Sacred Dragon Body Unlocked, Kill

Within the Spatial Altar, Lin Shuguang shut his ears to the world outside. He paid no attention to Marquis Gu's repeated roars and focused entirely on the benefits brought by the Swordsman's sacrifice.

There was a loud bang.

A mass of flames erupted on the altar. The instant the Swordsman's corpse vanished, a hundred and fifty drops of Golden Dew burst forth.

"That's all?"

Before Lin Shuguang could step forward and collect the hundred and fifty drops of Golden Dew suspended in midair, the flames that had yet to completely vanish on the altar transformed into one final ball of light and poured into his body.

His blood energy rose by roughly five hundred thousand cards.

"Hm?" Lin Shuguang raised an eyebrow. He did not believe that a Swordsman from the True Fate Realm had only this much to offer.

Yet apart from the increase in blood energy, none of his four attributes showed any obvious change.

"No. Something's wrong. When I received that energy just now, part of it clearly vanished. It must have been absorbed somewhere without my knowledge."

Outside the Spatial Altar, Marquis Gu blasted the entire mountain apart with one palm. In the end, it turned into a stream of light and disappeared from its original location.

Lin Shuguang, however, summoned the system screen and stared at it with rapt attention.

His gaze finally stopped on the Dao Patterns—Sacred Dragon Body entry.

The Sacred Dragon Body, which had never refreshed before, had now been completely unlocked.

"Equip."

At once, Lin Shuguang felt the blood energy within him become an endless sea. As his heart surged with pride, waves soared a thousand yards into the sky.

System Description

Dao Patterns: Sacred Dragon Body (Unlocked)

(Description: After equipping this Dao Pattern, Strength increases by 500,000 attribute points, Constitution increases by 500,000 attribute points, Mental Power increases by 300,000 attribute points, and Agility increases by 300,000 attribute points.)

Lin Shuguang was slightly startled.

If he remembered correctly—

When the Sacred Dragon Body Dao Pattern had first refreshed, the attribute increases shown in its description had not been this high.

"The increase back then was only one or two hundred thousand. Now it's suddenly risen to three or five hundred thousand—several times higher!"

"How did it change so much?"

Lin Shuguang was naturally astonished.

Forget a difference of one hundred thousand attribute points—even a difference of at least two hundred thousand could raise his strength by more than one level!

With the Heavenly Dragon True Fate Banner added to the mix, he truly had nothing to fear from early-stage True Fate Realm opponents.

At present, apart from the Sacred Dragon Body he had already equipped, Lin Shuguang possessed three other Dao Patterns: Dark Prison, Sky-Breaking Axe, and Beast God Soul.

Each Dao Pattern possessed its own corresponding ability.

Just as Lin Shuguang was burying his head in research on his strength, Marquis Gu had already learned some intelligence from the Demonic Moon Sect.

"Marquis, the northern, western, and eastern sides have all suffered varying degrees of infiltration and assassination by the enemy. Our people didn't even have time to send a message before they were silenced." The Protector looked hesitant. "To this day, we still don't know the other side's identity. The only thing we can determine is that although the bandits who invaded those three sides caused tremendous destruction, the strongest among those who infiltrated from the north was only at the Spirit Transformation Realm... However, the three groups differ. The northern group excels at assassination, the southern group seems to have undergone military training, and the eastern group is the most ferocious. They even seem capable of summoning savage beasts..."

He was clearly describing Lin Shuguang's state after equipping Dark Prison, Sky-Breaking Axe, and Beast God Soul.

Relying on three Dao Patterns and the Void Chaos Art, Lin Shuguang had carried out assassinations in every direction, cleverly creating the impression that a large number of assassins had infiltrated the Demonic Moon Sect's territory.

It was no wonder these people had become as jumpy as startled birds.

On the altar, Marquis Gu's face was icy. "I don't want to hear this nonsense. How many people does the enemy have?"

"This... This subordinate doesn't know." The Protector bowed.

Marquis Gu fell silent, his silence making everyone's hearts pound.

The Protector became even more cautious. "Marquis, even Fang Lishi was slain. Half a month ago, he had just received your reward and advanced to the Second Heaven of the True Fate Realm... Marquis, Xuanyuan City is enormous, but there are only a handful of people capable of cultivating saber techniques to such a domineering level. What's more, so many mysterious Swordsmen have appeared all at once. Could it be that someone has betrayed you?"

Marquis Gu furrowed his brows, then relaxed them after a moment. "As for saber techniques... those people are no threat. But these people who have appeared now possess bizarre movement techniques. Even the net I cast over heaven and earth failed to uncover their whereabouts. Such methods are unheard of. Give the order: when you encounter those bandits, do not engage. Send out a signal immediately. I want to reclaim the Divine Bone, but I also want to capture one alive!"

"Your wisdom is unmatched, Marquis."

"Also, give the order to prepare for relocation. Move quickly. We don't have much time left."

"Yes, Marquis!"

Before long, the experts of the Demonic Moon Sect charged out from the altar like countless locusts, swarming forth to search for Lin Shuguang's whereabouts.

Elsewhere.

Black Prison.

"Is the intelligence accurate?" Sima Tingwei finished reading the letter, his gaze turning solemn.

Before him, a scout knelt on one knee and respectfully replied, "The intelligence is accurate. The area around the Demonic Moon Sect has now been sealed off by the enemy using a formation. Our people currently cannot enter, so we still don't know exactly what happened..."

"What happened? Since when does the Black Prison have intelligence scouts?" Ji Feng strolled in, looking somewhat amused by the scene before him.

The Black Prison was responsible for managing prisoners. Intelligence scouts generally acted under the orders of the army or local inspectors.

Ji Feng could not help glancing at Sima Tingwei. Although he knew that the man had once been connected to the army, if this lingering connection reached the Imperial Capital, it would inevitably bring trouble upon them.

Besides, Sima Tingwei was not the sort of person who coveted authority, which made Ji Feng even more confused.

"The Southern Dynasty's people have appeared," Sima Tingwei said calmly.

Ji Feng froze. "Remnants of the Southern Dynasty? When did you receive this information?"

In an instant, Ji Feng's expression turned serious as well.

The Southern Dynasty had emerged several times whenever the Great Gan Dynasty changed hands. Like a centipede that remained twitching even after death, it had continued to have survivors despite years of pursuit by the Great Gan Dynasty.

What was more, this matter involved many things.

Back then, the Ancient Emperor had relied on the Southern Dynasty's power to ascend the throne. Yet the Southern Dynasty had supported the Ancient Emperor only because it needed a puppet.

No one had expected it to invite in a ferocious tiger.

The Southern Dynasty was destroyed, while the Ancient Emperor unified the various nations and accomplished his hegemonic reign.

After all these years, no one had expected the remnants of the Southern Dynasty to emerge once more.

Ji Feng took this seriously partly because he was loyal to the Great Gan Dynasty, but also because it concerned his own interests.

Capturing the remnants of the Southern Dynasty would be a tremendous merit!

The scout saw the token in Ji Feng's hand clearly and hurriedly turned around to bow. "Greetings, Imperial Envoy. About two hours ago, strange activity erupted around the Demonic Moon Sect. Afterward, the area was covered by a formation, and we could no longer approach. It is certain that there are traces of the Southern Dynasty's remnants, but we don't know what happened that could make them expose themselves and act so boldly."

Ji Feng's eyes lit up. "Something major must have happened. These people have always kept a low profile. If they hadn't encountered some great matter, they definitely wouldn't have shown themselves."

He turned to Sima Tingwei. "What do you plan to do?"

Sima Tingwei said calmly, "They don't have enough manpower and need reinforcements. General Cheng, who is leading them, was once my subordinate."

Ji Feng suddenly understood. He finally knew the whole story. No wonder the scout had come to the Black Prison for help.

He asked the scout again, "What is the situation at the Demonic Moon Sect now?"

The scout quickly replied, "The Demonic Moon Sect is located in Anping Town. Now that the formation has been activated, several towns, including Anping Town, have been cut off from the outside world. The brothers inside have also lost contact."

Ji Feng frowned, his face filled with disbelief. "The remnants of the Southern Dynasty didn't merely seize control of one sect? Has no one discovered this after all these years?"

The scout lowered his head. "If this matter had not involved a military route, we would not have noticed it either. As for the local government, we do not have the authority to question them."

"Absurd!" Ji Feng sneered. "Sima, are you going this time?"

Sima Tingwei shook his head. "I have received a sacred decree and can only remain in command of the Black Prison. If I leave, things here will descend into chaos. I'll allocate some men to you. Did you bring the Flame Army's mobilization order?"

Ji Feng nodded. "I did."

Sima Tingwei immediately said, "There's no time to lose. Borrow three thousand soldiers from the Flame Army and flatten the Demonic Moon Sect."

A horn sounded from the Black Prison.

Dozens of powerful auras descended one after another.

Lin Shuguang still had no idea how much commotion his actions had caused today.

After equipping the Sacred Dragon Body, he emerged from the Spatial Altar.

All he could see were broken stones from the mountain peaks. Cracks and pits spread everywhere, concealing the corpses that had covered the ground after Lin Shuguang's earlier battle, yet the sight remained horrifying.

Lin Shuguang: "..."

Was he going to split a mountain apart at the slightest disagreement?

This Marquis certainly had quite a temper.

"Then I'll help you put out that fire."

He concealed himself as he traveled. The scattered scouts of the Demonic Moon Sect posed no threat to Lin Shuguang whatsoever. Even if he passed directly in front of them, he would not arouse the slightest suspicion.

After searching for a while, Lin Shuguang discovered that many of the experts here had grown clever. They traveled in groups of seven or eight instead of scattering about as before.

They seemed worried about being intercepted and slain by Lin Shuguang.

As he neared Anping Town, Lin Shuguang discovered many soldiers in armor transporting boxes, with several experts gathered to oversee the shipment.

"This time, there must be a mysterious force causing trouble in secret... We've been entrenched here for so many years without anything happening, yet something had to go wrong this year..."

"I wonder what the Marquis intends. After moving, who knows where we'll find another place this good?"

Someone sighed. Someone beside him immediately rebuked him. "Are you stupid? If we don't move, death is the only road left. This matter has caused such a huge commotion. Given enough time, it will definitely attract attention from outside. If the Black Prison and the Flame Army are brought here as well, are you sure you'll survive? By then, forget the True Fate Realm—even Nirvana Realm experts might appear."

Another person said, "Enough nonsense. These treasures were personally selected by the Marquis. Hurry and transport them over before something else happens."

Hidden in the darkness, Lin Shuguang raised an eyebrow at this. He muttered inwardly, What exactly is Marquis Gu's background? He's plundered so much wealth.

But then he thought, That makes sense. With so many elite soldiers and fierce generals under his command, merely feeding them must consume an astronomical sum. Without some foundation, how could he possibly hide and develop in a wretched place like this?

His gaze fixed on the dozen or so boxes of wealth. Should he rob them?

The road here was thirty miles from the rear mountain... neither far nor near.

Marquis Gu was at least at the high stage of the True Fate Realm. If he came rushing over, he would need only ten breaths.

"Ten breaths..."

He stared at that group.

After a moment of thought, he murmured, "Could this be a trap? Although these people mistakenly believe I have a force behind me, they clearly know that their own treasury has been robbed, and so many of their elite subordinates have been killed. From beginning to end, Marquis Gu has failed to uncover even the slightest clue. So he's deliberately creating a maze, mixing truth and falsehood together to lure me here..."

"When I killed Marquis Gu's subordinates before, the strongest had only been at the Second Heaven of the True Fate Realm, and there had been only one such person. Besides, I've carried out repeated interceptions, but only against small groups. These people should have already made some guesses about my strength.

"So now they've gathered so many people together to guard against this very move. But they don't know that my strength is constantly changing."

Lin Shuguang silently smiled in the darkness.

If it had been before, he might truly not have been confident.

But now, after equipping the Sacred Dragon Body, how could Lin Shuguang's strength possibly remain stagnant?

"Ten breaths will be enough!"

In an instant!

With a thunderous boom, the entire ground trembled.

The great saber seemed to cleave down from the heavens, while a sheet of Saber Light poured down like the Milky Way.

The dozen or so people responsible for transportation immediately felt a domineering and savage killing intent envelop their entire bodies. Their hair stood on end, and the surrounding air seemed to have been boiled at high heat before suddenly seething.

Immediately afterward, Saber Light of incomparable sharpness erupted from one side.

The air split apart, and the earth trembled.

It was earth-shaking, blotting out the sky and covering the sun.

"He's here!"

The dozen or so Spirit Transformation Realm experts brightened with excitement. Instead of anger, their faces filled with delight as they shouted, "Attack!"

For a moment.

The sounds of swords and sabers being drawn rang out without end.

"Clang!"

Sparks exploded.

The first weapon to collide with that streak of Saber Light broke apart amid a burst of flying sparks.

"Not good!"

At nearly the instant metal struck metal, the weapon's owner's heart leaped. This strength exceeded his imagination.

Yet almost immediately, the words that followed were forced back down his throat.

Lin Shuguang's figure descended with overwhelming force, his body like Mount Tai itself. The great saber in his hand ferociously cleaved his opponent in two.

To split a person cleanly in half with a single strike—the strength required was simply terrifying.

The others were distracted for an instant by the bloody sight.

A cold wind swept past.

Several blood lines burst forth at the same time.

A few of them dodged in terror and landed in a sorry state, a faint line of blood across each throat.

Their companions, however, exploded into clouds of blood at that moment, dying without a burial place!

With the Sacred Dragon Body and Void Chaos Art working together, Lin Shuguang's figure was as elusive as a ghost or god!

"Use the secret technique! Seal off heaven and earth!" someone shouted.

Yet the moment his voice fell, Lin Shuguang's saber pierced straight through his chest.

Lin Shuguang twisted his body and dodged the sword stabbing in from behind.

The Swordsman's expression changed. He met Lin Shuguang's icy eyes head-on, and a voice suddenly sounded beside his ear.

"Five breaths left..."

"What?" The Swordsman was startled. A chill suddenly brushed his neck.

His vision went black!

Rumble! Rumble!

In the distance, Marquis Gu came charging over with earth-shaking momentum, wrapped in tens of thousands of bolts of fire and thunder. He looked as if he wanted to swallow Lin Shuguang alive and tear him limb from limb.

"I've finally caught you!"