The moment the system finished refining—
Everything changed.
Heat exploded inside Li Tian's body.
Not warmth.
Not healing.
It felt like his blood had turned into fire.
"AGHH—!"
He dropped to one knee, clutching his chest.
Every vein in his body pulsed violently.
It was as if something ancient was forcing its way through flesh that was too weak to contain it.
[Refinement Complete]
[Lifespan Reduced: 3 Years]
[Dragon Blood Purity Increased]
The words floated before his eyes—
Cold.
Indifferent.
Li Tian gritted his teeth.
Three years…
Gone.
Just like that.
Not pain.
Not injury.
His life itself had been burned.
"This… is the price…"
He whispered.
The guard in front of him hesitated.
For the first time—
Fear appeared in his eyes.
"What… what is happening to him?"
The air around Li Tian distorted slightly.
Steam rose where the rain touched his skin.
Zhao Yun stepped forward slowly.
His gaze sharp.
Focused.
"Don't hesitate," he said calmly.
"Break him."
The guard forced himself to move.
He raised his sword and rushed forward.
Fast.
But—
Li Tian moved first.
Not faster.
Not cleaner.
But… more decisive.
He stepped forward instead of back.
The sword came down—
Li Tian didn't block.
He shifted his body slightly.
The blade cut across his side.
Blood splashed.
Pain surged.
But he didn't stop.
He moved through it.
His hand shot forward—
Grabbing the guard's wrist.
Tight.
Desperate.
The guard's eyes widened.
"You—!"
Li Tian pulled him closer.
Too close for a sword.
Then—
His head slammed forward.
CRACK.
The guard staggered.
Li Tian twisted his wrist—
The sword slipped.
He caught it.
And drove it forward.
THUD.
The blade pierced into the guard's chest.
Not perfectly.
Not deeply enough to kill instantly.
But enough.
The guard gasped.
His body trembled.
Li Tian pushed harder.
Forcing the blade deeper.
Until—
The resistance stopped.
Silence.
Li Tian froze.
His breathing ragged.
His body shaking.
Another life taken.
Not skillfully.
Not cleanly.
Just… survival.
He pulled the sword out.
Blood poured down.
His hand trembled violently.
The energy inside him—
Was fading again.
Just like before.
The system flickered.
[Temporary enhancement ending]
[Host condition: Critical]
Of course…
Nothing lasts.
He took one step back.
His legs almost gave out.
Still weak…
Still dying…
The remaining guard hesitated.
This time—
He didn't rush.
Zhao Yun's voice came again.
"Enough."
The guard froze instantly.
Li Tian looked up.
Zhao Yun was watching him closely now.
Not with indifference.
With interest.
Deep interest.
"You're adapting faster than I expected," Zhao Yun said.
His tone was calm.
But dangerous.
Li Tian said nothing.
He couldn't.
His throat burned.
His body screamed.
Zhao Yun took another step forward.
Rain slid down his face.
But his expression remained unchanged.
"Tell me," he said softly,
"what did you awaken?"
Li Tian stared at him.
Silence.
Then—
A faint smile appeared.
Blood still on his lips.
"Something… you can't control."
Zhao Yun's eyes narrowed slightly.
For a brief moment—
The calm cracked.
Just a little.
Then it returned.
"Interesting answer."
He turned slightly.
"Take him."
The last guard moved again.
More cautious this time.
Li Tian's grip on the sword tightened.
He tried to lift it—
But his arm shook.
Too heavy.
Too tired.
No strength left.
His vision blurred again.
This is it…
Even after everything…
I'm still not enough…
The guard stepped closer.
Slow.
Careful.
He aimed low—
To cripple.
Not kill.
Li Tian tried to move.
His body refused.
Nothing left…
Then—
The system flickered again.
[Passive effect unlocked]
[Dragon Instinct – Level 1]
[Effect: Danger perception increased]
Suddenly—
Everything sharpened.
The guard's movement—
Clear.
Predictable.
The angle of the blade—
Obvious.
Li Tian's body reacted before his mind.
He twisted slightly.
The blade missed his leg—
Barely.
The guard froze.
Confused.
Li Tian didn't think.
He moved forward again.
Every step heavy.
Every movement painful.
But precise.
He raised the sword—
And slashed.
The guard blocked.
CLANG!
But this time—
Li Tian didn't stop.
He stepped in closer.
Inside the guard's range.
Then—
He let go of the sword.
The guard blinked.
For a second—
Confused.
That second—
Was enough.
Li Tian grabbed the guard's throat.
And slammed him down.
CRACK.
The guard struggled.
Stronger.
Still stronger.
But Li Tian used his weight.
His last bit of strength.
He pressed harder.
Ignoring the pain tearing through his body.
The guard's movements slowed.
Weakened.
Stopped.
Silence.
Li Tian remained there.
Hand still on the guard's throat.
Not moving.
Not breathing properly.
Then slowly—
He let go.
And fell back.
Flat on the ground.
Rain hit his face.
Cold.
Sharp.
Real.
"I… survived…"
He whispered.
But even as he said it—
He knew the truth.
He didn't win.
He just… didn't die yet.
Zhao Yun looked down at him.
His eyes unreadable.
"Take him below," he said again.
"No more delays."
Two new guards approached from behind.
Fresh.
Untouched.
Li Tian didn't even try to stand.
He couldn't.
His body was completely empty.
As they lifted him—
His eyes slowly closed.
The system flickered faintly.
[Mission Completed: Survive the Night]
[Reward Issued: Dragon Blood Essence x1]
[New Phase Initiated]
New phase…?
His consciousness faded.
Darkness closed in again.
But this time—
It wasn't peaceful.
Somewhere deep inside—
Something was still moving.
Still growing.
Still… hungry.
And far above—
Zhao Yun watched silently.
A faint smile on his lips.
"Let's see," he murmured,
"what kind of monster you become."
Rain continued to fall.
But the night…
Was far from over.
🔥 The Dragon's Ancestral Legacy 🔥