Chapter 652 - 353: Ten Molts Become a Dragon, Dragon Tendons Form!

The unnamed Half-Step Demon Deer might have been powerful in life, but now within Su Mu, it was inadequate.

Earlier, the perception of Qiu Mountain, the Great Elder of the Cyan Fish Gang, was not incorrect. Indeed, Su Mu harbored numerous terrifying forces within him: the Heart of Life, the White Dragon’s presence and power, Fire Sparrow Essence Blood, the nascent Immortal Golden Spots, the Tricolored Glazed Bone, the Jiao Tendons awaiting energy transformation, none of which were places for the essence blood of a fallen Demon Deer to rampage.

With a savage roar, the Demon Deer Essence Blood collided with the powers within Su Mu, only to instantly collapse, its figure shattered and dispersed.

It then transformed into nourishment for the metamorphosing Jiao Tendons, as the twelve major meridians and surrounding tendons greedily tore and devoured the Demon Deer Essence Blood, resuming the stagnant transformation.

The outermost layer of the Jiao Tendons developed cracks, peeling away slowly like a snake shedding its skin, only to be instantly crushed and absorbed by the energy within, utilized by the Jiao Tendons.

The useless impurities were incinerated by Su Mu’s body, which acted as a furnace, while the parts unable to be completely burned slowly seeped out from his skin with his breath.

The first shedding concluded, and by externally it was dusk turned to deep night, nearly three hours had passed.

However, this process did not halt at the first shedding.

After completing one shedding, the meridians viciously swallowed a large mouthful of Demon Deer Essence Blood, accumulating energy for the second shedding, growing and rebirthing with each shedding.

After each shedding, some subtle mutation began to appear on the meridians, with unknown patterns surfacing, fragmentary yet exuding an ancient, primal, and powerful aura.

"The origin of inscriptions is varied and unverifiable, but there are two main theories: one is the mysterious marks of heaven and earth, such as the rings of growth in trees, which increase with each year. The earliest blacksmiths observed and emulated the patterns of ancient woods, mountains, and iron ores, accidentally discovering symbols containing magical powers, which became inscriptions."

"Another theory believes that inscriptions actually originated from ancient demon beasts, who were naturally on the Martial Path, with bodies far stronger than humans. Ordinary martial artists of the same rank could only end up dead when facing demon beasts..."

In his state of introspection, Su Mu was shaken by this scene; this pattern was undeniably seen for the first time but grew increasingly familiar.

"I have indeed birthed... an inscription within my body?!"

With a sudden realization, Su Mu recalled the teachings of Master Zhao Ju, one of the three masters, about inscriptions ringing in his ears.

Inscriptions, marks of heaven’s mysteries, or ancient patterns contained within the blood and tendons of ancient demon beasts, natural martial artists.

And now, Su Mu truly witnessed signs of such existence on his meridians, realizing they vaguely aligned with the inscription’s origin as explained by Master Zhao Ju.

Ancient legends once again reflected in reality, although Master Zhao Ju was not entirely certain of his statements, as this information was passed down from the previous master of the Forging Workshop, and he had not personally witnessed them.

But now, as a disciple of Zhao Ju, Su Mu personally witnessed these occurrences, proving that inscriptions could indeed be born from flesh and blood, and to Su Mu’s perspective, the intermittent patterns born within him exuded an indescribable ancient charm.

It seemed some invisible shackles prevented Su Mu from vocalizing them.

Similar situations had only occurred on the Relic Tower of the Vajra Temple and the White Flood Dragon Ancient Sword owned by Li Heng, which had birthed sword spirit inscriptions.

"Wow, kid, you’ve made it this far in the Sixth Grade Realm, achieving the Glazed Bone with the Fifth Bone Forging. According to your situation, the Fifth Yijin Dragon Tendons might possibly undergo ten metamorphoses..."

"It’s a pity the starting point was only a Tricolored Glazed Bone, yet your concurrent transformation is too reckless... However, reaching this level at your age and realm is commendable. The world has indeed changed compared to the empire of Qin thousands of years ago..."

The Fish-shaped Jade Pendant on the chest subtly trembled, awakening the slumbering Sun Family Ancestor from the external disturbances of Su Mu’s breakthrough, his tone filled with amazement.

Truthfully, the Sun Family Ancestor had long observed Su Mu’s aspiration to achieve Fifth Bone Forging and Fifth Yijin, but had not mentioned it before.

Even he had misjudged, thinking Su Mu’s talent capable of reaching such a step, yet he didn’t expect Su Mu to progress so swiftly, surpassing his expectations.

Otherwise, he wouldn’t have watched this favorite child undergo such an abrupt transformation without preparation.

The last sigh came faintly, not entering Su Mu’s ears, as the Sun Family Ancestor squinted and emitted another soft gasp upon capturing sight of the eleven Immortal Golden Spots within Su Mu.

He intended to intervene but sighed once more, retreating into the Jade Pendant.

"The Dragon and Snake Transformation is your destiny and creation. I, the ancestor, should not interfere. What limits you Achieve depends entirely on yourself..."

At this moment, some information surfaced in Su Mu’s mind, naturally transmitted by the Sun Family Ancestor.

"Ten transformations of the Jiao Tendons to become dragon, thirty transformations to become true dragon, and a hundred to return to the ancestral Yinglong... The first transformation is particularly significant; one day you will understand."

The information was brief, but it made Su Mu’s eyes shine brightly.

"Dragon Tendons, ten transformations to become dragon, thank you ancestor for enlightening me!"

The Sun Family Ancestor’s transmission was as enlightening as a revelation, like the sound of a great elephant pouring into the mind, invigorating Su Mu, who was initially clueless about the transformation and felt a sense of bewilderment.