Chapter 113: The Fury of the Flood Dragon (2)

The azure-scaled dragon coiled around the ancient tree narrowed its vertical pupils, and the lightning-fast whip of its tail suddenly snapped back.

The immense sword force struck deep into the forest, cleaving a sturdy tree over ten meters tall straight in two. The blade plunged into the earth, carving a fissure several meters wide—an awe-inspiring display of swordsmanship.

This strike from Shen Duo had thoroughly enraged the dragon. It roared skyward twice, its voice heavy with wrath. “Pathetic humans, you dare seek my dragon scale herb? I will see you all perish!”

Linghu Yu, still stunned by Shen Duo’s strike, realized the young woman’s true strength far exceeded his expectations. The old man had truly discovered a treasure this time!

Almost simultaneously, all the Sky Illusionists present completed their armor transformations, including Feng Jun. This dragon was no ordinary foe; now was not the time to conceal their power.

Chen Boguang watched over his comrades, mesmerized by the dazzling sight of three Sky Illusionists armored and floating in the air. Staring at these formidable figures, he swallowed hard, thinking, “This is damn cool!” Admiration and reverence filled his eyes.

Meanwhile, the less powerful members of the Shen family’s training squad had, under Shen Taixing’s orders, hidden themselves along the outskirts of the battle zone. Their strength was insufficient to confront the dragon; approaching would be certain death.

The dragon fixated angrily on the humans beneath the tree and suddenly dove down. Its dorsal fins flared wide, radiating pure fury.

Linghu Yu’s gaze swept across the Illusionists present, lingering briefly in disbelief on Shen Duo and Feng Jun. Behind the sword-wielding girl floated a young man with waist-length blue hair, his countenance godlike and cold as ice. His lithe, muscular frame was clad in deep blue phantom beast armor, an unyielding shield for the girl’s back.

Linghu Yu raised an eyebrow—this young man was a two-star Sky Illusionist, an astonishing talent rare across the continent.

Mid-dive, the dragon suddenly halted. It lifted its head and howled into the sky. A fierce storm erupted beneath the ancient tree.

The sudden tempest easily lifted high-level Spirit Illusionists into the air. Shen Duo struggled to maintain footing; if not for Lou Jingbai’s steady grip, she would have been swept into the maelstrom.

Linghu Yu and Ji Qingxue glanced toward Shen Duo’s group. Seeing they were unharmed, they focused on protecting the two Illusionist comrades behind them.

There were many in the Shen family’s training squad, but only Shen Taixing was a Sky Illusionist. Despite some hiding at a distance, two of the four young disciples fighting alongside were caught in the storm.

Shen Taixing’s pupils constricted, but all he could do was watch helplessly as they vanished. As a mere three-star Sky Illusionist, saving two was already an accomplishment.

Two agonizing screams rent the air. Shen Duo moved to act but was restrained by Feng Jun’s cold palm. He glanced at her with a rational, icy tone: “We are not strong enough.”

Shen Duo understood the truth in his words. Though she harbored no fondness for the Shen family’s training squad, she could not bear to see innocent humans die in vain. Biting her lip, she finally lowered her sword.

Feng Jun was right: reckless heroism now would bring no benefit, only greater peril.

Suppressing the sorrow in her eyes, she coldly surveyed the grim situation.

The two young Shen disciples caught in the storm flailed blindly, their terrified attacks dissipating within moments. Their fear only deepened.

They cried out for Shen Taixing, but he was powerless to rescue them.

Approaching the storm’s eye, all watched as a rapidly spinning, gear-like portal appeared. Pitch black, it exuded an unparalleled darkness and dread, as if a ravenous black hole devouring all.

The storm’s eye pulled the two inexorably inward.

One disciple let out a wretched, despairing scream upon touching the portal. Then, in an instant, the storm vanished, leaving a heavy stench of blood and iron in the air beneath the ancient tree.

A faint mist in the forest had turned a thin shade of blood red, and everyone’s robes were tinged with a strange, nauseating rust-like odor.

All eyes fixed on where the storm’s eye had disappeared; the two young Shen disciples were utterly gone, as though they had never existed.

Lou Jingbai solemnly informed Shen Duo in his rare serious tone, “This dragon just pulverized two Spirit Illusionists—didn’t even leave a shred behind!”

The entire assembly grew grave. Shen Taixing’s pupils shrank dramatically; if the dragon unleashed such storms again, he feared for the survival of the Shen family’s younger generation.

Sensing the humans’ fear and retreat, the azure dragon sneered arrogantly, “Despicable humans, prepare to die!”

This time, all human cultivators stood united. Whether or not they obtained the dragon scale herb, their priority was to slay the dragon.

The dragon roared again, summoning another tempest. The gentle expression on Linghu Yu’s face vanished. He turned to Shen Taixing: “We’ll settle our debts later. If you want your juniors to live, you must follow my lead!”

Shen Taixing did not hesitate this time; he nodded decisively.

Everyone channeled their Spirit Illusion Qi or sword energy to resist the dragon’s storm, simultaneously protecting Illusionists below Heavenly Rank.

Among the experts present, only Shen Duo and Feng Jun could spare hands to launch a sneak attack on the dragon.

Linghu Yu, a battle-hardened veteran, efficiently allocated their limited forces.

Shen Duo and Feng Jun nodded in agreement.

The tempest intensified, pierced by the dragon’s oppressive roars. Shen Duo and Feng Jun exchanged determined looks.

Shen Duo was the first to cease resistance, letting the storm carry her toward the terrifying black hole at the storm’s eye.

Feng Jun followed closely. Lou Jingbai transformed, clinging tightly to Shen Duo’s shoulder, his fluffy fox tail curling around her slender neck.

The fierce cold wind felt as if winter had arrived in an instant, slicing exposed skin like blades.

Swept toward the storm’s eye, her body spun and swayed. Had it not been for rigorous physical training as a female police officer in her past life, Shen Duo thought she would have fainted long before reaching the vortex.

Feng Jun trailed just behind, his obsidian-like eyes reflecting her struggling figure. Shen Duo offered him a faint, reassuring smile. Her exquisite features softened instantly, like the first tender sprout of early spring, melting Feng Jun’s heart in an inexplicable warmth.

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