"Contains three moves. 1. Dragon Shadow Escape: Dragon Shadow Escape of the Divine Dragon Combat Art was a movement technique for traveling at extreme speed. Through agile movements and footwork, the user could dart across the battlefield like a dragon. It was an unrivaled technique for dodging enemy attacks and escaping with one's life. It could also be used to close in on enemies quickly and launch attacks. Continuous use was limited to two hours.
2. Dragon Scale Armor: Dragon Scale Armor of the Divine Dragon Combat Art was an energy-based defensive technique. By condensing dragon-scale armor over the surface of the body, it strengthened the user's defenses and withstood enemy attacks. Dragon Scale Armor could also be bestowed upon others. This move could protect both the user and their companions from enemy harm. Its effects lasted two hours.
3. Divine Dragon Transformation: Divine Dragon Transformation of the Divine Dragon Combat Art was a transformation technique. By circulating spiritual power along a special route, the user could transform into a divine dragon to fight. After transforming, the user's attack and defense could be doubled. The transformation lasted one hour and ended when that time elapsed, with no side effects."
"The effects depended on the caster's strength. The stronger the caster, the greater the increase in strength after using the techniques, up to a maximum of twice the caster's strength."
"Wow! That's incredible! I love it!" Given Li Dalong's personality, anything that increased his strength and gave him a sense of security was a good thing.
Li Dalong wished he could start learning it immediately, but Zhou Xue was still healing, and a strange creature had already appeared here. To ensure their safety, setting up an array first would be the safer choice.
He put the thought into action and immediately began setting up a composite array. In unfamiliar surroundings, hiding oneself came first, so this time he laid out a composite array combining defense with an Illusion Array, covering a radius of ten li.
Before long, the array was ready. He activated it, and beams of light instantly shot from its foundations. They converged at the center, then rapidly spread into a defensive barrier that enveloped the entire area within a ten-li radius. It then slowly vanished from sight, concealing itself.
Once the array was active, Li Dalong took out the jade slip containing the Divine Dragon Combat Art and sent his divine sense into it to read its contents.
Soon, all its contents were imprinted in Li Dalong's mind, as familiar as though he had practiced them for years. He tried circulating his spiritual power along the routes prescribed by the Divine Dragon Combat Art, instantly left the defensive array, and tested all three moves outside. The moment he used them, he felt his strength surge through the roof. It was exhilarating.
All that remained was to keep practicing and work out how to use them together. Now, following the Heaven-Dharma Appearance spell, Li Dalong had gained another powerful means of preserving his life, and he could double his combat strength for a short time.
After testing the moves, Li Dalong returned to Zhou Xue and quietly watched her heal.
Another four hours passed before Zhou Xue stopped circulating her energy and emerged from her healing session. Li Dalong asked her with concern, "Xue’er, are you feeling better?"
"Martial Uncle, my injuries have mostly healed. Thank you, Martial Uncle!" Hearing Li Dalong's question, Zhou Xue hurriedly rose and bowed to him.
"That's good! Xue’er, how did you encounter that monster just now? Tell your martial uncle what happened."
"Yes, Martial Uncle."
"After I jumped down from above, I thought I was certain to die. Although I couldn't tell which way was which in the mist, I desperately kept controlling my flying sword as I descended. But I couldn't fly in the mist and just kept falling. It consumed an enormous amount of my spiritual power."
"At the time, I didn't think much about anything else. I just desperately poured spiritual power into controlling my flying sword. Later, when I reached the canyon floor, the surroundings down here frightened me too."
"After treating my injuries and recovering my spiritual power, I wanted to find a way out. At first, I searched toward the middle, but even after walking for a long time, I didn't see anyone-not even a demonic beast. Then I grew scared and returned to where I'd fallen."
"Then I thought of a simple, clumsy method: searching ahead along the rock wall. When I reached the area up ahead, I encountered this monster and started fighting it. But I couldn't beat it, so I had to fight while fleeing. Just when I was about to give out, you arrived, Martial Uncle." Zhou Xue recounted everything she had experienced since entering Misty Canyon to Li Dalong in one breath.
"Xue’er, did you only encounter this one?" Li Dalong asked.
"Yes, Martial Uncle. There was only this one when I encountered it. It attacked me as soon as we met, and then I ran back. I don't know whether there are more farther ahead or elsewhere," Zhou Xue answered.
"Mm, you did well! If you can't win, you have to find a way to run. Save your life first. If your life is gone, everything is gone." Li Dalong praised Zhou Xue.
"Xue’er, I originally intended to take you back first. But getting down here isn't easy. Since heaven's will led us to discover this place, I'd like to explore it first and see whether it could become a new base for our Righteous Qi Sect in the future, or a trial ground for our disciples."
"Stay with me while we investigate. Since an unknown monster has appeared here, we should get to the bottom of things before returning to the sect." Li Dalong explained his plan to Zhou Xue.
"Mm, I'll do as you say, Martial Uncle. If this place isn't dangerous, that would be wonderful for the sect. Father will definitely be overjoyed." Zhou Xue answered with a relaxed expression.
"All right. Let's head to where you encountered the monster and investigate. We'll see whether there are any more of them."
Li Dalong flew ahead with Zhou Xue. Her cultivation was still low, and he had to divide his attention to protect her, so he flew relatively slowly. At the same time, his divine sense spread into their surroundings as they flew, searching for suspicious targets.
They soon reached the place where Zhou Xue had encountered the strange monster. Li Dalong stopped to investigate but found no clues.
They continued flying ahead. After traveling roughly another three hundred li, a monster identical to the one he had killed appeared within Li Dalong's divine sense. Again, there was only one. Could they live alone, each with its own territory?
Still, since a second one has appeared, this must be the right direction. Let's see if I can capture it and find more clues.
He flew straight over. As he drew close, Li Dalong immobilized the monster directly with his divine sense.
The monster was dozing at the time, utterly unaware that danger was upon it. Only when Li Dalong's divine sense immobilized it did it wake with a start. Terrified, it struggled desperately to break free of his restraint, but the gap in their strength was far too great. Everything it did was futile.
After immobilizing it, Li Dalong sent his divine sense into its sea of consciousness, hoping to find clues. He discovered that its sea of consciousness was extremely simple. Apart from absorbing heaven and earth spiritual energy, all it did was eat.
It seems this strange creature has very little intelligence and survives purely on instinct. I don't know what it's called, either. Judging by its appearance, I'll call it a "Crab-Claw Beast."
Before you continue