The corrupted Wolf King's howl split the night.
The cracked bell above the village shook, its rusty voice ringing wildly as if warning all mortals to flee. Torches flickered in the sudden gale. Villagers clutched their tools tighter, but terror froze their feet.
The beast's eyes glowed a sickly green, horns curving from its skull like jagged blades. Its fangs dripped venom that hissed when it touched the earth. Muscles coiled beneath its black hide, every step cracking the dirt.
The elder's face went pale. "Qi Refining realm…" His voice trembled. "No one here can stand against it."
No one—except the boy who stood before the horde, hair dancing in the night wind, dragon mark faintly glowing beneath his tattered robe.
Long Chen inhaled deeply, steadying his breath. His blood roared like a river breaking through stone.
This is it. My first true opponent.
The Wolf King bared its fangs and charged.
The ground split beneath its claws as it lunged, faster than any mortal eye could follow.
Long Chen moved. His body blurred aside as the tusks scraped past, missing his ribs by an inch. He slammed his palm into its flank—
"Devour!"
Blue light surged, dragging foul Qi into his body. The Wolf King howled in rage and twisted, its tail lashing out like a whip. It caught Long Chen across the chest, hurling him into the dirt.
Pain blossomed. He coughed, blood wetting his lips. His body was too weak to trade blows with a beast of this level.
[ Status Warning ]
Vitality Strain: 62%
Fractured Rib Detected
Recommend: Retreat
Long Chen gritted his teeth and pushed himself up. "Retreat? When the village is behind me?" He spat crimson into the dirt. "No. I will devour you whole."
The Wolf King roared, dark Qi flooding the field. The torches dimmed, shadows twisting. Villagers stumbled back in horror, clutching children to their chests.
Long Chen clenched his fist. "System, release more bloodline power. I need it now!"
[ Bloodline Request Acknowledged ]
Stage 1 → Stage 1 (Partial Unseal)
Warning: Excessive unseal may trigger Heavenly Observation.
Proceed?
Yes.
The dragon mark on his chest blazed. A roar—not from his throat, but from the depths of his bloodline—shook the night. For an instant, a golden dragon's phantom curled behind him, scales shimmering in moonlight.
The Wolf King hesitated, instincts screaming danger.
Long Chen's aura flared, lifting his hair, eyes glowing faint gold.
"Come," he growled, voice layered with the dragon's echo. "Let's end this."
The Wolf King lunged again, jaws wide. Poison glistened on its fangs.
Long Chen surged forward instead of dodging. His palm struck the beast's skull, golden aura wrapping his arm.
"DEVOUR!"
The world howled with him.
Foul Qi poured from the Wolf King like a flood, ripped from its veins into Long Chen's hand. The dragon phantom behind him roared, swallowing the energy whole. The beast thrashed, claws tearing earth, horns scraping sparks against stone.
Villagers cried out as the struggle shook the ground.
The Wolf King's eyes dimmed. Its body weakened, trembling violently. With a final roar, it collapsed, its life essence consumed.
Silence fell.
Only the crackle of dying torches and the sound of Long Chen's ragged breathing filled the night.
[ Battle Complete ]
Target Defeated: Corrupted Wolf King
Realm: Qi Refining (Stage 2)
Reward: Beast Core (Impure, Low Grade), Wolf King Hide, Horns (Weapon Material)
Bloodline Progress: 10.5% → 16.9%
Skill Upgrade: Devour (Rank 1+ → Rank 2)
New Ability: Essence Refinement — convert devoured beast cores into cultivation energy.
Long Chen staggered, falling to one knee. His chest burned, blood dripping from the corner of his mouth. But a fierce smile tugged at his lips.
I won.
The villagers stared in stunned silence, then erupted in cheers. Children cried with relief. Men and women dropped their tools and fell to their knees.
"The Wolf King… it's dead!"
"He killed it alone!"
"Is he human, or a god?"
The elder stepped forward, eyes trembling with awe. "Young man… what are you?"
Long Chen wiped the blood from his chin, standing tall despite his wounds. "I am Long Chen." His golden eyes flashed faintly. "Remember that name."
Above, thunder rumbled. Clouds gathered unnaturally fast, lightning flickering across the heavens. A pressure descended, pressing against Long Chen's chest like a mountain.
[ Warning ]
Heavenly Observation Intensifying!
Bloodline exposure detected: 16.9%
Tribulation Probability: 23%
Recommendation: Suppress aura immediately!
Long Chen clenched his fists. The heavens themselves wanted to erase him already.
But he forced the dragon aura down, suppressing it with sheer will. The clouds slowly dispersed, lightning fading back into the night.
He exhaled sharply, sweat dripping from his brow.
So… even one battle can attract Heaven's gaze. I'll have to be careful.
The elder bowed deeply. "You saved us. From this day, our village owes you a debt we can never repay."
Long Chen shook his head. "I didn't fight for gratitude. I fought because I refuse to kneel before fate."
Still, the villagers insisted, leading him back into the square, where food and water were offered.
As he sat, weary but unyielding, the System chimed one final time.
[ Side Quest Complete ]
Protector of Mortals
Reward: Basic Spirit Weapon (Low Grade)
Item Acquired: Iron Fang Blade (Spirit Weapon)
+2 Spirit, +1 Strength
The blade appeared before him, forged from dark steel, edge glinting with faint Qi. A weapon crude to immortals, but priceless to him now.
Long Chen gripped the hilt. His journey had only just begun.