Heavenly Roc True Form

High above the nine heavens. Astral winds blew bitingly cold, and clouds billowed and surged. Amidst it all stood a gaunt figure, eyes half-closed, seemingly contemplating something. Luo Chen recalled his conversation with Wang Yuan not long ago. "This cultivation technique of yours was born out of Heavenly Roc Transformation. Who knows where it will lead in the future, but it is still rooted in that art. Rather than seeking out other methods, why not trace things back to the source and display the advantages of this physique in the most orthodox manner?" "A beast-like transformation?" "Precisely!" "But wouldn't that make my body much larger, increasing the surface area an enemy can strike?" "Don't you realize your speed will also increase after transforming? Besides, every single strength-based lethal move recorded in Heavenly Roc Transformation requires the Heavenly Roc True Form to be executed to perfection. As such, there is no need to seek far and wide for what lies right at hand. Naturally, building on that foundation, I'll formulate a few more killer moves for you to patch up any flaws." Those words had awakened him like a sleeper from a dream. Luo Chen had only thought about finding human techniques to unleash this fleshly body, forgetting that Convergence of Myriad Paths had itself been deduced and completed on the foundation of Heavenly Roc Transformation. Forsaking what was near to seek what was far was not the proper way. Tracing back to the source and returning to the essence was the true kingly path. "Roc-type demon beasts are renowned for supreme speed to begin with, and I have already cultivated Ninety Thousand Li in advance. "If I take on the True Form, I will naturally be able to execute the lethal moves recorded within it." Once he settled on this direction, Luo Chen hesitated no longer. He snapped his eyes open! Following the technique's instructions, he mobilized his vitality and blood, surging the power through his flesh, blood, and bones. Under the impact of that boundless vitality, his entire body began to transform rapidly. Hands turned to sharp talons, his frame swelled to colossal proportions, and his eyes grew razor-sharp... In mere moments, an enormous beast resembling an avian raptor appeared high above the nine heavens. Yet even now, it was far from over. "Armor!" With a low shout from Luo Chen, pure white armor plates emerged across his body. Clack, clack, clack... Like the feathers of a roc, they completely enveloped his thirty-foot-tall body. "Still not enough!" Luo Chen's eyes widened as vast waves of blood qi surged into his shoulder blades. The Lieyun Wings he had specially refined earlier, stimulated by the surge, snapped open in an instant. Unlike the illusory wings conjured with spiritual energy before, this time they were grounded in a magical artifact and fueled by massive blood qi, instantly materializing into physical form and unfurling with a deep rumble. In the blink of an eye, wings three times the size of his body spread out like dangling clouds! As the wings stretched, a fiery red halo gradually diffused outward before settling over the demonic body. Had any cultivator been present to gaze upon him from afar, they would surely have taken him for a genuine blazing cloud roc. Wings hung like clouds draped across the heavens; his majestic bearing was that of an ancient archdemon. Shrouded in a crimson halo, he looked like a true god of fire, utterly awe-inspiring! Yet only Luo Chen knew that this Heavenly Roc transformation contained other elements mixed within. Along the back of the demonic body, a massive spine resembling a thunder dragon radiated a silvery-white light. Transforming for the first time, Luo Chen was still somewhat unaccustomed to it. However, getting used to the change had its own method. The next instant, with a sweep of his wings, he vanished from where he hovered. He shot into the distance like a sharp arrow. Not only that—after streaking hundreds of zhang in a split second, he abruptly halted and soared higher into the sky. Flapping his wings, soaring and wheeling through the air. Through continuous flight, Luo Chen grew increasingly familiar with his transformed body. "Next, to test those lethal moves. "First up is the Cloud-Exploring Claw!" Cloud-Exploring Claw was another name for the Heavenly Roc Divine Claw. Due to differing variations in technique, it branched into three forms: Thunderclap Claw, Gold-Severing Claw, and Cloud-Exploring Claw. Although Luo Chen had tempered his body with lightning to gain a physique comparable to a Tier 3 Desolate Ancient demon beast, he was, after all, using the transformation of a blazing cloud roc. Therefore, the claw technique best suited to him was the Cloud-Exploring Claw. As Luo Chen shifted posture, the colossal roc plummeted from the high clouds. A gigantic talon seemed to reach out directly from the cloud bank, sweeping violently toward a towering mountain peak on the ground below. Swish! Five fiery red streaks of light flashed past. The next moment! The mountain, standing a thousand zhang tall, was sheared cleanly in half by that single claw strike! The peak collapsed, the cleaved surface smooth as a mirror. As Luo Chen wheeled his body around and his wings beat, a surging wave of blood qi crashed outward. The severed mountain peak tumbled uncontrollably in one direction. Boom! As the mountain crashed to earth, the deafening roar resonated for hundreds of li around. Countless birds took flight in fright, and beasts scattered in panic. Even scattered Qi Refining rogue cultivators stepped out of their carved cave dwellings in shock, gazing upon the scene in terror. Atop a small hill, Wang Yuan's pupils contracted. "As expected, transforming into the Heavenly Roc True Form is the only way to bring out this body's maximum potential! "If that strike hit me, even with my mastered Force Dissipation, I'd find it hard to redirect the impact. "However..." Wang Yuan stroked his chin, watching Luo Chen soar into the sky once more, a thoughtful look in his eyes. "Some parts are still too stiff. "It is, after all, only an incomplete Heavenly Roc Transformation... If paired with my Giant Spirit Transformation, perhaps that flaw could be remedied? "Besides, his utilization of the demon body is still too shallow." While he pondered, Luo Chen stretched his body freely in the sky, familiarizing himself with the corresponding killing techniques. Cloud-Exploring Claw, Blazing Fire Barrier, and later on, he even wanted to try casting spells through the demon body. The blazing cloud roc was a fire-attribute demon beast, and he was skilled in fire spells. If the two could be fused together, the power would undoubtedly surge exponentially! Its sheer might would certainly be no less than that of a real Tier 3 blazing cloud roc! At last! A gust of clear breeze swept past, and Luo Chen, clad in fresh robes, touched down atop the small hill. "How does it look to you?" "How does it feel to you?" The words came from both of their mouths in unison. The two shared a smile. Luo Chen stretched his limbs, his bones popping and crackling all over. "I feel fantastic! In this state, if I unleash a thunderous strike, I could sweep through the Foundation Establishment stage unchallenged. I'd even dare to fight a Golden Core Master!" Being able to unleash the power of this physique to his heart's content suddenly made Luo Chen a bit conceited. Wang Yuan, however, promptly threw a bucket of cold water over his excitement. "The capabilities of a Golden Core Master are far beyond what you or I can imagine. Furthermore, you are still far too clumsy with the transformation, and your attacks in that form lack cohesion. They must be improved and supplemented. Otherwise, you have too many openings, and any one of them could cost you your life." Luo Chen pulled back his smile and listened earnestly to Wang Yuan's critique of his demonic form. The slight smugness in his heart slowly dispersed. He recalled his battle against Di Wanyun back then. The sheer might of a Golden Core Master truly was beyond his current ability to fully fathom. In that battle, Di Wanyun had fallen into layer upon layer of his traps, having his mind disturbed and his momentum blunted. Yet even after Luo Chen exhausted all his methods, he had only managed to scratch the man. If not for the Tier 3 grand array Min Longyu gave him that drew upon the lightning gathered over a thousand years atop Mount Thunder Accumulation's Nine Peaks, he probably wouldn't have been able to heavily wound Di Wanyun even if he died trying. Let alone kill him! If he truly wished to face a Golden Core Master with composure, he still had a long road ahead. "Let's go!" "Let's head back first. Once I give it some proper thought, I'll flesh out your combat repertoire. As for Convergence of Myriad Paths, I need to study it thoroughly as well. I feel it will provide plenty of valuable insights for my future breakthrough into the Smelting Furnace Realm," Wang Yuan said slowly, making no effort to conceal how much he prized the body refining manual. Luo Chen nodded, harboring no intention of holding back. Back then, Wang Yuan had shared the Wang Clan Secret Manual containing his life's learnings; naturally, Luo Chen was willing to return the favor in kind. "Oh, right!" Wang Yuan suddenly stopped in his tracks, looking at Luo Chen's gaunt figure. "Once we're back, eat up and nourish yourself. Look how scrawny you are—you're practically thin as a lightning bolt." Luo Chen blinked in astonishment. The mountain wind blew, rustling their robes. Though he wasn't literally thin as a lightning bolt, his tall stature combined with how little meat he had on his bones indeed made him look like a bamboo pole. He shook his head helplessly. Once back, he really did need to eat more. Gu Caiyi had complained more than once that he was too bony to embrace comfortably! Only Sima Huiniang, with her plumper, softer frame, didn't mind it so much. "It just so happens I have a little master chef at home! "Time for her to shine!" Luo Chen smiled as he and Wang Yuan departed this barren land. As for nourishing himself through food, the current Luo Chen had no worries at all. With the Luotian Association's vast workforce at his disposal, as long as he cared to ask, all manner of ingredients could be delivered right to his doorstep. Bai Meiling had studied quite a few recipes over the years; this was the perfect chance for her to display her talents.