After returning to the courtyard, Howard glanced at his house and couldn’t help but sport an embarrassed expression.
The moment he underwent his Draconic transformation, he had soared skyward, inadvertently ripping the roof off the house.
If he were to compensate for the damage, he mused, selling himself might not even cover the costs!
With a touch of self-mockery, Howard quietly awaited the arrival of the Chan family members.
It wasn’t long before Shelley Chan, accompanied by a few others, indeed made their way into the courtyard, all bestowing upon Howard looks of amazement.
Unexpectedly to Howard, Quin Chan, a current councilor of the Alliance, was among them!
In that instant, Howard realized that his Draconic transformation must be of significant importance to the Chan family.
Otherwise, a powerhouse of Quin Chan’s caliber would never take the initiative to visit him!
“Why is the Divine Dragon in an ethereal state?”
Those who accompanied Quin and Shelley Chan were all esteemed members of the clan, with discerning eyes that immediately noticed the state of the Divine Dragon, prompting their astonished inquiry.
Howard did not conceal the truth, replying, “When the Divine Dragon merged with me, it was in response to a life-threatening danger. It hatched forcibly, its essence severely weakened. Therefore, it chose to completely integrate with my flesh and blood, ushering me into the Draconic State.”
“Draconic State?” Hearing Howard’s words, the group exchanged bewildered looks.
Quin Chan exhaled deeply, “To think that after centuries, someone has again reached the Draconic State!”
As the legitimate heir of the Chan family, Quin Chan evidently knew far more than the others.
He spoke with a tinge of solemnity, “Having undergone the Draconic transformation, you must be aware that each advancement is a calamity in itself! Apart from our Chan family, who can offer unconditional support, no one else could possibly assist.”
He paused for a moment before upping the ante, his voice deepening, “Should you agree to marry into our clan, you may choose from among the young women, legitimate or not. Pick whomever you desire, even if you wish for three or five, it would pose no issue!”
As these words settled, the other elders immediately showed looks of astonishment, hastily waving their hands, “Great Elder, this is improper. Our Chan family’s legitimate bloodline is of such…”
However, before they could finish, a sweep of Quin Chan’s gaze brought immediate silence.
Unlike other strongholds, Crimson Dragon City’s noble families observe a strict distinction between legitimate and illegitimate descendants.
The power and influence of those born legitimately far surpass that of the bastards, which is apparent even from their names.
The legitimate line has always used the ancient names, enduring through the ages, while the illegitimate line, like Shelley Chan and others, have adapted to the rules of the current continent.
Even if Howard didn’t fully grasp the distinction between legitimate and illegitimate, he could tell from everyone’s demeanor that Quin Chan was indeed making a significant offer.
However, Howard truly had no desire to marry into the family!
After finally establishing himself in Adia City, earning Rick’s favor, and fostering amiable relationships with several mentors, leaving Adia City now would be to discard all his hard-won gains.
No matter how attractively the offer was phrased, marrying into a family was just that, and perhaps one could hold some status when needed.
But once a son was born and the Divine Dragon bloodline secured, who could guarantee how he would be treated then?
Therefore, with a self-deprecating smile, Howard politely declined, “I’m sorry, elder, but I prefer to return to the academy.”
Silence hung heavy in the air following Howard’s refusal, punctuated by the elders’ rising fury.
“Young man, are you spurning a toast only to be forced to drink a forfeit?” one elder said, barely containing his anger.
Yet Quin Chan raised a hand to still their outburst and, after a moment’s contemplation, spoke, “Let it be. I do not require you to marry into the Chan family. I merely ask that you take one of our daughters as your wife. The bloodline borne from this union need only bear the Chan surname. And should you fully transform into a Dragon in the future, I would ask for but a drop of your sacred blood.”
Howard hesitated, caught off-guard by the proposition, but Quin Chan’s next words were delivered with a smile, “Consider it a favor to our family. Since our ancestor’s legendary battle, our Chan lineage has withstood countless invasions from foreign races and monstrous hordes. Now, our numbers wane, and all I seek is the continuation of our bloodline.”
Howard, still young and filled with fervor, couldn’t help but be moved by these words. He responded earnestly, “What are you saying, elder? The revered Dragon Chan, a great general, has made innumerable contributions to our people. I would never refuse. I only fear that your noble daughter may not look favorably upon someone like me.”
“That won’t be the case,” Quin Chan assured him with a gentle smile. “Our clan honors the strong, and you, young one, having undergone the Draconic transformation, will certainly catch the fancy of our daughters.”
Pausing, Quin Chan’s voice softened, “However, you are still too weak at present. I believe you’re looking forward to meeting a true Divine Dragon. Let Shelley lead you to the Guardian Divine Dragon — consider it a gift from our family to you.” 𝑖𝘦.𝑐𝘰𝘮
Howard expressed his gratitude, “Thank you, elder.”
He wasn’t one to turn down advantages, though he remained vigilant in his heart. Forming a Soul Blood Pact with the Oriental Divine Dragon might ensure the Chan family wouldn’t harm him, but it did little to secure his safety against other schemes they might harbor.
Despite Quin Chan’s honeyed words, Howard was no fool — he was well aware of this fact.
Once Shelley Chan had led Howard away, the remaining elders began to murmur amongst themselves.
However, a single sentence from Quin Chan blanched their faces, “The Draconic transformation is irreversible. Should Howard die, or if any mishap befalls him, the world shall be devoid of a Divine Dragon forevermore.”
Dragons were plentiful in this world, yet the Divine Dragon lineage was a solitary bloodline passed down through generations.
Even the Oriental Divine Dragon, which Howard had contracted, was resurrected by the current Guardian Divine Dragon of the Chan family, through the sacrifice of its own vitality, breathing life into an otherwise lifeless egg.
The aged Guardian Divine Dragon no longer possessed the ability to create another Oriental Divine Dragon.
Only with Howard’s maturation could a new offspring be cultivated.
Without the Draconic status, their clan, deeply knowledgeable about dragons, might indeed take action against Howard to reclaim the Oriental Divine Dragon.
Alas, Draconic was not reversible.
On the contrary, they were obliged to aid Howard in overcoming the calamities of his Draconic transformation so that the Divine Dragon might sire progeny.
Hearing such grave consequences, the group of elders dared not speak further, whispering instead, “But if we consider the direct bloodline… Ying is only in her teens this year, isn’t that too young?”
“And Ying is the pearl of our family. If she were to marry him, she would have to leave Crimson Dragon City with him. What if that boy mistreats Ying?”
It was evident that the Chan family, devoid of internal strife, held deep affection for their younger members. .
“Chicks, after all, must leave the nest and soar on their own,” sighed Quin Chan. “Moreover, Ying is not so young anymore. In times past, she would have been a mother at her age!”
Hui Chan, you are Ying’s father; it falls upon you… to convey this matter to Ying.”
Meanwhile, guided by Shelley Chan, Howard had arrived at the innermost courtyard.
Upon entering, he immediately felt a presence as deep and vast as the ocean itself, yet before him lay nothing but an illusion, as if shrouded in an endless mist.
Looking up, Howard’s pupils constricted sharply.
There, suspended several yards high in the air, was a colossal dragon’s head, staring intently at him with an enigmatic gaze.
The dragon’s whiskers fluttered in the breeze, each movement like thunder slicing through the heavens, illuminating the fog and revealing the form of the Guardian Divine Dragon.
Its body coiled through the air; unfurled, it would stretch over twenty yards long, robust in stature.
Chains were wrapped around it, but rather than appearing as restraints, they shimmered with lightning, swirling in the air, their radiance suggesting a deity in command of thunder.
Even in a mere steady gaze, Howard felt an overwhelming aura of majesty and, inexplicably, a sense of kinship.
After all, this Guardian Divine Dragon shared the same bloodline as the Divine Dragon that had merged with Howard, evoking a natural sense of closeness.
At that moment, Shelley Chan moved, bowing reverently and said, “The younger generation, Shelley Chan, pays respect to the esteemed Guardian Divine Dragon.”
“No need for such formalities!” boomed a voice, resonant as thunder itself.
The Guardian Divine Dragon didn’t even glance at Shelley Chan, its focus remaining locked on Howard as it spoke, “All is known to me. You now carry my bloodline; by both affection and duty, I would not harm you. There is no need for undue worry.”
After a pause, the Guardian Divine Dragon spoke again, “Are you certain you wish to leave the Chan family?”
“Indeed, I intend to depart from Crimson Dragon City!” Howard affirmed, not forgetting that there were still several individuals in Adia City awaiting his return.
Besides, Crimson Dragon City was fraught with danger!
To be targeted by the Alliance for merely escorting a possession of his own indicated that his lineage was not acknowledged within the Alliance’s inner circles.
It was tolerable within the Alliance, where outright confrontations were avoided, but in the dungeons or amidst battle, there was no telling if a stealthy strike might come.
Howard had no desire to linger in such perilous confines!
A low profile and stable development—that was the true path to power.
“The world is vast, and your current strength is insufficient,” the Guardian Divine Dragon said, its eyes suddenly bursting with a sharp glint.
With the swiftness of lightning that no thunder could preempt, the energy shot forth into Howard’s being.
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