Chapter 449: Dragon Pearl Leaves the Body
"Blood Spirit King was considered a top-tier expert, with the potential to impact the Half-Saint realm in the future. She probably never expected to die at the hands of a Heavenly Extreme Realm martial artist like you."
Di Yi stood outside the Langhuan Golden Bell, nodding in admiration as he spoke, as if deeply impressed by Zhang Ruochen's demeanor.
Anyone unaware would truly think he and Zhang Ruochen were bosom friends.
Purple Wind Star Envoy said, "The path of cultivation requires one step at a time; only by treading steadily can one achieve the Sacred Path. Even if Zhang Ruochen has the empowerment of the Sarira, that is ultimately external power. In terms of cultivation, he is worlds apart from me. As long as the Young Master gives the order, I can take his head right now."
Di Yi raised his arm and gently shook it, saying, "Five of the Seven Evil Star Envoys of the Black Market First Class Hall have arrived, plus two Sacred Artifacts, the Langhuan Golden Bell and the Blazing War Hammer. Killing a mere Zhang Ruochen is certainly not difficult. But I still want to give him one more chance."
He continued, "Zhang Ruochen, if you willingly offer your Martial Soul and submit to the Black Market, I can assure you that your status among the younger generation of the Black Market will be second only to mine."
Zhang Ruochen smiled faintly and said, "Di Yi, have you not given up yet? Do you still want to refine me into your shadow?"
Di Yi did not deny his intention and laughed, "Originally, the person I had my eye on was Bu Qianfan. But after meeting you, I realized you are even more suitable than Bu Qianfan to become the Heavenly Demon's Shadow. If I could take you as my shadow, my strength would more than double."
Di Yi cultivated the "Heavenly Demon Innate Diagram" from the Heavenly Demon Stone Inscription. Before reaching the Fish-Dragon Realm, he had to find a genius of equal caliber to himself and merge him with his shadow.
If successful, Di Yi's combat power at the same realm would increase several times over.
It must be known that even with Di Yi's current strength, he was already considered invincible at the same realm. Even Zhang Ruochen back then had to use every trick in the book to barely defeat him.
If his strength were to increase several times more, then by the time he became a Saint, he could single-handedly take on a group of Saints.
However, refining a "Heavenly Demon Shadow" was no easy task. Di Yi had to find a prodigy who could keep pace with his cultivation speed and advance alongside him.
Clearly, Zhang Ruochen was the best choice.
Unless absolutely necessary, Di Yi could not bear to kill Zhang Ruochen.
Di Yi said, "You are the successor of the Buddha Emperor. You should understand that all things in heaven and earth have cause and effect. You dug out one of my demon hearts, and I will refine you into the Heavenly Demon Shadow—an eye for an eye. Don't you think that's reasonable?"
"Do the people of the Black Market talk about reason?" Zhang Ruochen asked.
Di Yi laughed heartily, "The Black Market is open for business. We not only talk about reason, but also about rules and propriety. For example, when dealing with a traitor like Silver Moon Lincong, we naturally punish her severely."
Di Yi gave Purple Wind Star Envoy a meaningful look.
Purple Wind Star Envoy understood immediately. He lifted the Purple Emperor Spear and charged forward, executing a move from the "Heaven-Earth Separation Union Spear Art," striking at Silver Moon Lincong.
As the spear thrust out, guided by true qi, heaven and earth changed color.
The four celestial phenomena—wind, rain, thunder, and lightning—all materialized into tangible attacks, flying from the purple spear tip, creating a tremendous spectacle.
The Heaven-Earth Separation Union Spear Art was a Ghost-level mid-grade martial technique, but it had completely transcended the realm of ordinary martial arts. To the average martial artist, it was no different from a divine spell.
In fact, once a martial technique reached the Ghost level, it was beyond mortal imagination.
Moreover, this was a Ghost-level mid-grade technique.
Earlier, Purple Wind Star Envoy had used this same spear art to pierce through Silver Moon Lincong's defenses, stabbing her in the abdomen and severely wounding her.
If she were hit by Purple Wind Star Envoy's spear again, even if she didn't die, she would likely lose all combat capability.
Zhang Ruochen grabbed the Dragon Bone Spear he had seized earlier from the Crystal Cavalry Commander, activated the Saint Dragon power of the Dragon Pearl, and swung the spear downward to block Purple Wind Star Envoy.
In the distance, a smile appeared in Di Yi's eyes, as if he had anticipated Zhang Ruochen's intervention to save Silver Moon Lincong.
"It's time for you to act," Di Yi said.
Hearing this, Deep Blue Star Envoy, Orange Moon Star Envoy, and the remaining Crystal Cavalry Commander simultaneously attacked Silver Moon Lincong from three directions.
Zhang Ruochen glanced sideways and instantly understood Di Yi's intent.
First, Di Yi had used the lives of the Silver Sky Mercenary Corps warriors to pin down Silver Moon Lincong. Eventually, while she was blocking the sound waves of the Langhuan Golden Bell, Purple Wind Star Envoy had severely wounded her.
Now, Di Yi was using Silver Moon Lincong's life to pin down Zhang Ruochen, employing the same tactic.
But he was using an "open scheme."
An "open scheme" meant that Zhang Ruochen knew Di Yi had set a trap for him to fall into, yet he had no choice but to take the bait.
This was Di Yi's brilliance.
Zhang Ruochen immediately retreated, swinging the Dragon Bone Spear in a horizontal arc, striking Orange Moon Star Envoy and sending her flying.
"Bang!"
Orange Moon Star Envoy crashed into the golden light barrier of the bell, producing a loud metallic clang. The golden bell shook, creating a massive wave of energy.
Sliding down from the light barrier, Orange Moon Star Envoy knelt on one knee, spitting blood from her crimson lips. Her face turned deathly pale, clearly suffering severe internal injuries.
She had a protective treasure that absorbed most of the impact; otherwise, it would have been far worse than just injuries.
"Whoosh!"
Just as Zhang Ruochen sent Orange Moon Star Envoy flying, a sound of wind and thunder came from behind him.
Purple Wind Star Envoy had once again executed the Heaven-Earth Separation Union Spear Art, the spear tip already inches from Zhang Ruochen's back, less than half an inch away from piercing his body.
Di Yi nodded, feeling both excited and regretful.
Excited because Zhang Ruochen had finally fallen for his scheme and would die under Purple Wind Star Envoy's spear.
Regretful because an excellent candidate for the Heavenly Demon Shadow would perish here.
Suddenly, Di Yi's expression froze as he saw a golden light burst from Zhang Ruochen's back.
"Whoosh!"
The golden Dragon Pearl flew out from Zhang Ruochen's body, directly striking Purple Wind Star Envoy, piercing through his body and leaving a massive bloody hole.
Because the Dragon Pearl flew too fast, Purple Wind Star Envoy didn't even have a chance to activate his protective treasure.
"How is this possible? I am at the ninth transformation of the Fish-Dragon Realm... I have already cultivated the Crystal Treasure Body..."
Purple Wind Star Envoy stumbled back seven steps and knelt on one knee, staring in disbelief at the bloody hole in his body. A searing pain from the wound twisted his features grotesquely.
Zhang Ruochen turned around. The Dragon Pearl flew back and hovered between his hands.
His eyes sparkled with amazement as he gazed at the Dragon Pearl, almost muttering to himself, "The Dragon Pearl can actually leave the body and fly out, unleashing power greater than ordinary Sacred Artifacts."
When the Dragon Pearl hovered near the heart, it provided powerful defensive strength.
When it flew out of the body, it could become an offensive Sacred Artifact, piercing through the Crystal Treasure Body.
Who could stand against it below the Half-Saint realm?
Of course, Zhang Ruochen was well aware that he could summon the Dragon Pearl out of his body only by borrowing the power of the Sarira.
Without the Sarira's empowerment, with his mid-level Heavenly Extreme Realm cultivation, he would never be able to draw the Dragon Pearl out.
Unless his cultivation reached the Fish-Dragon Realm.
"I must train hard and strive to break through to the Fish-Dragon Realm as soon as possible. Once I succeed, I can truly unleash the Dragon Pearl's power."
"Whoosh!"
Zhang Ruochen launched the Dragon Pearl again, sending Deep Blue Star Envoy and the Crystal Cavalry Commander, who were charging at Silver Moon Lincong, flying simultaneously. However, they had activated their protective treasures in advance and only suffered severe injuries, lying in pools of blood but not dying.
"Zhang Ruochen has actually mastered the Golden Dragon's Dragon Pearl! Everyone, flee the Crystal Golden Bell!"
Red Desire Star Envoy had been refining the Blood Spirit Pill, but upon seeing Zhang Ruochen's overwhelming power, she immediately used her movement technique to escape the light barrier of the Langhuan Golden Bell.
Zhang Ruochen pursued closely behind Red Desire Star Envoy, seizing the moment when she broke through the light barrier to leap out as well.
After escaping the Crystal light barrier, Zhang Ruochen looked up and saw the small golden bell hovering in midair.
That was the main body of the Langhuan Golden Bell.
Zhang Ruochen was certain that a Half-Saint of the Black Market was hiding in the shadows. So he knew that only by knocking down the Langhuan Golden Bell could he truly resolve the crisis.
His spiritual power had already sensed the presence of a Half-Saint.
"Break for me."
Zhang Ruochen immediately launched the Dragon Pearl, striking at the Langhuan Golden Bell.