[Theoretically, a dragon would die without its heart, so the system offers many enhancement options for heart modification]
[Flesh is weak, machinery ascends! Host can choose an Adamantine Alloy Mechanical Heart for just 500,000 system points. Even a nuclear bomb couldn't penetrate it!]
[If the host doesn't like metal chunks, we have other options]
[Swallow a Golden Core into your belly, and your fate is no longer heaven-bound. The Golden Core Heart offers countless transformative powers for just 800,000 system points. Even a dragon can wield flying swords!]
"Is there a heart that can infinitely divide?"
Su Nian's mouth twitched, his nostrils flared, and wisps of gray smoke puffed out.
The system was still trying to sell him upgrades at a time like this?
If only this system had a physical form.
Su Nian would guarantee to smash it with one claw.
[Ding! Yes! Tyrant Virus Heart, infinite growth and infinite division. However, does the host want to trigger a biohazard crisis in another world?]
[For just 200,000 system points, this heart symbolizing destruction can be yours, courtesy of this system!]
"System!"
Su Nian roared in his mind.
"Just tell me directly what modification will let me survive after giving my heart to Anna!"
"Don't waste my time with nonsense!"
"I don't have money!"
"No system points!"
[...]
[Actually, host can exchange hearts with Anna]
[It wasn't possible before]
[Fortunately, host has formed a bond with Anna]
[This system can modify host's heart to be suitable for Anna's use, but you will have to bear all of Anna's pain and curses]
[After exchanging hearts]
[Your strength will decrease]
[And since Anna's heart is very weak, you'll need to invest more system points in heart modifications]
[When your heart modifications reach a certain strength, the curse will automatically be removed. This is the best solution this system can offer based on available information]
Heart exchange?
Su Nian pondered thoughtfully.
The image of a heart transplant surgery flashed through his mind.
He held Anna tighter in his arms, their two hearts pressed closely together, beating in synchrony—one large and one small—intertwined and inseparable.
"This method is quite good. Just some pain and temporary decrease in strength is nothing for a dragon."
Su Nian had basically decided on the treatment plan for Anna: have Witch Kaguya help them exchange hearts.
He had considered traveling to the Emerald Forest.
But without a teleportation array...
Flying there would take too long.
Not to mention finding the right person.
Now, his only concern was the heart exchange procedure. Did it really require cutting open their chests as he imagined?
He slightly disguised his concerns when he spoke to Witch Kaguya, who was resting nearby.
"You... are overthinking it,"
Kaguya shook her head. Her face still looked unwell, deathly pale, but she could engage in basic conversation.
"We don't need to use such barbaric methods. We only need a ritual."
"However, before the ritual, we need to process your ritual object."
"Make it suitable for transplantation."
"This is an extremely profound and exquisite secret art."
"My master knew this secret art, but unfortunately, he has passed away. And once transplanted, you will also... so..."
"You don't need to worry about that,"
Su Nian interrupted Witch Kaguya.
"I can make my ritual object suitable for transplantation."
"You just need to have the ability to initiate the ritual."
"And I won't end up as you think."
"Since you can transplant my ritual object over there, naturally you can transplant one back to me."
"An exchange, do you understand?"
Kaguya was incredibly intelligent—how could she not understand the black dragon's meaning?
He wanted to exchange hearts with his beloved.
Give away his dragon heart.
And take back a cursed heart.
But this actually made no sense.
Not only would the exchanged heart carry a curse, but that heart couldn't possibly withstand the baptism of fierce dragon blood.
It's easy to go from frugal to luxurious, but difficult to reverse.
The dragon heart had strong compatibility.
Even though its energy remained fierce, it would become much gentler under the effect of the ritual.
A large part of the vast, scorching energy would be sealed, leaking out bit by bit, gradually modifying the transplant recipient's body.
But for an ordinary heart to adapt to a giant dragon's body was simply laughable.
"Are you sure you want to do this?"
Witch Kaguya hesitated, wanting to explain the risks to the dragon, but seeing the determination and resolve in those pale golden dragon eyes...
She swallowed her words.
Perhaps this dragon had his own methods. He surely wouldn't let his loved one live alone on this perilous continent.
"I understand,"
Witch Kaguya nodded.
"I will prepare the ritual for you, but this will take three days."
"I will come to notify you in three days."
...
Witch Kaguya left with the help of other witch apprentices, and the entire palace became quiet again.
Su Nian sat cross-legged on the throne.
His pale golden dragon eyes silently watched the direction where Witch Kaguya had departed.
"Can this person be trusted?"
He was asking Celestine.
Now Celestine was his servant, with loyalty maxed out by the Decree Sacrifice Ritual. He didn't need to worry about Celestine deceiving him.
"Great master,"
Celestine slightly bowed.
"Witch Kaguya is under my command, and we know each other well."
"From my perspective, she can be trusted."
"But from your perspective..."
"To be on the safe side, you can sign a contract with her. She won't resist."
"I will,"
Su Nian nodded.
Enslaving others wasn't something righteous, and Su Nian himself didn't like it. It was even more torturous for those being enslaved.
But this matter had to be absolutely foolproof.
Not even the slightest error was acceptable.
"Brother, what were you just talking about?"
"What ritual and transplant? What is that?"
Anna curled up in Su Nian's embrace, only her small head peeking out.
Her pink fox ears twitched, and her bright big eyes were full of curiosity and confusion.
"We were discussing methods to cure your illness, and now we have a solution."
"Anna will soon be healthy, maybe even stronger than brother~"
Su Nian licked Anna once, teasing this adorable and naive Half-Elf girl.
What was giving up a dragon heart?
As long as she could live on, happily.
As long as he could see her sweet smile every day.
Su Nian felt it was all worth it.
"Really? Can Anna, can Anna really be cured?"
Anna's fair and delicate face showed uncontrollable joy. Her hands holding Su Nian's dragon arm trembled slightly, and her voice quavered.
Being able to live on and stay by her brother's side was what she desired most.
"Of course it's true,"
Su Nian affirmed.
If a dragon heart couldn't cure her...
Then perhaps only a god could.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
patreon.com/BZDXG - Unlock a HUGE stash of advance chapters now!
Dive deeper into the story ahead of everyone else!