Emperor Dragon Patrols the Heavens: Radiance

Every attempt gave her a deeper understanding of the Five Elements power within the Radiant Emperor War Dragon martial soul.

This power was vast and profound, possessing infinite potential far beyond what she could fully master in a short time, yet every successful application increased her control over this body and this martial soul by a fraction.

The afterglow of the setting sun filtered through the treetops, gilding the forest with a golden rim.

Qian Renxue finished her daily practice and sat cross-legged to regulate her breathing. Although her body felt somewhat exhausted, her spirit was exceptionally invigorated.

She spread her palms, watching the faint, swirling five-element halo lingering on her skin, her expression complex.

Ye Yang... just what kind of person are you? she whispered to herself.

This body, this martial soul, and that inconceivable hundred-thousand-year spirit ring... every secret was bottomless.

The stronger the power she commanded, the deeper her wariness and curiosity grew regarding the original owner of this body.

"However," she clenched her fist, feeling the powerful, now partially tamed energy surging within her, and a trace of the confidence belonging to the young mistress of Spirit Hall gathered in her eyes once more.

"At least for now, this power is mine to use."

She looked toward the depths of the forest, where there might be stronger spirit beasts to further hone her skills.

Familiarizing herself with the power was only the first step; next, she needed to better understand the combat style of this martial soul, and... how to utilize it to find clues to return to her own body and uncover the secrets of Ye Yang on this continent.

Qian Renxue stood up, brushed the dust from her clothes, her gaze turning sharp and resolute once more, and her figure vanished back into the lush spirit beast forest.

Qian Renxue stood alone in the center of a forest clearing, surrounded by dozens of pairs of wolf eyes flickering with a sinister, emerald light.

The foul stench of blood mixed with the violent, oppressive aura unique to spirit beasts rushed toward her, thick and suffocating.

The three-thousand-year Nether Wolf King, far larger than its peers and marked with a moon-shaped crest on its forehead, paced slowly like a grim reaper in the shadows, locking her within its lethal strike range.

The low growls of the wolf pack converged into a heart-stopping tide; the air seemed to congeal into a viscous liquid, and every breath carried the omen of death.

I can't wait any longer!

The thought flashed like lightning. Passive defense would only lead to being worn down by the pack; she had to break the stalemate and intimidate the Wolf King!

"ROAR--!!!"

The Nether Wolf King seemed to sense the shift in its prey's aura and let out a deafening roar, issuing the command for an all-out assault!

In an instant, over a dozen hundred-year Nether Wolves lunged from all directions like black arrows released from a bowstring!

Sharp claws and fangs tore through the air, aimed directly at the figure in the center of the clearing!

Qian Renxue's pupils contracted sharply, her mind tensed to the breaking point!

"Radiant Emperor War Dragon!"

With a low shout in her heart, a brilliant, dazzling golden light imbued with the essence of the Five Elements erupted like a long-dormant volcano!

"GRAAAH--!!!"

A majestic, domineering dragon roar, as if traveling through ancient time and space, resounded throughout the entire forest! Golden light shot into the sky, instantly dispelling the gloom of the woods and illuminating the surroundings as bright as day!

That supreme existence—the Radiant Emperor War Dragon—descended in its complete form!

A massive dragon body covered in scales flowing with five-element radiance coiled around Qian Renxue, its majestic head held high, golden vertical pupils scanning the incoming ants with indifference, like two burning suns.

The vast, ocean-like Emperor Dragon Might slammed into the depths of every Nether Wolf's soul like a physical hammer!

"Awoo--!"

The pack, previously fierce in their assault, saw their movements instantly distorted under this absolute suppression originating from the source of life!

The wolves in the rear were like creatures whose spines had been ripped out; their limbs went weak, tails tucked between their legs as they whimpered in terror. Their charge collapsed instantly, and several even slumped to the ground, losing control of their bowels!

Even the three-thousand-year Wolf King's charge came to a sudden, jarring halt. For the first time, a look of sheer horror appeared in its scarlet eyes, as if it had seen its natural predator!

The moon crest on its forehead flickered frantically as it tried to resist the pressure that made its very soul tremble. Its massive body shook violently, unable to take another step forward!

Qian Renxue did not hesitate for a second. The moment the Emperor War Dragon appeared and forcibly interrupted the pack's charge with its dragon might, she felt the pulsation of the hundred-thousand-year spirit ring within her!

A vast, scorching power of light, as if capable of purifying all filth, surged through the connection between her and her martial soul!

Guided by intuition, her intent instantly locked onto the Nether Wolf King, which was momentarily frozen by the dragon's might!

"First Spirit Skill: Emperor Dragon Patrols the Heavens: Radiance!"

Following Qian Renxue's cold shout, the Radiant Emperor War Dragon coiled around her suddenly raised its head!

A massive, thick beam of light, condensed to the extreme and resembling liquid gold, erupted from the dragon's maw!

Wherever it passed, the air was instantly purified and distorted, emitting a piercing hum!

The speed of the beam was absolute; almost the moment it was fired, it crossed dozens of meters and struck the massive body of the Nether Wolf King with pinpoint accuracy!

"BOOM--!!!"

A deafening explosion rang out!

The blinding golden light instantly swallowed the Wolf King's figure!

It only had time to let out a short, sharp wail before its entire body dissolved at a visible rate under that magnificent divine power, like snow under a scorching sun.

In the span of a single breath, the fierce, three-thousand-year spirit beast overlord that commanded the pack had been completely vaporized!

Only a charred pit several meters in diameter remained, its walls smooth as glass, emitting wisps of blue smoke and a pungent, burnt odor. A black spirit bone, shimmering with a deep, abyssal glow, lay silently at the bottom.

The remaining momentum of the Emperor Dragon Patrols the Heavens beam did not falter; after completely annihilating the Wolf King, it slammed fiercely into the dense forest behind it!

"BOOM--!"

Another thunderous roar! Dozens of towering ancient trees were snapped in half and pulverized by the golden light as if they were made of paper. The ground was plowed into a deep trench, and the soil and wood chips were instantly crystallized by the terrifying heat!

The golden light slowly dissipated.

The phantom of the Radiant Emperor War Dragon gradually faded, submerging back into Qian Renxue's body.

The forest fell into a deathly silence.

The surviving pack of Nether Wolf was utterly terrified. Not daring to even whimper, they tucked their tails and fled in a frantic, scattered panic like stray dogs, vanishing into the depths of the dense forest in the blink of an eye, leaving behind only a scene of devastation and the acrid smell of burning.

Qian Renxue stood where she was, breathing slightly heavily.

The sensation of using a spirit skill for the first time was incredibly marvelous. The feeling of power that erupted in that instant, as if she could command the heavens and the earth, was intoxicating, yet the violent consumption of spirit power also left her feeling a sense of emptiness.

She looked down at her palms; the lingering warmth of that light which purified all things seemed to remain at her fingertips.

Is this... the power of a hundred-thousand-year spirit ring? The first spirit skill of the Emperor War Dragon? Qian Renxue was struck by an indescribable sense of shock.