Swallowed Star: Primordial Artifact

Chapter 245 The Dragon Armor is Complete
"Click! Click! Click!"

Jiang Ye's right scapula cracked with a sickening sound, and the jet-black scales formed by the Dark Demon Water tore through his flesh as if they were alive. The azure halo released by the Jade Disc of Creation enveloped his entire body, and his shattered bones reformed in the flow of energy, while his flesh flowed and healed like liquid metal.

This painful cycle continued for an unknown period of time until five jet-black, energy-like scales finally slowly took shape on Jiang Ye's right shoulder.

Each of these five scales is no bigger than a fingernail, yet they exude a chilling aura that sends shivers down your spine. Fine, spiderweb-like purple patterns spread across the surface of the scales, conveying a sense of mystery and danger.

"Success!" Jiang Ye gasped for breath, his whole body drenched in cold sweat.

Although he only refined 1 gram of Dark Demon Water, the energy contained in the Dark Demon Water was enough for him to condense five dragon scales, while the Heart of Green Wood could barely condense one.

"It seems that different materials contain different amounts of energy, resulting in vastly different numbers of dragon scales being formed," Jiang Ye thought to himself.

"Huh? This is it!"

Jiang Ye looked at the black scales that shimmered with dark light, formed from the Dark Demon Water.

He then took out a G-grade battle blade and gently sliced ​​it across the black scales.

"laugh--"

A sharp, almost piercing sound suddenly rang out. The G-grade alloy, which even the immortal could not destroy, was instantly corroded and penetrated as easily as warm butter meeting a hot knife. At the fracture surface, the alloy kept bubbling, as if it were being frantically devoured by some terrifying force. Drops of dissolved liquid fell, corroding small pits into the ground.

"What terrifying corrosiveness!" Jiang Ye's eyes lit up. "I didn't expect that the condensed scales would retain some of the corrosiveness of the Dark Demon Water. I don't remember this function being recorded in the secret techniques. Could it be because of the Creation Jade Butterfly?"

Jiang Ye thought about it and it seemed more and more likely. According to the secret method records, the cultivation process of the Devouring Dragon Armor was extremely difficult and lengthy. The condensation of each dragon scale required going through countless hardships, and the condensed dragon scales did not have the characteristics of the material.

Now, due to the intervention of the Creation Jade Disc, the dragon scales condensed by the Dark Demon Water have such a powerful and unique corrosive effect, which greatly exceeded Jiang Ye's expectations.

"If we could bring this characteristic to its fullest potential..." A hint of fervor flashed in Jiang Ye's eyes, but he quickly calmed down.

He currently only has five grams of Dark Magic Water. At the rate that one gram of Dark Magic Water condenses into five dragon scales, it is far from enough to cover even the key parts of his body with Dark Magic Dragon Scales, let alone his entire body.

Moreover, excessive absorption of a single material will disrupt the energy balance of the dragon armor, which is a major taboo in cultivating the "Dragon Devouring Armor".

Jiang Ye frowned, his gaze fixed on the five scales: "Since it's impossible to cover the whole body, then we'll focus on strengthening the key areas! I'll concentrate all these Dark Demon Water scales on my right palm, won't that work!"

The reason he chose his right palm is because he is right-handed and uses his right hand most frequently in battle. By concentrating the Dark Demon Water Scales there, he can instantly imbue his attacks with terrifying corrosiveness, allowing him to defeat his enemies unexpectedly.

Thinking of this, Jiang Ye looked at the remaining Dark Demon Water, his eyes burning with intense heat.

However, this flame was quickly extinguished by reason.

Jiang Ye took a deep breath to calm himself down.

Judging from his performance just now, his body's current tolerance is already at its limit with 1 gram of Dark Magic Water.

To devour more, you have to do it gram by gram.

"No rush, take your time." Jiang Ye sighed softly and carefully put away the Dark Demon Water Transistor. He closed his eyes, feeling the cool touch of the newly formed scale on his right shoulder. The coolness seeped into his bones through his skin, a strange and unfamiliar sensation.

"Wait until you've fully digested this 1 gram before trying more. For now, absorb more Green Wood Heart to keep the scales balanced," Jiang Ye said in a low voice.

He then sat cross-legged and began to regulate his breathing.

……

Seven days later,
"boom!"

As Jiang Ye gradually absorbed more materials, earth-shattering energy fluctuations erupted from his body. Under the harmonization of the Creation Jade Disc, three completely different forces began to undergo a mysterious fusion.

The life energy of the Green Wood Heart, the blazing flames of the Flame Essence, and the extreme corrosiveness of the Dark Demon Water—these three forces, which should have been mutually exclusive, now formed a perfect energy cycle within Jiang Ye's body.

"This is.?!"

Jiang Ye was shocked to discover that the clear light emitted by the Creation Jade Disc not only neutralized the conflict between the three energies, but also constructed a special energy channel between them. The three-colored dragon scales that were originally scattered on his right shoulder began to rearrange themselves.

“Click, click, click.”

With a crisp sound of crystals condensing, blue and red energy threads suddenly extended from the black dragon scales on Jiang Ye's right shoulder. These threads wriggled like living things, connecting the scattered dragon scales around him. In the blink of an eye, his entire right arm was covered with a magnificent tri-colored dragon scale armor.

The armor was entirely dark gold in color, but its surface was covered with blue, red, and black patterns. Most astonishingly, these patterns were not fixed, but flowed slowly across the surface of the dragon armor like liquid, sometimes transforming into flame patterns, sometimes into the shape of a tree of life, and sometimes into a corrosive spider web.

"I never expected that the Jade Disc of Creation would cause the Dragon Armor to mutate and evolve!" Jiang Ye exclaimed with a mixture of surprise and delight.

According to the secret method of the "Dragon Devouring Armor", at least 1008 scales must be condensed to initially form a complete battle armor.

Now, with only thirty-six dragon scales gathered, it is already possible to form a partial battle armor.

What's even more astonishing is that this mutated dragon armor perfectly retains the properties of all the materials it absorbed: the life-restoring ability of the Green Wood Dragon Scales, which can quickly heal wounds in battle; the fiery burning power of the Flame Essence Dragon Scales, which can turn enemies to ashes; and the corrosive poison of the Dark Demon Dragon Scales, which can instantly decay any object it touches. Not only are all these properties not weakened, but they become even more powerful after fusion, as if the three forces stimulate each other, producing a wonderful effect where 1+1>2.

"Try the power!"

Jiang Ye's eyes gleamed with eager anticipation, and with a thought, the dragon armor on his right arm emitted a dazzling light.

With a casual wave of his hand, three streams of energy of different attributes burst forth simultaneously, weaving a magnificent yet dangerous scene in the air.

"That's amazing!" Jiang Ye couldn't help but exclaim. "The three attributes can be used simultaneously without interfering with each other!"

The vitality of the Green Wood Heart nourishes the Dark Demon Scales, making their corrosive properties more stable;
The flames of the Flame Spirit and the Dark Magic Water achieve a delicate balance, forming a unique "corrosive flame" property;
Meanwhile, the corrosive power of the Dark Demon Water, in turn, tempers the other two types of dragon scales, making them even tougher.

This virtuous cycle made Jiang Ye even more certain of his idea—to concentrate all the Dark Demon Dragon Scales in his right palm!
Just as Jiang Ye was overjoyed, an even more astonishing change occurred.

The low-grade materials absorbed by the dragon armor are now beginning to take effect. Countless tiny energy nodes are lighting up inside the dragon armor, providing auxiliary boosts to the three main attributes.

"I see!" Jiang Ye suddenly realized, "These low-level materials not only have the function of aiding absorption, but can also provide 'nutrients' for high-level materials!"

According to the original secret method, these materials could only be absorbed step by step, and their effects were extremely limited, making it impossible to achieve the wonderful synergistic effect we see today.

"continue!"

Having tasted the benefits, Jiang Ye immediately began consuming the fourth precious material – “Void Crystal”.

Void Crystal – the most expensive and valuable material among these, its value is comparable to a top-tier domain-level treasure.

"I wonder how many scales this void crystal can condense!" Jiang Ye wondered expectantly. For the long time that followed, Jiang Ye immersed himself in the world of cultivation, oblivious to everything else around him.

His body struggled and was reborn repeatedly amidst pain and tempering.

Finally, when the Void Crystal was completely refined, Jiang Ye slowly opened his eyes, exhausted but unable to hide his excitement.

Twenty-four silver dragon scales neatly formed on his back, each shimmering with a mysterious and captivating luster, as if containing boundless spatial power.

"It was worth it!"

Jiang Ye's eyes gleamed with excitement as he sensed the properties of the silver scales.

With a simple wave of his hand, a spatial rift appeared in front of him!
Over the next five months, Jiang Ye successively consumed five more precious materials:
The "Mysterious Dark Water" bestows upon...

"Thunder Essence" grants resistance to lightning;
"Purple Gold Star Marrow" strengthens the dragon armor's defense;
"Dream Sand" grants illusion attacks;
"Dust of Time" has the ability to briefly pause time.
Among these materials, apart from the Purple Gold Star Marrow which is relatively precious, the other types are far less precious and contain less energy than the Dark Demon Water and Void Crystal from before.

In order to condense a dragon scale, Jiang Ye often needs to absorb a large amount of materials, and the properties contained in these dragon scales are far less powerful than those of Dark Demon Water and Void Crystal.

……

One year later, in the inner world.

Jiang Ye's body was mostly covered by dense dragon scales, each one radiating a unique luster and weaving together a powerful and mysterious aura. These dragon scales resonated with each other, forming a subtle energy cycle system, making Jiang Ye feel as if he were in a super-powerful energy pool.

"Hmm? What's going on? Recently, not only is the absorption rate of materials getting slower and slower, but the energy of the dragon armor is also leaking from time to time?" Jiang Ye wondered to himself.

"Could it be because I absorbed too many materials in a short period of time with the help of the Creation Jade Disc?" Jiang Ye pondered.

It's important to understand that the more material properties are combined, the more difficult it becomes to control the balance between the dragon armor pieces.

"It seems I'll have to pause my cultivation." Jiang Ye reluctantly put away the remaining materials. "I'll continue absorbing them once I've fully mastered these attributes."

"However, I have already condensed 1008 dragon scales, and some important parts are almost covered. According to my judgment, the strength of the dragon armor is now comparable to some ordinary heavy treasure armor. With the addition of the golden armor, it can even withstand an attack from the legion of the Immortal Zerg Queen."

Each time it absorbs a new material, the dragon armor undergoes a transformation. By the time the 1008th dragon scale is formed, one-third of Jiang Ye's body is covered by the dragon armor, whose strength is comparable to some ordinary heavy-duty armor, in addition to the special abilities granted by the materials.

At this point, the Devouring Dragon Armor had already exceeded the original vision of the creator of the secret technique:

On the dark gold armor, eight different colored patterns complement each other.
Each dragon scale contains unique attributes and abilities;
The surface of the armor was constantly shrouded in the mysterious Daoist patterns of the Jade Disc of Creation;
What's even more terrifying is that these attributes can be freely combined as needed!
"Let's try the strongest form!"

Jiang Ye had a thought, and all the dragon scales lit up at the same time.

In an instant, he was enveloped in a complete set of energy armor. The armor was designed to look like a ferocious dragon, with a helmet shaped like a dragon's head, shoulder armor that resembled outstretched dragon wings, and every joint covered in barbs.

"Roar!"

With a dragon's roar, the armor erupted with eight-colored divine light:
His left hand gathered raging flames that seemed to burn the heavens;

His right hand controls the Xuanming Cold Qi;

Wings of the void unfolded behind him;

Corrosive black mist surrounded his right palm;

A crown of lightning floats above his head;

Stepping on the ripples of time;

A dazzling golden light shot from its eyes;

Immortal life force flows within him
This is no longer just a defensive armor; it's clearly an ultimate artifact that combines offense and defense!

"Let's test it out."

Jiang Ye took out the F9-class laser cannon he had seized from the mechanical race's spaceship and fired it at his own chest.

"boom!"

The moment the blinding beam struck the dragon armor, all eight attributes responded simultaneously: in the end, this attack, which was enough to kill a King-level Immortal, was completely blocked! Even more terrifying, the dragon armor absorbed some of the attack's energy and converted it into its own nourishment.

Following Jiang Ye's will, the dragon armor utilizes the properties granted by different materials to automatically attack surrounding enemies.

"This is too powerful!" Jiang Ye himself was shocked by the power.

Although he couldn't complete the first level of cultivation in one go, Jiang Ye was already satisfied. The power of this mutated Devouring Dragon Armor far exceeded his expectations.

Moreover, he believes that with further research into the Jade Disc of Creation, the Dragon Armor will continue to evolve!

"It's time to emerge from seclusion." Jiang Ye stretched his body, feeling the powerful strength brought by the dragon armor. "It's time to meet those alien kings."

"Golden Armor." A layer of golden battle armor appeared, protecting Jiang Ye himself and also enveloping him in dragon armor.

"Starry Sky Cloak." A silver cloak unfolded on her back, originally concealing the aura of a World Lord, but now spreading out the pressure of a powerful figure.

Jiang Ye, clad in golden armor and silver robes, suddenly brightened up and grinned.

"Little Pi," Jiang Ye instructed, "Immediately send a mass email to all the human faction king-level powerhouses I know on the Seventh Outer Battlefield, asking them to help locate the 'Rending Machine King' of the machine faction."

"Yes!"

Send a mass email asking for help.

“Master,” Little Pi’s voice sounded again, tinged with worry, “that Rift King has likely gone into hiding. Finding him won’t be easy.”

Jiang Ye narrowed his eyes slightly, a cold glint flashing in them: "If a normal search yields no results, then offer a reward. Find him at all costs."

Just like the Machine Race's Rift King once offered a bounty to hunt him down.

It's important to understand that the power of money should not be underestimated, no matter where you are.

Offering tens of millions of Chaos Units as a bounty would be enough to ignite the greed in the hearts of all the powerful figures in the human camp, driving them to frantically search for the whereabouts of the Rift King.

(End of this chapter)