A Test of the Soul and True Strength
The sky split open, releasing a dazzling golden light. From within, three figures from the **Higher Dimension** descended—humanoid beings with constellation-patterned skin and pupil-less eyes. Their leader, **Arthan**, stepped forward, his voice echoing like the roar of the stars.
***"Jiuyinlong… we've finally found you. This primordial power belongs to the Highest Dimension."***
Xiao Lin held onto Jiuyinlong tightly, sword energy surging uncontrollably in his hand. Nine elemental dragons circled his body, but their auras were unstable, occasionally destroying the ground around him unintentionally.
"I won't hand it over!" Xiao Lin shouted, but his voice was trembling. Cold sweat dripped down his forehead—Jiuyinlong's power was beginning to erode his consciousness.
---
**Unequal Battle**
Arthan raised his hand, creating a **miniature black hole** that sucked everything into it. Xiao Lin tried to attack, but the Jiuyinlong unleashed a wild burst of energy that shattered the mountain behind him.
"Xiao Lin! Control the sword!" Luo Yan shouted, her golden blood forming a protective shield.
"I… can't!" Xiao Lin replied, her eyes turning pitch black at times.
Li Feng jumped out of the way of the black hole's attack. "He's losing control! We have to help him!"
---
**Golden Blood and Ancestral Secret**
Luo Yan dashed to the ancient altar in the center of the battlefield, tearing open her palm. Her golden blood flowed onto the stone tablet, activating ancient symbols that shot light into the sky.
*A flash of memory appeared: Her ancestor, the silver-haired woman, was standing in the same spot.*
***"Our blood is the bridge between humans and dragons. But you must choose—to be the guardian… or the destroyer."***
"I choose to be the guardian!" Luo Yan whispered. Ancient symbols lit up, forming a **soul cord** that connected her to the Jiuyinlong.
---
**Xiao Lin's Soul Battle**
In Xiao Lin's consciousness, the Jiuyinlong transformed into a **giant dragon** that growled.
***"You're weak! Surrender your body to me!"***
Xiao Lin fell, but suddenly Su Chen's voice rang out:
***"True strength is not in domination, but in synergy. Listen to this sword's soul!"***
Xiao Lin closed his eyes, feeling the Jiuyinlong's vibrations. Instead of fighting, he reached out. "We… are not enemies."
The dragon stopped, its red eyes dimming. ***"You… are different from the others."***
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**Harmony Awakening**
In the real world, the Jiuyinlong suddenly calmed down. The nine elemental dragons merged into one, forming a crown of light above Xiao Lin's head.
"I understand now," it whispered, the sword in its hand now glowing evenly.
Arthan grinned. "You think this is enough to fight us?"
Xiao Lin smiled. "Not fighting… but protecting."
With a slow motion, he swung the Jiuyinlong. Pure energy swept across the area, forcing Arthan's black hole to collapse.
---
**Inevitable Sacrifice**
Arthan fell, but his face did not lose its arrogance. ***"You won today… but the Supreme Dimension will not stop. They will come again… with greater power!"***
Before disappearing, Arthan threw his last weapon—**dimensional virus** that was eating away at the Jiuyinlong. The sword cracked, and Xiao Lin fell, black blood flowing from his eyes.
"Xiao Lin!" Luo Yan ran towards him.
But Xiao Lin shook his head. "This virus… changed me. I have to leave… before I destroy everything."
With the last of his strength, he opened a dimensional portal and jumped into it.
---
**Closing Scene: Traces Left Behind**
Luo Yan held the fragment of the Jiuyinlong infected with the virus. In his hand, his golden blood reacted, forming a strange crystal pattern.
"We will find you, Xiao Lin… wherever you are," he whispered.
Beyond the portal, Xiao Lin wakes up in a desert of a foreign dimension. In front of him, the shadows of the **Black Sun Sect** line up, welcoming him with triumphant smiles.