Chapter 461: Chapter 27: Black Sky Winged Dragon
Even the experienced Feng Buhui and Chi Xi felt a tremor of fear witnessing the miserable death of the mercenaries along with their sky camels.
Only Yue Jinghua and Shalman appeared to understand what had happened.
They had seen similar occurrences in Fengdan County.
The foundation stones of the Dragon Bone Great Wall, crafted by Yue Jinghua from Jiao Long bones, possessed a similar intimidating effect on Dark Beasts.
It was Dragon Power, an intangible authority theoretically found only in the Jiao Long Clan of Dark Beasts or in Holy Beasts.
The structure in the sky took the form of a six-clawed dragon.
Its body stretched for several miles, lying across the cloud layers, and from a distance, it seemed like a giant winged dragon soaring in the sky.
The dragon, revered among Dark Beasts, and even though the sacred giant dragons of Canglong Continent had long been extinct, the fear Dark Beasts held for the Dragon Clan had been deeply ingrained in their marrow. Upon sighting a dragon, they would instinctively prostrate, and the mere sight would shatter their beastly courage.
Nobody knew by what means the Dragon Slayer Hero Mo Kang managed to construct such a miraculously impressive Dragon Palace in the sky, which even began to manifest Dragon Power, causing tremors of fear among the Dark Beasts.
Yue Jinghua was certain that not just the earlier sky camel, but any Middle Level or even High-level Dark Beast Air Riders would fall to the ground just like the sky camel if they got too close to the suspending Dragon Palace.
To resist the oppressive power emanating from the Dragon Palace in the sky, the rider would need to be at least of Eighth Rank or above.
But where could one find an Eighth Rank or higher Sky Rider at a moment’s notice?
As the mercenaries hesitated to move forward, the Divine Court and the Imperial Military Department also stayed their hand.
Lady Qingyan, who had already receded into quiet observation, cast a glance towards Luo Lin. After catching the hint, Luo Lin stepped forward and announced loudly: "The treasure inside the Dragon Palace in the sky concerns the glory of Five Saints Town, and the Five Saints Branch has decided to issue a unique open-ended task for this expedition. Anyone who successfully ascends the Dragon Palace will be able to exchange for a Pearl-level Task. The more treasures brought back from the Dragon Palace, the more Mercenary Points will be awarded."
As soon as Luo Lin finished speaking, the already subdued enthusiasm among the mercenaries ignited once more, as if oil was poured onto a fire and set ablaze.
Open-ended tasks are not common in the Mercenary World.
They are usually reserved for certain special periods and especially complex tasks, meant to motivate mercenaries through a particular type of exceptional task model.
According to Luo Lin, if a fortunate mercenary ultimately obtains the Ancient Hero Treasure, they might receive a reward of points akin to completing an Unrivaled Task.
This is a considerable temptation for both individuals and Mercenary Groups.
No sooner had Luo Lin made the announcement than several figures stepped out from the Mercenary Branch.
Led by Luo Rui, several Five-star Mercenaries each executed the Sky Ascending Technique.
The Sky Ascending Technique is a special Dark Skill, available only to those who have reached Dark Heavenly status and have amassed Dark Power in their arms or legs. Using the force from their arms or legs, they can soar into the sky.
The group was seen either stomping their feet or punching the ground, with figures shooting up like bullets, gathering a breath of Dark Energy in their chests, shooting like an arrow toward the Dragon Palace in the sky.
Luo Rui was among them and, after briefly adjusting his breathing in mid-air, successfully reached the Dragon Palace first with a single bound.
Three Five-star Mercenaries and several Four-star Mercenaries who had just entered the Dark Heavenly realm vanished in a flash at the entrance of the Dragon Palace after setting foot on it.
The mercenaries below watched enviously, helpless for the fact that they weren’t Dark Heavenly Masters.
Yue Jinghua was curious. If being a Dark Heavenly was enough to use the Sky Ascending Technique, why top figures like the Core Judgement Officers of the Divine Court and Jin Nuo did not take action themselves directly.
Feng Buhui shook his head and said, "The Sky Ascending Technique might reach the Dragon Palace, but using it even once consumes a great deal of Dark Power. If there are no ambushes inside the Dragon Palace, that’s fine, but if there are, one might suffer a significant disadvantage right upon entering the Palace."
It seems that the Divine Court also took this into consideration, which is why they did not directly use the Sky Ascending Technique.
At this moment, the previously inactive Divine Court finally made a move.
A middle-aged man in his fifties stepped forward from among the dozen or so Core Judgement Officers.
The man took out the Vermilion Beast Blood and chanted an incantation; in a short while, he drew a small Transmission Array right where he stood.
"A Transmission Array," Yue Jinghua couldn’t help but curse under her breath, how could she have forgotten that one could also use a Transmission Array.
With the Array at hand, one could ascend to heavens or descend to earth, simply invincible.
This time, knowing that the Divine Court would also partake in the adventure, Yue Jinghua decided not to bring Qian Luo along.
Once the Transmission Array was properly set up, the Array Master chanted the spell, and a column of light connecting the ground and sky appeared.
The size of the light column was just right to accommodate dozens of people passing through.
The people from the Divine Court entered the column one after another and soon disappeared within the light.
Zong Shaoqing was the last to walk in, and before departing, he gave Brother Jin Nuo a slight nod.
Jin Nuo, ever so suave, nodded back courteously and said, "Safe journey, Divine Son."
Upon receiving the inspiration of the Divine Court’s array, the mercenaries had an epiphany; while Dark Beast Air Riders of High-level Dark Power were difficult to find, Array Masters were relatively easier. In a moment, many began to search for Array Masters all around.
Watching the people from the Divine Court disappear without a trace.
Yue Jinghua was also growing impatient, wondering whether she should immediately call for Qian Luo.
"Everyone who should have gone up has gone, and now it’s our turn," Jin Nuo suddenly broke the silence.
"Brother Jin Nuo, don’t tell me we have an Array Master in our team?" Yue Jinghua asked curiously, glancing at the group of Imperial Soldiers.
"No need for an Array Master, we can get up there all the same," Jin Nuo grinned revealing his squarish jaw typical of a soldier’s bearing, which usually seemed stern, but now his toothy smile with tiny canines looked somewhat comical.
"Get up there?!" Yue Jinghua was still puzzled.
Suddenly she heard Jin Nuo emit a series of fine screams, and she saw the dragon-shaped carvings on his Black Armor chestplate light up.
In the sky, a thundering sound akin to beastly moos and roars rumbled overhead.
A strong wind slammed against the faces of the onlookers, and in the eastern sky, a black dot was rapidly approaching.
From afar, the black dot seemed like a small mountain, moving at a swift pace, occasionally emitting deafening cries.
As the black dot closed in, everyone fixed their gaze and gasped in unison.
That was no mere black dot; it was a round-headed and chubby black Flying Winged Dragon.
The black Flying Winged Dragon, upon nearing, did not land immediately but hovered in the air, curiously inspecting the enormous object in the sky as if to determine whether the Dragon Palace was of its kind.
"Qiao Heiniu, it’s your time to shine," no sooner had Jin Nuo spoken than the Black Dragon dived at high speed and landed.