Golden Armor and Divine Fruits

Mu Chen's pupils contracted slightly. He raised his arm and threw a punch.

The two fists collided, setting off a violent explosion in the air as both sides were forced back dozens of steps.

Mu Chen studied the figure that had flown out of the Dragon Phoenix Pool, his expression slightly grave.

It was clad in golden dragon-scale armor and held a battle spear, with Phoenix Patterns coiling around its shaft. Its palms were broad, its nails long and sharp as daggers. Beneath its faceplate, only a pair of emotionless golden eyes could be seen.

"What are you?" Mu Chen asked in a low voice.

"Intruder, leave, or die!" the golden-armored figure said in a hoarse, halting voice.

"A guardian? Some strange lifeform born from the influence of True Dragon and True Phoenix power... It actually possesses intelligence." Mu Chen was somewhat surprised.

Within Dragon Phoenix Heaven, there seemed to be some mysterious force suppressing the birth of complete intelligence among the creatures here. Yet this peculiar golden-armored figure had broken that rule.

Di Er Meng reminded him, "That golden armor of his is a good thing. It is the perfect fusion of dragon and phoenix power, and it can make your path of cultivating the Dragon Phoenix Body much smoother."

Mu Chen's eyes lit up.

The Golden Armor Guardian seemed to sense Mu Chen's covetous gaze and erupted with towering killing intent.

Mu Chen smiled faintly as blood-colored patterns, seemingly alive, surfaced across his body.

He fully activated the Blood Emperor Body Tempering Art and unleashed the profound technique he had only learned after exchanging for its fifth and sixth layers at the Soul Hall: the Blood Emperor Body!

Blood-red power covered the surface of his body like an indestructible suit of armor.

With a flash, he charged toward