After deciding to head to the Star Dou Great Forest to search for the Thunderclap Nethervine, Yu Yuanchen did not set off immediately. He knew well that this journey would be perilous, and having one more trump card meant having one more layer of protection. The Ring Fusion Secret Technique that had piqued his interest was precisely the power he urgently needed to master at this moment.
He explained to Dean Lei Dongtian that he needed to go into seclusion for a period to digest what he had researched. Lei Dongtian naturally agreed and arranged the quietest cultivation room in the academy for him.
For the next half month, Yu Yuanchen immersed his entire mind in the study of the Ring Fusion Secret Technique.
He already understood the principles of the secret technique by heart; the key lay in practice. Using his powerful spiritual power, which far exceeded that of a Soul Emperor, as a guide, he cautiously attempted to channel his soul power and connect different soul rings.
The initial attempts were not smooth. Soul rings were independent, each containing the original characteristics and soul skill rules of different soul beasts. Forcing them to fuse was like trying to mix water and fire, immediately triggering violent soul power conflicts and spiritual backlash. Had his spiritual power not been sufficiently resilient and his physique robust, he would have been injured long ago.
But he did not lose heart, adjusting after every failure. He first chose to start with the soul rings that were most closely linked due to his habitual combined usage—the first soul ring, Thunder Dragon Claw, and the third soul ring, Wrath of Thunder. Both originated from dragon-type or sub-dragon-type soul beasts, and both were related to basic lightning enhancement.
His spirit was highly concentrated, like the most precise carving knife, etching bridges of connection onto the intangible barriers of the soul ring origins. His vast spiritual power forcibly constrained the two strands of soul power, making them slowly approach, make contact, and attempt to merge. During the process, the soul power was as restless as a wild horse, and tearing pain radiated from his meridians, but he did not even frown.
Finally, on the seventh day, accompanied by a low hum, the light of his first and third soul rings suddenly merged beneath his feet, transforming into a more brilliant and deep lightning glow. Although it lasted for less than a breath before dissipating due to a lack of follow-up power, the instantly erupted might, which far exceeded the sum of the two, made joy explode in Yu Yuanchen's eyes!
"Success! Although it's just a prototype, the direction is correct!"
With the experience of this success, subsequent cultivation went much smoother. He practiced the fusion of the first and third soul rings repeatedly, extending the fusion time, and began to attempt to integrate the second soul ring as well. The process remained dangerous, but the consumption of spiritual power and the requirements for control were just within his range of tolerance.
Just as he was continuously practicing ring fusion, with his spiritual power and soul power in deep resonance and his potential being deeply excavated, an unexpected change occurred—
The Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Bloodline within his body, which had already become increasingly active and continuously purified due to the "Thunder God Power" and his multiple level-crossing absorptions of dragon-species soul rings, suddenly boiled as if stimulated by something intense!
"Roar—!"
A dragon roar that seemed to come from the primordial era resounded from the depths of his bloodline, shaking his entire sea of consciousness until it roared! Purple-gold light erupted from his body uncontrollably, especially the lock of purple-gold hair on his forehead, which shone as dazzling as the scorching sun! The blood throughout his body flowed like magma, his bones emitted cracking sounds, and an aura far more ancient, majestic, and closer to the origin of lightning than ever before slowly awakened like a sleeping giant!
Yu Yuanchen had a flash of inspiration and immediately guided this surging bloodline power. He felt that his Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Martial Soul was undergoing a certain essential leap under the scouring of this power! The phantom of the deep blue dragon scales became more solidified, and fine, dense, ancient purple-gold runes began to emerge within the textures. Within the dragon might, besides dominance, a sense of the sacred and the judicial was added!
Is this... a further awakening of the bloodline? No, it's a temporary evolution! Yu Yuanchen realized in his heart. He was already only one step away from the true top-tier dragon race—the Thunder Sacred Dragon (assuming in this setting, the Thunder Sacred Dragon is one of the evolutionary directions of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon). At this moment, stimulated by the potential triggered by the Ring Fusion Secret Technique and the deep resonance between his spiritual power and bloodline, he had briefly broken through that boundary!
With a thought, he actively stimulated this boiling bloodline power!
"Hum!"
A more brilliant purple-gold light completely enveloped him, and he himself seemed to have transformed into a small source of lightning! Behind him, a massive dragon-shaped phantom, covered entirely in purple-gold runic scales, with eyes as majestic as a deity and surrounded by tangible purple-gold electric snakes, appeared proudly! Although it was still somewhat illusory and unstable, its terrifying pressure already far exceeded that of the previous Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon!
Thunder Sacred Dragon! Although it was only a temporary, incomplete evolutionary form, its status and power had already undergone a qualitative leap!
However, the cost of maintaining this state was huge. Yu Yuanchen could clearly feel that his spiritual power, soul power, and bloodline power were all being consumed at a terrifying speed! With his current peak level 66 cultivation, in his prime state, he could only hold on for ten minutes at most! Once the time limit was exceeded, he would exit this state due to exhaustion and might even fall into weakness; forcing it further would damage his bloodline foundation.
What surprised him even more was that in this Thunder Sacred Dragon state, he had a flash of insight and attempted to perform ring fusion with his first five soul rings!
Under the governance of the higher-status evolved martial soul and the meticulous control of his surging spiritual power, the first five soul rings merged as smoothly as water and milk, transforming into a huge, deep black soul ring with purple-gold halos flashing at its edges! A terrifying power that was indescribable, as if it could summon the lightning of heaven and earth, condensed and sublimated within it!
A brand-new piece of soul skill information, originating from the source of his bloodline, naturally appeared in his mind—Bloodline Soul Skill: Thunder Sacred Dragon Descent!
"With this trump card, I can go to the Star Dou Great Forest!" Yu Yuanchen dissipated the bloodline power, feeling the slight weakness in his body, but his eyes were filled with confidence.
After leaving seclusion, he politely declined Lei Dongtian's offer to send someone to accompany him, saying only that he wished to travel alone to verify what he had learned. Lei Dongtian knew his strength was extraordinary and that he needed to hide his identity, so he did not insist.
Yu Yuanchen quietly left Elemental City and headed in the direction of the Star Dou Great Forest.
However, he did not know that a pair of eyes hidden in the dark had already set their sights on him.
The mole planted by the Elephant Armored Sect in Boulder Academy had noticed the unusual resource mobilization and frequent high-level contacts among the five major academies during the research project. Although they could not discover the specific content of the "Nature Transformation" (the Dean of Boulder Academy and his faction guarded this strictly against the other four academies), they instinctively felt that this matter was of vital importance. After much inquiry, they spared no cost to secretly bribe a teacher who worked at another academy but was only a peripheral figure who knew part of the inside story.
From that teacher, they learned that an important project was being led by a lecturer from Thunder Academy named "Yu Chen," and this person seemed to have a deep connection with the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan!
"Yu Chen? Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan?" The Elder of the Elephant Armored Sect responsible for this matter immediately associated it with the commission the sect had secretly accepted from the Black Flame Demon Flood Dragon Family—to assassinate the peerless genius of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Family, Yu Yuanchen!
Although there was a one-character difference in the name, and intelligence indicated that Yu Yuanchen should be a Soul Emperor while this Yu Chen was a Soul King, the age and the sect of origin matched so perfectly that they could not help but be suspicious!
"Better to kill the wrong person than to let one go! Send people to keep a close watch on him. Once he leaves Elemental City, find an opportunity to 'invite' him back! If it really is Yu Yuanchen, it will be a great achievement! If not, a young genius from the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan can still be traded for quite a few benefits!" The high-level officials of the Elephant Armored Sect issued the order.
Thus, shortly after Yu Yuanchen left Elemental City, two Elephant Armored Sect Soul Sages, whose auras were as heavy as mountains and who were dressed in plain clothes but could not hide their fierce temperament, followed him silently like ghosts.
After leaving Elemental City for over a hundred miles and entering a sparsely populated hilly area, Yu Yuanchen's powerful spiritual power keenly sensed the two strands of earth-attribute soul power fluctuations behind him, which were like maggots on a tarsal bone, deliberately restrained but still heavy.
Two Soul Sages... earth attribute... Elephant Armored Sect? Yu Yuanchen's thoughts raced, and he immediately guessed the identity of the other party, unable to help but smile bitterly in his heart, They really are like ghosts that won't go away; they clash with me.
He remained calm and did not accelerate to escape, but instead deliberately slowed down as if enjoying the scenery, while actually observing the auras and habits of his trackers. At the same time, he was also looking for a suitable battlefield.
Finally, when a desolate valley with rugged rocks and relatively open yet sufficiently hidden terrain appeared ahead, Yu Yuanchen turned and swept into the valley.
The two Elephant Armored Sect Soul Sages looked at each other and followed without hesitation. In their view, a Soul King, even with some tricks, could not stir up any trouble in front of two Soul Sages.
Entering the desolate valley, Yu Yuanchen stopped, turned slowly, looked at the two who had followed closely, and said indifferently, "You two have followed me all the way; I wonder what your advice is?"
One of the Soul Sages, who looked arrogant and particularly tall, gave a grim laugh: "Kid, are you Yu Chen? Come with us obediently to avoid physical suffering!"
The other Soul Sage had a steadier expression, his sharp eyes scanning the surroundings as if confirming whether there was an ambush. He did not speak, but his aura had already locked onto Yu Yuanchen.
Yu Yuanchen deliberately revealed a bit of "panic" and "forced composure": "Who are you people? Why do you want me to go with you?"
"So much nonsense!" The arrogant Soul Sage was impatient. His soul power erupted, and seven soul rings—two yellow, two purple, and three black—swirled up. A heavy Diamond Mammoth phantom emerged, and he prepared to move to capture him directly. He truly held a sense of contempt, believing that dealing with a Soul King would be easy.
Cold light flashed in Yu Yuanchen's eyes; this was exactly what he wanted—the opponent's carelessness! Just as the Soul Sage reached out to grab him, his "first and third soul rings" suddenly lit up (simulated), lightning surged around his body, and he executed his Dragon Swimming Steps to the limit. His figure moved like a ghost, advancing instead of retreating, and he instantly closed the distance! His right arm dragonized, and his dragon claw, which had condensed the artistic conception of "Thunder Dragon Shatters Void," stabbed unadorned into the opening of the opponent's chest, which was slightly exposed due to his forward charge!
This strike was fast, accurate, and ruthless! It condensed his physical strength, soul power, and a trace of "Thunder God Power," striving to severely injure or even kill him in one blow!
"Careful!" The steady Soul Sage's complexion changed, and he called out a warning, but it was already half a step too late!
The arrogant Soul Sage also did not expect that a "Soul King" would dare to counterattack, and that his speed and power would be so shocking! In his haste, he only had time to condense his soul power in front of his chest for defense.
"Pfft!"
The dragon claw, containing extreme penetrating power, although unable to completely break through the thick soul power defense of a Soul Sage, still tore his clothes and left five deep, charred wounds on his chest that reached the bone! The violent lightning energy even penetrated his body, causing his blood to churn. He let out a muffled groan, stumbled back, and his face was filled with shock, anger, and disbelief!
"You... you are not a Soul King!" he roared, clutching his chest in shock and fury.
The composed Soul Sage was now completely certain, his eyes icy cold: "Such strength, such control over lightning, and this dragon transformation... you are Yu Yuanchen! That kid from the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Family!"
With his identity exposed, Yu Yuanchen no longer bothered to disguise himself. He dispersed his simulated Soul Rings, and the formidable aura belonging to a level 66 Soul Emperor was released without reservation. Beneath his feet, one yellow, two purple, and three black Soul Rings shone brilliantly!
"Since you've recognized me, then today, I certainly cannot let you leave!" Yu Yuanchen said in a grim tone.
"Arrogant! Even if you are a Soul Emperor, we will capture you today!" The injured Soul Sage flew into a rage, and he and the composed Soul Sage simultaneously activated their Martial Soul True Body! Two mountain-like Diamond Mammoths appeared in the Desolate Valley, their terrifying pressure manifesting into substance as they crushed down toward Yu Yuanchen!
The great battle erupted in an instant!
Yu Yuanchen pushed his Dragon Swimming Steps, Thunder God Mode, and Dragon Scale Armor to their limits. As his claws swung, lightning raged, allowing him to maneuver around the two Soul Sages. He fought while retreating, constantly testing the characteristics of their Soul Skills and the synergy of their coordination.
The composed Soul Sage's defense was airtight, his attacks were heavy and powerful, and his Combat Experience was rich, always managing to block Yu Yuanchen's evasion routes. Although the injured Soul Sage's offensive had slowed slightly due to his wounds, he was even more violent, wishing for nothing more than to tear Yu Yuanchen to shreds.
Although Yu Yuanchen remained undefeated for the moment by relying on his uncanny movement techniques and formidable Physique, and could even occasionally counterattack to leave marks on the opponents' heavy defenses, wanting to kill or severely injure one of them in a short time was as difficult as ascending to heaven. The opponents' defense was too strong; aside from "Thunder Dragon Shatters Void," his other attacks struggled to pose a fatal threat. Furthermore, "Thunder Dragon Shatters Void" had a massive Consumption, and with the opponents now on guard, it was difficult to find another opportunity for a one-hit kill.
The struggle lasted for about the time it takes to burn an incense stick. The Desolate Valley was left in ruins, with boulders shattered and the ground scorched black. Yu Yuanchen's breathing became slightly rapid, and his Soul Power consumption was significant. Meanwhile, the two Elephant Armored Sect Soul Sages, despite having added a few charred marks to their bodies, suffered no serious injury, and their offensive grew increasingly fierce.
"I can't drag this out any longer! Who knows if they have any backup plans!" A flash of resolution crossed Yu Yuanchen's eyes.
He suddenly leaped back a distance, took a deep breath, and looked at the two Soul Sages who were in hot pursuit. His gaze became incredibly calm, yet carried a majesty that caused one's heart to palpitate.
"To be able to force me to use this move, you can consider your deaths well-deserved."
The next moment, a terrifying aura—ancient, Sacred, and seemingly originating from the very source of lightning—erupted from within him like a volcano that had been dormant for ten thousand years! A dazzling purple-gold light soared into the sky!
Bloodline awakened, Thunder Sacred Dragon, descend!
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Translated by: randomtranslator.com
Proofread by: GodKun-Chan