Instinctively, I walked to the edge of the massive pit! The air around was still thick with a suffocating pressure, even emitting waves of hazy heat that made it feel as though the entire world was ablaze.
It was hard to imagine that the mutated Dragon Shadow, executed using principles derived from the Kaioken, could possess such astonishing destructive power! Feeling that near-explosive physical memory lingering within my body, I knew that this lesson had finally allowed me to master an entirely new ultimate technique!
It was far more formidable than the fleeting glimpses of the past mutated Dragon Shadow! Since its power is comparable to a cannon, this new ultimate technique shall henceforth be called the Dragon Shadow Cannon!
I am utterly convinced that with this brand-new ultimate move, the Dragon Shadow Cannon, I will surely pass the trials of the King’s Forbidden Ground! Sheathing the Dragon Shadow Sword, I continued my advance eastward!
As I ventured deeper into the desert's interior, the monsters I encountered increased exponentially; the black scorpions and maggots no longer appeared singly but in swarms. Sometimes a few, sometimes dozens materialized simultaneously!
However, now possessing the Dragon Shadow Cannon, I could basically obliterate anything I faced; no matter how many monsters came, they posed no further threat to me! Yet, as I penetrated further into the desert core, I clearly felt the temperature rising incessantly, and even stranger, the gravity was intensifying.
This forced me to spend significantly more time adjusting to the increasingly pronounced gravitational shifts with every short distance I covered. Only at this moment did I realize with chilling clarity how superficial my understanding of the King’s Forbidden Ground truly was; my previous complacency and inflated self-regard vanished without a trace.
In a full six days, I had managed to advance less than one hundred li. Almost every segment of distance traveled brought a palpable increase in gravity!
And this was only the first hundred li; how much further would I have to walk to reach the Stone Tower? This, I realized, was the secret behind the immense power of the Forbidden Ground Warriors of the ancient Divine Dragon Empire.
It was difficult to fathom what the conditions would be like—what magnitude of gravity—upon finally reaching the Stone Tower, if the increase continued at this rate! The greater the gravity, the heavier the burden on the body, but the body’s capacity to adapt to these changes would, in turn, grow stronger.
Undoubtedly, the King’s Forbidden Ground achieved its purpose of enhancing physical strength by altering the environment to force human adaptation. Once adapted to this environment, the strength of every part of the body—muscles, bones, viscera, nerves, and blood vessels—would be profoundly augmented.
This meant the body's potential was no longer aimed merely at increasing raw power, but achieving a qualitative leap from the inside out; this applied to both speed and strength. Understanding this, my admiration for the ancestors of the Divine Dragon Empire grew boundless!
It was incredible that in a technologically backward world like Marfa, someone could conceive of and design such an adaptive environment to unlock human potential. After forcing myself forward another hundred li or so, I was compelled to stop and rest for a while!
Though I couldn't ascertain the current gravitational unit, four times the normal gravity was certainly the minimum! Adapting to this level of gravity would clearly take a considerable amount of time again!
Instinctively, I sat down cross-legged and began circulating the inner cultivation technique of the Dragon’s Ascent Realm. But at that very moment!
The Thousand-Mile Sound Transmission Device in my waist pouch suddenly chimed. "Ah!" I gasped in shock!
The Sound Transmission Device was ringing—how was that possible! I had discovered since entering the King’s Forbidden Ground that it was shielded by a special barrier, making communication with the outside world utterly impossible!
I nearly convinced myself it was a hallucination. Beep-beep-beep!
But the chime from the pouch continued incessantly! Not a hallucination!
It was real! I quickly retrieved the device and activated it!
"Is that His Highness Shenzhen?" "Ah! It's General Jidu." I exclaimed in utter surprise; the voice coming through the transmission was Jidu’s!
The Fourth Month of the Holy Word Calendar, Year 3752! Due to the discovery of the King’s Forbidden Ground, a dispute arose over its ownership, which ultimately intensified the conflict between the Church and the Demon Dragon Empire, escalating it into armed confrontation!
Faced with the Church’s aggressive posture, the Demon Dragon Empire refused to yield even an inch and announced its secession from the Holy Word Church! Not only that, but the Black Flag Legion was once again assembled on the Red Sea front, adopting a firm stance for trans-oceanic warfare!
The Black Banners, dormant for a year, fluttered in the wind once more! Inside the Demon Dragon Imperial Palace!
It was three days later that I finally returned to the Demon Dragon Imperial Palace! Inside the Forbidden Ground, Jidu had already informed me of everything!
I truly hadn't expected that the secret of the King’s Forbidden Ground, discovered by chance, would be exposed so swiftly. The issue was, none of us knew precisely where the leak originated!
But that hardly mattered now; since the secret of the King’s Forbidden Ground was out, a break with the Church was inevitable. For over two millennia, the Demon Dragon Empire had endured oppression, long harboring deep resentment over the Church’s actions.
This incident was merely the fuse igniting what was bound to happen sooner or later! Of course, I understood that the Demon Dragon Empire's seemingly rash action was not without calculated reason.
The Demon Dragon Empire was no longer the weak, stagnant entity it once was! The newly formed Black Flag Legion carried a fearsome reputation.
The terrifying utility of the Heaven's Sword, coupled with the fact that I had previously gravely wounded the Thunder General, provided sufficient deterrence. Everyone now knew clearly that the Demon Dragon Empire possessed twenty-nine Heavy Armored Generals!
(Thirteen were the original ones, including the Nine Great Sky Demons, the Divine Matriarch, and the three Sky Rainbow Arch-Mages) (Two sets of Demon Armor were captured during the Battle of Yuncheng) (Two sets of Arch-Mage Cloaks were captured by Star during the ambush in Qila City) (Six sets of Heavy Armor were successfully seized after Star ambushed and defeated six of Aotian’s Generals) (Two sets of Arch-Mage Cloaks were taken after killing two Sky Rainbow Arch-Mages in the Battle of Mancheng) (Four sets were willingly offered by the Azure Moon Empire) This, however, was not merely a tally of numbers! Under the influence of the Heaven’s Sword, these twenty-nine Heavy Armored Generals could materialize in any corner of the continent instantly.
In short, this current fighting strength could annihilate the capitals of both the Bitchi and Azure Moon Empires overnight. Yes, with the rapid rise of the Black Flag Legion, the Demon Dragon Empire’s power began to surge.
To the Church, we had become an instability that must be eliminated. Furthermore, now that we controlled the King’s Forbidden Ground, the Church had even less reason to let us go easily!
Naturally, we had no intention of surrendering the King’s Forbidden Ground! One's destiny is best held in one's own hands!
And to achieve that, immense power is necessary! Now that we finally had the opportunity to grasp such formidable power, how could we possibly let it slip away easily!
Neither the Church nor the Bitchi and Azure Moon Empires could have predicted that the Black Flag forces, once used merely as pawns, would suddenly turn on them. But the die was cast now; nothing could alter the situation!
"I trust the Church does not wish for direct confrontation with us," Jiuyue Chongyang stated. "After all, if the war escalates to engulf the three continents, it benefits neither the Church nor Bitchi and Azure Moon." "Indeed!" Yin Shuang responded.
"In my estimation, the Church is most likely to dispatch the Thunder General or the Phoenix Sky War God directly to invade the Imperial Palace." "Capturing the leader to defeat the army, then," I murmured unconsciously. "That is precisely what I fear most," Jiuyue Chongyang admitted.
"In terms of battlefield duels and standard troop engagements, I believe no one can surpass the Black Flag Army. However, the Thunder General and the Phoenix Sky War God are not foes conventional legions can withstand." "It is certain that the next battlefield will be the Demon Dragon Imperial Palace," the Divine Matriarch said grimly.
"Five days have passed since the news broke; the Church has likely already dispatched the Thunder General or the Phoenix Sky War God. At the speed of the Thunder Eagles, they could arrive here within ten days at the latest." "Ten days..." A wave of tension washed over everyone, considering the opponents we faced next: the Church’s Thunder General and the Phoenix Sky War God!
Frankly, I never imagined events would spiral to this extent. But now, we had no retreat path left.
Even if we handed over the King’s Forbidden Ground, the Church would not spare us! "What about the Moluo faction, any movements?" I asked reflexively.
"None yet," Yin Shuang reported. "Both legion garrisons and the movement of Heavy Armored Generals remain as usual." "In my view, the Moluo Church's primary enemy is the Holy Word Church; they should not take any action detrimental to us," Yueyao analyzed.
"Mm." Jiuyue Chongyang nodded slightly. "If we and the Holy Word Church end up severely weakened, that benefits the Moluo Church the most.
Therefore, the wisest course now is to remain still and observe." "It’s not just the Moluo Church; in my opinion, the Azure Moon and Bitchi Empires are probably thinking the same thing," the Divine Matriarch added. "His Highness Shenzheng’s entry into the King’s Forbidden Ground is no longer a secret, and neither Bitchi nor Azure Moon, nor even the Holy Word Church, dares to judge His Highness Shenzheng’s current strength with their old perceptions." The Divine Matriarch looked towards me as she spoke: "Therefore, the key to this battle hinges on the extent of His Highness Shenzheng's growth.
If Your Highness can contend with the Phoenix Sky War God, then the Church's authority will be severely jeopardized." "We are not the only ones wishing to break free from the Church's control," Jiuyue Chongyang stated solemnly. "No one desires to be treated as a marionette.
The Bitchi and Azure Moon Empires would rejoice to see us and the Church destroy each other." "In the past, the three empires had to submit to the Church’s might because the power it wielded was too overwhelming," the Divine Matriarch explained. "The two Churches have fought for two millennia; the casualties were always the citizens of the three empires, causing no real damage to the Church.
Bitchi and Azure Moon dared not voice their anger privately, though they were deeply dissatisfied!" "It can be said that the Church currently faces its most severe crisis in over two thousand years; Moluo, Bitchi, and Azure Moon all wish to see the Church suffer some hardship!" "So, this war is fundamentally between our Demon Dragon Empire and the Church," I concluded. "Precisely so," Jiuyue Chongyang confirmed.
"As long as we can stand against the Church’s Thunder General and Phoenix Sky War God, we will achieve ultimate victory." "Stripped bare, it all comes down to whose fist is harder," I sighed helplessly. "Strength determines everything," Jiuyue Chongyang asserted.
"The powerful hold the right to speak." I couldn't deny the truth in Jiuyue Chongyang's words, yet I had prematurely emerged from the King’s Forbidden Ground before completing my training. I lacked absolute confidence in my own power.
Although I was confident I could put up a desperate fight against the Thunder General, what about the Phoenix Sky War God? I had no conception of how powerful the Phoenix Sky War God might be!
Could my current strength truly match the Phoenix Sky War God? With twenty-nine Heavy Armored Generals, excluding Jidu who remained in the Forbidden Ground, we only had twenty-eight!
What were our actual chances of victory against the Church with this lineup? Thinking of this, I instinctively looked towards the Divine Matriarch!
While I didn't believe in so-called ghosts, deities, or prophecies, I was profoundly astonished by the Divine Matriarch’s mysterious foresight. Jidu had once told me that the Divine Matriarch had prophesied the rise of the Black Flag Legion and confirmed that I would eventually rescue Shen Yin and the others, ever since I first arrived on the Demon Sealing Continent.
Now, in this fog of uncertainty regarding the future, why not ask the Divine Matriarch what she has seen? "Your Highness, do not worry." Perhaps sensing my thoughts, the Divine Matriarch simply smiled calmly.
"Has Your Highness forgotten something crucial?" "Something crucial?" I frowned in confusion. "What do you mean?" "Is the Demon Dragon Empire's fighting strength truly limited to just twenty-nine Heavy Armored Generals?" the Divine Matriarch inquired.
"........." Now not only I, but even Yin Shuang and Yueyao, looked at the Divine Matriarch with bewilderment. "It seems Your Highness truly has forgotten," the Divine Matriarch chuckled lightly.
"Hasn't Your Highness already subdued the Crimson Moon Demon?" "Ah..." I gasped in shock, quickly grasping the Divine Matriarch's intent: "Are you suggesting that...?" "Hahaha, it seems Your Highness has finally remembered," the Divine Matriarch laughed. "........" The others looked on in absolute horror, staring blankly at me; clearly, they had grasped the Divine Matriarch's implication as well.
Instinctively, I reached into my spatial pouch! And pulled out the iron box containing the Crimson Moon Demon!
"Bad boy! Bad boy!
I’m suffocating in here!" A torrent of dissatisfied roars immediately echoed in my mind! It seemed not having talked to it for over ten days had driven the little creature mad!
"Didn't I just let you out!" I retorted unhappily! "Hmph!" The little thing snorted in displeasure, but quickly grew highly agitated: "Ah!
What is this place? This aura is so familiar!
Could this be...!" "........." I felt stunned! Had I misjudged?
Why was the little creature showing such excitement now? "Tell me quickly, where is this place?" the little creature pressed urgently.
"I have left the King’s Forbidden Ground. This is the Imperial Palace in Demon Dragon City." "Demon Dragon City!" The little creature was confused.
"Never heard of this place." It then dawned on me: the little creature hadn't left the Crimson Moon Demon Cave for over ten thousand years and had no idea what this so-called Demon Dragon City was! "Demon Dragon City is the current name.
In the past, this was the capital of the Divine Dragon Empire—Nine Dragons City!" I explained. "Ah!
It's Nine Dragons City? 55555" The little creature burst into tears!
"....." I found it unbelievable; this creature was actually crying. "55555 I'm finally back in Nine Dragons City." The little creature sobbed uncontrollably.
"........" I was utterly confused; what in the world was going on? "Before I was assigned to guard the Crimson Moon Demon Cave, I was the Divine Beast guarding the Palace of the Divine Dragon Empire!
Later, I made a mistake and was demoted to guarding the King’s Passage in the Crimson Moon Demon Cave, downgraded to a Demon Suppression Beast. 5555 I never thought I'd be able to return here again!" "Ha..." I felt dazed; what bizarre sequence of events was this!
"Let me out quickly! I want to go into the Cleansing Heart Lake!
I want to eat the Kalabasa Fish! I want to chew the Tree Bark!
I want to..." The little creature was crying and throwing a tantrum, nearly going berserk. "............." It’s over; this little thing has gone mad.
What's wrong? Seeing my expression turn strange, everyone else was greatly alarmed.
Since they couldn't hear what the little creature was saying, they could only stare at me blankly, then at the iron box. "The little creature was actually the Divine Beast guarding the Palace of the Divine Dragon Empire," I murmured instinctively.
"........." Everyone looked perplexed, seemingly not understanding a word I was saying! "Thump!
Thump!" There were two crisp sounds! Jiuyue Chongyang and the Divine Matriarch were staring at me with disbelief.
"What did you say?" "The Palace Guarding Divine Beast." They both exclaimed in unison!