"Really?" Ye Xin's eyes were filled with curiosity as she listened to Lin Qian's explanation. She was eager to see what kind of mystical soul technique Zhao Long possessed.
"Unrivaled!"
Just as Ye Xin's curiosity peaked, Zhao Long's powerful shout drew her attention back, and she turned to watch him.
The yellowish soul energy typical of the Huaxia Empire was characteristic of all beings from the Mystic Star, and Zhao Long was no exception. However, a bright red aura began to emit from him, carrying no sense of bloodlust, but rather an overwhelming battle intent that seemed to press down on the very air around him.
Was merely glowing red the so-called mystical soul technique?
Not only was Ye Xin puzzled, but even the palace-dressed woman and her two female attendants sneered in mockery. The man's words had been harsh, but after a loud shout, nothing seemed to have changed.
The palace-dressed woman shook her head. Although the armored figure before her was indeed a Life and Death Realm expert, his aura indicated that he was only at the Body Realm, nothing to be concerned about.
Boom!
Suddenly, the air behind Zhao Long exploded as he vanished from his original position, leaving only a faint red trail in the sky.
The abrupt disappearance stunned the two female attendants, causing their hearts to tighten. Years of combat experience made them instinctively gather soul energy, forming a powerful defensive barrier in front of them as they prepared to face the incoming attack.
But just as they finished their preparations, Zhao Long reappeared before them.
The two female attendants had reacted quickly, relying on experience and instinct to complete their defense just in time for the impending attack.
However, Zhao Long's eyes showed nothing but fury and disdain as he stared at their defense.
Without hesitation, Zhao Long swung his snow-white spear at the two attendants.
Bang!
A dull collision echoed through the air, and the two women, who had been very much alive just moments ago, were reduced to nothing but blood mist, obliterated from existence.
Zhao Long's eyes showed no trace of pity. To him, those two attendants weren't delicate beauties but vile pigs, blasphemous beings who had insulted the highest authority of the emperor.
How dare they demand that His Majesty sever his own arm, gouge out his tongue, and become a slave?
The thought alone was enough to rekindle Zhao Long's rage. His violent aura dispersed the lingering blood mist as he charged at the shocked palace-dressed woman.
"Die!" Zhao Long roared as he reached the woman and swung his spear at her without hesitation. He showed no mercy simply because she was a woman.
The palace-dressed woman stared blankly at the incoming spear, her expression frozen in disbelief.
Zhao Long's speed was overwhelming—far beyond what she could comprehend.
How could someone at the Body Realm of the Life and Death Stage move so fast that even she, a Soul Realm expert, couldn't react?
Boom!
A deafening crash filled the air, but Zhao Long's spear didn't strike the woman. Instead, it collided with a barrier of ice that surrounded her, crackling with frigid energy.
The icy barrier, though appearing fragile, was remarkably resilient. Even after taking the full brunt of Zhao Long's attack, it only showed a few cracks.
Yet the sheer force of Zhao Long's strike sent the palace-dressed woman flying, encased in her protective ice shell, disappearing from sight in an instant.
Seeing the woman blasted away, Zhao Long grew frantic. How could he let a blasphemer escape?
In his haste, Zhao Long prepared to give chase, but the red aura surrounding him dissipated, causing his momentum to falter.
Taking a deep breath, Zhao Long prepared to activate his Huaxia soul energy and continue the pursuit.
However, Lin Qian's stern voice cut through the air. "Get back here!"
Hearing Lin Qian's command, Zhao Long halted his pursuit and returned to his emperor, bowing his head in shame. "Your Majesty, I allowed the thief to escape. Please punish me. I am willing to atone by retrieving her head and presenting it to you."
Before Zhao Long could finish his plea, Lin Qian kicked him, sending him stumbling back several steps.
"Ye Xin, after Zhao Long activates his Unrivaled skill, all of his attributes—strength, speed, reflexes, and more—are enhanced tenfold," Lin Qian explained to the curious Ye Xin after kicking Zhao Long. "But in exchange, the soul energy he consumes increases a hundredfold."
"A tenfold boost in all aspects... No wonder that spear strike was so powerful." Learning the specifics of Zhao Long's Unrivaled skill left Ye Xin amazed, wishing she could learn such a technique herself.
Unfortunately, this was a unique ability that had transferred over from Lin Qian's previous life in the game, and it couldn't be taught to others.
After explaining the Unrivaled skill, Lin Qian turned back to Zhao Long. "Your Unrivaled state has already worn off. Don't be reckless—your soul energy must be nearly depleted. With your current energy reserves, you can only maintain the Unrivaled state for twelve seconds. That time has long passed."
"In your weakened state, what do you plan to use to pursue her? Are you chasing her or running to your death? Don't let your anger cloud your judgment."
After listening to Lin Qian's scolding, Zhao Long regained his composure and refrained from pursuing the matter further.
"This trial will last for a full year. She won't be able to escape unless she leaves the ruins early," Lin Qian said, looking in the direction the palace-dressed woman had been flung. "Don't worry about her. She'll get what's coming to her."
At that moment, two black rays of light shot up into the sky, emerging from the blood mist Zhao Long had created. The rays flew toward him and merged with the markings on his hand.
As the black marks appeared on Zhao Long's hand, Lin Qian's eyes narrowed in surprise.
While Lin Qian was studying the markings on Zhao Long's hand, he caught sight of something unusual in the forest below. His expression changed, and he quickly descended to investigate.