The Azure Nest buzzed with energy. Spirit qi spiraled endlessly from the activated gathering formation, drawing in vitality from the surroundings. The pond shimmered, herbs thrived, and even the air sang with cultivation potential.
But such abundance came with danger.
---
Boom. Boom. Boom.
A thunderous pressure rolled through the trees. Birds scattered. Smaller spirit beasts fled in droves.
Something massive approached.
The cavern entrance quaked as a colossal figure emerged from the treeline—an enormous Titan-Armored Giant Ape. Its bulging muscles rippled beneath thick gray fur. Bone-like plates jutted from its shoulders and knuckles, and crimson eyes burned with wild hunger.
> [Warning! Intruder Detected]
Species: Titan-Armored Giant Ape
Realm: Qi Sea Stage (Three Realms Above Host)
Bloodline Grade: Epic (Titan Ancestor Ape – 78% Purity)
Status: Drawn by abnormal spirit qi concentration. Highly aggressive.
Long Tian's golden eyes narrowed. His instincts screamed, but his pride held firm.
"This is my domain now," he said, voice low but firm. "You have two choices: kneel—or be broken."
The ape snarled and answered with violence.
---
The battle was chaos.
Long Tian lunged and slashed, his Dragon Claw Technique leaving glowing trails of qi. Yan Yue attacked with roaring flames, while Bai Xue unleashed sharp frost arcs to hinder the beast's movement.
But the gap in power was overwhelming. One swing of the ape's fist shattered stone. Long Tian crashed into the cavern wall, blood trickling from his jaw.
As the ape charged for a killing blow—
> [System Notification]
[Subordinate Seal Eligible – Host has not yet used any of the 3 initial Subordinate Seals.]
Target: Titan-Armored Giant Ape
Bloodline Tier: Epic
Realm Gap: 3 Tiers
Suppression Chance (Weakened Target): 67%
Would you like to use 1 Subordinate Seal?
[Confirm] [Decline]
Long Tian's eyes flashed.
"Confirm."
Golden light erupted from his chest. A complex seal—woven with ancient draconic runes—shot forward and slammed into the ape's forehead. The beast howled, clawing at the mark burning into its soul.
Then it dropped to its knees.
> [Seal Successful – Loyalty Level: 50 (Obedient)]
New Subordinate Registered:
Temporary Name: Stonecrusher
Race: Titan-Armored Giant Ape
Role: Guardian Beast of Azure Nest
The air grew still.
Yan Yue, flame dimmed, stared in disbelief. "You just enslaved something three realms above you…"
Bai Xue nodded, eyes wary. "The seal… it's ancient. Not brute force. Bloodline command."
Long Tian stood tall despite his wounds. "Not all battles are won through power alone. Sometimes, dominion is enough."
He turned toward the forest beyond the cave. The world was vast, and the Azure Nest was only the seed of his future.
> [New Mission Unlocked – Domain Expansion]
• Expand Azure Nest to Tier 2
• Discover nearby spirit beast factions
• Secure rare resources and relics
• Establish influence over nearby regions
The dragon hatchling looked at his growing domain—a guardian now standing beside him—and took his first true breath as a ruler.
The world had been warned.