Zhao Tianxiong pondered for a moment.
“Boss, in the beginning, attributes can be stacked as long as you have the points to exchange for them.
However, breaking past 30 points is extremely difficult due to the limitations of the human body.
“Under normal circumstances, Participants can only raise their attributes to a maximum of 30 points through point exchanges.
That is the threshold.”
“To break past 30 points, one must transcend human limits,” he continued.
“This is usually done through bloodline exchanges—like the Demons, Dwarves, and Elves in this current world.
All of those allow a person to exceed the upper limit.
“Alternatively, there’s that major figure from our province, codenamed Ice Rock.
He supposedly obtained a supernatural stimulant of Gold quality or higher in the Tyrant Empire world, which allowed him to join the ranks of the truly powerful.”
He paused.
“For instance, I’m currently stuck at 30 points in Strength.
Furthermore, even if you do break past 30, the cost for every single point gained thereafter is several times higher than before.”
“Are items that allow breakthroughs common on the market?” Luo Han asked, stroking his chin.
“Extremely rare,” Chen Tianlong interjected.
“Every time one appears, it triggers a bidding war between the major organizations.
“However…” He suddenly remembered something.
“The Dark River organization is holding an auction the night after tomorrow.
They’re rumored to have a few items that help break attribute limits, though the specifics are still unclear.”
Luo Han’s eyes lit up.
“Tell me more about this auction.”
Chen Tianlong pulled up the information on his phone.
“The Dark River organization holds an underground auction once a month.
Participants need at least 500 points or a formal invitation to attend.
“The location changes every time.
The list of items is released the night before the event.
This time, it’s being held at Warehouse 7 in the Pier District, starting at 21:00 the day after tomorrow.”
“How many slots do we have?”
“Our Blood Battle Society has three invitations.
Each invitee can bring one additional person.”
“Good.” Luo Han nodded.
“Zhao Tianxiong, you’ll take me the night after tomorrow.
You and Sister Hong maintain your usual social appearances; you can decide who you want to bring.
“Now, compile all the intelligence files the Blood Battle Society has gathered over the years—especially the sections on attribute breakthroughs, bloodlines, and rare resource channels.
I want to see a report as soon as possible.”
“Understood.”
***
Afterward, Luo Han went home and told his parents he had been hired as a personal bodyguard by Zhao Tianxiong, a well-known local figure in the construction materials industry.
It took quite a bit of persuasion before he was able to move out.
He had too many secrets now.
For his parents, knowing too much would only lead to unnecessary worry.
It was better this way.
He planned to transfer his “high bodyguard salary” to them regularly, letting them decide how they wanted to live their lives.
To ensure their safety, Luo Han bought the apartment directly across from his parents’ home.
He stationed Zhao Li and Wang Dong—the two Blood Battle Society lackeys he had first controlled—to protect them 24 hours a day, including providing a perimeter watch when they went to work.
Finally, Luo Han arrived at the safe house Zhao Tianxiong had prepared for him at the Jinding Club.
This place had been specially modified to prevent AI detection of supernatural fluctuations.
The interior was fully equipped with living facilities and included a large martial arts training ground, spacious enough even if Luo Han decided to experiment with summoning a Flame Demon. New chapters come out on g.com first.
After spending a day familiarizing himself with his new items, Luo Han began studying the intelligence files sent by the Blood Battle Society.
The files were thick, categorized into various types of information collected over the past few months.
He skimmed through them, focusing on several key sections.
[Attribute Breakthrough Case Compilation]: This recorded seventeen known cases in the city where the 30-point attribute threshold had been broken.
Twelve used bloodlines, while five used other means.
After a breakthrough, every attribute point required massive resources to increase, but doing so would grant “Breakthrough Affixes,” forming specialized Talents.
[Bloodline Fusion Risks and Combat Potential Assessment]: This detailed several tragic cases of bloodline conflicts.
The mildest resulted in energy disorders, rendering skills unusable; the most severe involved bodily collapse, turning the individual into an indescribable monster.
The report also analyzed the immediate combat power and future potential of various bloodlines.
The summary stated: Professional evaluation is recommended before any bloodline fusion.
Combat power and potential must be balanced, and one must be wary of “growth-type” traps.
There were also issues with upper limits and compatibility.
During the first Wuxia Collision World, someone merged with a Demonic Sword that could absorb internal energy, cultivating a “Man-Sword Demonic Body.” He was a sensation at the time, but as the power systems of subsequent worlds unfolded, he fell from the ranks of top experts to the second tier of the Real Realm’s powerhouses.
[Real World Resource Channels]: This listed nineteen major organizations nationwide, two of which were within the province.
The Dark River organization was the largest trading and intelligence platform in the province, with rare items surfacing at their monthly auctions.
There was also the Crimson Heart Society, an old-guard organization that rose during the first Wuxia Collision World.
Because they leaned toward the path of chivalry, they gained significant public support and possessed immense influence among the people.
Even the government’s initial development of AI energy detection was spurred by the sudden emergence of so many “vigilantes.”
Supposedly, since the previous world opened up the Paladin class, many members of the Crimson Heart Society had multiclassed into it.
[Participant Power Distribution]: Participants in the city were divided into several factions: the government-backed “United Front Department,” the corporate-funded “Corporate Alliance,” and independent “Lone Wolves.” Finally, there were the “Darkside Organizations” of the underworld.
The Blood Battle Society was one of them.
Luo Han read quickly; his enhanced memory allowed him to retain almost everything at a glance.
By the time he reached the last page of the files, the sky outside had already darkened.
At 19:00, while Luo Han was resting and thinking, Zhao Tianxiong knocked and entered with a tablet in hand.
“Boss, the detailed manifest for the Dark River auction is out.” He handed the tablet to Luo Han.
“There are forty-two items in total, covering equipment, materials, consumables, and bloodlines.
The finale item has been confirmed.
It’s…”
Luo Han took the tablet, his gaze falling on the last line of the list.
[Lot No.
42: Red Dragon Bloodline Essence (Hatchling Stage)] [Quality: Gold] [Description: Source essence derived from a Red Dragon.
Upon use, the user obtains the Red Dragon Bloodline (Hatchling Stage).
The owner will gain basic draconic abilities such as Dragon Scale Defense and Fire Breath, along with the corresponding potential of a Red Dragon, unlocking a Red Dragon transformation form.] [Note: The growth cycle of the Red Dragon bloodline is extremely long.
It takes approximately one hundred years of natural growth to progress from a hatchling to a standard adult dragon, or a massive amount of resources to accelerate the process.
This is a growth-type bloodline; bidders are advised to consider carefully.] [Starting Bid: 5,000 Points]
“How much?
Five thousand?” Luo Han’s eyes twitched involuntarily when he saw the price.
“Yes,” Zhao Tianxiong said with a bitter smile.
“Even though this bloodline is only Gold quality, Red Dragons are a famously powerful and evil race from the last Collision World.
It’s a pity it’s only the hatchling stage.
If it were adult or higher, the rank would likely be above Gold.”
“How did something this good end up in our city?
I feel like it should at least be in the provincial capital.”
“It’s good, certainly, but there’s a specific problem with the Red Dragon bloodline—and the provincial capital has better finale items,” Zhao Tianxiong explained.
The physical defense of the dragon scales is comparable to Purple-grade equipment, and the power of the Dragon Breath is no less than Gold-quality offensive magic.
“It even includes Draconic Magic.
But the problem lies in the word ‘growth.’ It’s very easy for one’s combat power to fall behind the curve.”
He paused.
“A new Collision World opens every month.
You never know what the power level of your bloodline will be compared to future worlds.
For example, the Elf bloodline in this current Collision World is much better than the one from the previous world.
The Elves in the last world lived for about 750 years, but the Elves in this world are legendary for living over a millennium without reaching the end of their lifespan, and they possess incredible magical talent.
“So, as soon as this magic world appeared, the people who took caster classes in the previous world were filled with regret because they were limited by the spell slots of the Virtual Weave.
The mages from this world, however, can use magic through their own mana as long as they master the spells.
“Therefore, as you can see, using resources to accelerate the growth of a Red Dragon bloodline simply isn’t worth it.
According to our intel, maturing a hatchling bloodline to the adult stage requires an investment of at least ten thousand points in resources.
With that kind of capital, you’d be better off buying a pile of Gold equipment and exchanging for a bloodline that provides immediate combat power.”
Luo Han fell silent.
He looked at the description on the tablet, but in his heart, he wanted to try.
The journey through the myriad worlds would surely be long, and D&D dragon bloodlines were highly compatible.
The fact that dragons could breed with almost anything to produce dragonkin proved their potential for bloodline fusion.
He knew the “plot.” In the coming worlds, he would surely hold the advantage of foresight.
He didn’t lack opportunities.
Perhaps he could take a chance and bid on it.
“We’ll try for this item,” Luo Han decided.
Zhao Tianxiong was stunned.
“Boss, are you sure?
This is a massive money pit…”
“Listen to me.
I have my reasons,” Luo Han said firmly.
He handed the tablet back.
“Get ready.
We leave tomorrow night on time.”
“Yes.” Zhao Tianxiong bowed and withdrew.
After Zhao Tianxiong left, Luo Han stood by the window, looking out at the city’s night view.
Neon lights flickered, and traffic flowed like a river.
Beneath the surface of this seemingly peaceful Real World, undercurrents among the Participants were surging.
*It’s getting more and more interesting.*
Having learned so much, Luo Han felt a surge of joy.
This was what made this world and this journey interesting.
Luo Han clenched his fist.
The following night at 20:40, Warehouse 7, Pier District.
The Dark River auction was held right here, underground.
The warehouse looked dilapidated on the outside, its corrugated iron walls covered in rust, surrounded by stacks of abandoned shipping containers.
But inside, it was a different world.
Luo Han followed Zhao Tianxiong through several layers of disguised entrances, finally entering a sunken space capable of holding hundreds of people.
The underground had been converted into a three-tiered amphitheater.
At the very front was the display stage, surrounded by over a hundred seats.
Crystal chandeliers hung from the ceiling, their soft light illuminating the space.
The lighting was intentionally tuned to a dim amber, bathing the entire venue in a somber atmosphere.
The air was filled with a faint scent of incense, masking the original musty smell of the warehouse.