Darkness returned.
Not sudden.
Not peaceful.
It crept in slowly, swallowing Li Tian's senses piece by piece.
His body lay motionless on the cold, wet ground.
Rain fell without mercy.
Each drop struck his skin, but he barely felt it anymore.
His breathing was shallow.
Faint.
Unstable.
If it continued like this—
He would die.
The system flickered weakly.
[Host condition: critical]
[Blood energy: nearly depleted]
[Emergency stabilization required]
But there was no response.
No movement.
Li Tian couldn't even open his eyes.
His body had gone beyond its limit.
Fighting.
Running.
Bleeding.
Again and again.
And now—
Nothing was left.
…
Time passed.
Unknown.
Unmeasured.
Then—
A sound.
Soft.
Careful.
Footsteps.
Not heavy like guards.
Not aggressive like hunters.
Light.
Cautious.
Li Tian's fingers twitched slightly.
Barely.
Someone approached.
A figure emerged through the rain.
Small.
Wrapped in a dark cloak.
They stopped a few steps away from him.
Watching.
Silent.
Then—
A voice.
Low.
Surprised.
"…Still alive?"
The figure moved closer.
Kneeling beside him.
A hand hovered over his chest.
Feeling the faint rise and fall.
"Barely…"
Li Tian couldn't respond.
Couldn't move.
But somewhere deep inside—
His mind stirred.
Another stranger…
Danger…?
The figure hesitated.
Then muttered softly,
"This one… isn't normal."
A pause.
Then—
A decision.
"…If I leave him, he dies."
Another pause.
"…If I take him, I get involved."
Silence.
Rain filled the gap.
Finally—
A quiet sigh.
"…Troublesome."
The figure moved.
Quick.
Efficient.
They pulled Li Tian up slightly and lifted him over their shoulder.
Li Tian's body hung limp.
Unconscious.
Helpless.
The forest swallowed their steps as they moved deeper inside.
Away from the open paths.
Away from the hunters.
…
Time passed again.
When Li Tian's awareness returned—
It came with pain.
Sharp.
Burning.
Unavoidable.
"Ugh…"
A weak sound escaped his lips.
His eyes opened slowly.
Dim light.
A wooden ceiling.
Faint smell of herbs.
Dry.
Not rain.
Not mud.
He was… inside.
Li Tian tried to move—
Pain exploded through his body.
"Don't move."
A calm voice stopped him.
Li Tian's gaze shifted.
The same cloaked figure stood near the corner.
Now without the hood.
A young woman.
Sharp eyes.
Calm expression.
Not kind.
But not cruel either.
"You'll tear your wounds open again," she said.
Li Tian stared at her silently.
His mind slowly processing.
"You… brought me here…?"
She nodded slightly.
"Don't misunderstand."
Her tone was flat.
"I didn't do it to save you."
Li Tian's eyes narrowed slightly.
"Then… why…?"
The woman crossed her arms.
"You were interesting."
A simple answer.
But honest.
Li Tian let out a weak breath.
"Lucky… me…"
The woman ignored the sarcasm.
"You're being hunted."
She continued calmly.
"Not just by guards."
Li Tian's gaze sharpened slightly.
"Hunters…"
She nodded.
"And beasts too. You made quite a mess out there."
Li Tian closed his eyes briefly.
Yeah…
I did…
The system flickered faintly again.
[Host condition: stabilizing]
[External treatment detected]
Treatment…?
He looked down.
Bandages.
Clean.
Carefully applied.
Herbs placed over wounds.
Someone had taken the time.
The woman.
"You used blood absorption," she said suddenly.
Li Tian froze.
His eyes snapped toward her.
"How do you—"
"I've seen it before."
Her gaze didn't waver.
"But not like yours."
Li Tian stayed silent.
Too many questions.
Too little strength.
The woman continued,
"You're not just using it."
"…You're being consumed by it."
Those words hit deeper than expected.
Consumed…
Li Tian's jaw tightened.
He knew.
He had felt it.
That moment—
When he lost control.
When he wasn't himself.
"If that continues," she said,
"You won't die from your enemies."
"…You'll lose yourself first."
Silence filled the room.
Heavy.
Real.
Li Tian looked down at his trembling hands.
Still shaking.
Even now.
The system flickered again.
[Mutation status: incomplete]
[Risk: increasing]
So it wasn't over…
Not even close.
The woman stepped closer.
Her eyes sharp.
"Tell me," she said.
"What are you?"
Li Tian looked up.
For a moment—
He considered lying.
But then—
He laughed weakly.
"Someone… trying not to die."
The woman watched him for a few seconds.
Then—
She turned away.
"Rest."
She said simply.
"You won't survive another fight like that."
Li Tian closed his eyes again.
His body sinking into the rough bedding.
For the first time—
There was no immediate threat.
No blade.
No chase.
Just…
Silence.
But it didn't feel safe.
Because he knew—
This wouldn't last.
The system pulsed one last time.
[Recovery Phase Initiated]
[New requirement: Controlled blood usage]
Controlled…
A new word.
A new rule.
Not just consuming.
Controlling.
Li Tian's breathing slowly steadied.
His mind, however—
Did not.
Because deep inside—
He could still feel it.
That hunger.
That violent pull.
The Dragon Blood.
Waiting.
Growing.
And outside—
Far beyond the small hut—
Torches lit up the forest.
Voices echoed.
"They're still searching!"
"He's injured—he can't be far!"
The hunt had not stopped.
It had only paused.
And soon—
It would reach him again.
🔥 The Dragon's Ancestral Legacy 🔥