Chapter 10: Winds That Stir Blood
The first rays of dawn brushed the eastern peaks beyond Moon Lotus City with a soft golden light. Jin stood alone on a flat cliffside overlooking the city, shirt off, muscles taut and glistening with sweat. His fists clenched tightly, body trembling with exhaustion and determination.
"99…"
His breath was ragged, but his mind razor-sharp.
"100."
The system chimed with satisfaction.
[Quest Progress: Push-ups – Complete.]
Without pause, Jin dropped into squats. His thighs burned fiercely; every muscle screamed. Yet, beneath his skin, the Tyrant Body – Bronze Form pulsed with steady power, making each movement precise, controlled, more than human.
Lana had said nothing when he slipped out before dawn, but he had seen it in her eyes—pride, worry, and a quiet suspicion. She deserved answers. He needed time to become the kind of man she could trust.
Dropping into a Horse Stance, Jin slowed his breath.
The whisper of the Paragon Heaven Manual echoed in his bones, guiding his every movement. He felt the elusive Wind Attribute stir within his meridians—light, agile, responsive.
[Horse Stance Breaths: 56 / 100]
[Wind Attribute Progress: 7%]
Suddenly, the system surprised him:
[System Notice: Daily Quest Progress Impressive – Hidden Potential Detected]
[Wind Element Training Challenge: Unlocked]
[Optional Objective: Maintain balance during natural wind burst for 60 seconds]
A storm was rolling in. The wind howled fiercely, slamming into his torso like invisible hammers. Jin planted his feet deeper, arms outstretched, eyes narrowed, unblinking.
His hair whipped wildly, but his stance never wavered.
[Challenge Complete – +2% Wind Progress, +10 EXP]
He exhaled and straightened, a faint smile breaking through the sweat and strain.
The training was far from over—but it would have to wait.
At the Eastern Gold Auction
The auction hall was a marvel—carved from gleaming marble and sapphire glass, hundreds of cushioned seats rising in a majestic circle around a polished stage. The air buzzed with nobles, cultivators, merchants, and shadowy figures wrapped in cloaks.
Jin walked beside Lana, who wore the lavender robe he had gifted her. Silver threads caught the light, making her look radiant.
They didn't have to wait long before Arielle Mercantile found them, her reserved smile warm and inviting.
"I'm glad you came," she said softly.
Lana returned the smile and glanced at Jin. He was stiff, uneasy around women, but Arielle's gentle elegance seemed to ease him slightly.
They took their seats.
The auction began with everyday artifacts—storage rings, rare herbs, spirit-tier alchemy cauldrons. Jin watched quietly, system alerts blinking occasionally.
Then the moment came: a special lot was unveiled.
[Detected: Spirit Beast Core – Level 2]
[Requirement for Body Refinement Stage 3: 10 cores – Current: 0/10]
The opening bid was high.
Jin narrowed his eyes, ready to raise his hand.
Suddenly, a hand shot up from the noble seats, bidding twice the starting price.
"Four hundred gold from Young Lord Han of the Elder Council," the auctioneer announced.
Jin's gaze locked on the bidder—a young man with a heavily bandaged face and a smug smirk. The same noble brat from the inn fight.
"So he's still watching me…"
Jin clenched his fists but said nothing. For now.
More items passed by—a soul-bound jade, a mystic wind flute—until the auctioneer's voice dropped to a whisper.
"Final item: An unknown relic, found pulsing beside a dormant dragon vein. Not yet identified."
Jin's blood froze.
[System Alert: Dragon Bloodline Resonance Detected]
[Relic Contains Draconic Essence – Value Unknown]
He felt it deep within—a calling, primal and irresistible.
Far Away: The Royal Capital
Inside a cold, shadowed chamber, the Second Queen Molana paced with barely contained fury. Her robe, soaked with rosewater and sweat, clung to her form.
"All four assassins. Dead."
Captain Roger knelt, head bowed, a dark stain of blood at the corner of his lips.
"He's stronger than expected…"
"No," she snapped, eyes blazing with dark qi. "You're weaker than expected."
"I will not allow that woman or her spawn to ruin my plans. If you can't kill him—"
The doors opened silently.
A tall figure entered, draped in black robes, face hidden behind a bone-white mask. A silver chain dangled from his sleeve.
"Shadowblade greets Her Grace."
Molana smiled—cold, venomous.
"Finally… someone competent."
Back at the Auction
Jin felt a cold ripple crawl down his spine. A distant but deliberate killing intent.
[System Warning: A powerful assassin has entered the city. Threat Level: Extreme.]
He glanced at Lana.
"Not here. Not now."
He took her hand gently.
"Let's go."
"But the auction—"
"We'll get what we need later. Trust me."
Without drawing attention, they slipped away.
Jin's eyes scanned every shadow, every rooftop, every corner.
The hunt had already begun.
Updated Status
Name: Jin
Level: 5
EXP: 50 / 500
Magic Power: 57.5 (Base 50 + 15% Bonus)
Stamina: 16
Strength: 7 (+2)
Vitality: 3
Agility: 5 (+2)
Speed: 5 (+3)
Dexterity: 0
Bloodline:
• Ancient Azure Dragon (Not Activated)
• Blood Demon Bloodline (1% Awakened)
Cultivation Stage: Body Refinement Stage 2 (Progress to Stage 3: 0/10 Spirit Beast Cores)
Combat Power Equivalent: Body Refinement Stage 5
Cultivation Method: Paragon Heaven Manual
Wind Attribute Progress: 7%
Fragments: Wind Element x6
Techniques: Tyrant Body – Bronze Form (22% Mastery)
Bloodline Skills: Fury (Doubles cultivation level briefly, 24-hour cooldown)
Equipment: Silver Cloak – Level 1 (30 minutes invisibility, essence repayment pending)
System Features: Daily Quests, Inventory, Equipment Tab
Daily Quests Pending:
• 100 Push-ups (Complete)
• 100 Squats
• 100 Sit-ups
• 100 Bench Press
• 100 Horse Stance Breaths (Tyrant Body – Bronze Form)
The winds stirred once more around Moon Lotus City, whispering of change and blood yet to be spilled.
And Jin knew—the storm was just beginning.