Because Uchiha Kazuhiko had captured Xiao Li early at the goddess statue, the events from the original plot where the main trio seized the Dragon Soul and damaged the War God did not occur.
While Gongshu Chou was figuring out how to operate the War God, Gai Nie appeared just as in the original story. To prevent the Qin state from obtaining the War God, he engaged in a fierce battle with the demonized Wei Zhuang.
Uchiha Kazuhiko did not interfere in their fight. Instead, he took the opportunity to seize the weakened small Pixiu and used the system to check its information.
[Mythical Beast Pixiu]: Ninth son of the divine dragon. Feeds on metal. Can enter prolonged hibernation when not eating.
Current State: Juvenile ordinary form
Strength: Black Iron Rank (Can grow to Gold Rank at peak)
Seeing the small Pixiu's immense potential to reach Gold Rank, Uchiha Kazuhiko immediately opened the Pan-Universe Mall.
He spent 20 gold coins to purchase a Black Iron Rank Pet Contract and contracted the small Pixiu as his pet.
He then spent another 50 gold coins to buy a Pet Space capable of housing ten pets, planning to take it back to the Naruto world after completing the mission.
After subduing the small Pixiu, Uchiha Kazuhiko activated his Two-Tomoe Sharingan, focusing intently on copying the Vertical and Horizontal Sword Techniques mastered by Wei Zhuang and Gai Nie respectively.
"Hundred Step Flying Sword!"
"Horizontal Sweep Across the Eight Directions!"
Another clash of Vertical and Horizontal. Gai Nie, who had been suppressed by the demonized Wei Zhuang, suddenly erupted, piercing Wei Zhuang's chest with his sword.
Seeing their battle conclude, Uchiha Kazuhiko moved swiftly into the arena, forcing Gai Nie back with a single move.
"It seems you are not the strong one who can master the Chi You Sword after all,"
Uchiha Kazuhiko said with a teasing smile to Wei Zhuang, who had regained clarity. He used the [Blood Heal Technique] on him to treat his bleeding wound, then stored the Chi You Sword in his system space.
"Senior Brother, leave. Next time, I will definitely defeat you,"
the proud Wei Zhuang said, looking at the battered Gai Nie. Disdaining to take advantage of someone in a weakened state, he chose to let him go.
Gai Nie was at the end of his strength and unable to stop the War God rampaging through Loulan. He could only fall back to protecting Tianming and Shaoyu as they escaped Loulan.
"Hahahaha, I've finally mastered how to control the War God!"
Gongshu Chou, inside the War God's core control room, finally deduced the specific method after numerous attempts.
"Perish, Loulan."
Powered by the Dragon Soul's energy, the mountain-sized War God began to move. Flames jet from its mouth, incinerating everything to ash.
"Goddess, I have failed,"
Xiao Li murmured beside Uchiha Kazuhiko. Watching Loulan city wail amidst the flames, a stream of hot tears flowed down her cheek.
Xiao Li's body began to glow, gradually turning Illusion before vanishing completely, leaving behind only a string of deep blue Goddess's Tears.
"When flames and hot tears intertwine, the divine dragon's power will awaken once more from the Dragon Soul."
Recalling this line from the original story and how the small Pixiu obtained the divine dragon's power, Uchiha Kazuhiko thought for a moment before throwing the Goddess's Tears towards the War God.
The Goddess's Tears struck the War God. The gem shattered, transforming into a surge of blue divine power.
Simultaneously, a vast dragon essence rushed out from within the War God, merging with the blue fragments to form a new divine dragon power that surged into the small Pixiu's body.
Absorbing this massive energy, the previously weak small Pixiu grew robust. Its body developed rapidly, transforming into a massive winged lion-like combat form.
"Hahaha, just as I guessed. Little Pixiu, return to hibernation mode."
Uchiha Kazuhiko stroked the Pixiu's body in its combat form, extremely satisfied with its enhanced strength.
To avoid unnecessary trouble, he had it revert to its bronze ball-like hibernation form before storing it in his pet space.
Driven by Gongshu Chou, the War God quickly destroyed all of Loulan. Countless Loulan citizens perished, and the miraculous desert city-state ceased to exist.
With all enemies dealt with, Wei Zhuang ordered everyone to leave Loulan and return to the desert via the underground river.
Back at the border town, escorted by tens of thousands of Qin soldiers, the War God safely returned to Xianyang. The mission was finally declared complete.
After completing the mission, Uchiha Kazuhiko didn't rush to return immediately. He sought out Gongshu Chou again and, using his Chi You clan identity, entered the War God's interior.
"Master Gongshu, can the Dragon Soul truly power such a massive War God normally?"
Uchiha Kazuhiko asked curiously, examining the Chi You clan script in the control room.
Gongshu Chou stroked his short beard and explained, "Of course. The Dragon Soul is the crystal of a fallen star from legend, possessing Incredible vast energy."
Uchiha Kazuhiko nodded in understanding. He then used the Fire Charm Art, bewitched in a depressed tone,
"I see. Then, Master Gongshu, could you let me admire the Dragon Soul?"
"Certainly."
Influenced by the Fire Charm Art, Gongshu Chou immediately agreed. He pressed a few buttons, activating the mechanism for nine suspended gates, revealing the Dragon Soul hidden deepest within.
"Thank you, Master Gongshu. Now, rest for a while."
Uchiha Kazuhiko used genjutsu to render Gongshu Chou unconscious. He easily passed through several gates, reached the Dragon Soul, and reached out to grab it.
"Sizzle! Sizzle!"
The scorching Dragon Soul burned Uchiha Kazuhiko's hands, forcing him to abandon directly taking it. He summoned the small Pixiu and had it swallow the Dragon Soul.
Deprived of the Dragon Soul, the War God dimmed. Before the Qin soldiers could arrive to investigate, Uchiha Kazuhiko stored the hibernating small Pixiu back into his system space, mentally commanded his departure, and returned to the Naruto world.
After resting briefly, Uchiha Kazuhiko began reviewing his gains from this mission.
First were the mission gold coins and points. Including those saved from previous tasks, he now possessed 36 gold coins and 48 points. It seemed a few more missions would allow him to raise his mercenary rank to Bronze level.
Next were the rewards: the divine weapon Chi You Sword, the mythical beast small Pixiu, and the Dragon Soul inside the Pixiu's stomach.
Although precious, Uchiha Kazuhiko did not plan to take out and recycle the Chi You Sword. Instead, he chose to keep it as a transitional weapon.
The same went for the Dragon Soul. Its ability to accelerate the Pixiu's growth can be considered another way to enhance his own strength.
Finally, there were the improvements in strength from this mission: the upgrade of his psychic ability and Sharingan, the copying of the Guigu sword techniques, the development of the Fire Charm genjutsu, the operational techniques for internal energy, etc.
This mission could be considered immensely fruitful, Almost perfect. It would be difficult to improve his strength again significantly in the short term.
For the coming period, he would focus on physical cultivation, striving to break through his physical limits early and unlock the powerful Fifth Gate.
Over the course of a week, Uchiha Kazuhiko thoroughly consolidated his gains. The third stage of the Chunin Exams was also announced to begin.