"Vasari run run run! We're going to be crushed by those rocks!"
A large black cloud of rubble avalanched down the mountain face and it only seemed to be accelerating the further it went down.
"I'm going as fast I can."
"Ahh Vasari I'm going to die a virgin!"
"You're not going to die. Calm down."
"Waahaha I don't want to die! Vasari, tell my mother and grandma that I love them!"
While fleeing for his life, Vasari quickly knocked Hiromi unconscious by chopping the back of her neck. He couldn't concentrate with her screaming like a maniac on his back.
"Hah looks like I really have to use that."
Vasari sighed and his movement speed gradually started increasing. If one looked closely they would be able to see the skin on his neck and hands turn paler and paler until it was pure white. His skin then transformed into small diamond-shaped scales no bigger than a fingernail, it covered the entirety of his body until halfway up his neck, leaving not a single gap in between scales, acting as the perfect armour. The tips of his midnight black hair slowly turned a magnificent golden colour and the nails on his hands and feet grew slightly, as well as turning black, making it looks like claws. His body also grew slightly, with his height now 220cm tall, his martial robes had to adjust to his new proportions. His perfect white teeth sharpened and his canines grew slightly longer.
Vasari felt this amazing rush of power that he's never felt before course through his muscles. The blood running through his veins changed from crimson red to pure gold.
'I only unlocked 30% but the power boost is incredible. I could probably one shot that Rock Orc the way I am now.'
Vasari completely forgot about the avalanche behind him and the peak Beta stage Mole. All the pressure he felt suddenly vanished into thin air when he activated a portion of his bloodline. He didn't know how exactly he tapped into it, it felt almost natural like breathing or blinking. He instinctively knew how to unlock it ever since he gained the bloodline a few years ago. The bloodline of an Imperial Dragon.
He didn't know how strong Imperial Dragons were but he knew they were the absolute strongest breed of dragon and considering how everyone seemed to revere dragons it was not hard to guess the strength they held. Even Talia's Copper Dragon bloodline was considered extraordinary even though Copper Dragons were one of the weaker dragons.
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At the same time that Vasari unlocked part of his bloodline, a beast residing on the 16th and tallest mountain of the Draynora Mountain Range opened its large reptilian-like eyes.
Its massive head quickly turned to face the direction of the 5th mountain and involuntarily shivered.
It wasn't because it was cold but because it felt a primal fear within itself when it felt its blood begin to still and an overwhelming pressure that completely suppressed its bloodline spread over its body.
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In a beautiful Augustan hall…
A rocky ceiling held up by 10 magnificent basalt pillars enclosed by stylish braziers lit up the empty hall. The intricate golden patterns on the clean floor danced elegantly in the flickering light while statues made from marble looked down upon it.
At the end of the hall sat a radiant throne fit enough for a king. The throne was covered in layered engravings and fixed on each of the wide armrests was a gemmed flower.
Sitting on this throne was a man with closed eyes and a relaxed expression adorning his handsome sinewy face. He had a worn and torn bronze cuirass equipped under a crimson tunic, leg greaves that were battered and a dented Corinthian helmet rested on his right knee while his left hand tightly gripped the shaft of a spear with a blade as blunt as a pebble.
The man's eyes suddenly burst open and the entire hall room shook with intensity. The clear brown eyes of the man disappeared behind his eyelids just as quickly as they appeared, the ends of his lips slightly curved upwards before he softly spoke 6 words that contained unbridled passion and intense emotions.
"His Majesty has returned at last."
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"Where are the Church of Prasufis members, don't tell me they died." Vasari couldn't hear the sounds of fighting so he assumed that either those guys died or the Avalanche was drowning out the sounds. Either way, he only had one thing on his mind at the moment and that was getting himself and Hiromi away from the avalanche.
"Hiromi's eyes would be useful right now…screw it, nobody is around anyway."
Vasari lifted his custom-made blindfold and performed a hand sign for a few seconds before opening his eyes. He had no way of knowing about it, but his pupils were now thin slits instead of circular. However, he did notice the changes his bloodline transformation caused to his body but he thought of it as natural and paid little attention to it.
"Damn, this mountain is actually pretty big. There must be a cave or a high ledge somewhere." Vasari casually scanned his surroundings and soon found what he was looking for. He found a small opening in the mountain and decided to risk it by taking cover inside it.
"Phew, we're safe." Vasari released a sigh of relief and carried Hiromi in a princess carry to make it more comfortable for her. Not that she could feel anything at the moment.
'This crack is deeper than I expected.' Vasari used his fire Will to create a small flame to light up his surroundings. The space was narrow, barely wide enough for 2 people to walk side by side through. Vasari had to make sure not to accidentally hit Hiromi's head against the wet rocky walls. The adventurous soul inside of him kept pushing him to explore deeper and check it out.
He could feel a chilly breeze drift past his skin. He made sure to keep the flame close to Hiromi so she doesn't get cold, he also undid his bloodline transformation returning to his usual appearance. He left his eyes unsealed for the meantime, he wanted to test how long he could keep it open now that his body had been refined by Superior Qi.
Slowly, he walked deeper and deeper into the mountain. The further he walked, the wider the gap was becoming although it was barely noticeable.
'7 minutes is my new limit huh? At least it's improving.' Vasari chuckled to himself after sealing his eyes. After another 10 minutes, Hiromi showed signs of waking up and she did a few minutes later.
"Waaah Vasari I'm so happy I didn't die!" She sobbed into his chest, staining his robe in snot and tears but he didn't mind. While gently rubbing her back to calm her down, he explained their current situation to Hiromi. She took the information he gave her surprisingly well and soon regained her calm. Of course, she didn't leave Vasari's arms but he was just glad to have his guide back.
Vasari walked for another hour before the narrow pathway eventually lead him into a large open space. Surprisingly he noticed that they were not the only ones in this naturally formed chamber.
"Who's there? Don't move or I'll kill you." A masculine voice threatened from the shadows.
"Wait! We come in peace." Hiromi responded and jumped out of Vasari's arms. "My name is Hiromi and this is my junior brother Vasari. We were on a mission requiring us to travel through these mountains when a huge avalanche caused us to quickly take shelter. Unfortunately, some of our friends couldn't make it in time."
Hiromi put on the greatest acting performance Vasari's ever witnessed, that even he thought her story was real, never mind the person in front of them.
"I'm sorry for your loss and I'm sorry if I might've seemed a bit rude just now, I'm just a bit on edge after everything that happened. My name is Mason. I'm a follower of the Church of Prasufis."
Mason appeared in front of them after he confirmed they were both merely Superior Qi stage cultivators and poses no threat to him. Hiromi was briefly stunned at his unique eyes and handsome face, but after being around Vasari she grew numb to 'handsome' men. It was not just her, but all the women Vasari meets have their standards for beauty absolutely crushed and it becomes hard to find any other male handsome.
"Do you mind if ask why you are so on edge?"
"Uhh it's a long story but long story short, my team and I were fighting a strong beast and just as we were about to kill it, another came to its rescue. So we had to flee to avoid any unwanted casualties."
"Wow, that must really suck."
"It really does suck." Mason laughed and scratched the back of his head before speaking again, "Would you and your junior brother like to follow me? My teammates are resting not far from here."
Hiromi glanced at Vasari who nodded his head. Mason too, looked at Vasari but lost interest when he saw Vasari's face covered in dirt and mud.
"Okay then, please look after us."
Mason nodded and guided them further into the chamber.
"So I'm guessing you're from the Aqua Poppy Sect, right? I haven't managed to visit there yet, but my friends tell me that the disciples are very welcoming."
Mason attempted to make small talk with Hiromi, but it was easy to tell he was not used to this.
"Correct, I am from the Aqua Poppy Sect. I have also heard many amazing things about the powerful Church of Prasufis." Hiromi felt like vomiting after saying such buttery words about the Church of Prasufis.
The two didn't say much afterwards and an awkward silence washed over them. Luckily before it could get too unbearable, they reached their destination.
"Here we are. Guys, get up. We have some visitors!"
"Shut the fuck up and let me sleep!"
"Don't care. Just be quiet will you."
"Have they got food? If they don't, send them away."
Mason could only look at Hiromi with an apologetic expression and shrugged his shoulders nonchalantly, "Well, this is my team…"
Hiromi didn't know whether to laugh or not seeing the appearance of the 7 cultivators laying on the cold hard floor with varying degrees of injuries on their bodies.
She saw a bald man with a deep cut on the top of his head, a tall, muscular woman with both her arms bruised so badly that they turned purple, a thin, average-looking woman with her left arm cut off and a guy with a Mohawk who had all his teeth missing.
She also saw a pretty woman with creamy white hair have blood stains falling from her eyes and a man with blonde hair had 4 missing fingers. The only person who seemed to be uninjured was a plain-looking male with short spiky black hair and a massive sword chilling next to him.
Vasari paid extra attention to this person because he gave off the same feeling as Alex Rales.
'Another heaven's favourite?'
"Woah looks like you guys had it rough."
Hiromi couldn't help but say out loud. Internally she was happy to see the followers of the Church of Prasufis so badly beaten up. It filled her heart with satisfaction and she wished she could take a photo of this moment and frame it in her room.