Divine Wilderness Dragon Emperor

Chapter 458: Chapter 457: Lian Shuang’s Identity

’The Dragon Bone Pen!’ With Lian Shuang attacking, the situation was critical. He couldn’t control the Eye of Destruction in time, and a glint flashed through Ling Fei’s eyes. He had no choice but to risk exposing the power of the Dragon Bone Pen.

WHOOSH!

He sent his spirit into the Dragon Bone, activating the Inscription Patterns within the Dragon Bone Pen. Ling Fei’s aura suddenly began to skyrocket.

However, Xu Zitao’s attack was already closing in.

Meanwhile, Lian Shuang’s long sword was also about to strike Xu Zitao.

”Lian Shuang, you dare ambush me!” Xu Zitao’s pupils shrank. He whipped his head around to glare at Lian Shuang as she charged at him with her sword.

The Nether Demon Sea was torn asunder. Lian Shuang was a flash of light, her strike like that of a Celestial Flying Immortal. Her long blue hair streamed behind her, and her blue eyes showed no trace of emotion—only relentless, forward-moving determination. Her long sword cut through the air, now just three feet from Xu Zitao.

”So, you’ve really turned traitor.” A vicious glint appeared in Xu Zitao’s eyes as he spoke, enunciating every syllable. ”But do you really think you can hurt me with a petty trick like this?” His gaze was ice-cold as he stared at the charging Lian Shuang.

He made no move to defend himself.

Light Patterns flickered across his body. Shadowy patterns writhed around his neck, forming a helmet that enveloped both his neck and head.

TING!

At that exact moment, Lian Shuang’s sword struck Xu Zitao.

The Sword Qi erupted, piercing through the Netherworld Demon Energy around Xu Zitao and shredding his robes.

But as his robes were torn away, they revealed a suit of form-fitting armor underneath.

The armor, which shimmered with an eerie glow, perfectly encased Xu Zitao’s slender frame. It was the very same Nether Armor he had revealed during his tribulation.

Lian Shuang’s sword struck the Nether Armor, erupting in a dazzling shower of sparks. It failed to damage the armor in the slightest, let alone harm Xu Zitao.

TING!

The power behind Lian Shuang’s long sword was overwhelming, its Sword Qi having shredded Xu Zitao’s robes completely.

However, the long sword was stopped by the armor, failing to harm him in the slightest. The crisp, clear ring of impact was enough to make one despair.

’He’s unharmed!’ In the distance, Ling Fei’s pupils contracted. Even as he focused on controlling the True Dragon’s Eye and the Dragon Bone, he was still sensing everything that was happening.

He grew anxious over Lian Shuang’s predicament.

And now, this outcome made his heart sink to the depths.

To fail on the first strike in such close quarters could very well mean death!

BANG!

As the long sword struck Xu Zitao’s Nether Armor, the shadowy patterns on it flickered. A Forbidden Pattern was triggered, unleashing a terrifying shockwave. The wave of power was like that of an ancient Divine Beast bursting into existence; it completely engulfed Lian Shuang, flinging her into the distant Void.

SPURT!

A mouthful of blood sprayed from Lian Shuang’s lips. Her face was pale; she had clearly suffered a heavy blow.

”She’s been defeated!”

”What a pity. Lian Shuang’s strike was incredibly powerful, but alas, Xu Zitao’s foundation is simply too deep. That armor of his is no ordinary treasure!” Seeing Lian Shuang spit blood, the elders from the major Sects on the North Spirit Platform looked on with sorrow. Two peerless prodigies had attacked Xu Zitao, and both had been defeated.

It was all because Xu Zitao’s personal foundation was too profound; his Supreme Treasure was something beyond the comprehension of most in the Southern Wilderness.

”How does Xu Zitao have so many powerful treasures!” many people exclaimed indignantly.

Acquiring even one such treasure was a matter of immense luck, yet Xu Zitao seemed to have many.

At the same time, they were also worried for Lian Shuang.

She had attacked knowing she was no match, an act that inspired deep respect.

”Foolish girl!” Xu Zitao’s eyes flashed as Lian Shuang was sent flying, and he spoke in a cold, sharp tone.

By this point, the Kunpeng’s Giant Wings had appeared right before Ling Fei, nearly upon him.

”Dragon Soaring Nine Heavens!” As the Kunpeng’s Giant Wings swept toward him, Ling Fei struck back fiercely. With the Dragon Bone Pen in his hand, he activated its Dao Patterns.

Instantly, the power within the Dragon Bone Pen erupted. Ling Fei moved like a raging dragon, striking out at the Kunpeng.

The Dragon Bone Pen unleashed a terrifying power. The True Dragon it manifested, imbued with Ling Fei’s will, stretched out a giant claw and slashed through the Void.

The Dragon Claw was massive, clashing with the Kunpeng Wings like a mountain.

Under the Dragon Claw’s assault, the Kunpeng Wings shattered, unable to withstand Ling Fei’s attack.

This time, Ling Fei was truly fighting with all his might, having fully activated the Dragon Bone Pen. His combat power was on a completely different level than before.

After all, previously, Ling Fei had only been using the True Dragon Power from within the Dragon Bone.

But this time, he had deployed the Supreme Treasure itself.

Wherever the Dragon Claw passed, its power was enough to shatter space. That patch of the Void exploded, and the Kunpeng construct was destroyed.

Then, an incredibly violent blast of True Dragon Qi swept forward, causing the Nether Demon Sea to churn as it surged toward Xu Zitao.

But the Light Patterns on Xu Zitao’s armor flickered, manifesting a Nether Light Shield that actually managed to block the astonishing aftershock.

Furthermore, the eerie light coalesced once more, forming another Kunpeng that pounced forward and shattered Ling Fei’s terrifying Dragon Qi, bit by bit.

Even so, Xu Zitao was still forced back several steps and coughed up a mouthful of blood.

’Such power... no ordinary treasure could possess this. Could it be a Celestial Dao Essence Treasure, or even a Divine Communication Spiritual Treasure?’ Xu Zitao’s expression turned grim.

The depth of Ling Fei’s own foundation had also far exceeded his expectations.

”Ling the Pill Master can still fight!” the people on the North Spirit Platform exclaimed in astonishment.

BANG!

Just then, Lian Shuang crashed to the ground, coughing up blood. Despite wearing Treasure Armor, she was still injured.

The power latent within Xu Zitao’s Nether Armor was simply too terrifying.

’Now Junior Brother Ling should understand the depths of Xu Zitao’s power,’ she thought. As she hit the ground, a faint smile touched the corners of Lian Shuang’s lips.

Her attack had been meant to show Ling Fei the true extent of Xu Zitao’s power.

Only then would Ling Fei know how to handle him.

Otherwise, a single mistake could cost him his life, and there would be no second chance to turn the situation around.

That was why Lian Shuang had to risk her own life to force Xu Zitao to reveal his true power.

”Senior Sister Lian Shuang!” Ling Fei’s brows furrowed tightly as he saw Lian Shuang fall. He wanted to rush to her aid.

However, the aftershock from the clash ahead was too powerful.

The Kunpeng manifested by the armor had shattered the Dragon Bone Golden Dragon he had summoned.

Although Ling Fei had already reached the Divine Soul Realm, the Attack Power they were unleashing had long since surpassed what even a Nascent Soul Realm expert could withstand.

Unleashing such techniques was extremely draining on one’s Heart Spirit and Blood Qi.

BANG!

Caught in the aftershock, Ling Fei was also sent flying. In the Void, the golden Dragon Qi dissipated bit by bit.

THUD! THUD!

Ling Fei stumbled as he landed. The terrifying aftershock slammed into him like a crashing mountain, making him feel as if his very bones were about to shatter.

The Dragon Bone Pen in his palm vanished, merging back into his spine.

’Dragon Bone, capture!’ At the same time, with a thought, he manifested the Mystical of Capture, which condensed into a huge golden Qi Vortex behind him.

The Qi Vortex, like the mouth of a dragon, began to devour the violent aftershock, alleviating the pressure on Ling Fei.

Only then was he able to stabilize himself.

’He’s okay!’ Seeing Ling Fei stabilize himself, a distant Shangguan Wan’Er couldn’t help but breathe a sigh of relief.

She herself had only just gotten back to her feet.

A moment ago, she had tried to step forward, only to be sent flying by an invisible force.

From Xu Zitao’s attack to Lian Shuang’s ambush and Ling Fei’s counterattack, everything had happened in the span of a single breath.

After steadying himself, Ling Fei’s brows furrowed deeply.

He had just attacked with all his might, even activating the Dragon Bone Pen, yet he still hadn’t managed to injure Xu Zitao.

’The Nether Armor he’s wearing has an extremely powerful defense. It must be a complete Supreme Treasure.’ A glint flashed in Ling Fei’s eyes.

His Dragon Bone was also powerful, but unfortunately, the Dragon Bone Pen seemed to be damaged. The Dragon Qi within it was insufficient, and with no True Spirit to assist, the amount of power Ling Fei could unleash was limited.

This became his greatest disadvantage.

The vast aftershock rippled outward, striking the edge of the Array Platform ahead.

Instantly, a ripple spread out, and the five Array Pillars emitted an obscure pulse of energy.

’It’s touched the Array.’ As the pulse spread, Xu Zitao’s brow furrowed slightly. He muttered to himself, ’Looks like I’ll have to break this Array first, or there might be complications. As for Ling Fei... hmph. So what if he has a Supreme Treasure? On this Sealing Demon Platform, I am king!’

Xu Zitao was incomparably arrogant.

His eyes flashed, and his gaze locked onto Lian Shuang.

”Lian Shuang, back when you were guiding that kid Ling Fei, I was extremely curious. I wondered why you were doing it. Now it seems you had this all planned out, wanting to raise his strength so he could deal with me. Is that it? But do you not know my true power? You think *he* can deal with me?” Xu Zitao demanded.

He was genuinely confused.

No matter how he thought about it, he couldn’t understand Lian Shuang’s actions.

Even the people on the North Spirit Platform were curious as to why the perpetually aloof Lian Shuang would repeatedly guide Ling Fei.

Fang Yuan in particular had asked several times, but Lian Shuang would never say.

Now that Xu Zitao was asking, she too was eager to hear how Lian Shuang would respond.

But Lian Shuang, lying on the ground, remained silent. Even she herself didn’t know why she had continuously guided this junior brother of hers.

’Was it out of curiosity? Did I just want to uncover his secrets?’

At first, that was certainly part of it.

But she shook her head. With her aloof personality, she would normally treat even her own curiosity with indifference.

And yet, for some unknown reason, Ling Fei made her want to get closer, to understand him. These complex emotions baffled even herself.

”Why did you betray our people!” Seeing Lian Shuang’s silence, Xu Zitao’s gaze grew even more frigid. He looked down at her coldly. ”Is it because you fell in love with this Ling Fei?” He was genuinely curious. Logically, someone as indifferent and heartless as Lian Shuang should have been incapable of betrayal.

That was precisely why she had been sent on this mission with him.

At these words, both the distant Ling Fei and Shangguan Wan’Er were completely stunned.

It seemed the relationship between Lian Shuang and Xu Zitao was anything but simple.

”Betray our people? What does he mean?”

”Are Lian Shuang and Xu Zitao from the same clan?” His words immediately caused an uproar on the North Spirit Platform.

No one could have imagined that Lian Shuang and Xu Zitao had such a complicated relationship.

Now, these two peerless juniors seemed even more mysterious.

If they were from the same people, why would they join the Beiming Sword Sect and the Lingyun Sect separately?

’So Lian Shuang really is on the same side as Xu Zitao. But then why did she ambush him? Was it just to make him reveal that impenetrable armor?’ Shangguan Wan’Er’s brow furrowed. With her sharp mind, she could naturally guess at some of Lian Shuang’s intentions.

Lian Shuang’s actions astonished her.

’Could it be that she likes Ling Fei too? Is that why she put her own life on the line?’ Shangguan Wan’Er murmured to herself.

As she thought of this, she found that the hostility she had previously felt toward Lian Shuang had lessened.

Even Shangguan Wan’Er felt a sense of respect for the fearless, self-sacrificing way Lian Shuang had just acted.