Legend of the Divine Archer

Word of Yan Jin's immense spending and Wei Xi's sudden transformation spread like wildfire through Pine City. Rumors and gossip filled the streets, from the bustling markets to the quiet tea houses.

"Did you hear? Yan Jin spent two million bloodstones at the auction! Two million!"

"I heard he bought a spear made from a wyvern's spine for Wei Xi. And now Wei Xi… his bloodline's evolved into an imperial one!"

"They say Yan Jin's got deep pockets, but where does he get that kind of wealth? No merchant in Pine City can afford to throw money around like that. Especially on a friend"

"Forget the money! Have you seen Wei Xi since the auction? He's changed. His eyes… they look like a wyvern's! People are saying he's got imperial blood now. That kind of power… it's not normal."

The whispers carried on, and soon, Yan Jin's name was on everyone's lips.

--

Yan Jin's excitement was palpable as he delved into the mysteries of bloodlines. His mind buzzed with fascination, like a scholar unearthing a long-lost secret. The concept that bloodlines could be living entities, imbued with their own wills and manifested through descendants, was both complex and mesmerizing.

Each bloodline was a universe unto itself, an intricate dance of power and legacy that wove through generations. The idea that these bloodlines could evolve, grow, and even influence the destiny of their bearers ignited a fervor within him. His heart raced with anticipation at the thought of unraveling these mysteries and harnessing their power for his own purposes.

As he reached the depths of his mansion, Yan Jin's thoughts shifted to the beast skin he had carefully stored in his robe. He removed the artifact with reverence, spreading it out before him. The beast skin was unlike any he had seen before. Its surface was a deep, shadowy hue, textured with a rough, almost organic quality that hinted at the creature from which it had come.

The markings etched into the skin were a labyrinth of runes, more intricate and meticulous than any blood tool he had encountered. They glowed faintly, shifting subtly as if they were alive, their energy resonating with a silent, ancient power.

The runes seemed to form a cosmic map, their complexity suggesting a profound connection to the very fabric of the universe. Each line and curve intertwined with the next, creating a pattern that was at once chaotic and harmonious. To Yan Jin, the markings felt like an enigma waiting to be deciphered, a proof of the untapped potential hidden within the beast skin.

Without hesitation, he drew a small cut on his fingertip and allowed a few drops of his blood to fall onto the scroll. The moment his blood touched the beast skin, a surge of energy exploded from the artifact. The runes flared to life, their glow intensifying until they bathed the room in an ethereal light. The markings began to pulse and writhe, as if they were awakening from a long slumber.

As the energy from the scroll mingled with his blood, the runes started to travel across the surface of the beast skin, weaving their way toward him. They moved with a fluid grace, wrapping around him like living threads. The sensation was strange and electrifying; it felt as though invisible hands were tracing patterns onto his skin.

The runes flowed seamlessly from the scroll, becoming a tattoo that spread across his body. The intricate designs started at his eyes, marking them with a luminous glow, and then expanded outward, covering his arms, chest, and back. The markings were not merely decorative; they seemed to pulse with a life of their own.

As the final rune settled into place, Yan Jin's vision blurred, and he was suddenly engulfed in a torrent of vivid imagery. He found himself standing on the precipice of an ancient battlefield. Before him was a primordial beast, its form colossal and awe-inspiring, its roar shaking the very ground beneath.

A figure, adorned with the same intricate markings as those now tattooed on Yan Jin, stood defiantly against the beast. The man fought with a raw, primal strength, his bare hands tearing through the beast's formidable defenses with an almost supernatural ferocity.

Amidst the chaos of the battle, a voice echoed through the void, rich and resonant, filling the space with its weighty presence:

"Threads of stars and bone,

Blood hums where gods fear to tread—

Echoes of the void.

Primordial dusk,

Veins of cosmic dust entwine—

Timeless echoes bleed."

When Yan Jin came back to his senses, the intricate runes that had adorned his skin vanished, sinking deep into his flesh until they were no longer visible. But their power lingered within him, reshaping his consciousness. New knowledge blossomed in his mind, as if the very essence of the ancient runes had imprinted themselves onto his soul.

"Heretical God Eye"—that was the name of the technique he had obtained from the scroll. It was a unique and dangerous skill, one that allowed for the temporary conversion of blood energy into mental energy, and vice versa.

The concept was simple yet perilous. If Yan Jin depleted his blood energy, he could draw from his vast mental reserves to replenish it, and if his mind was on the brink of collapse, he could bolster it with blood energy. But the technique came with a dire cost: it demanded the sacrifice of his eyes.

For the duration of its use, his vision would be forfeit, plunging him into an even deeper darkness than he already knew. And worse still, the energy that was converted could not be easily replenished for some time, leaving him vulnerable.

Yet, for someone like Yan Jin—who was already blind and possessed a formidable amount of mental energy—this technique was a perfect trump card. Combined with his Ouroboros Tactics, a technique that fed on the energy of both his body and mind in a perpetual cycle, the Heretical God Eye seemed to be a natural fit.

It was a dangerous gamble, but one that could turn the tide of battle in his favor when all seemed lost.

The next morning, Yan Jin was rudely awakened by the sound of chaos outside his mansion. Shouts and the clanking of armor echoed through the air, and as he rubbed the fatigue from his eyes, he realized something was terribly wrong. The golden guards of Pine City had surrounded his home, their presence unmistakable in the early morning light. Among them was Nie Li, his voice booming from the entrance.

"Yan Jin! Get out here!" Nie Li roared, his voice tinged with fury. "Yan Meng was attacked last night and is on the verge of death! And Yan Li is our prime suspect! He made threats yesterday, and now this happens! You think you're above the law?!"

Yan Jin quickly made his way to the entrance, pushing past servants and attendants who looked equally concerned. As he stepped outside, the scene before him was chaotic. The golden guards stood at attention, their gleaming armor reflecting the morning sun. Nie Li, with his golden locks flowing wildly, stood at the forefront, his eyes filled with rage.

Passersby had gathered on the streets, whispering and murmuring amongst themselves, their eyes locked on the spectacle unfolding.

"Nie Li's using this as an excuse for revenge," one bystander muttered to another. "He's been waiting for a reason to come after Yan Jin ever since that auction."

"Yeah, it's no coincidence. Yan Jin made him look like a fool, and now he's out for blood," another whispered.

Amid the crowd's murmurs, Yan Li emerged from the mansion, calm but defiant. His face was cold and impassive as he stepped forward, making no move to resist as the golden guards approached him.

"I'll come quietly," Yan Li said, his voice low but steady. "I have nothing to hide."

Nie Li sneered as the guards surrounded Yan Li, readying themselves to arrest him. But before they could take him away, a sudden gust of wind swept through the courtyard. From above, Wei Xi descended, his aura fierce and wild. His eyes were blazing with fury, and his bloodline surged with such intensity that it seemed to shake the very ground beneath them.

A powerful wyvern silhouette manifested behind Wei Xi, its claws sharp and its eyes glowing with a feral light. The oppressive aura of the royal wyvern bloodline flooded the courtyard, causing the golden guards to falter, their hands trembling as they gripped their weapons.

"If anyone dares to lay a hand on Yan Jin, I'll kill them where they stand!" Wei Xi roared, his voice a thunderous proclamation that sent shockwaves through the crowd. His eyes were wild, and his claws had elongated, a clear sign that his wyvern bloodline was in full bloom.

The tension in the air was palpable. The golden guards hesitated, caught between their duty and the overpowering presence of Wei Xi. The crowd watched in awe and fear, whispering frantically about the spectacle unfolding before them.

Yan Jin stepped forward, placing a firm hand on Wei Xi's shoulder. "Enough," he said calmly. "I appreciate the gesture, but this isn't needed."

"But—" Wei Xi began, his voice strained with desperation.

"Nothing will happen to me," Yan Jin said, his voice steady and reassuring. "Trust me."

Wei Xi hesitated for a moment, his bloodline still surging with power, but eventually, he relented. The wyvern manifestation faded, and the oppressive aura lifted as Wei Xi withdrew his bloodline energy, though the anger in his eyes remained. He glanced at Yan Jin with a mix of frustration and concern but nodded in agreement.

"I will call grandfather." Wei Xi muttered, his voice softer now, though his ferocity had not entirely diminished.

With Wei Xi's withdrawal, the golden guards resumed their task. Yan Jin, under the watchful eyes of the crowd, allowed himself to be taken without resistance. As he was led away, whispers and rumors continued to swirl among the onlookers.

"Idiot" Nie Li muttered under his breath, watching as Yan Jin was escorted away.

The dark cell Yan Jin found himself in was cold and damp, the only light coming from a small barred window near the ceiling. It was a stark contrast to the grandeur of his mansion. He sat quietly, his thoughts calm despite the situation. He had faced worse in his life, and he knew this was just another obstacle to overcome.