A Card In Hand

Chapter 8: Ambush

If the gods of the Celestial Realm were to see it, they would definitely recognize that this weapon was nothing more than a counterfeit, a mere imitation of the ‘Shadowless Divine Halberd’ wielded by the tempestuous Storm Goddess herself.

The Shadowless Divine Halberd, much like its capricious owner, the Storm Goddess, was unpredictable and ever-changing.

Even the gods themselves did not know how many forms it could take.

If necessary,

It could transform into any weapon.

Thus, despite the myriad forms of spears and halberds in the world,

Each with its own unique features, Li Ao had decided to replicate the most impressive ‘Shadowless Divine Halberd’.

After all, the weapons of the lower realms mattered little in their appearance; low-tier weapons were never meant for use in the Celestial Realm, and the Storm Goddess would surely be unaware that her creation had been copied.

Besides,

Even if the Storm Goddess discovered it someday, Li Ao would never admit to it.

This was not plagiarism, after all—it was a tribute!

Without respect,

How could one replicate it so vividly and lifelike?

Thinking this, Li Ao chuckled, lightly waving his silver halberd in his right hand.

As he swung, the weapon emitted a brilliant light and several trails of ghostly green flames, then transformed back into a card for him to closely examine its attributes.

Shadow Halberd: Silver-tier, novice level, a shadow weapon forged by the fusion and sublimation of a Dragonfly Split Wind Spear and the Heart of the Abyss.

Special Skill: Shadow Indeterminate—The Shadow Halberd can change its shape or mode of combat according to its master’s will.

Li Ao glanced at the top right corner of the orange card.

He saw the number representing its maximum combat power: 2995.

Damn!

It was just shy of advancing to the mid-tier, missing just 5 points of combat power to round it out!

“With an enhancement from the Celestial Refining Formation and further assisted by the Heart of the Abyss, it still only reached the novice level of Silver-tier?”

Li Ao shook his head, thankful it was only in the lower realm; such a weapon, if displayed in the Celestial Realm, would surely make the gods laugh out loud.

After all, even the lowest-ranked divine messengers in the Celestial Realm wielded items of at least the Gold-tier.

Silver-grade weapons, sufficient for use in the lower realms.

In the Celestial Realm, however.

It would indeed be embarrassing to present them publicly.

Li Ao’s pact with the Shadow Halberd was not without its benefits.

Firstly, his physical fitness was increased several-fold, with enhancements in strength, agility, physique, and spiritual perception to varying degrees.

Beyond that.

Li Ao’s body also gained a special skill.

Flight: Consuming the stored Source Energy from the Heart of the Abyss, it transforms into Abyssal Silver Wings, allowing for a certain distance of flight.

“Transform,” Li Ao lightly tapped the hovering orange card with his finger.

At once, light flickered on the card, and a tide of Source Energy burst from Li Ao’s spine, growing into giant silver wings of the dragon, several meters in span.

The tips of the wings were as sharp as cones, and the edges burned fiercely with an abyssal green flame, crackling continuously.

There was no need to flap up and down; the burning Source Energy on the wings alone allowed Li Ao to ascend lightly off the ground.

Li Ao performed several spirals and flips in mid-air before slowly descending.

“During flight, ascending is slower than diving, and spiraling is faster than straight acceleration.”

After testing, Li Ao discovered that this flying skill was essentially a carbon copy of the flight mode of the dragonfly species.

The flight techniques of the dragonflies were far from sophisticated, but they were sufficient for early-stage combat.

Li Ao transformed the silver dragonfly wings into the Shadow Halberd.

However, he didn’t clutch it in his hand.

Incredibly, he placed it within his own shadow.

Using the ability of the two Shadow Giant Wolves to form a shadowy path, Li Ao could store items in the shadow dimension that were immune to dark energy corruption.

This approach had clear advantages: it was convenient and quick, allowing not only for weapons to be readily available at arm’s reach but also for packing up belongings in everyday life, saving all the hassle.

However, there were also drawbacks.

First, items susceptible to dark energy corrosion should not be kept inside for too long as they would get damaged; second, if someone else is also skilled in Shadow Walking, they could steal the items Li Ao placed within the Shadow Path used by the Shadow Wolves, unless Li Ao intervenes to stop them.

If someone else is proficient in shadow walking, they might sneak away with the items Li Ao placed there, unless he intervenes to stop them.

Li Ao, armed with the Shadow Halberd, boasting a combat power close to three thousand, finally felt somewhat reassured.

This combat power wasn’t high.

But it was sufficient to press the younger participants of the trial to the ground, including Prince Jinxi!

“Hmm, the most crucial moment is coming up!”

Li Ao pondered a significant issue: to what extent should he humiliate Prince Jinxi? If he beats the prince too harshly, the latter might withdraw from the competition. If Prince Jinxi stops appearing, Li Ao would miss out on the chance to humiliate him in front of everyone. Therefore, he needed to control his actions; not killing him outright, but sparing his life for a prolonged torment!

A sinister gleam flickered and disappeared in Li Ao’s eyes.

He transformed the Stone Bear into a card and stowed it away.

With a wave of his hand,

He summoned the Stone Giant.

Li Ao commanded the Stone Giant to lurk deep underground in front of the Curse Formation, while he himself used the Stone Walking ability to enter a stone wall leisurely.

The two experienced Shadow Wolves understood their master’s intent perfectly; they immediately split up and found a patch of shadow.

Silently hiding within, they waited for the next command.

Five hours later.

At the base of a high cliff.

A gigantic steel golem, ten meters tall, lumbered past.

Its presence made all demonic beasts along the way scramble to avoid it.

As it slowed to a stop, a handsome young man with flowing golden hair leapt out from the cockpit.

The sunlight illuminated his hair that cascaded down to his waist.

His wine-red eyes shimmered with a mysterious golden light.

His gaze,

Sharper than that of an eagle.

Wearing a silver half-armor, he appeared as a divine figure walking the earth.

This person was Prince Jinxi, the thirteenth prince of the Great Luo Dynasty, who in a past life had defeated Li Ao thoroughly. He was a powerful newcomer.

“Mr. Youhuo? Mr. Youhuo?”

Prince Jinxi called out several times upon reaching the agreed location but received no response.

A flash of displeasure quickly crossed his handsome face.

They had agreed to meet below the cliff, and Mr. Youhuo, who was to guide and secretly protect him on this journey, was supposed to be waiting here. But upon arrival, Prince Jinxi found no sign of him!

Looking around,

The ground was bustling with black-lipped army ants carrying strange pieces of stone, and several mud creatures were fighting over an animal skin, pulling it back and forth, unable to swallow it, resulting in a pile of green spittle on the ground—utterly disgusting.

“Mr. Youhuo? Are you there?”

After calling a few more times, Prince Jinxi gave up.

Without Youhuo, he thought, could he not reach the Cliff of the Crimson-Eyed Flying Dragon?

Prince Jinxi approached the base of the cliff.

He took out a deep purple brocade pouch with unusual patterns from his bosom, reaching in to retrieve a secret key.

The ruby embedded on the secret key sparkled with a mysterious light.

The Hidden Formation on the stone wall slowly revealed itself under the light, shimmering.

“Flying Dragon Split Wind Spear, here I come!”

Prince Jinxi took a deep breath to calm his excitement, placed the secret key gently on the Hidden Formation, and with the ruby shining brightly, the formation activated instantly.

With a rumble, the stone wall vibrated and cracked open, revealing a dark and seemingly endless tunnel entrance.