148: Reforging Claws

The surging power brought by the devouring gradually settled, and Gao De was not in a hurry to exit seclusion.

Inside the secret chamber, Gao De first immersed his mind in comprehending and practicing the new Divine Ability, the Domain of Thunder.

He was no longer satisfied with simple release and containment; instead, he began to attempt precise control.

The range of the Domain of Thunder was deliberately suppressed, expanded, and twisted into various forms by him; at times, it would shrink into a lightning gauze protecting his body, and at other times, it would expand into a spherical electric net covering half the secret chamber.

His control over lightning became increasingly effortless with each subtle shift of his thoughts.

“The 'Domain' of the Domain of Thunder lies in control, in wielding my thunder to execute heavenly punishment,” Gao De murmured, lightning flashing in his Purple Lightning vertical pupils.

“Unlike the Mad Thunder Heavenly Prison, which focuses on suppression and confinement, the Domain of Thunder leans more towards suppression, weakening, and burst single-target elimination. Perhaps the two can… combine?”

With a thought, the Domain of Thunder quietly unfolded, an invisible thunderous force field permeating the area.

Immediately afterward, he activated the Mad Thunder Heavenly Prison, but instead of forming a massive lightning cage, he integrated that powerful confinement and Suppressing Prison Concept into the Domain of Thunder.

Perhaps because they originated from the same source, the two easily fused together.

“Buzz—!”

The air in the secret chamber seemed to instantly become thick and heavy. The Purple Lightning electric snakes no longer merely moved to attack; they also carried a characteristic of binding and delaying all things.

Everything within this fused force field not only endured continuous lightning strikes and paralysis but also felt as if it had fallen into a quagmire, making movement difficult and Spiritual Qi circulation sluggish.

“It really works!” A sharp glint flashed in Gao De’s eyes. “The Domain of Thunder provides the Foundation for Domain suppression and high-speed assassination, while the Mad Thunder Heavenly Prison grants it powerful control and Suppressing Prison characteristics. Combined, they can be called the Prison Suppressing Thunder Domain! First, use the Domain of Thunder to suppress, delay, and weaken, then use instantaneous lightning needles or the earth-shaking halberd to break through the enemy. It should have miraculous effects against enemies of the same Realm or even slightly higher!”

He repeatedly practiced this fused Divine Ability until, with a mere thought, the Prison Suppressing Thunder Domain could instantly form, its control range and intensity expanding and contracting at will, and its consumption gradually decreasing due to proficiency.

Aside from practicing his Divine Ability, Gao De turned his gaze to the Materials piled in a corner of the secret chamber.

These were the old scales he shed during this transformation, as large as washbasins, with sharp edges and a hardness far exceeding ordinary Third Order Materials. Although they had lost their vitality, they still retained his Purple Lightning aura from his Third Order Mid-Stage and a trace of faint Dragon might.

There were also dozens of broken or detached old flood dragon fangs and old claw hooks, similarly dark purple-black, gleaming with a metallic cold light.

“These are all the essence shed from my old body, carrying the imprint of my power throughout my journey. They are perfect for strengthening my Demonic Artifacts.”

He first summoned the purple scale earth-shaking armor.

This armor was refined primarily from his early scales, possessing outstanding defense, but as his strength increased, it had become slightly insufficient. Gao De opened his mouth and spewed out a stream of pure purple pill fire, enveloping the earth-shaking armor and a large quantity of old scales.

The pill fire blazed, not ordinary fire, but imbued with his Demonic Power and lightning essence.

The old scales gradually softened and melted in the pill fire, refining the most essential scale crystal substance, which, like purple flowing pulp, slowly merged into the earth-shaking armor.

The armor's patterns became more intricate and profound, and new, molten scale phantoms appeared and disappeared on its surface. Its aura grew heavier and more solid, subtly imbued with the Suppressing Prison intent of mountains and the evil-breaking power of thunder.

“Fusing the old to renew the new, with a connected Foundation. This armor’s defense should advance another level, and its Bloodline connection with me is deeper. It still has room for improvement as I grow in the future.” Gao De felt the Bloodline connection emanating from the earth-shaking armor and nodded slightly.

Next was the thunder fang formation-breaking halberd.

This halberd was primarily made from his early fangs, incomparably sharp, capable of breaking through defenses and destroying Qi shields.

Gao De threw the old flood dragon fangs and old claw hooks into the pill fire, refining the sharpest, hardest dental essence and metallic Qi, which, like scattered cold stars, merged into the halberd body.

The halberd blade of the formation-breaking halberd became thicker, longer, and more ferocious, its cold light restrained yet radiating sharpness. The lightning patterns on the halberd shaft became clearer and more active, as if they could summon the Nine Heavens thunder at any moment.

A fierce aura, capable of breaking anything and destroying all hardness, emanated from it.

“An offensive weapon must be indomitable. Fusing the sharpness of old fangs and claws adds the ability to pierce armor and shatter Qi shields.” Gao De held the newly forged formation-breaking halberd and casually swung it, sending out a condensed purple halberd light that left a deep, sparking mark on the secret chamber wall.

The refining process lasted several days.

When the pill fire subsided, the two Demonic Artifacts floated before Gao De, their radiance contained, yet their aura was nearly twice as powerful as before!

They were not merely external objects but extensions of his body and power, connected by Bloodline, responding to his every command.

Gao De donned the earth-shaking armor once more, and the formation-breaking halberd shrunk, hidden within his claws.

Feeling the seamless connection with the Demonic Artifacts and the increasingly harmonious and stable power within his body, he slowly exhaled a breath imbued with electric arcs.

“Divine Ability initially formed, Magic Treasure reforged, Realm stabilized. This seclusion has yielded complete rewards.”

He looked at the heavenly secret mirror again; the image within the mirror had updated.

The pursuit outside seemed to have gradually subsided, but undercurrents still lurked.

Around Qianjiao Cliff, Turtle Three Thousand and the others remained highly vigilant, and the territory operated in an orderly manner.

“It’s time.” Gao De’s figure moved, and the Restriction of the secret chamber silently opened. His massive Purple Lightning Flood Dragon body swam out, the newly grown Dragon mane gently swaying with the water flow, trailing tiny electric arcs.

He did not appear directly in the Water Mansion hall but quietly came to the deepest part of the Immortal Cave’s spiritual vein.

Here, Spiritual Qi was abundant, and water veins converged, making it the core of Qianjiao Cliff.

He transformed into human form and sat down, his aura connected to the Dragon Pearl and the entire Water Mansion grand formation.

“Turtle Three Thousand, Green Edge, Iron Pincer, come see me.” A calm yet authoritative Divine Thought spread throughout the core area of the Water Mansion.

Not long after, three figures quickly arrived outside the spiritual vein, respectfully saluting: “Master!”

Through the water curtain, they could feel the increasingly unfathomable and heart-pounding majesty and power emanating from their Master, their reverence growing even deeper.

“What is the situation outside? Has there been any abnormality at my Qianjiao Cliff recently?” Gao De’s voice echoed directly in their minds.

Turtle Three Thousand stepped forward, a faint glow flashing on his turtle shell, and respectfully reported: “Reporting to Master. The Secret Realm turmoil has largely subsided. The remnants of the Heavenly Demon Cult, after suffering heavy losses, have dispersed and gone into hiding. The Three Kingdoms Alliance and the Righteous Path Alliance are still secretly searching, but the intensity has decreased. Our Qianjiao Cliff has maintained silence, and the territory is safe. News from the Nine Dragons Chamber of Commerce indicates that due to the previous turmoil, the prices of low-grade Cultivation Materials have fluctuated, but the high-end market has not been significantly affected, and our products are still selling well.”

“Hmm.” Gao De pondered for a moment. “Continue to maintain silence and strengthen the territory’s concealment and defense. The external turmoil is irrelevant to us in the short term. The Nine Dragons Chamber of Commerce channel can be moderately utilized, but caution is needed to avoid attracting unnecessary attention.”

“Yes!” The three demons responded in unison.

“This King has made some progress recently and needs to stabilize. All matters of the territory will still be managed by Turtle Three Thousand, assisted by Green Edge and Iron Pincer. Do not disturb me unless it is a major issue,” Gao De instructed.

“We obey Master’s command!” The three demons acknowledged, then respectfully withdrew.

Gao De closed his dragon eyes again, immersing his mind in Cultivation and comprehending his new power.

The Dragon Pearl emitted a warm spiritual light, interacting with the Demonic Artifacts within his body, as wisps of pure Dragon Qi and Heaven and Earth Spiritual Qi were absorbed and refined.

Qianjiao Cliff, this lurking Purple Lightning Flood Dragon, after digesting its immense gains, once again receded into deeper tranquility and growth.

His claws were sharper, his scales harder, his Divine Abilities stronger, and his desire and confidence in the path to dragon transformation grew even firmer.

The next time the winds and clouds gather, it will be the moment of his even more dazzling ascent. But for now, there is only the deep sea-like silence and sedimentation.