Chapter Twelve: Ascension of the Bloodline

“Big Brother Leng, it’s badly hurt! It doesn’t even seem able to move!” Huo Wu glanced at Max’s pitiful state, her heart aching as she spoke to Leng Tian.

Leng Tian cast a sidelong glance at Max. With a thought, he produced a vial of spiritual nectar from the bottom of the pool. “Open your mouth,” he said to Max.

Although the dragon Max had no idea what was in the bottle, it obediently opened its huge maw, its dragon eyes still brimming with tears, looking pitifully at Leng Tian.

Ignoring Max’s expression, Leng Tian uncorked the small bottle and poured half of its contents into the dragon’s mouth, sealed the bottle, and turned to the others. “Wait here for me. I’m going to find a place to bathe.” With that, he vanished into the depths of the forest.

Max was instantly enveloped by a fragrant aroma. The cool liquid slid down its throat into its belly, and immediately a wave of heat surged within, as if a blazing fire ignited and spread throughout its body.

It realized this must be a treasure. Though its master was rather overbearing, he was pretty good to him after all. How quickly the dragon had forgotten its pain!

Max summoned its inner dragon flame to refine the immense energy in the spiritual nectar. But as time passed, it realized with dismay that the heat was only the beginning. Soon, a violent, volcanic force erupted within, rampaging through its body.

Suddenly, Max felt as if countless knives were slicing its flesh; the pain was excruciating, especially on top of the wounds Leng Tian had just inflicted. In that instant, the mighty dragon Max lost consciousness, collapsing without so much as a cry.

The three companions sat nearby, watching Max intently. Suddenly, they noticed the dragon’s eyes were tightly shut and it had gone still.

“What’s wrong with it? Something seems off,” Xiao Han remarked to the others.

“It must have fallen asleep—probably exhausted,” Huo Wu replied, her eyes sparkling as she gazed at Max, excitement in her voice. “From now on, wherever we go, we won’t need to tire ourselves out. We can travel the world on a dragon’s back!”

Both Yan Long and Xiao Han chuckled wistfully. “Brother Leng is truly remarkable. Even a dragon submits to him. I wonder when we’ll have such an honor,” Xiao Han sighed.

“He’s one of a kind—let’s not get our hopes up. If I can just break through to the Celestial Rank, I’ll be more than satisfied,” Yan Long shared his heartfelt wish.

“Mm! Big Brother Leng has promised us—he’ll help us advance to Celestial Rank,” Huo Wu said confidently, her large eyes shining.

Yan Long and Xiao Han exchanged a knowing glance, a gentle smile between them. Having grown up with Huo Wu like brothers, they understood her feelings for Leng Tian all too well.

They didn’t say anything, but in their hearts, they silently wished her happiness, knowing that matters of the heart could not be forced. They truly hoped Huo Wu could find joy.

Suddenly, Huo Wu cried out, “Look! Max’s body is cracking open!” She pointed at the dragon’s massive form.

The other two looked over, and saw that Max’s golden-scaled body was now covered in fissures, from which pure golden blood began to flow.

Gradually, the golden blood stained the entire dragon, and a radiant golden light shone from within, enveloping it completely. It looked like a huge golden egg, pulsing rhythmically like a beating heart.

Meanwhile, at the riverbank, Leng Tian finished bathing, dried off, and changed into a fresh white robe. He glanced at the silvery ring on his left hand, smiling to himself. “Good thing you’re here, or I’d be in trouble.” Feeling a bit hungry, he patted his stomach helplessly and headed deeper into the mountains.

Time slipped by as the trio observed the golden egg. It eventually ceased pulsing and began to contract inward. After a while, a low hum emanated from within, followed by a shudder. The golden shell faded, finally merging completely into Max’s body.

Now they could see Max clearly inside. His body was pure gold, shining brilliantly and flawless, as if cast from solid gold. An overwhelming dragon’s might radiated from him, far surpassing what it had been.

A thunderous dragon’s roar shook the heavens. The beasts across the mountains howled in response, as if acknowledging the might of their king.

“Stop that awful noise—enough already!” Leng Tian called, just as Max was about to let out another triumphant roar to celebrate his bloodline’s ascension. The dragon startled and abruptly fell silent.

Satisfied, Leng Tian nodded at Max’s transformation. “Not bad, you didn’t waste my treasure. If you want to roar, do it far away from us.”

“Understood, master,” Max replied. With a powerful beat of his wings, he soared into the sky and soon disappeared into the distance.

“Brother Yan, Brother Xiao, could you fetch some dry wood?” Leng Tian said, tossing out four or five spirit beast carcasses wrapped in large unfamiliar leaves from his storage ring.

These spirit beasts had been thoroughly cleaned—who knows where Leng Tian found such huge leaves to wrap them in. Huo Wu stared at the tiger- and leopard-sized beasts, amazed. “Big Brother Leng, are you going to cook? Isn’t this a bit much?”

Yan Long and Xiao Han immediately realized what Leng Tian intended, and set off to gather firewood.

“Heh, we can’t eat all this. But we do have a bottomless pit to help us,” Leng Tian said, pointing to the distant figure of Max in the sky.

Huo Wu giggled. “Big Brother Leng, you really are good to him. Need any help?” she asked, eager to assist as Leng Tian began building a spit with sturdy branches.

Leng Tian was fond of this cheerful girl, but not in a romantic way—he simply regarded her as a younger sister. “Come on, help me hold this.”

“Okay!”

Soon, the two of them had set up five spits. By then, Yan Long and Xiao Han returned, each dragging two large bundles of firewood. Together, they piled the wood beneath the spits.

Once everything was ready, Leng Tian called Max back and had him light the fire with his dragon flame. He then skewered the spirit beasts and set them to roast over the flames.

From his storage ring, Leng Tian brought out various spices, coating the meat evenly. The aroma soon wafted through the air, making everyone’s mouth water.

Even the giant dragon Max, lying nearby, swallowed hungrily, drawing laughter from Huo Wu.

When the meat was done, Leng Tian carved it up and handed out portions. The tantalizing scent made them ravenous, and Huo Wu devoured her share with little concern for manners, praising between bites: “So delicious!”

Yan Long and Xiao Han were no different, tearing into the food and showering Leng Tian with compliments.

But the most undignified of all was Max. Drool pooled on the ground as he pinned an entire beast with his foreclaws, tearing and chewing, humming in contentment.

After just one beast, the four companions were full. They leaned back against the trees, burping contentedly as they watched Max eat.

“Look at you—what a disgrace! No one’s going to steal your food,” Leng Tian mocked.

“My mother always said, eat what you can today and don’t save it for tomorrow,” Max replied telepathically.

Martial Peak, Chapter Twelve: Bloodline Ascension—End.