Chapter 277: Chapter 250: Red Dragon Lock Chain, Master Ze Sun Hao
He raised his hand.
An amber-like crystal slowly levitated into the air. At that moment, everyone in Jinyun Valley held their breath. This was the final step in forging the artifact!
"ROAR!"
Then, Chen Che clenched his fist and crushed it.
Before everyone’s horrified eyes, a soul wreathed in flames, its body ethereal as if it didn’t exist in the physical world, shot out like a flood dragon bursting from the water. The instant the crystal shattered, it tried to flee into the sky.
It was the Red Flame Flood Dragon.
"Don’t let it escape!"
Jia Chaoyuan immediately shouted.
A soul of this level retained memories from its life. Coupled with its powerful Divine Sense, it could survive in the world for an extremely long time. It was highly likely to transform into a phantom dragon, or even embark on the path of the Divine Dao.
But there was no need for him to say anything.
The cultivators, already prepared, instantly activated their Divine Sense, forming it into countless chains. An immense, invisible force immediately ensnared the soul. However, the creature had been a late-stage Golden Core Great Demon in life. The Power of Divine Sense of such a being was naturally far beyond imagination.
Although its speed was slow, it was still steadily trying to escape the valley.
At the same time, Chen Che also made his move. His Divine Sense shot out like a rope, wrapped tightly around the soul, and yanked it backward.
’His Divine Sense is that powerful?’
Jia Chaoyuan glanced at Chen Che, then at the soul that was being dragged back as if caught by the throat. He couldn’t help but feel astonished.
’His Divine Sense alone is stronger than all nine of ours combined?’
Previously, the combined Divine Sense of nine people could barely hold it in place. But the moment Chen Che acted, he immediately pulled the soul straight back.
They had expected a tug-of-war.
"Erase its consciousness!"
Jia Chaoyuan bellowed in a deep voice. "Seal it inside the chain!"
Several strands of Divine Sense rapidly converged, forming a giant palm dozens of yards wide. It swept across the sky and brutally seized the body of the Red Flood Dragon’s soul.
"ROAR! ROAR!"
The Red Flood Dragon’s soul let out an earth-shattering roar.
"Get in there!"
Chen Che shouted. The giant palm gripped the soul and slammed it into the chain.
BOOM!
An infinite Spiritual Light erupted from the Black Dragon Lock Chain. Within the light, everyone could see the massive soul of the Red Flood Dragon being forced into the chain, bit by bit. The entire chain vibrated violently, clanking and rattling as if it might shatter at any moment.
But no matter how the Red Flood Dragon’s soul struggled, it couldn’t stop the process. It could only watch helplessly as its body was sealed within the chain.
Then, everything fell silent.
"It’s done!"
Seeing this, everyone breathed a sigh of relief.
At the same time, a cheer like a tsunami erupted throughout Jinyun Valley.
’After fourteen days of forging, this Black Dragon Lock Chain is finally complete!’
Chen Che nodded in satisfaction.
But just then, the chain trembled. A wisp of fire suddenly shot out. Like a single spark starting a prairie fire, it rapidly wrapped around the outside of the chain in a burning circle. Then, instead of extinguishing, the dancing flames took the distinct shape of a Red Dragon.
It looked even more majestic than before.
"This..."
Everyone who saw it was inexplicably astonished.
Chen Che was also stunned for a moment before he understood. As a late-stage Golden Core Great Demon in life, the Red Flame Flood Dragon’s Power of the Divine Soul was immense. Using it for Spiritual Infusion would naturally produce extraordinary results. The chain, having undergone this baptism, had inherited the Red Flame Flood Dragon’s Talent Divine Abilities and could now manifest its flames.
’Does this mean I can’t call it the Black Dragon Lock Chain anymore? Should it be the Red Dragon Lock Chain?’
Chen Che didn’t know whether to laugh or cry.
Although it was unexpected, it was clearly not a bad thing.
At least so many days of effort hadn’t gone to waste.
"Valley Master Chen, congratulations..."
"A Tier Three Magical Artifact! I never thought I’d one day participate in forging a Tier Three Magical Artifact!"
"What’s its specific grade?"
...
Once the Red Dragon Lock Chain was complete, all of Jinyun Valley was in an uproar. Not just the Major Cultivators who participated, but even the disciples who had only observed, felt a sense of pride and glory.
This made Meng Changtu and Lu Qinglian incredibly envious. To this day, their families had never participated in such a high-level refining.
"Tier Three Low Grade."
Jia Chaoyuan looked up at the Red Dragon Lock Chain, which writhed in midair like a dancing flood dragon.
"It was just a hair’s breadth away from being Tier Three Middle Grade."
Jia Chaoyuan was full of praise, his heart filled with joy.
He had never imagined that he would be able to participate in refining such a Magical Artifact after his arm was severed. At the same time, he felt a deep sense of regret. Because it was a group effort, almost no one besides him and Liang Yuan had any real experience in forging Magical Artifacts.
This resulted in quite a few impurities remaining inside the chain, which affected its final grade.
"It’s not a pity. A Magical Artifact that has undergone Spiritual Infusion like this has a certain capacity to evolve."
With a clench of his fist, the Red Dragon Lock Chain shot back into his hand. Chen Che, on the other hand, was very satisfied. "As long as I continue to nourish it, it can eventually reach Tier Three High Grade."
Furthermore, the chain was imbued with Flame Power, making it superior to other Magical Artifacts of the same tier.
But this was also the limit for an Acquired Spiritual Artifact.
His only regret was that he didn’t have many materials left, or he would have liked to reforge his Pure Jun Sword as well.
"That’s true."
Jia Chaoyuan nodded slightly. "Valley Master Chen, the Magical Artifact is complete. Now it’s time for you to treat us to a drink."
SCREE~
Just as Chen Che was about to speak, a massive shadow circled down from the sky. As everyone watched, it transformed into a small, entirely golden bird that landed gently on Chen Che’s shoulder. It was the Little Chick.
It tilted its head and whispered a few words in his ear. A glint flashed in Chen Che’s eyes. Facing the curious gazes of the crowd, he cupped his hands and said with a smile:
"Of course. After we drink, there’s one more matter I’d like to ask for your help with."
Hearing this, the others all looked thoughtful.
...
...
’Sun Hao!’
Although he had been in Jinyun Valley, he had never given up investigating Sun Hao’s whereabouts.
Unfortunately, he’d found nothing.
After all, his target was a Foundation Establishment Cultivator aided by a Golden Core Remnant Soul. It was far too easy for him to evade a search. However, despite taking every precaution, Sun Hao had never imagined that Chen Che would use a Demon Beast to track him down.
This was why the Little Chick had been absent from the valley during this time.
’So he’s been hiding in Ze State.’
The thought turned over in Chen Che’s mind.
However, it wasn’t a good time to leave the valley. According to the original plan, Jinyun Valley would celebrate for three days. Only after the festivities ended did he announce that he was entering seclusion, using the cover of night to ride the Little Chick out of Jinyun Valley.
He paused briefly at the border of Yunzhou.
In just a few moments, Meng Changtu, Lu Qinglian, Rong Zhongxuan, and the other Major Cultivators who had helped forge the Red Dragon Lock Chain all arrived, each one fully armed.
"Let’s go!"
Along the way, Chen Che didn’t forget to brief the others:
"Sun Hao is a Beast Master, with a realm between the Foundation Establishment Fifth and Sixth Layers. His beast pet is a Wind-roaring Python, a Foundation Establishment Great Demon. When fully grown, it can reach the late-stage Golden Core Realm, and its strength is formidable. Our target is suspected of having received the True Inheritance of True Master Chilong, so his methods may be similar to True Master Chilong’s."
"Even with all of us working together, we must be cautious. Failing to kill a snake will only get you bitten."
Among those present, only Meng Changtu knew the details of Sun Hao’s background.
The others had been rather nonchalant at first, but after hearing Chen Che’s explanation, their expressions all turned grim. They all understood just how terrifying a Foundation Establishment Cultivator suspected of having a complete Golden Core inheritance could be.
It meant that he was destined to become a Core Formation True Master in the future!
If they let him escape, it would surely lead to disaster.
...
...
Along the way, the dozen or so people traveled by night and hid during the day, concealing their presence and avoiding areas frequented by cultivators and even mortals.
It wasn’t until the seventh day that they finally approached Ze State.
The group gradually slowed down.
WHOOSH!
Before they had even reached the Marsh Forest, a bird that was cyan all over and resembled a peacock flew directly out of the woods. This was the Great Demon of the Marsh Forest, the Profound Cyan Sparrow. Despite its delicate appearance, it was actually the sovereign of the skies in the Ze State region.
All the snakes, insects, rats, and ants within Ze State were on its menu.
"A Great Demon? The Profound Cyan Sparrow!"
Hearing the commotion, Meng Changtu immediately tightened his grip on the Black Blade on his back.
The others also grew vigilant.
"Don’t attack..."
Chen Che raised a hand to stop them.
The Profound Cyan Sparrow landed about seventy or eighty feet away and let out a few low cries. The Little Chick responded with a chirp, and the two demon beasts seemed to be conversing. Everyone was a little surprised to see this. It was common knowledge that wild Demon Beasts were difficult to tame, and this was especially true the higher their level.
Especially when they were in the same Grand Realm and neither could establish absolute dominance, the vast majority of Demon Beasts would never submit.
Only Meng Changtu looked thoughtful as he glanced at the Little Chick.
After a moment, the Little Chick turned its head, and a message came through via Divine Sense:
"Master, besides Sun Hao, there are five other Beast Masters in the Marsh Forest. They seem to be in close contact with him."
’Five other Beast Masters?’
Chen Che sneered. ’If I hadn’t come, I never would have known that Sun Hao was also recruiting followers.’
"Do you know their exact location? What have they been doing these past few days?"
Tossing it a pill, Chen Che continued to ask.
"They live in a foggy area and capture Demon Beasts every day. As for what they do with them, I don’t know."
The Profound Cyan Sparrow slowly shook its head and lifted a wing, where a bloodstain was still visible. "This group is too vigilant... I couldn’t get close."
"Lead the way!"
Chen Che nodded slightly.
The Profound Cyan Sparrow flapped its great wings and rode the wind into the sky.
The group exchanged glances, concealed their auras, and followed closely behind the Profound Cyan Sparrow.
...
Deep within the Marsh Forest.
Since the entirety of Ze State was a Redwood Forest, this area had no name. It was overgrown and filled with miasma, a paradise for poisonous creatures like snakes, insects, rats, and ants. Combined with the Hundred-Eyed Marsh Dragon that lurked beneath the mire, even many cultivators regarded this place as a forbidden land.
However, no one would have expected that a massive palace stood deep within this Marsh Forest.
"Master Ze."
A Major Cultivator, holding a severed head whose eyes were wide with disbelief, cupped his hands. "After I invited him three times and was rejected each time, I killed him. This is the Tribulation Cultivator Shen Xian, at the Foundation Establishment Second Layer. He is willing to pledge allegiance to you, Master Ze."
"Shen Xian greets Master Ze."
A middle-aged Major Cultivator with sharp eyebrows, star-like eyes, a prominent nose, and clad in a black robe, quickly stepped forward and cupped his hands.
"Good!"
Sun Hao nodded upon hearing this.
"Since you have joined me in Ze State, from now on, you are my brother. In a few days, I will capture a Hundred-Eyed Marsh Dragon for you to take as your beast pet. I trust you will be satisfied with that."
"Thank you for your generous gift, Master Ze."
Overjoyed, Shen Xian hurriedly bowed in thanks.
’It’s still not enough!’
Sun Hao gazed at the five Major Cultivators standing before him, a chill in his heart.
’With this little power, how can I possibly suppress Jinyun Valley? How could I ever surround and kill Chen Che...?’
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