76: Desperate Breakthrough

At the entrance of Luoxia Valley, black palm winds, like dark clouds pressing down, carried the terrifying pressure of the Nascent Soul Stage, threatening to completely tear apart the defensive light barrier.

Liu Shan lay on the ground, his spiritual power surging wildly within him. The scorching heat of the Burning Sky Skill and the intense coolness of the Fire Control Art clashed within his Meridians, yet under the catalysis of despair, they gradually fused into a brand new power—golden with a hint of inky black, both fierce andWeird.

"Father!" Liu Zhi roared from inside the light barrier, wanting to rush out, but Lin Qingxue held him back tightly. Her tears had already dried, and she could only stare fixedly at Liu Shan, her knuckles white from gripping her long sword.

Mo Chu, dragging his injured body, once again charged towards Great Elder Gu Xuan. Even though he knew it was a futile effort, he wanted to buy Liu Shan a moment of time. Blood dripped from his golden horn, spreading into dazzling red splotches on the ground.

"Seeking death!" Great Elder Gu Xuan sneered, striking Mo Chu with a backhand. This time, he used his full strength, clearly intending to completely kill this Xuan Jin Snake that had repeatedly provoked him.

Just as the palm wind was about to land on Mo Chu's head, the two powers within Liu Shan finally completed their Fusion!

"Buzz—!"

The golden spiritual power with a hint of inky black shot up into the sky, forming a massive pillar of light that pierced the clouds! Liu Shan's aura surged at a visible rate. The barrier of the Golden Core Stage shattered, and he directly stepped into the Late Stage of the Golden Core!

Not only that, but within this new power, there was also a faint yet incredibly pure Dragon might—that was the Dragon Clan Bloodline essence Mo Chu had given him earlier, completely activated in this desperate situation!

"This is…" Great Elder Gu Xuan's pupils constricted, and his palm wind instinctively paused for a moment.

Liu Shan suddenly opened his eyes, which were a mix of gold and black. The Thunderclap Saber automatically flew into his hand, its blade glowing with an unusual light. He took a step, his figure instantly appearing in front of Mo Chu, blocking Great Elder Gu Xuan's palm wind with his saber!

"Clang!"

The saber and palm met, emitting a deafening roar! Great Elder Gu Xuan was actually shaken back half a step, a look of disbelief on his face: "Late Stage Golden Core? This is impossible!"

In such a short time, he broke through two levels from the Middle Stage of the Golden Core to reach the Late Stage? This was beyond his comprehension!

"Nothing is impossible!" Liu Shan's voice was a little hoarse, but full of power. The new spiritual power surged within him, and the Po Wang Swordplay circulated. A Dragon shadow faintly appeared within the saber light!

"Thunderclap—Dragon Roar!"

The golden saber light, accompanied by a Dragon's roar, slashed towards Great Elder Gu Xuan! Where the saber light passed, the air was torn apart, and even some of the Death Qi around Great Elder Gu Xuan was scattered!

"You're seeking death!" Great Elder Gu Xuan was both shocked and enraged. He fully circulated his spiritual power, and the black palm wind struck out again, colliding with the saber light!

"Boom!"

The two forces exploded in the center of the valley entrance. The shockwave sent the surrounding Gu family Cultivators flying, and the defensive light barrier shook violently, yet miraculously did not shatter.

Liu Shan was shaken back several steps, his Qi and blood churning, but the Battle Intent in his eyes burned even more fiercely—he could feel that the gap between him and Great Elder Gu Xuan was rapidly shrinking!

Mo Chu took the opportunity to circle behind Great Elder Gu Xuan, and his golden horn suddenly pierced his calf!

"Ow!" Great Elder Gu Xuan cried out in pain and struck Mo Chu with a backhand, but he was entangled by Liu Shan's saber light and could only watch as the golden horn pierced him. Black Death Qi instantly surged into the wound, attempting to corrode Mo Chu.

But this time, a golden light actually shimmered on Mo Chu's golden horn, blocking the Death Qi! A strange light flashed in his snake pupils. Although the Dragon horn mark on his forehead did not appear, it emitted an even purer Dragon might.

"This beast…" Great Elder Gu Xuan was both shocked and furious. He wanted to break free from the entanglement, but found that Liu Shan's saber light was becoming increasingly sharp. The Po Wang Swordplay always found his weaknesses, leaving him struggling to cope.

Inside the light barrier, Liu Zhi and Lin Qingxue saw Liu Shan's Breakthrough, and hope rekindled in their eyes.

"Everyone, push harder!" Lin Qingxue shouted hoarsely, injecting her last bit of spiritual power into the light barrier, "Mountain-ge is back! We can hold on!"

The clan members also erupted with their last bit of strength, using their flesh and blood to support the light barrier. Some even took out their cherished Talismans, detonating them recklessly to temporarily force back the attacks of the Gu family Cultivators.

Just then, Mo Chu suddenly let out a mournful and long hiss!

This hiss was different from before, carrying an ancient desolation and majesty, as if it came from the deepest part of the Dragon Clan Bloodline!

In the sky, the clouds suddenly began to churn, and a golden Dragon shadow vaguely circled within them! A majestic Dragon might descended from the sky, enveloping the entire Luoxia Valley!

Great Elder Gu Xuan's face changed drastically. Feeling this Dragon might, he instinctively took a step back: "This is… the aura of an ancient Golden Dragon? How is this possible!"

Under the nourishment of the Dragon might, Mo Chu's wounds healed at a visible rate, the golden light on his scales grew brighter, and his golden horn became even more dazzling! His spiritual body's connection with Liu Shan became even closer, even transmitting a portion of the Dragon might to Liu Shan!

Liu Shan only felt a warm current surge into his body, his new spiritual power became more condensed, and the Dragon shadow in his saber light became even clearer!

"Die!"

Liu Shan seized the opportunity, injecting all of his gold and black spiritual power into the Thunderclap Saber. The saber light transformed into a massive golden Dragon, with world-destroying power, slashing towards Great Elder Gu Xuan!

Great Elder Gu Xuan looked at the oncoming Dragon shadow saber light, and fear finally appeared in his eyes! He wanted to dodge, but Mo Chu held him tightly, so he could only summon all his defensive Magic Treasures, wrapping himself within them!

"Boom—!"

The Dragon shadow saber light descended, and Great Elder Gu Xuan's defensive Magic Treasures shattered like paper! He let out a tragic scream, his body struck by the saber light. Half of his body was burned away by the Dragon power, and the black Death Qi instantly dissipated!

"I… I am not reconciled!" Great Elder Gu Xuan looked at his broken body, his eyes filled with despair and resentment, finally turning into a black smoke and fleeing westward in a sorry state!

Seeing this, the remaining Gu family Cultivators dared not stay, scattering and fleeing!

The crisis was resolved.

Liu Shan leaned on the Thunderclap Saber, panting heavily. Although the aura of the Late Stage Golden Core was powerful, it had almost exhausted his spiritual power.

Mo Chu swam to his side, gently rubbing his arm with his head, his snake pupils filled with concern.

The light barrier slowly dissipated, and Liu Zhi and Lin Qingxue immediately rushed out, supporting the tottering Liu Shan.

"Father! Are you alright!"

"Mountain-ge!"

Liu Shan looked at them, then at the surviving clan members behind him, a tired but relieved smile on his face: "We… held on."

The Dragon shadow in the sky gradually faded, and the sunlight once again shone down, illuminating Luoxia Valley, as if coating this battle-scarred land with a layer of golden hope.