Chapter 2: rat

Drake Dragon felt the medicinal liquid dissolve in his belly, and he quickly guided it with his thoughts, spreading the liquid and incorporating it into his limbs. Usually, warriors absorb medicine by integrating it into the Dantian and then distributing it to all parts of their bodies. However, Drake Dragon lacked spiritual roots, so his Dantian was empty and incapable of storing energy. Instead, the power of the medicine dispersed into every cell. Although these herbs were ordinary, their effects became remarkably potent under Drake Dragon's unique combination. As the medicine's power surged into his body, countless pores gradually opened, and every cell eagerly absorbed the world's aura, like a person gasping for air. "Boom!" A muffled sound resonated within Drake Dragon's body as the previously closed meridians instantly unlocked. A groan escaped him involuntarily. While others gradually open their meridians using Dantian energy, Drake Dragon couldn't follow suit. He required external energy, akin to pouring seawater into river fields, a force not easily endured by everyone. "Bear the pain. I'll remember this agony," Drake Dragon gritted his teeth. If someone hadn't stolen his spiritual roots, he wouldn't need to resort to such an extreme method. "Bang bang bang..." Explosions reverberated incessantly within Drake Dragon's body as the meridians successively opened. Each opening brought him intense pain. When all the meridians throughout his body finally opened, Drake Dragon nearly fainted. It took him an entire hour to recover before he regained his composure. With the pain subsided, Drake Dragon sensed his entire body's pores widening. In each breath, the invisible spiritual energy between heaven and earth seeped into him. "Excellent. The meridians are open, and I can finally cultivate," Drake Dragon muttered to himself. With his meridians unlocked, he could now naturally absorb the world's spiritual energy through his pores, nourishing and fortifying his body. Although the meridians had just been opened, Drake Dragon's body brimmed with vitality after the transformation enabled by spiritual energy. "Whoosh!" A punch lashed out, whistling through the air, and a smile emerged on Drake Dragon's face. The pain proved worthwhile. Ordinary cultivators first enter the Qi Sensing Realm before progressing to the Qi Gathering Realm by sensing and drawing upon spiritual energy. However, Drake Dragon took a different path, using the power of medicine to unlock his pores, forcefully stimulating the might of spiritual energy. In one fell swoop, he entered the Qi Gathering Realm. Yet, this Qi Gathering Realm only referred to the nourishment and strength of Drake Dragon's body. Without a Dantian to condense cyclones, he hadn't truly entered the realm. "Although my meridians are forcibly open now, I can't store true energy in the Dantian. My endurance in fights will be limited," Drake Dragon contemplated, searching his memory for a solution. Suddenly, he remembered the only martial arts technique among countless alchemy techniques—the Nine-Star Hegemonic Body Art. Drake Dragon was astonished to find that the Nine-Star Hegemonic Body Art was tailor-made for him. It unraveled the body's secrets, cultivating not the Dantian but the Nine Stars—the nine secret treasures within the human body. This discovery nearly made him leap with joy. However, upon seeing what came next in the practice of the Nine-Star Hegemonic Body Art, Drake Dragon's heart froze. It required the consumption of countless pills. Even just condensing the first star, Fengfu Star, would drain an immeasurable amount of energy. Absorbing external forces would never allow him to condense it, even after a hundred years. If one desires to achieve the first star, they must rely on elixirs, and the quantity of elixirs required is overwhelming. Without them, the path of cultivation becomes near impossible. However, the Long family finds themselves in a perilous situation, lacking the financial means to procure elixirs. Furthermore, the pills they possess are hardly worthy of being called elixirs. "I must find a way to garner some wealth." Deep in thought, Drake Dragon changed his attire and ventured out of his chamber. Despite the sun being high in the sky, the vast Hou Mansion appeared desolate with only a handful of inhabitants. Drake Dragon's father, the Marquis of Zhenyuan, had always resided at the borders. Throughout the years, both mother and son had endured the disdain of the imperial capital's population. Despite their noble status, their lives remained wretched. The Marquis Mansion housed merely a dozen maids and servants, for it was impossible to sustain a larger staff. Amongst all the royal families, the Long family could be considered the most destitute, with Drake Dragon as the most forlorn of princes. The martial arts culture in the Fengming Empire had reached its zenith, with everyone engaging in its practices. However, due to his unique physique, Drake Dragon was unable to cultivate martial arts, making him the object of ridicule. Contrastingly, Drake Dragon's father, Tian Xiao, was an unrivaled powerhouse who safeguarded the borderlands. Even the fierce barbarians couldn't invade the Fengming Empire under his watchful eye. Leon Dragon reigned as the military god of the empire, while Drake Dragon, who lacked the ability to sense Qi, became nothing more than a wastrel. This stark contrast led people to view their relationship as that of a tiger giving birth to a dog. Numerous individuals laughed at him, yet Drake Dragon paid no mind. However, a few days prior, Ethan Zhou, the eldest son of Manhuang Hou, scorned Drake Dragon for not being Leon Dragon's true son. Enraged, Drake Dragon felt the provocation targeted his mother's loyalty. Overwhelmed by anger, he unhesitatingly challenged Ethan Zhou to a duel. Unfortunately, the opponent was a Qi gathering expert on the seventh level, while Drake Dragon remained an ordinary individual who couldn't even sense Qi. It was a matter of courting humiliation. Word spread that Drake Dragon was defeated and rendered unconscious, eventually being sent back to the Long family. Consequently, he became the laughingstock of the entire imperial capital. Leaving the Hou Mansion, Drake Dragon headed straight for Baicao in the Imperial Capital—a marketplace specializing in precious medicinal herbs. He needed to gauge the market for such materials. As he traversed, many individuals couldn't help but gossip and point fingers at the sight of Drake Dragon. However, he had grown accustomed to such treatment. Simultaneously, a bitter sneer formed within his heart. His father had valiantly protected the borders, achieving great feats for the Fengming Empire. Yet, what did they receive? Mother and son were bullied and looked down upon in the imperial capital, nearly beaten to death. Was this their reward? Those who were once protected by his father had betrayed him in return. Was this how they repaid him? Drake Dragon quickened his pace. While he was unfazed by the scrutinizing gazes, a sense of discontent lingered. Yet, at this moment, his path was obstructed. "Well, well, if it isn't Crown Prince Long Chen? I heard he couldn't even recognize his own mother after being thoroughly beaten. What brings you out today, alive and kicking?" Standing before Drake Dragon was a young man of sixteen or seventeen, dressed lavishly and accompanied by two guards. His name was Tom Li, also an eldest son from a noble family. However, his title held little significance compared to Drake Dragon. In the Fengming Empire, strength prevailed over titles and status. At this moment, Tom Li stood defiantly in the center of the road. Drake Dragon, if he wanted to pass, would have to find another way around him. In the past, Drake Dragon would have simply turned and walked away, but today he looked at Tom Li, shook his head, and let out a sigh. He spoke with a stern tone, saying, "They say a good dog knows its place, but it seems like you're not even a good dog." "Drake Dragon, it seems you haven't learned your lesson from last time. Do you want to be beaten to a pulp again and thrown out of the ring?" Tom Li's expression first changed, then he mocked. "So you're just a lapdog, worthy of eating dirt alongside Ethan Zhou," Drake Dragon shook his head. He didn't want to waste any more time on someone like Tom Li. If he had to do business, he needed to find a way around him. "Drake Dragon, you're asking for trouble!" Tom Li couldn't help but fume with anger. He didn't expect Drake Dragon, who had always been cowardly, to suddenly show such toughness. He didn't take Tom Li seriously, attempting to stop him by reaching out his hand. Drake Dragon furrowed his brows, about to speak, when suddenly a figure approached and cursed at Tom Li, "Tom Li, you're just asking for trouble. Who do you think you are? How dare you threaten my brother?" The person who arrived was a tall man, seemingly eighteen or nineteen years old, towering over both of them by a head. His presence was intimidating. "Stone Peak, this is none of your business. It's best if you don't meddle," Tom Li roared with anger upon seeing Stone Peak. Stone Peak held a similar status as him, being a prince, but Stone Peak was a formidable eighth-level Qi Gathering practitioner, while Tom Li was only at the third level. Furthermore, Stone Peak possessed a natural divine power. Very few people at the same level could match him. Tom Li didn't have the courage to challenge Stone Peak yet. "Brother Drake Dragon, I heard you were beaten by that scoundrel Ethan Zhou. Let me vent your anger," Stone Peak said angrily, looking at Drake Dragon. Drake Dragon felt a surge of warmth in his heart as he looked at the imposing man before him. Stone Peak was the only person in the entire imperial capital who treated him like a brother. "It's alright, I'll handle it myself. Don't worry," Drake Dragon smiled and patted Stone Peak's shoulder. Seeing Drake Dragon's response, Stone Peak understood that Drake Dragon might feel a bit embarrassed about the incident, so he didn't press the issue further. "Come walk with me," Drake Dragon said with a smile, about to leave with Stone Peak. Upon seeing the two of them, Tom Li suddenly felt insignificant. His fury overwhelmed him and he cursed, "Drake Dragon, you bastard! If you have the guts, challenge me to a fight!" Drake Dragon had taken a few steps when his face darkened, his eyes filled with murderous intent. Slowly, he turned his head. "You want to challenge me?" Drake Dragon's voice turned cold, chilling everyone to the bone. Tom Li couldn't help but tremble under the provocation. He sensed that something was off about Drake Dragon today, but he had already boasted too much. If he backed down now, he would become the laughingstock of the entire imperial capital. Moreover, he had always bullied Drake Dragon, acting purely based on his experience without considering the fear welling up inside him. "Yes, do you dare accept the challenge?" Tom Li shouted. "No problem, but let's raise the stakes," Drake Dragon pondered for a moment before speaking. "More bets? Haha, your Long family is on the verge of ruin. What do you have to bet with me? Your family's house or becoming my slave when you lose?" Tom Li sneered. Unbeknownst to Tom Li, a sinister smile crept onto Drake Dragon's lips. "Brother Shi, would you lend me your sword?" Drake Dragon asked. "Take it," Stone Peak reluctantly handed over the long knife. Drake Dragon solemnly nodded, concealing his true emotions, and addressed Li Hao: "Although this sword may not be of the highest grade, it is still valued at eight thousand gold coins. However, I am willing to regard it as worth five thousand gold coins for this wager. If you win, you can take the sword home. But if you lose, you must hand over five thousand gold coins to me. What do you say?" Li Hao's heart skipped a beat. The blade in Stone Peak's hand was crafted from exquisite steel by a renowned master, making it worth eight thousand gold coins. It was undoubtedly a valuable item. And now, Drake Dragon, the fool, dared to use it as a shield against him. Li Hao couldn't help but feel a sense of delight. Mockingly, he responded, "I wonder if you will go back on your word and deny your defeat later?" "Rest assured, I, Stone Peak, always stand by my promises," Stone Peak sneered. "Alright then, let's head to the arena and sign the contract. If I don't defeat you today, I won't call myself Tom Li," exclaimed Li Hao with high spirits. Drake Dragon remained composed, but a hint of darkness flickered in his eyes. To Drake Dragon, Tom Li was simply a lackey by Ethan Zhou Yaoyang's side and was not worth his attention. However, what conspiracy did they have against him? No matter what their plot might be, the truth would eventually be revealed. Drake Dragon and his entourage made their way towards a ring located outside the capital city.