Chapter 44

Chapter 44 - A Black Dragon

Ye Hao observed the black-robed youth, whose face was contorted with malice. It was clear to him that this individual had no intention of sparing him.

With ease, the black-robed youth encircled Ye Hao, and his razor-sharp nails punctured Ye Hao's arm. Blood spurted forth from the wound.

The sight of Ye Hao's blood sent a thrill of ecstasy through the black-robed youth. “Your blood truly possesses an extraordinary life force,” he remarked, savoring two drops of Ye Hao's blood with a greedy lick.

“I'm curious, why didn't you consume passersby earlier?” Ye Hao inquired, his gaze fixed on the black-robed youth as he maintained his composure.

The Divine Blood coursing through him was the only reason Ye Hao could stay so collected in this dire situation.

“I hadn't fully recovered until today. I've only just regained some of my strength,” the black-robed youth replied, flashing a grin that revealed his pearly white teeth.

“In that case, I suspect you'll never fully recover,” Yang Mo said with a smirk.

“What did you say?” The black-robed youth bristled with rage.

Blinded by anger, he lashed out at Ye Hao. Despite Ye Hao's attempt to slow him down, the black-robed youth's powerful slap sent him flying. A scream of agony escaped the youth.

A look of resolute determination crossed his face. He cast a spiritual seal, and a series of enigmatic waves pulsed from his body. In an instant, the black-robed youth transformed into a bead as dark as ink.

As the bead attempted to escape, it was firmly seized by a pair of large hands—Ye Hao had caught it.

“What is this?” Ye Hao inquired, examining the icy bead in his grasp.

Panic gripped the black-robed youth. That bead contained all his memories and magical powers! His abilities were now trapped within it; otherwise, he could have easily vanquished Ye Hao.

This was a taboo practice of the Dragon Clan, one that came at a steep price: a century-long slumber. But to him, it was preferable to death.

Feeling the Dragon Orb vibrate powerfully in his hand, Ye Hao hesitated briefly before opening his mouth and swallowing it. “This has to be something valuable,” he thought.

The black-robed youth watched in horror.

What had this man done?

He had ingested the Dragon Orb?

The black dragon's bloodline paled in comparison to his Divine Blood.

What Ye Hao truly valued were the cultivation techniques.

Since learning of the existence of ghosts and gods in this world, Ye Hao had felt a profound sense of urgency.

Now, at last, Ye Hao had found a solution to his dilemma.

Ye Hao needed to become stronger.

“Primeval Dragon Technique.”

He was taken aback upon discovering the cultivation technique practiced by the black-robed youth—it seemed incredibly potent. Could this be why the black dragon tribe members were so formidable? Despite the Dragon Clan's disdain for black dragons, they had to acknowledge the formidable combat strength of the black dragon tribe. Otherwise, they wouldn't be mentioned in the same breath as the Golden Dragon Clan, known for their pure and noble lineage.

Ye Hao didn't immediately start practicing the Primeval Dragon Technique, as he had already spent hours here. Once home, he informed Guo Xiu that he was going to sleep, and then he commenced his cultivation of the technique. Previously, Ye Hao was clueless about how to cultivate, but having absorbed the memories of the black-robed youth, he faced no such obstacles now.

The initial step in cultivation was to attune oneself to the Heaven and Earth Spiritual Energy, which depended on the cultivator's spirit root. Those with spirit roots could detect spiritual energy within days, while those without would never sense it in their lifetime. Without spiritual energy entering their bodies, cultivators, no matter their strength, could only aspire to reach the Acquired realm.

​Ye Hao attempted to sense the Heaven and Earth Spiritual Energy and to his astonishment, he did so instantaneously. The spiritual energy flowed into him. “Do I possess a supreme grade spirit root?” he wondered. But then he realized, without the Divine Blood, he might not have had a spirit root at all.​

Now, Ye Hao was far from the uninformed beginner he once was. He still recalled the enigmatic words of the middle-aged man. Were gods real in this world? Even the black-robed youth doubted their existence, suggesting that the black dragon tribe had never encountered the fabled deities. This revelation underscored the fearsome nature of the Divine Blood. After all, it was Ye Hao's two drops of Divine Blood that had slain the black-robed youth, who had attempted to consume the essence within Ye Hao's blood, not knowing it was Divine Blood.

The Divine Blood was inviolable.

As soon as it was challenged, the divinity within the Divine Blood began to strike back.

Unquestionably, the black-robed youth, barely recovered, stood no chance against the Divine Blood.

Reflecting on this, Ye Hao was struck by a wave of contemplation.

It appeared he owed Xu Lili a debt of gratitude.

Had it not been for her interference, he would never have journeyed to Black Dragon Spring. And without that journey, he would never have acquired the Black Dragon Orb.

Ye Hao recognized this as the hand of destiny.

“When will I be able to take control of my own destiny?” he mused, gazing up at the ceiling.