Chapter 74: You Are Not Far from Death

He Lingchuan was startled, a wave of lingering fear washing over him. Sun Fuping's scheme had almost completely undone them; if luck hadn't been on their side, next year on this day would have marked the death anniversary of the He family father and son.

However, he wasn't worried about Sun Fuping staging a comeback now. The old man had cast spell after spell and sustained injury after injury; he must be utterly spent.

Situ Han then added, "We're working with the Black Flood Dragon, and we've almost made Nian Songyu furious enough to spit blood."

He Lingchuan looked down and saw that this was indeed the case. The tide of battle below had turned, with the Great Wind Army, in coordination with the Black Flood Dragon, severely suppressing Nian Songyu. From the city walls, the Blackwater City army occasionally fired more ballista bolts to assist.

"Is that still a flood dragon?" He Lingchuan also noticed the Black Flood Dragon's unusual transformation. "Isn't that a true dragon?"

When he last left, though named "Flood Dragon," it had looked more like a large snake with horns. Now, upon seeing it again, it had grown four legs, its sharp head horns had branched into a tree-like shape, and long spinal fins had emerged from its back.

To put it simply, this was a dragon!

Even after arriving in this foreign world, He Lingchuan had never expected to see a true dragon in his lifetime.

It was said to be a creature living in the spiritual mountains and vast marshes, not encountered by anyone for nearly a thousand years.

"How did it transform?"

"The Great Wind Army soldiers infused themselves into its body, a total of thirty thousand," Situ Han scratched his head. "That's how it transformed into this."

After transforming into a dragon, the long creature's body was actually one size smaller than before, appearing more agile.

However, its primary task wasn't to engage in close combat itself. Instead, it chanted spell after spell, applying various divine power buffs to the Great Wind Army and the summoned demon apes besieging Nian Songyu.

It granted allies abilities like being as light as a swallow, possessing immense strength, and having tough skin. A flurry of auras spread across the field, causing individual combat power to surge. Those who could originally fight one opponent could now take on at least three.

And don't forget, their opponent was just one person. As their power soared, his diminished. For Nian Songyu, every second felt like a year.

This audacious maneuver also stunned the living people on the city gate.

Situ Han couldn't help but say, "Is it taking over the Imperial Preceptor's job?"

The Imperial Preceptor's role on the battlefield was precisely this, wasn't it? This type of mass-buffing spell, called "Grace Art," consumed more magic power the more people it covered. Even at the peak of his power as Imperial Preceptor, Sun Fuping would have been exhausted after casting just three or four, and that was only for a thousand-man team.

How could that compare to this Black Dragon, which cast spells as easily as drinking plain water, seemingly with infinite magic power?

From this perspective, looking back at Nian Songyu, He Lingchuan genuinely admired him despite his perilous situation and constant struggle. If it had been He Lingchuan himself facing such an encirclement by the Great Wind Army, he would likely have been trampled into a bloody pulp by their hooves after a single encounter.

Yet, Nian Songyu's high-intensity combat had already lasted for over fifteen minutes. He had truly unleashed every incredible technique imaginable, whether martial arts or divine powers, it was impossible to tell. In any case, the people on the city walls were utterly dazzled.

The ground in the South Gate Plaza had been caved in by nearly a zhang (approximately 3.3 meters), and it was unclear whether one side was responsible or if it was the result of both sides' fierce struggle.

Nian Songyu himself had become a blood-soaked figure, with wounds of all sizes gushing blood, yet he still had to fight fiercely. Previously, he could heal Sun Fuping's injuries with a wave of his hand, but now he couldn't apply that to himself. Clearly, the high-intensity combat had drained his last bit of strength.

The Black Dragon was persuading him, "Your vessel is on the verge of collapse. Why not surrender now and avoid further suffering?"

Nian Songyu backhanded a giant demonic ape, shattering it, and gritted his teeth, "So it was a trap! You always intended to lure our avatars down."

No sooner had he spoken than the Great Wind Army commander surged forward with a single blade and lopped off his left arm!

Blood gushed like a spring. Nian Songyu stumbled back two steps, feeling dizzy and light-headed, only managing to steady himself by leaning on his blade.

He had always fought with two blades. Now, with one arm severed, his combat power had fallen by more than half.

Now he was like a blood-soaked gourd, having lost more than half his blood. Not to mention continuing the fight, even if he lay down for emergency first aid, his life could not be saved.

Nian Songyu's body was ruined. Its gaze swept over the living people on the city wall; none were suitable. These human bodies were too fragile; even if it forcibly possessed one, it would collapse within dozens of breaths, let alone sustain high-intensity combat.

Then, it saw He Lingchuan.

He Lingchuan was even less of a consideration; its gaze didn't linger but fell directly on the Black Dragon. "Don't think your arrangements are flawless. If I hadn't been severely wounded twice upon my arrival, our situations would undoubtedly be reversed!"

The Black Dragon looked down at him condescendingly, "There are no 'ifs' in battle."

"Enough," Nian Songyu dropped his weapons and spread his hands. "I never thought I'd surrender to a mere artifact spirit!"

He surrendered very straightforwardly, sitting down cross-legged as if nothing was wrong, regardless of the blood gushing from him.

This wasn't its original body anyway.

The Black Dragon, however, was extremely cautious. "Don't get any wrong ideas. You can't escape from here, even with wings."

Outside, even a Heavenly God might be able to leave, but this illusion was like a sealed jar. Unless the Black Dragon opened it, no one could get out.

Nian Songyu's face was as pale as death, and in fact, he wasn't far from it. Yet, his expression grew increasingly calm. "You must know what I want to ask. Since I'm about to die, what's the answer?"

The Black Dragon paused for a few seconds. "There is no answer. We are simply carrying out a dying wish: revenge."

Nian Songyu asked, "Do you know who I am?"

"No, and I don't care," the Black Dragon swam closer, lowering its large head. "Do you have any last words?"

"Yes," Nian Songyu suddenly turned to look at the city wall. "He Lingchuan, I'm saying this for the vessel: you're not far from death, he'll be waiting for you. And as for you all—"

He was speaking to the living people: "Only when the Black Dragon dies can you leave. You know that, don't you?"

The spectators were startled.

Mao Tao cried out in alarm, "How could this be? Didn't you say..."

Didn't the Black Dragon promise to let them out of the illusion?

Before he could finish, his eyes suddenly glazed over. He reached out, drew the blade from He Lingchuan's waist, and violently struck the battlements!

This sudden turn of events caught everyone off guard. Before anyone could react, Mao Tao had already chopped three times. Only then did He Lingchuan shout, "Stop!" The soldiers behind Mao Tao rushed forward and firmly pinned his arms.

Only then did everyone realize that Mao Tao had reversed the blade, using the blunt side to chop. Even so, he had carved several gashes into the rammed earth battlements, the deepest exceeding three inches.

He had truly used every ounce of his strength; the web of his hand was injured by the impact. If he were a normal person, he likely wouldn't have been able to hold the blade steady with both hands.

Mao Tao's eyes were bloodshot, and he panted heavily, struggling desperately. Even two or three people couldn't hold him down.

He swung the precious blade with one hand, and others, fearing its sharp edge, dared not step forward to seize it.

On the other side, the Black Dragon opened its massive maw, swallowed Nian Songyu in one gulp, and then chewed ferociously twice.