Crack, crack, crack! Within the void and chaos, three dragons coiled around the "whale," brilliant golden scales grinding against thick whale hide.
As the two scraped against each other, both were worn away. The Azure Dragon's scales gradually dulled and darkened, while the Spirit Fish's whale hide grew thinner and leaner. The debris ground off them turned into faint green smoke—half merging into the Spirit Fish, half into the Azure Dragon.
The Azure Dragon's scales gradually hardened, while the Spirit Fish's blue hide thickened.
It seemed to be changing.
Yet it also seemed unchanged.
Their relationship was not one waxing as the other waned, but a mutual deadlock.
The Spirit Fish even absorbed the "green smoke" faster. The more proactive Azure Dragon instead became the one being consumed!
His essence, qi, and spirit intermingled, circulating endlessly through the Azure Dragon.
With every breath, Liang Qu felt his spirit weaken by a degree and the qi and blood in his body diminish, fatigue creeping in. In the time it took for an incense stick to burn, he felt as though he had fought a battle neither too great nor too small.
"Myriad Victory Embracing Oneness, Subduing Dragon and Tiger Adamantine Skill."
Liang Qu operated both techniques at once, unhurried and unflustered.
For today's breakthrough, he had asked every True Image around him whom he could consult, drawing on their experience. His preparations were so thorough that, when discussing hidden realms with nearby True Images, he could spin out every detail with such flourish that others would think he had personally gone through it, ensuring he would not give himself away. Thus, he knew with absolute clarity that this was normal.
"Advancement truly isn't easy..."
Liang Qu murmured.
The "green smoke" worn out from the Azure Dragon and Spirit Fish was the