Ch.21: Serpent Dragon Joint Attack

After two full days of recuperation, Meng Shu finally woke up to the soothing melody of a flute. As he opened his eyes, he found Chao Tianxiang lying beside him, her face bearing traces of exhaustion as she peacefully slept. On the other side of the room, Dugu Xin was softly playing a jade flute. When he noticed Meng Shu's awakening, he ceased playing and offered a gentle smile.

"I'm feeling better," Meng Shu croaked, his voice still weak. He continued, "But I can't remember what happened before. The last thing I recall is our teacher calling us to fight and assess our progress with Yao Chen. Then the memory becomes hazy."

Meng Shu winced, touching his forehead as if trying to ease a headache. "Later memories are sporadic, fragmented. It's mostly a burst of blood-red before my eyes, and the last image I can recall is of Tianxiang."

Listening to Meng Shu's account, Dugu Xin contemplated for a moment before speaking, "Teacher Luo Tian's training method is undoubtedly efficient, but it comes with significant drawbacks. Prolonged exposure to life-and-death combat not only takes a toll on our mental well-being but also engulfs us in a constant state of aggression. It's almost as if we are engulfed by murderous intent every moment."

He glanced at Meng Shu as he spoke. "This poses a risk of losing control, and the best solution is an extended period of rest. However, we are currently in a phase of rapid soul power growth, and time is of the essence with the upcoming competition. Thankfully, your murderous intent has been channeled through us, and it has diminished significantly for now."

Meng Shu's brow furrowed with worry. "But this is not a long-term solution. If it spirals out of control during a match, the consequences could be dire. I don't want to harm someone, especially Tianxiang."

Dugu Xin chuckled at Meng Shu's concern. "Alright, alright, I won't tease you," he said playfully. Meng Shu was about to retort when he suddenly realized something. "Wait a minute, you've also learned Beast Intent like me and Yao Chen. How did you recover so quickly?"

Dugu Xin explained, "During your fight, I noticed some irregularities. I didn't expect your murderous intent to be so deep that it erupted. However, as long as you avoid fighting for a short period, it won't surge again. During this time, you need to find ways to cultivate your body and mind to accelerate the dissipation of the murderous intent. Activities like music, painting, chess, and others can help."

Meng Shu looked puzzled. "Are those really effective? It sounds more like leisurely hobbies."

Dugu Xin clarified, "The idea is to gradually calm our minds while enjoying these activities, thus consuming the murderous intent. Additionally, I can help accelerate the process with my moon scale flute playing. You should be cured before the Continental Advanced Spirit Master Academy Elite Tournament. However, you must refrain from fighting during this period."

Meng Shu hesitated, concerned about his role in the team. "But if I don't practice with you, won't it affect our performance in the competition?"

Dugu Xin smiled mysteriously. "No need to worry. You'll become our secret weapon along me of course, and you won't be idle."

Meng Shu was about to ask more questions when Chao Tianxiang, awakened by their conversation, wrapped her arms around him lovingly. Dugu Xin, seeing the tender moment, decided not to disturb them and quietly left. Over the next two days, Dugu Xin summoned Meng Shu and Chao Tianxiang to the secluded back mountain of Hollow Beast Academy. Both of them looked puzzled as they approached, with Meng Shu questioning, "Xiao Xin, why have you brought us here?"

Chao Tianxiang, still concerned for Meng Shu's condition, added, "And can Meng Shu really not practice during this time?"

Dugu Xin wore a faint smile and replied, "You can't engage in combat, but that doesn't mean you can't cultivate."

Meng Shu remained perplexed. "I've only been cultivating for a month or two. It feels like it won't improve much. Plus, I can cultivate alone. Why gather us here?"

Dugu Xin chuckled, "Don't you two feel a unique connection when you're together? It's like an unspoken understanding."

Meng Shu blushed slightly and stammered, "Isn't that just... love at first sight?" Realizing what he had said, he scratched his head sheepishly and glanced at Chao Tianxiang, who also seemed a bit flustered. Dugu Xin couldn't help but feel a little awkward at this unexpected turn of events. Clearing his throat, he continued, "Your martial souls are both special beast martial souls, staff-type ones. I believe you might be able to create a Martial Soul Fusion Technique."

In his mind, Dugu Xin couldn't help but think, 'You two are the future dragon and snake couple, famed for your Martial Soul Fusion Technique, and recognized worldwide. How could you not have a Martial Soul Fusion Technique?'

Meng Shu and Chao Tianxiang were intrigued and decided to give it a try. They exchanged glances, a sense of determination in their eyes. However, when they attempted to fuse their martial souls, they were shaken apart after a brief moment of contact.

Concerned, Dugu Xin asked, "Did it fail?"

Meng Shu's eyes sparkled with excitement as he replied, "No, I felt a connection. Tianxiang, we might truly be able to create a Martial Soul Fusion Skill!" Chao Tianxiang shared his excitement, and they continued to experiment. Meanwhile, Dugu Xin began playing his moon scale flute to soothe their minds.

..................…

After another month of diligent training and refinement of their newfound martial soul fusion technique, a resounding burst of dragon roars and snake hisses echoed through the back mountain of the Hollow Beast Academy. Meng Shu and Chao Tianxiang, their hands tightly clasped together, watched in awe as the snake blade and dragon staff they held transformed into a magnificent black giant snake and a majestic silver-armored dragon, hovering gracefully around them. The soul rings on both of them began to glow, and their five spirit rings, consisting of yellow, yellow, yellow, yellow, and purple, converged in the air. As their soul power peaked, the heads of the black giant snake and silver-armored dragon collided, resulting in an instantaneous explosion of light.

The black giant snake and wooden-armored dragon dissipated, making way for a formidable presence—a dragon covered in resplendent golden scales adorned with intricate patterns and crowned with two menacing black dragon horns. The dragon roared with power and majesty. Dugu Xin, who had been observing the entire process, muttered to himself in awe, "The Serpent Dragon Joint Assault has finally emerged, bringing forth the Unrivaled Dragon Serpent with it."

Suddenly, a joyful laughter emanated from behind them. Dean Lin Mo emerged from the shadows. Dugu Xin promptly saluted, but Lin Mo waved him off, a gratified smile on his face. "I didn't expect your efforts to yield success. Among the numerous families and martial souls, the development of martial soul fusion techniques is rare. With this, you can gain recognition on a global scale."

He then turned his attention to Dugu Xin. "How is Meng Shu's condition now? Is he fit to fight?"

Dugu Xin replied, "Dean, Old Meng's condition has improved significantly, and he's ready for combat."

Lin Mo appeared surprised. "It seems that your suggested method has been effective."

Dugu Xin couldn't help but ask, "What about Teacher Luo Tian? Will the method work for him?"

A shadow crossed Lin Mo's eyes, and he spoke somberly, "Teacher Luo Tian is a different case. His murderous intent has deeply rooted itself and, coupled with the injuries from his previous failed breakthrough, it won't be easy to dissipate the murderous aura. Moreover, his recent dark injuries... Forget about those matters; they are beyond your concern."

With a forced smile, Lin Mo flexed his muscles, and the eight soul rings beneath him illuminated in yellow, yellow, purple, black, black, black, black, and black. The sharp-horned scale armored beast materialized behind him. In an instant, Lin Mo stood before Meng Shu and the others, wearing a faint smile. "Come, give it your all against me. Let me see how powerful and adept you've become."

The dragon responded with enthusiasm. "Very well Dean Lin Mo."

Lin Mo simply nodded and beckoned to the dragon. The dragon, with a surge of soul power, leaped into the air, raising its massive head high. With a resounding crash, the dragon's head descended like a hammer, aimed directly at Lin Mo. Swiftly, Lin Mo intercepted the attack with a single hand. Despite the initial smile on his face, he suddenly seemed to sense something, and with a quick, forceful motion, he hurled the dragon away.

Dean Lin Mo expressed his satisfaction. "I see now. The dragon showcases might, but the coldness of the snake is concealed within its horns, which carries the venom. Not only that, but even the surrounding flames are toxic."

The dragon, suspended mid-air, took advantage of the momentum provided by Lin Mo's throw and executed a graceful somersault before initiating a powerful tail swipe toward Lin Mo. The dean, who had already materialized his martial soul, responded swiftly, his hands transformed into giant claws with scales densely covering the back. With a casual swipe, he knocked the dragon away, causing it to tumble.

As the dragon attempted to regain its footing, its figure flickered intermittently, but it did not dissipate completely. Lin Mo, displaying his martial prowess, clapped his hands and commended, "Impressive. It didn't dissipate, and its defenses held up well." With that, he activated the first spirit skill under his feet, Qilin Thorn. His hand rose, and countless massive iron thorns materialized in the air. With a wave, they flew toward the dragon. In response, the dragon unleashed a powerful roar, accompanied by a shockwave that shattered the incoming thorns. However, this defensive effort depleted the dragon's remaining soul power. With a final, feeble roar, the dragon dispersed into the air.

Meng Shu and Chao Tianxiang reappeared, half-kneeling on the ground and gasping for breath. Their dragon staff and serpent cane lay beside them. Lin Mo, wearing a satisfied smile, remarked, "Your martial soul fusion technique, both in terms of offense and defense, has already reached the level of a Low-Level Spirit Emperor. Your martial soul compatibility is impressive, surpassing even the Nether White Tiger of the Star Luo Empire."

Then, he remembered something and asked, "By the way, have you decided on a name for your martial soul fusion technique?" Meng Shu and Chao Tianxiang exchanged glances, and then turned to Dugu Xin, who seemed taken aback. Meng Shu grinned and explained, "Chao Tianxiang and I had a discussion before. Since it was thanks to you, Dugu Xin, that we were able to develop our martial soul fusion technique, we wanted you to name it for us."

Pretending to ponder for a moment, Dugu Xin finally spoke, "How about calling it 'Serpent Dragon Joint Assault'?"

Both Meng Shu and Chao Tianxiang nodded in agreement and declared, "Serpent Dragon Joint Assault it is."

Lin Mo, pleased with the name, smiled approvingly. He patted Dugu Xin on the back and said, "Now the fate of the Hollow Beast Academy team is in your hands."

Dugu Xin wore a determined expression. "Rest assured, Dean. We will bring victory back to the Hollow Beast Academy."

Lin Mo, in high spirits, repeated his affirmation three times before adding, "Excellent. Now, go and rest. Your uniforms will be delivered tomorrow. Rest well this month and prepare for the Continental Advanced Spirit Master Academy Elite Tournament."