Dragon Realm Chapter Thirty-Four: Ultimate Instant Flash (Part Two)

"Martial God Battle Armor, still as a mountain; moving as a flash, flashing as light, obscure as the shadows; the posture of a king, supreme through the ages, the majesty of a sovereign."

"Activate..."

In an instant, countless golden rays converged upon Ye Heng’s outer garments, transforming in a heartbeat into a suit of incomparably sturdy armor. The moment this armor manifested, it triggered strange phenomena in the heavens and earth. Suspended in mid-air, Ye Heng was clad in armor that shimmered with a blinding, brilliant golden radiance. Like a deity descending upon the mortal realm, he became the most dazzling light in the darkness.

The "Blazing Sun," formed after the Martial God's power coalesced into the armor, emitted a radiance so intense that one dared not look directly at it.

He moved his body slightly, pleasantly surprised to find that his physique felt lighter than ever before. Although his movements during teleportation and combat had become much more fluid, it was worth noting that the "Martial God Armor" he was currently employing was an awakening skill of an S-rank Martial God. Using it in such an advanced manner, beyond the norm, would undoubtedly consume his energy more than twice as fast as usual. However, this posed no obstacle to his current actions.

He initiated his first "Flash." As expected, the first attempt was smooth, landing him perfectly in front of a dilapidated house.

Ye Heng wiped the heavy sweat from his forehead. It was clear that this extreme "Flash" had consumed more than half of his Martial God energy. He sat cross-legged and entered meditation. "Along the way here, I have observed for a long time and..." He took a deep breath, then suddenly launched his first Flash. In the blink of an eye, his figure appeared before a ruined house. As he had anticipated, the first Flash went very smoothly, as if everything were within his grasp.

Ye Heng reached out to wipe the beads of sweat from his forehead, his breathing somewhat rapid. That moment of extreme teleportation had nearly exhausted most of his Martial God energy, but he did not rest. He sat down on the ground, closed his eyes, and entered a meditative state.

In meditation, he carefully recalled everything he had seen and heard along the way. He clearly remembered that there were no slopes or complex terrain within a 30-kilometer radius of his surroundings. This gave him a sense of certainty, and his subsequent plan gradually became clearer.

When the meditation ended, Ye Heng opened his eyes, a flicker of firm resolve in his gaze. He decided to deactivate the Martial God Battle Armor and perform the extreme Flash twice more. As long as he could successfully leave Dragon Claw City, everything that followed would become much easier.

He stood up, adjusted his breathing, and prepared to face the next round of challenges. He knew these two extreme Flashes were critical—a vital step in whether he could escape his predicament.

He took a deep breath, silently encouraged himself in his heart, and activated the Flash again. He clearly remembered that along the way, there were no slopes or complex terrain even 100 kilometers in a straight line. Therefore, after this meditation, he could deactivate the Battle Armor to Flash; then, after one more meditation-backed Flash, he would be completely clear of Dragon Claw City. Once he left the city, everything would be manageable. But... was that really the case?

After seven extreme Flashes, Ye Heng’s body was on the verge of collapse; he felt as if he were being torn apart. During this series of teleports, he had first traversed Dragon God City, then arrived at Dragon Claw City. Dragon Claw City was famous for its numerous mountains, and Ye Heng had to Flash three times just to successfully leave it.

However, once past Dragon Claw City, the subsequent journey was relatively easier. Because the next city, Dragon Belly City, like Dragon God City, was an endless expanse of plains.

Yet, now standing in Dragon Belly City, Ye Heng felt a wave of panic. It turned out that Dragon Belly City was the largest and most expansive urban area in the Dragon Kingdom, covering a staggering 1.66 million square kilometers! Faced with such an astronomical figure for a city's area, Ye Heng could not help but break out in a cold sweat.

Even if he exhausted every ounce of his strength to perform 20 consecutive extreme Flashes in a single breath, he would still be unable to escape this massive city. His heart was filled with despair, not knowing how he could ever walk out of this vast, boundless land.

Ye Heng mused to himself: "If I could escape into the Void Gate, I could return to the Martial God Kingdom in an instant." However, he immediately realized that entering the void was a unique skill of an SS-rank Martial God. With his current strength as an A-rank Martial God, this was undoubtedly a delusional fantasy.

"It seems that it will be difficult to escape this Dragon Belly City in less than ten days..." Just as Ye Heng felt lost and nearly fainted, Aishi and Aimi suddenly jumped out of the Mystical Jade Gourd.

Aishi looked at the pale-faced Ye Heng before her, her heart filled with endless tenderness and pity. Without a moment's hesitation, she immediately channeled her own powerful Martial God energy, pouring it continuously into Ye Heng’s body, while anxiously crying out: "You must hold on! You absolutely cannot die!"

Ye Heng smiled slightly, trying to reassure Aishi: "Don't worry, I won't die. I'm just a bit weak. I'll recover after two hours of rest."

Aimi frowned, deeply worried, and said: "But the situation doesn't look optimistic. The powerful enemy we encountered this time is truly too strong; we might not be able to evade them."

Ye Heng took a deep breath, a glimmer of determination flashing in his eyes: "Well, since that's the case, we must face it bravely."

Aimi nodded in agreement: "Good, then I will send our location and relevant information to headquarters now."

She took out her communicator and quickly edited a message: "An artifact has appeared, drawing powerful figures from all sides to compete for it. Although we fought valiantly to obtain it, our strength was insufficient, and we have suffered heavy injuries. We are currently recuperating here. Requesting headquarters to send reinforcements immediately." As her finger touched the send button, this critical information flew off into the distance.

(At Headquarters...)

The sky over the Martial God Kingdom gradually turned gloomy and dark. Dense storm clouds obscured the heavens, and rain as large as soybeans poured down in torrents.

Lisa stood quietly, her gaze fixed on the distance—the place where Ye Heng was currently located: the Dragon Kingdom.

"Now that the artifact has descended, the world will likely fall into chaos once more. Although the Five Nations have formed a unified front on the surface to resist the Evolved Beasts together, in reality, everyone is harboring ulterior motives and playing power games. If one side manages to obtain the artifact, it would be like possessing an invincible weapon of war, allowing them to fight the Evolved Beasts without fear, while simultaneously solidifying their nation's status and strength."

"Just like King Kai, who, as an SSS-rank Martial God, was already incredibly powerful. With the addition of the artifact 'Void Trajectory,' he once held his own against all five nations single-handedly, and in the end, he was no less capable than any of them."

"That battle made him even more famous, eventually elevating him to the throne of one of the world's top five strongest, and he was revered as the 'Mad King'."

Just then, a man stepped out from behind Lisa. His stature was tall and imposing, standing as majestic as a mountain.

Due to the angle, one could not see the man's face clearly, but from Lisa's expression, it was evident that this person was undoubtedly her senior.

As he spoke, his presence was overwhelming, as if he could swallow the rivers and mountains. His voice was low and magnetic; every word sounded like tempered steel, striking the heart with powerful resonance. That intoxicating bass was like a glass of rich red wine, leaving one lingering in its depths, unable to pull themselves away.

The man said with a grave expression: "The artifact is indeed very powerful, but even if they snatch it, they might not necessarily be able to use it."

Lisa nodded in agreement after hearing this: "That's right, the artifact is an object used by the ancient gods! The sword spirit of this blade is so powerful that it may not choose them as its master, but..."

He looked at Lisa, then patted her shoulder gently and continued: "Since everyone chose you, it means they definitely value your ability. As a leader of a nation, you should make the right choices."

Lisa fell into deep thought. After a moment of silence, she slowly spoke: "Whether the artifact appears or stays hidden, once strength reaches a certain standard, one naturally discovers that one's own life-bound weapon is the most convenient and useful. After all, that is not one's own power; only when one is strong themselves is it truly strength." After saying this, a flicker of firmness and determination flashed in her eyes.

The man laughed: "Hahahaha... As expected of my disciple. I am very pleased to see you have such awareness."

Lisa smiled slightly, a look of satisfaction and joy appearing on her face, immersing herself in the praise from her mentor.

Lisa said softly: "I am not quite sure how Ah Heng's situation is currently. Was I truly wrong to arrange for him to take on an S-rank mission?" Her voice revealed a trace of worry and unease.

The man beside her replied: "Allowing a B-rank Martial God to shoulder an S-rank mission is a decision that can be called unprecedented and unique! You have done an excellent job, breaking new ground, and deserve to be highly praised."

Lisa frowned and retorted: "But the enemy Ah Heng is about to face is very likely the World Serpent or the Evolved Beasts. By doing this, am I not pushing him into a pit of fire?" Her tone was full of self-reproach and anxiety.

The man firmly encouraged her: "You must have confidence in him; he is far stronger than you imagine. How can the Child of Prophecy become talented without undergoing training? It is not just the Child of Light; anyone has the potential to become a great success. Alright, alright, Kana has already taken the vanguard team out, and the rest will be left to me." The man's words conveyed trust in Ah Heng and expectations for the future.

After speaking, the man turned around. His steps seemed somewhat heavy, yet carried a sense of firmness. He prepared to leave this place filled with tension and anticipation, but the moment he was about to take that step, Lisa's voice, like a sharp arrow, pierced through his determination once again.

Lisa clasped her hands tightly, a look of worry flashing in her eyes. She asked, almost in tears: "Are you truly not afraid that something might happen to him?" Her voice echoed in the silent air, carrying an indescribable sorrow.

The man stopped and slowly turned back, a bitter smile on his face. He took a deep breath, as if trying to calm the turbulence within his heart. He looked at Lisa, a complex smile tugging at the corners of his mouth, and said in a low, firm voice: "I am afraid. How could I not be? He is, after all, Bing'er’s son. How could I not worry about his safety?"

His words carried a trace of helplessness and bitterness, but more than that, a firm belief. He knew that as a father, he could not always protect his son; his son needed to face the world's challenges and dangers himself. He must learn to grow, learn to be strong.

"But everyone needs to grow. 'If you do not enter the tiger's den, how can you catch the tiger's cub?'" he continued, his voice revealing a deep sense of expectation and trust. "Look, didn't I send the vanguard team? They will protect him. I believe he can overcome all difficulties and become a true man, or even the 'Strongest Martial God'. 'Strongest Martial God', heh, that has always been his dream."

"Compared to that, I hope even more that he can live in a peaceful world. This war has lasted too long; no one can stand on the sidelines. What I can do is make him stronger as quickly as possible and protect him on this path of growth. As for his achievements, that depends on his talent and hard work; I am merely pushing the boat along with the current."

Night fell, shrouding the entire world in gloom. A faint, dim light, like a mysterious symbol passed down from ancient times, cast the man's silhouette onto the uneven ground, stretching it long like a lonely river flowing silently in the night.

The man looked up, his gaze piercing through the boundless darkness to reach the distant starry sky. The night sky was so profound it seemed to swallow everything, and the twinkling stars were like countless bright eyes silently watching him, as if telling the secrets of the universe. His eyes flashed with complex emotions—a mix of anticipation, worry, sadness, and a trace of barely perceptible determination.

He stood quietly, as if merging with the world around him. The air was filled with the chill of night, mixed with the faint fragrance of the distant forest. He frowned slightly, as if thinking about something of great importance, or perhaps whispering secrets from his heart to the starry sky.

He pulled a pack of cigarettes from his pocket, his fingers sliding gently over the box as if selecting the best one. Finally, he picked one, placed it between his lips, and lit it with a lighter. The flame danced in the darkness, illuminating his resolute face. He took a deep drag and then slowly exhaled; the white smoke swirled in the night sky, as if his thoughts were drifting away.

At the moment he exhaled the smoke, his face was etched with the traces of time. Those deep wrinkles, like marks left by the baptism of wind and rain, recorded his past hardships and tribulations. His eyes revealed a calmness and firmness, the composure and indifference of someone who had faced life and death countless times.

He closed his eyes gently, as if praying to some unknown power.

The night deepened, and the starry sky remained brilliant. The man stood there like a statue, silently watching over this starry sky and the world within his own heart.

Lisa instantly snatched the cigarette from the man, causing him to wake up instantly. Lisa smiled: "Smoke less of this; it's bad for your health."

The man looked at Lisa and couldn't help but smile as well: "You girl, you're really like my Yun'er."