Thump! Thump! Thump!
Chen Beiyuan's body was bathed in golden dragon blood.
Like a whale swallowing the sea, he crazily absorbed the immense energy contained within the Dragon Blood Pool. His body underwent tempering and blood refinement as his fair skin gradually took on a faint golden sheen. Even the blood flowing through his veins began to glimmer with strands of golden light.
In an instant, the entire Dragon Blood Pool revolved around him, forming a massive whirlpool.
Endless streams of golden dragon blood were drawn in by an invisible force, layer upon layer enveloping him until they condensed into a gigantic golden dragon egg.
Within the dragon egg, an eerie heartbeat began to echo.
At first, it was faint.
But with each beat, it grew louder...
Heavier...
More oppressive...
It was as though some terrifying lifeform was being nurtured within.
Moments later, the thunderous heartbeat reverberated throughout the entire secret realm.
At that very moment—
Buried deep beneath the blood-soaked earth at the bottom of the Dragon Blood Pool, a strange crimson egg, covered in grotesque blood vessel-like patterns, suddenly emitted a scarlet glow.
It slowly floated out of the blood-soaked soil and drifted toward the enormous golden dragon egg above.
A faint dragon's cry filled with joy echoed from within the bizarre egg.
...
Kyoto Nightclub — Supreme Imperial Suite
"Young Master Lin, we've confirmed it."
"Lin Xiao is definitely not a spy secretly cultivated by any other faction."
"He is a genuine commoner."
"The reason he managed to reach the Fourth-Rank Battle General realm at only twenty-one years old and awaken a high-grade Battle Soul isn't solely because of his terrifying talent."
"His methods are equally formidable."
"He has secretly done quite a few shady things and amassed considerable cultivation resources."
"At present, at least several clan extermination cases can be linked to him to varying degrees."
"The only problem is... there's no concrete evidence."
"According to our think tank's assessment, his cultivation talent is among the very best."
"It is in no way inferior to the core heirs of the top aristocratic families."
"It's just a pity that his background is too humble."
"Otherwise... his achievements would likely have been even greater."
Seated leisurely on a luxurious sofa, a sinister-looking man had one arm wrapped around a sweet girl-next-door type while the other embraced an innocent-looking young teacher.
As he listened to his subordinate's report, he enjoyed the treatment of an emperor, occasionally bursting into hearty laughter.
The subordinate standing beside him remained expressionless, lowering his head immediately after finishing the report, not daring to take another glance.
Clearly...
This sinister man was the so-called Young Master Lin.
Being inside the Supreme Imperial Suite of Kyoto's exclusive nightclub—a place reserved for the elite—his identity and the power backing him were obvious.
The Donghua Lin Family.
One of the Empire's supreme aristocratic clans.
A terrifying family protected by an Eighth-Rank Battle Emperor, whose very existence safeguarded the family's fortune.
"A humble background is exactly what makes him useful to me."
"Otherwise, how could I ever control someone like him?"
"I was originally wondering how to recruit him properly."
"But now things are much simpler."
"After all, everyone with the surname Lin is family."
"Find out which branch of the Lin clan that country bumpkin came from."
...
Donghua Academy — Medical Wing
An elderly man who had lost both arms lay sleeping quietly on a hospital bed.
Medical instruments surrounding him continuously monitored his condition to ensure his safety.
Although Elder Qiong had been confined to the hospital for the past several days and temporarily relieved of his position while under investigation...
His treatment had actually been quite comfortable.
Not only did he receive the finest medical care available...
Even the investigation team only stopped by occasionally to ask a few routine questions before hurrying off again.
No one deliberately made things difficult for him.
Because...
Everyone was waiting.
No one wanted to offend the wrong person before everything was settled.
Suddenly...
The sleeping Elder Qiong slowly opened his eyes.
The first thing he saw was Lin Xiao sitting beside the bed.
Lin Xiao's face had swollen into what looked like a pig's head.
Distinct handprints of varying sizes were clearly visible on both cheeks.
Seeing his adopted son's miserable appearance...
Elder Qiong showed neither anger nor outrage.
He merely sighed inwardly.
Without his protection...
Lin Xiao's situation must have become extremely difficult.
"Godfather!"
"You're awake!"
The moment Lin Xiao saw him awaken, joy flashed across his swollen face.
He quickly helped Elder Qiong sit up before carefully feeding him some water, looking every bit the devoted son.
Watching Lin Xiao's unwavering filial devotion—unchanged from beginning to end—
A look of determination finally appeared in Elder Qiong's eyes.
He had made up his mind.
"Xiao'er."
"Your godfather still possesses one final trump card."
"It may allow you to transform into a dragon."
"If you succeed..."
"You will soar into the heavens and escape your current predicament."
"However..."
"The opportunity is extraordinarily dangerous."
"The chances of success are extremely slim."
"If anything goes wrong..."
"You will certainly die."
"Are you willing to try?"
Without the slightest hesitation, Lin Xiao's face filled with excitement before turning completely serious.
"Godfather..."
"I'm willing."
"You've been harmed by that despicable and shameless villain, Chen Beiyuan."
"You've been reduced to this state..."
"You've lost both your arms and are imprisoned here."
"If I don't become a dragon..."
"I'll never catch up to him."
"I'll never defeat that despicable bastard and avenge you."
"If I cannot become a dragon..."
"I'd rather die!"
Elder Qiong sighed.
"I appreciate your loyalty."
"But I don't expect you to seek revenge against Chen Beiyuan."
"The Donghua Chen Family is far more terrifying than you can imagine."
"I only hope..."
"That you'll be able to change your destiny."
"That you'll escape your current situation."
"As long as you live..."
"That's more important than anything else."
His expression was weary and defeated.
Ever since Chen Beiyuan had shattered his spine...
He had been utterly crippled.
"I'll do as you say, Godfather."
"And don't worry."
"One day..."
"I'll find a heavenly treasure capable of regenerating severed limbs."
"I'll restore you to your former peak."
Lin Xiao vowed solemnly.
"It's enough that you have such intentions."
Elder Qiong smiled with satisfaction.
Supported by Lin Xiao, he slowly climbed out of bed and headed toward the hospital room's exit.
As soon as they reached the doorway...
The two investigators standing guard hurriedly stepped forward to stop them.
One of the older investigators spoke awkwardly.
"Elder Qiong..."
"Please don't make things difficult for people like us."
"Vice Principal Liu specifically instructed that you're only allowed to remain inside your room..."
"I want to see the Principal."
Supported by Lin Xiao, Elder Qiong didn't even bother lifting his eyelids.
His tone was firm and unquestionable.
At that moment...
He once again seemed like the powerful academy executive he had once been.
The two investigators' expressions immediately changed.
Without another word, they stepped aside and returned to their posts.
Eyes forward.
Silent.
As if they had seen nothing at all.
They simply watched as Lin Xiao supported Elder Qiong and escorted him toward the Principal's office.
Both investigators understood perfectly well.
Although Elder Qiong was technically a prisoner at the moment...
The moment he invoked that special connection of his...
He could immediately reclaim his position among the academy's leadership.
Some things couldn't be judged by appearances.
Until the very end...
It was always wiser not to offend anyone unnecessarily.
Otherwise...
Once the dust settled...
The consequences could be severe.
However...
Neither the two investigators...
Nor the elderly man leaning on Lin Xiao...
Noticed the strange smile that briefly curled across the corner of Lin Xiao's swollen lips.
The eerie smile appeared only for an instant before vanishing without a trace—
As though it had never existed at all.