Norton

Lu Mingfei tore the ancient case from his back, stroking its outer shell as he tried to find the switch that would open the thing.

The water churned as the Dragon King's phantom rapidly approached.

"Above the case."

Lu Mingze's voice came from nowhere.

"Above the case?"

Lu Mingfei reached out decisively.

There was a groove.

With a click, Lu Mingfei pried open the hidden metal plate by the groove. The mechanisms inside slid out with a clear chime, fanning open.

Seven blades lay within: everything from a heavy single-edged sword in the style of a horse-chopping saber, to a curved Atkan longsword, an antique straight-edged sword, and short daggers no longer than a forearm.

This set did not look like something forged two thousand years ago. Aside from the intricate, profound patterns, the dark golden gleam along the edges, the refined lines of the blades, and the mechanism that housed all seven weapons were as exquisite as the movement of a mechanical watch.

It'd be nice if there were one in the style of a Storm Knight greatsword.

Lu Mingfei thought.

But with such an exaggerated design, wouldn't hardly any Mixed-Blood dare use it around here?

Following Lu Mingze's guidance, Lu Mingfei placed his hand on the largest and heaviest single-edged horse-chopping saber, the one that looked most like "Wrath."

"I've never used a two-handed sword..."

Lu Mingfei muttered.

"The old man never taught me either."

He applied a little force.

Shing!

A five-foot-long, two-handed pole-blade came free of its sheath.

What a fine blade.

Lu Mingfei could not help praising it.

Excellent material, a beautiful blade, a glint of cold starlight flowing along its edge... it was nothing like the weapons he had spent all day stripping from corpses in the Lands Between.

If Norton had heard Lu Mingfei comparing his finest masterpiece to standard-issue weapons, he would probably have spat out blood.

Could they even be compared?

He had painstakingly forged it with tremendous effort: an unparalleled dragon-slaying divine weapon meant for each dragon to use in cutting down their brothers and sisters!

Thump!

Thump!

In the silent depths, the sound of a heartbeat echoed.

Lu Mingfei initially thought he was simply too nervous, but in the next instant, he realized where it was coming from.

The blade in his hand was alive!

A soft hum came from the blade. Amplified by Lu Mingfei's extraordinary "senses," it sounded as though a heart were beating inside it.

"How could this be?"

He murmured.

"These are blades infused with spiritual attributes. Of course they're alive," Lu Mingze chuckled in his mind.

The icy river water seemed to freeze, not because of the cold, but because of the invisible pressure radiating from the horse-chopping saber called "Wrath" in Lu Mingfei's hand.

Cold light flowed along the blade, its hum like a heartbeat. Every pulse drew the attention of the colossal creature in the distance.

Dragon King Norton, the Bronze and Flame King.

His enormous draconic body, covered in bronze scales, flickered in and out of sight within the murky river. Lava-like blood flowed from his wounds, scars left by the Storm Torpedo.

His enormous, molten-gold vertical pupils pierced the darkness and fixed unerringly on Lu Mingfei.

Or rather, on "Wrath" in Lu Mingfei's hand.

"Brother, he's got his eye on you."

Lu Mingze's voice sounded again, carrying a trace of excitement beneath its teasing tone.

"The awakening of 'Wrath' is the greatest provocation and threat to him."

"Go on. Use the authority I gave you and show him what you learned there."

Lu Mingfei did not respond to the little devil's goading.

He slowly kindled the spark within his chest, and fine black scales began to emerge.

Dragon Communion Power flowed, leaped, and surged through his veins like delighted magma!

"The Gathering!" (Infinite Mana)

—Lu Mingze's "secret manual" took effect once more. The Dragon Communion Flame and the source of his draconic speech within him instantly became full and surging, with no danger of running dry again!

"Noglues!" (Silence)

—An invisible domain abruptly spread out from Lu Mingfei, forcibly suppressing any draconic speech Norton might unleash!

He twisted violently, yet could not break free from the restraints of that power.

Roar!

Norton released a low howl filled with pain and frenzied rage. It was not a chant in the dragon tongue, but the pure, instinctive roar of an enraged beast.

His colossal body churned the river as he charged forward with overwhelming force! His enormous claws tore through the water and reached straight for Lu Mingfei's head!

Storm Foot!

Lu Mingfei stomped hard against the riverbed!

Even beneath the immense water pressure, the power of the Storm Knights' core combat technique erupted! A violent circular cyclone exploded outward, forming a brief "waterless" domain around him! The shockwave, mixed with the power of Storm, slammed fiercely into Norton's incoming claw!

This was Lu Mingfei's attempt to combine Dustless Land with Storm. Judging by it now, the results were remarkable!

Boom!

A muffled blast erupted beneath the water.

Norton's giant claw was violently knocked aside, and the torn currents carried mud scattering in every direction.

Eye of the Storm King!

An even fiercer hurricane gathered and erupted behind him! It was no longer used for propulsion, but became a furious cutting blade!

The high-speed airflow, compressed to the utmost limit like an invisible giant blade, mixed with the power of Stormcaller and slashed viciously at Norton!

Riiip—

The water was forcibly cleaved apart. The strongest dragon-slaying weapon Norton himself had forged tore open his own draconic body, and dragon blood gushed out like a fountain of lava, instantly boiling the surrounding river water!

Roar—!!!

Norton let out a pained roar that shook the riverbed. His massive dragon tail swept toward Lu Mingfei like a collapsing mountain, its sharp bone spurs bearing terrifying pressure!

Lu Mingfei did not hesitate in the slightest.

Storm Blade!

The Storm Knight's signature move appeared upon the horse-chopping saber called "Wrath" in his hands through the form of a Storm Horn.

It was an enormous wind blade condensed from the power of the primordial Storm! He gripped the hilt with both hands, spun, and swung in one fluid motion!

A concentrated blade of light wrapped in a destructive hurricane tore through the wall of high-pressure water and struck the sweeping dragon tail with all its might!

Clang—

Though it was a collision between blade and dragon tail, it rang out like metal striking metal!

The web between Lu Mingfei's thumb and forefinger split open, and blood instantly dyed the hilt red.

The force sent his entire body flying backward. He slammed hard into a reef on the riverbed, scattering broken stones.

Lu Mingfei coughed up a mouthful of bloody foam, feeling as though there was not a single spot on his body that did not hurt.

Sure enough, these long-tailed bastards loved swinging their tails around all day. Agheel did it, Margit, the Fell Omen did it, and even Norton did it!

"Wrath" hummed violently in his hand, greedily absorbing the blood flowing from his torn palm.

The blade grew scorching hot, and its heartbeat-like pulses became clearer and stronger.

A violent, savage will, as though it wanted to burn everything to ash, surged through the hilt into Lu Mingfei's body, producing an astonishing resonance with the boiling Dragon Communion Power within him!