Monarch

Besides the five newcomers, the Chat Group had unlocked three new features: Group Livestream, which Meng Chuan had already activated ahead of time; Group Gathering; and Group Task.

Meng Chuan and the others tried out Group Gathering and discovered that each person generated a projection. They could meet in a space provided by the Chat Group, taking things from online to offline, in a manner of speaking.

And so the old and new group members met together for the first time: Zhang Sanfeng, with the air of an immortal; Meng Qi, a smiling little bald monk who looked impossible not to like; the handsome, kindhearted Daigu; and The Ancient One, who always seemed serenely detached.

There was the striking and valiant Fei Peng, the bold Yan Chixia, the thoroughly ordinary Lu Mingfei, the dashing Yao Chen, who seemed untouched by worldly dust—and Bibi Dong, the prettiest girl in the whole group. At this age, she truly was beautiful.

And finally, the handsomest guy in the group: Meng Chuan!

The gathering had a wonderful atmosphere. New members and old alike had plenty to say. After all, in a certain sense, the people here were all of a kind.

Things did get a little awkward, though. Bibi Dong kept pestering Daigu about how he went from being so small to being so huge...

The other feature, Group Task, currently had only one introductory task, and they had already completed it. It was simple: show every member their fate instance and give them a stronger sense of belonging to the Chat Group.

As for the reward, Meng Chuan gained a little more authority in the Chat Group.

The nine of them chatted for a while, then logged off one after another—except The Ancient One, who never logged off...

Meng Chuan looked at the drop of blood before him. He already had a plan.

He sent his divine sense into the blood and analyzed it, working from the surface down.

"Lu Mingfei's bloodline really is unusual. It contains a law that's extraordinarily powerful by the standards of the Dragon Race's world—the power of a black law, pure to the extreme." Meng Chuan pondered it. Apart from that law, the blood held a powerful vitality, much like a plant's, and astonishingly vigorous. Unfortunately, both powers had been sealed.

"There are also factors in the blood that can provoke violent, combative impulses. Those can go."

"Hmm. There's another law, but this one isn't sealed. It seems designed specifically to draw on the forces of nature outside the body. A Word Spirit, perhaps? It isn't as powerful as the sealed one, though, and its channel to the outside world has been cut off."

If he could visit Lu Mingfei's world, Meng Chuan would be able to see everything in this drop of blood at a glance.

"In that case, I have a fair idea of what to do." Meng Chuan rose and left his imperial palace. With a single step, he crossed the sea of stars and arrived in the Eternal Star Domain.

The Eternal Star Domain was something of an oddity in the Shrouding the Heavens World. Its people pursued cultivation through technology, but to a Great Emperor, all roads led to the same destination.

Meng Chuan went straight to the best equipment in the Eternal Star Domain and put it to use. He already had the materials he needed.

Within a few days, Meng Chuan had completely transformed the drop of blood. He removed every harmful factor and reopened the channel through which the law governing Word Spirits communicated with the outside world.

He also unsealed the other two powers. Most importantly, Meng Chuan implanted an energy source directly into the blood. Once Lu Mingfei merged with it again, he would possess all the abilities a member of the Dragon Race ought to have—and those abilities would keep growing stronger!

Meng Chuan could have done all that without any equipment. But if he was going to conduct an experiment, he ought to do it properly!

"Perfect. Our poor loser has undergone the ultimate evolution!" Meng Chuan admired his work with satisfaction. Sure enough, the path of a Great Emperor had held back his true calling as a scientist!

He opened the chat panel and smiled at the lively group members. It had been days since he'd had a proper chat with them!

Meng Chuan: @Lu Mingfei, your cheat has arrived!

Meng Chuan sent Lu Mingfei a designated red packet. It hardly cost any points, so there was no need to wait until next month for another free chance.

Lu Mingfei: Thank you, Great Emperor. Kowtow.JPG

Meng Chuan: It was nothing. Just let the drop of blood touch your skin and it'll merge with you.

Lu Mingfei: I nearly ate it!

Lu Mingfei: Merging with it now!

Yan Chixia: Little Lu won't be that poor loser anymore!

Fei Peng: I hope he can shoulder his responsibilities.

During the few days Meng Chuan had been away, the recent newcomers had become even more active than the administrators.

Fei Peng had nothing to do while guarding the gate all day. Since joining the Chat Group, Bibi Dong had spent her time chatting in her room whenever she wasn't cultivating. Lu Mingfei never paid attention in class. And Yao Chen, a lonely old man hiding in a ring, had nothing to do but chat.

Together with The Ancient One, those five kept the Chat Group bustling.

Fei Peng: I wonder when I'll get to learn a move or two from the Great Emperor.

Bibi Dong: Brother Fei Peng, don't go looking for trouble.

Fei Peng: I said learn, Bibi Dong. Read what I wrote!

Yao Chen: It's almost been three years. At last, this old man will see the light of day again.

At the sight of Yao Chen, Meng Chuan's eyes lit up. Yao Chen had a treasure in his possession!

Meng Chuan: Elder Yao @Yao Chen, I have a presumptuous request.

Yao Chen: The Great Emperor wants to see the "Burning Art," doesn't he?

Meng Chuan: Yes, if it isn't too much trouble.

Yao Chen: I've already listed it in the shop, but I saved my free newcomer red packet so I could send the "Burning Art" to the Great Emperor when he came online.

Yan Chixia: We discussed this over the past few days. Right now, the Great Emperor is the strongest among us, and his world needs his strength. So we decided that if there's anything we can do to help him, we'll put our strength together.

Yan Chixia: Of course, we have selfish reasons too. If we need your help someday, Great Emperor, you can't turn us down!

Yan Chixia ended on a joking note.

Meng Chuan was touched. He had given a little to this group, but he had never expected its members to repay him. Seeing them do this warmed his heart.

The Chat Group was becoming a place where people could find warmth. That wasn't thanks to Meng Chuan, its strongest member for now, or to any one person. It was thanks to every member.

Meng Chuan: If you ever need my help, I won't refuse!

Meng Chuan accepted Yao Chen's red packet. Inside was the foremost wondrous art of Battle Through the Heavens—the "Burning Art"!

Lu Mingfei: Holy shit, holy shit!

Lu Mingfei: I turned gold!

Meng Chuan: I don't think I put anything in that drop of blood that could turn someone into gold.

Lu Mingfei: Picture

Rather than waste words, Lu Mingfei posted a picture. It showed a handsome young man who looked ordinary in every respect but one: his dark-gold eyes radiated the majesty of a monarch.

Wherever his gaze fell, it was as though an emperor were surveying his lands and subjects!

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