"Father, this is only one of the gifts. There are others."
Seeing how excited his father was, Linley felt happy, too.
He had finally proved to his father that he could restore the Baruch Clan to its former glory.
"There are more?"
Hogg shakily put away the ten Rank 8 Magical Beast magic cores. Hearing Linley's words, he was even more astonished.
Clearly, the second gift was even more precious.
What could be more precious than a million gold coins?
Hogg couldn't imagine.
"That's right, Father." Linley nodded, then took a test tube filled with crimson liquid from his Space Ring. "This is the second gift my teacher sent for you, Father. Azure Dragon Blood."
"Azure Dragon Blood?"
This time, Hogg was confused.
After all, how could the blood in such a tiny test tube possibly compare to a million gold coins?
"That's right, Father. Azure Dragon Blood." Linley nodded slightly and continued to explain, "This Azure Dragon Blood can awaken the Dragonblood Warrior bloodline and turn someone into a Dragonblood Warrior."
"Clatter!"
As soon as Linley finished speaking, Hogg sprang to his feet, knocking over his chair.
"Linley, y-you're telling the truth?" Hogg reached out with trembling hands, yet was afraid of breaking the test tube. "Can this Azure Dragon Blood really awaken the Dragonblood Warrior bloodline?"
"Father, it's absolutely true." Linley nodded solemnly, then placed the test tube on the table.
"Shh-shh..."
Countless golden scales sprouted from Linley's body. In the blink of an eye, he had transformed into a Dragonblood Warrior more than two meters tall.
Seeing this, Hogg simply collapsed to the floor.
"Dragonblood Warrior, a Dragonblood Warrior!"
The next moment, Hogg forgot everything else. Scrambling on his hands and feet, he crawled to Linley and felt the scales covering his body.
"Father!"
Linley's hoarse voice rang out as he helped Hogg to his feet.
"My Dragonblood Warrior transformation came from taking dragon blood, which awakened the Dragonblood Warrior bloodline within me."
"Good, good, good!"
Hogg's eyes filled with tears as his trembling right hand gently stroked Linley.
"Wonderful, Linley. Wonderful!"
Hogg wanted to say something, but no matter how hard he tried, the words wouldn't come.
All he could do was wipe away his tears and keep saying, "Good."
"Father." Linley helped Hogg sit in a chair. "Dragon blood can awaken the bloodline inside us. The form we take after transforming is closely related to the kind of dragon blood we consume."
As he spoke, Linley spread the wings on his back.
"The blood I took came from a winged dragon, so I have wings after transforming. I can fly without reaching the Saint-level."
As he spoke, Linley placed the test tube in Hogg's hand.
"My teacher said this tube contains Azure Dragon Blood. It can turn you into the most orthodox kind of Dragonblood Warrior."
"Linley, this is too precious." A trace of hesitation crossed Hogg's face, but in the end, he shook his head. "You should keep it. If your younger brother's bloodline isn't strong enough, give it to him—or save it in case your descendants need it someday..."
"Father, don't worry!" Linley said with a smile. "Since I can transform into a Dragonblood Warrior, I'm certain I can become a Saint-level powerhouse. If Wharton's bloodline or my descendants' bloodlines aren't strong enough, I can just subdue Saint-level dragons for them. There's no need to worry."
Hogg was taken aback by Linley's explanation.
That was right!
Dragonblood Warriors were destined to become Saint-level powerhouses.
His son would become one someday.
And besides...
After drinking the Azure Dragon Blood, he could become a Saint-level powerhouse, too.
Hogg's breathing grew heavy.
"Good, good!" Hogg nodded again and again, holding the test tube up to his eyes. "How should I take this?"
"You can just drink it." Linley smiled. "My teacher specially prepared this blood. If you were using blood from another kind of dragon, you'd need to take it with Blue Heart Grass to be safe."
After hearing Linley's explanation, Hogg finally pulled out the stopper.
"Phew..."
He let out a long breath, then drank all the blood in the tube in one go.
Unlike Linley's painful transformation, Hogg showed no sign of discomfort.
"Shh-shh..."
Green dragon scales began to emerge from beneath Hogg's skin.
Seeing this, Hogg instinctively recalled the teachings in the Dragonblood Secret Manual and began circulating its techniques.
In just a moment, green scales covered his entire body.
His hands and feet had transformed into savage dragon claws.
A thick green dragon tail grew from his tailbone.
A straight green dragon horn thrust out from his forehead.
His brown pupils turned gold, his expression cold and unfeeling.
"So this is a Dragonblood Warrior?"
Hogg's hoarse voice rang out as he looked at his hands and felt the surging power within him.
"A Rank 8 Warrior at the peak. I'm only a hair's breadth away from breaking through to Rank 9."
Hogg sensed his strength, his voice filled with delight.
"Linley!" Hogg turned his golden eyes toward Linley. "Thank you."
"Father, this is what I should do." Linley shook his head. "Your body is at the peak of Rank 6. All you need to do now is practice the Dragonblood Secret Manual. In less than a year, you'll break through to Rank 7, and your Dragon Transformation will give you Rank 9 strength."
Linley's words stirred a wave of excitement in Hogg.
A Rank 9 Warrior had more than enough strength to take revenge.
But the next moment, Hogg froze.
After transforming, Hogg was slightly taller than Linley.
Yet Hogg could sense that Linley was stronger than he was.
"Linley, what level are you at now?"
Hogg's voice trembled slightly.
"Peak Rank 9." A fierce smile appeared on Linley's face. "In human form, I've already reached Rank 8."
"Good! That's wonderful!"
Linley's words made Hogg even happier.
Linley was stronger than him. If the two of them went to take revenge together, their chances would be better.
But before Hogg could say anything, Hillman pushed open the door and entered.
"Lord Hogg, it's almost time. Who are you? Where are Lord Hogg and Young Master Linley?"
Hillman's body tensed as he stared at the two monsters in the reception room.
Both stood more than two meters tall. One was covered in golden scales, with a pair of folded wings on his back and a thick golden tail swishing behind him.
The other had green dragon scales and no wings, but he had a thick green tail as well.
"Uncle Hillman, don't you recognize me?"
Linley smiled. The expression on Hillman's face gradually changed from wary to delighted.
"Young Master Linley? Then you must be Lord Hogg!" Hillman hurriedly closed the door. "You two... did you transform into Dragonblood Warriors?"
Hillman sounded incredulous.
Hillman's family had served the Baruch Clan in Wushan Town for generations.
Hillman and Hogg were close; in private, they even called each other brothers.
Naturally, he knew about the Baruch Clan's Dragonblood Warriors.
But Hillman had never witnessed a Dragonblood Warrior transformation with his own eyes. Besides, neither Linley's nor Hogg's bloodline was strong enough.
That was why he hadn't connected the two of them to the Dragonblood Warriors at first.
But as soon as Linley spoke, Hillman immediately thought of the Dragonblood Warriors.
"That's right, Hillman." As Hogg spoke, he dispelled his transformation in front of him. "It's me. Linley made all of this possible."
"Really, I should thank my teacher." Linley dispelled his transformation, too. "By the way, Uncle Hillman, what did you mean when you said it was almost time?"
"Oh, right!" Hillman said with a broad smile. "We should get going, or we won't make it to tomorrow morning's Magic Test."
Before you continue