360. Decision

360. Decision

Lin Fei was well aware that the Azure Flood Dragon King was a King-level exotic beast, with an extraordinarily long lifespan. To relinquish half of its bloodline would not only significantly reduce its power but also eliminate any chance of progressing in the future.

Moreover, it would come under the oppression of Lin Fei's newly birthed Martial King bloodline, becoming nothing more than his servant. And not just the Azure Flood Dragon King, even its descendants, and the entire lineage would be bound to serve Lin Fei's line. The cost was immense.

Even in regular circumstances, the proud Azure Flood Dragon King would never bow down, not even to those powerful enough to end its life. But now was different.

With a roar filled with agony, the Dragon King's visage displayed immense suffering.

"The pain is unbearable, Master of Dubhe. You could never fathom the torment of being trapped here by Qing Yuzi using his grand formation. My core essence endures constant torment. This agony has persisted for over twenty thousand years. I cannot even end my own life. I can only watch myself endure this ceaseless pain until my life runs out. To escape this torment, I'm willing to pay any price, no matter how steep!"

The Azure Flood Dragon King had no hope left. After enduring pain for over twenty thousand years, what was this pain if not soul-crushing? This suffering had entirely eroded its will. Even if it had to pay a higher price, it would willingly do so.

Seeing the Dragon King's anguish, Lin Fei began to grasp the gravity of the situation. The Azure Flood Dragon King was truly willing to part with its bloodline, with its only desire being an end to its suffering.

Lin Fei glanced at the grand formation.

"Strike!"

In an instant, his Saber Domain materialized a radiant saber light, slashing ferociously at the luminous chains binding the Dragon King. A deafening "boom" echoed, and the whole underground realm trembled. However, Lin Fei's saber light shattered, unable to sever the chains set up by Qing Yuzi.

"Divine Ability, Annihilation! Divine Ability, Pierce!"

The next moment, a vast Life Wheel emerged behind Lin Fei. On it, beams of light continually flashed the powers of destruction, and Pierce fiercely acted upon the chains.

A "crack" sounded, and a tiny fracture appeared on one of the chains. Lin Fei's heart soared with hope. Under the influence of the Pierce Divine Ability, nothing seemed invincible. Thus, the chains shattered. Yet, before he could even rejoice, the chains restored themselves, good as new.

Lin Fei nodded in agreement. With a thought, a portal materialized before him. Without hesitation, he stepped through. He found himself in a vast chamber, lined with row upon row of bookshelves.

The shelves were densely packed with tomes. While most pertained to Divine Abilities, Lin Fei wasn't seeking them. He sought knowledge on the transition from Martial Sovereign to Martial King. He sought wisdom.

The leap from Martial Sovereign to Martial King was monumental. Should one dare challenge the realm of Martial King without understanding the process, failure might ensue. The consequences of which could be dire.

Fortunately, the repository was extensive. And not all were manuals of Divine Abilities. Indeed, some detailed the rudimentary principles of cultivation.

Lin Fei did find comprehensive records regarding the transition from Martial Sovereign to Martial King. Apparently, once a Martial Sovereign mastered the nine Great Divine Abilities, these abilities would merge into one. This unification would unleash a formidable force. At this juncture, one would either perish in a violent eruption or seamlessly merge with their physical form, thus giving birth to the Martial King bloodline.

Once the Martial King bloodline emerged, the physique of a Martial Sovereign would undergo a profound metamorphosis from within. It was the very apotheosis of life, a complete transformation into the embodiment of a Martial King. As the nine Divine Abilities melded into the Martial King bloodline, all the powers of the Martial King were embedded within the physical being and the lineage.

A Martial King could still wield Divine Abilities, but they were derived from within this bloodline. Moreover, after this evolution, the stronger the Martial King bloodline, the mightier the inherent Divine Abilities.

Subsequently, cultivation would focus on refining this Martial King bloodline. To delve into the practices of a Martial King, one would need to venture into another secretive chamber, seeking the Martial King's techniques.

Lin Fei searched meticulously. Indeed, there were details about merging with the blood essence of King-class exotic beasts. It fundamentally aligned with what the Azure Flood Dragon King had conveyed, only, in greater detail.

The crux was whether one's Divine Ability could dominate the blood essence of a King-class exotic beast. If one could achieve domination, the probability of successfully birthing the Martial King bloodline would skyrocket. After all, what was being merged was the very blood essence of a King-class exotic beast.

With a "whoosh," Lin Fei exited the Dubhe Dao Artifact.

"Azure Flood Dragon King, I believe I am ready, I am poised to challenge the realm of the Martial King! I require half of your blood essence! To aid in forging my Martial King bloodline, to ascend as a Martial King!"

With unwavering determination, Lin Fei addressed the tormented Azure Flood Dragon King.