Stonecliff Mountains.
The air felt heavy, and everything was strangely silent, the sky bled crimson, as if an eclipse was drawing near. A dragon of blackened scales, etched with trails of crimson fire, lay upon the mountain, flaming wings wrapped around its body, shielding all but its proud head. Its eyes remained closed, tears trembling as they struggled to fall.
Lancelot appeared in the area he stood before he teleport to Pride Estate. Lancelot watched the scene as his lips curve and showed a wide smile. I haven't tested or practiced the Fire Path Core yet. Still, I need to get rid of this dragon before anyone sees it.
If word of this dragon spreads, it will cause a massive commotion. Britannia's neighboring countries would do everything in their power to get their hands on it.
If I report this dragon to the king before anyone else, I'll be rewarded. If I leak the information to other nations, it could spark a war—each side would fight desperately to subdue it.
Once the dragon is weakened, I'll enslave it.
Either way, I won't suffer any loss. But I've already made up my mind—if I can't capture it, I'll kill it."
Spirit cores are the essence and will of all living beings. Each time Lancelot repeated this phrase, his understanding of the world increased.
Thunderbolt.
Lightning tore through the sky and struck Lancelot. In the same instant the thunder made contact, he vanished and reappeared before the dragon.
The deafening roar of thunder awakened the beast. Its eyes snapped open, locking onto Lancelot. In the very next second, it opened its mouth, releasing a torrent of fire that surged forward at terrifying speed.
Thunderbolt.
Lancelot vanished once more, reappearing two hundred feet away behind a massive boulder that concealed him from the dragon's sight.
The dragon ascended into the sky, spraying flames at the spot where Lancelot had disappeared.
Lancelot began to think.
I would be foolish to say I didn't expect this. Dragons are proud creatures.
Spirit essence is the will and essence of all living beings. No matter how much power this dragon possesses, it is still not my match.
My analysis was correct—if this is a wild dragon, it should have realized I already left the area. Without a summoner, it cannot fully demonstrate its might.
But there is still a problem. I haven't yet figured out how to control it.
Heat Pressure Domain was originally a Rank Five spirit core. After my essence pool evolved from a Spirit Core into a Tree Core, the cultivation level of my cores increased.
Rank Five Twin Core (Electricity & Thunder) broke through to Rank Six Light and Lightning Core.
Rank Four Clone Core evolved into Rank Five Self-Sharing Core.
Rank Five Multiple-Layered Deception broke through to Rank Six Lies Core.
Rank Five Invisibility Core evolved into Rank Six Spirit Core.
Rank Five Heat Pressure Core broke through to Rank Six Dragon's Breath.
In this world, Ranks One to Five are the Mortal Realm. Ranks Six to Nine were the Immortal Realm.
Once someone advances to Rank Six, Heaven and Earth grant them an additional one hundred years to thier lifespan, allowing them to live for a total of two hundred years.
Upon reaching Rank Six, they also gain a Personal Land. These lands are vast, each covering more than 1,000 square kilometers.
Some Personal Lands are born with Sacred Territories. Take Lancelot's Spirit Core as an example—when his core evolved, it advanced into a Tree Core, forming a Sacred Territory. This Sacred Territory contains an internal space measuring 500 square kilometers.
Sacred Territories are one of a kind. There cannot be two identical Sacred Territories in existence. The same rule applies to Rank Six to Nine Spirit cores.
Heat Pressure Core was already Rank Six. This meant the dragon was also Rank Six.
It was unheard of for a Rank Five cultivator to enslave a Rank Six being.
I shouldn't be rash… but I don't have time to waste. I don't know when her reinforcements will arrive.
Spirit essence is the will and essence of living beings. This dragon is a creation of spirit essence. I have already refined the core it came from—so why did it attack me?
Is it acting on a final wish? No… that's not it.
Realization Lancelot him.
It hasn't acknowledged me as its master. That's why it's rebelling.
Lancelot's lips curved into a smile.
I already possess the qualifications to become an immortal. I have a Tree with a land of 1000km² inside my spirit core something most immortals are dying to get.
The space inside my Tree Core is small. If I store this dragon there and it rampages, my spirit core will be destroyed.
But I already have a plan.
I just hope I don't lose this gamble.
Thunderbolt.
Lancelot appeared midair, directly before the dragon's eye.
"Sleep," he said calmly. "Wake tomorrow, and I will take you to your master."
The dragon's eyes slowly closed, its massive body beginning to fall.
Thunderbolt.
Lancelot vanished again, reappearing beneath the falling dragon.
"Vitality Tree—open."
The sight was both beautiful and terrifying. Compared to the dragon's colossal body, Lancelot looked no larger than an ant.
As the dragon's wings neared him, its entire body was suddenly dragged forward, sucked into Lancelot's brain as if swallowed by an invisible world.
Thunderbolt.
A violent backlash struck him.
Lancelot reappeared on the ground, blood filling his mouth as he coughed violently. Blood streamed from his left eye.
Lancelot collapsed.
Lancelot slowly opened his eyes he was still at the spot he fainted. How long has it been oh shit i pass out if not for the vitality tree i my spirit core i would be dead by now.
An ancient oak, overflowing with vitality, stood within my mind.
Winds blew around my Vitality Tree endlessly.
In the depths of my mind, I felt the strength from its roots and branches.
In that moment, I understood my struggles, my suffering, my persistence were not in vain.
A single leaf drifted from the tree, crossing the boundary of my Spirit Core.
As it fell, my wounds vanished within seconds.
I realized then that immortality was not a sudden leap, but a narrowing distance that has shortened due to my perseverance, sustained by my effort, and unwavering will.
Lancelot opened his eyes. He was still lying in the exact spot where he had collapsed.
How long has it been?
A chill ran through him as realization struck.
Damn… I passed out.
If not for the Vitality Tree within his Spirit Core, he would already be dead.
Lancelot recalled the moment in the sky.
Within his mind, he tried to act.
Tree Core—open.
Nothing happened
.
Spirit Core—open.
Still nothing.
Great Tree—open.
Sacred Tree—open.
Nothing happened.
Damn it.
Desperation crept into his heart. At that critical moment, his voice changed infused with human essence itself.
He shouted with everything he had:
"Vitality Tree—open!"
The dragon's falling wing slammed into his outstretched hand.
Crack.
Lancelot right hand shattered.
Yet in that same instant, the dragon's massive body was dragged forward, swallowed by the Vitality Tree within Lancelot.
It's time to settle the score with those foreigners."
Lancelot smiled.