Rick knelt before Black Jade, watching his own attributes steadily increase.
[Rick] Level 3 (56.49%)
[HP]: 350/350
[MP: 200/200
[Strength]: 12 ( 15)
[Constitution]: 15 ( 17)
[Intelligence]: 12 ( 5)
[Agility]: 13 ( 6)
In less than half a day, his stats were already on par with those of a Level 5 player! And the thin red thread that extended from his chest was still pulsing, still slowly drawing energy and boosting his attributes.
If only he had known the effects were this powerful! If he'd waited a bit longer for that child to grow before "devouring" them...
Glancing at his arm, Rick noticed faint scales appearing on the rough, scarred skin—marks left from Black Jade's fury over his missing dragon horn. Each ti Black Jade erupted in rage, he would either slice off one of Rick's fingers or claw out a chunk of flesh from his body.
Expressionless, Rick pulled down his sleeve to cover his right hand, now missing two fingers.
In the courtyard, Black Jade lay in the sun. He didn't particularly like sunlight, but dragons did, so he forced himself to embrace it.
If he wanted to transform from a Flood Dragon to a true dragon, he needed to either keep absorbing dragon blood to strengthen the draconic bloodline within him or discard the serpent elents in his genes. The latter option required a certain concentration of dragon blood to initiate, and if he focused solely on expelling the serpent bloodline without supplenting it with dragon blood, he'd end up as a very weak dragon.
Currently, selectively shedding so of the serpent bloodline was advantageous for Black Jade. However, it wasn't as simple as him deciding to cast it off. He needed a willing person to bear his serpent bloodline—soone who wouldn't abandon the process midway, or else he'd face serious backlash.
And right now, that perfect opportunity had presented itself.
He could sense the resentnt and defiance in Rick's heart. Now, while Rick's emotions were at their peak, was the ideal ti to act, before he cooled down.
As soon as the Special Affairs Bureau left, Black Jade had asked Rick if he wanted so of the Flood Dragon's power. Just as he anticipated, Rick hadn't even hesitated to agree, not bothering to ask about the cost.
In Rick's mind, as long as Black Jade intended to live peacefully in Blue Star, he wouldn't kill him. And as long as he was alive, the power he gained would make anything possible.
Otherwise, if he continued as a weakling and a nobody, then there would truly be no hope.
He didn't want to be laughed at by Zoey, didn't want to be in Rita's shadow, and definitely didn't want to beco a joke…
Looking at the ssage interface, he saw Zoey's screen full of "Hahaha," Rita's caring ssages, and inquiries from strangers.
The ga forum was also abuzz with news about him and Black Jade.
Rumors claid he'd brought this upon himself because the Flood Dragon had originally been reserved for the Lopez family's eldest daughter. The Special Affairs Bureau, they said, had gone through countless hardships to ta the Flood Dragon and bring it to the brink of death for her to form a contract. Yet, at the crucial mont, Rick had snatched it away.
Rick was at a loss for whether this rumor had been started by Zoey or if it was just the Special Affairs Bureau promoting themselves.
As he scrolled, he saw a comnt:
**[Anonymous]:** "Only fools believe in rumors. The Special Affairs Bureau in S City is committed to cracking down on false information. It was just a Level 12 beast—nothing the Bureau couldn't handle. We now offer contract services with 98 different beasts available to choose from. For more details, please contact ow.Q. Contact number: 887**32. (Beware of impostors; the Bureau will only reach out if contacted first.)"
Rick: …
Mystery solved. With such an unabashed promotional style, if this ow.Q wasn't the sa Shadow.Q who was so close to his sister, he'd gladly lick Black Jade's feet…
He adjusted his posture to kneel more comfortably, feeling the thread at his chest slowly drawing out the last traces of blood.
Thinking of Rita, he opened their ssage chat. It was already the morning of the 17th—a day and a night since he'd contracted with Black Jade. For the first ti, he replied to Rita's ssages.
**[Rick]: Sis… I've just managed to catch my breath.
[Rick]: I've been busy taking care of Black Jade.**
Stay updated through empire
**[Rita]: I'm in B City now. When I get back, I'll help you teach Black Jade a lesson! Don't worry, even if it costs a couple of attribute points, I'll make sure he doesn't dare bully you again! I'll even break his other dragon horn for you!**
Rick shuddered at the thought of Black Jade losing control every ti he saw his missing horn in the estate lake, only to return to the villa and beat him up.
**[Rick]: No, Sis, don't trouble yourself… Can you get Nivalis's dragon blood? Black Jade says he'd stop bullying if he could have so.**
**[Rita]: That's impossible. What Black Jade wants is Nivalis's bloodline and power. Do you really think Nivalis would sacrifice her own species and strength for my sake?
[Rita]: I can borrow Nivalis's strength to put Black Jade in his place, so he won't dare touch you again.**
**[Rick]: It's okay, Sis, don't worry about . I didn't realize it costs you so much to borrow Nivalis's strength. You're more important!
[Rick]: I can manage Black Jade; don't worry, Sis. If I need help, I'll co to you.**
**[Rita]: Alright, I don't want to make things hard for you. I can't really kill him, and even if I could, it'd only make things worse for you.
[Rita]: I'm heading to the hospital to see Mom now. It seems there's a complication with her pregnancy.**
**[Rick]: Really? Let know what they say. I'm worried about her too.
[Rita]: Will do.**
Closing the ssage window, Rick watched as the thread at his chest began to dissipate. His average attribute level had now surpassed 14.
This felt incredible.
He almost wanted to suggest Scarlett and Samuel have another child…
It was a pity that **[Law of the Jungle]** only worked on weaker blood relatives…
Otherwise, the person he most wanted to absorb would be Rita!!
Her levels, her impressive attributes—if he absorbed them, he'd soar to the top! He might even be able to inherit so of Nivalis's power.
Patience, Rick, patience. One day, he would surpass her, and then she'd beco nothing more than fuel for his strength.
He still trusted that Rita would protect him, but it was hard not to resent her!
If Rita really cared, why wouldn't she ask Nivalis for dragon blood, so Black Jade would treat him better?
Nivalis was willing to lend her power, which showed how close they were. Why couldn't she ask for a bit of dragon blood? Was a beast's life more important than her own brother?
Besides, it was Rita's fault Black Jade had co to him in the first place!!
And then there was Zoey. If she hadn't wanted the Flood Dragon, if she hadn't worked so closely with the Special Affairs Bureau, would he have fallen into this trap?
It was all their fault!
No, tonight, when he polished Black Jade's scales, he'd have to ask how Divine Gifts could be nullified. Maybe Black Jade would have a solution…
He would reclaim everything he had lost!
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