Chapter 433: Dragon Soul Strike
Chapter 433: Dragon Soul Strike
Ding! Host has absorbed the complete Void Dragon bloodline and can merge it with the existing Advanced Mutated Dragon bloodline. As only one bloodline can be retained, the system automatically initiates the fusion process.
Ding! Fusion successful!
After the fusion, the host in the fourth form will possess the Void Dragon's unique ability, 'Etherealization'.
Etherealization Effect: Consumes a certain amount of Mental Energy to etherealize the body, granting immunity to 90% of physical attacks and 50% resistance to Arcane or other energy attacks during the ethereal state.
After the fusion, the host in the fourth form will also possess the ability 'Dual Heads'.
Dual Heads Effect: In addition to the main head, the body will grow the head of the Void Dragon, capable of releasing Void Breath.
After his successful class change, Reign felt a significant boost in all attributes, as if his body were filled with power, akin to having a high-capacity generator within, energizing his entire body.
After experiencing this physical transformation for a while, Reign finally turned his attention to the system panel.
Firstly, the previous War Wizard (Legendary) panel had disappeared, replaced by the Draconic Blood Mage (Mythic) profession.
Unlike the blue glow of the previous Legendary profession panel and the purple glow of the Epic profession, the Mythic profession panel emanated a unique orange glow.
It was an orange akin to flowing mercury, both fluid and condensed!
The system's continuous notifications left Reign feeling overwhelmed.
However, each notification during the class change held crucial information, requiring careful examination.
Thus, Reign meticulously reviewed each item.
"All attributes increased by 15 points, and Mental Energy increased by 20 points!"
"This boost far surpasses the increase from the previous Epic profession, Thousand Blade King, but considering the difficulty of the class changes, it's a fair match."
"If it weren't for encountering the Void Dragon this time, the class change to Draconic Blood Mage might have taken much longer."
"Also, the panel limit has increased again!"
Seeing the total number of profession panels increase by one, Reign felt elated! This further confirmed that with any profession, upon reaching a new level, the panel limit would increase.
It also meant that once he chose a new profession, he could quickly gain a large number of skill points and attribute points, greatly aiding in mastering new Arcane Arts and avoiding the need to spend excessive time and energy on practice.
"Hmm? Only one core skill? Dragon Soul Strike?" Reign showed a hint of surprise.
Previously, when he changed to the Epic profession Thousand Blade King, there was more than one core skill. Why did the more powerful Draconic Blood Mage profession have only one core skill?
"If that's the case, then the answer is likely that this core skill is exceptionally powerful," Reign thought, a flash of insight crossing his mind.
Indeed, when he focused on the new large icon for 'Dragon Soul Strike', he was thrilled the next second!
Dragon Soul Strike Effect: When this skill is activated, the Mental Energy consumed by your Arcane Arts will double, but all Arcane Arts released during this period will inflict a portion of True Damage.
(Note: The amount of True Damage is proportional to the strength of the Void Dragon bloodline, the intensity of Mental Energy, and the power of the Arcane Art.)
"True Damage? All Arcane Arts?"
"Compared to this, doubling the Mental Energy consumption is nothing! Moreover, this means I'm not limited to using 'Soul Shattering Hammer' to deal True Damage!"
Reign was well aware of the power of True Damage.
During the Meist period, even before reaching the Legendary level, Reign had defeated the Ancient Hero 'Mong' using 'Soul Shattering Hammer'.
If he had changed to Draconic Blood Mage earlier, he might not have needed to use bloodline transformation when fighting the Goddess of the Abyss Hela's incarnation; he could have won solely through Arcane Arts.
As Reign scrolled through the system records, he also noticed several battle notifications he hadn't had time to check earlier:
[Congratulations! You have defeated a formidable foe and obtained 47 Golden Skill Points!]
[Congratulations! Your Will (Hidden) attribute has increased!]
[Congratulations! Your Thousand Blade King (Epic) profession level has improved!]
[Congratulations! Your War Wizard (Legendary) profession level has improved!]
In these three battles, Reign had defeated Lambert, the Goddess of the Abyss Hela's incarnation, and the Void Dragon, respectively, causing the Legendary profession 'War Wizard' and the Epic profession 'Thousand Blade King' to level up once more.
He gained two attribute points and two skill points.
Due to adding ten attribute points in the last two battles to restore his stamina, he currently had four remaining attribute points, three skill points, and an impressive 203 Golden Skill Points.
Name: Reign Calan
Professions: Draconic Blood Mage (Mythic) lv1; Thousand Blade King (Epic) lv15; Beast Priest (Legendary) lv5; Potion Master (Legendary) lv6; Grand Armorsmith (Transcendent) lv6; Arcane Weaver (Transcendent) lv7.
Mental Energy: 166 (Crystallization 76%)
Although Reign was eager to test the effect of Dragon Soul Strike, it wasn't the right time. Additionally, after continuous battles and class changes, he needed a short rest.
When Reign woke up, he felt ravenous and immediately informed the attendant at the door, soon enjoying a sumptuous feast featuring Savage Beasts.
As Reign finished his meal, a knock sounded on the door.
"Knock knock!"
As Reign's door was ajar during his meal, the visitor knocked out of courtesy.
"Enter!"
Rayn looked up and saw General Augustus and Captain Tatia entering the room. He stood up and greeted them with a smile.
After some pleasantries, General Augustus scrutinized Rayn and asked, "Sir Reign, I'd like to ask, has your strength truly reached the Epic level?"
This question had not only puzzled him but had also been a source of confusion for others for some time.
Before Rayn entered the Secret Realm and encountered the injured Goddess of the Abyss, Hela, no one had imagined that his strength had already reached the Epic level.
However, after the confrontation with the Goddess of the Abyss, many began to speculate that Rayn's strength, or more accurately, the strength of his transformed bloodline, had indeed entered the Epic realm.
Still, a significant portion believed that the Goddess of the Abyss had retreated into the Dragon Valley Secret Realm after being severely injured by Her Highness 'Red Queen' Menia. Thus, her strength had fallen from the Epic level.
Even so, after Rayn's battle with the Void Dragon, most of the people in the second-floor command hall believed that Rayn's transformed strength had reached the Epic level.
As for why everyone valued this so much? It was because the Epic level represented a significant milestone in terms of regulations. If one were to elaborate, there would be countless reasons.
Seeing the intense gaze of General Augustus, Rayn thought for a moment. He felt there was no need to hide the general direction, but he could downplay the extent of his strength.
He nodded and said, "Yes, I also recently discovered this after my bloodline further awakened. My transformed strength is stronger than before, and I can be considered to have barely entered the Epic level."
"Excellent! You've indeed reached the Epic level!" General Augustus slapped his thigh in excitement.
If it were just speculation before, even with a high degree of confidence, there would still be some doubts. But now, with the protagonist's affirmation, there was no longer any question.
At the very least, in General Augustus's eyes, there was no doubt.
"Sir Reign, when you defeated the incarnation of the Goddess of the Abyss, I knew your strength was at the Epic level. And when you slew the Void Dragon, it further proved this."
General Augustus's speculation was confirmed, and he couldn't help but laugh heartily with relief.
"Congratulations, Sir Reign, or should I say, Lord Reign. You've qualified to become an Imperial Guardian," said the female captain Tatia with a smile.
"Guardian?" Rayn was slightly taken aback.
This was something he hadn't expected. He never imagined he could apply for the title of 'Imperial Guardian,' the strongest force in the Drargon Empire, so soon.
"Yes, Lord Reign, your strength reached the Epic level after your bloodline transformation. But this is also a gift, and according to past precedents, it is recognized by the Imperial Senate and the Royal Family."
Tatia explained with a smile.
"That's right. However, becoming a Guardian has numerous benefits, but the recognition process is quite complex. Simultaneously, there are strict and binding contracts to be signed," General Augustus said with a solemn expression.
"Yes, I've heard about the binding contract," Rayn nodded, having heard about it before.
When the dragon knight, or the Imperial Guardian, Pantos Kirk of the Dramm family, couldn't attack him, Rayn learned about the restrictions. They couldn't attack anyone below the Epic level within the Empire, except in cases of provocation, non-Empire personnel, and even then, there were strict conditions.
"Yes, but the decision doesn't lie with the individual or the Swordmaster Headquarters. After this Dragon Valley mission is over, the report will be submitted."
"Sir Reign, your contributions will be recorded, and it's estimated that the Senate and the Royal Family will send someone to discuss this with you after some time."
"However, His Majesty the Emperor is still recovering from his injuries, so it's hard to say when the Royal Family will send someone. Sir Reign, you should just be aware of this," General Augustus explained in detail.
"Yes, I understand," Rayn nodded.
He had heard about this as well. Due to the Emperor's injuries, even the annual award ceremony hadn't been held this year. According to past years, his count title should have been conferred by now.
But until now, there had been no news.
Of course, Rayn hadn't specifically inquired about it. If he had asked Marquis Javier, who served in the Senate, it would have been easy to find out.
"Sir Reign, you might become the second person in the Empire's Swordmaster System to become a Guardian. Amazing!"
"Alas, but once you become an Imperial Guardian, there will likely be a change in position. I fear you'll have to leave the Swordmaster System," General Augustus sighed, feeling emotional.
"But it's a good thing, a great thing!" General Augustus added.
"Thank you, General Augustus. Personally, I have a deep attachment to the Swordmaster System. If the Empire permits, I'll try to stay in the Swordmaster System for as long as possible," Rayn said with a smile.
At the same time...
In the Imperial City of Tamriel, within the grand palace, a middle-aged noble with a neatly trimmed goatee stood respectfully beside a delicate-faced yet noble-spirited golden-haired man, delivering a report:
"Your Highness, we just received an urgent message from our informant. Rayn has returned from the Secret Realm, and more importantly, he has obtained the Void Dragonling Blood Essence that you tasked Barnes and his team to acquire."
"So soon? By my calculations, only a few hours have passed. The 24-hour trial period in the Secret Realm is not even close to ending." The Second Prince Everett, who had been calmly reviewing documents, paused and glanced at the clock on the bookshelf, puzzled.
"It seems so, Your Highness. The informant isn't entirely sure of the reason, but they confirmed Rayn's return. Many people at the Astrologist's Platform saw it."
"Also, the informant mentioned that the Void Dragonling is quite large, possibly a near-adult dragon infected by a Void Beast, which would make the Blood Essence even more valuable." Buchanan added.
"Oh? That large, huh? In that case, it's likely an adolescent dragon nearing adulthood, which would indeed increase the value of the Blood Essence." Prince Everett contemplated for a moment before speaking.
Despite the informant's description, neither Buchanan nor Prince Everett associated the so-called 'Void Dragonling' with an adult Void Dragon.
After all, the Dragon Valley Secret Realm was known to be inhabited by young dragons and adolescent dragons.
Even Rayn himself had not anticipated encountering a Void Dragon.
Another factor was the informant's background. As a servant at the Astrologist's Platform and a former Great Knight, he lacked knowledge about Void creatures and thus tended to use cautious terms like 'seemingly' or 'suspected' in his reports.
"Hmm, right, how did the informant confirm that Rayn obtained the Void Dragonling's Blood Essence?" Prince Everett inquired further.
"It's confirmed, Your Highness! The corpse of the Void Dragonling is currently on the first floor of the Astrologist's Platform, and Rayn extracted the Blood Essence in front of everyone."
"Huh?" Prince Everett, with his golden hair, was taken aback by this news.
"Didn't anyone question Rayn extracting the Blood Essence in public? While the dragon's corpse is his spoils of war, such a rare item should be allocated by the Empire, shouldn't it?"
"No, Your Highness. It seems the Swordsmen System's higher-ups intervened, which is why Rayn is still at the Astrologist's Platform. He's on the second floor, recovering from the battle, they say."
"And there's one more thing, Your Highness. The informant mentioned that the extraction device Rayn used had the mark of the Draconic Scales Brotherhood on its box."
"That's odd. Shouldn't that be the mark of the Draconic Scales Brotherhood? How did Rayn get his hands on it?" Buchanan didn't finish his sentence.
"Hmm?"
At this point, a glint flashed in Prince Everett's eyes, and his expression turned solemn. He rose from behind the luxurious rosewood desk and looked at Buchanan, asking seriously, "Are you certain?"
"Quite certain, Your Highness."
"I see. Barnes and his team likely encountered an accident. But since Rayn just finished the battle, he won't be able to use the Blood Essence immediately. However, in a few days, it might be a different story."
Based on the information, Prince Everett could piece together the general situation.
Perhaps Barnes had encountered Rayn while he was fighting the Void Dragonling, and without waiting for Reagan and Bronson, attempted a sneak attack, only to be turned around by Rayn.
Or, Barnes and his team might have sought out Rayn together, but failed in their mission, which would mean Rayn is even more formidable than anticipated.
Both scenarios explained why the Draconic Scales Brotherhood's extraction device ended up in Rayn's possession.
As for why Rayn returned early?
That was even easier to explain. If the Void Dragonling was as large as reported, it might possess special abilities, such as easily tearing open rifts in weak areas of the Secret Realm, which could have caused Rayn to fall during the battle.
"Immediately instruct the informant to keep an eye on Rayn's movements. As soon as he leaves the Astrologist's Platform, have the informant communicate with Rayn. Even if it requires a substantial price, ensure that Rayn trades the Void Dragonling's Blood Essence to us."
"Yes, Your Highness. However, if Rayn refuses..." Buchanan trailed off, his brows furrowing slightly.
Prince Everett chuckled, "It's not necessary to resort to force. Have Quinna stand by nearby. If the negotiation fails, send her in. With her Shadow Dragon bloodline, she can discreetly retrieve the box without anyone noticing."
"Your Highness, I didn't think of that." Buchanan complimented with a smile.
Buchanan had only met Quinna once, but that single encounter left a deep impression.
On that occasion, they needed to retrieve an important item from a secret room in a noble's mansion, but the room was exceptionally sturdy and protected by a level one defense arcane array, making the task extremely challenging.
However, Quinna seemed to enter a subspace, effortlessly passing through the thick granite walls and the arcane array's protection.
(End of Chapter)
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