Chapter 346: The Holy Kingdom's Intervention, Initial Success
Author: Amnesty L
In the corridor of the guest rooms on the first floor of the Black Castle.
Clementine was returning to her room. Her broken arm was already healed—the other party was a faith-based magic caster, after all, and naturally knew healing magic.
Bastard!
What kind of magic caster could catch her piercing attack with his bare hands?
He was a complete and utter monster!
At this thought, Clementine's lips curled upwards, revealing a perverse smile.
"Oh?"
Clementine's eyes narrowed as she noticed a dark figure standing ahead in the corridor.
The new captain of the Sunlight Scripture, Ian!
"I couldn't quite sleep this late at night."
Captain Ian said with a smile, speaking as if it were a chance encounter while covertly sizing up Clementine.
*Bang!*
Expressionless, Clementine returned to her room and shut the door.
He'd been given the cold shoulder.
Captain Ian scratched his short, silver hair and gave a wry smile, a profound glint flashing in his eyes.
He seriously doubted Clementine had left late at night just for a stroll!
"Given Clementine's personality, she wouldn't have held back, yet I heard no sounds of battle."
"After all, that Lord Tang is a powerful individual in the Heroic Realm. It's perfectly normal that she couldn't find an opportunity to strike."
Captain Ian put his hands in his pockets, thinking silently.
Based on the outcome, at least, it was impossible to take him by force anymore. No matter what happened, they could only resort to the second plan tomorrow and offer an apology first.
Ian mused for a moment and sighed deeply. It was a good thing he had prepared multiple plans.
On the top floor of the castle.
Tang Zheng rested his hands on the windowsill, a cold smirk playing on his lips.
"Although Clementine's actions were of her own volition, it's not as if the Slane Theocracy didn't want to see this happen."
"The Slane Theocracy's emphasis on the 'Blend Potion' has exceeded my previous expectations, to the point where they'd even resort to such methods."
"It seems I made the right move in dragging the Holy Kingdom into this."
Tang Zheng grew more curious. Just how far had the Slane Theocracy's research into the "Blend Potion" progressed?
After all, with the power of an entire nation, many of his previously unconfirmed speculations, and even effects he hadn't noticed, could be rapidly verified.
However, compared to the "Blend Potion," what Tang Zheng valued more right now was the [Heart of the True Dragon Lord].
"Rather than letting a pawn like Clementine be wasted in Zuranon, it would be more useful to plant her within the Theocracy."
Tang Zheng raised his left hand and looked at the two fingers that had just caught the stiletto. They were trembling imperceptibly. He chuckled softly.
[Skill Points: 109→107]
By consuming two skill points, Tang Zheng mastered the two Martial Arts Clementine had just used: "Gale Acceleration" and "Gale Stride."
One could temporarily increase Agility by 20 points, the other by 30. Activating both skills together could increase Agility by 50 points.
Very practical Martial Arts!
Deep within the Southern Mountains.
Tang Zheng continued his experiments. Since the people from the Theocracy were willing to wait, he would let them wait.
"Roar!"
The figure of a giant golden dragon appeared again, roaring as it circled in mid-air.
Immediately after!
The golden dragon spat the Dragon Man Ladon from its mouth.
Tang Zheng fell from mid-air to the ground, his health points dropping rapidly. He hurriedly cast the Healing Magic, "Greater Healing," just as he had before.
Carefully sensing the unstable state of his aura, Tang Zheng still couldn't grasp that feeling.
"Still not right."
"I feel like something is missing."
Tang Zheng furrowed his brow. Having been prepared, this experiment wasn't without its gains.
"My health points plummeted because I lacked the two important mediums, the Dragon Man Ladon and the [Heart of the True Dragon Lord]. Maintaining the giant dragon form just now was actually consuming my own health points."
"If I can maintain the giant dragon form for a longer period, perhaps I can grasp that inexplicable aura."
Tang Zheng wasn't entirely sure, because this method was quite difficult.
He triggered the [Heart of the True Dragon Lord] entirely by borrowing the power of the Dragon Man Ladon. After the transformation, he would quickly reject the latter, making it impossible to maintain the form for long.
"Perhaps I can use a ritual."
Tang Zheng decided to try a different approach. "The Wild Transformation Ritual can absorb flesh and blood to sustain the transformation. Although I've experimented with it before, it only has an effect on wild beasts or monsters."
To be honest!
Although Tang Zheng knew how to use these rituals, it would be presumptuous to say he fully understood them.
The "Wild Transformation Ritual" only affects wild beasts and monsters. Tang Zheng still hadn't figured out the principle behind this.
It was like a skill in a game that only works under specific conditions.
Three days passed in the blink of an eye.
Mid-Wind Month, May 4th.
Ten days had passed since he reached Level 50.
[Experience Bar: 16,720,000 / 780,000]
He had gained 15 million experience, and adding the previously remaining experience points, the total was approaching 20 million.
...
——The Holy Kingdom.
The capital, Hebonsc.
Three days ago, the message Tang Zheng had the Green Leaf Witch deliver had already appeared on Holy Queen Calca's conference table.
The matter concerned the Slane Theocracy! It was also related to the "Blend Potion" they had obtained from Tang Zheng and lost a month ago. Holy Queen Calca had no choice but to take it seriously.
As was her custom, Holy Queen Calca first summoned Kelart and Remedios.
"The Slane Theocracy! I knew it was them!"
Remedios's furious voice echoed in the room, carrying a hint of cold Killing Intent.
To be attacked within their country's borders and lose such an important item was a disgrace for Remedios, the Captain of the Holy Knight Order!
Kelart and Holy Queen Calca, on the other hand, were much calmer.
"Your Majesty Calca, Kelart, you already knew?" Remedios quickly noticed something was off and asked in astonishment.
"Hehe."
Kelart gave a sinister smile. "It wasn't hard to guess, sister."
"Then before, why..." Remedios was both shocked and angry.
"Our relationship with the Slane Theocracy is already poor."
"Furthermore, we were attacked within the Kingdom's borders. Even if we brought this matter to light, it would only bring us harm, not benefits."
Kelart pointed out the crux of the matter. Though she said this, she still bit her lip, her eyes flickering.
Having to swallow this grievance also made Kelart extremely unhappy!
"Leader Tang of Free Will passed this information to us..." Holy Queen Calca began, her pristine white teeth barely parting.
As a queen, what Holy Queen Calca cared about more was the meaning revealed behind this incident.
"The 'Blend Potion' may be more precious than we imagined."
Kelart stared intently at the message on the conference table. "Whether it's the Slane Theocracy shamelessly making a move to snatch it, or them now seeking out Leader Tang."
"All of this further proves the value of the 'Blend Potion.' They even revealed to Leader Tang that they were the ones who stole the potion from us."
"To this end, they're completely unconcerned about the potential diplomatic conflict between our two nations!"
"This is an opportunity—Your Majesty Calca."
Kelart's eyes lit up, as if she were plotting something.
Remedios was bewildered, completely unable to understand what Kelart was saying. She also knew this was not the right time for her to interject.
Holy Queen Calca did not speak immediately. Her flower-like face, a mixture of cute and stern, showed contemplation and doubt.
Ensuring the happiness and safety of her people was her pursuit!
Unless absolutely necessary, Holy Queen Calca had no intention of entering into any conflict with the Slane Theocracy.
"The true purpose of Leader Tang of Free Will sending us this message is to obtain our assistance."
Holy Queen Calca did not lack a keen sense; she could naturally see the true purpose behind the message.
"Correct." Kelart nodded. "Since the people of the Slane Theocracy dared to snatch the potion Leader Tang gave us..."
"Then, as the creator of the potion, it's only natural for him to have some level of concern when facing an invitation from the Slane Theocracy."
Holy Queen Calca's long, lustrous golden hair swayed slightly. She smiled in agreement with Kelart's words but also raised her own doubt:
"With Leader Tang's strength, he could simply refuse such an invitation, could he not?"
"As expected of Your Majesty Calca."
Kelart praised respectfully, the sinister smile on her face deepening a fraction.
"According to my speculation, Leader Tang must also be curious about the 'Blend Potion'!"
"Didn't he make that potion himself?"
Remedios, who had been silent, hastily voiced her opinion.
"From the Slane Theocracy's actions, we can deduce the potion's importance. However, when Leader Tang made the transaction with us, he seemed very casual about it."
Kelart licked her lips at this point, a new fervor in her tone.
"This suggests that Leader Tang himself may not have understood the true value of the 'Blend Potion,' or that the Slane Theocracy has made some major new discovery through it."
"Hehe... As a genius alchemist, to have a potion he developed himself exhibit even greater effects in the hands of others—anyone would want to get to the bottom of that, right?"
Holy Queen Calca's expression gradually turned serious.
She didn't want conflict with the Slane Theocracy, but if the potion's value was truly that great, then Leader Tang, as its creator, was worth winning over!
What's more!
The Slane Theocracy's recent actions had also made Holy Queen Calca very angry.
"Who would be suitable?" Once Holy Queen Calca made up her mind, she was no longer indecisive.
"Remedios, 'Pink' Isandro, and 'Black' Pavel." Kelart named the candidates she had already decided upon.
Three Heroic-rank individuals!
"Alright, I'll set off immediately."
Remedios showed no intention of refusing and turned to leave in a hurry.
Seeing this, Kelart gave a strange smile.
"Isandro is prudent and Pavel has a good relationship with Leader Tang. There's no problem with those two, but Remedios..."
Although Holy Queen Calca didn't stop her, she was a little worried.
Remedios's personality was indeed a problem. She felt that the most suitable person to go to the Theocracy was actually Kelart, who stood before her.
"Hehe, Your Majesty."
Kelart's eyes narrowed, no longer hiding her sinister look. "Some things are only suitable for my sister to do."
"I'm a bit too rational. Only someone with my sister's personality can raise a ruckus without any inhibitions. Otherwise, the people of the Slane Theocracy might really look down on us."
Holy Queen Calca was taken aback. Staring at Kelart, she suddenly whispered gossipingly, "Besides that reason, do you have some other little scheme in mind?"
"For example, Remedios and that Leader Tang?"
Kelart blinked. "What are you talking about, Your Majesty."
......
Abelion Hills.
A valley deep in the Southern Mountains.
A large-scale magic ritual appeared in the depths of the valley.
"By utilizing the characteristics of the Wild Transformation Ritual and combining it with the Sacrifice: Spiral of Death Ritual I got from the Alliance Leader, I should be able to stabilize my transformed state."
Tang Zheng stood in the center of the ritual, a weary look on his face, rubbing his temples as he mentally rehearsed the entire process.
This was a plan that was theoretically feasible, based on his several days of research.
"I'll know if it's a success once I try. It's just a bit of a waste of this precious ancient fire dragon's corpse."
Tang Zheng's gaze fell on the massive, crimson body lying in the ritual not far away.
He was also very short on dragon corpses, and they were extremely limited in the entire Otherworld.
He walked over to the Dragon Man Ladon.
Tang Zheng took out the "Blend Potion" and poured it into the other's mouth. The next moment, he quickly thrust out his hand, plunged it into the other's chest, and grasped the beating heart of the True Dragon Lord.
Infuse it with Magic Power and activate!
*Whoosh!*
A golden light enveloped the two of them.
The massive figure of a golden dragon appeared on the ground. It spread its wide dragon wings, and a fierce wind scattered outwards as an astonishing pressure and aura filled the air.
It caused the battered, broken trees and branches in the valley to rustle and sway violently!
"Retch~"
The golden dragon made a vomiting sound, and the Dragon Man Ladon was expelled from its abdomen.
The next moment!
The golden dragon's body was like a punctured balloon, rapidly collapsing and deflating.
While controlling the massive body, Tang Zheng heavily lifted a dragon claw and stomped it onto the magic circle on the ground.
——*Swish!*
The magic ritual triggered instantly. A blue light mixed with red began to emerge, forming a translucent magic circle that enveloped the corpse of the ancient fire dragon.
In an instant!
The fire dragon's huge body seemed to melt, turning into streams of blood-like energy that began to surge toward the golden dragon that was Tang Zheng's transformation.
"Step one is a success!"
Joy surfaced in Tang Zheng's heart.
The "Wild Transformation Ritual" was incapable of consuming any species or creature other than wild beasts and monsters. He wanted to bypass the ritual's rigid rules.
With his current knowledge, he couldn't alter the ritual itself, so he could only try to alter the creature being consumed.
And Tang Zheng's solution was simple: sprinkle the "Blend Potion" on the ancient fire dragon's corpse to make it unstable!
Then, using the power of the "Sacrifice: Spiral of Death Ritual," completely decompose the ancient fire dragon's corpse!
*Rumble!*
A dragon corpse decomposed rapidly, and the resulting energy fluctuations continuously battered the surroundings.
Fortunately, this place was located in the deepest part of the mountain range, so this commotion wouldn't be detected by others!
With the infusion of the ancient fire dragon's power.
The golden dragon's deflated body received the support of a similar power, stopped shrinking, and even faintly began to fill out again!
(end of chapter)