64: Chapter 64 Xuanjia Turtle Breakthrough

The next morning, as the sky just began to break with a faint, fish-belly white light, the 6:00 AM morning mist still lingered around the walls of Changqing City, carrying a cool, desolate chill.

An elite squad of fifty men was already fully prepared. Five heavy freight trucks, accompanied by a black off-road vehicle modified with both blast-proof and armor plating, sat with their engines humming quietly, parked steadily beneath the city gates. The steel bodies of the vehicles gleamed with a cold, hard metallic luster in the faint morning light, exuding an austere aura of battle-readiness.

Now, with the help of the potential-enhancing agents from the New Era Biotechnology Company and the Medicinal Pill bestowed by Li Changqing, their Innate potential had been raised by one level. Captain Xia Dong had become a Seventh-Order Evolver, while Sniper Leader You Tong, Iron Weld, and Night Owl had also become Sixth-Order Evolvers.

...

After spending the better part of the day, Li Changqing led this group of Evolvers to wipe out a large horde of mutated beasts. In addition to finding a large quantity of thermal weapons at the military base, they also subdued a swarm of mutated Purple Spirit Bees led by a Peak First-Order Queen Bee.

Among all the heavy weapon spoils, what made Li Changqing's heart flutter and what he valued most were three small nuclear armor-piercing shells—pitch-black, with restrained patterns and dormant auras—as well as over a hundred portable rockets. He took two of the nuclear armor-piercing shells and thirty of the rockets.

After staying in Changqing City for a period and finishing his instructions, Li Changqing returned to Xuanling Island.

As soon as he stepped onto the territory of Xuanling Island, a thick, majestic surge of Earth Qi rushed toward him.

Li Changqing swept his Divine Sense and instantly captured the massive change—the Black Armor Turtle had already completed its Bloodline transformation, successfully upgrading its Yellow Rank Bloodline to a Profound Rank Bloodline, and had completely awakened its Bloodline talent.

This transformation had caused a qualitative change in the Black Armor Turtle's overall strength, akin to being reborn.

The first and most prominent change was its drastically increased defensive capability. On its thick, ink-black tortoise shell, an invisible Profound Earth Heavy Armor Formation naturally outlined itself; without needing to be intentionally activated, it had already merged with its Physical Body.

Once it suffered an external attack, the Formation would instantly activate autonomously, and a thick, solid, dark-yellow spiritual light shield would envelop its entire body, making it indestructible.

This light shield could perfectly block fierce physical impacts and counteract various Divine Abilities, but more importantly, it could skillfully deflect force, absorbing a portion of the incoming impact and converting it into pure Earth-type Qi to nourish itself, creating an endless cycle.

Beyond that, the Black Armor Turtle's control over the two Origin powers of earth and water had increased several times over.

It could freely perform the Earth Vein Surge technique; by stomping its feet, it could stir up the Qi of the mountains and rivers, causing rock and soil to churn within a designated small area to create minor earthquakes to disrupt enemies. It could also condense thick rock and soil barriers, turning them into an impregnable defensive screen.

At the same time, it could condense water into a shield, summoning a Profound Water Shield to protect its body. This shield possessed both the supple, enduring nature of the water element and the extreme cold of freezing ice. It was capable of both offense and defense, allowing it to advance or retreat freely, making it a top-tier water-type defensive Divine Ability.

Furthermore, the awakened Profound Rank Bloodline carried a natural pressure, possessing a powerful deterrent effect on the vast majority of low-level Yao Beasts in the world. Especially for tortoise and turtle species, as well as ordinary water-type Yao Beasts, once they faced its Bloodline aura, they would feel fear, their combat effectiveness would be greatly diminished, and they would not even dare to approach.

In terms of cultivation, the Black Armor Turtle also took the opportunity to break through its Bottleneck, steadily stepping from the Early Stage of the Second Order into the Middle Stage of the Second Order, with an incredibly solid Foundation that was completely free of any instability.

Its original one-zhang square thick back shell expanded and extended rapidly, eventually reaching nearly two zhang in width, and its body height increased by nearly five chi. Its overall silhouette became increasingly towering and heavy. When it crouched on the ground, it resembled a miniature mountain rooted in the earth, steady and majestic, carrying an overwhelming sense of pressure.

Its four thick, sturdy tortoise legs became even stronger and more powerful, firmly rooted to the ground. Every inch of its tortoise skin was as hard as refined iron, and the tips of its claws condensed cold glints, shimmering with a pure metallic texture. A light scratch could split stones and break rocks; its strength was terrifying to the extreme.

The scales on the surface of its neck and head were layered and tightly fitted, doubling its defensive power once more. A previously unremarkable lump of flesh on its forehead had now become more clearly prominent, faintly sprouting hard keratin, taking on a formidable appearance that added endless majesty to this spirit turtle.

The Black Armor Turtle's defensive power was now terrifying; even if ordinary Middle Stage or Late Stage Foundation Establishment Cultivators struck with all their might, it would be difficult for them to break through its layers of defense.

This successful Breakthrough completely established the Black Armor Turtle as one of the most secure and reliable trump cards by Li Changqing's side, and it added another indestructible barrier for guarding Xuanling Island.

After settling the Black Armor Turtle, Li Changqing walked slowly back to his exclusive, tranquil pavilion on the island. The room was quiet and dust-free, with sandalwood incense curling in the air. He sat upright at his desk, raised his hand, and took out a lustrous, warm white jade transmission talisman.

Spiritual power flowed from his fingertips, gently touching the jade talisman. As a low, brief whisper fell, the jade talisman instantly burst forth with a lustrous stream of light that cut through the window lattice and streaked toward various parts of the island.

A moment later, footsteps came from outside the pavilion—intentionally lightened but still unable to hide their haste—along with a few faint, suppressed sounds of breathing, carrying the unique tension and burning excitement of young people.

Four young figures entered in order—three men and one woman. Their postures were tall and their backs straight. All of them lowered their heads and composed themselves, stopping steadily at a distance of one zhang from Li Changqing. With uniform movements, they bowed and saluted.

"Nephew pays respects to Ninth Uncle!"

"Wanqing pays respects to Ninth Uncle!"

All four of them were genuine Martial Artists who had practiced hard for years without stopping. Their muscles and bones were refined, their Qi and blood were full, and their bodies exuded the sharp, keen aura unique to Martial Artists.

But at this moment, under the shroud of the Foundation Establishment Cultivator's natural life-force field, all their mundane martial sharpness was completely restrained, leaving only heartfelt respect and deep admiration in their hearts.

Li Changqing did not intentionally release even a sliver of pressure, but the vast difference in life levels between a Foundation Establishment Cultivator and an ordinary Martial Artist invisibly cast a layer of solemn, tranquil majesty over the quiet pavilion, making people feel awe and fear, not daring to act out of turn.

His gaze was peaceful as he slowly swept it over the four of them.

The leader, Li Zifan, was the oldest. His temperament was steady, and he acted with gravity. Both his Heart-Nature and cultivation far exceeded his peers, and he already possessed the martial cultivation of the Peak Early Stage of the Innate rank; he was the well-deserved leader among the four.

The woman beside him was the daughter of the former Xuanling Island village head Li Wencheng, and she had married Li Zifan as his wife half a year ago.

At this moment, her martial cultivation was at the stable Peak of Body Tempering. Her brows were gentle and calm, and her lower abdomen was slightly raised; she was already pregnant.

As for the remaining two, Li Zihao had an upright and straightforward temperament and was brave and fearless, while the youngest, Li Ziyuan, had a lively, outgoing, and agile personality.

Li Changqing was already well aware of the four's temperaments, cultivation, and recent situations.

"No need for formalities."

Li Changqing spoke indifferently. His voice was gentle and calm, yet it carried the unique, strange penetrating power of Foundation Establishment spiritual power. It was neither high nor low, clearly falling into the ears of the four, as if every word entered their ears and reached straight to their hearts, making them not dare to have even a sliver of slackness.

The four of them looked up as instructed, their gazes respectful, yet they still did not dare to rashly look directly into Li Changqing's eyes.

"The beast tide is approaching. When that time comes, I will head to Wangshan Town to assist in guarding the Family's defensive line and resist the beast tide."