Chapter 4: The Awakening of the Divine System

Alex Midnight sat on the edge of the luxurious bed, still weak, his body trembling slightly as his mother, Ava, gently guided him down to sit. His mind swirled with questions, but one stood out among the rest—a question he couldn't hold back any longer. Looking down at his trembling hands, his voice barely audible, he asked, "Who… am I?"

Ava froze. Her vibrant smile faltered, and her piercing eyes filled with concern. "What do you mean, my son? Have you forgotten who you are?"

Alex hesitated, unsure of how much to reveal. The truth was, he wasn't the person they thought he was. But how could he explain that to her? He nodded slowly, keeping his gaze fixed on the ornate patterns of the rug beneath his feet. "Yes," he whispered, his voice heavy with uncertainty.

Ava's expression shifted from worry to shock. She knelt beside him, her hands reaching up to cup his face. "My poor boy," she murmured, her voice trembling as she stroked his hair, her touch filled with motherly affection. "I am Ava, your mother. And you are my son, Alex Midnight, the heir to the Xuānlóng clan."

Alex looked up at her, confusion etched into his face. "Xuānlóng clan?"

Ava nodded, a faint smile tugging at her lips as she began to explain. "Our clan's name, Xuānlóng, is derived from the Black Dragon, a symbol of power, resilience, and sovereignty. Long ago, our ancestor, the great warrior Tian Midnight, led a legendary battle against a fearsome black dragon named Ravyn. The battle raged for thirty days and thirty nights without pause, shaking the heavens and earth. When Tian Xuān finally defeated Ravyn, he claimed the dragon's territory as our clan's domain."

Her voice carried pride and reverence as she continued. "Our ancestor didn't merely conquer the dragon; he forged a legacy. He founded the Xuānlóng clan, uniting the strongest warriors and the wisest scholars under his banner. The land near the Black Dragon's lair became our home, and for generations, we've thrived, protected by the reputation and strength of our lineage. Our clan is one of the most revered in the world."

Alex listened intently, his mind spinning. A clan born from the defeat of a mythical dragon? It sounded like a story ripped from the pages of a fantasy novel. Yet, the conviction in Ava's voice and the glint of pride in her eyes made it clear that this was no mere tale to her.

"Your father," Ava continued, "is the current leader of our clan. He upholds our traditions and oversees the wellbeing of our people. As for our great ancestor Tian Midnight… he disappeared many years after founding the clan. Some say he ascended to the heavens, while others believe he wandered into the mountains to seek enlightenment. Regardless, his legacy lives on through us."

Ava finished her story and looked at Alex with deep concern. Her hand gently stroked his hair again as she said, "I'll call the doctor to check on your body. You've been through so much."

Before she could leave, Alex reached out and grabbed her wrist, his grip weak but insistent. "What happened to me… before I woke up?" His voice was steady, but there was an underlying fear in his question.

Ava's face darkened, tears welling up in her eyes. She hesitated for a moment, then spoke. "You were poisoned, Alex. An unknown assassin infiltrated the estate and delivered a slow-acting venom into your body. We tried every remedy, every antidote, but nothing worked. You've been unconscious for nearly a year. I feared we had lost you…" Her voice broke, and she pulled him into a tight embrace, her sobs muffled against his shoulder.

Alex sat motionless, his mind reeling. Poisoned? A year of unconsciousness? None of this felt real. Yet the warmth of Ava's hug, her tears soaking his shoulder, was undeniable. This was real. Somehow, impossibly, he had transmigrated into another body, into another world.

After a few moments, Ava composed herself and stood. "Rest now, my son. I'll call the doctor to ensure you're recovering properly." She left the room, her presence like a comforting flame that lingered even after she was gone.

Left alone, Alex stared at his hands. They were slender, pale, and slightly trembling. He flexed his fingers, marveling at how foreign yet familiar they felt. A bitter chuckle escaped his lips. "So… I've transmigrated, huh?" he muttered to himself.

His thoughts raced as he tried to piece together the situation. He had been Alex, an ordinary man from another world, a failure by all accounts. Yet now, he was Alex Midnight, the heir to a powerful clan with a legacy tied to dragons and warfare. It was absurd, unbelievable—but it was real.

Suddenly, a sharp, mechanical sound echoed in his mind, interrupting his thoughts. [Ding!]

Alex froze. His eyes darted around the room, but there was no one there. Then, the voice spoke again, calm and monotone, yet filled with an unshakable authority.

[Welcome, Host, to the Divine System]

"What the hell…?" Alex muttered, his heart pounding.

[System initializing… binding to Host… complete.]

He clutched his head, the sensation overwhelming. It was as if something was merging with his very soul, an invasive yet strangely natural process.

[As the heir of the Xuānlóng clan, your destiny is intertwined with power, growth, and the unraveling of ancient mysteries. The System will assist you in reaching your full potential and uncovering the truths of this world.]

Alex's breath quickened. "A… system? Like in a video game?"

[Affirmative. This system will provide quests, rewards, and guidance to aid the Host. However, survival and success depend entirely on your choices.]

A translucent screen appeared before Alex, filled with unfamiliar symbols and text. Yet, somehow, he could understand it perfectly:

---

Name: Alex Midnight

Sex: Male

Race: Human

Age: 17

Bloodline:?????

Title: [None]

Cultivation level: First level of Body awakening realm

Cultivation type: Qi cultivation/Dual cultivation

Status: Weak (Recovering)

Level: 1

Attributes:

Strength: 0.7

Agility: 1

Stamina: 3

Intelligence: 5

Charm: 4

Soul strength: 10

Mental strength: 10

Affinity: [None]

Skills: [None]

---

Alex stared at the screen, his heart pounding. This was beyond anything he could have imagined. Not only had he transmigrated, but he also now possessed a mysterious system designed to help him grow stronger.

As his mind raced with possibilities, a new notification appeared.

[Quest Alert: Rise of the Xuānlóng Heir

Description: As the heir to the Xuānlóng clan, it is your duty to regain your strength, and prove your worth as the next leader.

Objective:

1. Recover your physical health (Progress: 5%).

2. Train in basic combat techniques.]

[Reward: 10 system Points

Beginner's Skill: Dragon's Resilience]

[Skill: Dragon's Resilience

Type: Passive

Grade: Epic

Description: A skill that embodies the unyielding toughness and vitality of a dragon. The user's body is fortified to withstand immense damage]

[Effects:

1. Physical Damage Reduction

Reduces incoming physical damage by 5%. Blunt force, slashes, and piercing attacks are significantly less effective.

Skill Evolution:

This skill has the potential to evolve into Eternal Dragon's Vitality when certain conditions are met.]

Alex read the quest description carefully, his mind filling with determination. This was his chance—not just to survive in this new world, but to thrive. No longer would he let circumstances define him. This time, he would fight. This time, he would rise.

With a deep breath, Alex clenched his fists and whispered, "Let's do this."

[Ding!]....