Rain began to fall over the forest.
Thin, cold droplets soaked the treetops and rolled down in silver threads. Beneath a rocky outcropping deep in the misty valley, Ye Wuchen lay curled in pain.
His side throbbed where the blade had sliced him. Blood had slowed, but the wound wasn't clean. His ribs were bruised, and every breath hurt.
> [Vital Status: Wounded – Mobility reduced. Internal bruising present.]
[Soul Power Recovery: 0.4/hour]
[Physical Recovery: Delayed due to environment and blood loss]
> "System… is there any way to accelerate this?" he whispered.
> [Two options available:]
• Basic Recovery Protocol – Use remaining soul energy to stimulate regeneration. Costs 0.8 SP.
• Blood Fusion Trigger – Accelerate passive evolution using combat blood trace. Risk: unknown. Soul power cost: none.
Wuchen hesitated.
> "What is Blood Fusion Trigger?"
> [When host is wounded during combat and blood remains active in enemy weapons or tools, system can absorb feedback and evolve certain traits.]
> "So… like imprinting combat memory through pain?"
> [Correct. But it may alter neural pathways or instincts. Once activated, it cannot be reversed.]
He lay still.
Raindrops trickled into the shelter. The ache in his chest deepened. He touched the wound, flinched.
> "If I don't heal soon… he'll catch me again."
> "System… trigger it."
> [Blood Fusion Trigger – Activated.]
---
Inside the Soul Sea
A ripple passed through the black sea of his inner world.
The Shadow Dragon Wolf raised its head slowly. Its eyes glowed brighter. A faint red shimmer traced along its spine.
Sparks leapt between its claws and teeth. Then, the beast howled.
The sound echoed across the mental space—low, sharp, ancient.
Suddenly, pain surged through Wuchen's limbs. His fingers twitched violently. His skin burned under the surface.
> [Blood Fusion Phase I – Complete.]
• New Trait Gained: Predator's Mark
Slightly enhanced senses when near recent combatants
Emotional responses to "threat" heightened
Can identify blood signatures up to 48 hours old
• Side Effect: Occasional instinct surges under stress. Recommend restraint and meditation.
---
Back In The Shelter
Ye Wuchen gasped and fell to his knees.
For a moment, he wasn't himself. Something darker had flickered behind his eyes. A growl, faint but real, escaped his throat.
Then it passed.
> "That… was different."
He looked at his hand. The faint black ring on his wrist pulsed once.
> "I feel…"
> [Stronger. Faster. Wilder.]
He exhaled slowly. The pain had dulled. Not gone—but now distant.
> [Mobility restored: 82%]
[Healing speed increased temporarily.]
He stood, wobbling once, but not falling.
> "Now… where do I go?"
---
System Map Pulse
> [Nearest sheltering terrain with medicinal flora: 1.2 km east]
[Detected herb: Fogroot – accelerates clotting and inner repair]
He nodded.
> "Lead the way."
---
Meanwhile – The Tracker
The man knelt beside a muddy stream.
In his palm, the vial of blood glowed faint red.
He poured a drop into the stream. It drifted, then twisted unnaturally—pulling eastward.
> "He moved."
He smiled grimly.
> "And changed."
The blood no longer felt passive. There was heat in it now. Aggression.
> "The boy's learning."
He tapped the lens on his eye. "Mark his path. Adjust pursuit. Prepare tranquilizer."
From behind a tree, a mechanical beast stepped forward—hound-shaped, glowing red eyes.
> "Time to tighten the leash."
---
Wuchen's Journey East
As he walked, fogroot leaves brushing his leg, Wuchen paused.
Something in the air had changed.
His nose twitched.
> "Iron. Blood. Smoke."
> [Predator's Mark Active: Tracking threat behind. Estimated range: 900 meters.]
He clenched his fists.
> "I don't have time."
He hurried up the hill.
In a small clearing beyond the ridge, he finally saw them—pale blue flowers growing low among the rocks. Fogroot.
He knelt and plucked three carefully.
Crushed them. Rubbed them over his side.
A sting. Then relief.
> [Minor Recovery Boost Applied.]
His shoulders sagged.
> "One more step survived…"
But he didn't rest.
Not anymore.