Chapter 353 Bloodline Vs Qi

Dark scales crept across Rui arms and neck, stopping just short of his jaw. Faint black steam wafted from his skin. His eyes burned with deeper clarity.

The Black Serpent Bloodline.

A mark of imperial lineage.

It enhanced strength, boosted reflexes, thickened skin, and sharpened instinct. He hadn't reached full transformation. Not yet. But even partial activation gave him more edge.

With this, Qi wouldn't matter.

He wouldn't just win.

He would break Renn.

He lunged.

Renn saw the change. Saw the scales, the inhuman transformation.

And he felt—relief.

The sudden release of pressure from his heart caught him by surprise. So the prince had more cards.

Good.

Renn tightened his grip on his sword. The blade hummed faintly now. He had hesitated before. Held back.

Because he was afraid.

Afraid of the consequences of hurting an empire prince. Of offending something larger than himself. It made him angry.