The Death of Xiaolin: The Dust Settles

"Hmm? Blocked?"

Dragon Lord hesitated for a moment before explaining, "Perhaps it's because this is your first time dual cultivating, and with someone who possesses the Innate Pure Yin Body at that. That might explain this strange reaction."

"Don’t overthink it. Didn’t you just experience how fast your cultivation speed was? Now, push harder and break through this blockage. You might gain something unexpected."

"You’ve always been blessed with opportunities, kid. Who knows? This might be another one."

Dragon Lord grew more and more excited as he spoke.

Xiao Lin, too, found his words increasingly convincing.

Dragon Lord was right. Even his master had said his fortune was immense—opportunities were something he’d never lack in this lifetime.

And... the harder it was for his qi to circulate through his meridians, the more it proved his meridians were being tempered, right?

After all... back when he was refining his body, he had to endure suffering and pain before becoming stronger!

With this in mind, Xiao Lin let out a low shout—Boom!

Dragon God’s aura erupted from his entire body. He was determined to break through this obstruction and emerge anew!

Dragon Lord watched in astonishment and cheered, "Xiao Lin! Quick! Your aura is surging! You’re about to break through again!"

"Genius! You’re an absolute genius!!!"

A violent energy stormed through the room.

But... in less than half a breath—

Crack!! Snap!!

Like a tightly strung bowstring suddenly snapping—

"Gah—!!!"

The moment Xiao Lin forced himself to break through the blockage, a sharp pain tore through his chest.

A metallic taste flooded his throat. Before he could stop himself, he opened his mouth, and a torrent of black blood gushed out.

At the same time, his soaring aura plummeted instantly.

"Wh... What?!"

"...What’s happening?"

Xiao Lin clutched his mouth, his eyes wide with terror, his voice hoarse. Blood continued to seep through his fingers.

Dragon Lord, standing nearby, was stunned.

Then—

Crack! Snap! Bang! Bang!!

Like a chain reaction, Xiao Lin’s entire body began convulsing unnaturally.

He collapsed to the ground, writhing in agony as he vomited black blood.

The floor was soon drenched in the inky, poisonous fluid.

Xiao Lin’s eyes burned red with pain. His fingers dug into the floorboards as he screamed for help, "D-Dragon Lord... something’s wrong... something’s wrong..."

"My body... it hurts... everything hurts... AHH!!"

"ARGHHHH!!"

Snapping out of his shock, Dragon Lord rushed to Xiao Lin’s side. After sensing the blood he had vomited, he came to a horrifying conclusion—

"This is... Cultivation Destruction Potion!!!"

"How?! That girl actually used something like this to ruin your cultivation?!"

".........!!!"

"No!! Xiao Lin, your meridians are about to shatter!!"

Dragon Lord’s eyes bulged with panic. Just as he was about to stabilize Xiao Lin’s meridians—

Thud!!!

Hummm!!!

A wave of malevolent dark energy surged through the room.

Then—

A black hand materialized from the void.

In an instant, it seized Dragon Lord, whose face was frozen in terror.

At the same time—

Hummm! Hummm! Hummm!!

Figures clad in eerie black uniforms emerged from the shadows, each wielding weapons radiating sinister energy.

Their target was clear—Xiao Lin, who lay helpless on the ground, his expression twisted in fear.

Slash! Slash! Slash!!

"ARGHHH!!!"

"Dragon Lord! Hel—"

His voice was cut off.

Swift and precise, the assailants worked in perfect coordination. In the span of a single breath—

Xiao Lin’s body was carved into uneven chunks of flesh.

Each piece bore a tiny, wriggling tendril. In the blink of an eye, the flesh was absorbed like nutrients, the tendrils growing from thread-like strands to the size of fingers.

But it wasn’t enough.

Xiao Lin’s physical form was gone—yet his spirit remained.

Then—

Slash!!

A blade strike imbued with annihilating force descended.

Xiao Lin’s soul was utterly obliterated.

All of this—

Happened in the blink of an eye.

"XIAO LIN!!!!!"

Dragon Lord roared in disbelief.

What just happened?! Why?! How?!

Xiao Lin... was dead?!

This wasn’t how the prophecy went!

Who... who was behind this?!

This power... this familiar energy...

It’s...

Dragon Lord stiffly turned his head, his body trembling uncontrollably as he faced the one who had restrained him.

When he saw the figure—whose face remained as obscured as it had been all those years ago—

Dragon Lord could no longer suppress the terror from his past.

"Ni... Night King!!!"

He... actually killed Xiao Lin?!

The Chosen One of this world?!

This can’t be real!!!

Gu Yan’s expression was calm as he examined the so-called Dragon Lord in his grasp.

"Dragon God?"

He smirked. "Ah, no—just a consciousness formed from dozens of dragon auras."

Then—

Crunch!!

Dragon Lord let out a final scream before being completely absorbed by Claws.

[Congratulations, Claws! You’ve devoured 22 dragon auras~~!!]

[Congratulations, Claws! Your cultivation has advanced to the mid-stage of Grandmaster!!]

[When Claws envelops the host, the host will inherit Claws’ full power!]

[All cell parasites within the host’s body have evolved! Parasite potential increased!]

[Congratulations, Claws! You’ve obtained the title ‘I Am the Dragon God,’ granting innate intimidation against dragon-type beings~~!]

?

Gu Yan raised an eyebrow.

Am I the host, or is Claws the host?

Tch, whatever.

He glanced around. The blood and filth on the floor had already been devoured by Claws’ cells.

And thanks to the [Water Mirror]’s power, the commotion hadn’t reached Shen Wan’er, who was still washing up.

With everything settled, Xiao Lin’s death meant Leng Qingqiu had lost her most formidable rival.

Now, all that remained was...

Gu Yan’s senses expanded across a hundred-mile radius. He detected an unknown force tearing through layers of space, rushing toward him.

Heh. The Old Dragon King’s men, no doubt.

Of course. Xiao Lin’s purpose wasn’t just to be a protagonist.

Dying this early would undoubtedly drive the Old Dragon King mad.

But... in the past, Gu Yan had lacked the strength to confront him directly.

Now, though...

Every preparation was complete.

The time had come to act without restraint.

With that thought—

Hum!

Gu Yan and his subordinates melted into the night, vanishing without a trace.

Some time later...

Click~

"Xiao Lin, I just remembered something. That prescription you gave me earlier..."

"Xiao Lin?"

Shen Wan’er stepped out of the bathroom, drying her hair, only to freeze.

The room was empty.

She blinked in confusion.

"Xiao Lin... where did you go?"