With a flick of his claw, the Skyfire Dragon unleashed a searing bolt of thunder upon Xian Shun, the power and force more brutal than anything he had ever endured. The bolt struck him directly, and pain engulfed him—sharp, relentless, and consuming. It was as if every nerve within him had been set ablaze, as though his very veins pulsed with molten lava. His vision wavered, blurring as his body convulsed from the energy that tore through him. For a fleeting moment, he thought he might black out, to fall away into nothingness—but another bolt of lightning struck before he could even draw a breath.
The second strike was even fiercer, jolting his muscles and splintering his bones with an intensity that forced him to the limits of his endurance. He could feel his soul itself trembling, as if it were on the verge of shattering under the crushing weight of the power pouring into him. Yet, even as his body shook and his spirit teetered, he clung to his will, refusing to yield. The fire of his determination burned unyieldingly, anchoring him to the pain, compelling him to withstand it.
At last, the lightning receded, its trails of smoke dissipating from his skin. Xian Shun slumped to his knees, gasping for air, his body bruised and aching, yet alive. The intense ordeal had left him raw, but somehow he had survived. He looked up, dazed, only to find the Skyfire Dragon's gaze fixed on him—fierce and unwavering. In the dragon's ancient eyes, there was something rare: approval.
"Good," rumbled the Skyfire Dragon, his voice a low, resonant growl. "You may be young, but you have the spirit of a dragon."
As Xian Shun struggled to regain his breath, he noticed a single drop of blood floating before him, suspended in midair. It pulsed, a luminous orb of fiery red and electric blue, swirling with an energy that crackled and hissed as though alive. It was more than a simple drop; it was an ancient essence, where fire and thunder had merged into something far greater, something ancient and boundless.
The Skyfire Dragon's voice softened, taking on a tone of solemnity. "As my successor, you must carry the essence of our bloodline."
Without further warning, the drop of blood shot forward, embedding itself into Xian Shun's chest. Instantly, an intense, blazing heat ignited within him. A storm of flames and lightning surged through his veins, wracking his body with a pain that eclipsed even the agony of the thunderbolts. His skin burned as though molten lava ran beneath it; his bones thrummed with the roar of thunder. Every cell in his body screamed, rebelling against the foreign power that was reshaping him from within.
"Ahhh!" Xian Shun's cry tore through the silence, raw with anguish. The dragon blood was merciless, breaking down every limitation, tearing apart his mortal boundaries in wave after wave of searing energy. His very being felt as though it were being ripped apart and reforged, his body crushed and rebuilt under the relentless fury of fire and lightning.
Yet, even as his vision blurred, memories surged forth—memories of his family, of the countless expectations he bore, and of the legacy he had vowed to carry forward. The faces of those he cherished flickered in his mind, grounding him in the depths of his suffering, strengthening his resolve to endure no matter how fierce the pain became.
Gradually, the agony began to ebb, the energy settling deep within him, no longer foreign but now an inseparable part of him. He felt the power settle into his bones, his blood, his spirit. He was no longer just a boy of the Xian family; he was a successor imbued with the bloodline of dragons, an essence fierce and unyielding.
The Skyfire Dragon's gaze softened, his voice resounding with pride. "You have done well, my successor. The blood of dragons now flows within you. Go forth, and awaken the potential that lies within."
As the ancient energy settled into Xian Shun, Mo Lei appeared beside them, his eyes widening as he sensed the raw, untamed power radiating from Xian Shun. To Mo Lei, it felt as though he stood before a young dragon, fierce and commanding of respect. The unmistakable bloodline of the Skyfire Dragon coursed through Xian Shun, its potency undeniable. In time, Mo Lei knew, this power would allow Xian Shun to command dragons across all continents.
Mo Lei knelt, his expression reverent as he addressed the Skyfire Dragon. "Master, you have chosen well. I see now that he is no ordinary successor."
The Skyfire Dragon gave a faint nod, his gaze lingering on Xian Shun with a glimmer of hope. "You have served me well, Mo Lei. But your loyalty must now belong to your new master." His gaze turned sharp, as though imparting a secret. "Though he may appear weak now, his potential will one day surpass even the gods. Watch, and you will see... he will be the one who stands against that family and brings hope to the realms."
Xian Shun's heart skipped a beat, his mind reeling. That family? A chill crept down his spine, the weight of the Skyfire Dragon's prophecy filling him with dread and resolve. The thought of facing a family so powerful, a family that even the dragon revered with caution, made him realize the magnitude of his destiny.
Mo Lei, too, couldn't hide his astonishment. He glanced at Xian Shun with newfound awe, his voice barely a whisper. "You are destined to face that family? The family that holds unmatched power across the realms?"
The Skyfire Dragon's form began to fade, his voice warm yet laced with authority. "Yes, Mo Lei. Xian Shun will be the one to stand against them. Follow him, guide him, and in time, you will see the role he is destined to play."
As the dragon's presence dissipated, the realm around them began to shift. His final words hung in the air, laden with prophecy and promise. "I will see you again, my successor, when the time is right."
With that, the great Skyfire Dragon vanished, leaving only Mo Lei and Xian Shun in the stillness of the ancient realm. Mo Lei knelt deeply, his form flickering with fire and lightning as he addressed Xian Shun.
"Master," Mo Lei began, his voice filled with humility, "I beg forgiveness for the trials I subjected you to. I did not fully recognize your potential. The tests were harsh, but you endured with a strength of spirit I have rarely seen. I now understand your worthiness to carry our master's legacy."
Xian Shun, still reeling from the journey and the power now surging within him, regarded Mo Lei with understanding. "There's no need for forgiveness, Mo Lei," he said, his voice calm but resolute. "You were only protecting the Skyfire Dragon's legacy. Tests are what shape us. Without challenges, I would not be prepared for what lies ahead. What you did was necessary."
Mo Lei looked up, respect gleaming in his eyes. Straightening, he introduced himself formally. "I am Mo Lei, a Firelighting Dragon, master of both fire and lightning, just as the Skyfire Dragon was. I have trained, fought, and ascended over centuries, evolving from a simple Fire Dragon to my current form. Yet even with all my strength, I could never rival the Skyfire Dragon. He was the only one to reach Level 15 and ascend to godhood."
Xian Shun listened, awe rippling through him as Mo Lei continued. "I serve as an elder within the Skyfire Dragon Realm, a realm that spans continents with countless hidden sanctuaries guarded by our kin. Now, with the bloodline inheritance, you are our rightful leader. But know this: dragons do not bow to those they deem weak. Respect must be earned."
Mo Lei's gaze turned firm yet respectful. "Most dragons within our realm are strong, many at Levels 7 or 8, and they hold pride in their strength. To lead them, you must reach at least Level 10, the Ancestor Stage. Only then will your aura carry the weight necessary to command them."
Xian Shun nodded, understanding that his title alone would not suffice. To truly lead these dragons, he would need to cultivate his strength, to stand as their equal in power, if not more. His journey was not merely one of self-discovery but of proving himself worthy of his title.
Mo Lei knelt once more, his voice filled with reverence and loyalty. "With the Skyfire Dragon's legacy, you are destined to fulfill the prophecy. One day, all dragons across the continents will know your name, feel your aura, and recognize you as their rightful master."
From this day forward, I swear my loyalty to you, Master Xian Shun. The path ahead will be difficult, but together, we will see the moment when your true power awakens."
As he took in Mo Lei's solemn vow, Xian Shun felt the immense weight of his role settle upon him. His journey as the successor of the Skyfire Dragon had begun, a path requiring not just strength but wisdom, resilience, and the guidance of those who believed in him.
Suddenly, a glowing mark appeared on Xian Shun's forehead, pulsing with mysterious energy. Before he could understand, the mark began to draw in Mo Lei, absorbing him into its depths. In a flash, Mo Lei's form vanished, leaving Xian Shun feeling the unfamiliar connection deep within.
Xian Shun found himself in a vast, new realm, one of pure energy, within his spiritual body. His voice, filled with awe, broke the silence. "This… a spiritual body space? I'd only heard of such things in legends."
Mo Lei's voice resonated within the space, filled with pride. "Yes, Master. This space is our bond, forged by the Skyfire Dragon's power. I am now bound to you as your beast pet."
Xian Shun absorbed the significance. "A soul bond? What does that mean for us?"
Mo Lei's tone softened, serious yet loyal. "It is unbreakable. If I were to betray you, the soul mark would end me instantly. And if anything were to happen to me, you would feel it, weakening your own strength."
Xian Shun's resolve hardened, realizing his journey was only beginning. "I'm ready, Mo Lei. Bring on the thunder."
With a nod, Mo Lei raised his hand, summoning a powerful storm within the spiritual realm. Thunderclouds gathered above, each one pulsing with fierce energy as lightning flickered in anticipation. As Xian Shun braced himself for the trials ahead, he knew that every bolt, every pain endured here, would forge him into the leader—the dragon successor—he was destined to become.