The once-lush valley now lay eerily barren, its vibrant plants withered and lifeless, as though drained by a ravenous force. What had once resembled a paradise now echoed with silence and desolation, the very air heavy with the absence of spiritual energy. At the center of it all was a massive cocoon, pulsing faintly with purple-gold light. Inside, Kieran's body had undergone a dramatic transformation. His bones now shimmered with a crystalline sheen, laced with a purple-gold hue. His meridians, once delicate channels, were now thick and elastic, capable of withstanding immense pressure, and his dantian had expanded to nearly twice the size of an ordinary cultivator's. Across his skin, faint outlines of purple dragon scales flickered in and out of existence, following the thrum of his heartbeat, as though responding to the rhythm of his heart.
Within the depths of his subconscious, time lost all meaning as he immersed himself completely in the ocean of inherited memories, absorbing every ounce of knowledge passed down through the Divine Dragon Bloodline. From the refined art of alchemy and the subtleties of flame control taught in the revered Flames of Creation, to the intricate methods of cultivation and battle, he studied them all with unwavering focus. The sensual secrets of the Yang Dragon Scriptures taught him not only how to please a woman but also how to harmonize energies during dual cultivation. The Zenith Flow, the lone combat technique in his inherited memories, revealed the mysteries of fluid motion and explosive power, while the Nine Astral Steps bestowed the secrets of ethereal movement, allowing one to glide as if stepping on starlight. He had mastered all these within his mind—his thoughts sharp, clear, and disciplined. Now, all that remained was for his body to awaken and match the vast, divine knowledge his soul had embraced.
As time passed, Kieran's body absorbed the thick, amniotic-like liquid surrounding him, condensed spiritual chi that had nurtured his evolution. As the last of the energy sank into his crystalline bones and strengthened meridians, his eyes slowly fluttered open, now gleaming with a deeper clarity. A low rumble built in his chest before erupting into a thunderous roar that echoed through the valley, shattering the purple-gold cocoon into fragments around him.
Standing amidst the broken shell, Kieran took in the world with senses sharpened beyond mortal comprehension. His gaze pierced the veil of illusion, revealing the valley's secrets—an ancient, powerful barrier cloaking it from the outside world, a time-warping formation subtly accelerating cultivation, and a chi gathering array that was slowly pulling energy to the valley.
Though the valley now looked barren, he could sense its spiritual chi slowly beginning to regenerate. Everything felt clearer, more connected. It was as if the very world was whispering its truths to him.
Kieran turned his attention inward, marveling at his transformation. His body now radiated quiet strength—taller, broader, with muscles chiseled like sculpted stone, yet without unnecessary bulk. Each movement felt smooth and effortless, filled with grace. Purple-gold dragon scales continued to flicker across his skin, appearing and disappearing in sync with the beat of his heart. His features had become sharper, more refined, exuding an otherworldly charm that made him look less like a young man and more like a celestial being descending from myth. This was no longer just the body of Kieran Long—it was that of a dragon reborn.
Kieran paused, blinking in surprise as he noticed the obvious physical reaction of his body—an erection, pulsing with vitality and heat. Normally, this would have earned a sly comment or a teasing laugh from Sindra, but the silence stretched on. A sense of unease crept in. Where was she?
"Sindra?" He called out to her mentally, his voice edged with worry, but no response came. Panic began to rise in his chest as his eyes searched the valley for his mischievous guardian spirit—until he felt it, a faint pull, a gentle whisper brushing against the edge of his consciousness. Following the feeling, he knelt among the shattered remains of the cocoon and found an egg-shaped crystal, smooth and flawless, glowing softly with a familiar purple hue. A little larger than his fists, and pulsing with warmth. His breath caught as he reached out and gently picked it up, instinctively knowing that Sindra was inside.
Kieran didn't hesitate. He bit his thumb and let a drop of his blood fall onto the egg. The moment it touched the smooth surface, crimson lines spread like veins across the gem-like shell. With a soft crackling sound, fissures appeared, and then, in a burst of soft light, the egg shattered. Floating up from the pieces, Sindra appeared—transformed. If before she had the playful charm of a mischievous teenager, now she radiated the allure of a full-grown temptress. Her curves were fuller, her presence more magnetic, and the sheer, body-hugging dress she wore left little to the imagination. She stretched luxuriously, letting out a lazy yawn, before her sultry eyes landed on him.
"Looking good, master," she said with a wicked smirk, her gaze unapologetically drifting down to his still-standing arousal. Kieran chuckled and gave her a once-over in return, his smile teasing. "Not bad yourself," he replied, amused and slightly exasperated. "Didn't expect my evolution to come with your glow-up."
Sindra glanced around the barren valley, noting the withered plants and lingering energy. "We really did use up a lot of spiritual chi," she murmured as she flew toward the shattered shell pieces. She started gathering them, but both she and Kieran paused as a strange resistance met her will. "I… can't access the sphere," she said slowly, brows furrowing. Kieran tried as well, but the familiar connection felt dormant, distant—like the sphere itself was slumbering. "It's changing," Sindra concluded, eyes narrowing. "Just like you did."
Kieran sighed, rubbing the back of his neck, then looked down at himself—still very much nude. "Great. All my spare clothes are inside the sphere." He grimaced. "Am I supposed to walk back to the clan like this?"
"Streaking won't kill you," Sindra replied with a wicked grin, clearly amused by the idea. "But if you want to avoid scandal, try refining the excess yang energy before you burn a hole through the clouds." She flicked her fingers toward his lower half.
Kieran sat cross-legged on the barren earth, letting out a slow breath as he began circulating his cultivation technique. Almost immediately, he noticed something different—his blood essence wasn't just flowing with the energy, it was merging with it. Each beat of his heart synchronized perfectly with the technique's rhythm, and he felt his body respond with an instinctive harmony. "One with body," he whispered, eyes gleaming with realization.
Sindra, still lounging nearby, arched a brow. "Careful, master. Until the process is complete, no sex. Not even a little. If you disrupt the merging now, you could cripple your cultivation."
"I know," Kieran said, nodding solemnly, though the fire in his eyes betrayed his excitement. His inherited memories had hinted at this stage, where the body and technique become one, removing barriers between thought and action, making future cultivation flow like breath itself. The promise of such seamless progress outweighed the temporary restraint, and he smirked to himself. "I've had a rebirth and it's all worth it."