[Ding! Congratulations to awakened Howard successfully comprehended the S-level Draconic Magic—Thunder Dragon Breath!]
[Ding-dong! Congratulations to awakened Howard successfully comprehended the S-level Draconic Magic—Thunder Dragon Roar!]
[Ding-dong! Congratulations to awakened Howard successfully comprehended the SS-level Draconic Magic—Thunderflame Dragon Wrath!]
[Ding-dong! Congratulations to awakened Howard successfully comprehended the SS-level Draconic Magic—Thunder Dragon Domain!]
[Ding-dong! Congratulations to awakened Howard; personal Electro attribute enhancement value +30, damage received from Electro attributes reduced by 10%, control effects from Electro attributes reduced by 5%, damage inflicted by personal Electro attributes increased by 10%, and control effects enhanced by 5%!]
In an instant, the comprehension of four Draconic Magics above S-level plunged Howard’s mind into a state of chaos.
Dazed and bewildered, he slipped into slumber.
Within the depths of his mind, the knowledge of those four skills whirled wildly, gradually being absorbed by Howard.
The fierce thunderbolts continued to strike and forge Howard’s body.
As Howard received yet another elevation in his capabilities, the Chan household burst into life.
Ying Chan, the new prodigy of the Chan family, awoke to the SS-level talent Heart of Flame, enabling her to wield the flames of the world at will!
She had been cocooned in the family’s protection since childhood, her remarkable talent and direct bloodline making her the cherished jewel in the crown of all the elders.
Upon learning that she was to be married off, even leaving Crimson Dragon City to head for Adia City, she was instantly incensed.
Of course, such a reaction was only natural, akin to Howard’s own reluctance to leave Adia City—no one wishes to venture too far from the comforts of home.
Alas, as a scion of the illustrious family, Ying Chan found herself powerless to resist the collective decision of her clan.
Her pleas to Quin Chan went unsoothed, leaving her with a harsh realization of her situation.
As for Howard’s identity, Quin Chan and the others surmised that he must be a disciple of the Holy Abyss Academy, and certainly not of insignificant status; otherwise, why would he show such reluctance to leave?
Their speculation hit near the mark but missed the hidden truth: Howard had no power backing him.
Yet, even if they had known, it would have only brought them joy.
Without a powerful faction behind him, they saw an opportunity to gradually ingrain in Howard an allegiance to the Chan family.
Time drifted on.
When Howard regained consciousness, Shelley Chan was no longer by his side.
Surveying his surroundings, he remained shrouded in the seemingly infinite mist, with the massive dragon head flickering in and out of visibility.
“Awake now, you should depart!”
A deep voice resonated, a solemn reminder: “Bear in mind, do not over-rely on the enhancements bestowed by Draconic power—you are, after all, human!”
“I shall heed this wisdom with care,” Howard replied promptly, expressing his gratitude before turning to leave.
With the benefits secured, there was no reason to linger.
Moreover, it was time for Howard to move on.
On his way out, Howard eagerly accessed his panel to inspect the attributes of the four Draconic Magics.
Draconic Magic, far more formidable than ordinary skills, meant that an S-level Draconic Magic could rival the potency of an SS-level skill.
This filled Howard’s heart with eager anticipation.
[Thunder Dragon Breath (S-level Draconic Magic)]
[Level: 1]
[Effect: Unleashes a breath over a 30×30 yard area in front, imbued with the potent power of thunder, inflicting damage equal to 300% of the caster’s magic attack power every second to targets within range, with a 70% chance to paralyze targets, rendering them incapable of action for 3 seconds. The breath can sustain for up to 10 seconds.]
[Cooldown: 60 seconds]
[Mana Cost: 5000]
[Restriction: Can be cast when in Draconic State, or after the completion of a Draconic transformation.]
[Proficiency: 0/100]
[Thunder Dragon Roar (S-level Draconic Magic)]
[Level: 1]
[Effect: Instantaneously erupts the power of thunder within, violently assailing all hostile targets within a 50×50 yard radius, dealing damage worth 3000% of the caster’s magic attack power and blasting all enemies away.]
[Cooldown: 300 seconds]
[Mana Cost: 5000] .
[Restriction: Can be cast when in Draconic State, or after the completion of a Draconic transformation.]
[Proficiency: 0/100]
[Thunderflame Dragon Wrath (SS-level Active Skill)]
[Level: 1]
[Effect: Combines the power of thunder with the power of flame, enveloping the caster and increasing all attributes by 500%. Each attack unleashes both powers, dealing damage equivalent to 2000% of the caster’s magic attack power. Every movement leaves behind a trail of thunder and flame, inflicting high damage on any who contact it. This state lasts for 60 minutes.]
[Cooldown: 72 hours]
[Mana Cost: 99% of the caster’s MP]
[Restriction: Can be cast when in Draconic State, or after the completion of a Draconic transformation.]
[Proficiency: 0/9]
“Hmm?! This skill, it only requires 9 points to level up?”
“That’s quite impressive. The effects are ferocious, directly boosting all my attributes by 500%. Each attack delivers damage twenty times the normal amount. When you stack it all up, isn’t that a hundredfold damage? Plus, with the residual thunder and flame, in the midst of a crowd, this ability is invincible.”
Howard mused, the layers of restrictions on the skills notwithstanding.
The exceptional effects more than made up for them.
[Thunder Dragon Domain (SS-level Draconic Magic)]
[Level: 1]
[Effect: Coalesces the power of thunder into a domain, enveloping an area within 10,000 x 10,000 yards. For every minute the domain exists, or for every 10 hostile targets slain within it, a thunder dragon is formed with attributes at 80% of the caster’s own. These dragons attack the enemies within the domain. While the domain persists, targets are unable to leave its confines (spatial skills cannot be blocked). The domain lasts for 300 minutes or until the caster’s MP is fully depleted.]
[Cooldown: 72 hours]
[Mana Cost: Consumes 1000 MP per second]
[Restriction: Can be cast when in Draconic State, or after the completion of a Draconic transformation.]
[Proficiency: 0/50]
The requirements for proficiency in higher-level skills seemed to be decreasing, a welcome change for Howard. Yet, what thrilled him more was the formidable power of these four skills.
The two S-level skills were impressive in their own right, both AOE in nature with high damage coefficients.
As for the SS-level skills, they were comparable to the conventional SSS-level skills.
Once Howard’s base attributes were enhanced, it was conceivable that a single casting could obliterate a city!
One skill, unbounded by range, allowed for relentless assault for the duration of its effect.
The other, with its vast expanse of 10,000 x 10,000 yards, grew increasingly terrifying with time and the number of foes vanquished within it.
In terms of sheer power, these two skills surpassed the SSS-level skill — Annihilation of the Tempest Goddess — that Howard had previously comprehended. 𝘪𝑎.𝘤𝑜𝑚
While the Tempest Goddess’s fury was constant from beginning to end, these Draconic Magics had the capacity to escalate in intensity continually!
The discomforting part, however, was the restrictions each of these four skills possessed.
For Howard to enter the Draconic State now, the cost was exorbitant, consuming not just mana but also his HP.
If there was no means to replenish his HP, a mere handful of entries into the Draconic State could spell sudden death for Howard.
Hence, it was clear that Draconic Magic was to be reserved for moments of peril.
Recalling the caution of the Chan family’s Guardian Divine Dragon, Howard even speculated that there might be limitations to the Draconic form at its pinnacle.
Just as the Guardian had warned, Howard, in the end, was only human.
Even if he were to fully integrate with the Oriental Divine Dragon, there would inevitably be a chasm between him and a true Divine Dragon.
Gifted with the talent of Supreme Synthesis, Howard didn’t place too much emphasis on the Draconic aspects.
Instead, he took the Guardian Divine Dragon’s words to heart.
As Howard stepped out into the courtyard, Shelley Chan was seated cross-legged, a meditative figure enveloped in a gentle embrace of rising flames.
It was only Howard’s exceptionally robust constitution, coupled with his noteworthy affinity for Pyro magic, that allowed him to withstand the scorching aura without falter.
Shelley abruptly ceased her meditation, her eyes opening to fix upon Howard.
“Cough, cough.”
Under Shelley’s gaze, Howard involuntarily recalled the succession of events that had transpired in the shadowy river depths.
A flush crept across his cheeks, and he coughed to clear the air.
With a composed demeanor, Shelley spoke, “The Great Elder has a message for you. The clan has chosen to bestow upon you the hand of a direct descendant in marriage. Would you care to meet her? If she does not meet your approval, you are at liberty to select another.”
At these words, Howard felt a curious twist in his mind.
It was almost beyond belief that such a formidable family was so eagerly offering him a wife.
This protective mission had turned out to be an unexpected windfall.
His own strength had skyrocketed in an almost divine ascent, and now he stood to be united with the pure bloodline of the Chan family.
Such news, if spread, would certainly spark waves of envy, with many perhaps sighing in longing or even weeping in vexation.
“No need,” Howard said firmly. “What good is a marriage without affection?”
He continued with a solemn voice, “I will honor the agreement with your esteemed clan. Once she bears a child, I will ensure the child is returned here.”
Even as he spoke, a sense of reluctance stirred within him.
After all, the child would be his own flesh and blood.
Shelley’s expression softened, and she nodded in acknowledgment, asking, “When will you depart?”
𝘦𝑎.𝒸ℴ