The courtyard was silent.
Too silent.
Even the wind had vanished.
Arin stood with blazing golden wings spread wide, his eyes burning with draconic fury. Scales crawled across his skin like living armor, and ancient runes pulsed beneath them. His heartbeat thundered through the air like war drums.
Across from him, Liyue Chen finally dropped her calm expression.
For the first time since descending—
She was cautious.
"A temporary Half-Immortal state…" she murmured. "Triggered by bloodline resonance and emotional overload."
Her gaze sharpened.
"Lower realm… you continue to surprise me."
Arin clenched his fists.
"I don't care who you are."
"I don't care where you're from."
"Touch my family again…"
"I'll tear down your heavens."
Boom!
He vanished.
The ground exploded where he stood.
In the next instant, his fist appeared before Liyue's face, wrapped in roaring dragon flames.
"Dragon Sovereign Punch!"
Liyue's eyes widened slightly.
She raised one finger.
Clang!
A transparent star barrier formed.
Arin's fist smashed into it.
The shockwave tore apart nearby towers.
Windows shattered kilometers away.
Yet—
The barrier held.
Cracks spread.
But did not break.
"Hmph," Liyue said. "Crude power."
She waved her sleeve.
Space twisted.
Arin was sent flying like a meteor.
Boom!
He crashed through three palace walls before stopping.
Blood sprayed.
But he stood back up immediately.
"Not enough," he growled.
Inside the Palace — Inner Hall
Elara held Auren tightly.
Her body was surrounded by protective light.
Her heart pounded.
"Arin…"
Auren suddenly placed his tiny hand on her cheek.
"Ma-ma…"
Her tears fell.
"I'm here, baby."
She closed her eyes.
Then—
She made a decision.
[SYSTEM ALERT]
Spouse Resonance Detected
Secondary Bloodline Awakening
Golden-pink light burst from Elara.
Ancient symbols appeared around her body.
Her aura rose sharply.
Servants collapsed from pressure.
Mira stared in shock.
"Elara's latent bloodline… it's activating?!"
Battlefield
Arin wiped blood from his mouth and charged again.
This time—
He wasn't alone.
A gentle golden-pink beam struck his back.
Power surged into him.
He felt warmth.
Love.
Trust.
Support.
"Elara…" he whispered.
[SYSTEM ALERT]
Dual Bloodline Resonance
Power Output: +210%
His aura doubled.
No.
Tripled.
Golden flames turned crimson.
Dragon roars echoed from nowhere.
"Enough playing," Arin said quietly.
"Dragon Emperor Art—Heaven-Splitting Descent."
The sky darkened.
A massive dragon phantom descended, its body stretching across the clouds.
It opened its jaws.
A beam of condensed authority fired.
Liyue's expression finally changed.
Serious.
She raised both hands.
"Starfall Guard."
Hundreds of starlight shields layered before her.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
One by one, they shattered.
Her feet slid backward.
The courtyard disintegrated.
Dust filled the sky.
When it cleared—
She was still standing.
But blood trickled from her lips.
"…Remarkable," she admitted.
High Above — Void Layer
A pair of ancient eyes opened.
"Hmm…"
"That child's bloodline…"
"It has awakened early."
"Troublesome."
Back Below
Liyue steadied herself.
"I see now," she said coldly.
"Leaving the child here will only make him stronger."
She looked at Arin.
"But don't misunderstand."
"This isn't over."
She raised her hand.
A jade talisman shattered.
Whoosh!
A pillar of starlight enveloped her.
Before vanishing, she spoke:
"Enjoy your time."
"The Upper Realm will come."
Silence returned.
Slowly.
Heavily.
Arin's wings faded.
His power collapsed.
He fell to his knees.
"Arin!"
Elara rushed out, carrying Auren.
She knelt and hugged him tightly.
"You did it… You protected us…"
He laughed weakly.
"Barely…"
Auren crawled onto his chest.
"Ba-ba!"
A tiny flame popped.
Arin smiled.
"Worth it."
Far Away — Starfall Sect
Elders gathered.
"A lower realm family repelled an Immortal…"
"This changes things."
"Prepare the observation plan."
Frostwind Dynasty
A storm was coming.
But so was a legend.