Chapter 381: The Battle Dragon Emperor, Eternally Asleep

While the colossal beasts of the Dragon Palace were preparing Life Crystals for the Thunder Fiery Dragon Emperor, the menacing beast beneath the volcano remained in deep slumber, and Chen Chu continued his secluded cultivation.

It was taking far longer than he had expected. Initially, when he began to condense the runic phantoms, he had estimated that it would take just over ten days to cultivate to the peak of the Sixth Heavenly Realm, after which he would attempt to break through to the Seventh.

However, as he approached the peak, the condensation of his true dragon power had slowed significantly, as if some invisible force emanating from the heavens and earth was suppressing his breakthrough.

Under such circumstances, each step forward became increasingly difficult. At the same time, however, this heavy pressure helped to make his true dragon power ever more condensed and pure, finally reaching its peak.

Boom!

As the golden true dragon power within his dantian condensed to its utmost limit, a golden radiance erupted from Chen Chu's body, transforming him into a beacon of light that exuded an oppressive aura.

The iron-hard ground around him sank slightly, and spider web-like rifts spread in all directions, as if the earth itself could no longer bear his presence.

However, this was still not enough. In the instant the true dragon power erupted into light, Chen Chu, whose cultivation had already reached the Seventh Heavenly Realm, willed his thoughts into action.

Boom!

Above the cultivation room, a massive phantom slowly emerged, wielding a halberd, with a glowing halo surrounding its head.

Instantly, transcendent energy within a range of over a thousand meters began to riot and rapidly gather, whipping up howling winds that made the trees around the base sway and sent sand and stones flying.

This sudden change caught the attention of countless people at the base, many of whom instinctively looked up toward the cultivation room in shock.

In the distance, a thirty-meter-tall figure stood, surrounded by white mist, within which lightning flickered and golden flames burned.

"Someone’s breaking through to the Seventh Heavenly Realm!"

"

Gasp!

What a powerful aura! Is this really just a breakthrough to the Seventh Realm and not the Eighth?"

"Yeah, when Major Ling Tian broke through to the Seventh, the Phantom he condensed was only ten meters tall, and he only stirred up transcendent energy within three hundred meters."

"Who is this person? This is insane!"

In the base's tower, Li Qingtian stood with his hands behind his back by the window, watching the distant phantom. He couldn't help but exclaim in admiration, "As expected of a prodigy who created his own secret scripture in the Sixth Realm and possesses the demeanor of a king.

"That Phantom has reached the size limit of a Seventh Realm cultivator. In this state, the amplification from the power of the heavens and earth will be no less than tenfold. And from the phenomena surrounding it, it’s already integrated two complete elemental rune abilities.

"But to transform such a massive Phantom from illusion to reality, the amount of power required will be more than ten times that of other cultivators. Can he withstand it?"

Soon, a look of surprise appeared in Li Qingtian's eyes as he saw the distant phantom solidifying at a speed visible to the naked eye, growing faster and faster.

"Unbelievable, the younger generation these days," he murmured in amazement.

Inside the chamber, the flame formed from Chen Chu's essence, qi, and spirit continued to burn, refining the gathered transcendent energy into the power of the heavens and earth, infused with creation energy.

This burning process consumed a vast amount of energy, akin to entering a state of runic transformation.

As such, when a cultivator broke through to the Seventh Heavenly Realm, the True Martial Phantom they condensed usually remained around ten meters tall, with further strengthening and refinement happening gradually afterward.

For Chen Chu, however, whose physical body was incredibly strong, and whose true power and spirit were vast, these challenges posed no problem.

As the flame burned and the transcendent energy howled, the originally illusion-like True Martial Phantom began to materialize at an accelerating pace as it fused the power of the heavens and earth. Under the gaze of many at the military base, it soon completed its materialization.

At the exact moment when the battle phantom fully condensed, the surrounding thunderbolts and flames quivered, suddenly converging toward the halo behind it to form two new ones.

Hum!

The third halo behind the battle phantom ignited in flames, while the innermost halo transformed into arcs of flashing electricity, the both of them giving it a sacred and majestic appearance.

At the same time, within the cultivation room, arcs of lightning flickered across Chen Chu’s body, which was surrounded by bands of golden flames that radiated intense heat.

Simultaneously, a surge of power from the battle phantom flowed into him, causing his aura to skyrocket. The fire around him flared intensely, making the entire cultivation room tremble.

Feeling the profound transformation within his body, with his true dragon power becoming even more potent and the invisible force enhancing him, Chen Chu willed the attribute page to appear before him.

Realm: Seventh Heavenly Realm [Beginning Stage]

Physique: 3180

Strength: 3407

Agility: 2535

Spirit: 2349

Ability: Soul Splitter+ [Top-level, Passive, Emperor’s Protection], Double Void Pupils + [High-level]

Art: War God Body, Halberd [Seventh Stage, 10% battle phantom: When manifested, gathers transcendent energy, twelvefold increase in true dragon power externalization.

Gains the power of Thunderbolt and Golden Flames.

Receives fivefold strength, fivefold defense, and twofold speed enhancement.

𝒻𝘳ℯℯ𝑤ℯ𝒷𝘯ℴ𝓋ℯ𝘭.𝑐ℴ𝑚

Receives Dragon Emperor’s power, enhanced by surrounding divine might.

Gains battle transformation: Activates War God rune, with the Dragon Blood Battle Armor as the medium, absorbing transcendent energy to enter the super-giant Dragon Emperor form.

In this form, strength increases thirtyfold, defense increases thirtyfold, true power externalization increases to twentyfold, and speed decreases. Transformation ends when transcendent energy is depleted.

Note: The higher the completeness of the battle phantom, the stronger the enhancements.]

Runes: Blood Sea Purgatory [Complete], Hidden Divinity [Complete], Blade of Void [Incomplete]

Will: Hellblood Battle Will [Intermediate: Gathers transcendent energy, doubles the power of true power externalization]

Attribute Points: 3

Equipment: Dragon Blood Battle Armor [Top-level transcendent], Eight Desolations Purgatory Halberd [High-level transcendent]

Avatar: Ancient Thunder Fiery Dragon Emperor...

As Chen Chu scanned the updated data after his breakthrough, particularly the new notes under the War God Body, a satisfied smile appeared on his face.

The baseline twelvefold increase in true power externalization far exceeded the fivefold increase typical for those in the beginning stage of the Seventh Heavenly Realm.

Although a sevenfold difference didn’t seem like much at first, at higher levels, even a ten percent difference in power was significant, let alone sevenfold.

The natural elemental powers of Thunderbolt and Golden Flames came as expected, while the enhancements to strength, defense, and speed effectively turned the Dragon Emperor form into his default state.

This was only the beginning; as the battle phantom’s condensation improved, the enhancements from the runic abilities would grow even stronger.

Then there was the Battle Dragon Emperor form, which provided a more powerful boost than the Divine Might Dragon Emperor form, with the cost shifting from burning true power and vitality to consuming transcendent energy.

With this, Chen Chu was no longer limited by time constraints in battle.

Despite breaking through, however, Chen Chu didn’t leave immediately, but spent another two days consolidating his power.

The entire secluded session lasted ten days, and when he finally emerged, it was already June 1st.

As the heavy doors of the cultivation room slowly opened, Zhang Qiong, who had been waiting outside for a long time, felt an overwhelming pressure wash over her. Even the ground seemed to tremble slightly under the weight of his steps, as though it was not a person approaching, but an ancient beast.

Noticing the shock on her face, Chen Chu quickly activated the Hidden Divinity rune, retracting the invisible pressure he had been emitting. Instantly, his entire demeanor changed, making him appear like a handsome and gentle university student instead.

He then asked, "Officer Zhang, is there something you need?"

Zhang Qiong nodded, a hint of relief in her expression. "Yes, Major Chen, I’m here to inform you that the arrival time for the ancient ruins has been confirmed."

Chen Chu raised an eyebrow. "When?"

"June 9th. We’ll arrange for a special aircraft to take you to the gathering point," Zhang Qiong replied. "In the meantime, Major Chen, please try to keep your communication channels open for easy contact."

She knew that many cultivators tended to store their items inside spatial equipment like the Sumeru Bracelet, including their phones, which would leave them unreachable.

June 9th, huh? Still enough time to make a trip back,

Chen Chu thought.

"Oh, and Major Chen, Ms. Yan sent a package for you a couple of days ago. She said it was a gift, but you were in seclusion."

As she spoke, Zhang Qiong handed over a seemingly ordinary wooden box, about thirty centimeters in length and width, to Chen Chu.

"Additionally, she requested that, if you came out of seclusion before noon on the 1st, we ask if you would be willing to accompany her to the Creation Research Base in the northern district."

Is the rebirth ritual about to begin?

Chen Chu glanced up at the midday sun. There was no hesitation; his figure blurred as he shot out of the military base.

Although they had initially met due to a mission, their relationship had grown to the point of becoming good friends after spending over a month together. Under these circumstances, Chen Chu felt compelled to see her off.

The military base where Chen Chu was stationed was several dozen kilometers from the city, and the journey from the southern part of the city to the northern district added up to about seventy kilometers.

However, covering this distance at supersonic speed took Chen Chu only a few minutes, and because of the transcendent energy surrounding him, he didn’t create any sonic booms along the way.

As he passed through the city, though, the strong wind caused by his speed nearly knocked over several pedestrians.

Whoosh!

Chen Chu suddenly appeared at the gates of the vast Creation Research Base. The two guards at the gate immediately became alert, saying sternly, "Hello, entry to the base requires identity verification."

Chen Chu nodded slightly and took out a black magnetic card, swiping it on the external scanner.

The screen in the guardhouse changed, displaying Chen Chu’s information. On the left was a full-body photo of him, while details showed up on the right.

Name: Chen Chu

Rank: Major

Access Level: 9

The information was brief, but the Level 9 access immediately made the two soldiers straighten up and salute sharply, saying respectfully, "Major Chen, please proceed."

Chen Chu nodded slightly. "Thank you."

The security level here is quite high.

After passing through four more identity checkpoints, Chen Chu finally reached the central building of the research base, where a few people were conversing in the lobby.

Yan Ruoyi, Xu Xiaoqi, Bai Yunfeng, and two middle-aged individuals with ordinary auras but an inexplicable air of nobility were among them.

Today, Chen Chu was dressed in a gray casual outfit, without sunglasses, and his appearance had returned to its original state after a second use of Morphing Liquid. As a result, Bai Yunfeng and Xu Xiaoqi didn’t recognize him at first glance.

However, Yan Ruoyi beamed brightly. "Brother Chu, I thought you weren’t coming."

Chen Chu replied, "Sorry, Ms. Yan. My seclusion lasted longer than expected. I just came out, but luckily, I made it in time."

Xu Xiaoqi, standing nearby, exclaimed in surprise, "Mr. Chu—no, Mr. Chen, so this is your true appearance! I almost didn’t recognize you just now."

Chen Chu smiled lightly. "It was for a mission, so I had to alter my appearance a bit."

At that moment, Yan Ruoyi turned to one of the middle-aged men, who was burly and bearded. "Dad, let me introduce you to Chen Chu, who went by Chu Batian while he was protecting me.

"Brother Chu, this is my father, and this is Uncle Yang. Uncle Yang's title is Jiuyou."

Chen Chu’s eyes widened in surprise. Heavenly King Xuanwu’s presence was expected, but Jiuyou was a notable figure.

Facing these two king-level beings, Chen Chu greeted them politely. "It’s an honor to meet Heavenly King Xuanwu and Heavenly King Jiuyou."

Heavenly King Xuanwu, known for his robust demeanor, patted Chen Chu on the shoulder and laughed heartily. "Young man, thank you for protecting Little Yi.

"I’ve reviewed the mission details, and you did very well. You’re indeed one of the most extraordinary talents of the new generation. You already have some of the style I had in my youth."

Heavenly King Jiuyou, who appeared to be a refined scholar with an air of elegance, looked at Xuanwu with an odd expression. "Old Yan, are you sure you were this exceptional at seventeen?

"If I remember correctly, you didn’t really make a name for yourself until you were in your twenties. At that time, I was already in the Ninth Heavenly Realm."

Heavenly King Xuanwu’s smile faltered slightly, and he cleared his throat. "Something like that, something like that."

Before they could continue reminiscing, the distant elevator doors opened. A young man with dazzling golden short hair stepped out. "Everyone, the rebirth pod and accompanying ceremony are ready. It’s about time to begin."

The atmosphere instantly fell silent. Even Heavenly King Xuanwu, who had been smiling earlier, now looked solemn. His fists were clenched, and a faint, terrifying aura enveloped him.

Clearly, the prospect of his youngest daughter's death had even this peak-level powerhouse on edge.

Yan Ruoyi placed a reassuring hand on Xuanwu’s, smiling gently. "Dad, don’t worry. The success rate is already at thirty percent. That’s quite high, isn’t it? Who knows, I might wake up soon."

Heavenly King Xuanwu’s voice was low but resolute. "I believe in you. You will definitely awaken."

"Yes, I will definitely awaken." Yan Ruoyi smiled brightly at Chen Chu, her gaze as clear and fearless as ever, showing no hint of fear or dread about her potential death.

They took the elevator down several hundred meters below the base, and arrived in a large, white, empty hall, where a five-meter-long, three-meter-wide, sci-fi-styled silver cryo-chamber was prominently placed in the center.

Inside lay the purple life essence that Chen Chu had provided, flowing through runes to form a purple "dragon" shape. He also sensed many powerful fluctuations from various other substances within.

The white hall was adorned with countless engravings on the floor, three walls, and the ceiling, featuring images of angels, dragon people, and many strange, otherworldly beings.

They all faced forward, kneeling in prayer, while the end of the hall ahead was shrouded in darkness, like a void that devoured everything. It was both sacred and mysterious.

At that moment, the young woman turned around with a radiant smile. "Goodbye, everyone. I’m going to sleep now."