Super Combat Soldier

Chapter 1397: Chapter 1396: Dark Divine Runes, a Narrow Escape from Death!

At the deepest part of the Divine Spring Pond, there’s something resembling an underwater palace. Could it be the Dragon Palace?

No one expected that such a small pond would hold so many secrets. Neither Ye Tianchen nor the God Beating Bowl anticipated that at the bottom of this Divine Spring Pond, there would be buildings and houses. What lies behind the massive Jade Door? Is it the abode of the Dragon Whisker Fish Clan, the Arrogant Dragon Clan, or perhaps just a trap?

After glancing at the clam elf beauties standing on both sides of the Jade Door, Ye Tianchen and the God Beating Bowl proceeded towards the stone door. Having reached this point, they decided to continue through regardless of any dangers ahead, such as mountains of knives or seas of fire. The Divine Spring Pond had brought them too much confusion and filled them with anticipation. What would they encounter next?

Just as Ye Tianchen and the God Beating Bowl stepped forward, ready to open the Jade Door, dark divine markings emerged from beneath their feet and quickly enveloped their entire bodies. The speed was so fast that Ye Tianchen and the God Beating Bowl were startled and wanted to retreat. However, as they were about to step back, another clam elf beauty standing nearby spoke softly, ”Gentlemen, this is merely the first step of the trial. If you can’t pass this trial, you won’t be able to enter the stone door!”

”Pah, why do we have to accept your trial? Killing you would allow us to enter just the same!” the God Beating Bowl threatened.

”These are powerful runes left from ancient times, arranged by our clam elf ancestors. They won’t claim your lives, but you’ll need skills to break them. I hope the two of you don’t act recklessly!” the clam elf beauty who spoke first warned.

Ye Tianchen and the God Beating Bowl paused, exchanged glances, and indeed realized that despite the emergence of numerous dark divine markings across their bodies, they were only intended to restrict their movements rather than kill them. It appeared to be a true test.

”You trickster, I think it’s best to start breaking these dark divine markings. It’s all up to you!” Ye Tianchen suggested after contemplating.

The God Beating Bowl, speechless, glanced at Ye Tianchen and then pondered for a moment before saying, ”Alright, but remember, you better catch me some Dragon Whisker Fish to eat later, or I won’t do it!”

”Enough talk, get to work!” Ye Tianchen interrupted, barking at the trickster.

The God Beating Bowl began unraveling the dark divine markings. These markings weren’t formations but seemed more like curses. If not broken, they might bind them there. Once all the dark divine markings enveloped their bodies, life-threatening danger could ensue. Therefore, quickly resolving the dark divine markings was crucial for both Ye Tianchen and the God Beating Bowl!

A surge of power was injected into the dark divine markings. Ye Tianchen watched the God Beating Bowl intently as it broke down the divine rune formation. In terms of formation research, Ye Tianchen was admittedly not as knowledgeable as the God Beating Bowl or Little Zhu Yan. He wanted to learn more. A formidable martial artist not only requires a profound cultivation realm and deep combat prowess, but also must study formations. Never underestimate the power of a great formation. There have been formations in the martial arts world able to slay gods and annihilate immortals, truly terrifying. Even a peerless figure in the Emperor Realm wouldn’t dare be overconfident. There is an old tale saying the martial arts world is engulfed under a grand formation, and all its creatures are essentially being reared within this formation. Though this is merely a rumor, the mere thought is terrifying. An endless martial arts world with countless star domains all encompassed within one formation? What an enormous feat, truly shocking divine skills!

”Kid, watch closely as I break these dark divine markings. Remember, deciphering formations and runes requires more than personal strength; insight is essential. Every formation has an array eye or a life gate. Once you find the life gate accurately, you can certainly break it with might. But that’s not absolute; the martial arts world has seen ultimate killing formations that have claimed countless peerless lives. Once entered, there’s only death and no life!” The God Beating Bowl explained while breaking the dark divine markings.

”I understand. Breaking a formation requires more than strength; it requires intelligence. Mere brute force won’t suffice!” Ye Tianchen nodded, humbly replying.

”Exactly. To crack these dark divine markings, it’s essentially about breaking the runes — find their flaw quickly. Divine markings interconnect, and only by locating this connection point can you exploit it decisively... ”

As the God Beating Bowl finished speaking, a force struck the lower left corner of the dark divine markings before it. As this force hit the markings, all the dark divine markings wrapping around its body shattered like glass, astonishing Ye Tianchen and opening his eyes. The trickster’s expertise in formations and rune studies was truly admirable!

Using the same method, the dark divine markings entwining Ye Tianchen were soon eliminated by the God Beating Bowl. The trickster displayed a proud expression and arrogantly said, ”These dark divine markings are indeed remnants from ancient times, but they have no power left. With an expert like me here, they’re child’s play. If Little Zhu Yan was here, it would have been at least a mess...”

Crackling!

Unexpectedly, as the God Beating Bowl finished boasting without further self-praise, a series of explosions sounded around Ye Tianchen and the God Beating Bowl. These explosions weren’t frighteningly loud but brought a surprising sensation because they continuously approached and Ye Tianchen and the God Beating Bowl could feel the air around them exploding, as if the void was being torn apart.

”What’s happening?” Ye Tianchen couldn’t help but ask.

”Oh no, I forgot about something. Ancient curse divine runes can still emit slaughter energy even after being broken. We’ve definitely been affected by those runes!” The God Beating Bowl admitted in shock.

”What do we do now...” Ye Tianchen calmly surveyed the surrounding area, preparing to forcefully dispel the slaughter aura if needed!

”Don’t act rashly. Ancient curse divine runes are enigmatic and terrifying. Forceful dispelling might bring greater calamity. Let me figure it out first; we have time!” The God Beating Bowl hurriedly stopped Ye Tianchen.

Ye Tianchen calmly looked around. If necessary, he’d have to use the ”Holy Heaven Prison” to dispel the strange divine runes’ slaughter aura, but the trickster God Beating Bowl was right; unless absolutely necessary, it’s better not to act impulsively, especially in this place.

At this moment, saying Ye Tianchen and the God Beating Bowl were not tense would be impossible. It’s akin to gambling; they were betting on whether the God Beating Bowl could fully eliminate the dark divine markings at the last moment. If not, both of them might indeed face danger!

”I better prepare the Chaos Qi just in case. If there’s danger, it can protect us!” Ye Tianchen used divine thought to communicate this to the God Beating Bowl.

”You don’t trust me... Fine, do it, but don’t distract me!” The God Beating Bowl’s trickster nature emerged, admitting cowardliness.

The tiny explosions grew ever closer, almost instantly reaching Ye Tianchen and the God Beating Bowl, stopping less than a meter from them, and continued to explode. These explosions didn’t create terrifying scenes but caused the void to gradually collapse. If hit, they’d face severe injury, infinitely more terrifying than being blown away.

This became a test of courage. Even as the explosions reached them, Ye Tianchen still didn’t activate the Chaos Qi defense. He also gambled on whether the God Beating Bowl could fully break the dark divine markings.

Buzz!

At the critical moment, just as Ye Tianchen was about to deploy Chaos Qi, a muffled sound echoed, and all the tiny explosion noises suddenly disappeared. The God Beating Bowl was drenched in sweat, exhaled a long breath, indeed proving himself capable by breaking the dark divine markings in such a short time. Ye Tianchen laughed and said, ”This stone can actually sweat, indeed you can cultivate until you transform into human form!”

”You’ve got guts, kid, remaining calm through it. I was scared! These dark divine markings aren’t lethal upfront, but they conceal murderous intent. If I hadn’t removed the runes and the explosions hit us, the result would be annihilation, because every explosion point can send a portion of your body into the void!” The God Beating Bowl explained in relief. (To be continued. If you like this work, you are welcome to vote for it on Qidian (qidian.com). Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users, please read on m.qidian.com.)