Chapter Forty-Five: The Baruch Family

However, just as Sadius, brimming with fury, charged fiercely before Oxis, the seemingly stunned Oxis suddenly shifted, his figure splitting into two. Confronted with two Saint-level Black Dragons, Sadius was momentarily dumbfounded.

But he quickly regained his composure and, without hesitation, launched an attack toward one of the Oxis dragons. In a thunderous explosion of energy, Sadius retreated, feeling a surge of relief for striking what he believed to be the true body. Yet, almost immediately, he was struck by a thick, steel-like dragon tail, sending him tumbling through the air in utter disarray, his whole body trembling as blood sprayed from his mouth.

"You... How is this possible? You're also the true body? What's going on?" Sadius stared in disbelief at the other Oxis who had just attacked him.

Oxis burst into laughter, and both Black Dragons spoke in turn, "Hahaha... Sadius, you didn't expect this, did you? This is a technique I just grasped upon comprehending the laws of dark elements. I can merge my body into shadows and move stealthily, allowing my true form to shift freely between two shadows. So, as long as I wish to evade, you can never touch me, while I can switch positions and ambush you at will."

"This... With such an ability, I can't complain about losing to you," Sadius replied, both astonished and somewhat frustrated.

"The Shadow Doppelganger Technique, one of the six profound mysteries of the dark element laws? Oxis does possess some talent," the handsome young man observed with a silent nod.

The young man then called out loudly to Oxis, "That's enough, Oxis. It's time we left."

"Yes, Master!" Oxis responded, promptly flying to the young man's side, shrinking his massive form swiftly. With a curious smile, he asked, "Master, are we heading to the human world? I've always been quite curious about it. In the past, it would've been troublesome for a Saint-level magical beast like me to venture there alone. But with you, it's different."

The young man nodded and greeted Sadius, "Sadius, Oxis and I are leaving now. Perhaps fate will let us meet again."

"Oh, you don't know my name yet, do you? I am Qiankun," the young man added with a gentle smile before departing.

Sadius watched as Qiankun and Oxis left together, muttering to himself, "Qiankun? What an odd name!"

"Ah! So that's your name, Master! It sounds so unique!" Oxis exclaimed in amazement as he flew alongside Qiankun toward the outskirts of the Magic Beast Mountains.

With the speed of Qiankun and Oxis, they left the mountains in less than half a day, landing gracefully atop a small hill beside a town.

"Could it really be..." With his keen eyesight, Qiankun saw clearly the open ground on the eastern side of the town, where the morning sun illuminated a large group of children divided into three squads. Each squad formed several rows and was engaged in basic warrior training.

---

Qiankun’s lips curled into a slight smile. He instructed the Saint-level Black Dragon Oxis to wait for him on the hill, then descended alone.

Upon reaching the outskirts of the town, Qiankun drew the attention of three middle-aged men who were instructing the children in their training.

"Sir, may we ask what brings you to Wushan Town? Is there anything we can assist you with?" The leader, a robust man dressed in a short vest and coarse trousers, stepped forward and bowed slightly to Qiankun, introducing himself, "I am Hillman, captain of the guard for the Baruch family, owners of Wushan Town."

Hearing this, Qiankun’s suspicions were further confirmed, and he raised an eyebrow with a smile. "Wushan Town? So this is Wushan Town? The Baruch family? If I remember correctly, the Baruch family is the clan of Dragonblood Warriors, isn’t it?"

"Um... Yes, that's right. The Baruch family is indeed the Dragonblood Warrior clan, but..." Hillman hesitated, uncertain.

Before he could finish, Qiankun continued with a gentle smile, "But nowadays, the Dragonblood Warrior clan is a shadow of its former glory, and it has been many generations since a true Dragonblood Warrior was born, correct?"

"Yes..." Hillman nodded, unable to resist asking cautiously, "Sir, you seem to know a great deal about the Dragonblood Warrior clan!"

"My name is Qiankun," Qiankun replied affably, "You needn't be so formal. In fact, I have a certain connection with the Dragonblood Warrior clan. Hillman, could you take me to see the current patriarch of the Baruch family?"

Hillman was surprised, but judging by Qiankun's demeanor and bearing, he sensed that this was no ordinary man, and his intentions seemed genuine rather than malicious. Thus, without further hesitation, he agreed and led Qiankun toward the Baruch family estate.

The Baruch estate covered an expansive area, its walls entwined with moss and climbing plants. The ancestral home of the Baruch family in Wushan Town had endured for five thousand years, constantly repaired and maintained through the ages, yet still standing, steeped in the marks of time.

"Once a powerful family with a glorious history, now all that remains is this desolate ancestral mansion. What a pity, what a lament," Qiankun sighed as he entered the old estate with Hillman, which was devoid of guards or servants.

In the front hall of the Baruch estate, the current patriarch, Hogg Baruch, came out upon hearing the commotion. Seeing Qiankun, he approached with polite curiosity, "Sir, you... Hillman..."

Noticing Hogg’s questioning gaze, Hillman quickly introduced, "Master Hogg, this is Lord Qiankun."

"You are Hogg? The patriarch of the Baruch family?" Qiankun looked Hogg up and down, asking with a gentle smile. Though Hogg’s attire was plain, he carried the aura of nobility, and a touch of melancholy lent him an air of seasoned maturity.

"Uh... Yes..." Hogg responded carefully, still unsure of the situation. "Sir, may I ask..."

---

Qiankun wore a warm smile, waving his hand lightly. "No need to be nervous, Hogg. I know your Baruch family is the clan of Dragonblood Warriors. I am here to help you, to restore the Dragonblood Warrior clan to its former glory."

"Help... help me?" Hogg stared in astonishment at Qiankun. "Lord Qiankun, are you... are you joking with me?"

"Joking? Haha..." Qiankun chuckled, lifting himself a foot above the ground, levitating in midair.

Both Hogg and Hillman were stunned, their eyes wide in amazement. "Saint... Saint-level expert?"

"Tell me, do you think a Saint-level expert would joke with you?" Qiankun asked, smiling.

Hogg, now realizing the situation, grew excited yet remained curious. "Lord Qiankun, why do you wish to help me?"

"Let’s just say it’s fate between me and your Dragonblood Warrior clan," Qiankun answered calmly. "Hogg, do you want to become a Dragonblood Warrior?"

To become a Dragonblood Warrior? Hogg was taken aback, then smiled bitterly. "Lord Qiankun, my Dragonblood bloodline is too diluted; I simply cannot become a Dragonblood Warrior. Unless..."

"Unless you drink the blood of a living dragon, awakening the dormant Dragonblood Warrior bloodline within you," Qiankun interjected with a gentle smile.

Hogg grew excited, looking at Qiankun. "Lord Qiankun, you know about this? Are you..."

Qiankun smiled mysteriously and turned toward the empty ground nearby. "Oxis, come forth!"

With a rumbling crack, the earth split open, and a small black dragon—like a serpent—darted out. It was the Saint-level Black Dragon, Oxis. As he emerged, Oxis grew to immense size, becoming a hundred-meter-long black dragon, hovering a meter above the ground beside Qiankun.

"Saint... Saint-level Black Dragon?" Both Hogg and Hillman were utterly astonished, their legs trembling under the invisible pressure of the dragon’s presence.