"True Dragon Sword Intent? Did you enter after grasping all nine types of True Dragon Sword Intent?"

Zong Shou instantly knew this was bad, and he secretly marveled at how much Jin Buhui was willing to spend. Five ninth-tier talismans were practically the cost of five hundred seventh-tier beast crystals. And that Barrier-Shattering Absolute Intent Talisman was exceedingly rare in this world. Yet, this fellow had used them all here.

He briefly considered trying to stall with words, but after careful thought, Zong Shou decided honesty was the best policy; it was better not to conceal things. Shaking his head, he replied, "Though I possess some wealth, I am not as generous as you. I have no way to buy ninth-tier talismans. I could only use this clumsy method, following the rules of that old man Long Ying to gain entry. This True Dragon essence blood was actually an unexpected bonus—"

Jin Buhui sucked in a sharp breath, staring fixedly at Zong Shou. After a long pause, he spoke word by measured word, "Zong Shou, I find you utterly monstrous! Do you know how many of these nine types of True Dragon Sword Intent my Senior Brother Xuan and my Master managed to grasp?"

Zong Shou was entirely uninterested, still carefully examining the lamp. Jin Buhui could only continue, sounding exasperated, "My Master and Senior Brother Xuan only managed to comprehend five types of True Dragon Sword Intent. I am a step above them, but I only have six. You are barely fourteen years old; how could you possibly have mastered all nine types? Truly, you are a freak. Wait, Zong Shou, are you lying to me? There are many whose talent surpasses mine in this world, but this gap—it's too exaggerated—"

"Lying to you?" Zong Shou let out a short laugh. "If you say so, then so be it!" As he spoke, a sharp glint flashed in Zong Shou's eyes. From beneath the lamp, he successively drew out seven golden needles and a small porcelain vial.

These items were extremely well-hidden, tucked behind the lamp and deep within the stone wall. Any faint spiritual energy fluctuations were masked by the Everbright Lamp, which was itself a spiritual artifact. Had he not paid close attention, they would have been almost impossible to spot.

He inwardly chuckled at his own fortune. Having searched countless treasures in dungeons in later generations, he had seen every trick imaginable. Anyone else who had just obtained the True Dragon essence blood would surely have become careless and missed these things.

He inwardly sneered. True Man Xuan Lang truly had a deep scheme. Perhaps the Dragon Spirit Fairy was one factor that led to this man betraying Jue Long City, but it certainly couldn't have been the sole reason he risked such extreme danger.

If he wasn't mistaken, the contents of that porcelain vial were the true primary reason Xuan Lang defected from Qian Tian Mountain.

Moreover, this man likely believed that these seven golden needles and the vial were worth even more than the True Dragon essence blood.

Although he didn't know what these items were or what they were used for, Zong Shou still cheerfully waved the needles and the vial toward Jin Buhui, asking, "Brother Jin, you don't intend to ask for a share of these things, do you?"

Jin Buhui nearly burst into tears, his usually round, chubby face contorted into that of a bitter melon. Forcing a smile, he replied, "How could I? Didn't I just say that I, Jin Buhui, do not wish to seize the opportunities of others?"

Internally, he regretted it so much he wanted to beat his chest and stamp his feet, realizing that whatever was in that vial must be far more valuable than the True Dragon essence blood.

In the past, Jin Buhui was always the one feasting while others watched with envy. Unexpectedly, today he could only watch Zong Shou gather these supreme treasures one by one.

Zong Shou’s lips twitched slightly. He asked no further questions, simply putting the items away. Then, without a backward glance, he turned to leave. There were no other suspicious spots here. Even if anything had been missed, it would be minor, not worth him spending more effort to seek out.

Jin Buhui quickly followed behind, tentatively suggesting, "With such supreme treasures on you, isn't Brother Zong afraid of robbers? Others aside, I think Jue Long City certainly won't let you go, and the disciples of Ling Yun Sect are also searching for True Dragon blood. Why don't you give me a couple of things, Brother, so I can share some of the karma?"

"Give you a couple of things?"

Zong Shou fell into thought. "Then what about these two items?" The things he produced were none other than the Dragon-Piercing Awl and the Dragon Blood Body-Tempering Pill.

Jin Buhui was instantly speechless and simply closed his mouth. "Pretend I never said anything!"

The Dragon Blood Body-Tempering Pill was something the Hao Xuan Sect could produce in abundance. As for the Dragon-Piercing Awl, he had no intention of crossing those Dragon Clan members; what use would he have for such an item?

Zong Shou had expected this outcome. He let out a dry laugh and casually took out another Dragon Blood Body-Tempering Pill. With a crisp crunch, he bit it to pieces and swallowed it.

The vital energy within his body—the Water and Fire Spiral energy—was still clashing violently. Taking this pill, though it made his body feel as if it were on fire, actually helped alleviate some of the intense pain.

In that same instant, Zong Shou's expression shifted subtly. Just as he was about to listen intently, a pair of fox ears suddenly sprung up from within his hair, keenly listening in all directions.

Zong Shou had no time to attend to this transformation of his demonic body. His gaze gradually sharpened, and he faintly discerned a group of people approaching some fifty feet away.

They would appear around the next bend.

There were fourteen people in total. As they moved, they were almost utterly silent, their vital energy completely concealed. Zong Shou only detected their arrival through the subtle disturbance of the dust motes in the air.

Almost without hesitation, Zong Shou abruptly scattered several spiritual stone talismans to the four winds, letting them drop onto the ground.

Then, he instantly drew his sword, his entire being transforming into a streak of fierce shadow. Like mist or cloud, he silently lunged toward the twenty-foot-away corner ahead, pouring his entire strength into the rapid thrust forward.

Jin Buhui had also sensed the approaching party. He had only been standing alert. Now, he was utterly stunned, never expecting Zong Shou to attack so decisively before any confrontation, so resolutely!

The very next moment, an unsuspecting, middle-aged man in a black robe emerged from the corner.

Zong Shou's speed increased again; he gave up all pretense of stealth. Purple lightning exploded around him, followed by a flash of sword light—a streak of blood splattered forth!

"Devour Origin!"

With the Heaven-Swallowing Primordial Transformation, he absorbed all of this man's vitality and essence into his sword. Then, without pausing, Zong Shou's sword flashed again, slaying three more in the unprepared group with successive strikes. Afterward, his figure swiftly retreated like the wind toward his rear.

Almost simultaneously, a string of enraged shouts erupted from the group of black-robed figures. Blades flashed wildly—some were summoning protective spirits, casting spiritual augmentations, while others chased after him with ferocious expressions.

Zong Shou continued to cut and slash, instantly batting away hundreds of hidden projectiles that rained down like a fierce storm.

With several more sword strikes, he repelled all the blade lights that had closed in within striking distance.

Only after retreating a distance of eighteen feet did Zong Shou abruptly abandon his sword, allowing the Thunder-Winged Sword to circle around him.

A cold light flashed again in his eyes, and he recited a true incantation. Within the ten-foot radius around him, countless popping sounds erupted, and balls of fire enveloped the entire cavern.

A gust of chaotic wind swept from behind him.

Zong Shou halted his retreat, and then, propelled by the force pushing from behind, his figure accelerated once more to the extreme, plunging madly forward!

"Bang!"

A punch smashed out, colliding with the blade lights opposite him. The vital energy and essence of four Martial Ancestor experts exploded forth in that instant.

The power of Zong Shou's punch suddenly increased a hundredfold! With a single blow, he pulverized all the weapons before him. His momentum did not cease, and he followed through, utterly blasting the chest and abdomen of a Martial Ancestor behind them.

His great hand spread wide, violently grasping the flesh and blood around that man's dantian. With a sharp squeeze, blood sprayed, and a massive surge of primordial force flowed into Zong Shou's arm.

Zong Shou threw out his other fist at that moment. Countless streaks of lightning flashed around his left arm, followed by a thunderous boom.

Another man's flesh and blood instantly exploded into fragments!

Within twenty feet, he took a total of three steps, delivering three punches. Each punch pulverized a Martial Ancestor on the spot!

With the fourth punch, Zong Shou only felt an equally formidable recoil hitting him from his right arm.

His mind instantly focused. He knew the person opposite him was definitely a powerhouse comparable to Yue Guanyun or Xue Sui Fan.

The bones throughout his body let out loud cracking sounds. Zong Shou’s brow furrowed slightly, and he channeled this immense force directly into his external armor.

The Thunder-Walking Three Forms armor, which he had only finished forging a month ago, was instantly shattered completely!

Zong Shou paid it no mind. Seeing the person opposite him sent flying ten feet by the force of his punch, he maintained his forward acceleration, charging into the midst of several Spiritual Masters.

He snatched up the fallen Thunder-Winged Sword again, the blade flickering rapidly. Several summoned guardian beasts were instantly pulverized.

Then, several more streaks of blood flew. Of the three Spiritual Masters, two were killed and one injured in a mere moment!

The person he had just repelled finally caught up, swinging a massive iron spike and hurling it toward him. It must have weighed several hundred pounds. As the surrounding gale force swept past, the stone walls themselves could not withstand the pressure where the spike's tip passed, sending stone debris flying everywhere.

Zong Shou’s eyes contracted. Only then did he clearly see the opponent: a white-haired elder, nine feet tall, with a fierce glare as if he intended to devour the living.

His sword momentum was spent, and he had no room to retreat. Although he had absorbed some additional primordial force, facing the incoming giant spike, he was still slightly insufficient.

He was certain to be severely injured by this strike!

With a helpless sigh, Zong Shou’s long black hair broke free from its clasp, gradually turning white.

Just as a trace of deathly energy began to gather, Zong Shou’s heart suddenly stirred. He thought of the patterns, the raised bumps, and those forty-nine etchings.

In that instant, all extraneous thoughts were swept away. Only nine massive, writhing dragons circled within his sea of consciousness.

His mind reached a state of ultimate stillness and clarity, thinking of nothing. The sword in his hand swung diagonally, almost unconsciously.

Then, in that fleeting moment, a giant dragon's roar suddenly erupted within the cave. That purple sword shadow flashed and vanished!

Where the sword light sliced, the heavy spike spiritual artifact, which was also sixth-tier, was cleanly cut into two halves by a single stroke!

Even the elder wielding the spike was caught completely off guard, his head sliced clean in half by that stunning sword light!

Jin Buhui, standing behind, was nearly suffocated. His gaze was fixed on Zong Shou, where the faint shadows of nine coiling, dancing giant dragons were vaguely emerging!

"Dragon Shadow? Could this truly be the Nine-Nine Dragon Shadow Sword?"