themselves, bending them to their will and shaping the very fabric of reality."
Kon's eyes sparkled with excitement at the prospect. "Wow, so if I reach the Emperor Profound Realm one day, I could use Domain Arts too?"
Little Fairy nodded, her expression tinged with pride despite the gravity of their situation. "Indeed, with dedication and training, you could harness the power of a Domain."
Turning her attention to Cang Yue, she continued to herself, "Retsu, aside from you, I too possess the ability to wield Domain Arts. However, my mastery pales in comparison. Nonetheless, within this Frozen Cloud Domain, our powers are magnified, and our enemies weakened."
Within the icy expanse of the Domain, Little Fairy's movements were imbued with newfound strength, her every strike honed to a razor's edge by the chilling embrace of her surroundings. As she launched herself towards the male dragon, her sword gleaming with the icy brilliance of Armament Haki, she sought to pierce through its formidable defenses.
But the male dragon, though slowed by the Domain's influence, still possessed a resilience born of its Emperor Profound Rank. With a contemptuous swipe of its claws, it sought to fend off Little Fairy's assault, its scaled hide proving a formidable barrier against her onslaught.
Despite inflicting small wounds upon the dragon's flesh, Little Fairy's efforts seemed futile against its monstrous resilience. Each strike drained her stamina, her reliance on Armament Haki exacting a toll upon her weary form.
Yet the female dragon, undeterred by Little Fairy's tenacity, issued a challenge of her own, her voice a taunting echo amidst the frozen battleground. "Impressive, human. But can you truly entertain us, or will you falter beneath the weight of your own ambition?"
With her stamina dwindling and the dragons' onslaught showing no signs of relenting, Little Fairy knew that she stood at a precipice, her every move a gamble for survival in the face of insurmountable odds. But with her companions relying on her strength, she resolved to fight on, come what may, her determination burning bright amidst the frozen tempest of battle.
Kon and Cang Yue watched in agonized helplessness as Little Fairy valiantly battled against the overwhelming might of the dragons, her every move a desperate bid to hold back the tide of destruction bearing down upon them.
"Why doesn't she run?" Kon's voice trembled with fear and frustration. "She can't possibly win against something like that!"
Cang Yue's eyes flashed with understanding amidst the chaos unfolding before them. "She's buying us time," she replied, her voice tinged with a mixture of admiration and concern. "For Yun Che and Retsu to return."
Kon's eyes widened with realization. "But... what can they do against those monsters?"
"They'll find a way," Cang Yue affirmed, her faith unwavering in the face of adversity. "We have to believe in them."
Meanwhile, Little Fairy strained against the dragons' relentless onslaught, her Domain shattered and her strength waning with each passing moment. Despite her best efforts, she found herself outmatched and outgunned, her every defense crumbling beneath the titanic force of the dragons' fury.
With a final, defiant effort, she staggered to her feet, her body bruised and battered but her spirit unbroken. "I am sorry... I couldn't protect you," she gasped, her voice laced with regret.
Cang Yue shook her head, her eyes brimming with tears. "No, it's me who should apologize... I am not strong enough to help you."
As the dragons' claws descended upon them, death loomed large, casting its shadow over their final moments. But amidst the chaos and despair, Cang Yue found solace in the bonds of friendship and love that had sustained them through hardship and strife.
"Rascal," she whispered, her thoughts drifting to Yun Che, her heart heavy with unspoken words and unfulfilled promises. "Am I still worthy of your affection?"
In that fleeting moment, as the claws of the dragons closed in, Cang Yue found peace in the knowledge that, though their journey had been fraught with pain and sacrifice, they had forged a bond that transcended life itself. And as she embraced Little Fairy, facing their fate together, she knew that, in the end, they would find solace in each other's arms, their love enduring even in the face of death's cold embrace.
Despite his overwhelming fear, Kon's bravery surged forth as he transformed into the golden lion cub once more, his determination overriding his instinct for self-preservation. Little Fairy and Cang Yue called out to him in a desperate attempt to dissuade him, knowing that his intervention could only exacerbate the peril they faced.
"Kon, no! It's too dangerous!" Cang Yue's voice rang out with urgency from below.
But Kon, emboldened by his newfound resolve, soared towards the towering dragons, his diminutive form dwarfed by their immense size.
As he approached, the dragons halted their attack, their curiosity piqued by the unexpected appearance of the golden cub. Little Fairy and Cang Yue watched in apprehension, their hearts heavy with concern for their brave companion.
"What manner of creature are you?" the male dragon inquired, his tone tinged with curiosity.
"I am Kon, a lion," Kon replied, his voice quavering with uncertainty even as his aura began to emanate, a golden glow suffusing his entire being.
"A lion dares to challenge us?" the female dragon scoffed, attempting to intimidate him with her formidable presence.
"Don't you dare harm them!!!!"
Feeling the weight of his companions' safety upon his shoulders, Kon's resolve hardened, and with a defiant roar, he unleashed a surge of golden energy that engulfed the battlefield, casting an image of the Winged Golden Lion God roaring triumphantly in the dragons' minds.
ROARRR!!!!!
Caught off guard by the unexpected display of power, the dragons recoiled in fear, their once-imposing demeanor shattered by Kon's potent aura.
Yet, as quickly as it had appeared, the golden aura dissipated, leaving the dragons trembling in its wake. Little Fairy and Cang Yue watched in awe and disbelief as the image of the Golden Lion lingered in their minds, its majesty leaving an indelible impression upon their souls.
Kon, still reeling from the experience, found himself faced with the dragons' incredulous inquiries.
"You... you're a Heavenly Beast?" the male dragon stammered, his voice trembling with awe. "Who are you, truly?"
"I am Kon-sama, the Legendary Golden Lion," Kon declared, his voice tinged with newfound confidence.
But as he attempted to summon his aura once more, he found himself met with failure, leaving him bewildered and uncertain of his own newfound power.
Before he could ponder further, a notification flashed in his mind, signaling a revelation that would change the course of their fate forever.
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[Ding... Due to the host's willpower, you have unlocked 'The Aura of the Heavenly Winged Lion God.' This aura uses absolute intimidation but this aura can only be used once a day. The host's cultivation isn't sufficient to support a long usage. Last only for 3 seconds.]
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"EHHH??!?? I am screwed," Kon exclaimed inwardly, his heart pounding with panic as he faced the wrath of the dragons.
The dragons, shaken from their momentary fear, regained their composure and turned their attention back to Kon, dismissing him as nothing more than a nuisance.
"You think you can intimidate us, creature? You are but a mere beast," the male dragon scoffed, his voice dripping with contempt as he lashed out with a powerful swipe of his claw.
Kon managed to evade the first strike, but before he could react, the female dragon unleashed a second attack, catching him off guard and sending him hurtling through the air like a ragdoll, crashing down near Little Fairy and Cang Yue's location.
"Kon!!!" Both Little Fairy and Cang Yue cried out in unison, their hearts filled with anguish as they watched their brave companion take the brunt of the dragons' fury.
As Kon emerged from the wreckage in his plushy form, his resolve remained unbroken, his determination shining through despite the pain.
"I'm not finished yet, you oversized lizards," Kon declared defiantly, though inwardly he knew the blows had taken their toll. Hindered by his inability to transform, he found himself at a disadvantage against the formidable dragons.
But just as all hope seemed lost, a miracle occurred. The ground shook with a resounding clang, followed by a deafening explosion as a massive pressure erupted from beneath the dragons' claws.
"Thanks, Kon. You did well. And to you girls, sorry for the delay," a familiar voice called out from the swirling dust, drawing Little Fairy and Cang Yue's attention.
As the dust settled, their eyes widened in disbelief and relief as they beheld the figures emerging from the debris, tears welling in their eyes at the sight of their long-awaited saviors.
From beneath the dragons' formidable claws emerged two figures, their appearance a stark contrast to the majesty of their power. Yun Che, adorned in tattered remnants of clothing and dirt, stood defiantly with his black sword raised, while Retsu, her attire barely concealing her modesty, exuded a palpable aura of deadly intent.
The dragons recoiled in disbelief at the sight before them. "Impossible! Who are you, humans?" they demanded, their voices tinged with fear and uncertainty.
Yun Che remained silent, his gaze steely as he raised his palm and invoked a familiar phrase. "Getsuga Tenshou," he uttered, his voice carrying a weight of authority as a dome-shaped energy erupted forth, enveloping the male dragon in its devastating embrace.
With a deafening roar of agony, the dragon was sent hurtling through the air, the sheer force of Yun Che's attack carving a massive crater into the earth below. Even without the aid of his mask, Yun Che's Purgatory aura blazed with an intensity that surpassed even the dragons' own power, propelling him to heights of strength unseen before.
Meanwhile, Retsu, her eyes ablaze with determination, unleashed her own devastating technique. With a swift motion, she deflected the female dragon's claw before plunging her sword into the earth and unleashing a torrent of azure flames from her palms.
"Soren Sokatsui!" she cried, her voice echoing with power as the fiery energy engulfed the female dragon, sending it careening through the air with a thunderous explosion of force.
As Little Fairy and Cang Yue looked on in awe and disbelief, witnessing the sheer might of their rescuers, they couldn't help but marvel at the vast disparity in strength between themselves and these legendary figures.
Turning to face them with a wry smile, Yun Che and Retsu spoke in unison, their voices filled with both apology and reassurance. "Sorry, we're late."
PERTIMBANGAN PENCIPTA 
Nora_Danish
Nora_Danish Domain Little Fairy, just like in the original. I am not making her weak. In the original story, both her and the dragons have the same strength. But in here, the difference was too much.
Status Power Mingguan
-- Peringkat
Power 
-- Power
stone