C7 Azure Dragon Blade

The apparition that materialized on the lake's surface truly startled Lin Xiaoqiang.

It wasn't a human, yet it emitted a ghostly sigh.

The creature was entirely covered in fur.

Despite emerging from the Dead Shallows, its fur appeared completely dry.

It stood twice the height of Lin Xiaoqiang, with hands larger than his head.

Its legs were as thick as Lin Xiaoqiang's waist.

Lin Xiaoqiang was utterly dismayed; this was proving to be quite the challenge.

He felt paralyzed, his calves cramping, a chill running down his spine, and his hair standing on end.

It was somewhat humiliating.

Had he known it would be like this, he never would have taken on the task.

Moreover, inexplicably, the Dead Shallows were devoid of snow, offering no cover, rendering him unable to exert his full power.

Lin Xiaoqiang inwardly cursed the red-clad girl.

At that moment, the girl in red was stealthily giggling beside the Abyssal Lord.

Since her rescue by the Abyssal Lord, she had remained here.

Countless years may have passed, but the one thing she couldn't forget was her vendetta against the village.

Thus, she was determined to keep the bamboo trapped within the cursed Dead Shallows for all eternity...

Lin Xiaoqiang fought the overwhelming impulse to flee, narrowing his eyes at the behemoth before him.

He had the nagging feeling that the girl in the straw hut was watching him, and he couldn't afford to show cowardice.

After all, Zhang Lili had implied she was waiting for him at home, or if not said, it was certainly implied.

Furthermore, as a contender for the title of Ice Lord, he had to exude a regal presence.

"Hey, you're pretty tall, huh?" Lin Xiaoqiang blurted out, unsure of his own words.

Just then, Bamboo, now inhabiting the monster's form, noticed a man standing on the shore, as earthy and unpolished as when he'd first arrived in this land.

Clutching a shovel, the man grinned at him in a dazed manner.

Bamboo had initially wanted to lash out, but considering the rarity of such an opportunity, he decided it was best to avoid trouble. It was safer to be escorted back without incident than to wander as a restless spirit.

Bamboo remained silent, giving Lin Xiaoqiang a disdainful eye roll.

Lin Xiaoqiang caught Bamboo's glare and felt his temper flare.

He fumed internally, "You have the nerve to glare at me? Who gave you the audacity? I ought to gouge out your eyes."

Upon closer inspection, he realized that reaching Bamboo's eyes would be a stretch. However, aiming for his balls seemed feasible; they were perfectly positioned.

Unexpectedly, Lin Xiaoqiang, who had been obsequiously smiling just a moment ago, now bore a fierce expression and lunged at Bamboo.

It was too late for Bamboo to evade.

The shovel struck his two large "eggs," creating a clanging sound.

Despite the monster's fearsome appearance, its eggs were its most vulnerable spot.

Following the clang, the sound of the eggs cracking echoed.

Then, Lin Xiaoqiang, unable to dodge, found his hair drenched in yellowish egg fluid.

A peculiar scent filled his nostrils, and warmth spread through his lower abdomen, as if something was growing inside him.

Damn...

Lin Xiaoqiang couldn't help feeling a bit awkward.

Thank goodness for his padded jacket, or the situation would have been truly humiliating.

He hadn't anticipated that this creature would also possess aphrodisiac properties.

Though the monster was swiftly defeated, it reflexively kicked out, sending Lin Xiaoqiang hurtling through the air.

Lin Xiaoqiang marveled at the power of a god-like perspective and wondered if, as the Ice Lord, he might gain the freedom to soar.

After all, the founders of great sects and their ancestors were often depicted as capable of flight, either through clouds or mists.

As Lin Xiaoqiang plummeted, his chest ached with waves of discomfort and pain.

A salty taste filled his mouth, and he spat out a mouthful of blood.

Simultaneously, the Azure Dragon Blade slipped from his pocket.

The diminutive blade tumbled through the air, glistening with Lin Xiaoqiang's fresh blood.

Suddenly, a shadowy figure emerged on the blade's surface, which he mistook for a small snake.

The beast collapsed, its body convulsing uncontrollably.

With that heavy fall, Bamboo's soul was ejected.

It soared into the sky.

In the instant it encountered the Azure Dragon Blade, something burst forth from within the blade, followed by Bamboo's agonized scream.

After that, a hush fell over the entire household.

As it descended, the Azure Dragon Blade inexplicably elongated.

Lin Xiaoqiang and the blade hit the ground simultaneously, his chest aching so intensely he couldn't rise.

Despite the pain, a smile graced Lin Xiaoqiang's face.

The mission was complete.

The Azure Dragon Blade was plunged into the earth, emitting a humming sound.

For some unknown reason, waves of heat coursed through his body.

The scorching sensation in his abdomen grew increasingly intense.

Unexpectedly, the monster's artifact had a potent virility-boosting effect.

Lin Xiaoqiang could sense his blood racing through his veins.

With its flow, a red halo formed around him.

Glimmering specks emerged from the Dead Shallows, swiftly burrowing into Lin Xiaoqiang's body.

His recent wounds healed rapidly, mended in the blink of an eye by the red substance.

Then, this substance coalesced into a red pearl within him, about the size of a pigeon's egg, and settled motionless in his dantian.

Attempting to stand, Lin Xiaoqiang found the pain had vanished, and his body had miraculously recovered.

It appeared the emanations from the Dead Shallows were pure energy, a fortunate discovery, though their disappearance was a mystery.

Lin Xiaoqiang gestured towards the Dead Shallows, hoping for the red energy to reemerge, but it remained unresponsive.

The once-red waters of the lake had turned white.

Feeling invigorated, Lin Xiaoqiang noticed his muscles had significantly expanded, yet he was puzzled by the absence of any reward and the silence of the system.

He rose to his feet, gripping the Azure Dragon Blade, now resembling a kitchen knife, and found it agreeable to handle.

Regardless, it had the heft of a dagger.

Glancing at the straw hut, Lin Xiaoqiang called out twice but saw no sign of the lady in red.

A twinge of frustration hit him; he was in need of food.

Beauty was inconsequential when it couldn't fill one's belly.

A man ought to aspire for greatness, Lin Xiaoqiang mused.

As he was about to message the lady in red for provisions, a synchronized march of footsteps approached in the distance.

It sounded like the footsteps of a crowd converging.

The very earth trembled under the weight of their march.

Lin Xiaoqiang gazed into the distance, his eyelids fluttering uncontrollably.

A multitude approached, many among them brandishing knives.