Solar Blood Masters (151)

Chapter 151 - Draconic Serpent

On the Emperor’s platform, Lu Ignis fumed as he stared below. Lava dripped from his scales in droves. That bull, that insignificant speck of a Calamity, survived. And not only did he survived, but he'd stolen the very Sun Cycle Lu Ignis had gifted his daughter. He wanted to slither off his trident, to descend upon that arena and crush the bull.

But the other Emperors, those vultures of Yama Yaguai, they were staring with a mocking amusement that made his blood boil hotter than any lava flow.

He retracted himself with a hiss, coiling tighter around his golden trident, and grunted loudly. “It doesn’t matter. I will still kill that bull regardless of the outcome of this Great Divine Tribulation.” His words were a promise carved in stone and fire.

…

Back on the central stage, Splinter Roc stared into the crater; his crimson tail feathers ruffled with disbelief. “Hellphet… has been killed?”

He glanced to the side and saw Qi Fenwei emerge from Archon's orange eye. She too walked to the edge of the crater and surveyed the scene. Her gaze then settled on Splinter Roc’s surprised expression.

“That’s one of your team members down. It’s only a matter of time before I cut you down as well, little peacock.” She then turned to Raphael. “Hey, bull, now that Hellphet is dead, this is our best chance to defeat that snake before Lingshi and Gastaroid shows up.”

Raphael looked at her, then down at Thienika who still lay slumped in his palms. “Grandma, can you still fight?”

Thienika pushed herself to her feet. She swayed slightly, but her voice, though laced with weariness, was firm. “I can still fight, Raphael. I won’t die that easily.”

“Ok, Grandma, then we should have our vengeance against that snake for obliterating Lu Jade.” His blood-red eyes narrowed as he glared at Lu Ruby. His heart was heavy with the belief that his friend was dead.

Hearing this, Lu Ruby clapped back, “Stinking bull! Don’t get cocky. Sure, you killed Hellphet, but that doesn’t mean you’ll be able to kill me.” She spat on the floor, and the rock beneath sizzled and melted.

“Oh, and how are you going to stop us from killing you? You are useless without that Sun Cycle. A simple Gold Press will flatten you beneath my hooves.” Raphael pointed his finger at her.

“Fuhuhuhahaha!” She burst out laughing. “Don’t flatter yourself, bull. If you think my trump card was that Sun Cycle, then you are mistaken. I have other means to dust you out.” Her words were a bold proclamation, laced with a confidence that had Raphael’s hooves tapping nervously.

“You’re just talking out of your ass, snake. You have no more tricks. I’m going to cut you down, right now.” Raphael condensed his Sapphire Blood Sword. “Grandma, get ready.”

“Wait, Raphael.” Thienika stopped him.

“Huh, why?” He was confused. This was their chance!

Thienika then whispered something in Raphael’s ear that made his eyes widen. He nodded slowly.

Seeing this hesitation, Qi Fenwei was frustrated. “What’s the hold up, bull? If you won’t cut her down, then I will!”

With Archon and Lullaby gripped tightly in her hands, Qi Fenwei shot towards Lu Ruby. A violet blur, she moved with the speed and grace of a seasoned warrior.

“WAIT!” Raphael’s shouts for her to stop were lost in the wind as she continued onward with her eyes fixed on her target.

Seeing this, Splinter Roc yelled, "No, Princess!" and shot off after Qi Fenwei. He moved with a speed amplified by his mastery over ‘Lightning Dao’, his katana raised, ready to slice through Qi Fenwei’s back.

But Raphael reacted instantly.

“ABYSS NYLON!"

From his wings, crimson-black tendrils of shadow and blood burst forth, snaking outwards with a terrifying speed. They entangled Splinter Roc, wrapping around his limbs, his torso, his wings, binding him tightly. He was yanked back, his katana fell from his grasp as he was dragged towards the bull.

Raphael’s Abyss Nylon tightened, pulling him closer, then with a powerful heave, slammed Splinter Roc into the crater. He coughed mouthful of blood which stained his white feathers.

Raphael didn't release his grip. Instead, he channeled golden electricity through the Abyss Nylon, intending to electrocute his captive and end this quickly.

Splinter Roc laughed. “Kuhahaha! Your pathetic attempts to fry my feathers won’t work, bull! I’ve mastered the Lightning Dao! Your electricity… It’s nothing but a gentle caress!”

Raphael smirked, Splinter Roc had misunderstood his intentions. He hadn’t been trying to electrocute him, this was merely a feint, a prelude.

Suddenly, Splinter Roc’s eyes widened as a strange purple haze emanated from those threads and began seeping into his very being, those feathers of his turned from snow white to pale purple in seconds, as the Logia Mist flooded his system. He coughed and his laughter turned into a series of panicked gasps.

"Wha… What’s… happening? This… FOG…!" His words were distorted as illusions overwhelmed his mind.

He thrashed frantically. And then his once-sharp gaze began to dim as he was losing himself to the mist’s potent magic. His struggles eventually subsided, replaced by a soft whimper as he fell unconscious.

Raphael watched Splinter Roc’s descent into madness, then with a sigh, tossed his limp form out of bounds. He landed with a soft thud in a heap of sand. This was Splinter Roc’s divine burial, a mercy Raphael granted, even to those who had insulted and threatened him.

Glancing back while flying, Qi Fenwei smirked at Splinter Roc’s demise. "Hmph. I wouldn’t have shown that peacock any mercy. He challenged my might.” She then turned to face her true target - Lu Ruby. “You are finished, snake!”

“Black Heaven Ripper!”

Qi Fenwei’s blades slashed downward and a dark, imposing God of Death, clad in a midnight black armor, materialized before them. Its twin swords, as tall as an average house, dripped venomous black blood that sizzled and smoked when they touch the ground below. The air itself crackled with dark energy.

It lunged with a terrifying speed!

Its swords came crashing down upon Lu Ruby!

“ARGHHHHHH!”

Lu Ruby’s screams echoed through the arena, mingling with the sickening sound of metal on scales, bone shattering, and a chariot exploding! A monstrous black cloud erupted from the point of impact. And from within that cloud, a cacophony of clashes resounded.

The audience stared at the spectacle, stunned into silence, those eyes widened in shock, for it seemed as though whatever was inside that vortex of blackness, was being torn apart by an aftershock of slashes.

Even Muburt seemed taken aback by the sheer brutality of Qi Fenwei’s technique.

“This Black Heaven Ripper… Truly dreadful. It’s as if she channeled the very essence of death itself into that attack. This Qi Fenwei, she’s as ruthless as her father.”

While turning her back to that dissipating cloud of smoke, Qi Fenwei smirked, a chilling indifference that mirrored the very God of Death she’d summoned moments before, then she sheathed her blades and landed gracefully beside Raphael who had arrived.

“Why that worried look, bull? It’s just a snake. I’ve crushed dozens like her before. She didn’t stand a chance.”

Raphael stared at the black cloud with an unease she couldn’t comprehend. His concern wasn't for his enemy’s demise. No. It was something… deeper.

A short while ago, Thienika had informed him that Lu Jade was still alive.

He’d been clinging to the underside of Lu Ruby’s chariot, shielded by its protective sphere when Qi Fenwei unleashed her Black Heaven Ripper. This was why Raphael was worried and tried to stop Qi Fenwei earlier from destroying Lu Ruby’s chariot. However, it was too late. The dye had already been cast, or in this case, the enemy had already been severed.

“Oh, so that snake was hiding beneath Lu Ruby’s chariot? I thought she killed him already? But either way, a coward like him doesn’t deserve to survive the Great Divine Tribulation. I did us both a favor.” Qi Fenwei’s words, laced with a chilling indifference, had Raphael’s blood boiling.

“Watch your tongue, Fenwei, before I rip it out.” He glared at her with malicious intent. The tension between them sizzled like a brewing storm.

“Now that our opponents have been defeated, you want to challenge me, bull? Very well, I’ll oblige you.” She drew Lullaby and aimed its tip at Raphael.

Sensing this sudden shift in the battle’s dynamic, had the crowd erupting in a frenzy of excitement.

“A duel! A duel!”

“The bull versus the bird! Who will win?!”

Ignoring Thienika’s urgent whispers to stop, Raphael also aimed his Sapphire Blood Sword at her.

“Raphael, calm yourself. This isn’t the time…”

“Shut up, old woman!” Qi Fenwei snapped. “This bull wants a fight. I’ll give him one he won’t soon forget.”

Her words only fueled Raphael's anger. Shao Jin’s ancient rage resonated.

They were about to clash, when…

A tiny, green form tumbled out of the dissipating black smoke cloud.

“Big… Brother…?” It coughed painfully.

Raphael froze. His gaze shifted towards the sound. And his eyes widened.

Lu Jade lay there, mangled and broken. His emerald scales were dull, his body was covered in burns and deep gashes, and his tail twitched feebly.

“Little Lu…!” Raphael’s anger vanished instantly and he told Qi Fenwei, “You’re lucky princess.” Before he rushed towards Lu Jade and scooped up his friend’s broken form gently in his hands.

“Big… Brother… be… careful… the… smoke…” Lu Jade’s words were a pained rasp.

“What’s that pathetic snake so afraid of?” Qi Fenwei wondered aloud before shifting her gaze towards the smoke.

Then they saw it.

The black cloud exploded outwards, and revealed a figure of terrifying magnificence.

It was Lu Ruby, but transformed. She hovered above the ground, radiating a potent Solar Essence that had even the hardiest of Calamities gasping.

Her scales were now a vibrant mix of purple, yellow, and red. From tail to midsection, a fiery red, from there to her neck, a deep, royal purple, and from neck to head, a dazzling blend of yellow and purple scales.

Long, proud dragon wings extended from her back. Two golden horns, curved and sharp, protruded from her head, framing a face that radiated both beauty and a terrifying wrath. Her draconic arms ended in razor-sharp claws. She had tiny feet, tipped with golden talons which barely touched the ground.

Each of her limbs was adorned with three spiraling golden bands. And lastly, at the very tip of her tail, a bulb of pure golden energy spat lightning.

This was Lu Ruby’s evolved form.

“Draconic Serpent!” she proclaimed.

The crowd stared in stunned silence.

“She… evolved?! During the battle?”

“That form! That power! It’s… on a different level! I bet she’s stronger than Gastaroid!”

“Those DRAGON wings… Magnificent!”

…

On the Emperor’s platform, Lu Ignis grinned.

“Behold, my daughter’s true power!” He boasted.

“My daughter, Lu Ruby, has evolved into a Draconic Serpent! A technique she learned in the fiery depths of ‘Fol Ash’! With this power, she’ll rip Qi Hawk’s pathetic daughter apart and claim victory for Ho Eastern! AHAHAHAHA!”

His laughter had the other Emperors exchanging uneasy glances.

“Lu Ignis… I can sense a Dragon Lord's aura within that girl's scales. Did you offer your firstborn as a sacrifice for this? To think, you’d risk your lineage?” Silk Yune narrowed her eyes. Her words, while spoken calmly, had an icy edge that could freeze even the hottest flames.

"Hmmm, such dedication. Such foolishness." Anakin Vader muttered.

Elux Badger simply shrugged, uninterested in their debate, and continued to nuzzle his face into Worchilla’s ample bosoms.

“Boboboboho! Now things are getting INTERESTING! A Dragon versus a Lightning Bird! Who will win?” Julian Ringtail was clearly enjoying the spectacle as he refilled his wine gourd.

Qi Hawk, however, remained impassive. He watched his daughter with a calm confidence that contradicted the storm brewing within his heart.

…

On the stage, Raphael stared at Lu Ruby’s evolved form, awestruck by its magnificence.

Lu Jade trembled in Raphael’s grasp.

“Big Brother… She’s… a monster! She’s going to kill us all!”

“That snake’s power… it’s skyrocketed to the 7th Layer Nightmare Calamity Stage!” Sweat actually trickled down Qi Fenwei’s forehead.

Hearing Fenwei, Lu Ruby smirked.

“Are you scared? You should be. I am now so powerful, I can squash all three of you simultaneously, but sadly, this strength is still not enough for the brute Gastaroid. So before he comes out of Lingshi’s Marble World, I, Draconis Lu Ruby, will gobble up all of your souls to fuel my draconic powers!”

BOOM!

Lu Ruby unleashed a wave of Solar Pressure that forced them backwards, as if a monstrous wave was crushing their very being.