Immortal and Martial Dual Cultivation Chapter 2378 Epilogue 3 : Son of the Flood Dragon Humans, Part Three

From atop a towering peak, Yan Cangming gazed far into the horizon. Below him, millions of Flood Dragon Humans formed numerous clusters.

Guided by the elite Flood Dragon Human leaders, these groups advanced in a disciplined manner.

Flood Dragon Human cultivators positioned themselves along the outskirts of the formations, tasked with upholding discipline and shielding the masses from sudden threats.

In the centers of these groups sat the elderly, the frail, the women, and the young. Their faces displayed no delight or sorrow; emotions remained deeply suppressed. Across tens of thousands of years in the Abyssal Underworld, the Flood Dragon Human Race had endured endless hardships and suffering.

Such migrations had become all too familiar to the Flood Dragon Humans long ago.

Yan Cangming gripped his right fist tightly, a profound, wordless ache surging within his heart.

“Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!”

Several figures descended behind Yan Cangming. With solemn looks, they offered cupped-fist salutes. “Young Master, almost every scout ahead has been wiped out; just a handful made it back. Led by King Luohou, the nine major races of the Abyssal Underworld have us encircled.”

They've arrived? Yan Cangming pondered silently. Composed, he commanded, “Stick to the initial strategy. Dispatch the key experts to clear the path ahead. I'll handle the rear.”

“Young Master, you can't! You're the Flood Dragon Human Race's beacon of hope. How could you take on the rearguard duty?!”

“Allow us to guard the rear. We vow to fulfill this mission.”

The subordinates urgently attempted to change Yan Cangming's mind, refusing to let him cover the retreat.

A bitter smile flickered in Yan Cangming's heart. Indifferently, he stated, “Often, dying alone won't resolve the crisis. Holding the rear demands unmatched power. Defeat me, and the rearguard is yours.”

“This...”

“Rumble...!”

Right then, the earth quaked violently, and the heavens rumbled.

The Flood Dragon Human elites' faces paled in shock. Peering from the lofty summit, they spotted three massive dust storms rising at the edge of sight ahead. A nearer inspection revealed them as the full forces of the Rakshasa Race, Yaksha Race, and Phantom Race.

These three armies surged forward with their complete might. Their ranks stretched endlessly, resembling tidal waves of savage creatures, assaulting the Flood Dragon Humans from three sides.

“Such incredible speed!”

Those standing behind Yan Cangming drew in sharp breaths.

Not the swift advance of the three Abyssal Underworld races startled them, but the fact that all three armies mobilized entirely.

The three races had rallied nearly their entire populations to seal every escape route for the Flood Dragon Humans. Should the Flood Dragon Humans attempt a breakout, countless lives would surely perish.

Yet, should they fail to break through, encirclement by the foes would spell doom for their entire race.

Genocide of the whole race!

Minds reeled in everyone's heads, stunned like by thunder, legs buckling as the shared thought overwhelmed them.

“Relay my command. Instruct the vanguard to forge a route for our kin, no matter the price—even their lives,” Yan Cangming declared resolutely, his face hardening coldly.

“Yes.”

A single warrior departed at once atop an Underworld Ghost Bird. He soared around the Flood Dragon Human clusters, bellowing, “Young Master's directive: vanguard, charge!”

“Yes!”

Ten million cries erupted together. Waves of bold young Flood Dragon Human disciples, mounted on terrestrial Abyssal Underworld beasts, hoisted their race's banners and thundered ahead without a backward glance.

Against the three tidal armies, the onrushing Flood Dragon Human cultivators appeared utterly dwarfed.

Yet these warriors never glanced back, pressing onward relentlessly.

With their very lives and fallen bodies, they aimed to hack open a survival path for those trailing behind.

“Yan Cangming, King Luohou commands your life be spared should you surrender to him!”

At that instant, a booming voice roared from the rear, shattering clouds and echoing everywhere.

Yan Cangming whipped around to see. Vast gatherings of Abyssal Underworld cultivators amassed behind, stirring up endless sandstorms as they barreled forward in crushing hordes.

Seeming infinite, they exuded unstoppable force, akin to a raging sea pouring forth.

The Abyssal Underworld cultivators advanced in perfect sync. Each stride sent tremors through the realm.

More terrifying than the frontal trio of armies, the pursuing six legions bred utter hopelessness.

Even from distance, the concentrated killing Qi sent shivers racing, stifling every breath.

Assailed head-on with enemies dogging their heels, the Flood Dragon Humans found no refuge left in the world.

Piercing wails echoed through the air. The forward Flood Dragon Human troops that had rushed ahead were already clashing with the forces of the three Abyssal Underworld armies.

Like a river merging into the vast ocean, the Flood Dragon Humans got instantly swallowed up. Still, they pressed on relentlessly.

“Damn it!”

Yan Cangming whipped his head around to check. He spotted the diverse Abyssal Underworld armies responding to a single banner's summons, assembling swiftly.

A regal banner whipped about in the gusts. This dark flag featured blood-red embroidery of the Asura Race's imperial totem.

The totem-emblazoned flag, woven as if from fresh blood, billowed dramatically, drawing in winds and clouds from every direction with vivid energy.

Under the banner, young King Luohou perched atop a savage Abyssal Underworld beast. His still-youthful features remained stoic and icy.

The powerhouses from the six armies rallied beneath this banner and burst forth from the rear.

A flicker of shock hit Yan Cangming. He hadn't anticipated Luohou Yun seizing command so rapidly.

Since the Underworld God Hall plunged into disorder, Luohou Yun had swiftly risen as the fresh ruler over the nine layers of the Abyssal Underworld.

“Young Master, what’s our next move? We’re completely encircled.”

“Allow us to get you away from here.”

“Young Master, we can’t waste time thinking!”

The elite Flood Dragon Humans trailing Yan Cangming urged him to escape right away.

As they pleaded, the Flood Dragon Humans’ vanguard collapsed. The Rakshasa Race, Yaksha Race, and Phantom Race armies fearlessly plunged into the Flood Dragon Human ranks.

Utter pandemonium exploded instantly.

The millions-strong Flood Dragon Human cultivators shattered apart in a brutal spectacle. A savage slaughter unfolded at once, with agonized screams resounding without end.

To the shock of his elites, Yan Cangming clenched his jaw and transformed into a streak of light hurtling toward the six Abyssal Underworld race coalition at the back.

“Young Master!”

Countless powerhouses and troops filled the six armies.

One look revealed over ten million cultivators crammed densely, resembling a surging sea in motion.

Answering the royal banner's call, the armies rolled forward like crashing waves.

A grim scowl darkened Yan Cangming’s face as he stayed mute, soaring straight for the royal banner.

Just one path existed. Only by capturing Luohou Yun could Yan Cangming save the Flood Dragon Humans from doom.

Yet slaying a single target amid ten million foes proved nearly impossible.

Blazing flames roared above the royal banner. Luohou Yun, mounted on his Abyssal Underworld beast, gazed coldly as Yan Cangming streaked toward him like a beam of light.

Against the ocean of six armies, Yan Cangming appeared tinier than a single raindrop.

“Bang! Bang! Bang!”

Undeterred, Yan Cangming barreled onward. His Death Dao Domain exploded outward, his tiny frame stirring massive waves, his aura crashing like an enraged black flood dragon battering the sea.

“Kill him!”

At that bellow, numerous Sovereign Emperor powerhouses from the six armies lunged forward.

But Yan Cangming seemed to ignite his very lifeforce, unleashing monstrous power. No matter their numbers, none could stand against him. The fiercer the battle, the wilder he grew.

A slaughterous aura cloaked him, building ferociously as he hacked down the obstructing Sovereign Emperors.

Soon, Yan Cangming’s aura reached the terror of Faux Gods—utterly dreadful.

He ripped a gap through the ten-million-strong horde, bellowing savagely as he closed in.

Bloodshot eyes glared from his face, now covered in thick dragon scales glowing red.

Death's aura swirled around him like deadly tendrils. None dared approach.

So close! Just a bit further, and I’ll reach Luohou Yun!

Yan Cangming could now make out every detail on that royal banner. Luohou Yun’s features atop the Abyssal Underworld beast sharpened into focus.

“Yan Cangming, how dare you act so recklessly here?!”

“Whoosh!”

Six silhouettes erupted from behind the royal banner. Six elders with horrifying cultivation levels emerged together.

“Boom!”

The six elders’ auras fused, brutally quelling Yan Cangming’s Faux God-level might.

“Get lost!” Yan Cangming thundered, his aura surging anew. A single strike sent the six elders flying back.

“Pu ci!”

Yet their joint assault struck him too, jolting his mind and soul while ripping his organs and meridians.

“Luohou Yun, you’ve gone too far, so don’t fault me for striking and wounding you!” Yan Cangming roared, channeling the explosive force from repelling the six experts into a palm strike crashing down on Luohou Yun from overhead.

“Thud!”

Under the crushing pressure, Luohou Yun's Abyssal Underworld beast mount quivered nonstop, driven down to its knees.

The royal banner fluttered wildly while the crimson Luohou totem stitched on it burned like a raging inferno.

“You are just a spent force.” With a cold snort, Luohou Yun jerked the reins hard, dragging the massive kneeling Abyssal Underworld beast back upright.

As the Abyssal Underworld beast rose once more, a crimson flame ignited between Luohou Yun’s brows. Ancient Demonic Might burst forth.

The supreme power and pressure passed down from an ancient Demonic Sovereign instantly crushed back Yan Cangming’s aura. At the same time, Luohou Yun unleashed a palm strike in retaliation.

“Pu ci!”

The moment their palms clashed, Luohou Yun hurled Yan Cangming flying like a worthless sandbag before anyone could blink.

“Whoosh!”

The force exceeding a Faux God’s might crashed down to absolute zero.

“Kill him!”

Luohou Yun tugged the reins anew, propelling the Abyssal Underworld beast forward two steps. Staring at Yan Cangming sprawled on the ground, wretchedly coughing up blood, his face betrayed no emotion.

Right then, all the wounds Yan Cangming gathered during his reckless charge exploded at once.

Yan Cangming's mind, soul, and body bore catastrophic damage impossible to mend swiftly. Now, anyone could finish him off with ease.

“Stop!”

At that instant, a brilliant saber light flashed into view. It streaked across the sky like a bolt of lightning. Wherever the saber light traveled, the world drained into stark black and white.

In that monochrome domain, the three armies butchering Flood Dragon Humans ahead and the six armies clustered under the royal banner all froze stock-still beneath the saber light’s glare. The saber light stunned them into inaction, holding back any reckless moves.

The entire world appeared to grind to a halt. Even the mindless Abyssal Underworld beasts sensed the saber light’s extraordinary terror.

A faint frown crossed Luohou Yun's face. He strained to lift his right hand, but his motions dragged painfully slow.

Under this saber light, space and time twisted beyond recognition. Lesser cultivators couldn't twitch a muscle.

As the saber light vanished, scarlet flame wings akin to a phoenix’s beat furiously and materialized right before Luohou Yun.

“A Demon Blood Vulture?”

Luohou Yun recognized the Blood Phoenix ahead as Xiao Chen’s former demonic pet, the Demon Blood Vulture.

Yet the rider atop it was not Xiao Chen.

“Senior Brother?”

Yan Cangming, sprawled in hopeless despair on the ground, lifted his gaze and spotted his Senior Brother Lin Feng astride the Demon Blood Vulture—the Lin Feng who had forsaken the Flood Dragon Humans to join the Heavenly Alliance.

“Luohou Yun, Brother Xiao asked me to bring a message. If you still remember the gratitude from back then, then let Yan Cangming and the Flood Dragon Human Race leave the Abyssal Underworld,” Lin Feng said as he looked at Luohou Yun from the Demon Blood Vulture’s back.

“I am immensely grateful to Big Brother Xiao. Naturally, I will repay this favor. The Flood Dragon Humans can leave, but Yan Cangming has to remain,” Luohou Yun replied calmly without much of a fluctuation in expression.

Yan Cangming had always harbored great ambition. Absent the Black Dragon King’s death, he would have seized control of the Underworld God Hall.

Moreover, Yan Cangming’s earlier breakthrough past ten million foes showcased his audacity and prowess. Luohou Yun could never permit such a threat to survive.

Though it stemmed from Xiao Chen’s request, Luohou Yun refused full compliance. He was no longer the naive young Luohou Yun. Now he reigned as King Luohou, the sovereign commanding the Abyssal Underworld’s nine races.

Lin Feng showed no surprise. He produced a Heavenly Alliance medallion and declared, “Before Brother Xiao left, he left three saber lights, one for a show of power. If you do not listen, then of the two remaining saber lights, one is for destroying you and the other, for destroying the entire Asura Race.”

“How arrogant!”

Lin Feng’s declaration sparked fury among countless Asura Race experts, their faces contorting with rage.

Hesitation clouded Luohou Yun’s features. Xiao Chen’s ruthlessness proved staggering. Given that prior saber light’s overwhelming power, Lin Feng’s threat rang utterly true.

Luohou Yun’s face shifted, hardening once more. His lips quivered faintly. Moments later, clenching his teeth, he growled, “Let’s go.”

“Whoosh!”

The royal banner spun about and withdrew alongside Luohou Yun. Still, his expression simmered with dark sullenness.

Evidently, resentment boiled within him.

Being cowed into retreat by a single man’s words would undoubtedly erode his authority, freshly cemented over the Abyssal Underworld’s nine races.

Once all had departed, Lin Feng stroked the Demon Blood Vulture and murmured, “Thank you.”

“Hehe! It’s just a minor matter.”

Joyfully tumbling through the sky, the Demon Blood Vulture transformed into blazing scarlet flames that lingered in the vicinity.

Lin Feng's figure blurred in a flash, landing right in front of Yan Cangming. He then supported Yan Cangming to his feet and stated, “Xiao Chen already agreed to give the Flood Dragon Humans a place to establish themselves. No one will cause trouble for the Flood Dragon Human Race for one millennium. After one millennium, the new epoch will start. After the Flood Dragon Humans have rested, they will have a chance at a new life in the new epoch.”

“Exactly what epoch did Xiao Chen establish?” Yan Cangming asked.

“The Divine Dragon Epoch. However, it is not the Dragon Race’s Divine Dragon Epoch. It is one where everyone is like a dragon; everyone is equal. There is no eternal life, and there is no Epoch Master. It is a new epoch where everyone can pursue their dreams without regret.”

[TL Note: “Everyone is like a dragon” is a Chinese idiom for everyone being equal. Dragons are synonymous with the emperor. So, in this case, if everyone is an emperor, then no one rules; everyone would be of equal status. It reminds me of a line said by the villain in The Incredibles movie: When everyone is super, no one will be.]