The Emerald Dragon Thousand Scales Sword soared into the air, and its energy completely blanketed the sky.
The sword energy then plummeted from the sky like a torrential rain and encompa.s.sed everyone beneath. It was a truly awe-inspiring sight.
The streams of sword energy were reflected in Li Luo's eyes, and his expression grew solemn. Even though he was in his dragonoid form, his scales were p.r.i.c.kling with intense pain before he came into contact with his foe’s attack.
He knew that even in this form, he would not be able to withstand Li Qingbai's attack. If he took it head-on, he would surely be gravely injured.
This was the absolute crus.h.i.+ng pressure of having to fight against an upper first-grade Duke.
A Duke that had fused his dual resonances into resonance seals, a whole realm higher than the power of dual resonances that Li Luo possessed. As such, Li Luo knew that the methods he had used to deal with Duke opponents in the past would not work here. If anything, it would only whittle him down. If it were any other Greater Heavenly Resonance Tier cultivator standing here right now, they would definitely have surrendered as soon as they saw the terrifying sword from Li Qingbai. Not even a 90,000 feet Heavenly Resonance Diagram was going to change anything. However, he could not give up here.
This was his first battle since he had joined the Heavenly Dragon’s Five Guardian Armies. The members of the Dragon's Fang Guardians had allowed him to get the Fourth Grand Commander position so easily because of his past achievements in the Twenty Banners.
If he lost pathetically, he would be a disgrace to the Dragon's Fang Guardians. Given that he had contributed significantly back in the World's End River Falling Star Terrace, this probably wouldn’t shake up his position very hard. However, it would still be an ugly mark on his reputation. Most importantly, this battle would decide the fate of Li Hongyou. Although there was a shameless way to avert the disaster temporarily, the method suggested by Li Jingtao earlier, it was something they would only do if there were no other alternatives.
Li Luo gripped the Dragon Elephant Blade tightly with his cold and sharp claws. The Heavenly Resonance Diagram above him shook violently and ravenously absorbed all the worldly natural energy in the surroundings.
Finally, the Heavenly Resonance Diagram turned into a beam of light that landed on Li Luo.
The resonant power within his body surged up. Li Luo formed seals with his free hand, and his resonant power surged, taking the form of a Duke Art.
He swung his blade downwards, and the void in front of him was sliced open.
The loud sound of rus.h.i.+ng water could be heard from the depths of the crack. At the same time, the clear and crisp roar of a dragon rang out in the background.
In the next moment, a stream of pitch-black, ice-cold water gushed out of the crack. A black dragon emerged from the water, as if it was surfing the river across the void.
This was the Underworld River's Black Dragon Banner!
Many Duke spectators raised their eyebrows as soon as they saw this Duke Art. Its power wasn't too impressive. Its only noteworthy point was the glamor of corrosion that they could feel emanating from the black dragon.
This meant that Li Luo had already cultivated this Duke Art to the Grand Perfection Realm.
However, it was ultimately still a Communion-grade Duke Art, so it was a far cry from Li Qingbai's attack. It was likely going to be of minor consequence in this clash.
If Li Luo was thinking of using this Duke Art to counter Li Qingbai's killer move, he must have underestimated the power of an upper first-grade Duke.
As the spectators were doubting his choice, Li Luo hacked down with his sword once again. This time, they could sense a change in the type of resonant power flowing on his blade.
Deafening thunder boomed in the area.
Boom!
A shocking thunderbolt flew out of the tip of his sword. It expanded rapidly and transformed into a thunder cloud. A silver dragon could be seen inside then, and it sucked in copious amounts of thunderbolts.
Both the black and silver dragons circled above Li Luo, their defiant roars announcing their existence to the world.
All the Dukes looked at him in surprise. They could tell that the silver dragon was of the same type as the black dragon.
It seemed like both Duke Arts came from the same origin.
Before they could recover from the surprise, there was another shock. Li Luo was not stopping just yet!
He took a deep breath. The Underworld River's Black Dragon Banner and the Heavenly Judgment's Silver Dragon Banner fused, forming an upper Soul Ascension-grade Duke Art that was close to perfection. However, this wasn't enough.
His sword began to tremble. In the next instant, burning flames of resonant power surrounded his blade.
These flames appeared a little translucent, giving off mysterious undulations of energy.
He was utilizing the Acquired Resonance Flame.
Li Luo was trying to borrow the fire resonance element of it to use his third Duke Art.
The Purgatory's Crimson Dragon Banner!
Clearly, this was his goal all along. It was a complete Destiny-grade Duke Art, the Three Dragons’ Heavenly Banner Canon!
Only such a Duke Art would be able to allow him, a Greater Heavenly Resonance Tier cultivator, to fight back against an upper first-grade Duke!
Li Luo could feel his resonant power reserves deplete at an astonis.h.i.+ng rate. However, his face remained unfazed. His sword shook and he slashed down. The flames that had imbued it exploded outwards in an instant.
He had put in untold amounts of effort to cultivate this Duke Art, especially since he arrived at the Dragon's Fang Guardians. With guidance from Jiang Qing'e, he had made tremendous progress.
Roar!
Yet another roar reverberated in the air, and a crimson dragon soared out of the rift he had created. The three dragons circulated above Li Luo's head. A wild tempest blew against his long, gray-white hair.
Li Luo looked at the three dragon manifestations with eyes full of excitement. He recalled the enthusiasm he had when he first came across the Underworld River's Black Dragon Banner in the Astral Sage College. It had always been one of his dreams to use all three dragons.
After so many years, it had finally come true.
Li Luo put both of his hands together, and the hand seals changed. The three dragons above him transformed into three beams of light and merged together, turning into a humongous vortex of energy. Bang!
The entire firmament began to shake as soon as the vortex materialized. Boundless amounts of worldly natural energy gathered with it as the nexus.
The faces of many Dukes in the spectator seats changed when they saw this.
The 95,000 feet Heavenly Resonance Diagram above Li Luo also transformed into a beam of immense energy, shooting straight into the vortex. After a few moments, the energy vortex shrank rapidly.
In the end, only one thing was left in everyone's sight.
It was a banner that was thousands of feet tall. It appeared ancient with the figures of three dragons engraved onto it. The dragons looked as though they were alive as they swam around the banner in a circular motion just like a swirling vortex.
Everyone could feel a chill run up their spines. The void shook yet again.
Li Luo flew into the air above, stretching out his hand and grabbing the ancient banner. As soon as he came into contact with it, he could feel its t.i.tanic weight, causing his arm to tremble despite his augmented physical strength.
Even in his dragonoid form, it was extremely taxing for him to utilize this.
However, Li Luo's eyes were full of antic.i.p.ation.
The banner with all three dragon manifestations was the true form of this Destiny-grade Duke Art.
Li Luo summoned up all his energy to wave the ancient banner in the air. As the emerald sword flew towards him, he struck down against it directly.
All the resonant power in his body instantly vanished as though a whale had swallowed it up.
Both his arms tore apart with fresh wounds that leaked down his dragon scales.
Yet Li Luo's eyes were as bright as ever.
Three dragons had gathered to take the form of...
The Three Dragons’ Heavenly Banner Canon.
This was the Dance of the Dragon.
This was...
Three Divine Dragons’ Demon Smiting Light!