“Growing already?”Kael Draven’s eyes went wide. Half an hour. That’s all it had taken for Cinder to absorb the Endless Sea of Blood Map—and the change was undeniable.The tiny, snake-like creature’s body shimmered as thick black scales began sprouting across it. In the dim light of the stone chamber, they glinted faintly, almost like sparks. Kael Draven couldn’t help but think of the fire dragon Tobias Draven had once obtained—it was eerily similar.So it was true. Cinder wasn’t just a dragon. He was a mutated divine dragon. Before that, he had looked like a harmless little snake. Now… now he was a dragon in his own right. Kael Draven’s pulse quickened. How strong would he be once this transformation was complete?“Brat… what exactly is the origin of this little thing of yours?”He already knew what Kiera Thane meant. He didn’t even fully understand Cinder’s origins. But one thing was certain: this little creature was extraordinary. Mysterious. Dangerous, maybe.Before Kael Draven co

For Kael Ardon’s safety, Kael Draven didn’t hesitate—he refused flat out.“Brother Draven… don’t you consider me a friend?”Kael Draven shook his head, expression unreadable. “Kael Ardon, I like to move alone. I’m sorry.”He didn’t linger. Brevin Thales had already put a Kill Order on his head. Nearly three hundred innate warriors from the Thunder Empire and thirty-two allied kingdoms were hunting him. If Kael Ardon tagged along, he’d be caught in the crossfire.Watching Kael Draven disappear into the distance, Kael Ardon muttered softly to himself, “A friend like this… I’m keeping him.”Not long after, Kael Draven ran into some familiar faces—the members of the Starcloud Guardian Hall: Lucas Grant, Felix Lancaster, Justin Dover, Tyrus Hart, Finn Valmar, Liana Ivy, and Alisson Stormveil.Funny how enemies always seem to meet on narrow roads.“Kael Draven?”“Get lost,” Kael Draven replied casually, barely sparing them a glance. He’d left the Guardian Hall and had no interest in old riv

“Just a defeated foe?”“Hahaha!” Tobias Draven laughed like he’d just heard the most absurd thing in the world. Every line of his face dripped with contempt, every gesture mocking.“Kael Draven, do you know why I came to the Thunder Forest this time?”“To kill me.”“Exactly. You’re clever, Kael Draven—but your cleverness ends today.”“Just me?” Kael Draven raised an eyebrow, slightly surprised. He could feel it clearly now—Tobias Draven was no longer the Evolution-stage warrior he once was. He had leveled up, become a Fusion Warrior.Same cultivation stage, yes—but the difference in raw power was staggering.When they first entered Dragon Valley, Tobias Draven had claimed a Fire Dragon egg. Kael Draven knew that, barring accident, that egg had hatched long ago and grown into a formidable beast. Otherwise… how could he have just slain a Fusion Warrior? Was Tobias Draven foolish enough to face him unprepared?Fire Dragons ranked among the highest of their kind.A shadow of seriousness p

The Destruction Seal Technique.Eighteen forms in total. Yet, Eldric had only taught Kael Draven the first four.According to Eldric, that was all Kael Draven could handle for now. The rest—fourteen forms—were far beyond him. Not yet, anyway.The first four forms had names that carried weight: Soul-Calming Seal, Burning Nether Seal, Heaven-Burning Seal, and Doomsday Seal. Kael Draven had perfected the first. The next step was obvious—the second form, the Burning Nether Seal.He could hardly contain himself. Every fiber of him itched to dive into cultivation. No hesitation. No delay.By noon the next day, the Thunder Battle had ended.Over four hundred warriors had entered from thirty-two kingdoms, plus scattered members of the Thunder Empire. But fewer than thirty emerged alive. Ten to one. That ratio alone told the story: the battle was nothing short of brutal.When the results were tallied, Kael Draven had claimed second place. First? The Thunder Empire’s Guardians, as expected.The

Cloudveil Sect.The Cloudveil Sect was a hollow shell of its former glory. The four great elders were dead; the halls that once thrummed with power now trembled under fragile leadership. Only Sect Master Lucius Ramirez remained in true command, and beside him stood Elder Edwin Valmar. That was it. That was all they had left.Lucius Ramirez’s order was simple and merciless: Kael Draven must be eliminated. No mercy. No delay. Kill him now, and cut off the root of all future trouble.But news travels fast. Kael Draven’s second-place finish in the Thunder Battle had already reached Cloudveil. They’d even seen the public proclamation from the Starcloud Imperial Family.Lucius Ramirez and Edwin Valmar exchanged grim looks. They both felt it: Kael Draven was no longer some kid they could dispose of on a whim.Even proud Cloudveil answered to a greater shadow—the Starcloud Imperial Family. Their influence hung over everything.So Lucius Ramirez tried to be cautious. Send envoys. Negotiate. Av