Chapter 12: **Chapter 12: Dungeon: Ancient Cultivator's Tomb (9)**
**Chapter 12: Dungeon: Ancient Cultivator's Tomb (9)**
After Su Chen grasped the essence of the Water Dragon Roar, his proficiency in the technique improved at an astonishing rate.
Unlike most practitioners who train in isolation, relying on theory, Su Chen honed his swordsmanship in actual combat. Every mistake he made came with a steep cost—his life. The pain and the stark reality of death burned each failure into his memory, driving him to refine his skills before the next confrontation.
His method was unorthodox but brutally effective. Few could replicate it. To endure such relentless trials, one would need extraordinary luck to survive desperate situations repeatedly. Most wouldn't last ten lives.
If not for his ability to resurrect infinitely within the dungeon, even Su Chen wouldn't dare to take such risks. But with this unique advantage, he wasn't in a hurry to clear the tomb. After all, where else could he find a place that allowed him to fight fearlessly and a sparring partner as relentless as Ye Chenglin?
The 300th Tomb Challenge.
"At first glance, the Water Dragon Roar seems like a sword technique. But once practiced deeply, its true nature reveals itself—it's a method of manipulating spiritual power," Su Chen reflected.
"Using spiritual energy as the root, vibrations to shape it, and forging the latent power of a dragon."
"Swordsmanship is merely a manifestation of the Water Dragon Roar. With sufficient cultivation, even a blade of grass, a tree branch, a flower, or a stone could become a sword."
Perhaps this is the meaning behind the saying, "No sword in the hand, but a sword in the heart."
After hundreds of battles, Su Chen's understanding of the Water Dragon Roar transcended previous limitations. His game panel reflected this breakthrough:
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[Water Dragon Roar (Extreme State)]
Effect: The sword unleashes a brilliant arc of energy, capable of transforming into a dragon.
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A new message appeared on the panel:
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[Detected: High compatibility between 'Water Dragon Roar' and 'Sharp Technique.' Do you wish to merge them?]
[Note: Fusion may unlock a higher skill level.]
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Su Chen stared at the prompt in surprise.
Isn't the extreme state the upper limit of a technique?
Until now, he had believed that reaching an extreme state meant mastering a technique completely. Yet the panel's prompt suggested otherwise.
Could it be that the extreme state doesn't mark the technique's true limit? Perhaps it merely breaks through a previous ceiling. Some techniques, especially advanced or mysterious ones, may naturally begin at this higher level.
Shaking off these musings, Su Chen focused on the present. He was eager to see what surprises awaited from the fusion of the Water Dragon Roar and the Sharp Technique. Closing his eyes, he let his insights into the two techniques intertwine, merging them into something entirely new.
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[Skill Fusion Complete: You have gained a new technique—Dragon Roar Sky-Breaking Strike.]
[Dragon Roar Sky-Breaking Strike: Extreme State (1/30000)]
Effect: Transform Qi into a dragon, imbuing attacks with dragon power, capable of shaking demons and gods alike.
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Opening his eyes, Su Chen absorbed the profound insights from the fusion.
"Dragon Roar Sky-Breaking Strike... It has the raw power of the Water Dragon Roar and the piercing precision of the Sharp Technique."
"This technique doesn't feel like an ordinary skill anymore. It's akin to a divine ability—one that could rival the powers of heaven and earth."
Indeed, the Dragon Roar Sky-Breaking Strike wasn't just a technique; it was a unique magical power that Su Chen alone possessed. While other practitioners might mimic the appearance of a dragon using Qi, their creations would be hollow. In contrast, Su Chen's strike carried the essence and power of a true dragon.
"It's time to end this."
Su Chen pushed open the heavy bronze door, stepping into the familiar tomb once more.
"Who are you?"
The words echoed, as they had countless times before. But this time, Su Chen replied with calm certainty:
"Qingyun Sect servant disciple, Su Chen."
"Qingyun Sect... Qingyun Sect..."
For a moment, Ye Chenglin seemed lost in thought. When his focus returned, he regarded Su Chen seriously. Then, for the first time in hundreds of battles, he uttered words that Su Chen had never heard before:
"You are... very strong."
Descending from his perch atop the mound of corpses, Ye Chenglin walked to level ground, facing Su Chen as an equal. Raising his lone right arm, he gestured an invitation.
"Qingyun Sect, 70th generation, Wanfu Peak true disciple, Ye Chenglin. Please, give me some advice."
Su Chen's heart stirred as he recalled the countless battles they had fought. Though Ye Chenglin remembered none of them, Su Chen did. And through those battles, he had come to understand the burden Ye Chenglin bore—a cultivator who, even in death, guarded his sect with unwavering resolve and endured endless solitude.
Despite being a magic corpse, Ye Chenglin embodies the essence of a true cultivator. His determination to uphold the Dao is stronger than anyone I've ever met.
With respect in his heart, Su Chen bowed deeply. "Please give me some advice, fellow Taoist."
As the duel began, Ye Chenglin moved swiftly, summoning talismans with blinding speed. In an instant, over ten Thunder Talismans flew toward Su Chen.
Yet these attacks, so familiar to Su Chen, were easily countered. Weaving through the storm of talismans with the grace of a startled goose, his movements were fluid and precise, as though dodging raindrops rather than lightning.
Seeing this, Ye Chenglin shifted tactics, crafting a more intricate talisman imbued with immense spiritual power.
Talisman: The Art of Five Thunder Heavenly Prison.
Overhead, a small thundercloud formed, crackling with relentless flashes of lightning. Thunder rumbled ominously, filling the tomb with its deafening roar.
Despite the ominous display, Su Chen remained calm. His strength had reached a level where even the unknown no longer fazed him.
Leaping into action, he drew the magic sword strapped to his back and charged toward the thundercloud.
"Dragon Roar... Sky-Breaking Strike!"
ROAR!!!
A deafening roar erupted, reverberating through the cavern. The thundercloud trembled violently as if responding to the bellow of a true dragon.
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(End of Chapter)