"What in the world…?"
Blake froze.
His gaze locked onto the sutra panel floating before him, his breathing slowly steadying as the meaning behind every word sank in.
Abyssal Infernal Dragon Devouring Sutra(4th Rank Peak — Grade X)
A forbidden cultivation art born from the fusion of multiple high-tier sutras, the Abyssal Infernal Dragon Devouring Sutra forges the cultivator into a living vessel—one where body and soul are refined simultaneously.
Through infernal dragon flames, the physique is tempered to rival divine beasts, its durability and explosive power pushed beyond mortal limits. At the same time, the soul is strengthened, expanded, and hardened against corruption, illusion, and mental intrusion.
Unlike ordinary cultivation arts that walk a single, rigid path, this sutra evolves.By assimilating the essential traits of other cultivation arts, it grows more tyrannical with every successful fusion—not unstable, but increasingly complete.
When dormant, its presence lies buried deep within the cultivator, silent and oppressive like an endless abyss.
But when awakened—the dragon's might erupts from within.
Flesh becomes armor.
Will becomes dominion.
Flames become instruments of destruction.
This is not a path meant for balance.
Nor mercy.
It is a cultivation art for those who seek to ascend as Dragons wearing human skin.
Trait: Abyssal Devouring State
A forbidden combat state triggered when the Abyssal Infernal Dragon Devouring Sutra temporarily releases its internal suppression.
In this state, the infernal dragon essence awakens fully, forcefully synchronizing body, soul, and will into a single predatory existence.
During activation, abyssal flames over-forge the physique, pushing it beyond its normal limits. The soul expands under crushing pressure, gaining heightened resistance to external interference, while the senses sharpen to an inhuman degree—allowing the instinctive identification of devourable targets, weaknesses, and compatible energies.
Duration: up to 1 minute
Restriction:The strain on body and soul is extreme. Duration may only increase as the host's Rank or Grade rises. Forced overuse may result in severe backlash.
Blake's gaze lingered on the final line.
"One minute…" he murmured softly.
His lips curved upward.
"That's more than enough to decide life and death."
Blake remained silent for a long moment.
Then he read the sutra again.
"…A 4th Rank Peak," he muttered. "No—Grade X?"
A short laugh escaped him, half disbelief, half exhilaration.
"To think it jumped directly from 3rd Rank Peak to this…" Blake clenched his fist, feeling violent heat surge beneath his skin. "The heavens truly favor me."
Then his expression stiffened.
"But… what exactly is Grade X?"
"Oii, System," Blake said sharply. "What is this Grade X? Why isn't it early, middle, or peak?"
Ding—
Grade X denotes a special evolutionary grade.
This sutra is capable of evolving both its Grade and Rank.
Current state: 4th Rank Peak
Future potential: Extremely high growth potential through fusion
Restrictions:– Only sutras of the same or lower Rank may be fully assimilated.
– Higher-Rank or higher-Grade sutras may only be partially incorporated if incomplete.
– Partial assimilation preserves limited traits, not full inheritance.
Blake stared at the warning.
Then laughed.
"Haha… who cares about that?"
After all—
He had a system.
Suppressing the thrill roaring in his chest, Blake slowly calmed his breathing and sat down cross-legged.
Soon, he entered a deep meditative state, beginning the complete conversion of his cultivation to the Abyssal Infernal Dragon Devouring Sutra.
While Blake cultivated in isolation, the outside world descended into unrest.
Empires mobilized in silence.
Ancient clans unsealed forbidden chambers.
Hidden families recalled wandering elders.
Even within the Demon Race, entities that had slept for centuries erupted into frantic movement as ancient powers awakened from deep cultivation.
Only mortals mistook the phenomenon as nothing more than a sudden thunderstorm. The thunder clouds targeted only warriors and mages, exerting no pressure on mortals at all.
But for cultivators—
For anyone with even the faintest trace of spiritual perception—
The crimson lightning splitting the skies brought nothing but terror.
"Red Thunder…"
"The Legendary Red Thunder has appeared…"
"First the rumors of the War of Myriad Races—and now this."
"The world… is about to change."
Deep within the Demon Forests, a colossal figure stirred.
Its upper body alone towered over three stories high, ancient eyes reflecting truths carved into the fabric of time itself. Slowly, it turned its gaze toward the distant Silverwing Empire.
A low, rumbling voice echoed through the earth.
"It won't be long now…"
"I will make you suffer a fate far worse than what you once inflicted upon me."
With that, it closed its eyes—and resumed cultivation.
Across the southern lands, countless ancient beings reached the same conclusion.
This coming war would be unlike any before.
And no one—not even the oldest among them—could say who would emerge victorious.
Or who would vanish into history.
Two hours later.
Blake's eyes snapped open.
A deep, oppressive aura surged from his body—then vanished without a trace.
The conversion was complete.
His cultivation had fully transformed into Abyssal Infernal Dragon Devouring Sutra power.
Thanks to residual compatibility from the original sutras—and subtle assistance from the system—the transition had been far smoother than expected.
Blake slowly clenched his hand.
Power coursed through him.
Dense.Violent.Obedient.
"…Amazing," he murmured. "This feels completely different."
Stronger.
Sharper.
Far greater.
With a thought, Blake summoned his status panel.
***
Host: Blake
Cultivation Rank:2nd Rank Peak — Grade X
Blake's lips curved into a faint smile.
If this was only the beginning—
Then what kind of monster would he become once this sutra truly evolved?