Chapter Nine: The Awakening of the Dragon-Devouring Beast

The Dragon Swallowing Beast opened its enormous, bell-like eyes and fixed its gaze upon the crowd. Its massive body slowly straightened, the patterns etched across its scales mysterious and dangerous. Zhao Ling’er stood transfixed, unable to believe that the Dragon Swallowing Beast had awakened. Trapped among the Zhu family members, she felt her heart sink to the depths, her eyes coldly locked onto them.

“Zhao Ling’er, you can’t escape! Don’t even dream of helping Zhao Yuan!” the Zhu family shouted, their arrogance boundless.

At this moment, the Dragon Swallowing Beast was gathering its strength. Newly awakened, its power was not yet at its peak. Given a little time, none of these people would be its match.

Powerful waves radiated from the beast’s surroundings as it swung its massive head, its gaze sweeping over those present.

Long Ling’er grew increasingly anxious, waving her sword and shouting at Zhao Yuan, “Zhao Yuan, run quickly! None of us can handle this Dragon Swallowing Beast!”

Her heart lurched as the Zhu family seized this moment to lay a barrier, intent on trapping her. Zhao Ling’er sneered, spiritual energy surging within her, icy light glinting in her beautiful eyes.

“You can’t stop me!” she cried, her sword beginning to gather radiant energy.

Above, dark clouds churned. Patterns formed in the sky, each pulsing wave drawing spiritual energy together. Zhao Ling’er was now utterly determined; she would defeat them all!

As for Zhao Yuan, he watched solemnly—he could not leave Zhao Ling’er behind.

“Ling’er, I’m coming to help!” Zhao Yuan shouted, leaping skyward with a force no one could halt, his figure like a flash of swordlight, threatening to cleave the heavens.

They had to swiftly vanquish their foes before confronting the Dragon Swallowing Beast.

“Zhao Yuan, hurry!” Zhao Ling’er cried, “How can you be so foolish? This Dragon Swallowing Beast is not only a mysterious creature with boundless powers, but it’s also reached the ten-star level. No matter how strong you are, you can’t defeat it.”

Her anxiety was palpable; her frantic gaze flickered as she swung her sword, unleashing a brilliant aura. Her body became a figure of light—the spiritual energy within her bursting forth.

Zhao Yuan frowned, unwilling for Zhao Ling’er to risk everything for him. But in the instant it took him to furrow his brow, her attack was already unleashed.

The Zhu family was utterly stunned. They had never expected Zhao Ling’er to be so formidable, her combat strength so overwhelming!

She seemed a war goddess, standing firm as the ambient spiritual energy enveloped her.

“Ling’er!” Zhao Yuan soared into the sky, his presence equally striking. Electric arcs surrounded him, his muscles knotted and bulging, his physique radiating explosive power.

He was a man who revered strength, and even suspended in the air, his figure was as weighty as a mountain. The spiritual energy he gathered merged with Zhao Ling’er’s own, their powers intertwined, leaving onlookers dumbfounded.

“Quick, stop them! We can’t withstand such an assault!” The Zhu family was petrified, staring in terror beyond words. More than anything, they were shocked.

Was Zhao Ling’er’s power truly this great? She was like a warrior goddess, her delicate features as cold and ethereal as a celestial being. None doubted that, if she was not stopped, she would bring them tremendous trouble.

“It’s no use, they can’t be stopped. Quickly, set up the barrier—we can’t let her break free!”

Even with a simple attack, combined with Zhao Yuan, their offensive was overwhelming. If she broke through their encirclement and joined Zhao Yuan, none could oppose the two.

“Hurry, the barrier! Move faster!” The Zhu family shouted themselves hoarse, tension suffusing the air, their minds buzzing.

The ambient spiritual energy quivered, caught up in the powerful attack. Meanwhile, Zhao Yuan was channeling the sky’s gathered energy into himself.

“What is he trying to do?” Witnessing this, the Zhu family was shaken to their core.

Regret welled within them—why had they opposed Zhao Yuan? If they were to oppose him, they should have destroyed him before he could grow, not let him wield such power now!

“He’s—he’s channeling spiritual energy through his body to launch an attack at us!” a Zhu family member cried out, terrified to his soul.

“How’s the barrier? Faster!” Their minds blank, the Zhu family focused solely on completing the barrier in time.

Otherwise, even with the Dragon Swallowing Beast’s aid, they would not be Zhao Yuan’s match.

Zhao Ling’er alone was difficult enough, but Zhao Yuan was a prodigy of rare talent; they had underestimated him.

In the sky, Zhao Yuan’s commanding presence was like a sovereign overlooking countless insects, his gaze sharp and penetrating, fixing icy eyes upon the Zhu family.

He was not as calm as he appeared; the sheer volume of spiritual energy pressed upon his body, and were it not for his bull-like constitution, he would have been torn apart by the force of the amassed energy.

Zhao Yuan took a deep breath, his eyes locked on the Zhu family. In the brief moment he divided his attention, a wave of intense pain swept through him. He forced himself to remain calm, awaiting the moment their formation was complete.

It was done!

A thrill rose in Zhao Yuan’s heart—for now the Zhu family would relax, watching him coldly and mercilessly, hoping the spiritual energy would crush him to death.

He laughed, his wicked smile in midair causing Zhao Ling’er to pause, her cheeks flushing faintly. At this point, escape was futile; all that remained was to face them head-on.

Just then, another wave of spiritual energy rippled forth—this time from the Dragon Swallowing Beast, which had been silently observing the scene.