[An unknown seal has been detected within the host’s body.]
[Warning!]
[The unknown seal is awakening.]
Scarlet system notifications flashed repeatedly.
At the same time, the bloodline power that had been rapidly fusing inside Asher’s body suddenly encountered an invisible obstruction. It felt as though a roaring river had slammed into an indestructible wall. The accumulated power had nowhere to go and could only crash violently through his blood vessels, bones, and internalpp organs.
Thump!
Asher’s heart pounded violently.
The next moment, black markings emerged from his chest and rapidly spread toward his neck and limbs. Wherever they passed, the skin that had just been strengthened by the Gatebreaker Bloodline began splitting apart, blood continuously seeping from the wounds.
"Asher!"
Irene’s expression changed drastically.
She had never expected that bottle of dark-red potion would produce such severe consequences. Without the slightest hesitation, she raised both hands, controlling dozens of Threads of Life to wrap around Asher’s body.
A soft blue radiance immediately bloomed.
The Threads of Life passed through his skin, precisely connecting to his damaged blood vessels and muscles before continuously injecting Irene’s life force into his body, trying to repair the wounds that were rapidly tearing apart.
However, she quickly realized that her healing speed simply could not keep up with the rate at which Asher’s body was being destroyed.
Every time one wound healed, the violent bloodline power would immediately burst through another patch of skin. Meanwhile, the black markings covering his body resembled ancient chains that had slept for countless years and were now gradually awakening under the stimulation of an external force.
"System, what’s happening?"
Asher gritted his teeth and asked inwardly.
[The Gatebreaker Bloodline is attempting to break through an unknown seal.]
"Who placed this seal?"
[Unable to determine.]
"Can the bloodline activation be stopped?"
[Once the activation process has begun, it cannot be interrupted.]
"What happens if I forcefully break the seal?"
The system fell silent for a brief moment.
Then a new series of notifications appeared before Asher’s eyes.
[Analysis complete.]
[The seal consists of nine layers.]
[Purpose of the seal: Conceal the bloodline’s aura and restrict the host’s life potential.]
[Estimated success rate for forcibly breaking the first layer: 37%.]
[Failure result: Host’s body collapses.]
"Only thirty-seven percent?"
[The host may choose to stop resisting.]
[The Gatebreaker Bloodline will be suppressed once again. The Bloodline Activator purchased this time will become completely ineffective. The 300 Lust Points spent will not be refunded.]
The veins on Asher’s forehead twitched.
"At a time like this, you’re still worried about refunds?"
[The system is merely reminding the host to value resources.]
"Tell me how to increase the success rate."
[External life energy is required to stabilize the host’s body.]
Asher raised his head and looked at Irene, who was doing everything she could to manipulate the Threads of Life.
Having just advanced to C-rank, she was already continuously using such a high-intensity skill. Her face had turned pale, and fine beads of sweat covered her forehead. Yet even as the Threads of Life kept snapping apart due to excessive mana consumption, she never stopped.
"Irene."
"Don’t talk."
She cut him off immediately.
"Your body is collapsing. I need to concentrate."
"If you keep this up, your mana will run out."
"Running out of mana is better than watching you die."
Irene increased her mana output once more.
More and more Threads of Life entered Asher’s body, weaving together into a complex and intricate web that forcibly stabilized his rupturing blood vessels, muscles, and bones.
The system’s voice echoed again.
[High-purity external life energy detected.]
[Seal breakthrough success rate increased.]
[Current success rate: 56%.]
Still not enough.
Asher could clearly feel that Irene was already approaching her limit.
If they continued relying solely on her Threads of Life, she would likely collapse from mana exhaustion long before the success rate reached a safe threshold.
"System, my Secret Essence can strengthen her skill. If I establish a life circulation through the Divine Aphrodisiac Body, can it improve the efficiency of energy transfer?"
The system remained silent for two seconds.
[Theoretical conclusion confirmed.]
[The host has obtained beginner-level control over the Divine Aphrodisiac Body and may actively establish a temporary Life Link with a contracted target.]
[Establish a Life Link with target Irene?]
"Establish it."
[Life Link initiated.]
Buzz!
A soft pink glow spread outward from Asher’s chest.
Irene, who was fully focused on casting her skill, trembled slightly.
She suddenly discovered that an indescribable connection had formed between herself and Asher. The life force that had previously flowed only into his body now began circulating in a complete cycle. At the same time, the vast, almost inexhaustible life energy within Asher surged back into her body through the Threads of Life.
Her nearly depleted mana recovered rapidly.
The Threads of Life also became noticeably brighter under the enhancement of that power.
[Life Link successfully established.]
[Target’s skill "Threads of Life" has received a temporary enhancement.]
[Seal breakthrough success rate: 81%.]
"Break the first layer."
Asher spoke without the slightest hesitation.
[Command confirmed.]
[Beginning breakthrough.]
Boom!
The bloodline power that had accumulated within Asher’s body exploded completely at that instant, like an ancient ferocious beast imprisoned for countless years. Carrying an unstoppable and terrifying force, it slammed fiercely into the black seal covering his entire body.
Crack!
A shattering sound that only Asher could hear echoed from the depths of his soul.
The black markings covering his chest shook violently. Part of them shattered beneath the impact of the Gatebreaker Bloodline, transforming into countless black particles that dispersed into the air.
At the same time, an extremely blurry memory suddenly surfaced in his mind.
A dimly lit room.
A baby wrapped in gentle light.
And a pale-faced woman standing beside the bed.
It was Lina.
Her hands rested upon the infant’s chest. Her eyes were filled with obvious reluctance and fear. Behind her stood a tall figure completely shrouded in darkness.