Blood into Essence, Essence nourishing Blood!
Surging crimson Blood Essence circulated within Ryan's body, making him seem larger and more robust. As it reached the meridian points in his mouth, he exhaled sharply, releasing a three-foot stream of blood-red energy that lingered briefly before being drawn back inside.
After a complete circulation, Ryan opened his eyes, noticing the low-grade beast crystal in his palm had turned to dust.
"Using beast crystals to cultivate Blood Essence is incredibly effective, but reaching Lv.6 is consuming more than I expected."
Ryan had replenished his dantian fully but at the cost of several low-grade beast crystals acquired from Harris and the others. Yet the expenditure was worth it. Thanks to his Intermediate Toxic Flame Bloodline, Ryan's Blood Essence had reached Intermediate Bloodline Warrior levels.
Now, Ryan confidently felt unmatched within the entire Settlement—even Marcus wouldn’t stand a chance.
Energy: 634
Stamina: 131/132
Strength: 141/144
Spirit: 24/24
Skills:
- Golden Bell Iron Body Technique Lv.6
- Five Tigers Blade Technique Lv.6
- Thousand-Mile Leap (Minor Mastery)
- Mystic Unity Blood Essence Technique Lv.5
- Clock of Time (Basic)
Bloodline:
- Toxic Flame Bloodline(Intermediate)
One orange Level 2 Skill-Stealing Card and five Level 1 cards remained unused, stored carefully. Ryan resisted the temptation to use them immediately, hoping instead to copy a powerful skill like the Gray Mist Blood Bat’s final roar—something capable of saving his life in critical moments.
A loud stomach growl brought Ryan’s attention back to reality. Regretting the past wouldn't change it; filling his stomach was the priority.
From his residence to the training area, Ryan could now walk upright, the tunnels accommodating him easily. Yet something felt subtly different.
The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation.
He spotted Greg approaching gloomily—a rare sight for the usually energetic young man.
"Hey, Greg, what's—" Ryan began teasingly but paused as Tiger Girl strode proudly behind Greg, chest puffed out like a victorious general. Seeing Ryan, she shot him a disdainful glance before ignoring him completely.
"Greg, aren’t you going to introduce your good buddy Ryan to me?" Tiger Girl asked sarcastically, cracking her knuckles menacingly. Greg visibly shuddered.
Ryan noticed Greg’s blackened eye for the first time.
"Ryan, this...is my girlfriend," Greg whimpered, nearly collapsing at Ryan’s feet. "Please, you two, leave me out of your games! I can't handle this anymore!"
Ryan awkwardly turned to Tiger Girl. "Tiger Girl, you're a great girl. I'm a hopeless jerk. We clearly don’t belong together."
Tiger Girl smirked proudly. "I know I’m wonderful and you're rotten to the core. But don't waste time chasing girls. Focus on training—because I want satisfying revenge."
"I've warned every woman from fifty to fifteen in this Settlement," she continued cheerfully. "They'll leave you alone unless you seek trouble. Now train hard—I need a worthy opponent!"
Leaving Ryan utterly speechless, Tiger Girl marched away triumphantly.
Greg sobbed dramatically, pleading, "Ryan, please marry her already! My life is miserable!"
"Greg, suffering breeds greatness," Ryan consoled jokingly, patting his friend's shoulder before heading into the training area. He suddenly realized the strange feeling he’d experienced earlier: the subtle flirtations from girls had vanished entirely, crushed preemptively by Tiger Girl.
Inside the training area, Victor Shaw glared at Ryan.
"Deputy Overseer, what's wrong?" Ryan asked casually, sitting next to Victor.
"Your Tiger Girl caused trouble again," Victor grumbled. "My daughter said you were heroic, and Tiger Girl forced her to recite a thousand times, 'Ryan Carter is a jerk,' until her lips cracked!"
Ryan cringed inwardly. Victor’s daughter was only twelve—Tiger Girl had definitely gone overboard.
"Deputy Overseer, should I discipline Tiger Girl?"
"Don’t hurt her! She’s rash but kind-hearted. Bullying her isn't manly!"
Ryan sighed helplessly, quickly changing the topic. "Where’s Captain Harris and the others?"
Victor relented, shifting the conversation. "Harris is organizing the sweet potato harvest—half a year's food supply. You'll be busy soon."
As a Bloodline Warrior, Ryan didn't need sweet potatoes, but most Settlement residents relied on them. The annual harvest required everyone's effort, with the strongest warriors guarding the fields.
Just then, Marcus appeared, grim-faced. "Ryan, come with me."
"Overseer, what's wrong?" Victor asked, noticing Marcus's unusually solemn expression.
Marcus hesitated before signaling Victor to follow.
Inside a private room, Marcus handed Victor a piece of paper.
"A telegram!" Victor gasped.
Ryan was equally surprised. Telegrams were relics he'd only seen in historical films before his transmigration. Apparently, they remained in use even a thousand years later.
"Highest-level order," Victor murmured gravely. "We must comply."
The telegram read: Dispatch two strongest Bloodline Warriors to gather at the base of Little Valley Mountain.
Though short, the command was absolute.
"Ryan, this order is from Guardian Fortress, sent to every Settlement," Marcus explained. "You and I must go. Highest orders must be obeyed unconditionally. Pack quickly—we leave immediately."
"Overseer, the sweet potato harvest is imminent," Victor interjected urgently. "Losing you both severely weakens our defense. Let me go instead. Guardian Fortress doesn’t yet know Ryan’s true strength."
Marcus hesitated, then shook his head firmly. "For humanity," he said with solemn finality.
Marcus’s words filled Ryan with a sense of noble, tragic resolve.