Chapter Twenty-Six: Subjugating the Nether Dragon

Hearing this, Yi Hong grew angry and slammed his hand against the table. "Lin Wanqing, I am your Peak Master. Please mind your attitude!"

Lin Wanqing had no time to bicker with Yi Hong; she gritted her teeth and turned to leave. "If you won't save Lu Xingchen, I will go myself. Even if it means death, I will die alongside him!"

Yi Hong picked up his teacup and took a slow sip. He did not believe for a second that anyone would sacrifice their life for another; he saw Lin Wanqing’s outburst as nothing more than the impotent rage of the weak. Once Lu Xingchen was dead, he would simply offer her some comfort and a few minor benefits, and she would remain a loyal disciple of Spirit Sword Peak.

Meanwhile, Lu Xingchen was still locked in a fierce struggle with the dragon. His Shadow Sword displacement skill did not consume battle energy, but it was incredibly draining. After all, if the dragon’s attacks so much as grazed him, he would be gravely injured. The dragon could afford countless mistakes, but he could not afford a single one.

Lu Xingchen did not pin his hopes on Yi Hong, deciding instead to find a way to finish off the beast himself. When a small stone he accidentally kicked off the cliff echoed into the depths, an idea struck him. The dragon seemed to have lost its mind after being tormented by the Blood Garment Sect; its attacks were chaotic and unrefined, and it had never once spread its wings. If he could lure it off the cliff, perhaps he could dash it to its death. As luck would have it, he had yet to use his "Azure Cloud Wings."

With this in mind, Lu Xingchen threw his sword scabbard toward the cliff and immediately teleported there. As expected, the dragon lunged after him and plunged off the edge. A sensation of weightlessness took hold as man and dragon fell together. Lu Xingchen activated his "Azure Cloud Wings," and a pair of cyan energy wings sprouted from his back. After a brief moment of adjustment, he managed to ride the wind.

However, the "Azure Cloud Wings" could only be maintained for five minutes, so he needed to reach the valley floor quickly. Just then, the dragon beside him spread its own wings, gliding steadily as it descended alongside him. Lu Xingchen’s heart sank. How had this foolish dragon suddenly regained its senses? It had recovered its ability to fly. His plan had failed, and the battle would have to continue.

Lu Xingchen gripped his Shadow Sword, ready to face the dragon once more. To his surprise, the dragon spoke: "Human, you are strong. Can you help me? If you can free me from the control of those evil cultivators, I, the Nether Dragon, will surely reward you handsomely."

Lu Xingchen was startled. So, the beast was a Nether Dragon. It had actually regained its clarity! Dragons were the pinnacle of demon beasts, and for this Nether Dragon to speak while only at the second rank meant its lineage must be exceptional.

Helping it held only benefits and no drawbacks. "How can I help you break free from the Blood Garment Sect's control?" Lu Xingchen asked in a deep voice.

"I need a Purification Crystal."

A Purification Crystal? The term sounded familiar. He seemed to recall seeing it in the system shop. "Open system shop!"

[Purification Crystal: Can remove impurities and cleanse the body.]
[Price: 1,000 Exchange Points]

Lu Xingchen felt a pang of regret. He had spent so long fighting for his life to save up just over a thousand points, and now he was about to spend them all. He wondered if it was worth it to save the Nether Dragon.

Forget it. Nothing ventured, nothing gained!

"Redeem!"

A stone instantly appeared in Lu Xingchen’s storage gem. He said firmly, "I happen to have a Purification Crystal here. I can give it to you!"

The Nether Dragon was overjoyed. While Purification Crystals were not rare, they were expensive, and in such a desolate place, it was unlikely to find one. It had only asked on a whim, never expecting Lu Xingchen to actually possess one.

"Thank you! With even a trace of purifying energy, I can expel the influence of those evil cultivators!"

"Let’s reach the ground first."

Three minutes later, man and dragon landed. Lu Xingchen took the crystal from his storage ring and handed it to the Nether Dragon. The beast grasped the crystal with its claws, closed its eyes, and burst into violet-black flames. The blood-red aura covering its body began to fade at a visible rate.

Meanwhile, Lin Wanqing had returned to the cliffside. She had turned the outpost upside down but could not find her beloved Dazhuang; grief welled up within her. She suspected he had fallen off the cliff. At such a height, even a Grand Martial Master would surely perish. Yet, she refused to abandon hope; she had to see him, whether alive or dead.

After slaying the remaining Blood Garment Sect disciples, Lin Wanqing rushed toward the bottom of the cliff.

Lu Xingchen was busy browsing the system shop when a notification chimed in his ears.

[Congratulations to the host for completing the mission: Punish Evil and Promote Good. You have received 500 Experience Points, 500 Exchange Points, and the Earth-tier high-level martial art "Heaven-Swallowing Technique!"]
[Congratulations to the host for advancing to a Six-Star Martial Master. You have received 16 Talent Points!]

Lu Xingchen was ecstatic. He guessed that Lin Wanqing must have arrived with reinforcements and completely destroyed the Blood Garment Sect branch. The contents of the "Heaven-Swallowing Technique" flooded his mind. Its effect was simple and brutal: it could absorb the spiritual energy within a hundred-mile radius and convert it into his own battle energy, allowing for a temporary boost in realm. However, the converted energy could only be maintained for about ten minutes. It was an essential skill for fighting opponents above his level!

Half an hour later, the blood-red aura on the Nether Dragon had completely vanished, and the crystal in its claws had crumbled into powder.

Lu Xingchen chuckled. "Recovered? Then let us part ways here; my girlfriend is waiting for me!"

With that, he turned to walk back toward the cliff. Lin Wanqing would likely have guessed he fell and would be searching for him along the path.

Just then, the Nether Dragon called out loudly, "Wait! Human brother, I wish to follow you!"

Lu Xingchen was stunned. On the Tianyuan Continent, the Human, Demon, and Monster races stood in a tripartite balance. Humans and Demons were in a constant state of war, while the Monsters remained neutral. It was not uncommon for humans and monster beasts to form contracts and become partners, but Lu Xingchen had never expected this Nether Dragon to choose him. It was a member of the noble dragon race, and its realm was significantly higher than his own.

"Why?" Lu Xingchen asked.

"Because you are strong!" the dragon replied. "Although I was out of control, I could still perceive the situation. We differ by five minor realms, yet I could do nothing against you—this alone proves your power. Furthermore, you stood up for your peer and faced a formidable enemy; you are a person of great loyalty. I believe you will not treat me poorly in the future."

"So, human brother, may we form a contract? Let me follow you."

Lu Xingchen nodded firmly. "I would be honored!"

Having a Nether Dragon as a partner was something Lu Xingchen would have dreamed of in his sleep.