Way of the Knights

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Several weeks passed in blur, by now the three of them completely adjusted their secluded lives within the hideout. 

These several weeks had been crazy and exciting for both Fatty and Rosa. Little Tiger taught them many things, and allowed them to experience new sensations. Both of them have their own huts by now, they could also read and write the language of the Tribe, in a sense, Little Tiger taught them how to become human.

At this point, Fatty and Rosa was leagues away from what they were currently. They now resemble normal teenagers at least. In addition to this, Fatty and Little Tiger made an exclusive decision to change their names. 

This was mostly Little Tiger's idea since he felt that his name 'Tiger Rogers', didn't fit his image since he's cultivating a Dragon's Heritage. Fatty supported his idea since he himself didn't like his name anyway. 'Fatty' wasn't just a nickname or an alias to him, that's actually his name, given to him by some playful Elder in the past. He vowed that he's going to loose weight once he could cultivate so he wanted to change his name as well. 

Since it was decided like this, from now on Little Tiger's new name Vendrick and Fatty's new name will be Arthur. Rosa will remain Rosa since only she had a proper name compared to them. 

And just as he expected, Arthur and Rosa really did ask him to teach them how to become a Berserker. Both of them saw Little Tiger displaying his strength in numerous occasions, and if to say that they aren't envious would be a lie. Of course, Vendrick wasn't opposed to this but he said that he had other plans for them so they have to stay put for now. 

'I think it's better for me to remain transparent to them.' Vendrick thought as he meditated. 'No secrets will remain hidden at the end of the day. Additionally, these two aren't really strangers, they're people I can trust. It's better for me to tell them that I want their Dragon Blood and in exchange, I'll impart cultivation techniques to them.' 

Indeed, Vendrick felt that this is the best way to go about this. He didn't feel comfortable cheating them for his personal gains. Despite their weakness and fears, Arthur and Rosa remained by his side and passed his test. Even though Vendrick is confident that he'll become strong, it doesn't change the fact that he's only a single person. 

It would've been a different news if he has his Avatars with him but they're sealed. In order to pass this trial, he will need allies to do so. 

Additionally, True Dragon's Blood Essence is useful yes, but even if this was the case, it is not something that he's desperate for. There's no need to fool his own friends just for a mere drop of blood. 

Speaking of True Dragon's Blood Essence, Vendrick had successfully increased the concentration of his bloodline thanks to the repeated harvests he made…

During these past several weeks, the Elders of the Tribe didn't give-up and didn't learn their lesson. They repeated intruded their domain so they retaliated by stripping them clean of their stuff. They tried several methods, implored several tactics, used numerous treasures but every attempt failed and they robbed clean. Even when they came wanting to talk peacefully, the trio ignored them, leaving them stomping in fury. 

This was such a humiliating defeat, a stain in their reputation that cannot be erased. What's truly maddening is that, despite their efforts, none of them saw even the tip of their shadows, at this point they didn't know whether it was the kids of something else entirely who stole their things. At this point, they could only admit defeat and simmer in rage as they try to think of ways to find out who stole their precious belongings…

Unbeknownst to them however, everyone who infiltrated Vendrick's hideout lost something even more precious. And it was none other than their Dragon Blood - which were all absorbed by Vendrick to make himself stronger. 

By now, the concertation of True Dragon's bloodline coursing through Vendrick's veins reached the potency of 10%. Never underestimate this number since this is True Dragon's blood essence, not a Flood Dragon, drakes, hydras, etc…

It had to be known that just 2% bloodline concentration and the Ancient Dragon King's Scripture was already enough to transform someone into a common Divine Realm Genius. A 5% bloodline concentration could allow someone to reach the Rare Divine Realm Genius, and a 10% bloodline concentration could make someone a Empyrean Level - Divine Realm Genius. 

Right now, Vendrick have a foundation that he could use to clear this trial so he's feeling slightly jubilant. Nevertheless, it will still take time for him to actually reach the appropriate level to do that. Additionally, repeated consumption of True Dragon's Blood Essence has a diminishing effect. 

By his initial calculations, if he could harvest the dragon's blood from everybody in the tribe, he'll only barely reach the 20% bloodline concentration. This is still good of course, it would be better if there's more but beggars can't be picky. 

'And it's not like I can't make do with 10%. In reality, this is enough. So long as I'm determined and my cultivation rises up, I'll be able to increase this potency thanks to my cultivation technique.'

It's as Vendrick says, the reason why anyone who manages to get their hands of True Dragon's Blood Essence years to cultivate the Ancient Dragon King's Scripture is due to its ability to increase the potency of their bloodline. The technique has records of many ways to do this and that's why its highly coveted…

'I'll reach the Dragon's Marrows Stage by the end of the day. Next week, I'll reach Dragon Veins Stage and once I reached that stage I'll be able to condense Dragon's Aura, by then even if all the Elders of this tribe come at me, I could smack them away like annoying flies.'

Vendrick released a long sigh as he woke up from his meditation. He goal is to reach the Dragon's Marrows by the end of the days so he didn't want to delay this any further. 

In order to reach that stage, Vendrick has to rouse his True Essence and have it wash his marrows, this will invoke a special mutation that will transform his marrows into that of a True Dragon as well, allowing him to perfect his physique and extend his longevity by a 300,000 years - which is the natural lifespan of an Infant True Dragon. 

Doing this might also increase the potency of his bloodline as well but it is not guaranteed. If he wanted a guaranteed increase, then he had to reach the Dragon's Heart Stage, depending on how strong his foundations are at that time, he might even reach a 100% bloodline potency. 

"Enough distractions...I should concentrate." Vendrick shook his head and cleared his mind. 

Once he calmed down, he assumed the Crouching Dragon Stance and began breathing an rhythmical pattern. A few seconds after he assumed the stance, wisps of white smoke began rising up from his body. 

The temperature on his body kept increasing, he could feel his blood boiling and his muscles pulsating. Despite this, Vendrick didn't feel pain nor any discomfort at all. He closed his eyes and focused on the sensation, guiding his True Essence of wash his marrows as thoroughly as he could. 

Thanks to the Inner Vision provided by the Crystal Sky Eyes, he could see the process clearly, and with his godly control over his true essence, the process went smoothly and easily. 

At some point, Vendrick started bleeding out of his orifices but he didn't mind, he can't help it since this is part of the process. The blood that's being expelled out of his body was his murky mortal blood, he has no use for this and in fact, getting rid of it was better rather than having it since it will just taint the new and vigorous blood that his tempered marrows will produce. 

Loud crackling noise sounding like faint dragon roars erupted from his body. He could feel the burden of this process but Vendrick remain as solid and unmoving as a mountain. Not a groan of pain escaped his lips, he didn't even frown at all. He looks so relaxed that he's making it easy but in reality, it's not. 

The thick fog of True Essence funneled through his body. Vendrick inhales True Essence like a whale dying from thirst. It raised quite a commotion but Arthur and Rosa remain were they were since they've became used to this by now. 

*Click!* *Click!*

Vendrick heard peculiar sounds rising from his body, this was the sound of his mortal shackles cracking bit by bit. Additionally, he could also feel that he's being swallowed up by a large tide that wants to drown him thoroughly but he held on. 

Finally, loud booming sounds occurred from his body and his breakthrough succeeded. Vendrick inhaled more True Essence to treat his body but what made him happier his that...

His True Dragon Bloodline Potency increased from 20% to 30%.