Chapter 282: The Eighth Trial—The Power of Destruction

Chapter 282: Chapter 282: The Eighth Trial—The Power of Destruction

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Jiang Bai’s body trembled slightly.

The Divinity of Creation?

Wasn’t that the Dragon God’s primordial power? How could this be...

The voice continued: "Dragon God’s Trial: The Eighth Trial—Initiated. Task: Comprehend the Power of Destruction. Completion Reward: 10% increase in Divine Seat Affinity; 50,000-year increase to the age of all Soul Rings."

Jiang Bai took a deep breath, suppressing the shock surging within him.

The Eighth Trial: The Power of Destruction!

The force diametrically opposed to the Power of Creation.

He nodded, committing the details of the trial to memory.

Then, he froze.

A stream of silvery-white primordial power materialized out of thin air directly before him.

The light was soft and pure, radiating an aura of immense vastness and mystery. It hovered before Jiang Bai, rotating slowly like a miniature star.

Before Jiang Bai could even react, the silvery-white primordial power transformed into a streak of flowing light and merged into the center of his forehead.

A warm, surging force erupted within his body.

That power was gentle and warm, yet it harbored an unimaginable vastness. It surged through his meridians, into his dantian, and into every single cell of his being. His soul power began to skyrocket!

"Rumble—!!!"

Rank 99!

A Peerless Douluo!

Yet, it felt as though it wasn’t over.

The power within his body continued to grow; his aura continued to ascend. That silvery-white primordial power was merging with the nine-colored energy already within him—reforging his physical body and elevating the very plane of his existence.

A Demigod.

A realm transcending the mortal world. Jiang Bai closed his eyes, sensing the vast power surging within him. He did not know exactly what level his cultivation had reached, for he had no standard of reference or comparison.

But at the very least, it was a realm beyond that of a Demigod.

He opened his eyes.

Those eyes were now even more profound and luminous than before—as if they could pierce through all illusions and see through to the ultimate truths of heaven and earth.

Bi Ji stood to the side, her eyes wide with astonishment.

First, Jiang Bai had created a dragon with his bare hands; then, a silver radiance had appeared, causing his aura to surge and ascend to ever-greater heights.

It all seemed utterly incredible.

While she did not fully understand the silver radiance that followed—though she could accept it as a potential reward from his Divine Trial—

But the act of creating a dragon just moments before?

That was a living, breathing life form!

It was no illusion, nor merely a manifestation of condensed soul power; it was a true, flesh-and-blood creature!

She stepped forward, extended her hand, and gently touched the scales of the massive white-gold dragon.

They felt warm and smooth to the touch—polished like a mirror.

She could feel the blood flowing beneath the scales; she could feel the dragon’s very heartbeat.

It was real.

He had truly created a dragon.

Bi Ji’s lips parted slightly in awe as she exclaimed, "Is this the Power of Creation? It’s absolutely miraculous!"

Jiang Bai smiled faintly and replied, "Mm-hmm. Sister Bi Ji, would you like to give it a try? I can teach you! Haha."

Hearing this, Bi Ji smiled in return, a playful glint flashing in her eyes.

"I never expected our roles to reverse so quickly! Just a year ago, you were the one coming to me for guidance!"

Jiang Bai chuckled sheepishly. "That’s just a case of the student surpassing the master! If you want to learn, Sister, I’ll certainly hold nothing back."

Bi Ji gazed at him, a wave of warmth rising within her heart.

She spoke softly, "Very well, then I’ll give it a try. As long as it doesn’t interfere with your Divine Trial."

Jiang Bai shook his head. "It won’t interfere. How could cultivating alongside you, Sister Bi Ji, ever be considered a hindrance?"

Bi Ji froze for a moment at his words, her cheeks flushing faintly. "You..."

Before she could utter another word, Jiang Bai reached out and gently took her soft, delicate hand in his.

His fingers were long and warm as he gently caressed her palm. The gesture was utterly natural, as if he had performed it a thousand times over.

Bi Ji’s heart skipped a beat.

Jiang Bai looked at her, his voice soft: "Sister Bi Ji, do you know why I was able to reach the threshold of the Power of Creation so quickly?"

Bi Ji thought for a moment: "Because of your talent?"

Jiang Bai shook his head: "Not entirely."

He gazed into her eyes—those emerald depths in which his own reflection shimmered.

"It is because of you."

Bi Ji was slightly taken aback.

Jiang Bai continued: "Because you are by my side. Watching you, sensing the life force radiating from you—that is how I am able to touch upon that... sense of creation."

"Sister Bi Ji, do you know what the Power of Creation truly is? It is the act of bringing life into existence from nothing. And life... is born of love."

Bi Ji’s heart began to pound faster and faster.

Gazing into her green eyes, Jiang Bai spoke with earnest sincerity: "Sister Bi Ji, if I may... I would like to spend the rest of my life taking care of you."

Bi Ji’s body trembled ever so slightly.

A blush rose to her cheeks. The flush spread from her face to the tips of her ears, even staining her neck with a faint shade of pink.

"Jiang Bai... isn’t this a bit too sudden?"

Her voice was barely a whisper—soft as a mosquito’s buzz—carrying a hint of playful reproach mixed with shy embarrassment.

Although she had heard from Li’er that Jiang Bai might be harboring intentions toward her, she never expected him to catch her so completely off guard.

She cast a reproachful glance at Jiang Bai and chided him playfully: "I taught you so much, and helped you complete your Divine Trials... is this how you choose to repay me?"

Jiang Bai grinned sheepishly, and his other hand began to grow a little bold. He gently wrapped his arm around Bi Ji’s slender waist, drawing her closer against his side.

"So... what is your answer, Sister Bi Ji?"

Feeling the touch of his hand upon her waist, Bi Ji’s heart beat like a drum. She could catch the faint, clean scent of Jiang Bai’s body, and feel the warmth radiating from his palm.

She spoke slowly: "I... I am merely worried that you might end up bullying Li’er."

Having said that, she leaned into Jiang Bai’s embrace.

Burying her face against his chest, she dared not look at him. Jiang Bai held Bi Ji with one arm while his other hand gently stroked her beautiful hair. Her long, emerald-green tresses slid through his fingertips—soft and silky to the touch.

Beside them, the platinum-gold giant dragon stood in silence.

It tilted its massive head, fixing its golden draconic eyes upon the two figures locked in an embrace; its gaze was filled with utter bewilderment.

What is going on here?

Why did they suddenly start hugging?

In its confusion, it exhaled a breath through its nostrils, sending plumes of white mist billowing into the air.

Sensing the dragon’s bewilderment, Jiang Bai kept one arm around Bi Ji while waving his free hand toward the platinum-gold beast.

The dragon blinked once, then dissolved into a myriad of shimmering starlight, vanishing into the air.

The Dragon: "..."

...

Meanwhile, on the Douluo Continent...

Deep beneath the Lake of Life within the Star Dou Great Forest.

This was a subterranean chamber situated at the very deepest point of the Lake of Life.

The surrounding space was piled high with "Gold of Life"—ores that radiated a faint, greenish-gold glow, ranking among the most precious treasures on the entire continent.

Wisps of vital life energy drifted forth from the ores, permeating and lingering throughout the entire chamber.

And right in the center of this space, a massive silver dragon—spanning a thousand zhang in length—lay motionless upon the ground.

The Silver Dragon King.

Her form was colossal and majestic; her silvery-white scales shimmered with a faint, ethereal glow under the radiance of the surrounding Gold of Life.

Her draconic wings were folded neatly against her flanks, her tail coiled behind her, and her head hung low—her eyes closed, as if she were deep in slumber.

But at this moment, she suddenly opened her eyes.

Her violet draconic pupils were wide with shock—filled with utter disbelief and astonishment.

What is happening?

My power...

She could feel it.

A sensation of being drained—of something being forcibly extracted—surged from deep within her body.

It felt as though a part of her very essence was being stripped away, siphoned off. She began to thrash and struggle, clawing desperately in a futile attempt to seize hold of the power that was slipping away.

But it was to no avail.

Moments later, the Silver Dragon King’s body felt utterly hollowed out; she was left feeling incredibly weak and feeble.

She lay sprawled upon the ground, gasping for breath, her draconic eyes filled with nothing but bewilderment and confusion. Not only that, but she also sensed that nearly ninety percent of her primordial power had vanished.

The Godhead of Creation—split off from the Dragon God—had also, inexplicably...

It vanished.

That was her very essence—her foundation.

And now, it was gone.

In this moment, the formidable aura that had once radiated from her was no more. Her massive dragon body seemed reduced to nothing more than an empty shell—imposing in appearance, yet utterly hollow within.

Her scales had lost their luster; her dragon wings drooped limply; her tail ceased its rhythmic swaying.

The Silver Dragon King lay sprawled helplessly upon the ground, a flicker of bewilderment clouding her eyes.

How could her power have vanished so abruptly?

Could it be... Shura?

She mused silently to herself.

She closed her eyes, a surge of complex emotions rising within her heart.

...

Sea God Island—The Courtyard.

Bi Ji lifted her head from Jiang Bai’s embrace, gazing up at his handsome, refined features with eyes brimming with tenderness.

"Jiang Bai... have you truly made up your mind?"

Jiang Bai nodded. "I have."

Bi Ji asked softly, "Then... how do you intend to tell Li’er?"

Jiang Bai thought for a moment. "I’ll just tell her directly."

Bi Ji blinked in surprise. "Tell her directly?"

Jiang Bai smiled gently. "Yes, directly. Li’er isn’t the sort of person to be petty or narrow-minded. She will understand."

Bi Ji fell silent for a brief moment, then nodded.

"Very well. I’ll do as you say."

Jiang Bai lowered his head and planted a gentle kiss upon her forehead.

"Thank you, Sister Bi Ji."

Bi Ji closed her eyes, savoring the warm sensation upon her brow as the corners of her lips curved upward ever so slightly.