The Azure Dragon remnant dissolved, transforming into pure soul power returning to the soul crystal, and that sweeping heavenly dragon might also receded like tide. The great hall fell into a brief, strange silence.
Shadow Snake Pavilions people, including Elder Youquan, were all like just fished out of water, drenched in cold sweat, faces pale, breaths weak, clearly having suffered serious mental damage in the dragon soul trial. Those three mutated Dragon-Man guardians also stood in confusion, their crimson eyes faded somewhat, seeming to temporarily break free from complete demonic control, but still full of confusion and hostility.
And Xiao Qi felt warmth all over, as if wrapped in a hot spring, the spiritual power consumed before was rapidly recovering, his spiritual sense clearer and more condensed than ever before. A profound connection was established between him and the Azure Dragon Soul Crystal at the altar top, a feeling of intimacy like water blending with milk.
Opportunity was fleeting!
Strike!
Xiao Qi shouted, and together with Liu Yun burst from the hall entrance shadows, their target the Azure Dragon Soul Crystal at the altar top!
Stop them!
Elder Youquan, though mentally wounded, still reacted extremely quickly. Seeing the two suddenly appearing, especially sensing Xiao Qis aura resonating with the soul crystal, he was both startled and furious, roaring hoarsely. He forced his demonic energy, waving to send a pitch-black water arrow, carrying piercing cold, shooting toward Xiao Qis back heart!
That black-robed Foundation Establishment peak elder also barely suppressed his churning qi and blood, his snake-shaped sword trembling, several twisted black sword lights like venomous snakes emerging, entangling toward Liu Yun.
However, whether it was Elder Youquans hasty strike or the black-robed elders interception, the power was far from before. Xiao Qi did not even look back, swung his sword behind him, the Red Flame Sword Blade like the rising sun, easily evaporating that cold water arrow completely. Liu Yuns Autumn Water sword drew a cold arc, also shattering those several black sword lights completely.
The two did not slow down, like two arrows from bowstrings, instantly charging up the tall green altar!
The restriction blue light remaining on the altar, when touching the gentle aura on Xiao Qi that was recognized by the dragon soul, actually parted to the sides on its own, opening a passage!
Damn! Elder Youquans eyes nearly burst from their sockets, wanted to strike again but due to mind disturbance and poor demonic energy circulation, was a beat too slow.
And at this time, those three Dragon-Man guardians temporarily freed from complete control also seemed to recognize these Shadow Snake Pavilion people carrying demonic energy as enemies, again letting out furious roars, swinging tridents, launching attacks on Shadow Snake Pavilion people, completely pinning them down again!
Heaven-sent opportunity!
Xiao Qi stepped forward, arriving at the very top of the altar, standing before that suspended, verdant Azure Dragon Soul Crystal.
Feeling it at such close range, one could better appreciate the vast power contained in the soul crystal. It was not just pure soul power, but contained a trace of the origin mark of the Azure Dragon Sacred Beasts vast authority over the East, wood element, life, and commanding clouds and rain! Gentle, vast, yet filled with dignity.
The jade pendant at his chest was scalding hot, releasing unprecedented longing and joy.
Xiao Qi took a deep breath, calmed his mind, slowly extended his hand, not carrying the slightest greed or possession, only a solemn intention like receiving an inheritance, gently reaching toward that Azure Dragon Soul Crystal.
At the moment his fingertip touched the soul crystal surface.
Whoosh!
The Azure Dragon Soul Crystal suddenly shook, erupting with even more brilliant yet not glaring blue light, engulfing the entire altar top, including Xiao Qis figure!
A massive yet gentle soul power, like a breached river, surged into his body along his fingertip! But this power did not rampage blindly, but moved most obediently along his specific meridians, finally flowing to the ancestral jade pendant hanging at his chest!
The jade pendant was like a bottomless pit, or like returning to its mother, greedily and joyfully absorbing this same-source power. The jade surface, the originally existing, blurry lotus and bowing snake patterns, under the blue light infiltration, became clearer and more spirited than ever! Lotus petals unfurled, seemingly containing endless vitality; that bowing snakes pattern also lost some sorrow, gained more of a protective meaning.
More wonderfully, Xiao Qi could clearly feel that his Purification Source within was undergoing a transformation under this pure Azure Dragon soul power. The power originally purely representing purification and expulsion now seemed to have gained a trace of generating and nurturing characteristics, becoming more upright and peaceful, round and translucent. Even faintly carrying a dignity and meaning of the Azure Dragons commanding clouds and rain, controlling water origin!
His perception of water-attribute spiritual energy around him became extraordinarily acute, as if with one thought he could invoke water energy within dozens of zhang! This control far exceeded his previous level!
The blue light lasted about ten breaths before gradually subsiding.
When the light completely faded away, the Azure Dragon Soul Crystal at the altar top had vanished. And Xiao Qis jade pendant at his chest became more warm and restrained, entirely presenting a deep cyan-green color, internally as if clouds and water currents were slowly turning, emitting lush vitality and vast dragon might.
The Azure Dragon Soul Crystal had already fused with his jade pendant, completing the master recognition!
At this moment, Xiao Qi felt his soul power surge greatly, his spiritual sense range expanded several times, more condensed! His cultivation remained at Foundation Establishment late stage, but his foundation became incomparably solid, his spiritual power purer and more abundant, especially his affinity and control over water-attribute power reached a completely new height!
He opened his eyes, as if blue electric light flashed and vanished in his pupils, his entire persons temperament, within the original resolute steadiness, gained another quality as deep as the ocean, as dignified as the Azure Dragon.
Success! Liu Yun guarded beside him, feeling the obvious changes in Xiao Qi, her face showing joyful smiles.
And below, Elder Youquan fighting with the Dragon-Man guardians, seeing the soul crystal disappear and Xiao Qis aura surge, was practically so angry he could spit blood! He had worked so hard, even using secret techniques to invoke demonic energy to control guardians, finally found the ruins, held down the guardians, yet this suddenly appearing kid reaped the harvest!
You little beast! Hand over the soul crystal! Elder Youquan let out a desperate roar, regardless of injuries, forcefully activated demonic energy, black aura like smoke rising from the heavens, temporarily repelling the entangled Dragon-Man guardians, transforming into a black line, carrying killing intent like vast waves, directly pouncing on Xiao Qi above the altar!
The soul crystal had been claimed, the ruins guardian power also seemed to be weakening. The true life-and-death battle was now just beginning!