NOVEL NEXT Chapter 209: Eight Layers of Purity
"Heh heh!"
Chen Xuan let out a cold laugh in his heart, and his eyes towards the golden dragon also turned icy.
So this is what all these deaths were for?
"Beast feasting on human blood!"
Chen Xuan frowned, cursing coldly.
"You're right!" Xia Lingyu turned to look at him, her expression very complicated, as this was not something she wished to happen either.
But...
"Even so, it still must be done!"
As she spoke these words, her eyes first showed helplessness, but the next moment they turned unspeakably resolute.
This left Chen Xuan, who had been paying attention, frowning, his heart filled with doubt.
What exactly is it for?
What could force her, a princess of Great Xia, to do this?
"Also, I need your help!"
Just as Chen Xuan was contemplating the various possibilities, Xia Lingyu unexpectedly said these words.
It truly took him by surprise, but he still asked, "Help you? With what?"
"The golden dragon cannot directly consume these essences. It refines the essences too slowly. Even if I assist it, my strength is insufficient and it's still too slow, so I wish for you to help!"
There's no choice; her strength is only at the Five Layers of Purity.
During this period, even with her full effort to help, the golden dragon had only managed to refine about thirty percent.
At this speed, just refining the essences collected from the last battle would take a very long time.
But—
Her father had sent her a message yesterday, stating that there was less than a year left, while also revealing the true purpose of the grand array, which she finally understood.
Unfortunately, only one person could assist the golden dragon in refining essences at a time, and on the side of Great Xia, there was no one beyond the Five Layers of Purity.
Therefore,
Even if Chen Xuan had not come today, she would have gone to see him.
"What?"
Chen Xuan thought he had heard wrong, asking him to help this beast refine the essences.
Once the essences were fully refined, it would be time for war.
Wouldn't it mean the decision of war or peace between the two nations would be up to him?
"I implore you to help me. My father currently cannot make time, and you, at the Seven Layers of Purity, are far more powerful than I am. No one in Great Xia can match your strength. Only with your help can the golden dragon quickly refine these essences!"
"If you have any conditions, feel free to state them!"
Chen Xuan was speechless. He had originally come to inquire about the battle but didn't expect this situation.
Looking at Xia Lingyu's earnest gaze, he realized that if there really wasn't any other way, with her proud nature, she would never lower herself to beg him.
But—
"No!"
Chen Xuan refused, and the reason was simple—his involvement would hasten the death of soldiers from both nations.
He could ignore the war between the two countries, but doing something like this weighed on his conscience.
"Farewell!"
It was not suitable to stay here any longer; he needed to leave quickly.
"There isn't much time for the Nine Provinces, and I cannot explain to you in detail, but do you truly believe my father and Zhou Zheng are willing to do this?"
Xia Lingyu was truly anxious.
And truly at a loss. If there were someone else to choose, she wouldn't waste her breath on him.
Because from the bottom of her heart, she despised him.
Chen Xuan stopped, turned around, and his eyes flashed blue, using telepathy!
At this moment, Xia Lingyu appeared naked in his eyes.
"Not lying!"
His telepathy could see the truth, so Xia Lingyu seemed genuinely anxious.
Nonetheless, he asked, "What does one year mean? The time of the Demon Race's arrival?"
This was the only connection he could make.
"Yes!"
Xia Lingyu's reply sent a chill down Chen Xuan's spine.
A year!
How could it be so soon!
"So this grand array is to deal with the Demon Race?"
As she had just said, neither emperor wished to do this, but felt forced to. The only explanation was that this grand array was to combat the Demon Race.
Beyond that, he really couldn't think of anything else.
"You are the fourth person to know about this. I hope there won't be a fifth!"
Xia Lingyu knew she couldn't hide it and could only warn him.
If this leaked out, the Nine Provinces would truly descend into chaos. Although ordinary people weren't aware of the Demon Race's existence, many experts and sect members knew a little about it.
More importantly, the war might not even happen.
Then the golden dragon would not be able to grow quickly.
By that time, the Nine Provinces would truly fall into the hands of the Demon Race.
The sudden news sent a strong jolt through Chen Xuan's heart.
"Hoo—"
Chen Xuan exhaled a long breath, forcing himself to calm down.
Although he hadn't yet fully grasped the details, he knew enough of the gist.
In summary, the grand array was to combat the Demon Race, and essences were needed for the grand array, hence the necessity for this war.
"These sacrifices are not in vain; everything is for the future of the Nine Provinces. So I, Xia Lingyu, ask you to lend a hand!" Saying this, she, for the first time, set aside her identity as the Princess of Great Xia and bowed slightly to him.
"I understand! No need to do this, Your Highness!"
Understanding the situation, Chen Xuan's attitude towards Xia Lingyu changed as well.
To personally start a war and watch these people march to their deaths, yet having no choice—one could imagine the immense pressure on her mind.
"I'm afraid those two emperors also feel uneasy in their hearts!"
As rulers of a nation, these people were their subjects, yet now for the future of the Nine Provinces, they were forced to sacrifice them.
The mental burden was unimaginable.
"Thank you!"
...
With Chen Xuan's assistance, the speed of refining the essences skyrocketed, which even Xia Lingyu couldn't help but marvel at his true power.
Half a month later.
The golden dragon had fully refined the essences.
"┗|｀O′|┛Awooo~~"
The golden dragon continuously let out a series of dragon roars, appearing very excited, as its fifty-yard-long body coiled in the sky.
Suddenly,
the dragon swooped down and approached Chen Xuan, its head even nudging his arm.
On the side, Xia Lingyu was stunned to witness this scene.
"How is this possible!"
In Great Xia, those who can be close to the Golden Dragon are only her and her father.
And she, being the only Princess of Great Xia, enjoys the nation's fortune.
After all, it's due to Xia Yi.
But what about Chen Xuan?
The Golden Dragon actually took the initiative to get close to him?
At this moment, Chen Xuan extended a hand and slowly placed it on the dragon's head, feeling an exquisite and smooth sensation, smoother than a baby's skin.
"Is it born from the heavens?"
How can it feel so real, just like it's genuine.
"Actually, the National Spirit is equivalent to a Demon Beast, or rather, an even higher-level Demon Beast!"
At this time, Xia Lingyu spoke.
"Oh?" Chen Xuan looked at her and then asked, "Then where exactly does it come from? Is it truly bestowed by the heavens?"
"No idea!"
Xia Lingyu shook her head, "Perhaps my father knows a bit more!"
The first time she touched the Golden Dragon, she was just like Chen Xuan, she also asked Xia Yi back then, but he merely smiled and didn't speak.
However, perhaps due to her persistent questioning, Xia Yi got somewhat annoyed and told her just to consider it as a Demon Beast.
"Let's go back!"
Chen Xuan patted it again, then spoke to Xia Lingyu, "I need to retreat for a few days; I won't be coming during this time. Just as well, the war can begin."
"Hmm!"
Their moods instantly turned somber.
For them, they wish to quickly refine the essence, allowing the Golden Dragon to rapidly grow, yet refining essence now also signifies the war is about to commence.
Their hearts filled with reluctance.
This kind of internal struggle, whether Chen Xuan or Xia Lingyu, feels like a heavy burden weighing on them, making it hard to breathe.
Especially Chen Xuan, these past days, apart from being at the Chen Mansion, a smile never graced his face.
...
The next day, the long-halted war resumed once more.
This time, regular soldiers and Third-Grade experts were almost all mobilized since the time of the Demon Race's arrival was drawing closer.
Even with Chen Xuan's assistance, refining the essence for the Golden Dragon required an exceedingly lengthy duration.
Thus, the speed of the great formation absorbing essence must be accelerated, a choice made out of helplessness.
At this time, Chen Xuan sat quietly in the side room.
"Do what one can, and leave the rest to fate."
He spoke slowly.
In the next moment, the confusion in his eyes transformed into determination.
No matter what will become of the Nine Provinces, he's done everything he can, as for the outcome, his own abilities are limited, and he can't manage more.
Cultivation!
Before the Demon Race's arrival, any bit of strength gained would be worth it!
"System!"
The next moment, the panel appeared.
[Destiny: Great Zhou (10 (Decline 5)), Great Xia (15)]
"Hmm?"
Chen Xuan slightly furrowed his brow, what's going on?
The destiny of Great Xia increased by 9 points!
"How could it have risen so much without reason?" Chen Xuan murmured in confusion.
But in the next moment he understood.
The only thing he's been doing recently is helping Great Xia's National Spirit refine those essences.
Based on the previous deeds of slaying Demon Beast uprisings, it can be deduced that this action is beneficial to Great Xia, hence rewarding him with destiny points.
The reason why he's given so many might be that the Golden Dragon refining essence is extremely important to Great Xia!
Upon understanding, his gaze fell once again on the panel.
[Cultivation Technique: Nine Elements Dao Skill (Immortal Grade) (Layer Four (69,000/800,000))]
[Skill Points: 756,000]
Actually, the points were sufficient a few days ago.
But for the Golden Dragon's essence refinement, it was stalled for a few days, after all, upgrading the cultivation technique now requires quite a long time.
"Upgrade Nine Elements Dao Skill (Immortal Grade)!"
The next moment, the familiar warmth appeared in his chest, simultaneously the cultivation insights of the Nine Elements Dao Skill flooded his mind.
As Chen Xuan circulated the cultivation technique to absorb this warmth, he also comprehended the cultivation insights of the Nine Elements Dao Skill.
...
Three days later!
Chen Xuan suddenly opened his eyes.
"So this is Eight Layers of Purity?"
Murmuring to himself.
He feels incredibly strong now, the Eight Layers of Purity is at least twice as powerful as the Seventh Layer!
Suppressing the excitement in his heart.
He quickly opened the system.
[Stage: Martial Cultivator: First Grade (Purity (Eight Layers))]
Eight Layers!
But when his gaze fell on the progress bar behind the Nine Elements Dao Skill, it truly pained him.
[Cultivation Technique: Nine Elements Dao Skill (Immortal Grade) (Layer Five (0/1,600,000))]
"1,600,000!"
Even though he had anticipated it, upon seeing the number he was still shaken.
Based on the current daily acquisition of skill points, it would take at least five months.
"Sigh—"
Chen Xuan let out a long sigh.
And this is only the skill points required for the Nine Elements Dao Skill, if he also needs to upgrade the Myriad Manifestation Skill then...
It's terrifying, truly terrifying!
He's already numb!
Uncertain if Yun'Er can quickly reach First Grade, if so then...