Chapter 1427

"It hurts, it hurts too much!"

A miserable scream erupted, the Yellow Sand River trembled violently, invisible ripples swept up and down, countless small fish floated belly-up on the surface with white eyes, a scene of utter devastation.

"Dragon Lord, bear with it a little!"

Liang Qu was equally nervous, palms sweating, trying his best to speed up his movements.

The Long Wang's spine is too hard!

This isn't some bread or dough, something you can just knead and pinch off.

Even with his strength to grasp rivers and tear the heavens, he could not cut the dragon spine — this world's top-tier treasure material — as if it were light work, especially since the Fubo spear blade's load-bearing capacity was limited.

The Infant Dragon, the supple dragon.

The name of this realm comes precisely from the heavenly dragon soaring, its form supple, ascending to heaven and entering earth.

The Long Wang is the true pinnacle.

Without force it won't cut; with too much force it's easy to make large movements, shatter the spear blade, touch the nerves, and the agony becomes even worse. Slowly sawing is endless torture, like drilling a tiny hole exposing the pulp in a back molar, then probing the tooth nerve with a freezing steel needle.

Even more nervous than when Liang Qu cut himself — cutting himself he didn't have to worry so much.

The black-gold spear blade was stuck between the jade-white bones, split halfway through; crimson marrow emitted a strange fragrance, attracting countless large fish, rushing in wave after wave, dense and numerous, their eyes blood-red, then shocked dead one wave after another by the screams.

The cut muscles kept twitching and spasming; fresh blood was locked tight by the tensed muscles. Because the Dragon Lord's frame was vast, Liang Qu fell into it, simply like falling into a canyon, with two cliff walls on either side — walls of writhing flesh and blood.

When had the Dragon Lord ever suffered such torment.

The Mirage Dragon seemed to originate from the Long Wang, growing with the world. Born as the Demon Emperor for the succession, who in the world did not revere it? Even falling into the Yin realm's layers, enduring a hundred years of refining, it was a consumption nearing the source, a psychological crushing — not this kind of brutal violence.

Seeing the Dragon Lord unable to hold on, beginning to writhe unconsciously, Liang Qu immediately sent a message to the Third Prince and shouted at the top of his lungs: "Dragon Lord. You must endure, don't you want revenge anymore?"

The dragon body shuddered.

"A hundred years! One hundred years! Dragon Lord, think about how you spent that hundred years!"

"No food, no drink, no hope, only despair, only Lijie, only ruin!"

"Only three months out, and you've already forgotten the hatred etched into your bones?"

"The past Dragon Lord is dead! The current one is the even more unstoppable Yellow Sand Dragon Lord!"

Green ripples of light spread out.

The immortal pill's healing began to take effect, alleviating part of the Dragon Lord's pain.

Liang Qu struck while the iron was hot: "If we don't succeed we die! If you can't withstand it, it's life after life! No future ever again! That is a pitch-black far more painful than now!"

"Ah!!!" The Dragon Lord roared, "Come!"

On the other side, Long Eying had the Third Prince grab her sleeve, rode the white dragon rushing over at full speed, plunged into the water, passed through the protective barrier formed by the whirlpool, and witnessed this shocking scene.

The Dragon Lord straightened his body, a gash cut open on his back, revealing twitching muscles, spasming dragon tendons; Liang Qu buried in the "canyon," wielding Fubo to cut the spine.

The scene was chaotic, exceptionally brutal.

Is————it started?

Long Eying bit her lip, clenched her fists.

Countless images flashed through her heart.

Grandfather's admonitions, the elders' teachings, the clan's aspirations, holidays, the Dragon Lord's portrait hanging on the wall————

Liang Qu's reliability, Liang Qu's gentleness, the udumbara flowers on Mount Taicang, an incomparable sense of security————

Interwoven left and right, impossible to sever.

Times change, the clan's future already has a landing, why must we still————

Real experience crushes the portrait in the ancestors' mouths.

She took a deep breath, gentleness vanished, gaze firm, frost spikes condensing in her palm.

The Dragon Lord's heart skipped a beat, he looked around in alarm and suspicion.

Killing intent!

Who!?

"Eying, come help quickly, freeze the Dragon Lord, numb the pain!" Liang Qu shouted.

The Dragon Lord was overjoyed hearing this, knowing Eying's divine ability, no longer caring to search for the killing intent's source, immediately urging: "Junior girl, hurry up and save your old ancestor!"

Long Eying froze, suddenly understood, dispelled her own unrealistic thoughts, face betraying no change, only a touch of embarrassment unknown to the dragon, directly activating the fourth layer of the Startling Dragon Transformation.

The graceful dragon maiden's body transformed, spiritual clothes following and expanding, scaling up proportionally; in a moment, she stood three meters five tall, thighs round and fair, figure even more voluptuous — Long Eying reappeared, aura surging, waving her hand to create continuous ice mountains, freezing the Dragon Lord.

Cool chill offset and weakened the cutting pain; hard ice mountains provided support.

Healing, freezing, two-pronged approach.

The old Dragon Lord's complexion suddenly eased; although still painful, under the intense before-and-after contrast, there was actually a hint of comfort, he went limp within the ice mountains.

Bliss!

Liang Qu activated his Golden Body, skill born of practice, gradually gaining a clear understanding of the spine's hardness and structure, speed becoming faster and faster.

The Third Prince opened his huge mouth, swung his dragon tail, repeatedly entering and exiting the Chuan Kingdom.

Section by section, the spine was cut off vertically, continuously taken into the Kingdom. Because it was cut from both sides, the remaining leftover could still gather into one root, avoiding becoming a boneless dragon or shortening by a large section.

All spilled fresh blood was likewise not wasted, divided by the delighted Liang Qu and the surrounding waters, and pocketed.

The immortal pill's efficacy was fierce and swift.

Liang Qu knew extracting the spine was arduous, so the medicinal power and compensation he gave were actually higher than the loss, even significantly higher; coupled with the Yellow Sand River's favor, when cutting along the spine, the rear wasn't cut open yet but the front had already healed, like the "canyon" closing up; coupled with the immortal pill's power, the lost origin continuously recovered.

Liang Qu and the Dragon Lord, for the sake of charging the Fourth Immortal, willingly struck and willingly endured in the Yellow Sand River, live-harvesting the spine.

The Northern Court, the Golden Royal Court, accompanying the cleansing of the Lotus Sect top to bottom, turmoil everywhere, brought a massive amount of affairs.

The Great Khan pacified one region, finished today's matters, summoned capable subordinates, four Wu Sheng experts, led by the Wolf Lord, then dispatched confidants, ministers, young talents, master craftsmen, honor guards, accompanying nobles, forming a delegation of twelve thousand, returning to Great Shun once more.

The Southern Frontier, Jin Guang in one breath, the Heavenly Centipede arrived first at the carriage. Three old rats — yellow, white, gray — scurried, jumped up the steps, wiped the stools, placed fruit, arranged incense, finished and dropped to the window, one left one right lifting the curtains, waving claws repeatedly at their master.

Li Xianghan, unwilling in heart and spirit, boarded the carriage heading for Great Shun, converged with the Qingzi Valley's Great Manifestation, gathered at the Tusi Valley, all sides added together, likewise a force of ten thousand.

The "River Stones" from north and south moved together, advancing toward the Great Shun Imperial Capital, with the Heavenly Dragon added—there were as many as eight!

Unprecedentedly, the Great Shun Imperial Capital not only failed to strengthen its defenses or mobilize more Martial Saints, but instead flung open the gates of convenience.

Imperial Capital.

Heads gathered, a sea of people.

The chill had not yet faded, floating ice lingered on the Accumulated Waters Pool, His Majesty opened another grace examination, the schedule was unexpectedly tight, many eligible youths unwilling to miss it rushed from afar to the capital, the Accumulated Waters Pool bustled immensely.

Tianyu Drill Ground, ancient trees encircling formed a wall, Meng Qiang, Hua Qingdu, Li Bingzhong, Zhang Shaofan—those who once stood with Liang Qu against the Northern Court genius envoy—youths and young adults gathered, arms crossed, marveling aloud.

Xu Shuai, Hu Qi, and Xiang Changsong were also present.

The Four Great Martial Academies continued to develop, and having received His Majesty's order, they participated in the martial examinations to display their prowess.

At the center of the field, the "Immovable" Twin Horns gathered green light, constantly healing. Shi Yun studied and trained diligently, light emanated from within, he assumed a stance, and began sparring with the otter otter.

The otter otter stood with hands behind its back, aura full, cast aside the superior spirit weapon nine-ringed tin staff, fiercely pushed off the ground and dove forward, revealing sharp claws.

Monkey Claw·Soul-Seizing Linked Grab First Style, Great Wasteland Imprisons Heaven!

The martial examinations are imminent—practical combat special training!

Bang! Bang! Bang!

Fists and feet collided, bodies intertwined. One large, one small, one radiant, one furry—two legs crossed and collided, both retreated, killing intent overflowed!

Within the Imperial City.

"Zhang Qing, how is it?" The Sacred Emperor patted Zhang Longxiang's shoulder, smiling, "Fifteenth day, all sides arrive, Liang Qing said, if we can settle things before then, the more we display, the greater our leading authority among the three parties. This time the Northern Court sent the Wolf Lord and Haru Khan,

many talents. Southern Jiang also sent not a few experts, even the Little Tusi and Holy Maiden—since the founding of the nation, we have never encountered such a scale."

"Your Majesty, rest assured, I already have a clue, I can now enter seclusion to attempt, I will surely catch up!"

"Good! Go! If you need anything, speak freely, Zhang Qing, Liang Qing, you are both pillars of my Great Shun State, beams bridging sea and gold, even if you have no merit on hand, you may first borrow. In this regard, Zhang Qing should learn more from Liang Qing, he has done this more than once—do not stand on ceremony."

Zhang Longxiang laughed loudly: "As commanded!"

The Wolf Lord led the Northern Court envoy, crossed the Yellow Sha River, lifted the curtain, glanced once at the tranquil waves of the ferocious river, sighed slightly, lowered the curtain, and continued forward.

Shahe Riverbed.

Fubo was drawn, threadlike blood traces scattered and dissipated in the water.

Six full hours, half a day's light, Liang Qu removed most of the dragon's spinal bones.

Liang Qu took a breath, pulled out half a spinal bone, and consumed most of the marrow.

The Ze Ding trembled, the blue tide rose.

【Water Marsh Essence+361201】

【Water Marsh Essence: twenty million fifteen thousand】

By this analogy, estimate the total essence content.

Enough!

And exceeding demand.

Liang Qu leapt from the "canyon," the writhing flesh on both sides began to squeeze and merge, cracks vanished swiftly, then were covered by scales, on the surface no wound was visible.

"Dragon Lord, how is it?" Liang Qu asked.

The Old Dragon Lord lay sprawled, unwilling to move, the sweat flowing out froze together with the ice chunks.

Just as after a long stomachache, the pain suddenly vanished, an indescribable refreshing sensation surged up, so much so that no words could be spoken.

Water weeds swayed, clear waves flowed, all was peaceful and quiet.

A long time.

The Dragon Lord waved his paw.

Liang Qu exhaled, nodded, embraced the over-three-meter-tall giant Eying, sat upon her legs, leaned into her embrace, closed his eyes to rest. He was also a bit tired, this work was too tense, listening to the Old Dragon Lord's constant wails, a deep sense of guilt lingered in his heart.

Incidentally, he took out the excess medicinal dregs from the healing immortal pill and swallowed them.

【Water Marsh Essence+112454】

【Water Marsh Essence+214445】

【Water Marsh Essence+3451421】

【Water Marsh Essence: twenty-three million six hundred thousand】

With the experience from last time refining the immortal pill, Liang Qu intentionally came for the medicinal dregs, and since not much time had passed, though the retained Water Marsh Essence had some loss, it was clearly more.

One round of borrowing, refining the immortal pill, the Old Dragon Lord had medicine to eat, Liang Qu obtained water-attribute essence.

Profit doubled!

The furnace method is indeed extraordinary.

When I have my furnace, I will not hold back, I will fiercely refine pills for everyone, even the horned fish must be refined!

Now eating ordinary treasure fish, Liang Qu can still profit from Water Marsh Essence, but if he eats all of them, it becomes competing with his subordinates for profit, swallowing everything, standing opposed to the fishers. If it is the furnace acting, then it can completely avoid this, just as the dregs are inedible, like sugarcane residue, scraping the throat.

However, it does not matter, the superior dregs he eats, the inferior sludge the water beasts eat.

"Huh? This is————"

Liang Qu suddenly sat up, drew out Fubo.

At this very moment, on the jet-black blade of the spear, dense blood-colored patterns grew, wrapping the entire shaft, like meridians,

blood vessels, varying in size, constantly expanding and contracting, extraordinarily remarkable. Each fluctuation brings some degree of strength advancement.

Liang Qu was overjoyed.

Cutting the Long Wang's spinal bone actually granted Fubo unexpected benefits?

Washing and refining with blood?

Fubo has followed Liang Qu since early on, from mortal weapon to spirit weapon, from spirit weapon to profound weapon, yet recently its strength has gradually fallen behind.

Profound weapons are the extensions of a Wu Sheng's hands and feet, having reached this point, few materials in the world can match its strength, thus it needs nurturing, but Liang Qu advanced too quickly, aside from this breakthrough's great feedback, daily accumulation cannot raise it, now cutting the dragon's spinal bone even carries a risk of snapping.

Unexpectedly————

It was truly a pleasant surprise.

"Is this enough now?" The Dragon Lord spoke weakly; the relief after the pain was real, but so was the exhaustion, and now its spine was growing, itching so badly it wanted to tear open its own flesh and scratch.

Liang Qu said solemnly, "Enough. Thank you for your hard work, Dragon Lord. When the Fourth Immortal comes again, I will lie before the Dragon Lord!"

"Alright, alright, time is short to begin with, you hurry up and go, who knows when the Fourth Immortal will emerge. Right, the girl stays, freeze her some more, the itching is severe."

"Dragon Lord, still missing one thing."

"There's more?!" The Dragon Lord glared.

"Essence blood." Liang Qu reminded, "It was previously stored with you, it was mine to begin with."

The Dragon Lord froze, recalled, and its teeth ached.

This kid————

It sliced open its dragon claw again, condensing out the golden essence blood; the entire dragon declined another degree, a reduction at the source, a consumption of the "Root", not a simple matter of being favored by heaven and earth where wounds just heal.

Time was pressing; Liang Qu thanked again and looked toward Eying.

Eying nodded, reached out, and condensed a towering Bingshan.

"Huu————"

The Dragon Lord stretched.

【Can consume ten million Water Marsh Essence, Xuan Dragon Spirit Fish, Dragon Blood (containing ten million essence), Dragon Spine Bone (containing ten million essence), Point-Eye Grasp River Pull River Body, ascend to Lord Bone.】

"Finally gathered enough!"

Imperial Capital, Side Hall.

The vast side hall was completely cleared, the building soaring high, leaving only a meditation cushion, a small bed, and a desk.

Liang Qu and Zhang Longxiang corresponded opposite each other, guarding the central Sacred Emperor, like two wings.

Secluded cultivation in the Imperial Palace, an unprecedented move, happened today!

Incense smoke curled on the desk.

Spine bone, essence blood, Xuan Long Qi, ten million essence — all fully present.

Unexpectedly, the Grasp River Pull River Body had just been obtained not long ago, yet it was about to ascend again.

No, that's not right.

"Still the Grasp River Pull River Body, merely previously flawed, different from Dragon Sinew Tiger Bone to Seize Dragon Subdue Tiger." Liang Qu pondered.

Struck by lightning tribulation, repeatedly repaired, taking this opportunity to consume over eight million, became Grasp River Pull River, now obtaining such a heavy treasure, even more precious than him maxing out the Water Ape Great Sage!

No more hesitation.

【Obtained a wisp of Xuan Dragon Long Qi, if merged with fifty thousand Water Marsh Essence, gives birth to a Spirit Fish, can sublimate Divine Favor, wondrous function.】

【Water Marsh Essence: 23.55 million】

Black Long Qi transformed into a black-eyed Spirit Fish, swimming freely in the Marsh Cauldron.

Point-Eye!

Spine bone, essence blood, Xuan Dragon Spirit Fish, large amount of Blue Tide, evaporated into nothing!

【Water Marsh Essence: 13.55 million】

Essence blood fused into the whole body, the massive spine bone encircling the body condensed into a ball of light, drilled into Liang Qu's body, followed along the spine, merged into one—!

In an instant, endless pain exploded with a boom!

Liang Qu let out a muffled groan, eyes tightly shut, cold sweat beading on his forehead, streaming down, soaking the meditation cushion.

Dragon and Tiger roared inside the body, Jianghe circled outside the body, colliding ceaselessly.

Opposite the side hall.

A hundred clay pots placed on the ground.

Zhang Longxiang absorbed them one by one, the red qi clusters inside growing vigorously.

Between the two side halls.

The Sacred Emperor also closed his eyes.

The Northern Court and Southern Frontier envoys, envoys, officials, nobles, attendants, both sides combined, over twenty thousand people, vast and orderly, chaotic yet not disordered, according to deployment, merged into the Imperial Capital.

Heat steamed.

Mutton legs dripped golden oil, falling to the ground, freezing into yellow little towers.

Haru Khan missed the Great Shun food, never expected to return and eat it again.

Years apart, the former Northern Court's number one genius, was already an Entering Zhen Xiang powerhouse, so————

"Three more, double!"

Bai Awei was overjoyed, taking the lead, eating and drinking lavishly, with Li Xianghan close behind chasing.

Li Yilin asked curiously, "First time in the Imperial Capital, your Gu insect, how is it so familiar?"

"Ah?" Li Xianghan's brain crashed, laughed awkwardly twice, "No no, we prepared before coming, just knew what fun things there were."

Li Yilin realized, also found it funny, poked Li Xianghan's forehead: "You, always just know how to play, if you could put in a bit more effort, Bai Guangyi's record would have been broken by you long ago."

"Hahaha." Li Xianghan just laughed awkwardly.

March 15th.

Sun not yet out, sky hazy.

Ministers gathered early in the square, Northern and Southern envoys waited in succession.

Great Manifestation, Martial Saints, all parties' forces on the square, facing the central Tianshen Hall.

Haru Khan rubbed his belly, thinking of breakfast.

Li Xianghan looked left and right, mixed in the crowd, puzzled that the Huai King actually didn't come find her.

What could he be holding back?

The Wolf Lord stared at the imperial city, knowing that Zhang Longxiang was here, right within the imperial city, recalling how the new venerable of the Lotus Sect had gone to Dayong, encountered Liang Qu and Zhang Longxiang, and instantly collapsed—

The heavenly gate shifted, and with the passage of time, the initial clamor gradually faded.

The square fell utterly silent.

Purple qi came from the east, shadows on the ground grew clearer, and the cold air in the night rapidly rose.

"Pa!"

The long whip struck the ground, the eunuch lifted his head, veins jumping.

"Morning clouds rise, the Ying Dragon climbs, hail my Great Dayong!"

"Huh?"

Boom!

Everyone widened their eyes, thousands of people, in unison turning their heads to the left.

An invisible air wave suddenly exploded, lightly brushing the face, a blood-red qi pillar shot up from the left side hall.

That, that is———

Zhang Longxiang?!

The Wolf Lord's eyes nearly split, his fists clenched tight, before the emotional surge like a raging tide could fully unfold.

Boom!

Everyone's hairs stood on end, in unison turning their heads to the right, like thorns in the back, needles sprouting from the soles of their feet.

The second wave of surging air flowed close to the ground, a crimson-gold qi pillar rose from the right side hall.

Liang Qu?!

Not over.

Boom!

Everyone looked neither left nor right, in unison lifting their heads upward.

The third purple light pillar rose majestically from the central great hall!

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