C308 The Artifact Protected the Body

High above, two Soul Wandering cultivators from the Thunder Sect and the Cold Yin Sect observed from the heavens. Accompanying them was a seventh-level Silverfrost Dragon, the wielder of the Fallen Star Eyes, and a practitioner from the Divine Might Empire aboard a gilded treasure ship. All were gazing downward intently.

Wang Jinlin of the Spirit Void Sect, a formidable presence at the Penetrating Stage with his Nether Gold blade, seemed invincible. How could he possibly be defeated?

It was widely speculated that Yu Yuan, the upstart from Darkmoon City, must have been goaded into challenging Wang Jinlin for reasons unknown, as there was no apparent deep-seated grudge between them. The consensus was clear: Yu Yuan's provocation would only lead to his tragic demise at the hands of Wang Jinlin.

After all, what consequence would there be if a mere scion of the Yu family from Darkmoon City met his end by the hands of Taoist Chongxiao's disciple, especially if Yu Yuan himself was the instigator of his downfall? Even if the Yu family were to discover the truth, what could they possibly do?

Wang Jinlin was backed by the formidable Yang cultivator, Taoist Chongxiao, and the entire Spirit Void Sect. Even the influential Su family, including Su Yan, had to endure humiliation from Wang Jinlin without retaliation.

But the outcome was unforeseen...

Against all expectations, Wang Jinlin, superior by two whole realms and possessing a refined spiritual consciousness, found himself utterly outmatched in a mere exchange of looks with Yu Yuan. Blood seeped from Wang Jinlin's eyes, and he was oblivious to the collision of two malevolent spirits!

With a "Puff!" the spirits struck Wang Jinlin and seamlessly infiltrated his body. At the moment of entry, Wang Jinlin trembled violently, his Nether Gold blade radiating an arresting brilliance.

A tormented dragon's wail emanated from the Nether Gold Spiritual Sword as the golden scales, once merged with the blade, detached and transformed into streams of pure golden light, cascading into Wang Jinlin's body.

His dantian flung open like floodgates, unleashing a surge of potent life force. This influx of golden scales summoned forth an imposing Five-clawed Golden Dragon within him.

From their vantage point, the two Soul Wandering cultivators, the Silverfrost Dragon in human form, and Lau Ying with her Fallen Star Eyes, bore witness to the extraordinary spectacle unfolding within Wang Jinlin's very flesh.

They could see that within Wang Jinlin's flesh, two Five-clawed Golden Dragons had suddenly emerged.

These dragons, lured by Yu Yuan's Evil Body Refining Skill and the evil spirits that had coalesced within Wang Jinlin, began to tear through his body from the inside.

The Five-clawed Golden Dragon was one of the mystical powers manifested by Nether Gold.

Wang Jinlin didn't need to command them with his soul; they would automatically come to his aid if they sensed their master was in peril.

And the dragons had no choice but to exert their strength!

This was because their very beings were etched with dense patterns of spiritual markings.

Many of these markings were the work of Wang Jinlin's mentor, Taoist Chongxiao!

Moments later, Wang Jinlin was aglow with a golden radiance, and golden scales burst forth from beneath the skin around his waist.

"Phew!"

As Wang Jinlin breathed deeply, numerous alien forces that had invaded and assaulted his body were silently expelled.

The evil spirits were effortlessly neutralized by the Nether Gold.

Throughout the ordeal, Wang Jinlin had not needed to lift a finger.

The practitioners from various sects and powers scattered around the lake watched the duel intently, yet none intervened.

The elders of the Spirit Void Sect had not yet made an appearance.

In a show of faith in Wang Jinlin and adherence to principles of fairness, those allied with the Spirit Void Sect opted to observe the unfolding events.

Yu Yuan, with his profound and shadowy gaze, utilized the power of the four ancient characters within the Soul Transformation Pool to clearly witness the two evil spirits being effortlessly vanquished by the Five-clawed Golden Dragons birthed from Nether Gold.

He was far from disheartened; instead, he flashed a radiant smile and remarked, "What a formidable weapon."

His gaze never wavered from Wang Jinlin as he flexed his arm joints.

Green, black, deep purple—a myriad of glittering specks burst forth from his pores in the blink of an eye.

The Evil Body Refining Skill roared to life, and under Yu Zhu's manipulation, the myriad of bizarre abilities hidden within the Absence Relic were set ablaze by the domineering technique.

"Whoosh!"

Like a streak of sword light, he lunged directly towards Wang Jinlin.

"Clang!"

Wong Jinlin was struck hard, his body shimmering with golden light and scattering sparks.

Barehanded, Yu Yuan immediately countered with a punch toward Wong Jinlin.

With each punch he delivered, the intent behind his fist was refined into thousands of strands of dazzling light. Amplified by the Evil Body Refining Skill, each hit exploded with a thunderous roar upon impact, pummeling Wong Jinlin's body.

In the blink of an eye, a torrent of punches descended like rain.

Wong Jinlin's form, akin to red-hot iron under a massive hammer's blow, radiated with tiny golden flecks.

Each time Yu Yuan's fist connected, a patch of golden dragon scales seemed to materialize just beneath the skin, fortifying Wong Jinlin's flesh to the resilience of dark iron and goldstone.

Despite the relentless barrage, Wong Jinlin remained unscathed.

In contrast, even with the Evil Body Refining Skill and fists heavier than any peer cultivator, Yu Yuan's hands throbbed with pain.

The Nether Gold was wondrous, each golden scale harboring the residual essence of a Five-clawed Golden Dragon's flesh and blood.

Wong Jinlin's mentor, Taoist Chongxiao, had refined the Nether Gold, bestowing it with a mystical power that shielded Wong Jinlin through numerous perilous tribulations.

Constrained by the three souls of heaven, earth, and humanity, Wong Jinlin's consciousness was blurred, his state muddled.

Yet, relying on the Nether Gold, he remained motionless, withstanding Yu Yuan's strikes without a scratch.

Each of Yu Yuan's blows seemed to land on the formidable scales of a Seventh Level Five-clawed Golden Dragon, leaving not a trace on Wong Jinlin's frame.

Had Wong Jinlin been conscious, he might have scoffed at the futility of the effort.

"Taoist Chongxiao truly cherishes this disciple, slaying a Five-clawed Golden Dragon to forge a Dao-protecting artifact for him," remarked Lei Xiao of the Thunder Sect, watching Yu Yuan's futile assault. "A Seventh Level Golden Dragon is a mighty being, comparable to our own Soul Wandering cultivators."

His gaze drifted skyward, where the night was aglow with twinkling stars, and the moon quietly ascended.

The Silverfrost Dragon from Hidden Dragon Lake, once transformed into human form, was adorned with a shimmering coat of silver scales, as if clad in natural silver armor.

Listening to Lei Xiao's words, she caught sight of golden scales emerging on Wang Jinlin's body, and a flicker of pain passed through her eyes. A profound sense of sorrow filled her heart. It was common knowledge that dragons lived long lives.

After their defeat, the dragons retreated to the depths of the sea, each one treasuring their existence, living a reclusive life, cautious not to reveal themselves too much.

She had a history with the Five-clawed Golden Dragon; they were more than just acquaintances, sharing a deep bond since their youth. Learning that the Five-clawed Golden Dragon had provoked the Spirit Void Sect and met its end at the hands of Taoist Chongxiao, she was consumed by rage and thoughts of vengeance.

Yet, the elders in her clan dissuaded her, presenting the harsh reality that quenched her fiery anger.

She hadn't anticipated encountering Wang Jinlin or the Nether Gold in the Absence Relic, nor did she expect to detect that familiar draconic scent. Watching Yu Yuan's relentless strikes hit the dragon scales infused with the essence of a dear friend, sorrow welled up within her.

Suddenly, both Yu Yuan and Wang Jinlin seemed intolerably vexing. In the depths of her being, she could almost hear the stifled roars of the Five-clawed Golden Dragon.

She was well aware that the dragon's scales had been forcibly bound within the Nether Gold's dragon soul and subjected to Taoist Chongxiao's alchemical refinements, marked with numerous spiritual seals.

The longer she watched, the more agitated she grew, barely able to contain herself.

"This isn't fair," a frigid voice unexpectedly broke the silence.

A green short sword zipped through the air and halted beside Yu Yuan.

"Blue Profound Sword!" Yu Yuan uttered in recognition, turning toward the source of the voice to find a familiar face.

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