Chapter 278: Birth of the Battle Armor! Jiang Chen's Temptation!
Golden sunset spilled across the towering skyline of Heaven Dou City, dyeing the immense dome of the Blacksmiths' Association in a warm, molten glow of orange and red.
The lingering heat of metal furnaces still hung in the forges, though the evening air brought with it a trace of coolness.
Inside Divine Craftsman Zhen Hua's workshop, the last lingering ripples of soul power faded away. He wiped the sheen of sweat from his forehead, exhaustion showing faintly on his face—but his eyes shone with deep satisfaction as he gazed at the two treasures floating before him.
They were no longer mere armor components, but a complete set—a two‑word battle armor radiating a dark and profound gleam, its scales sharp as dragon claws, its form flowing and sinuous like a shadowy dragon gliding through the night. The name: "Abyssal Calamity Scales."
Each plate seemed forged from abyssal cold iron, filled with hidden resilience and power. Within the core pulsed faint traces of Jiang Chen's soul power—flickering in rhythm like a heartbeat.
"It's done," Zhen Hua said steadily, a hint of awe in his voice. "This armor's foundation is the finest I've ever seen. With Bear Lord's soul power infused, it possesses vitality and ferocity far beyond ordinary two‑word battle armors. Jiang my friend, nourish it carefully. Its potential... is immeasurable."
Jiang Chen extended his right hand, his mind moving as one.
The black armor, like a gift from the underworld, turned into streams of dark light and silently enveloped his body.
The scales fit perfectly—like a second skin—cold, powerful, seamless.
From the core of his chest, an immense and pure power surged instantly through his limbs, boosting his soul power circulation to several times its normal speed. It felt as though a single movement could tear the very air apart.
He didn't test its full might, only willed lightly—and at his shoulder, several scales lifted slightly, releasing a razor‑sharp aura strong enough to make even a Soul Emperor tremble.
"Thank you, Divine Craftsman, for your invaluable help. Jiang Chen will never forget this kindness."
He bowed deeply to Zhen Hua. Even though this favor had come through Bear Lord's connection, it was still a debt he must acknowledge.
Feeling the perfect fusion between man and armor, that sense of assurance and power—born from a creation at the pinnacle of the Douluo world—filled Jiang Chen with newfound confidence.
When he eventually forged a four‑word armor… perfection would be within reach.
Ye Xinglan quietly observed from the side, her beautiful eyes full of awe and curiosity.
Zhen Hua himself had forged it. Add in the help of the Beast God Bear Lord—this level of work was beyond dreams.
She found Jiang Chen increasingly inscrutable; that constant playful smile of his hid something unfathomable. She stifled her mixed emotions and offered a respectful salute to Zhen Hua.
After bidding him farewell, the two made their way to the towering spire of the Spirit Pagoda's teleportation tower in Heaven Dou City.
Above the usual bustle, the air at the top level felt strangely vast and quiet.
Before the grand statue of a beast god, the colossal Bear Lord was already waiting, eyes like two golden lanterns burning steadily in the dim light, exuding a suffocating presence.
"Haha, brat! Got your treasure?" His booming laughter shook the hall. "Come, let me see how that chunk of metal fits you!"
Jiang Chen's thought stirred—the Abyssal Calamity Scales manifested in a shimmer of shadowy brilliance that seemed to devour light itself. The aura of the top‑tier soul beast embedded within it pulsed along with Jiang Chen's own, resonating faintly with Bear Lord's ferocious energy.
The massive beast scrutinized him for a moment, then broke into a grin, revealing sharp fangs. "Hmm! Not bad! That tin can turned out better than I expected. Zhen Hua did good work, and my power wasn't wasted either! You've finally got some presence, kid. Don't disgrace me when you fight out there!"
"Don't worry," Jiang Chen said with a smile, dismissing the armor. "If I ever lose face, it won't be yours, Lord Bear. Thanks to your help, Zhen Hua worked faster than I could've hoped. I'll make sure you get a few jars of real fine wine!"
"Wine! That's easy!" Bear Lord waved a paw expansively, his laughter echoing again.
But then his gaze sharpened slightly, and his tone dropped, probing. "By the way, kid, that thing you asked me to look into… it's getting interesting."
Jiang Chen's eyes narrowed; his smile faded instantly. "Oh? You found something?"
Ye Xinglan's heart tensed, ears catching every word. Whatever it was, it wasn't trivial—anything that made Bear Lord this serious must relate to Jiang Chen's secret.
The Beast Lord gave her a sideways glance—pretending carelessness though his sharp gaze missed nothing. Then his massive paw flipped over, revealing a small, inconspicuous black scale, which he flicked toward Jiang Chen. "Can't say for certain yet, but that scent—unmistakable. The trail leads to… tsk, the depths of the forest on Shrek's Sea God Island."
"Shrek… the forest depths…" Jiang Chen caught the scale, still warm and pulsing faintly with Bear Lord's savage aura, thoughts flashing rapidly through his mind.
He didn't question further. He simply pocketed it with care. "Thanks. I'll be cautious."
"Good. Now take your treasure and scram!" Bear Lord waved him off with mock irritation. "Take that little girl with you and get back to that broken academy of yours! I'm heading to bed!"
Without another word, he lumbered into the shadows behind the statue, the floor trembling with each step until only silence remained.
By the time they left the Spirit Pagoda, night had fully fallen over Heaven Dou City.
They weren't far from Douluo University now. The night breeze rustled through sparse trees, carrying the earthy scent of grass and soil.
Dim moonlight slipped through clouds, casting pale patches of light on the ground.
"Do you want a battle armor of your own?"
A Soul King with five rings could already begin forging a one‑word armor.
Ye Xinglan shook her head. "No."
Having a Divine Craftsman craft one—she couldn't possibly afford it, not with her modest means.
Still, she hadn't expected Jiang Chen to have this kind of influence—to get a Divine Craftsman to personally forge for him, and to be on brotherly terms with Bear Lord.
Just who was he, really?
Ye Xinglan's curiosity burned stronger now—she realized this man had completely captured her interest.
"You told me to transfer to Douluo University. Did you get it done for me?"
Her eyes held a trace of grievance. Leaving Shrek Academy hadn't been easy.
If it were an ordinary student, they'd have been expelled long ago.
But she was different. Though Shrek labeled her as merely 'close but not quite,' her talent had still once placed her near the Seven Monsters.
Jiang Chen chuckled. "What's wrong? Now that Yuanen Yehui's been expelled, there's a vacant spot among the Seven Monsters. If you go back now, you could be chosen."
"Then you'd be one of the Shrek Seven Monsters—and maybe… even have a chance to become a god."
His words whispered beside her ear, a devil's tempting murmur coiling in her heart.
After all… who didn't dream of becoming a god?
And only at Shrek had gods ever been born.
"The Shrek Seven Monsters…"
(END CHAPTER)
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