Boom!
The figure rocketing toward the heavens climbed higher and higher.
As his altitude increased, terrifying heat enveloped his body. Blazing flames ignited across his skin, making him resemble a fiery meteor streaking through the sky.
Yet Chen Beiyuan seemed completely unfazed, continuing his ascent as though the scorching temperature had no effect on him whatsoever.
At the same time, the crushing atmospheric pressure—powerful enough to flatten a Maus super-heavy tank measuring thirteen meters long, 4.5 meters wide, and weighing 189 tons into a lump of scrap metal—failed to affect his body in the slightest.
Instead, it became a form of tempering, relentlessly forging his physique.
With every breath, the 36,800 pores across his body expanded and contracted in perfect rhythm, releasing clouds of white mist while extracting enough oxygen from the increasingly thin atmosphere to sustain his body.
After overcoming layer upon layer of resistance, the blazing meteor finally came to a halt.
Bang!
High above the heavens—
A tall, naked figure stood proudly upon the very edge of the Abyss, close enough to touch the nearly shattered dimensional crack leading out of the secret realm.
Chen Beiyuan slowly opened his tightly shut eyes.
A streak of golden light burst from his pupils as an overwhelming pressure, originating from the depths of his bloodline, radiated outward and swept across the entire secret realm.
Host: Chen Beiyuan
Age: 18
Cultivation: Peak Battle Commander (Fifth Rank)
Cultivation Techniques:
Hell-Suppressing Demonic Scripture (Level 8) Nameless Medical Canon (Unique)
Combat Techniques:
Forbidden Extinction Demonic Flame PalmForbidden Extinction Hell Prison FistForbidden Extinction Blood SlashHell-Suppressing Shackles ...
Divine Ability:
Blood Dragon Transformation(Ferocious Beast Divine Ability)
Battle Soul: ???
Destiny: Heaven's Chosen Great Villain
"As expected, the Dragon Blood Pool condensed from the Blood Sin Dragon Emperor's natal dragon blood is extraordinary."
"Combined with the Dragon Blood Dao Fruit, my physical body has become powerful enough to rival a Sixth-Rank Divine Weapon—over a hundred times stronger than before."
"Even ordinary Sixth-Rank Battle Kings who specialize in body refinement can at best raise their physiques to the level of a Second- or Third-Rank Divine Weapon."
"Those capable of surpassing the Third Rank are exceedingly rare."
"As I am now, even without using demonic qi, combat techniques, or my Battle Soul, my physical body alone is enough to fight Sixth-Rank ferocious beasts renowned for their immense strength."
"If I had possessed this body during the academy tournament..."
"When that old dog Qiong dared clash fists with me barehanded, he would've been smashed into minced meat."
Chen Beiyuan could now clearly sense just how terrifying his body had become.
His skin looked as smooth and flawless as polished jade.
Yet beneath that appearance lay flesh capable of effortlessly resisting the claws of ferocious beasts—and tearing them apart with his bare hands.
At this moment...
He was practically a terrifying ferocious beast disguised in human skin.
Most Sixth-Rank Battle Kings could no longer compare to him in terms of physical strength.
Even among those who specialized in body cultivation, only a handful could rival his physique.
Strengthening one's body was far more difficult than increasing cultivation.
Not only did it require unimaginable resources, but it also demanded exceptional talent.
Thanks to the support of his prestigious family, Chen Beiyuan had been tempered with countless heavenly treasures since childhood.
Even while still a Fifth-Rank Battle Commander, his physique had already reached the level of a Third-Rank Divine Weapon, comparable to an ordinary Sixth-Rank Battle King.
Then came the enhancement from the Dragon Blood Pool left behind by the Eighth-Rank Ferocious Beast—the Blood Sin Dragon Emperor.
Combined with the Dragon Blood Dao Fruit granted by the system...
His body had finally reached a level comparable to a Sixth-Rank Divine Weapon.
"Besides that..."
"I've also awakened a ferocious beast divine ability—Blood Dragon Transformation."
"Once activated, it temporarily awakens the dragon bloodline within my body, granting me the power and defensive abilities of a Blood Dragon."
"At that point, my physique should approach the durability of a Seventh-Rank Divine Weapon."
Chen Beiyuan immediately activated Blood Dragon Transformation.
The faintly golden blood flowing through his veins began to boil violently, becoming as scorching as molten lava.
Crack! Crack! Crack!
His bones and muscles stretched and collided with explosive force.
His already imposing body grew even taller.
Crimson dragon scales gradually spread across his naked physique, covering his vital areas while radiating an eerie blood-red glow.
Faint dragon-scale markings appeared across his face.
A pair of sharp crimson dragon horns emerged from his forehead, giving him an appearance that was both sinister and majestic.
At that moment...
Chen Beiyuan felt as though he had truly transformed into a mighty Blood Dragon soaring between heaven and earth.
Every movement seemed capable of stirring the wind and clouds.
BOOM—!!
He threw a single punch.
The crimson-scaled fist shattered space itself.
A section of the dimensional crack before him exploded apart, revealing the terrifying darkness beyond—
A void as black as a cosmic abyss.
The entire secret realm trembled violently.
Its collapse accelerated instantly.
"What terrifying power..."
"Even a Seventh-Rank Battle Emperor who allowed me to get close would likely have their body blown apart in a single strike."
"As expected of the Blood Dragon."
"Even among dragonkind, it's an extraordinary mutated lineage when it comes to physical strength."
"Right now..."
"My physical body has actually surpassed my cultivation and become my greatest trump card."
"Compared to that..."
"Breaking through one small cultivation realm and reaching Peak Battle Commander almost feels insignificant."
His eyes flickered as he raised both hands, staring at the crimson dragon scales covering his fists.
A trace of emotion flashed across his face.
But moments later, his expression darkened.
He frowned.
"Still..."
"The stronger the power, the greater the consumption."
"It's only been less than a minute, yet I'm already feeling the strain."
"That makes sense."
"Normally, only Seventh-Rank Battle Emperors can truly wield Divine Abilities."
"I'm merely exploiting a loophole."
"If my physical body weren't already comparable to a Sixth-Rank Divine Weapon..."
"The moment I activated Blood Dragon Transformation..."
"I'd probably be completely drained of blood and vitality within a single second."
As Blood Dragon Transformation ended...
The crimson dragon scales covering his body shattered into countless fragments, dissolving into blood-red mist before flowing back into his body.
The overwhelming strength that had allowed him to tear through space vanished completely.
An intense feeling of emptiness and weakness washed over him.
His body nearly lost balance.
He almost fell straight from the tens of thousands of meters above the earth.
Only after swallowing several Demonic Heart Pills did he barely suppress the overwhelming exhaustion.
"For now..."
"Blood Dragon Transformation can only be used as my ultimate finishing move."
"If used at the perfect moment..."
"Even a Seventh-Rank Battle Emperor can be killed."
A Seventh-Rank Battle Emperor...
That was already considered a top-tier powerhouse.
In many smaller nations, such an individual could easily become the nation's guardian deity, enjoying the worship and offerings of an entire country.
After returning to the ground, Chen Beiyuan couldn't help sighing with satisfaction.
This journey into the secret realm had been immensely rewarding.
Not only had his cultivation advanced to Peak Battle Commander, but his physical body had reached the level of a Sixth-Rank Divine Weapon.
More importantly...
He had awakened the ferocious beast divine ability—
Blood Dragon Transformation.
His overall strength had increased by far more than tenfold.
Sure enough...
Stealing the opportunities destined for the Children of Destiny truly was the fastest path to becoming stronger.
Had he followed the conventional route...
Who knew how many years it would have taken him to reach his current level?
Just as Chen Beiyuan stood beside the foul-smelling Dragon Blood Pool, silently reflecting on everything he had gained...
His expression suddenly froze.
He blinked in disbelief.
...What?
Did I just see...
A perfectly round, blood-red...