Chapter 64: The Mystery of Bloodline

As Lu Yuan slowly approached, the Golden Armored Dragon Turtle's fierce expression intensified, its eyes locking firmly onto him.

In the world of Spirit Beasts, reaching a cultivation level of ten thousand years often led to the development of some level of intelligence. However, for Super Spirit Beasts like the Golden Armored Dragon Turtle, intelligence could be attained as early as a thousand years, which was their privilege.

Due to its lineage of the Golden Dragon Bloodline, the Golden Armored Dragon Turtle possessed a heightened level of intelligence despite its current cultivation of over three thousand five hundred years.

Although it couldn't speak, it could understand some basic things.

It understood that the old man had hunted it down for the purpose of providing a Spirit Ring to the young man standing before it. This knowledge filled the Golden Armored Dragon Turtle with intense resentment towards Lu Yuan.

Undeterred by the turtle's ferocious expression and lingering resentment, Lu Yuan remained composed. Hunting Spirit Beasts was natural for Spirit Masters, and he carried no psychological burden in doing so.

With steady determination, Lu Yuan halted about one meter in front of the Golden Armored Dragon Turtle.

A golden radiance emanated from his body as the Golden Dragon Martial Soul instantly possessed him, projecting a unique aura exclusive to the Golden Dragon.

The draconic aura, powerful and oppressive, swept through the surroundings. It wasn't because Lu Yuan's soul power was exceptionally strong, but rather the inherent prestige of his Martial Soul.

Sensing the overwhelming pressure exuding from Lu Yuan, the previously ferocious and resentful Golden Armored Dragon Turtle quivered abruptly, its figure even stooping slightly. The fierce expression dissipated from its small eyes, replaced by profound joy and trembling.

Unaware of the Golden Armored Dragon Turtle's change in demeanor, Lu Yuan drew the Imperial Dragon Spear from his storage ring. With a swift thrust, he pierced through the turtle's throat, causing a purple Spirit Ring to rise from its body.

The Spirit Ring was exceptionally condensed, emanating a dazzling purple light. Lu Yuan assumed a cross-legged position and waved his hand, causing the purple Spirit Ring to wrap around his head as the abundant and majestic power flowed continuously.

Observing Lu Yuan's absorption of the Spirit Ring, Chrysanthemum Douluo remained vigilant, scanning their surroundings, while Hu Liena stood by his side, acting as his guardian.

The power contained within the Golden Armored Dragon Turtle's Spirit Ring was incredibly potent and domineering. It surged into Lu Yuan's body with such intensity that even with his formidable physique, he struggled to bear it.

Sharp pains reverberated throughout his body, but Lu Yuan understood that they were the result of the violent impact of the energy. Fortunately, his physical strength and resilient meridians enabled him to endure the pressure. Although the force of the energy was formidable, he persisted.

As the pure qi coursed through his body, Lu Yuan's soul power surged incessantly. Having previously absorbed the Prime Demon Ape, he was aware that besides the energy contained within the Spirit Ring, the lingering resentment of a dying Spirit Beast posed an even greater challenge for a Spirit Master.

Yet, fear did not grip him. The Pure Qi Sutra had the ability to purify evil and calm the mind. Therefore, despite the Golden Armored Dragon Turtle's strength surpassing that of the Prime Demon Ape, Lu Yuan was confident in his ability to tame it.

Under Lu Yuan's control, his soul power surged towards the energy emanating from the Golden Armored Dragon Turtle.

Unexpectedly, the assimilation process proceeded with an unusually smooth flow.

It wasn't solely due to the increased power of the Pure Qi Sutra, but Lu Yuan could barely sense any residual resentment within the energy of the Golden Armored Dragon Turtle. In fact, the energy actively synchronized with Lu Yuan's soul power and swiftly assimilated under its influence, leaving him puzzled.

He couldn't comprehend how the intense resentment displayed by the Golden Armored Dragon Turtle before its death suddenly vanished.

This temporary confusion stemmed from the fact that he hadn't seen that once the Golden Armored Dragon Turtle sensed the aura of the Golden Dragon, its resentment dissipated entirely, replaced by an overwhelming sense of joy.

Although the assimilation process proceeded smoothly, Lu Yuan remained vigilant, diligently guarding his mind with heightened awareness.

Mind Palace!

After more than a year of cultivation, Lu Yuan's Mind Palace had considerably expanded.

Deep within the palace, two distinct figures resided. One occupied the central position - a simple and ancient black spear that emanated an aura of unapproachability.

Far from the ancient spear, a majestic golden dragon soared within the expanse of the Mind Palace. This was Lu Yuan's First Martial Soul - the Golden Dragon.

The Mind Palace itself was a realm shrouded in mystery, and although Lu Yuan had no knowledge of how others' Mind Palaces appeared, his own manifested as a vast golden sea. Above the sea, the Golden Dragon danced and flew freely.

The Golden Dragon exuded liveliness and always accompanied Lu Yuan whenever he entered his Mind Palace. On the other hand, the God-slaying Dragon Spear remained aloof, residing in its own secluded world, unmoving.

Since obtaining the God-slaying Dragon Spear, this was Lu Yuan's first visit to his Mind Palace.

As Lu Yuan entered his Mind Palace, he found it empty, with only the resounding roar of the Golden Dragon echoing within.

However, his tranquility was abruptly disrupted by the appearance of another golden figure. Judging by its appearance, it was none other than the Golden Armored Dragon Turtle.

The sight of the Golden Armored Dragon Turtle within his Mind Palace caused a shudder to run through Lu Yuan's mind.

It had indeed intruded into his Mind Palace!

However, he didn't panic, for with the God-slaying Dragon Spear guarding his Mind Palace, it was no longer as vulnerable as before. Intruding into it was essentially a death sentence.

Seemingly fearful of the God-slaying Dragon Spear, the Golden Armored Dragon Turtle avoided it and instead charged directly toward the Golden Dragon.

Lu Yuan prepared to counterattack, but to his surprise, the Golden Armored Dragon Turtle transformed into a golden light and was swiftly swallowed by the Golden Dragon.

'What's happening?' Lu Yuan was left stunned by the Golden Armored Dragon Turtle's actions, unable to react in time.

As the Golden Armored Dragon Turtle was devoured by the Golden Dragon, the dragon's aura visibly increased, and its radiant golden light grew even more dazzling.

Simultaneously, outside of Lu Yuan's body, the absorption of the Spirit Ring reached its final stage. Golden light shimmered as he rapidly circulated the Pure Qi Sutra, completely absorbing the Spirit Ring energy of the Golden Armored Dragon Turtle. The energy was exceptionally rich, and Lu Yuan had a premonition that this time he might once again advance several levels.

Opening his eyes, Lu Yuan's golden pupils exuded majesty. The silhouette of the Golden Dragon flapped its enormous dragon wings behind him, while two Spirit Rings - one yellow and one purple - swayed beneath his feet.

'Rank 24!' Sensing the fluctuations of soul power within his body, a delighted expression appeared on Lu Yuan's face. This time, he had advanced four ranks in a row.

However, doubts still lingered in Lu Yuan's heart. The fusion this time had been met with exceptional cooperation from the Golden Armored Dragon Turtle, rather than resistance. It was a puzzling occurrence. Otherwise, absorbing the Spirit Ring would have been immensely challenging, not as effortless as it seemed now.

Lu Yuan pondered whether the Golden Dragon Martial Soul itself or the transformation brought about by the God-Slaying Dragon Spear played a role in this fusion.

The actions of the Golden Armored Dragon Turtle, closely related to the bloodline of the Golden Dragon itself, undoubtedly had a connection to his Golden Dragon Martial Soul.

But was this fusion of bloodlines part of its innate characteristics?

"Is the absorption complete?" Chrysanthemum Douluo wore a surprised expression as he noticed that Lu Yuan had finished absorbing the Spirit Ring. Hadn't it been too easy?

Hu Liena, too, was surprised but let out a sigh of relief.

Lu Yuan nodded, but before he could speak, his body suddenly trembled. A thick golden light enveloped him, and as the golden light dissipated, a layer of golden armor appeared.