"This genius of the Baruch Family has indeed achieved 'Dragon Transformation.' Though there are some differences from the recorded Dragon Blood Warriors. But to reach the ninth level at such a young age—truly worthy of the title Dragon Blood Warrior."
The Pope of Light, Hightines, wore a faint smile on his lips as he gazed down below.
The sight of over a thousand dead, the ground stained red with blood, could not disturb the Pope's calm in the slightest.
"Cæsar, block them!" Clyde shouted in urgent alarm.
Never had Clyde imagined that with the Destiny Guardian protecting him, he would be forced into such a desperate situation. And this was the Holy Capital, Fenn City, no less!
"Yes, Your Majesty!" Cæsar answered as he swung his greatsword straight at Lin Lei.
Lin Lei made no effort to defend himself. "I'll take this sword hit if I have to—Clyde must die!" The deaths of his parents had filled Lin Lei with boundless hatred toward Clyde. Only killing Clyde would bring him peace. Otherwise, he would die unwilling—unwilling even in death!
*Thunk!* The greatsword slammed into Lin Lei's body.
Lin Lei had prepared to endure the blow head-on, but to his surprise, the greatsword was not meant to wound him. Instead, it used the force of the impact to halt his charge. Cæsar used the rebound to launch himself toward Clyde at even greater speed.
*Whoosh!* Bei Bei darted toward Clyde once more.
*Clang!* The greatsword swept through the air and blocked Bei Bei just in time. Bei Bei's razor-sharp claws clashed against the blade with a vicious strike.
*Tsss—*
Bei Bei felt a searing wave of energy surge through the greatsword, along with a torrent of fierce Battle Qi aimed straight at him. He dodged at full speed, but the scorching force still struck his body. However, thanks to his extraordinary defense, Bei Bei simply flipped through the air and landed on his feet.
Cæsar now stood before Clyde, his cold gaze fixed on Lin Lei and Bei Bei.
"Boss, this guy is seriously strong." Bei Bei's fur bristled as he stared intently at Cæsar.
Lin Lei could sense Cæsar's power too. In terms of speed, Cæsar was every bit as fast as him. His swordwork, in particular, was terrifyingly quick. Cæsar was a genuine ninth-level powerhouse with vast combat experience.
"Who are you? Why are you trying to kill His Majesty?" Cæsar held his greatsword and regarded Lin Lei and Bei Bei with icy composure.
Lin Lei said nothing. He reached to his waist and drew the Purpleblood Divine Sword once more. At the same time, he activated the Wind System support spell, Rapid. Even as a seventh-level mage, the spell could still boost his speed somewhat.
"Martial and magical dual cultivation." Cæsar's expression shifted.
"Clyde." Lin Lei's low, rasping voice rang out.
A group of warriors had already formed a protective barrier in front of Clyde, but in Lin Lei's eyes, none of them besides Cæsar posed the slightest obstacle.
*Whoosh!* Lin Lei's right foot drove into the ground with tremendous force, cracking the earth in every direction. Using the tremendous recoil, his entire body blurred into a dark streak as he shot toward Clyde.
The sheer velocity of his charge created a wall of wind that made even Cæsar and the others tense up.
*Whoosh.* Shadow Mouse Bei Bei, in perfect sync with Lin Lei, sprang forward at the same time.
*Tsss tsss—* The Purpleblood Divine Sword transformed into a streak of violet sword light, thrusting directly at Cæsar. Cæsar flipped his wrist and brought the greatsword down with surprising agility, pressing toward Lin Lei's flexible Purpleblood Blade. But just then—
The perfectly straight Purpleblood Divine Sword suddenly bent, curving around the greatsword and continuing its thrust at Cæsar.
Too close!
Cæsar barely had time to dodge.
*Thunk!*
The tip of the Purpleblood Divine Sword halted just three centimeters from Cæsar's face. A thick, crimson Dou Qi Shield had blocked Lin Lei's strike. Cæsar, as a ninth-level powerhouse, was still slightly stronger than Lin Lei at this moment.
The strike had failed, but Lin Lei didn't hesitate for a split second. He veered to the side and charged straight for Clyde.
"Stop!" Cæsar barked, moving to intercept.
But from the corner of his eye, he caught sight of a dark blur already at his throat. Cæsar knew all too well how dangerous this peculiar magical beast was—he wouldn't dare try to block those claws with his Battle Qi alone.
Cæsar sidestepped gracefully, putting distance between himself and Bei Bei, then flipped his greatsword and slashed at the little beast.
"Cæsar, save me!" Clyde screamed.
Cæsar's heart lurched with anxiety. Both Lin Lei and this terrifying beast possessed ninth-level strength. Moreover, both were of the highly agile, heavily defensive variety. He might be able to handle one, but two at once was a nightmare.
*Psshh—*
The Purpleblood Divine Sword cleaved through the air. Severed limbs flew in all directions as blood sprayed everywhere.
Lin Lei's dark-golden pupils locked onto Clyde without wavering. He hurtled forward at terrifying speed. Every warrior who tried to stand in his way was cut clean in half by the Purpleblood Divine Sword. Blood had already dyed his dragon scales crimson.
One step, ten dead!
*Thunk!* With a final blow, he sent the two warriors closest to Clyde flying, and now he stood face-to-face with the king himself.
"No—no, don't kill me!" Clyde was truly terrified now.
Cæsar was still entangled by the tenacious Bei Bei and couldn't possibly rescue him in time. As for the other warriors—they were nothing but snacks for Lin Lei. With his full Dragon Transformation power, Lin Lei feared no ordinary ninth-level fighter. Only a Saint Realm expert could challenge him now.
"Clyde, die."
This time Lin Lei didn't use his sword. Instead, his right claw shot toward Clyde's throat. He intended to tear the life out of Clyde with his bare hands.
"Aaah!" Clyde threw himself backward in a desperate dive, tumbling behind a decorative rock formation.
But Lin Lei closed the distance in a single step, and his claw was already inches from Clyde's face.
"Father… Mother… I've finally avenged you." Lin Lei's heart trembled with emotion as his right claw clenched with savage force. Without any means of defense, Clyde was nothing more than a beast stripped of its teeth and claws in Lin Lei's presence.
Fear and disbelief filled Clyde's eyes.
*Hummm—*