章 8: Chapter 8: The Tyrannical Dictator, the Scorching Bone Dragon Vulture (II)

Word Count: 3,085 Words

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Ning Tian's lotus leaf-like skirt fluttered in the fierce wind, revealing her long, slender legs. Her delicate face was filled with confusion and astonishment. Huo Yuhao and Wu Feng were still immersed in the terror brought by the Man Faced Demon Spider earlier. Just as they were completely unaware of what was happening, a white figure suddenly descended from the sky in their field of vision!

"Watch out!"

The Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon instantly manifested as Bei Bei used Ghost Shadow Perplexing Track to frantically chase after, yet a beam of golden light was even faster, grazing past his face and directly striking the white figure!

It was a golden longsword, its blade slender like a floating willow leaf. Its length extended beyond the end of a beauty's brow, and intricate ancient patterns were carved on the crossguard, resembling a pair of folded wings.

Bei Bei turned his head to look; sunlight poured over the sword like a cascading waterfall, glittering off its golden surface.

Clang—

The Angel Sword blocked the path of the white figure's attack, and the two emitted a sharp clashing sound like metal striking metal!

The Angel Sword was sent flying backward, landing in front of Ning Tian with more than half of its blade embedded in the ground. Meanwhile, the white figure crashed through several large trees, kicking up clouds of dust. When the dust settled, the true appearance of the white figure was revealed.

A massive spirit beast with a pair of wings on its back landed on the ground with four ghastly white bone claws. Its face was a horrifying blend of white material and exposed teeth. Sharp, spiked bones resembling a blossoming flower protruded from its back, serving as both a formidable weapon and a terrifying defense mechanism.

"This creature is..."

Bei Bei recognized the origin of this spirit beast, and precisely because of that, his voice involuntarily turned dry:

"A 10,000-year... Blazing Bone Dragon Vulture!"

According to ancient records, the Blazing Bone Dragon Vulture was once a Blazing Bone Griffin fortunate enough to come across the corpse of a Light Holy Dragon. After devouring the Light Holy Dragon's bones, it evolved into the top-level spirit beast known as the Blazing Bone Dragon Vulture. Its belief, etched into its very bones, was to turn all the world's evil into ashes. Its creed was to err on the side of overkill: better to kill a thousand innocents than to let a single evil escape!

If the Man Faced Demon Spider was known as the Evil Killer, then the Blazing Bone Dragon Vulture was the Tyrannical Dictator!

"That explains it. No wonder it was able to drive the Man Faced Demon Spider into such a desperate retreat."

Bei Bei showed a wry smile. Putting aside the overwhelming disparity in cultivation, the bloodline of the Light Holy Dragon alone made the Blazing Bone Dragon Vulture's ability to kill the Man Faced Demon Spider almost as easy as crushing a chicken. The infamous venomous web of the Man Faced Demon Spider couldn't break through the Blazing Bone Dragon Vulture's exoskeletal defense at all!

"Who it is doesn't matter. What matters is that I said it's doomed."

Ling Bai slowly stepped forward to stand in front of Ning Tian. Under her starry-eyed gaze and blushing face, he drew the Angel Sword with a sharp sound. His originally golden eyes turned into a blazing red-gold color that exuded an intimidating aura.

He first cast a discreet glance toward a certain spot deep in the forest, then unleashed a dazzling golden-colored light that shot into the sky. Three spirit rings—yellow, purple, and purple—appeared in succession. A pair of holy wings burst from his back, and golden lines crawled from his fair neck to his face like swarms of tiny serpents. An illusory six-winged figure emerged behind him.

"Se... Seraphim?!"

Bei Bei wondered if his eyes were deceiving him. He gaped in disbelief, a few drops of saliva dripping unconsciously from his open mouth.

It wasn't surprising that Bei Bei lost his composure, given the extremely special status of the Seraphim on the Douluo Continent.

Legend had it that tens of thousands of years ago, after the Angel God became a God, they established the Spirit Hall on the Douluo Continent, leaving behind their bloodline and the hereditary Martial Spirit, the Seraphim.

Since then, the God-level Seraphim had been regarded as the continent's number one Martial Spirit, surpassing even the Ultimate Martial Spirits and standing at the pinnacle of the continent's Martial Spirit hierarchy!

It wasn't until ten thousand years ago, when Sea God Tang San led the Heaven Dou Empire, Shrek Academy, Tang Sect, Clear Sky Sect, Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Clan, and other superpowers to overthrow the Spirit Hall, that the reign of the Angel Clan came to an end. The Seraphim Martial Spirit vanished as if it had become extinct.

Bei Bei had never imagined that he would see a Seraphim in his lifetime!

"The Seven Treasures revolve to produce a Glazed Pagoda!"

An even more jaw-dropping event occurred after a crisp female voice rang out. A dazzling seven-colored light radiated from Ning Tian's body. The light converged and a seven-colored pagoda about a foot tall appeared in her right palm. Three spirit rings—two yellow and one purple—circled around her body.

"The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda?"

Bei Bei rubbed his eyes in disbelief, "The Seraphim and the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Clan together?!!"

He felt an overwhelming urge to slap himself and laugh out loud. It was like seeing ghosts in broad daylight! The Spirit Hall had almost wiped out the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Clan ten thousand years ago, yet now the user of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda was sweetly calling the Seraphim 'ge'!

Moreover, the talents of these two new students of Shrek Academy seemed too monstrous. Tang Ya was still absorbing the Man Faced Demon Spider's spirit ring and hadn't noticed yet, but Bei Bei feared that when she woke up and saw Ling Bai and Ning Tian's 3-ringed cultivation, she might not be able to hold back her tears!

"Roar—"

The Blazing Bone Dragon Vulture was unaware of Bei Bei's rich inner thoughts. It had originally been intent on eliminating the Man Faced Demon Spider to rid the world of evil but had inadvertently let it escape. Feeling insulted, it was exceptionally furious. Just now, Ling Bai had sent it flying back with the Angel Sword, and its rationality was teetering on the brink of collapse!

Spirit Masters and spirit beasts were natural enemies. The Blazing Bone Dragon Vulture, considering itself the arbiter of the Spirit Beast World, would never spare any human Spirit Master!

Its entire body was bristling with ghastly white bone feathers that opened and closed like a series of blades, producing a piercing sound reminiscent of clashing swords. Its bone-covered face exuded dragon-like majesty as it glared down at the diminutive Seraphim. It spread its enormous bone wings and let out a deafening roar!

Huo Yuhao pressed his hands tightly over his ears, feeling as if his heart had nearly stopped. He watched Ling Bai with newfound admiration. Even though his first impression of Ling Bai was less than favorable, he couldn't help but respect this guy for standing tall and drawing his sword in the face of such a terrifying creature!

He felt waves of warmth surging in his heart; his battle instincts as a Spirit Master began to awaken. He quickly channeled his spirit power into his Spirit Eyes, and the spirit skill he had just obtained from the Skydream Iceworm flashed through his mind.

"Xiao Yuhao, let them see your spirit skill!"

The cheerful voice of the Skydream Iceworm echoed in Huo Yuhao's mind.

"Alright!"

Huo Yuhao's solitary white spirit ring glowed as he used his spiritual power to connect with everyone except Tang Ya.

"Oh?"

Ling Bai was intrigued, Ning Tian was surprised, Wu Feng was astonished, and Bei Bei was taken aback. A variety of expressions played across their faces.

In their perception, time seemed to slow down, and everything around them became exceptionally clear. Wherever they looked, a wealth of information instantly appeared.

Bei Bei observed the Blazing Bone Dragon Vulture; the distance between them automatically popped up in his mind, as well as every muscle and feather's movement on its body. All the minute details were vividly displayed.

Skydream Iceworm's first and second spirit skills combined: Spiritual Detection Sharing!

"The Seven Treasures have names. The first is: Strength! The second is: Speed!"

Ning Tian held the radiant Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda in her jade-like hands, her stunning beauty even more captivating against the backdrop of the colorful light. Warmth and lightness—a feeling that stirred the hearts of everyone around her.

"The world's number one auxiliary-type Martial Spirit truly lives up to its reputation!"

It was Bei Bei's first time experiencing the assistance of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda. The 3-ringed Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda could provide a 40% amplification in strength and speed. Combined with Spiritual Detection Sharing, the double augmentation significantly narrowed the gap between them and the Blazing Bone Dragon Vulture.

"Wu Feng, you don't need to worry about the Blazing Bone Dragon Vulture. Just protect Ning Tian," Ling Bai suddenly turned around and said.

"Huh? Me?"

Wu Feng pointed at herself, her wide eyes filled with shock that almost spilled over into words.

'Are... you serious?'

Ling Bai couldn't be bothered to respond. He knew Wu Feng was quite dim-witted, but couldn't she at least try to create the illusion that she had a functioning brain underneath her skull?

"We can only rely on you for this, Junior Sister Wu Feng."

Bei Bei observed the battlefield. Despite the double enhancement they had received, Wu Feng with her two spirit rings was still far from being able to compete with a 10,000-year spirit beast. If she recklessly joined the battle, she would likely become a burden to both him and Ling Bai.

Moreover, Tang Ya, who was still absorbing the Man Faced Demon Spider's spirit ring, as well as Ning Tian and Huo Yuhao, who lacked self-defense capabilities, all needed the protection of an assault-type Spirit Master.

Bei Bei's words were filled with earnestness: "Junior Sister Wu Feng, please take care of Tang Ya and our junior brother as well."

"... Alright!"

Wu Feng pounded her chest with a thumping sound, causing her well-developed bosom to quiver and swing in a dramatic arc. At this moment, the fate of three people rested entirely on her shoulders. A sense of pride and responsibility surged through her heart. If anyone wanted to harm them, they would have to step over her dead body first. The scarlet flames of the Red Dragon Martial Spirit flared wildly around her!

Suddenly, the Blazing Bone Dragon Vulture moved. In its perception, the aura of Ling Bai and Bei Bei grew increasingly formidable as the radiant light from the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda entered their bodies. A 10,000-year spirit beast already possessed considerable intelligence, and the Blazing Bone Dragon Vulture didn't want them to slip out of its control!

"Roar—"

The Blazing Bone Dragon Vulture's enormous skeletal wings, folded like a screen against its back, suddenly spread wide. The texture of the bones resembled steel repeatedly forged in intense flames. Its massive body cast a shadow that blotted out the sun. The vulture opened its gigantic maw and expelled a cloud of pitch-black fog, plunging the forest into sudden darkness as if someone had turned off the lights!

Innate Spirit Skill, Corrosive Bone Fog!

The black fog contained the ghostly energy that the Blazing Bone Dragon Vulture had cultivated for thousands of years. It could corrode and dissolve flesh, metal, and even spirit power, while also obscuring vision and concealing its form.

This scene was somewhat ironic. The Blazing Bone Dragon Vulture had painstakingly stolen the Light Holy Dragon's bloodline from its bones, yet its innate spirit skill ended up being one that shrouded light and brought forth darkness!

The Tyrannical Dictator that prided itself on eradicating evil in the name of light was, in essence, the embodiment of evil!

At the same time, Ling Bai and Bei Bei noticed that the Blazing Bone Dragon Vulture had inexplicably vanished from their Spiritual Detection Sharing vision. The Corrosive Bone Fog not only disrupted their vision but also had the terrifying ability to block spiritual power!

"Junior Brother Ling! Junior Brother Ling!"

Bei Bei called out to Ling Bai. The visibility within the black fog was extremely low, and even the lightning of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon could only illuminate a circular area one meter in diameter.

"Roar—"

A chilling roar pierced their ears, so clear that it could be heard even if they covered their ears tightly.

"Third Spirit Skill, Thunderous Fury!

Second Spirit Skill, Vigorous Thunderbolt!"

Bei Bei's second and third spirit rings lit up simultaneously. He dared not hold back in the face of a 10,000-year spirit beast. Blue-purple lightning coursed through every part of his body as he threw a massive thunderous web over his head!

But all this was useless against the Blazing Bone Dragon Vulture! Its ghastly white bone claws sliced through the Vigorous Thunderbolt's web as if it were a thin sheet of paper. The Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon's proudest lightning attacks were completely ignored by the vulture's exoskeleton!

Under Bei Bei's shocked gaze, the Blazing Bone Dragon Vulture's head split open and expanded to a size larger than its own head, resembling a python about to devour its prey!

Its white fangs began to spiral inward, and from the depths of its throat, a ghostly wailing sound could be heard. Bei Bei could truly feel death looming so close to him!

He used the last of his spirit power to unleash a Thunder Dragon Claw, but it was easily swatted away by the Blazing Bone Dragon Vulture's bone claws. In his dazed state, he seemed to see a glimmer of light?

Bei Bei saw it clearly—it was indeed light... emanating from a pair of eyes that shone like the sun!

Those golden eyes were unlike anything he had ever seen before. It was as if, looking into them, there was nothing left in the world but this pure light, compelling mortals to kneel and kiss the feet of a god!

Ling Bai raised his head and took a deep breath, as if he wanted to inhale the world itself into his body. A lofty will, unparalleled strength, and holy light that purified all things!

Seraphim's Third Spirit Skill, Holy Heart!

His third spirit ring came from a 5,000-year Golden Earth Dragon King, whose pure Light Dragon bloodline bestowed upon him an exceptionally powerful third spirit skill!

The effect of the Holy Heart skill was to purify all negative effects from himself, increase all of his attributes by 100%, boost his spiritual power by 50% for a short period, greatly reduce the rate of spirit power consumption, and fully activate the holy power of the Seraphim!

In the Holy Heart state, Ling Bai's entire body was enveloped in a golden holy light, resembling a deity bringing salvation to despairing mortals. The Corrosive Bone Fog tried to approach but could not come close at all.

Ling Bai raised the Angel Sword and pointed its tip toward the Blazing Bone Dragon Vulture that was about to devour Bei Bei. The Angel Sword seemed to come to life, with the wings on the crossguard emitting golden specks of light. His first spirit ring shone brightly as the Angel Sword traced a golden seven-pointed star array in the air!

First Spirit Skill, Radiant Spirit Array!

Boom—

The Radiant Spirit Array exploded violently on the body of the Blazing Bone Dragon Vulture, causing it to howl in pain and retreat. Seven bloody marks were left on its back, tearing its flesh and exposing the blood-stained white bones underneath.

"Roar!!!"

Seeing Ling Bai chasing after it, the Blazing Bone Dragon Vulture, who had never suffered such severe injuries in its thousands of years of existence, glared with bloodshot eyes and flew high into the sky. The bones of its wings suddenly emitted an incomparably deep black light, plunging the sky around Ling Bai into a world of darkness. Within this dark world, countless spear-like bone feathers gleamed with a chilling light!

Innate Spirit Skill, Ten Thousand Fathom Bone Feathers!

The Blazing Bone Dragon Vulture unleashed ten thousand bone feathers at once. The feathers were not only razor-sharp but also imbued with the corrosive power of its ghostly energy, making this its most powerful Innate Spirit Skill!

A torrential rain of bone feathers seemed to pour down from the sky, each impact creating a continuous barrage of noise. Ling Bai's expression was as calm as still water, surrounded by the majestic sword aura of the seven-pointed star array.

"Radiant Spirit Array: Guard!"

Clang, clang, clang—

The pitch-black bone feathers clashed with the silver-white sword shadows, each annihilating the other. This battlefield was transformed into a world of black and gold, where sword energy and ghostly energy intersected and reverberated through the air!

At the most critical moment, a ray of seven-colored light accompanied by the clear cry of a young girl broke the equilibrium!

"The Seven Treasures have names. The third is: Attack!"

Between the black and gold, no one could discern how or when Ling Bai moved.

His movements were incredibly fast, so swift that he seemed like a fleeting illusion, yet they were also incredibly light, as if he were a puff of white breath exhaled in the dead of winter, merging seamlessly into the stormy, snow-laden night.

Ling Bai's second spirit ring, a purple ring that surpassed the limits, shimmered softly. The Angel Sword fell onto the body of the Blazing Bone Dragon Vulture. Its shining golden blade was so brilliant that it seemed almost transparent as it sliced through the Blazing Bone Dragon Vulture's exoskeleton, which was harder than dragon scales!

Severed claws!

Sliced wings!

Waist sliced in half!

Decapitation!

Four slashes were made in a single instant. In that fleeting moment, the brilliance of the sword light was like a cascade of golden lightning as it sliced through the Blazing Bone Dragon Vulture.

The massive body of the Blazing Bone Dragon Vulture crashed to the ground with a resounding thud. Dense black light spilled from its body, gathering in the air to form a black spirit ring...