This chapter is broken. Please report this on discord.
Hi everyone. We are launching a new challenge today. Our goal is to have 12 votes on the NU page, at the link below, and the prize will be an additional chapter. Enjoy reading!
Link: Novelupdates
Back at Linjiang Middle School, Ling Qingxue took a hot bath, washing away her fatigue.
Things in the Dragon Corpse Secret Place went relatively smoothly, but constantly slaying sandworm beasts and refining the Flame Spirit still took a heavy toll on her body.
The second refinement of the elemental spirit was significantly more difficult than the first!
Each subsequent attempt would be even harder, requiring an even stronger physique to succeed.
"What did you get from refining the dragon bones?" Ling Qingxue asked curiously.
Wu Liang revealed a smug smile.
His right claw was covered in fiery red scales, the claw itself had lengthened slightly, and the tip radiated a scorching heat.
[Fiery Dragon Claw: Obtained by merging with the bones of a dragon sub-species, the Fiery Azure Dragon. Once activated, it transforms the claw into a Fiery Dragon Claw, inflicting burns with its attacks. Its maximum power can reach double the user's own attack, increasing the force of penetration. Power increases with the user's level.]
'Fiery Dragon Claw' was purely an offensive technique, with no other functions.
It might not be as practical as the Black Flame Phoenix Wings, but its damage was truly unique—the Black Flame Phoenix Wings could not compare to it.
After merging with him, both abilities increased along with his level, so there was no need to worry about them becoming useless after leveling up.
"A very strong item. Right now, one swipe of my claw would probably kill even a Third Level early-stage beast!"
Ling Qingxue nodded slightly, inwardly bitter.
The Taotie bloodline was simply too monstrous; it could devour the power of other divine beast bloodlines for its own use without affecting its own bloodline.
It was still a Taotie, but it could use the innate abilities of other divine beasts, such as Black Flame Phoenix Wings and Fiery Dragon Claw. The devouring abilities may not be as strong as the original owner's, but they weren't far off.
Besides, the Taotie's level breakthrough speed was unparalleled, leaving other magical beasts utterly humiliated.
Decades of diligent cultivation couldn't compare to a year's worth of food...
This was mind-blowing!
"Weren't you about to undergo your fourth evolution? You can begin now; I'll protect you."
Wu Liang's eyes lit up with excitement as he rubbed his little paws together.
"System, initiate my fourth evolution!"
[Ding! 5000 evolution points deducted. Fourth evolution begins.]
As the System's voice faded, Wu Liang fell into a deep sleep.
The light of evolution enveloped his body in a thick aura of vital energy, its power growing stronger with each iteration.
Half of the dormitory space was covered by a vortex of vital energy, forcing Ling Qingxue to stand to the side.
And this time, the devouring power also began to grow, tearing through the surrounding air and forming a small tornado.
Ling Qingxue pulled up a chair and sat down, beginning to refine her vital energy.
Her level had also reached the Second Rank mid-stage after refining the Flame Spirit and absorbing three Dragon Blood Fruits. After merging the accumulated vital energy within her body, she could break through to the Second Rank late-stage.
In at most half a month, she should break through to the next level while also stabilizing her vital energy!
"With the Beiming family's support, Beiming Yan should have already broken through to the Third Rank. Moreover, this year's competition is teeming with powerful individuals and countless geniuses. Even I don't have the confidence that I can take first place."
In previous years, the highest level for the first place in the martial arts exam was the Third Rank mid-stage, but someone would break that record this year, changing it to the late-stage.
Although it was only a small increase in level, it was incredibly significant.
The higher a martial artist's level, the longer it took to break through.
Ordinary geniuses needed at least three to four months of arduous training to break through from the Third Rank mid-stage to the late-stage, provided there were sufficient resources.
With insufficient resources, the time required would only be longer.
Breaking this record was proof enough of one's talent!
And this year, Beiming Yan was one of those who could break the record.
That's right, one of them!
In the previous life, this year's martial arts exam was called a "hellish dungeon," with as many as four record-breakers, all of whom had powerful backgrounds.
In previous years, those at the Third Rank early-stage had a chance to be in the top ten, but this year there wasn't even a hope...
This was why Ling Qingxue dared to make a bet with Wu Liang.
It wasn't that she didn't trust Wu Liang's strength and talent, but rather that he had been given too little time and resources.
Even ten years of hard study could not compare to the accumulation of several generations.
The destination everyone else was aiming for was just the starting point for them.
"Crack!"
Just as she was lost in thought, the blood-red cocoon that Wu Liang had transformed into began to crack before shattering completely.
A ferocious beast emerged from it, carrying an aura as steady as a mountain, its terrifying power instantly filling the entire dormitory.
The subtle but palpable aura emanating from the building instilled a chill in the hearts of the students passing by outside.
[Host: Wu Liang]
[Beast: Ruin Mountain Beast (Next Form: Ruin Abyss Beast, Evolution Points required: 30000)]
[Rank: Third Rank Early-Stage]
[Talent: Devouring All Things (100%)]
[Bloodline: Advanced Level one-star]
[Attack: 3760]
[Defense: 3900]
[Speed: 2880]
[Spiritual Power: 1520]
[Evolution Points: 55]
[Skills: Gluttonous Stomach Lv10, Greed Lv10, Damage Reduction Lv10, Size Control Lv6, Supernatural Smell Lv6, Devouring Mark Lv6]
[Special Traits: Scarlet Sun Pattern, Black Flame Phoenix Wings, Fiery Dragon Claw]
[Damage Reduction Lv10: You can devour all types of attacks that land on you. The current devouring rate is 10%. It also has the Immovable Mountain trait, allowing you to reflect the devoured attacks back at your opponent.]
......
Wu Liang was so excited he almost jumped up.
The counter-damage was here!
The counter-damage he'd been longing for had finally arrived!
"I knew it! How could there be no counter-damage if there's damage reduction? It was waiting for me in the fourth evolution!"
Although the current damage reduction to counter-damage ratio was only 10%, this skill would be a true god-level skill in the later stages!
He would be able to kill opponents with counterattacks without lifting a finger.
Whose energy could rival the Taotie's?
And how many magical beasts had stronger vitality than Taotie?
From now on, attacking him would be like attacking themselves; he's practically a bug in the game.
"Cultivation is too easy. I broke through to the Third Level early-stage so easily. I thought it would be more difficult," Wu Liang chuckled.
Having devoured so many good things in the Dragon Corpse Secret Place, his level had soared like taking a plane.
Breaking through after just a few meals—what cultivation method could be easier?
What were techniques, martial arts, or spirit formations compared to a simple, brutal slap? A slap was all it took to defeat any opponent; why bother with all those fancy spellcasting animations?
"Little Xuexue, am I right?"
Ling Qingxue sat silently, her eyes tightly closed.
She was on the verge of breaking down but wouldn't admit it...
This time, she really wanted to cry. Wu Liang was already almost one level higher than her.
If Wu Liang were to break through to the Third Level mid-stage again, with her as a "burden," he wouldn't be able to break through to the late-stage...
After her rebirth, she had become the one holding him back.
Was this reasonable?
Wouldn't her experience from her previous life be completely meaningless?
"I don't agree with the rat race, but now I have no choice but to join it..."