Chapter 12: The Power of the ‘Dragon’s Roar’
The scene of becoming a god. The black-robed men by the Dragon Transformation Pool were long accustomed to such sights and naturally paid them no mind. Yet at this moment, they were still stunned by the massive phantom of an azure dragon hovering behind Linley’s body.
“An azure dragon phantom. He can manifest the ‘azure dragon phantom’ as a mid-stage god.” These black-robed men were utterly astonished.
Just like the divine beasts ‘God-Eating Rat’ and ‘Suanni’, when the divine beast ‘Azure Dragon’ used its innate divine ability, a phantom of its true form would naturally appear behind it. If it were a true divine beast, using its ‘innate divine ability’ as a lower-stage god would produce a phantom of its true form.
But the Azure Dragon clan was different.
Because in the entire Azure Dragon clan, only the ancestor ‘Azure Dragon’ was a true divine beast ‘Azure Dragon’. As for the other descendants, such as the second generation, third generation… and even Linley, they all possessed the bloodline of the Azure Dragon, but were not true divine beasts ‘Azure Dragon’.
When they used their innate divine abilities, their power was far inferior to that of the ancestor.
Although inferior to the ancestor, the innate divine abilities of the Azure Dragon clan’s members still varied in strength.
Because innate divine abilities were related to soul power, generally, those with powerful innate divine abilities would, upon reaching the upper-stage god level where their soul power was strongest, barely be able to form an ‘azure dragon phantom’.
Those with weak innate divine abilities could not form an ‘azure dragon phantom’ even upon becoming an upper-stage god.
Only those with exceptionally powerful innate divine abilities could form an ‘azure dragon phantom’ as a mid-stage god.
As for forming one during the lower-stage god period…
Linley was astonished. “It’s not pure divine power, nor pure soul power. It’s the fusion of soul power and this azure halo that allows the ‘innate divine ability’ to be executed.”
Only then did Linley understand why innate divine abilities could only be used by divine beasts, and others could not learn them.
Like Beibe’s ‘God Devouring’.
Like Delin’s ‘Heaven Swallowing’.
They all stemmed from the divine beast bloodline, which caused the soul to possess a special nature. The special nature of the Azure Dragon clan was this ‘azure halo’. Linley couldn’t understand what kind of energy this azure halo was.
It didn’t belong to divine power. It didn’t belong to soul power.
After the ancestral temple baptism, Linley naturally comprehended the innate divine ability and also naturally understood one of the profound mysteries of the water element laws.
“This innate divine ability ‘Dragon’s Roar’ has some common ground with my ‘Blackstone Prison’; both affect the soul rather than killing it.” Linley had obtained that ‘blackstone’ in the Amethyst Mountains. Through the blackstone, Linley could use soul power to influence others, leaving them in a dazed state.
This ‘Dragon’s Roar’ also affected the soul.
“My innate divine ability ‘Dragon’s Roar’ is inferior to that ‘blackstone’ in terms of affecting enemies.” Linley also discovered the difference between the two. His innate divine ability ‘Dragon’s Roar’ had, besides its effect on the soul,
Another special effect.
“Affecting speed?” Linley shook his head. “No, it’s affecting… time. Yes, time!”
This innate divine ability ‘Dragon’s Roar’ of the Azure Dragon clan not only affected the soul but also contained an effect on ‘time’. Although the soul-affecting power was not great, being able to affect ‘time’ was simply monstrous.
None of the seven elemental laws or the four supreme governing rules involved time.
Time was an unfathomable existence.
Yet…
The innate divine ability of the divine beast ‘Azure Dragon’ touched upon ‘time’. Presumably, only this innate ‘innate divine ability’, born of heaven, could possibly involve time.
Beibe’s ‘God Devouring’ directly devoured divine sparks.
The Azure Dragon’s ‘Dragon’s Roar’ affected time.
Both were impossible to cultivate. Unfortunately, Linley was not a true Azure Dragon. The power of ‘Dragon’s Roar’ could not be fully displayed.
“However, when I use ‘Dragon’s Roar’ now, its effect on time is extremely small, almost negligible.” Linley thought of the ancestor from afar. “If the ancestor, the true ‘Azure Dragon’, used his innate divine ability, it would surely be terrifying.”
Although his bloodline was pure, he was still far from the ancestor.
“Now my soul power is not strong. When I use the innate divine ability, its effect on time is too small. When I reach the upper-stage god level and absorb a large amount of amethyst, strengthening my soul dozens of times, the effect of this ‘innate divine ability’ on time will definitely become noticeable.”
Linley was well aware of how terrifying affecting time could be.
“But this ancestral temple baptism has already greatly improved my strength.” Linley’s heart was filled with joy.
The greatest benefit of this improvement for Linley was still the azure halo. The azure halo, combined with soul power, could not only be used to execute the ‘innate divine ability’ but also… for soul defense!
Back when he was in the Saint realm, the azure halo could resist soul attacks.
Now, after the ancestral temple baptism, the azure halo was millions of times stronger. Once fused with soul power, this soul defense would be astonishing.
“With my current soul defense, combined with the incomplete ‘Soul Defense Sovereign Artifact’, I estimate that only a Seven Star Fiend skilled in soul attacks would pose a threat to me. Whether they could kill me or not is uncertain.”
Linley was full of confidence.
Inside the Dragon Transformation Pool, Linley opened his eyes. Those black-robed men and the other twenty-seven people were all staring at him in shock. Linley glanced around the Dragon Transformation Pool. Only he remained inside.
“I didn’t expect to be the slowest.” Linley said with a faint smile, flying directly up.
The bald black-robed man then waved his hand, and the Dragon Transformation Crystal floated up from the pool. At this moment, the Dragon Transformation Crystal itself was only half azure; the other half had become transparent.
“Half the energy consumed.” The bald black-robed man looked at Linley with surprise.
“Make arrangements. Have someone send these people back.” The bald black-robed man said to the silver-haired youth.
“Alright.” The silver-haired youth nodded.
Linley was in a good mood. Smiling, he walked towards the silver-haired youth, preparing to leave with him.
“Linley, stop.” The bald black-robed man suddenly said.
“Hmm?” Linley turned to look at him in confusion.
The bald black-robed man forced a smile and said, “During the ancestral temple baptism, you alone absorbed the energy of the Dragon Transformation Crystal for half a day and a night. As a mid-stage god, you can form an ‘azure dragon phantom’ when using your innate divine ability. You are indeed a genius of our clan… Come with me. The elder will surely receive you shortly.”
“Oh.” Linley also smiled.
Baruch had also told him. Back then, after Baruch’s ancestral temple baptism, because his bloodline was as pure as the third generation’s, he was eventually received by the elder and learned about many of the clan’s circumstances.
The twenty-seven people were arranged to leave, while Linley followed the bald black-robed man forward. They passed through tunnels, entered a great hall, and walked along a carpeted corridor to the eastern hall.
Outside a secret chamber deep in the eastern hall.
“Wait here for me.” The bald black-robed man said.
Linley nodded.
The bald black-robed man then entered.
A hint of a smile played on Linley’s lips. The ancestral temple baptism was indeed a great gift. The improvement in soul defense was the most pleasant surprise. As for ‘Dragon’s Roar’, later, when his soul power increased, its power would truly manifest.
“I hope the elder doesn’t tell me a whole bunch of things about the clan.” Linley thought to himself.
“Hearing it a second time would be very boring.”
Inside the secret chamber, the bald man and the handsome youth were both sitting cross-legged. When the bald black-robed man entered, the two opened their eyes.
“You’re really slow.” The bald man snorted coldly. “Give me the Dragon Transformation Crystal.”
“Yes, elder.” The bald man handed over the Dragon Transformation Crystal.
Upon seeing it, the bald man and the handsome youth were both startled.
“Only half left?” The handsome youth said quickly.
“Yes. During this ancestral temple baptism, there was a genius named Linley. He alone absorbed the energy of the Dragon Transformation Crystal for half a day and a night. He just finished the ancestral temple baptism a moment ago.” The bald black-robed man said quickly.
The handsome youth and the bald man exchanged surprised glances.
“Emmanuel, our clan has produced another promising figure.” The handsome youth praised.
“Quick, have him come over.” The bald man shouted immediately.
“Yes.” The bald black-robed man immediately retreated.
Soon, wearing a sky-blue robe, with his brown hair casually scattered over his shoulders, Linley walked in with a smile. Seeing the two, Linley immediately bowed respectfully: “Linley pays respects to the elders.”
“So it’s you.” The two had some impression of Linley. A mid-stage god participating in the ancestral temple baptism was bound to be remembered.
The handsome youth smiled and said, “Linley, your bloodline purity is comparable to that of the third generation. With such excellent talent, you absolutely cannot waste it. The clan needs you.” As he spoke, he flipped his hand and produced a relatively thin book.
“The clan declined ten thousand years ago and is now in crisis. You will understand after reading this book.” The handsome youth tossed the book, and it flew in front of Linley.
Linley breathed a sigh of relief. So it was just giving him a book to read. He had thought he would have to listen to the explanation again.
“That makes sense…” Linley thought to himself. “If every time a person with high potential appeared, or someone reached the upper-stage god level, they had to explain it, wouldn’t the elder get tired?” Linley took the book and pretended to flip through it.
“You can read it later when you return.” The handsome youth said with a smile. “Remember, destroy it after reading. Don’t let those ordinary lower-stage and mid-stage gods know. For now, let them have fewer worries.”
“Yes, elder.” Linley immediately closed the book.
“Linley.” The bald man ‘Emmanuel’ also smiled. “Good talent is one thing, but diligent cultivation is also important. Alright, go back and cultivate first. Remember… do not refine a divine spark. You must cultivate to the upper-stage god level on your own.”
A genius who refined a divine spark would be a complete waste.
“Yes.” Linley immediately bowed, turned, and walked out.
“Emmanuel, it’s rare for us to encounter a genius like this.” The handsome man ‘Gavi’ praised.
“Indeed, it’s rare. Let’s go too.” The bald man ‘Emmanuel’ also smiled and was about to stand up. But when his gaze inadvertently swept over Linley, who had already reached the door, Emmanuel’s eyes instantly sharpened!
A look of shock appeared on his face!
He stared intently at Linley’s right hand. As Linley walked, the movement of his right hand occasionally revealed the black ring on his finger – the Coiling Dragon Ring.
“It’s… the ancestor’s ring. The Soul Defense Sovereign Artifact!”
The bald man’s face instantly flushed red to purple. His entire body trembled slightly, and his mind was completely blank. “The Soul Defense Sovereign Artifact, it’s the Soul Defense Sovereign Artifact!!!”
“Emmanuel, what’s wrong with you?” Gavi asked, puzzled.
At this moment, Linley had already pushed open the door and was walking out.
The bald man snapped back to his senses and immediately shouted, “Linley, stop!!!”