As iyun pressed [Integrate], a radiant light burst forth from the Dragon Scale. The temperature in the room shifted wildly—icy cold and scorching heat warred as the ancient power surged into her.
"Ah...!" iyun gasped, clutching her chest. Her knees buckled as pain flooded her body, searing her veins like molten tal.
"iyun!" Ruxue cried out, trying to step forward, but Hui’er stopped her with a flick of her fingers, forming a shimring crimson barrier.
"Stay back," Hui’er said flatly. "What she’s undergoing... it’s not sothing you can interrupt."
Golden arcs of light spiraled around iyun like divine chains, binding and transforming her simultaneously. Her hair lifted, her pupils dilated, and runes danced across her skin—appearing, glowing, then sinking into her blood.
"She’s not just integrating power," Vornark murmured. "That’s a full-fledged awakening. Sothing old... and noble."
Chen Yu remained motionless, watching with piercing eyes.
[System Notification: Dragon Bloodline Detected]
[Compatibility: 98.4%]
[Initiating Bloodline Awakening Sequence]
[Warning: Mortal vessel nearing overload threshold...]
iyun let out a cry of agony as her aura exploded outward. The walls trembled. The floor cracked. And then—
BOOM!
A pulse of golden energy surged out, followed by complete stillness.
When the light dimd, iyun stood at the center of the chaos—changed.
Her once-black hair now shimred with golden strands that caught the light like threads of dawn. Her irises were sharp, dragon-like slits glowing amber. Along her arms and collarbone, faint traces of crystalline scales glistened.
The room held its breath.
[System Notification: Bloodline Awakening Complete]
[Bloodline: Dragonkin – Celestial Variant]
[Rank: C → B]
[Trait Unlocked: Regal Presence]
[Skill Acquired: Draconic Veil (Lv.1)]
"I... I feel alive," iyun whispered, flexing her fingers. "Like I’ve been shackled my whole life, and the chains are finally gone."
Even Ruxue took a step back, stunned by the pressure iyun now gave off. It wasn’t just strength. It was presence.
Chen Yu stepped forward calmly.
"Welco to your true self," he said.
iyun t his gaze, eyes glowing softly. "And it was you who made it possible..."
Hui’er gave a soft smile before stepping closer, her crimson eyes gleaming with playfulness and sothing else—sothing more dangerous.
"I’ll make sure to train both of them," she said, referring to iyun and Ruxue. "Now that I’ve reached B-rank, it’s ti we push them to A-rank as well. I believe in them... and I believe in you."
Then, leaning in until her lips were re inches from mine, she whispered, "But don’t forget about the wish, Chen Yu. When the ti cos, you will have to do what I say."
I t her gaze, unfazed. "I got it," I replied calmly. "Now go with them."
Hui’er chuckled, brushing past as she vanished down the hall. I turned to Vornark.
"Switch to human form," I ordered.
With a shimr of demonic light, the hulking beast transford into a tall, silver-haired man in a black coat. His presence dimd, no longer oppressive—but still unmistakably powerful.
It was ti to et him.
A young man stepped into the mansion just as I dispelled the barrier outside. He was neatly dressed, carrying himself with confidence, though his eyes were alert—calculating.
I sat relaxed on the sofa, one leg crossed over the other. "Hey, Roman," I called out. "Over here. I’m the one who contacted you. Na’s Chen. Have a seat."
Roman Nile didn’t respond imdiately. His gaze swept the room, then flicked back toward the entrance he had struggled to pass through.
’That barrier... it wasn’t a regular artifact. Not sothing you’d find even in elite vaults. Was it a skill? An inheritance? Whatever it was, this man is dangerous.’
Still, he took a seat opposite , hiding his unease behind a composed mask.
"I’ve done a full background check on you," Roman began, his voice steady. "Chen Yu. An orphan. Used to be a regular university student, then—suddenly—you gained unimaginable wealth out of nowhere. And not just that... you expanded fast. Ruthlessly. You’ve made waves in Tianxu City."
He paused for emphasis. "And most importantly... you’re a distant relative of the Chen Family—one of the most powerful families in China."
That caught off guard. I didn’t show it, but for a split second, I froze.
The Chen Family...? I’m related to them?
Even I didn’t know that.
But I regained my composure and smirked. "Interesting. Seems like you’ve done your howork... But Roman Nile—heir of the infamous Nile Family from the U.S.—you’re not exactly innocent yourself."
Roman’s eyes widened, just slightly.
"Not many people know about your real identity," I continued. "Even fewer know that you’ve cleared five of the World Challenges. And your class? A swordsman, isn’t it?"
Shock rippled across Roman’s face. He tried to keep calm, but I could see the turmoil in his mind.
’How the hell does he know that? Only the elders... and my father... know those things. Even the Challenge information is top-secret...’
He had co prepared to interrogate . But now, he realized—he was sitting across from soone who already had the upper hand.
Chen Yu stood up, his presence towering over the seated Roman. With steady steps, he walked forward and looked the young swordsman in the eye.
"Join ," Chen said, voice firm and confident. "I’m forming a guild—one that will stand above the rest. I need powerful individuals... and you, Roman, are one of the few who qualify. I promise you this—follow , and I’ll make sure you beco the strongest swordsman on this planet."
Roman leaned back slightly, the corner of his lips twitching into a smirk. "Big words," he replied. "You may know a lot... too much, in fact. I don’t know how you dug up such confidential information, but let make one thing clear—"
His expression turned sharp. "I’m already one of the most powerful people on this planet. It’s only been a month since the rging of the three worlds and the start of the Challenges... and yet, I’ve already reached B-rank."
He paused, then added with a touch of arrogance, "Among humans, there’s only one known A-rank—and no one knows what kind of monsters are hiding on the demon or beast continents. But right now? I’m at the top of humanity."
Chen chuckled, not out of mockery, but with calm certainty—like a teacher amused by a student’s overconfidence.
"Tell , Roman," he said, eyes gleaming. "Do you know why, even after the fusion of the three planets, the borders between them still remain intact?"
Roman narrowed his eyes but didn’t speak.
"It’s because the barrier keeping them apart is temporary," Chen continued. "Soon... very soon... those barriers will collapse. And when they do?"
He leaned in. "The demons will move. The beasts will rise. And chaos will follow."
Roman frowned. "You speak as if you’ve seen the future."
Chen tilted his head slightly, smile unfading. "I don’t need to see the future. I just know how the ga is played. When the world resets, only those who prepare in advance will survive the second storm. Your strength might be enough now... but when the real war begins, B-rank won’t even scratch the surface."
Roman’s smirk returned, though less confident this ti. "Even if that’s true... why should I serve under soone else? What’s the point of joining your guild? You’re the first person I’ve seen even ntion one."
Chen’s eyes sharpened.
"Because a lone sword can cut, but a legion of blades can conquer," he said. "When the world plunges into true chaos, individual power won’t be enough. We’ll need structure. Strategy. A force that can respond to any threat—demonic, beastly, or human."
He extended his hand.
"I’m not asking you to kneel. I’m offering you a place where your talent won’t be wasted. A future where you don’t just survive... but stand at the peak."
Roman crossed his arms, still not fully convinced. "Alright, you’ve made your pitch," he said. "But words aren’t enough. I need to see your strength for myself. What if you’re just talk and no bite?"
Chen Yu smiled faintly, eyes gleaming with confidence. "Fair enough. But don’t regret it later."
Without another word, he turned and walked toward a sealed door at the side of the mansion. Roman followed, curiosity and anticipation brewing beneath his calm facade.
The door opened to a descending staircase—tallic, dimly lit, and echoing with each step. After several turns, the two arrived at a massive underground chamber.
Roman’s eyes widened the mont he stepped inside.
The training hall was unlike anything he had ever seen.
It spanned several hundred ters, reinforced with rare ores and enchanted runes glowing faintly along the walls. Weapons of every kind lined the racks, gravity-adjusted zones hovered midair, and at the far end, a combat arena made of blackstone pulsed with mana—dense and oppressive.
"This..." Roman muttered, stepping forward. "You built all this?"
Chen nodded. "Took a month. Every corner, every enhancent—customized. This is my personal training hall."
Roman turned to him, eyes narrowing. "Why are you giving so many surprises, Chen Yu?"
Chen’s grin widened. "Because I haven’t even started yet."
He stepped into the arena and beckoned Roman forward.
"Let’s settle this," Chen said calmly. "Once I’m done, I’ll introduce you to your future guildmates—the ones you’ll be training beside. Consider this your initiation."
Roman’s lips curled into a smirk as he unsheathed his sword, its blade humming with power. "Fine by . Don’t hold back."
Chen Yu didn’t summon a weapon—he simply raised his hand. Energy began to swirl around him, faint at first, then dense enough to distort the air.
Roman’s smirk faded slightly.
That pressure... it’s heavier than any B-rank I’ve ever fought.
The underground arena darkened, and silence fell.
The battle was about to begin.
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