The wind blew dry dust across the city gates of Moon Lotus. Jin stood with Lana on one side and Arielle on the other, both of them cloaked for travel. Their bags were light, but the air was heavy.
Before them stood three different factions, their representatives radiating spiritual pressure.
A man in green robes, his eyes gleaming with ambition, stepped forward first.
"Jin. I'm Elder Shen of the Verdant Willow Sect. We value talent like yours. With your strength, you'd rise through our inner ranks in no time. We offer protection and resources."
Another spoke a woman clad in crimson, her aura sharp like a blade.
"Or you could join the Scarlet Blade Pavilion. You're born for battle. We'd let you cultivate freely, and train in our elite killer arts."
And lastly, a short, wrinkled old man with a crooked smile chuckled.
"Bah. Too much talk. Join the Alabaster Stone Clan. We'll keep your mother safe, your girl safe and I'll personally refine pills for your bloodline."
Jin's eyes narrowed. His instincts screamed trap, but he remained calm.
"I appreciate the offers. But I already have my path."
He stepped forward, and they instinctively stepped back. His presence, his aura it wasn't normal anymore.
"I walk where the wind takes me. I won't serve any flag but my own."
There was silence.
And then the factions backed down… for now.
But behind their smiles, interest turned to wariness.
As Jin turned away with Lana and Arielle, he glanced at the system message hovering in his mind.
[System Notice: Recruitment Offers Rejected – Independent Path Chosen]
[+50 EXP for resisting temptation]
That Night… Far from Moon Lotus
They made camp at the edge of the Whispering Pines Valley, a place known for fog and silence.
Arielle prepared a fire. Lana sharpened her dagger.
Jin stared into the shadows.
He could feel it.
Someone was coming.
And soon enough… they came.
Assassins in black. Branded by Molana's personal sigil.
Their blades gleamed in the moonlight.
"Get ready," Jin growled.
They struck. Five of them faster, better trained than before. Their leader, a Spirit Realm cultivator with venom qi, shouted:
"Her Grace sends her regards."
Jin said nothing.
But his dragon blood surged.
His eyes turned azure. Scales flickered across his arms.
And he moved.
Wind curled around his fists. The first assassin's blade never reached him his wind burst shattered the man's ribcage.
He twisted, dodged, caught another by the throat and slammed him to the earth.
A third stabbed at Arielle but Lana intercepted it with a swift, brutal kick. Blood splattered the grass.
But Jin's power was growing wild.
The demon bloodline awoke again.
[Blood Demon Bloodline Resonance: +2% → 5%]
[Blood Qi Detected: Assimilating Ambient Qi]
The moment blood touched the air, his strength tripled.
He broke the last assassin in half with a roar and collapsed to one knee, gasping. since he used the blood demon technique for a short time it was less affected by backlash.
[New Demon Technique Acquired – Blood Devour Sutra (Tier 1)]
Allows passive absorption of blood qi to enhance physical stats and recovery
[Tyrant Body – Breakthrough Triggered]
[Progressing to Tyrant Body – Silver Stage (Stage 2)]
He panted heavily, looking around at the blood-stained grass.
Arielle touched his shoulder, eyes shimmering.
"You saved us… again."
But Jin's eyes weren't looking at her.
They were looking toward the mountains.
"Let's keep moving."
Meanwhile – In the Capital
Second Queen Molana sat beside her father in a candlelit study.
He was pale, aged but his eyes burned with power.
"The king is weakening. We make our move soon."
Molana poured wine but didn't drink it.
"And the boy?"
"He's left Moon Lotus. With the Blood Demon bloodline awakened, he'll become a threat to all noble houses."
"Then I'll send real killers next time."
She smiled.
The Final Scene – Arielle's Revelation
Hours later, under the crimson light of dusk, they paused in a valley of frozen mist.
Arielle stood still.
"This place…" she said. "I've been here before."
Jin raised a brow.
She touched a moss-covered stone, whispered:
"My parents brought me here once. There's… an inheritance hidden nearby. An old dragon vault. Only someone with the right bloodline can open it."
Jin's eyes flickered with intrigue.
Lana crossed her arms.
"Why didn't you mention this earlier?"
Arielle hesitated.
"I wasn't sure if I could trust fate. But now… I trust him."
She looked at Jin.
And for once Jin didn't avoid her gaze.
He simply nodded.
"Then let's open it after am a it rested and i have practiced.."