Chapter 278: The Final Touch

The law-space where Xiao Tuantuan resided was a relatively secluded valley. Painting calmly by the mountains and water, the girl was initially very relaxed and joyful. The pen she had acquired seemed to be imbued with powerful law-force, allowing her to draw many top-tier life forms that her spiritual power couldn't previously sustain.

Although they were merely illusory outlines, only capable of mimicking basic life postures and possessing about half of the original entity's actual combat power, even so, this special technique, seemingly conjuring something from nothing, was quite formidable. As long as she had enough spiritual power, Xiao Tuantuan could theoretically keep drawing, meaning her opponents would face an endless stream of enemies!

However, this time, the situation the girl encountered seemed far less optimistic than imagined.

Roar...

In the valley, the previously clear weather became shrouded in dense mist. For some reason, looking up from anywhere in the valley, the void was inexplicably filled with a grayish-white hue. It was as if the world, with the arrival of this inexplicable roar, had lost its original luster and vibrancy, no longer colorful, but a desolate, even suffocating, grayish-white!

Subtly, Xiao Tuantuan felt an immense pressure building around her, beginning to compress towards the center of the valley.

Although the girl's foundation was not very strong, and she was very young with few means of self-preservation, she was incredibly astute at this moment. Guessing she had encountered some unknown danger, she didn't panic immediately. Instead, she gripped her brush tightly and frantically began to draw with this, her only means of protection.

Indeed, she intended to draw the strongest battle-soul she could currently control!

In the lineage of Painters, the stronger the battle-soul, the more time and mental energy it consumed to draw. At this moment, under the crushing, almost annihilating pressure in the surrounding space, Xiao Tuantuan was forcefully drawing her strongest battle-soul. The challenge and pressure she faced were immense. But she understood that she was isolated and helpless at this moment, and her brush was her only hope.

"Oh! That little girl, she's quite something! What kind of oddities are in your team? You have a Phoenix lineage successor, and now there's even a painter with dragon power within her! My heavens, as expected, those on your team, you heaven-defying monster, are no ordinary people!"

Xu Yang chuckled lightly. "Just wait and see, there's even more impressive stuff. However, seeing the girl in this state, I'm a bit hesitant."

The Sword Soul seemed to have long seen through Xu Yang's thoughts. "You feel it too? Under such immense pressure, though this little girl is in danger, it can also maximize the stimulation of her cultivation advancement. At this age, to be able to approach the Divine Infant Realm, and to be a rare painter, that's incredibly difficult."

Xu Yang nodded gravely. "Be ready at any time. If necessary, you can separate from me and act immediately. No matter what kind of power, as long as it threatens this girl's safety, eliminate it directly."

"Of course. Although we haven't reached perfect synchronization yet, we already have a sense of telepathic understanding. My will follows your intention; if you wish to act, I will respond immediately."

The immense pressure continued to intensify, and Xiao Tuantuan seemed to have reached the greatest challenge she had faced since venturing out years ago. Fine beads of sweat began to appear on her forehead. The little one seemed to have mustered immense courage and confidence, and was still drawing furiously, her brushstrokes swift and powerful.

"Woah! What is that little girl drawing? I'm not mistaken, am I?"

Long Kun suddenly widened his eyes because he clearly saw that the outline on Tuantuan's drawing board was none other than a true dragon totem!

Roar!!

At the same time, the inexplicable roar in the space descended once again. And this time, within the grayish-white light and shadow in the void, faint, indistinct, scale-like patterns flickered, but it was impossible to discern what they truly were.

"This aura... why does it feel so familiar?"

The Sword Soul paused for a moment, as if it finally understood something. "Do you still remember what you were standing on, on the summit of White Bone Mountain, before you drew me out?"

Xu Yang's mind suddenly froze. "Could it be the soul of that dragon?"

"The Bone Dragon Soul! Exactly! Although this dragon is not an Ancestral Dragon, its cultivation is close to that of an Ancestral Dragon, and in terms of defense, it is stronger than some Ancestral Dragons. When the previous Sword Master killed this Bone Dragon back then, it also took a considerable amount of effort."

Xu Yang looked puzzled. "Since it had already fallen and was suppressed by you, why would it suddenly appear here? Is it because I drew you out? Were all the soul entities within those white bones released?"

The Sword Soul shook its head. "Impossible. To be precise, your assumption wouldn't directly materialize. Because the ancient souls in White Bone Mountain, suppressed by my power, have all lost the ability to break free from their remnants on their own, and most are likely fragmented souls incapable of posing a threat. However, this Bone Dragon Soul before us can even manifest its own domain, indicating it's a complete soul entity. Even I don't know what's going on."

Xu Yang sighed softly. "It seems my previous conjectures are likely to come true. Something significant must have happened on this battlefield. We must quickly find the source of all evil to explain everything before us."

The Sword Soul chuckled. "Don't forget, it's an old acquaintance of ours. Perhaps we can find some clues from it."

Roar!!

The Bone Dragon's massive soul-head appeared, emerging at the summit of the valley and looking down at Xiao Tuantuan.

"Little girl, it's rare to find a painter so young! Alas, you are about to become nourishment for my soul. I will devour your soul to strengthen my own soul power. This is the only thing I must do."

Xiao Tuantuan raised her small, rosy fists in protest. "Don't even think about it! Do you know? My big brother is very powerful! If he comes to save me in a moment, you'll be in trouble!"

The Bone Dragon looked amused. "Your big brother? What's his name? However strong he is, can he be stronger than me?"

"His name is Xu Yang. He's a true Tribulation Transcending expert. If you offend this young lady, you'll be in for a terrible time!"

"Hahaha! A mere Tribulation Transcending Realm cultivator, what can he do to me? Little girl, prepare to die!"

The Bone Dragon began to release its incredibly domineering grayish-white aura—that was the Bone Domain, exclusive to its Bone Dragon Soul! Within this domain, the bones of living beings would be intensely suppressed by the dragon's power. The bodies of targeted individuals would disintegrate instantly, all their bones involuntarily scattering, even bursting through flesh and flying towards the Bone Dragon.

Just as the opponent launched its attack, Xiao Tuantuan's final, crucial stroke was finally completed.

"Bringing the Dragon to Life!"

Xiao Tuantuan mustered powerful spiritual energy and applied the final stroke. Although completing it was extremely strenuous and she became quite weak, this time, it caused her cultivation realm to break through consecutively under the immense pressure, instantly entering the Divine Infant Realm.

Roar!!