At that moment, the aftermath of the explosion still echoed within the concealing formation.
A vast crater had opened around Lu Ren.
Lu Ren sat cross-legged at its center. Blood seeped from his split skin, staining his body gold.
He slowly raised his eyes. There was no trace of defeat in them—only a flicker of excitement.
Seeing him like this, the Nethernight Imperial Daughter grew even more worried. "Lu Ren, are you all right? So what if you failed? At least you're alive!"
"The backlash from a Battle Mark really is more terrifying than I imagined!"
Lu Ren wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth. "Don't worry, Nethernight Imperial Daughter. I've only failed once. Move away, quickly!"
"What?"
Startled, the Nethernight Imperial Daughter saw that the eight Battle Marks on his body were still gleaming gold.
"Your Battle Marks didn't shatter?"
The Nethernight Imperial Daughter stared at him in surprise.
"I have a secret inscription technique. Even if I fail, the Battle Marks on my body won't shatter," Lu Ren said calmly.
"But your first attempt left you in this state. If you keep inscribing—"
The Nethernight Imperial Daughter frowned.
"Don't worry. Every failure gives me more experience for my attempt at the ninth mark!"
Lu Ren looked at her, his gaze burning. "I need you to keep watch. That was only an Eighth-Grade Battle Mark. When I start inscribing a Ninth-Grade Battle Mark, the disturbance will be even greater!"
"You're really going to continue?"
Her voice trembled as she looked at the cracks covering his body. "If you fail again, you won't survive it!"
"Chu Shanhe had the nerve to pursue a Nine-Marked Battle Body even though he could only afford to fail once. Why can't I?"
Lu Ren took out another Eighth-Grade Battle Mark. "Leave, quickly.