593 The Altar Turned Silent
An elder from the white tiger clan stepped forward, bowing deeply. “Ancestors, we have made preparations as instructed.”
The ancient kings, in a synchronized movement, gathered these items. They seemed to merge into a singular form, pulsing with overwhelming energy. The magnitude of this energy was such that the very atmosphere began to tremble.
Qin Huai, positioned at the base of the mountain, remained stoic, yet his gaze sharpened. He locked eyes with the assembly of kings. “Do these items hold a similar power to your rainbow dragon scales?”
The little emperor scowled in response. “How dare you compare them to the illustrious rainbow dragon scales? Those artifacts don’t even hold a candle to them.”
Qin Huai raised a brow, intrigued. The little emperor, confident in his assertion, declared, “The rainbow dragon scales have the power to shield me in the spirit world.”
Observing the little emperor’s conviction, Qin Huai remarked, “Oh?”
A hint of hesitation clouded the little emperor’s features. “While it’s true those items have their uses, particularly their capacity to obliterate souls… if you were to be struck by one, you’d either die in the main world or forever be severed from your destined path.”
He continued with a grave tone, “Such soul tools are invaluable. Each has been crafted using the essence of a king. However, not all kings leave remains suitable for such creations. These tools lose a bit of power with every use.”
He glanced down at the colorful armor draped over his body. “This flowing rainbow dragon scale was bequeathed to me by my forebears.”
Qin Huai’s eyes flickered with recognition. “From the Dragon Emperor?”
The little emperor nodded in confirmation. With a surge of determination, he removed the radiant armor, presenting it to Qin Huai. “Now, the rainbow dragon scale is yours.”
Qin Huai looked at the little emperor, genuinely taken aback. “You’d part with an heirloom of the Dragon Emperor?”
The little emperor fixed his gaze intently on Qin Huai. “If it serves the grander purpose of the six royal clans, then yes. You, of all people, should understand my identity and significance.”
Qin Huai questioned further, “And that identity is?”
With an air of regality, the little emperor proclaimed, “I am the emperor. Even in my reduced circumstances, I still hold the grandeur of my lineage. My clan has long championed a world where humans and demons coexist, and this is the reason why we’ve been betrayed by everyone and have come this far. My heart holds the world, and the people within.”
Qin Huai observed him, his expression inscrutable. Though these words came from a kid, they carried the weight of emperors. One mustn’t be deceived by age, for even a young emperor, if truly wise, could deftly navigate the treacherous waters of the imperial palace.
“I’m not suited to join you in this fight. My abilities are limited, and I’d only become a hindrance,” the little emperor admitted somberly. “But this flowing rainbow dragon scale, I can offer you.”
He quickly added, “It’s a loan. Once everything’s settled, return it to me in the palace.”
“Understood,” Qin Huai replied succinctly, accepting the dragon scales without hesitation. He had only a rudimentary understanding of such artifacts, having known of their power only through sparse references.
Buzz…
Observing this, the little emperor remarked with a hint of awe, “You truly are formidable. What did you see just now?”
He added reflectively, “The spirit world might be a realm where both body and soul can coexist. My physical strength endures there, and this unity strengthens my soul and has brought about profound changes within me.”
The little emperor sighed, confessing, “I was just thinking of running away with you. Facing the might of the ancient kings of the six royal clans seems an insurmountable challenge. Even if you wear the dragon scales, I fear the outcome would remain grim.”
Qin Huai maintained his stoic demeanor. “If fate allows, I’ll return this artifact to you within the walls of the imperial city.”
“I hope that day won’t come,” Qin Huai murmured, using a surge of his energy to propel the little emperor away, ensuring his safety.
The force of the thrust was such that the little emperor vanished from sight, quickly distancing himself. Soon after, he left the spirit world.
Slipping on the vibrant dragon scale armor, it seamlessly melded with Qin Huai’s form. Gazing at his hands, he observed intricate vein-like patterns, resembling dragon scales, materializing on the back of his hands. A warm, comforting sensation enveloped him, reminiscent of the soothing embrace of a hot spring.
“This power… it’s surprisingly calm,” Qin Huai whispered, his attention then shifting to the fully manifested ancient kings hovering above.
Atop the King Bone Holy Altar, the lush forest and dense vegetation had been decimated by the combined aura of the lesser eight kings formation and the hundred kings. The barren mountain laid bare, leaving every figure exposed and clear to the eye.
An oppressive aura, spanning several miles and transcending time, bore down upon Qin Huai.
The ancient kings, with their powerful auras in resonance, remained mostly motionless. Above them, phantoms of eight mighty beasts, identical to those of the little eight kings formation, loomed. Their dazzling energy rained down, colliding with Qin Huai.
Despite the onslaught, Qin Huai took determined steps, beginning his ascent up the mountain. His flowing hair, once stark white, began to regain its natural color, and the brilliant light in his eyes dimmed.
The formidable aura that once surrounded him weakened under the pressure of the hundred kings. Yet, in his left palm, an orb of light was shining brightly.
“Is he… nearing his limit?” the white tiger grand elder asked, his voice filled with doubt.
“He’s likely being suppressed by the hundred kings’ aura,” another elder conjectured. Even standing near the kings, he felt the air grow dense, making it difficult to breathe. This sensation, despite having ancestral protection, made him wonder about the immense pressure Qin Huai faced.
Remarkably, under such immense strain, Qin Huai’s aura was merely subdued, his steps unwavering.
“Such resilience… What a beast,” an ancient king mused, lauding Qin Huai for the second time in quick succession.
“But he’s a future king, not a true king. Reaching this point is already commendable.”
As the words settled, one of the ancient kings from the Qiong Qi clan charged forth. “Let’s see what you’re truly made of.”
Though he had but one toe bone remaining, he relied on it for agility and speed. With every touch of his toe bone to the ground, his speed surged, creating whirlwinds that whipped up waves of dust and debris.
But before the waves even reached their peak, he stood face-to-face with Qin Huai. Their eyes locked. The ancient king felt an inexplicable pull in those pitch-black eyes, diminishing his aura and instilling a fleeting desire to yield.
“You truly are something,” the ancient king remarked, raising his foot high, aiming straight for Qin Huai like a piercing spear. It felt as though the very fabric of time and space was being torn apart.
Calmly, Qin Huai raised his left hand, gently parrying the toe bone’s assault.
A deafening collision echoed, and both the toe bone and the ancient king’s form disintegrated. The shockwave they produced vanished as quickly as it had formed.
Around the King Bone Holy Altar, a heavy silence reigned.
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