Coiling Dragon

by welyjesch

  “Of course. It was just a sparring match.” Linley said casually.

  “Master Linley, you have already mastered the level of using the force of the heavens and the earth. My master once said that in order to reach the Saint-level, one must master this level. I am too far off from your level, Master Linley.” Lancy knew his own limits.

  When sparring against his master, he had previously experienced this sensation of the space around him having been frozen and locked.

  Emperor Johann’s eyes narrowed.

  The Empire’s intelligence regarding the Dragonblood Warriors was quite detailed. If a person were able to reach the ninth rank in human form, then after Dragonforming, that person would definitely be at the Saint-level of power. And if they were able to reach the Saint-level in human form, then in Dragonform, they would definitely be invincible amongst Saint-levels.

  “The Saint-level…”

  Linley’s status in Johann’s mind was continuing to rise.

  “Haha…master Linley, you truly are the most incredible genius that We have ever seen. Even Olivier cannot come close to competing with you.” Johann laughed loudly.

  As a warrior, Olivier perhaps was on par with Linley.

  But as a magus? Who could compete with him, the greatest genius in all of history?

  As a stone sculptor? Linley had been acclaimed as a grandmaster sculptor at the age of sixteen. Every aficionado of stone sculptures was filled with worship towards him.

  It was very hard to reach the peak of any field. For someone to reach the peak of three fields…only the word ‘genius’ could be used to describe him.

  “Your Imperial Majesty.” Linley didn’t want to waste any time with Johann. “I just recently arrived at the imperial capital. There are many things I don’t understand too well regarding the affairs of the Empire. But I understand that my younger brother Wharton truly likes the Seventh Princess, Nina. In my capacity as the clan leader of the Baruch clan, I would like to ask you, your Imperial Majesty. Would you be willing to allow Nina to marry into my Baruch clan?”

  With Hogg’s death, Linley had become the leader of the Baruch clan.

  But this so-called clan only had two members to it.

  “This…” Johann was put in a very difficult situation by Linley’s sudden ambush.

  Linley was indeed a genius, and Johann’s heart had been moved.

  There were quite a few Saint-level warriors in the O’Brien Empire. The War God’s College alone had several. But Saint-level Grand Magi could be counted on one hand. And perhaps only a single one of them would obey the commands of the imperial clan.

  Perhaps in one-on-one combat, Saint-level Grand Magi were not exceptionally powerful.

  But in times of war, Saint-level Grand Magi were incredibly dangerous.

  Just think about it. If a Saint-level Grand Magus were to directly cast a destructive forbidden-level spell over your capital, how much damage would be caused? The million man army that you painstakingly built up might be destroyed in an instant by a single forbidden-level spell such as the ‘Annihilating Tempest’.

  A dual-element Arch Magus of the ninth rank at age twenty seven.

  If someone were to tell Johann that a genius such as this wouldn’t be able to reach the Saint-level and become a Grand Magus, Johann most likely would curse out that person as being mentally retarded.

  “Human talent.”

  The allure of a Saint-level Grand Magus was much higher than that of a Saint-level warrior.

  “Master Linley, please permit Us some time to consider it.” Emperor Johann’s attitude was incredibly friendly.

  “Then I and my younger brother will respectfully await your Imperial Majesty’s decision.” Linley said with a calm laugh. “Then, your Imperial Majesty, I bid you farewell.”

  “Master Linley, why not enjoy a dinner with Us instead?” Emperor Johann hurriedly said.

  “Thank you, your Imperial Majesty, for your kind offer. But I have other affairs to attend to.” Linley said with a smile. A hint of disappointment was on Johann’s face, but he didn’t try to press the issue. Smiling, he said, “Next time, then.”

  Linley and Wharton walked out of the inner palace. Wharton was extremely excited. “Big bro, I’ve never seen his Imperial Majesty be so humble before. Even facing Blumer, he had never been so modest.”

  “The O’Brien Empire has many Saint-level warriors, but very few Saint-level Grand Magi.” Linley laughed calmly. “Most likely, he values my talent in magic.”

  A twenty-seven year old dual-element Arch Magus of the ninth rank.

  Anyone who heard these words would be terrified out of their wits.

  Nobody could say for sure how terrifyingly powerful Linley would be in the future.

  “Judging from the look on his Imperial Majesty’s face, most likely he is beginning to seriously consider things. I’ve been in the Empire for quite some time, but I haven’t heard of any Saint-level Grand Magi yet.” Wharton sighed emotionally.

  The O’Brien Empire truly had too few Saint-level Grand Magi.

  “Hrm?” Wharton suddenly saw someone from afar.

  Noticing that Wharton had paused, Linley couldn’t help but ask questioningly, “What are you looking at?”

  “Oh, it’s Wharton. What, did you go to visit his Imperial Majesty?” A cold voice rang out. Linley turned to look as well. At a glance, Linley could tell that this youngster in front of him was no weakling.

  “Blumer, what are you doing over there?” Wharton said coldly.

  Wharton was fairly familiar with the layout of the imperial palace, especially the wing where the Seventh Princess, Nina, resided in. The direction Blumer was headed towards was precisely the direction where Nina’s residence was.

  Blumer laughed calmly. “What? Aren’t I allowed to visit Princess Nina?”

  “Visit Princess Nina?” Wharton suddenly grew calm. “Blumer, I’ll wager that you haven’t been even allowed inside the main entrance.”

  This indeed was the case.

  Blumer had went to visit Nina, but Nina had shut the gate in his face, refusing to see him at all.

  Blumer’s heart had been filled with anger at this. All his life, aside from his older brother whom he worshipped, he had never lowered himself in front of anyone. After becoming the personal disciple of the War God, he had become all the more self-confident.

  “No. I haven’t been able to get in.”

  Wharton laughed calmly. “Blumer, did you think that because you are the personal disciple of the War God, you would definitely be able to marry Nina? Dream on! Big bro, let’s go.”

  Linley shook his head with a calm smile, then turned and left alongside Wharton as well.

  “Hold it!” Blumer suddenly shouted.

  “Oh?” Wharton turned his head to look at him. “Might I ask, oh mighty personal disciple of the War God, what else do you want?”

  Blumer stared coldly at him. “Wharton, I hear you are of the Dragonblood Warrior clan, and that you are quite powerful after you transform. But I don’t believe it. Today, I formally challenge you to a duel. Do you dare accept?”

  Linley couldn’t help but narrow his eyes.

  Wharton was briefly startled, and then he laughed loudly. “What do I have to fear?”

  “A month from now, at the imperial capital’s Colosseum. I’ll invite his Imperial Majesty as well as my fellow apprentices from the War God’s College to officiate. If you don’t have the guts to participate, you can give up.” Blumer said coldly.

  And then Blumer paid no more attention to Wharton, immediately walking away.

  Book 9, His Fame Shakes the World – Chapter 4, The Blade Named ‘Slaughterer’

  Linley turned his head to glance at his younger brother. Smiling, he said, “Wharton, this Blumer knows how powerful you are, and yet still challenges you. It seems he is quite confident.”

  Wharton said confidently, “Don’t worry, big bro. Since when have we Dragonblood Warriors feared anyone at the s
ame rank?”

  “That’s exactly the sort of confidence you should have.”

  Linley glanced at Blumer’s disappearing back. “I noticed the sword this Blumer fellow was carrying. It seems rather special.”

  “Right. Blumer’s sword is extremely fast. When he participated in the competition to become an honorary disciple, he became famous for his fast sword speed. But fast swords are usually not very powerful. He might be able to overcome ordinary opponents of the ninth rank, but given my defensive power, even if he lands a hit on me, he most likely wouldn’t be able to break my defense.” Wharton was extremely confident. “If the honorary disciple tournament had consisted of a winner-take-all tournament, the victor most likely wouldn’t have been him.”

  Smiling, Linley patted Wharton on his shoulder. “Enough. Honorary disciple of the War God’s College? Pfft. Let’s go. Time to go home.”

  As the scions of the Dragonblood Warrior clan, Linley and Wharton both possessed a sort of pride.

  Blumer quickly informed Emperor Johann of the duel, and Emperor Johan immediately sent someone to ask Wharton if this was the case. After knowing that this was indeed the case, Johann immediately issued the order to have his subordinates prepare the Colosseum for this duel between two geniuses.

  All of the citizens of the imperial capital became excited after hearing of this impending duel.

  One was the personal disciple of the War God, the ninth ranked warrior, Blumer.

  The other was a scion of the Dragonblood Warrior clan, the genius of the O’Brien Academy, Wharton!

  Most importantly…

  Both of these geniuses were wooing the Imperial Seventh Princess. Given the common folk’s natural propensity to engage in gossip, many people began to say that these two geniuses were battling for the sake of the Seventh Princess. All sorts of rumors regarding Wharton, Blumer, and Nina began to fill the streets and alleyways of the imperial capital.

  East Channe. Count Wharton’s manor, on Boulder Street. Within the training grounds.

  Linley and Wharton were each standing on opposite sides of the training ground. Housekeeper Hiri, Hillman, Barker, and the others were watching from far away.

  The duel on February 4th was one which Wharton had to win.

  Linley stared directly at Wharton. “Wharton, since Blumer is famous for his fast sword attacks, I will compete with you using fast sword attacks. Don’t hesitate in the slightest. Use your full strength in battling me.”

  “Yes, big brother.” His upper body bare, Wharton immediately initiated his transformation.

  Azure draconic scales began to cover Wharton’s entire body, and his arms and legs began to be covered in scales as well, as his nails also began to lengthen and sharpen. A draconic tail sprouted out from behind him, and a single draconic horn emerged from his forehead.

  His eyes were still black, despite an occasional golden light flashing through them.

  “This is the true, authentic Dragonblood Warrior form of our clan.” Seeing his little brother’s transformation, Linley felt quite moved. He immediately said loudly, “Wharton, attack me at full strength. Quickly!”

  “Understood.”

  Wharton’s eyes lit up, and he forcefully leapt from the ground, causing the earth where he had been standing to tremble. Wharton transformed into a blur as he charged towards Linley, his hands tightly grasped around the warblade Slaughterer, covered as always with countless bloodstains.

  “Wielding something light as though it were heavy!” The Bloodviolet Godsword in Linley’s hands, carrying a titanic, heavy force, flew up at a seemingly slow speed towards the Slaughterer. It actually managed to block the Slaughterer in an extremely strange way.

  “Bang!” The two forces collided.

  Linley felt as though he had been slammed into by a giant meteor, as the astonishing force from that blow was transmitted to him through the Bloodviolet Godsword.

  “He really is ridiculously strong. An ordinary blow from him is actually on par with me in human form using ‘wielding something light as though it were heavy’.” Linley couldn’t help but sigh in praise. Dragonblood Warriors truly did have an astonishingly powerful level of strength.

  Twisting like a tornado, Linley easily dodged past Wharton.

  “Swish!”

  Nine flashes of violet light appeared. This was just the ordinary attack speed of the Bloodviolet Godsword. As far as Linley was concerned, even if Blumer’s sword was very fast, he probably should only be able to reach this level of speed at best.

  Tapping the ground with the point of his foot, Wharton quickly leapt backwards with a dodge while also using the warblade ‘Slaughterer’ in his hands to block Linley’s attack.

  But although he was able to block six of the attacks, the other three attacks from Linley landed on Wharton’s body. These attacks were simply ordinary attacks by Linley in his human form.

  “Clang!” “Clang!” “Clang!”

  Three metallic ringing sounds could be heard, as three faint white lines appeared on Wharton’s azure blue scales.

  “Haha…Wharton, it looks like if I don’t use a bit of power, I won’t be able to hurt you at all.” Linley laughed loudly, but in truth, he was very happy.

  Wharton looked seriously at his big brother. “Big brother, don’t hold back.”

  In his human form, Linley was only an early-stage warrior of the ninth rank.

  But right now, Wharton was already a peak-stage Dragonblood Warrior of the ninth rank. In terms of strength, battle-qi, or defense, he vastly outstripped Linley.

  “Lord, if you keep on holding back, I’m afraid Wharton is going to simply beat you down.” Gates shouted loudly from the side.

  Laughing, Linley shook his head.

  “Wharton, be careful.”

  Linley grew solemn, and then he suddenly began to move at rapid speed. The entire training yard seemed to have suddenly been filled with a wild gust of wind as Linley’s body reached a terrifyingly fast speed.

  “Whoosh!” The Bloodviolet Godsword chopped towards Wharton, and seemed to press down against Wharton along with the very space around him.

  Impose!

  Wharton felt an incredible pressure coming towards him, but faced with this dangerous situation, the Dragonblood in his body began to boil. Letting out a deep growl, Wharton exploded forth the Dragonblood battle-qi in his body, allowing this wild strength to be burst forth from his warblade, ‘Slaughterer’…

  “Swoooosh.”

  The locked space was chopped open and the warblade collided directly against Linley’s Bloodviolet Godsword.

  But Linley’s Bloodviolet only trembled slightly, then immediately transformed into six sword-shadows. At such close range, Wharton was totally unable to use his warblade to block it.

  “Haargh!” Wharton clenched his left fist, which suddenly had become covered with azure light, then smashed it against the nearest sword-shadow.

  “Bam!” “Bam!” “Bam!” “Bam!”

  The six sword-shadows once more transformed into a single physical shape as Bloodviolet once more pierced towards Wharton, carrying with a terrifying penetrative aura which made Wharton tremble.

  Wielding something light as though it were heavy! As fast as lightning!

  In the blink of an eye, Linley had stabbed four times at a single spot on Wharton’s body. These repeated stabs pierced through Wharton’s battle-qi and his protective scales, punching into his flesh.

  As soon as he pierced through the scales, however, Linley immediately retracted his sword and flew back.

  Wharton stood there, stupefied, then raised his head to look at Linley. Disbelievingly, he said, “Big bro, how could you be so fast?” He didn’t even have the ability to react. From this, one could imagine in what a short period of time those attacks had occurred. And yet, Linley had sent out four full attacks!

  “You call that fast? If I were to reach my limit, then in a situation like that, I could have sent out another six sword attacks. This was r
elying purely on speed, not relying on any mysteries or deep insights. If I were to utilize the Rippling Wind technique…” A hint of a smile was on Linley’s lips. “In the blink of an eye, I can execute several hundred sword attacks, or even more!”

  Wherever there was wind, his sword could appear.

  The power of the Rippling Wind technique lay in a single word: “Fast”. So fast it seemed like teleportation. But for the speed to reach such a level meant the power of each strike couldn’t be extremely high. But with hundreds of sword blows combined together, the total strength was still astonishingly high.

  “Hundreds of sword attacks?” Wharton was shocked. “But…good thing Blumer’s speed is far inferior to yours, big bro. If he was this fast, I’d rather just admit defeat.”

  “Never hope to rely on luck.” Linley rebuked coldly. “Wharton, are you so sure you know Blumer’s absolute highest speed?”

  “No, I don’t.” Wharton shook his head.

  “Use your most powerful attack against me.” Linley said seriously.

  “Yes, big bro.” Wharton grew solemn as well. “This attack was one I developed based on my understanding of ‘wielding something heavy as though it were light’. The name is ‘Single Stroke Execution’.” Wharton gripped the warblade ‘Slaughterer’ with both hands, and a metallic light flashed atop the warblade’s edges.

  A hint of a smile was on Linley’s face.

  “That’s a rather murderous name.” Linley wielded Bloodviolet in one hand.

  “Whoosh!” Wharton sped up to his maximum speed, appearing before Linley in the blink of an eye. The warblade, Slaughterer, seemed to dance in his hands, as agile as a falling leaf. “Swish!” It chopped towards Linley.

  Although the impression it gave was that it seemed to be moving quite slowly, in the blink of an eye, it arrived in front of Linley. Facing this chop, Linley could actually feel a murderous, bloody aura emanating from it.

  Linley didn’t dare to be the slightest bit careless.

  “Clang!” “Clang!” “Clang!” …..