Chapter 49: Second Step: True Dragon Manifestation. Time to Kill This True Martial Saint Lord?

Thud!

A solemn voice echoed, and then Qin Xuan in the sky took another step forward.

This step felt as though it trampled directly onto everyone’s hearts, making every single person present tremble in shock!

Furthermore, as this step landed, the illusory image of a True Dragon materialized behind Qin Xuan, its draconic might blazing and overbearing.

The True Dragon phantom first roared towards the heavens, then plunged straight into Qin Xuan’s body.

At this moment, as the True Dragon phantom entered his body.

The Spiritual Energy within Qin Xuan erupted wildly, like boiling water, unleashing extreme power.

An aura and pressure ten times stronger than before burst out, silencing all the disciples present.

The Elders and Deacons could only stare wide-eyed as if they’d seen a ghost!

“Elder Pang… are you certain the Saint Lord can sort this out when he arrives?” one Elder asked nervously, feeling Qin Xuan’s terrifying presence.

“Th-this… he should be able to…” Elder Pang’s mouth twitched involuntarily.

What kind of monster had Hai Bonan actually recruited?

In Elder Pang’s perception, the sheer aura radiating from Qin Xuan right now was strong enough to crush even Marquis-Level Elders like them!

As for whether Qin Xuan had reached the Monarch level, Elder Pang had no idea.

All he could hope now was that the Saint Lord would intervene quickly.

Otherwise, the True Martial Sacred Land would indeed be crying for two days in a row!

“The Dragon Clan Secret Technique is truly formidable!” Qin Xuan exclaimed with a pleased grin, exhilarated by the immense power flooding his veins.

After executing the Imperial Dragon Three Steps, though he still hadn’t attained the monarch-level might of the Star River Realm, among Marquis-Level experts in the Divine Treasure Realm, he should be peerless!

_Hummm! Hum! Hum!_

However, the moment Qin Xuan finished speaking.

Cracks, like those on fine porcelain, spread bloodily across his body.

Seeing this, Qin Xuan frowned.

Executing the Imperial Dragon Three Steps really did impose tremendous strain on one’s body.

Consider that he possessed True Dragon Bloodline; his body’s resilience matched that of a True Dragon hatchling. He’d even consumed plenty of Dragon Origin Fruits to further boost his physical strength.

Even such a hardy body was cracking!

If another martial artist tried this technique, their body would have likely exploded instantly!

“Imperial Dragon Three Steps truly lives up to being a Dragon Clan secret technique. Probably only a race with innately supreme physical bodies like the Dragon Clan can cultivate it!”

“Luckily, my True Dragon Bloodline amplification, combined with my physique tempered by those Dragon Origin Fruits, should let me endure a while longer.”

After activating the Second Step: True Dragon Manifestation, while cracks tore open Qin Xuan’s skin.

The damage remained primarily superficial; the burden and harm to his muscle fibers and internal organs weren’t severe.

He could certainly sustain this state for a day or two, even a few days if needed.

So, bodily collapse wasn’t an imminent worry.

Only when executing the Third Step: Imperial Dragon’s Descent would his body face its true, ultimate test.

With this in mind, Qin Xuan’s sharp gaze pinned Gu Xianghan.

Such was its icy fierceness that even Gu Xianghan, a Marquis-Level expert at the sixth stage of the Divine Treasure Realm, felt a chill pierce him.

“Eager to punish, yet indifferent to cause. Preaches order, yet ignores the heart!”

“Judging worth over humanity? You dare claim fitness as the Penalty Peak Lord? Think yourself worthy to claim me as disciple?”

Qin Xuan’s voice was ice. He raised the Demon-Suppressing Sword. Without technique, powered only by Sword Intent, he swept it horizontally!

_Hummm! Hum! Hum!_

A sharp, blazing sword light surged forth. The air screamed in its wake, as though rent apart.

Disciples on the ground felt their faces sting. Terror filled them as they watched.

Gu Xianghan, hearing Qin Xuan’s accusations, wanted to refute.

But sensing the overwhelming force within that soaring sword light left him no time.

He poured every ounce of his Spiritual Energy into his own sword, straining to defend!

Yet, his utmost effort looked pitiful before the onslaught.

_BOOM!_

An earth-shaking crash echoed. Disciples saw Gu Xianghan thrown back, a bone-deep gash across his chest, spraying crimson.

He smashed into the slope of the Array Path Peak with such force the entire mountain shuddered!

“It’s over! Completely over! Tell the cooks, duty starts today!”

“Enough jabbering about banquets! We need a new Penalty Peak Lord! I nominate Elder Liu!”

“Shameless! Think your master Elder Liu could manage? Even if, Elder Wang is clearly superior!”

“I noted both of you down. If Lord Gu survives even slightly, you two are doomed!”

They gossiped freely, seeing Gu Xianghan embedded in rock. Yet many disciples worried; he was, after all, a cornerstone among the Elders.

Elder Pang and other higher-ups wore grim faces.

They sensed Gu Xianghan lived, but his energy flickered weakly; his injuries were clearly dire.

Above, Qin Xuan saw Gu Xianghan breathe. Lifting the Demon-Suppressing Sword, poised to ensure otherwise.

His threat hadn’t been idle – nor were ten thousand soldiers; why spare one contemptible Elder?

As Qin Xuan readied the kill-stroke, a light “Oh?” resonated through the void.

“Oh? The lad really wants permanent ends?”

_Crack! Craaaack!_

As the voice came, sections of the void tore open, unleashing blasts of bone-cutting wind.

A tall, imposing man, robed in grand purple-gold armor, stepped leisurely out.

A crown rested upon his head. Scholarly warmth graced his refined face, yet immense authority emanated effortlessly.

The aura surrounding him felt deep and fearsome. Simply moving stirred the ambient Spiritual Energy to violent rolling.

Emerging fully, the purple-gold robed man smiled warmly at Qin Xuan.

“First, blasted Liang Ting dead. Then, keen on Gu Xianghan’s head. Who follows? Me?”

His smile looked gentle. Yet cold pierced everyone around to their bones.