"Gone…?"
Lu Mingfei instantly raised his guard.
But then, a loud, haunting melody rode the wild winds— coming from all directions at once.
In that split second, the music dazed Lu Mingfei.
Just a second of distraction— and lightning turned into arrows of light, shooting in from every angle.
"Cancel—"
Lu Mingfei just opened his mouth to undo the elements.
But a thunderous boom exploded in his mind— the roar of fury, the howl of the ocean, the scream of the skies!
That single thread of thought— was shattered again by that terrifying roar!
Boom!
A bolt of thunderous light pierced straight through his chest.
But Pompeii's assault was far from over—a violent hurricane was summoned out of thin air.
The storm, spinning at insane speeds, looked like a giant meat grinder. It swallowed Lu Mingfei whole.
The fierce winds slashed at him like sharp steel blades, carving countless wounds into his body.
"Brother!"
Lu Mingze's golden pupils flared. He broke past Lu Mingfei's fading consciousness and used a Word Soul: "Glazing Brahma City!"
A defensive barrier formed by the domain barely held the hurricane at bay.
"Damn it, this guy... it's like he's become a different person!"
Lu Mingfei shook his still-dazed head, gritting his teeth.
"Don't tell me... he's cheating? Like summoning a god to play in his place?"
Chu Zihang struggled to rise again, forcing his broken body upright.
Maybe even Pompeii didn't expect this—someone with every bone shattered could still stand back up.
His battered body had been healed by dragon blood so many times, he'd lost count. He didn't know how much longer he could hold on.
All that was left were the stubborn thoughts echoing in his mind.
It's enough. Stop getting up.
Even if you do stand, what's the point?
You're not Lu Mingfei!
You don't have a Dragon King's bloodline!
You're just a regular hybrid!
The two voices in his head—once arguing—now spoke as one, trying to persuade the stubborn Chu Zihang.
Drop your weapon. Give up.
Even Lu Mingfei can't beat Pompeii. What can you do?
Even if the world's ending, at least... you did your best.
It's okay to let go now.
But... is it really okay to give up?
"No!"
From the depths of his chest, Chu Zihang roared with every ounce of strength he had left.
He wouldn't give up, even if there was only one hand, one foot left—he would fight until the last moment!
Blood slowly covered his pupils, his vision turned red. That twisted, hateful figure was doing everything it could to suppress 'Lu Mingfei'!
Their battle blurred in speed, exceeding the retina's limit of capture.
All that could be seen were vague flashes and shadows, and blood splattering and tearing apart. It gathered into a flowing river of blood across the rocks and shattered earth!
Lightning and golden light intertwined, creating a roaring sound like a tidal wave!
This was a battle at the peak of the dragon clan, a fight even the Four Monarchs couldn't interfere with!
Each collision between them contained terrifying power, an intensity that even the Dragon King couldn't withstand.
The air was shattered into layers of shockwaves, accompanied by explosions, pushing everything out of the way!
Did you see it?
Even if time passes, what can your strength change now?
The voice in his head tried to stop him once again.
But despite this, Chu Zihang still moved forward. He knew his power might be nothing more than a drop in the ocean, unable to change the outcome.
But... what if?
He might not be able to help Lu Mingfei, but if he risked his life, even if it meant creating just one second, no, a fraction of a second of vulnerability, it would be enough!
Chu Zihang, dragging his broken body, left a trail of blood with every step as he struggled towards the battlefield.
Suddenly, through the blood-covered pupils, a familiar figure appeared—Xia Mi.
Half of the girl's body was destroyed, and she could only lean against a broken wall. Her golden eyes had dimmed, and her face was pale. She looked at the young man and lightly smiled.
"What a fool."
Chu Zihang fell silent, unsure of what to say.
With the Dragon King's vitality, such injuries wouldn't be fatal, but she wouldn't be able to get up in a short time.
He was about to continue walking, but the girl stopped him.
"Wait... fool."
Xia Mi smiled bitterly and waved her hand. "Come here, I have something to say."
When Chu Zihang stepped forward, she pulled him into an embrace. The heat of her breath brushed against his ear.
They had never been this close before, feeling each other's heartbeat.
"I'm dying," Xia Mi whispered softly.
Chu Zihang's pupils shrank suddenly, his whole body frozen in shock. "No, that's impossible! You're the Dragon King, how could you—"
He struggled, trying to see her injuries, trying to save her.
"Don't move. Let me finish," Xia Mi said, though badly hurt, she still held him down.
"Fool, even the Dragon King can die. It's just this time... I didn't prepare an 'egg' in advance. I guess this is real death, but it's okay. I'm not afraid."
"No!"
Chu Zihang's heart ached sharply. He gritted his teeth, mixing the blood in his mouth, and almost hoarsely shouted this word.
"But I can't die without meaning."
Xia Mi pressed her cheek tightly against the boy's, feeling the warmth for a brief moment. She whispered, "Someone once told me that my fate was to die by the hand of someone I love. At first, I didn't believe it, but now... I believe it."
"What do you mean?"
Chu Zihang froze at her words.
"Idiot, just consider this... the last birthday gift I'm giving you."
Xia Mi pressed her forehead against the boy's head, her eyes filled with lingering affection and reluctance. "Idiot, from now on, don't be so reckless when you're alone. Live well."
Saying this, she grabbed the boy's hand and slowly pushed it into her own chest.
Blood dripped down like plum blossoms, blooming.
Until his fingertips touched her heart, soft yet strong, pulsating vigorously.
"No, no!"
Chu Zihang realized what the girl intended to do. He desperately howled and struggled.
However, he couldn't reverse this process.
"Goodbye, my idiot."
The girl's voice was like a stone thrown into the icy surface of a lake.
Suddenly, ripples spread out, the ice melted, and the water swayed, a soft and intangible sensation caressing Chu Zihang's heart.
The last trace of light in her pupils faded, and she quietly lay in Chu Zihang's arms.
But in her place, Chu Zihang's body erupted with dragon scales, his entire form seemed to fall into the hellish abyss.
Sharp bone spikes lined his back, extending like jagged mountain peaks.
Then, the massive flesh-and-blood bulge on his back tore open, and two dragon wings, covered in a thin membrane, slowly spread out!
"Ahhh—!!!"
The boy's roar stirred a soundwave that seemed almost tangible, tearing the clouds apart.
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