Long Yun found himself at a loss for words to describe his feelings at that moment.
If it weren't for his identity, he would have really liked to have a good cry.
A human actually had the body of a Dragon God.
Now that was something, if Xu Nian were to release his oppressive aura.
He feared that even if he used all his strength, it would be greatly weakened.
He wouldn't even feel like raising his hand against Xu Nian.
"I...I, Long Yun, have met the great Dragon God," Long Yun said as he bowed to Xu Nian.
Although it felt awkward, it was indeed the truth.
A truth he had to admit.
Xu Nian's bloodline was indeed many times nobler than his.
At that moment, the guards of Zhu Yan on the mountain were also shocked.
However, they knew that the Dragon Clan had a strict hierarchy.
Such bloodline suppression was inherently natural.
"There's no need for that, Brother Long Yun. Since we know each other, there's no need to be so formal, and besides, I never intended to make distinctions of superior or inferior, we're still equals," Xu Nian said with a smile.
"Alright, since the lord has instructed so, I shall comply," Long Yun responded with a slight smile and stood up.
He also began to have a great liking for Xu Nian.
Although Xu Nian was human, since he had such a bloodline,
he would definitely have a high status among the Dragon Clan in the future, and befriending Xu Nian would bring great benefits.
"Hehe, I told you Brother Xu Nian is the greatest. How about it, senior brother, you're no match for my Brother Xu Nian, are you?" Yann Xi, elated, flew over from a distance and hugged Xu Nian's arm as she spoke to Long Yun.
Long Yun, hearing this, was on the verge of tears.
Yann Xi's ability to tease was simply too strong.
After all, he had witnessed it during the previous fight.
The Tree-man elder and the guards of Zhu Yan also flew over.
Each of them began to look at Xu Nian with immense respect.
Xu Nian's recent fight had earned their respect.
And now that even the Beast Emperor had submitted to him, what reason did they have not to respect Xu Nian?
"Brother Xu Nian, what are your plans next?" Long Yun asked Xu Nian.
He knew Xu Nian wouldn't stay here long, so he wanted to hear Xu Nian's thoughts.
Upon hearing this, Xu Nian's face showed a contemplative expression.
Then he spoke, "I plan to break through to the Battle Emperor Realm here, and then take Yann Xi back to Tianhuang City, after all, her uncle is very worried about her safety."
Yann Xi also nodded her head.
She too missed her uncle.
When she learned that her uncle's hair had turned white for her sake, guilt surged in her heart.
"Break through to Battle Emperor?" Long Yun's attention stayed on the first half of Xu Nian's statement.
He knew Xu Nian practiced Spirit Body Dual Cultivation, and his Spiritual Cultivation had already reached the Peak of Battle Saint.
But breaking through to Battle Emperor didn't seem like an easy task.
"With this, I believe the Spiritual Energy needed to break through to Battle Emperor should be enough," Xu Nian said with a slight smile. He flipped his palm, and a Demon Core appeared in his hand.
This was the Demon Core of the giant snake he had hunted in the Death God Domain.
Xu Nian had kept it exactly for the purpose of absorbing it when breaking through to Battle Emperor.
Now, it seemed, it was indeed time to break through.
Xu Nian knew his breakthrough would definitely trigger the Heavenly Prohibition again.
That would certainly bring about another Heavenly Tribulation.
To make a breakthrough, it was indeed best to choose a place where no one was around.
"This is a Three-star Demon Emperor's Demon Core. Did you kill it?" Long Yun asked in surprise.
"Yes, I killed it with the help of someone else," Xu Nian nodded and said.
The crowd around them all showed expressions of astonishment.
Xu Nian had actually managed to kill a Three-star Demon Emperor while still at a One-star level.
This kind of over-ranking battle prowess was truly extraordinary.
In fact, they did not know that when Xu Nian had killed that Demon Snake, he was still only at Saint Level.
Subsequently, Xu Nian stayed alone in the valley, meticulously absorbing the power of the Demon Core, charging toward the realm of Battle Emperor.
Long Yun and the others didn't go far and retreated to the mountaintop.
They were eager to see what kind of spectacle it would be after Xu Nian's Spiritual Cultivation also broke through to the Battle Emperor realm.
As Xu Nian was frenziedly absorbing the power from the Demon Core,
three figures had already arrived at the edge of the Southern Wilderness County.
These three were walking through the air, their presence simple and unadorned, but the invisible aura they emitted made others unconsciously withdraw.
The leader was a young man dressed in luxurious brocade.
Following him was a middle-aged man built like an Iron Tower and a white-haired old man.
If an Emperor-level strong man were present, they would be extremely surprised.
Because the cultivation of these three was not low, all had reached Emperor Level.
The old man had even reached the peak of Four-star Battle Emperor.
And the Iron Tower man beside him was also quite strong, having reached Three-star Battle Emperor Body Emperor Level.
Even the leading young man possessed the realm of the Peak of Two-star War Emperor.
"Your Highness, it's truly a once-in-a-century glimpse for you to ascend to the peak of Two-star War Emperor just after breaking through to the Battle Emperor level," the Iron Tower man said admiringly to the young leader.
His tone was filled with reverence and envy.
Although he was at Three-star Body Emperor cultivation, against this young man, he could only be defeated.
The young man smiled slightly upon hearing the Iron Tower man's words.
Indeed, he was the Eighth Prince.
After absorbing Heavenly Lightning, his strength had reached the peak of One-star Battle Emperor.
Later, he received a treasure gifted by his ancestors from his father the emperor.
With that treasure, he quickly advanced from One-star Battle Emperor to the Peak of Two-star War Emperor.
Able to attract the Second Level Heavenly Restriction, his current Battle Emperor strength could compare to ordinary Four-star Battle Emperors.
"You know, I don't understand why my father the emperor places so much importance on this Xu Nian. He's just a One-star Body Emperor. I could obliterate him myself; why bother sending your highness personally?" the Iron Tower man spoke again.
"You're wrong about that. If you underestimate Xu Nian, you might well end up being defeated by him. Xingchenzi made that mistake before and hence died by Xu Nian's hand," the Eighth Prince cautioned.
He knew that for Xu Nian to reach such a high level of cultivation at his age, he must possess extraordinary methods.
Otherwise, he wouldn't have survived until now.
Therefore, he didn't underestimate Xu Nian at all.
"The emperor has this time asked Your Highness to intervene, which seems to be a test of your intentions, Your Highness. If you successfully accomplish this task, it's likely that the emperor will be reassured to pass on the imperial throne to you," the old man, who had been silent so far, finally spoke.
The Eighth Prince laughed lightly.
That was utterly within his grasp; what he wanted was not just that.
"Xu Nian, just wait, soon all the secrets you possess will belong to me," the Eighth Prince sneered.
Then his figure continued to move towards the direction of Tianhuang City.