The pain didn't disappear.
But it changed.
That was the first thing Li Tian realized when he opened his eyes again.
It was no longer overwhelming.
No longer tearing him apart from the inside.
It was… contained.
Barely.
But enough.
He slowly exhaled.
For the first time since that night—
His breathing was steady.
Not perfect.
Not strong.
But… stable.
Li Tian sat up carefully.
His body still ached.
His wounds still burned.
But they didn't control him anymore.
That alone—
Was different.
Across the small wooden hut, the woman watched silently.
"You're awake."
Li Tian nodded slightly.
Then paused.
"…How long?"
"Half a day."
Not long.
But enough.
Enough to not die.
Li Tian flexed his fingers.
Still weak.
But responsive.
Better than before.
The system flickered.
[Recovery Phase: Partial Completion]
[Host condition: stabilized (low-grade)]
[New function unlocked: Controlled Absorption]
Li Tian's eyes narrowed.
Controlled…?
So this is the next step…
Not just taking blood blindly—
But controlling it.
The woman stepped closer.
"You're different."
Li Tian looked up.
"How?"
"You're not shaking anymore."
She observed calmly.
"Before, your body was reacting. Now… you're holding it back."
Li Tian didn't reply.
But inside—
He understood.
The chaos inside him…
Was still there.
But now—
He could feel it.
Not drown in it.
A small difference.
But a critical one.
He slowly stood up.
His legs trembled slightly—
But didn't collapse.
Progress.
Real progress.
The woman's gaze sharpened.
"You shouldn't be able to stand this soon."
Li Tian gave a faint smile.
"I don't follow normal rules anymore."
She didn't smile back.
"Arrogance will get you killed."
"Maybe," Li Tian replied calmly.
"But weakness already almost did."
Silence filled the hut.
Then—
The system pulsed again.
[Controlled Absorption Trial Available]
[Target required]
Li Tian's expression shifted.
Trial…
So now—
He had to learn control.
Not just survive.
The woman suddenly spoke.
"They're still searching."
Her voice was serious now.
"Closer than before."
Li Tian's eyes darkened.
Of course…
No break.
No rest.
The hunt continues.
He picked up the sword placed beside the wall.
His grip—
Steady.
Not shaking.
That alone showed the change.
The woman watched carefully.
"You're going to fight again?"
Li Tian shook his head slightly.
"No."
A pause.
"Not like before."
That was the difference.
Before—
He reacted.
Now—
He would choose.
A faint sound echoed outside.
Footsteps.
Two.
Maybe three.
Close.
Very close.
The woman's eyes narrowed.
"They found us."
Li Tian didn't panic.
Didn't rush.
Instead—
He stepped toward the door slowly.
Calm.
Measured.
The woman watched him carefully.
Something had changed.
Not his strength.
But his presence.
The door creaked open.
Two hunters stood outside.
They froze.
Seeing him.
Alive.
Standing.
"That's him!"
One shouted.
They rushed forward instantly.
Fast.
Deadly.
But this time—
Li Tian didn't step back.
He stepped forward.
The first blade came straight.
Clean.
Precise.
Li Tian moved slightly.
Just enough.
The blade missed.
His hand shot forward—
Grabbing the hunter's wrist.
Tight.
Controlled.
No panic.
No rush.
The second hunter attacked from the side.
Li Tian released the first—
Shifted his body—
Dodged narrowly—
And stepped inside again.
Close range.
Always close range.
That was his advantage.
He grabbed the second hunter's arm—
And this time—
He didn't bite wildly.
He paused.
For a fraction of a second.
Then—
Focused.
The system reacted.
[Controlled Absorption Activated]
Li Tian felt it.
Different from before.
No explosion.
No chaos.
Just…
Flow.
Slow.
Directed.
The blood moved.
From the hunter—
Into him.
Clean.
Controlled.
The hunter's strength dropped instantly.
"What—?!"
Li Tian moved.
Calm.
Precise.
He drove the sword into his chest.
THUD.
One down.
The first hunter attacked again—
But slower now.
Shaken.
Li Tian turned—
Blocked.
CLANG.
Then countered.
One clean strike.
The blade cut deep across the hunter's neck.
The man fell.
Silence.
Heavy.
Still.
Li Tian stood there.
Breathing steady.
Not collapsing.
Not shaking.
Just… standing.
The woman behind him stared.
For the first time—
There was surprise in her eyes.
"You…"
Li Tian looked at his hands.
No trembling.
No loss of control.
No madness.
Just power.
Small.
But real.
"I didn't lose control…"
He whispered.
"I used it."
The system pulsed again.
[Controlled Absorption: Successful]
[Progression Path Updated]
A faint smile appeared on his lips.
Not wild.
Not broken.
Sharp.
Focused.
This…
Was different.
This was growth.
Real growth.
Not just survival.
Not just desperation.
But control.
The woman stepped closer.
Her eyes studying him.
"You've changed."
Li Tian nodded slightly.
"Yes."
He looked toward the dark forest.
Where the hunt still continued.
Voices.
Torches.
Danger.
But this time—
He didn't feel like prey.
Not completely.
"Now…"
He said softly.
"…I can start fighting back."
The rain slowed slightly.
The forest grew quiet again.
But deep within it—
Something had shifted.
The hunted…
Was slowly becoming the hunter.
🔥 The Dragon's Ancestral Legacy 🔥