"Get back to your pool."
Chu Lingguang had his powerful Sea of Consciousness Power as support, allowing him to temporarily resist the strange fluctuation. He quickly released his Spear Stance, trying to envelop the Cloud Mist Flood Dragon within it.
A desperate thought sparked within him. He wanted to fuse the power born from the resonance between his Flesh and Blood Divine Abilities and his Sea of Consciousness into his Spear Stance. That way, the Cloud Mist Flood Dragon would have to constantly endure the feeling of its organs being hammered.
Unfortunately.
It was too difficult.
Even when Yan Zhen’s Sword Momentum reached the Form Realm, it only managed to surround his momentum with visible Sword Qi. For Chu Lingguang to make his fused Flesh and Blood Divine Power manifest within the domain of his Spear Stance, it was simply impossible with his current strength.
"ROOOAR!"
The Cloud Mist Flood Dragon took several lashes from Chu Lingguang’s spear.
But its hide was tough, and even his Flesh and Blood Divine Abilities couldn’t inflict much damage. Once it adapted to the power, it whipped its tail with incredible speed, lashing out at Chu Lingguang’s waist.
Chu Lingguang’s expression changed drastically. He felt as if the Cloud Mist Flood Dragon’s reaction speed had suddenly evolved.
He quickly blocked with his Long Spear.
"CRACK!"
Chu Lingguang was sent flying, nearly crashing into the stone wall.
"WHOOSH WHOOSH WHOOSH!"
The Cloud Mist Flood Dragon pressed its advantage, flinging another chest of silver ingots at Chu Lingguang.
Gritting his teeth through the pain, Chu Lingguang blocked all the silver ingots flying toward him and Eunuch Liu.
"Chu Lingguang, you should go. This Cloud Mist Flood Dragon is no ordinary Sea Demon. I can hold it off for twenty or thirty breaths. Hurry up and get out of here."
Eunuch Liu said, struggling to stay upright.
His power had not yet fully recovered, and now he was heavily injured again. Especially under the assault of that strange power fluctuating from the Cloud Mist Flood Dragon’s two tentacles, his head was splitting, and he had almost no combat strength left to draw upon.
Looking like a frail old man, he was now filled with despair.
"No, you go first!"
Chu Lingguang pushed off the wall with both feet.
And charged toward the Cloud Mist Flood Dragon once more.
Previously, Eunuch Liu had traveled a thousand li to Baiyang County to save him. For that, he was poisoned by Celestial Fragrance Powder and lost all his power. When Chu Lingguang went to the Imperial City for the examinations, the old man had even received him personally.
On Black Bear Island, he had even backed him up and established his authority, helping him find his footing.
This nighttime exploration of Xiazigou was supposed to be his own affair. Eunuch Liu could have stayed out of it completely, yet he put himself in harm’s way to come along.
How could Chu Lingguang abandon him and live a cowardly life?
"Cough, cough!"
Eunuch Liu felt his vision blurring.
He saw Chu Lingguang struggling desperately. Even though he was using his full strength, he couldn’t even break through the Cloud Mist Flood Dragon’s defenses. It seemed the only way to win was to rely on his Flesh and Blood Divine Power.
However, despite multiple explosive thrusts, the Cloud Mist Flood Dragon only grew more frantic, showing no signs of tiring. If this continued, they would both probably die here.
’So be it.’
Eunuch Liu stopped trying to persuade Chu Lingguang.
He knew Chu Lingguang was loyal and righteous. During the Imperial Examination’s Martial Arts Examination, he had been willing to give up first place for Yan Zhen’s sake, nearly losing his chance to place in the top three. How could he possibly abandon him now?
’If he weren’t so loyal and kind-hearted, I never would have followed him to Xiazigou to investigate in the first place.’
’Perhaps this is just an ill-fated bond!’
’I’ll just treat him as my own Direct Disciple. Today, it will be a life for a life. I’ll help him escape so he can achieve great things. With his character, he surely won’t mistreat Xuanyuan Jinkang in the future. At least then, the Soft and Flexible Technique will have a successor.’
At this thought, a crazed smile appeared on Eunuch Liu’s face.
His cloudy eyes locked onto the vital spot on the Cloud Mist Flood Dragon’s lower jaw. The full power of his Soft and Flexible Technique gathered in his palm. This would be the strongest strike of his entire life.
"Eunuch Liu, I always manage to break through in moments of crisis. Trust me."
But just then, a resolute voice called out.
It was Chu Lingguang.
With his powerful Sea of Consciousness Power, he had sensed the change in Eunuch Liu and perceived his desperate plan.
Eunuch Liu’s expression froze.
"BANG!"
Chu Lingguang was sent flying into a pile of jewelry chests.
He shot up from the pile of jewels. The sixth level of the Flying Leaf Lotus Spear: Swallow!
Endless darkness descended.
The Cloud Mist Flood Dragon found that the world had completely vanished. All it could see was a Profound Iron Spearhead rushing toward it.
"WHOOSH!"
It swept its tail, tearing through the darkness.
The hook on its tail collided with the Profound Iron Spearhead.
"BANG!"
Chu Lingguang’s body was flung sideways, and he crashed onto the steps next to Eunuch Liu.
"Eunuch Liu, I can hold on!"
Without any hesitation, Chu Lingguang sprang up from the steps.
The Black Tortoise Divine Power, formed from thirty-three responses, made him seem like an unkillable cockroach—impossibly tough with astonishing recovery.
Of course, compared to the Cloud Mist Flood Dragon, Chu Lingguang was still far weaker.
If not for the twenty-one response powers awakened in his limbs and bones, which had strengthened his foundation, he would have probably fallen apart long ago.
"A breakthrough?"
"Lin Guang, you said that during the Palace Examination, the power released by the expert from Yuanchu Mountain almost helped you awaken forty-six response powers, right?"
Eunuch Liu asked urgently, having thought of something.
"Yes!"
Chu Lingguang replied.
His shattered Spear Stance coalesced once more as his Long Spear tried to break through the Cloud Mist Flood Dragon’s defense and Thrust into its vitals.
Unfortunately, the Cloud Mist Flood Dragon’s defense was impenetrable. On several occasions, its two tentacles almost snatched Chu Lingguang’s Nine-foot Tyrant Spear away from him.
Furthermore, the hooked tail on its back would launch surprise attacks from time to time, leaving Chu Lingguang in constant peril.
"My late master once said that our school’s Kung Fu, the Soft and Flexible Technique, has the ability to help people break through their shackles. Where are those forty-six responses of yours?"