The Sky's the Limit

Should we take the Honor Guard as our opponents?

To be honest, this surprised Luo Jun. Of all the soldiers this time, the Honor Guard had improved the most. Although the previous Legion Commander was also a monster beyond human capabilities, he was only a little over three meters tall and didn't have any special strength other than brute force. This Honor Guard, on the other hand, not only increased in size several times but also possessed the Storm Magic ability Divine Blessing. It was simply a leap forward.

To be honest, while High Priest Ailongtan is definitely stronger than the Honor Guard, dealing with such a powerful monster will probably take some effort... Aishiliya planning to take on four at once?

"You're also skilled in magic?" Luo Jun asked curiously.

"I guess so," Aishiliya smiled. "But my style is a bit different from that old man's."

Different styles...

Luo Jun became even more curious and immediately summoned the remaining three Honor Guard, four enormous monsters that surrounded the Ancient Empress.

Luo Jun also keenly noticed that these four monsters actually had some subtle differences in appearance and used different weapons.

The first one summoned was relatively well-proportioned in comparison, with no scars or damage on its body, and it wielded a greatsword almost as long as its height.

Of the three summoned afterward, one was far stronger than the others, a head taller, and its scales, unlike the others' bluish-black color, showed obvious albino features. The weapon it wielded was also the thickest and heaviest Wolf Tooth Club.

There was another one, relatively thin, with two X-shaped scars on its chest, wielding two huge curved swords.

As for the last one, it was about the same size as the one with the greatsword, with a scar running through its left eye that caused blindness, and its weapon was a long-handled cleaver.

These four King Kong stood out like four iron towers, while Aishiliya, standing before them, looked like a kitten standing before four vicious dogs, appearing weak and helpless.

Luo Jun had no doubt that Aishiliya could defeat the Four King Kong, after all, summoning her required a thousand Breath Vital Energy, and the four of them combined didn't even have half of her energy... But the question was, how to defeat them.

At Luo Jun's command, the four giant monsters simultaneously activated their blessing states. The Greatsword Guard unleashed Lightning Storm, the Wolf Tooth Club Guard a sandstorm, the Great Machete Guard a flame, and the Dual Blade Guard a sharp stream of air. With their different blessings and wielding different weapons, the four monsters attacked Aishiliya in unison!

However, the moment the weapons struck, a beam of light shot into the sky, followed by a deafening roar. All four heavy weapons flew into the air, and even the four monsters fell backward, tumbling over in disarray.

Luo Jun frowned slightly and looked closely. He found that the person standing in the center of the field was no longer the Ancient Empress from before, but a Female Yaksha was over two meters tall, with bluish-purple skin, a ferocious face, and four arms.

Of course, one can still see a trace of Aishiliya in this Yaksha, indicating that it must be Ancient Empress in disguise.

After the four Honor Guard were knocked down, they did not give up and picked up their weapons to attack again. This time, Aishiliya did not hold back either. Her body condensed into a protective aura, unleashing astonishing power. She did not use any special skills, but simply attacked with her four sharp claws!

The elemental shield bestowed upon the Honor Guard was utterly ineffective against the Empress's claws. Even the bulletproof crocodile skin seemed like paper. With a single swipe of her claws, the skin would be torn and flesh ripped apart, and the bones would be broken and tendons snapped, resulting in immediate dismemberment!

Judging by their size, it looked like four adults were bullying a child, but in an instant, these four huge Honor Guard were torn apart by the relatively petite Queen, all turning into light and annihilating.

Having just witnessed the High Priest's unparalleled magic, I never imagined that this Ancient Empress would be a melee fighter?

However, recalling Liya's past talent for Shapeshifting Faction, Luo Jun understood. It seemed that Aishiliya had also inherited her former transformation ability.

As the Ancient Empress, now back to her original form, approached, Luo Jun asked curiously, "Those Shapeshifting Faction usually have several relatively fixed forms, right? Besides this Yaksha, can you transform into anything else?"

Aishiliya nodded and said, "I have three main forms. The Yaksha form I just saw is relatively balanced and good at fighting. Besides that, there are two other forms."

As she spoke, her form shifted, transforming into a half-human, half-spider monster. Her upper body retained feminine features, exuding an eerie beauty, while her lower body was that of a gigantic spider, supported by eight sharp, long legs, making her over three meters tall.

"This is the Ancient Spider Queen form. Besides melee combat, it can also use venom and shoot spider silk..."

After saying that, his form changed again, this time transforming into a half-human, half-bird monster with feathers on his body, arms that turned into wings, and feet that turned into sharp eagle claws.

"This is the form of Harpy," the Empress said. "It possesses the ability to fly and can also use lightning-type Law Technique."

As she spoke, she flapped her wings and circled in the air before finally landing in front of Luo Jun, reverting to her human form.

"Besides these three forms, I can also maintain some temporary forms for a short time, such as temporarily changing my body shape and appearance, but the duration is only a few minutes at most, and it can't be maintained for too long."

Luo Jun nodded. This was a common problem among the Shapeshifting Faction. To achieve stable transformations, they had to undergo years of adjustments to adapt to a fixed form. If they wanted to change temporarily, it was often difficult to maintain stability.

However, this is already a very convenient ability. The Yaksha form displayed amazing Combat Power, tearing apart the four Honor Guard in an instant. Judging from this, the Spider Queen's spider silk and venom are definitely not ordinary methods. And the Harpy has the valuable ability to fly.

According to Luo Jun's understanding, if the transformation forms of the Shapeshifting Faction deviate too much from the original human behavior, it is difficult to maintain stability. Therefore, even among Shapeshifting Faction Cultivators, those who can transform into flying or underwater forms are all highly skilled masters in this art, and their numbers are not large.

Seeing the Empress's abilities and recalling the soldiers from before, Luo Jun realized that the Ancestral Skeleton Headband was far superior to the previous Cinerary Urn. He believed that if they were to spar with the Elemental Construct Box again, the Ancestral Skeleton Headband would undoubtedly emerge victorious.

Even among Legendary Treasure Item, there are differences in quality. In Luo Jun's opinion, this Ancestral Skeleton Headband should be considered a superior-grade legendary treasure!

After recalling the soldiers, leaving only the High Priest and the Ancient Empress, Luo Jun took out a necklace from the Hundred Treasure Box.

The Dominator's Necklace can accept the allegiance of up to three people. Luo Jun included the High Priest and the Ancient Empress among the candidates for allegiance.

As Summoned Creature, the two were already 100% loyal to Luo Jun. The necklace actually gave Luo Jun the ability to communicate with them without any obstacles, making it easier to perform some remote operations and reports. At the same time, it could also share 10% of his energy with the two.

As the contract was signed, the two felt a tremendous power enter their bodies. They were surprised and deeply admired Luo Jun's unfathomable power.

Both of them possessed formidable abilities, far more useful than Luo Jun, Blank Warrior. However, the problem was that the stronger the ability, the higher the energy consumption. Luo Jun shared his inexhaustible vital energy with them, which greatly enhanced their strength.

Having just completed the allegiance ceremony, Luo Jun suddenly frowned and looked in the direction of the Hundred Rivers Sect.

"Someone's coming!"

Late at night, Tie Jingang his sleep and looked out into the Deep Mountains outside Tongda Town.

He could sense something extraordinary in those mountains, so close to the headquarters of the Hundred Rivers Sect.

Tie Jingang cautiously changed his clothes and quietly went out, where he happened to see Ling Xin standing at the door as well.

"You sensed it too?" Tie Jingang was not surprised by Ling Xin's keen sense of awareness. In his mind, the other students were far inferior to him, but Ling Xin was the only one. As a professor at the Ningdong Academy, he was not very confident in a real fight.

"In the mountains to the southeast." Ling Xin nodded. "Not sure what it is, but it's very powerful energy."

Tie Jingang sighed, "Alright, I'll go check. Ling Xin, you stay here and watch over the sleeping students. If there's any danger, wake everyone up immediately and retreat towards the Hundred Rivers Sect."

Ling Xin nodded, indicating that she understood, King Kong immediately left the inn and headed into the Deep Mountains.

As for Ling Xin, after seeing King Kong leave, she turned around and went to Luo Jun's door. She looked through the crack in the door and saw that "Luo Jun" was lying obediently on the bed. She breathed a slight sigh of relief.

Meanwhile, Tie Jingang quickly left the town and headed towards the direction where he had sensed the unusual fluctuations.

Along the way, he had been pondering what that unusual fluctuation was. It wasn't too far from Tongda Town, otherwise he wouldn't have sensed it, but correspondingly, it must have been an extremely strong Elemental Fluctuation to wake him from his deep sleep... The Martial World world is teeming with masters. If it were just some passing martial arts expert, that would be fine; they would at least give Hundred Rivers Sect some face. But if it was Polluter, that would be troublesome.

Based on past experience, the probability of encountering Polluter is extremely low, but the experience along the way has made Tie Jingang as frightened as a bird startled by the mere twang of a bow, fearing that something unexpected might happen when he arrives home.

But as I got closer, I couldn't sense the strange fluctuations anymore... Did it sense my approach? So sensitive, so cautious—this doesn't seem like the style of a passing expert...

Tie Jingang grew increasingly worried. Finally, he arrived at his destination and saw a devastated forest.

Broken and fallen trees, scorched ground, unnatural mud, and traces of rocks and ground being cut and broken—upon closer inspection, one can still sense residual Vital Energy Wave.

It felt like we'd been through a major battle...

Tie Jingang lowered his head, picked up some Plant Ash, which was still warm.

Judging from the traces at the scene, it was clearly not an ordinary duel between martial arts Martial Forest Expert. Martial World Cultivation Method do indeed include those that can generate high-temperature qi to simulate flames, and there are also Cultivation Method that can control qi to low temperatures to simulate ice... However, these traces at the scene can be found in water, Water, Fire, Earth, Wind, which is beyond what qi simulation can achieve!

Elemental School were definitely involved... but there were also traces of pure physical attacks at the scene... Generally speaking, Cultivators of the Elemental School have relatively low Protective Qi Strength, so these traces either indicate that their opponent was a Martial Combat Faction, or that they used an offensive weapon...

After analyzing the situation, Tie Jingang still felt that the possibility of Polluter was extremely high.

However, trying to follow these traces yielded absolutely no other clues, as if the people who had caused such a ruckus here had vanished without a trace.

Tie Jingang walked around the scene a few times, and finally left completely bewildered.

After he walked away, Luo Jun and High Priest Ailongtan appeared in a tree not far away.

The commotion they just caused was a bit too much, alerting Teacher Tie. However, Luo Jun hadn't expected that although Ailongtan had gone from being the Tomb King to the High Priest, a decline in status, his abilities had increased considerably. Not only had he become proficient in Element Magic, but even his Invisibility Technique had been enhanced. He could not only become invisible himself, but also bring another person along with him, which was much more convenient!

"Old Ai, with these methods at your disposal, I can rest assured." Luo Jun glanced in the direction of Tongda Town. "This time, I'm not going back at all. In a bit, you carefully sneak back to the inn, take the mask off that soldier, put it on, and continue pretending to be me participating in the internship. But one thing, don't cause too much trouble this time!"

"I will heed my master's teachings," Ailongtan nodded in agreement.

"Also, you should be able to release Qi, right?" Luo Jun could sense that the so-called elemental mage was essentially Cultivators of the Elemental School. Although the cultivation methods were different from those in the Main World due to the differences in world rules and physiques, Ailongtan still had to pass the Qi Foundation Establishment Realm before he could cast various Law Technique.

"Yes, but my Protective Qi Strength is not strong enough; I'm afraid it's not as strong as that of a true Cultivators at the Heart Refining Realm."

"That's enough." Luo Jun waved his hand. "Find an opportunity to show off, just tell everyone that your internal injuries have healed and you've also broken through to the Foundation Establishment Realm... You're so smart, you should know exactly how to make it up. Just don't let anyone see through the lie. Also, now that we have the Dominator's Necklace, feel free to contact us if anything comes up."

After giving some instructions, Luo Jun let Ailongtan leave, then looked towards the northeast.

The world of Martial World is vast. The Central Plains alone Crisscross thousands of miles. The five-hundred-mile-long Central Province Mountain Range is located in the Southwestern Branch of the Central Plains. To the east and north lie even larger plains, bustling towns, and countless sects. That is the truly prosperous place in the Central Plains.

Of course, just like the land of Zhendan in reality, which has been called the Central Plains since ancient times, it is only a few provinces on the modern map, occupying only one-tenth of the country's land area. The same is true for the world of [Martial World]. The Great Desert, Southern Borderlands, plateaus, Guandong outside the Central Plains, although their cultures and customs are different from those of the Central Plains, are mostly mutually intelligible in terms of race and language, and are all good places for adventure.

With a month or two of free time left, there's nowhere in this beautiful land that we can't go!

But where should we go first? I remember the duel between the Heaven's Gate Sect Master and the Sword Saint was on September 16th, and today is September 10th... It's already the 11th, only five more days left. We can't miss this spectacle!

The location of the martial arts competition, I remember, is the ancient name of Longguan Pass in Northern Desert Mobei. If you go there, take a detour to the east, and you can also visit Ganzhou along the way.

I remember the headquarters of the Gathering Treasure Pavilion was located there, so it's perfect to take it from Eternal Star. Previously, it was speculated that this thing was an improved version of the Eternal Virus, but whether due to Luo Jun's own curiosity or from the perspective of preventing the spread of dangerous materials, this thing can no longer remain here.

Having decided on his itinerary, Luo Jun headed east, leaving the Central Province Mountain Range before dawn...

(End of this chapter)