Chapter 313: Dragon-Headed Demon

Chapter 313: Dragon-Headed Demon

Each time he swung his massive sword, golden flames engulfed the battlefield, reducing enemies to ash in an instant under the sheer force of that pure power.

"This is Falu Ke I, one of the original Sun Crownknights from the founding era."

Eve's voice carried unmistakable reverence:

"His bloodline purity nearly reached Moon-Ring Level. Alone, he could withstand the combined assaults of multiple Full Mages. During his prime, rumors claimed he could briefly match Dusk Sun Rank mages in battle."

The projected combat footage was staggering. That raw display of power left everyone in the room visibly shaken.

But soon, the scene shifted to a more intimate setting:

The golden-armored knight now lay in bed, his weakened form pale and fragile. Golden blood trickled from his lips, his skin unnaturally pallid.

"The instability of the Yangyan Dragon Bloodline manifests as extremely short lifespans for its inheritors", Franca explained.

"The more powerful the Bloodline Awakening, the faster their lives burn out. Falu Ke I began showing signs of bloodline depletion at forty-five and died before reaching fifty from complete bloodline collapse."

"His successors fared worse", Eve added.

"From the second to the third generation, each successive heir's bloodline purity declined further while the rate of degradation accelerated. By the fifth generation, Awakening Beings averaged only thirty years of life."

The projection displayed a family genealogy map, clearly marking each heir's lifespan and bloodline purity. The steady downward spiral resembled a rapidly plunging curve.

"This fatal flaw ultimately prevented the Falu Ke family from becoming a Preservation Clan", Franca said with evident regret.

"Mage clans require stable, sustainable bloodlines—not dazzling but transient fireworks."

"Still, the Falu Ke family made a wise choice", Eve shifted topics. "They intermarried with commoners, diluting their bloodline to prolong the family's survival."

"Besides Preservation Clans and exceptions like Falu Ke, are there other methods to transcend bloodline limitations?" Luo En asked, voicing his primary concern.

At this question, Eve's expression turned grave, even fearful.

"There is one—but it leads to madness."

She inhaled deeply, as if referencing something unspeakable:

"'Dragon-Headed Demon' Cha Ye. Have you heard that name?"

Luo En shook his head, but he sensed the weight behind Eve's words.

Her voice grew unnervingly low as she adjusted the projection device for more impactful visuals:

"If Mentor wishes to understand the ultimate possibilities of bloodline transcendence, Cha Ye is the perfect example—both inspiration and warning."

The projection flickered to life, though this time the footage quality was noticeably inferior to the historical records shown earlier.

It brimmed with distortion and blur, as if the recording equipment itself feared documenting the content.

At the center stood a humanoid figure motionless.

Humanoid in name only—its mere presence warped surrounding reality. Its outline constantly shifted, sometimes appearing human, sometimes draconic, more often a dissonant fusion of both.

"Cha Ye was a Supreme Apostle born in the Late Third Era, the ultimate embodiment of all physical cultivation systems", Eve's voice trembled with equal parts reverence and dread.

"His madness lay in his refusal to accept any single power system. He fused human Bloodline Knights, Arcane Swordsmen, beastkin Artifact Forging Masters and monarchs—even the special abilities of otherworldly beings—into himself."

The footage began showing Cha Ye's 'evolution':

Initially normal—a young knight with potent bloodline. But as time passed, his body underwent grotesque transformations: dragon scales erupting on arms, half-formed wings sprouting from his back, eyes mutating to bestial vertical pupils, occasionally even growing third arms or additional heads.

"This fusion process involved unimaginable pain."

"Conflicting bloodlines waged perpetual internal war within him. His body became a bloody battlefield where various powers slaughtered each other ceaselessly."

The projection showed Cha Ye mid-transformation:

His face contorted in agony, emitting not human cries but chimera-like roars. Blood gushed from his orifices, changing colors—red, golden, even sinister purplish-black.

"But he endured. Through sheer willpower and innate talents, he withstood the bloodline conflicts' devastation."

Eve continued:

"When Cha Ye realized conventional methods couldn't resolve bloodline fusion issues, he made a mad decision—venturing into the Abyss' deepest layers."

At this, the black-haired princess suddenly cautioned:

"While earlier footage combined grandfather's authentic records with some enhancements, what follows is almost entirely fictional reconstruction. After all, even Dusk Sun Rank mages avoid tampering with historical remnants of Supreme Apostles and the Abyss' deepest layers."

Her words faded as the projection revealed abstract, shifting visuals—no longer a 'place' but a twisted space where concept and reality intertwined.

Impossible geometric shapes floated in voids where time and space lost meaning. Within this maelstrom, a barely identifiable humanoid figure underwent transformations beyond comprehension.

"The twelfth layer of the Abyss experiences time hundreds to thousands of times faster than the outside world, with extreme spatial distortions", Eve explained.

"In such an environment, any creature's fundamental existence gets forcibly rewritten. But Cha Ye didn't passively accept this rewriting—he actively guided it, transforming bloodline conflicts into fusion catalysts."

Cha Ye's form underwent fundamental changes:

Previously conflicting bloodline traits harmonized into a new existence. His body became no longer a patchwork, but a unified whole.

Yet simultaneously, he lost his final trace of humanity.

"When he reappeared to the world, he was no longer the same being", the princess continued.

"He could tear space with pure physical power, punch through the most complex spells. Facing multiple Archmages' combined attacks, he could even gain the upper hand."

The projection showed Cha Ye battling Archmages:

Each strike ruptured space itself, his punches twisting reality where even powerful high-tier spells crumbled like children's toys.

"Cha Ye indeed became a Supreme Apostle whose physical might rivaled top-tier Archmages. Among thirteen Supreme Apostles, only the 'Void Spider' Magus ranked above him."

Her voice trembled:

"Even Magus reportedly avoided direct confrontation with Cha Ye—his fighting style was too brutally straightforward."

"But the cost was catastrophic", Franca added somberly.

"The Abyss had stripped him of his rationality, emotions, and memory—every trait that once defined his humanity vanished in the cruel twist of the Abyss.

"Today's Cha Ye is more like a pure combat machine, driven only by the instinct of destruction and slaughter."

The projection showed Cha Ye's formidable power, yet his eyes held no trace of wisdom—only a primal, maddened hunger. He was like a perfectly trained war beast, powerful but soulless.

"This is the ultimate cost of transcending bloodline limitations."

Eve concluded solemnly:

"Power and reason often cannot coexist. Cha Ye gained power beyond limits, but lost the wisdom to wield it."

As the historical projection faded, the room returned to normal lighting. Yet the three remained heavy-hearted, needing time to digest the shocking revelations.

Luo En sat motionless, his mind racing through the torrent of information—Preservation Clan's ruthless selection, Falu Ke's rise and fall, Cha Ye's extreme path...

Each detail offered new perspectives for his research.

【History Research (Proficient) Experience Points +1】

The translucent interface flashed in his mind, proving the value of this "history lesson."

"These insights are invaluable to my research", Luo En said sincerely, already formulating new strategies.

"Combining your bloodline remodeling theory, I believe there might exist a middle path between stable lineage preservation and extreme breakthroughs."

His eyes gleamed with analytical fire:

"The key lies in finding the optimal balance between power enhancement and risk control. We must learn from Cha Ye's breakthrough mindset without repeating his extremist methods."

Eve nodded approvingly.

"This is exactly the research direction we hoped to see. Compared to blindly pursuing ultimate power, controlled, steady progress holds greater practical value."

Franca rose gracefully, retrieving a delicate crystal vial from her storage bag.

"This is my blood sample, specially treated to maintain vitality for three months."

She handed the vial to Luo En.

"I offer this for your research, on one condition—all research results must be shared with the Crown Clan."

Luo En accepted the vial, studying the deep crimson liquid within. Through his "Transcendent Perception", he detected intense Dragon Kind energy fluctuations—its purity indeed nearing quasi-Stellar Ring level.

"I accept this condition", he agreed. "In fact, appropriate collaboration often accelerates research depth."

Franca's smile deepened.

"Long ago, ancient clans like the Crown Clan preserved these rare bloodlines not out of charity, but because they recognized their value. Many bloodline researchers throughout history have formed similar partnerships with Preservation Clans to access resources."

Her tone turned candid.

"For thousands of years, the clans provided materials while researchers shared results. Yet Preservation Clan families like us had no choice—we merely struggled to survive."

This truth revealed the system's harshest reality. Protected yet controlled, they were valuable resources, not equal partners.

Eve observed silently. She knew her mother's return would reshape the Central Lands' power dynamics. Figures like Luo En would play pivotal roles in this transformation.

"I must accelerate my Observatory induction", he decided inwardly.

As the conversation wound down, Eve suddenly spoke.

"Mentor, regarding your servant's bloodline experiment, I have a suggestion."

Her amethyst eyes sparkled with insight.

"If you truly wish to break Gold-Ring limitations, consider a gentler method—bloodline remodeling."

"Bloodline remodeling?" Luo En prompted.

"It's a theory from my mother's research notes", Eve explained. "Rather than directly fusing higher-level bloodlines, this method rearranges existing bloodline factors to elevate the bloodline's hierarchy."

Her voice grew more technical.

"Theoretically, each bloodline factor contains multiple latent potentials. Through specialized formulation techniques and catalysts, we can activate dormant sections, achieving bloodline evolution."

This theory ignited Luo En's interest. Compared to risky direct fusion, this approach sounded far safer.

"Are there any successful cases?" he asked.

"Before becoming an Archmage, my mother reportedly elevated a Gold-Ring bloodline to quasi-Stellar Ring level", Eve replied. "However, the detailed process remains secret—I only know the theoretical framework."

Luo En quickly analyzed feasibility. While technically challenging, this method aligned with his expertise.

"This direction deserves exploration", he decided. "With Franca's Stellar Ring sample, I'll attempt developing a bloodline remodeling protocol."

Their discussion ended on this note of mutual inspiration. As Luo En took his leave, his storage bag held precious samples while his mind brimmed with newfound knowledge.

"This exchange exceeded my expectations", he thanked them sincerely.

"Knowledge gains value through sharing", Eve smiled. "May these insights aid your research."

Franca added, "Should you encounter Dragon Kind bloodline questions, please consult me. As a Preservation Clan member, I'm honored to contribute to bloodline studies' advancement."

Night cloaked the realm as Luo En walked home, replaying tonight's revelations—Preservation Clan's compromises, Falu Ke's compatibility, Cha Ye's extremism... Each concept opened new research avenues. He began grasping the bloodline system's intricate ecosystem. Not merely power rankings, but a complex evolutionary web.

Preservation Clans chose stability, Falu Ke chose blazing glory, Cha Ye chose extreme breakthroughs...

And he—must forge his own path.

"Abyss Observatory..." he murmured. If Cha Ye's final transformation occurred in the Abyss, it might hold the key to bloodline transcendence.

Back in his quarters, Luo En immediately drafted a detailed research plan. Franca's bloodline sample awaited analysis, the remodeling theory required deeper study, and Observatory induction preparations demanded urgency.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end