Chapter 43: Divine Artifact: Engulfing Lightning

"Roar!"
Dvalin continued to emit low growls. With every sound it made and every movement, it had to endure the piercing pain of lightning coursing through its body.
Running to a spot a few dozen meters in front of Dvalin—
"Chirp, chirp!"
After two fox cries, the thunder fox from earlier split into two more forms.
Centering on Dvalin, three thunder foxes occupied three corners, forming a triangular thunder net.
"Bang!"
Charging its power slightly, Dvalin burst forth with its innate wind energy, and the potent wind elements converged into a fierce gale tearing through the domain.
"Whoosh, whoosh!"
It rose, beat its wings, and ascended into the sky.
From below—
The three thunder foxes channeled upwards, forming three ascending thunder nets that imprisoned Dvalin in mid-air.
From above—
With pink-purple eyes shimmering, fox ears and tails merging with Nian Yun, a speck of dark purple appeared at the tip of his right index finger.
"Divine Weapon: Engulfing Lightning!" (Simultaneously)
Above the thunder clouds, through a fractured space, a blade radiating the majesty of eternity slowly extended.
"Boons of Watatsumi! Narukami Otorishi! Thunder, fall!" (Simultaneously)
The divine weapon Engulfing Lightning descended straight toward Dvalin, dyed in purple lightning, the tip of the blade possessing boundless might.
"Boom—! Boom—!"
A heavy dragon roar echoed as the dust and sand kicked up by the impact rose in a thousand layers, enshrouding the domain.
The fox-formed Nian Yun condensed a wind orb in his left hand and tossed it out, sucking the dusty mist inward before detonating it violently.
Beneath the giant blade, Dvalin's aura began to plunge into chaos.
"Bzzzt~~"
In an instant, thunder pierced through that demonic dragon body.
...
Plane of Euthymia
Within the space, inside the ring—
"I didn't expect you to have some tricks up your sleeve," Dvalin stared at Nian Yun and said leisurely.
"What do you say, consider it. Afterwards, I'll send you back."
Seeing Dvalin remain silent, Nian Yun extended his left hand, and the 'Wind Spirit' flew out, materializing into a humanoid figure.
"Barbatos?"
The wind-formed humanoid did not speak, simply transmitting a wisp of vassal divine power into Dvalin's body.
Shortly after—
Outside—
The fox-formed Nian Yun paused, surrounded once again by a wisp of mist. Nian Yun's fox ears and fox tail vanished, replaced by a stunning figure appearing on his right side.
"How is it?"
"Mm."
Walking together, the two descended to the ground, stepping before the lifeless Dvalin.

"Absorb it well; I will guard you."
"Mm."
With that, Nian Yun sat cross-legged on the ground.
The body of the Wind Dragon slowly weathered away, transforming into a gentle breeze that entered Nian Yun's body.
Yellow, yellow, purple—
Three soul rings rose, continuing to absorb that surging wind energy.
"Whoosh!"
Behind Nian Yun, that pair of black wings began to change.
Under Hu Liena's astonished gaze, that pair of black wings was gradually replaced by a layer of brilliant cyan feathers.
Hoo!
The third soul ring turned black bit by bit, and immediately after, a fourth soul ring began to rise around Nian Yun.
"Cyan-gold!" Seeing the soul ring of an unfamiliar color, along with that suffocating pressure, Hu Liena covered her mouth, looking at the scene before her in disbelief.
Half a day later—
"Whoosh!"
A cyan figure rapidly shuttled through the skies above the forest, both of them fully reveling in the joy.
Emerging from the central region, ruins and devastation were everywhere.
Smiling at the beauty in his arms, the two continuously ascended high into the sky.
Passing through the layered clouds, the cyan-gold soul ring of the fox-formed Nian Yun rose.
"Fourth Soul Skill: Poem of a Thousand Winds"
"Swoosh—"
"Whoosh————"
An arrow shot up into the sky, subsequently splitting into numerous arrows that fell toward various parts of the forest.
The cyan light pierced the long night; whether it was the people lingering in the forest or the soul beasts, all felt a deep sense of yearning.
The Azure Bull Python and the Titan Giant Ape exchanged nods before walking toward the center of the forest, while the ten-thousand-year soul beasts on the periphery also moved inward.
A beam of light similarly fell outside the barrier, and the soul beasts outside the forest successively retreated from the human world.
"Nian Yun." On a high mountain a hundred miles away from the Star Great Dou Forest, Dugu Bo also nodded slightly with satisfaction.
...
Nightfall
Outside the Star Great Dou Forest
On the dreamy bed, Hu Liena gradually stripped away her garments, her body leaning forward as peaks rose.
Upon the snowy peaks, four red points met, and alluring cries echoed endlessly.
Beneath the snowy peaks, whiteness fluttered, dreamlike and illusory.
...
Early morning
"Nian Yun, are you not returning with me?" Hu Liena gazed lovingly at Nian Yun beside her.
"My mission in the Heaven Dou Empire is not yet finished. Upon your return, when you have an audience with the Pope alone, just report everything accordingly. I have left a trace of lightning within your body."
Hu Liena's pretty face instantly flushed, and she averted her gaze. "Very well then, I'll wait for your return."
Giving Hu Liena a final embrace and a parting kiss, Nian Yun got up, geared himself completely, cast one last look at Hu Liena, and transformed into wind as he departed.

——
Shrek
"Nian Yun, do you have any other food on you? I'm hungry." Seeing the carrot suddenly pop up in Xiao Wu's hand, Ning Rongrong felt a surge of sourness in her heart.
"I'll give it, I'll give it, just don't tear my clothes." Although already accustomed to Ning Rongrong's sudden sneak attacks, Nian Yun still had to watch out for dark hands every time.
"Ahem." At that moment, Flender walked into the room. "You all rest well today; tomorrow we will head to the Soto Great Soaring Soul Arena for your next stage of training."
Hearing this, the group braced themselves.
"Knock, knock—"
"Clack"
Tang San walked into the room. "Dean."
"You're back. How is Xiaogang's condition?" Seeing Tang San, Flender asked eagerly.
"He has mostly recovered, though rainy days still affect him the same way."
"Mm, be more careful in the future. Right, we are planning to proceed with the next phase of training according to Xiaogang's plan—the Soto Great Soaring Soul Arena. You and Xiaogang stay at the academy for now."
"No, Dean. Actually, I came back this time because Teacher knew you were preparing to enter the second stage of training, so he returned ahead of time."
Noticing the change in Flender's expression, Tang San continued, "Dean, don't worry, I will take good care of Teacher."
"Xiaogang is also doing this for the academy; this isn't just your affair, it concerns all of us."
Tang San also nodded dazedly.
A day later—
The Shrek Eight, led by Flender, Zao Wou-ki, and Yu Xiaogang, traveled together to Soto City for their next phase of training.
"Next, you not only need to reach the Silver Soul Spirit Badge level in one-on-one combat, but you must also attain the Silver Soul Spirit Badge level in two-on-two and team spirit battles."
After briefly outlining the rules, Flender took out eight masks and handed them to the group.
"Dean, are we forming groups freely?" Ning Rongrong asked.
"Mm, there are exactly eight of you; form your groups freely."
"Then Nian Yun and I..."
Nian Yun anticipated the move, raising his left hand to block Ning Rongrong as she tried to pounce. "I am a defense-type soul master, with a spirit similar to a support type. It won't go well if we team up."
Hearing this, Ning Rongrong had no choice but to stop resentfully.
Seeing this, Zhu Zhuqing stepped forward. "Nian Yun, let's team up."
"Slap"
Ning Rongrong got up and linked arms with Zhu Zhuqing. "Zhuqing, let's be a team, okay?"
Noticing that Ning Rongrong harbored hostility toward Xiao Wu, Zhu Zhuqing could only nod slightly. "Okay."
Tang San wanted to step forward and call out to Xiao Wu, but seeing that the two girls had already decided on their grouping, Xiao Wu walked toward Nian Yun instead.
"Nian Yun, then you can support me." The little rabbit shook her head shyly.
"Alright."
Tang San's heart was filled with resentment, and his extended hand remained suspended in mid-air.
"Third Brother, Oscar and Boss Dai have already teamed up. How about the two of us form a team?" Ma Hongjun also squeezed in rather inappropriately.