As a sub-dragon species, the Swift Dragon King had always been proud. Though classified as sub-dragons, Swift Dragons possessed such diluted draconic blood that humans barely considered them dragon-kin. Truthfully, their appearance resembled large birds far more than actual dragons.

But!

As the king of Swift Dragons, it exhibited a rare atavistic trait—born capable of exhaling gale-force magical storms. Was this what true dragon’s breath felt like?

This self-proclaimed ruler of the grasslands led its Swift Dragon tribe in wild, untamed gallops across the plains.

Until…

A blinding white flash erupted from the earth, shearing off half the dragon king’s wing.

Its subordinates fared no better. Tiny projectiles stole limbs—and lives—from the entire tribe.

Terror seized the Swift Dragon King. It had no idea what had happened. Letting out a pained wail, it ordered its kin to take flight. With half its wing gone, it could no longer soar.

Yet some refused to let them escape.

“Earth Magic: Gravity Surge!”

*Humans!*

Though not the strongest species, Swift Dragons survived on the plains through cunning. But against treacherous humans, their wit meant nothing.

Its body suddenly grew heavy. The dragons struggling skyward flapped desperately just to stay aloft. Their heavier forms drained stamina fast—they wouldn’t last long.

Rage ignited within the Swift Dragon King.

Its eyes scanned the battlefield, hunting the despicable humans. It was clever enough to know: if they could overpower it directly, they wouldn’t resort to such dirty tricks.

It was wrong.

A powerfully built man appeared before it. An aura radiated from him—terrifying even to a dragon. In his grip was an enormous blade unlike any the Swift Dragon had seen in human hands.

He charged.

Fueled by fury, the dragon channeled every ounce of strength into its core, forging the mightiest dragon’s breath of its life.

Chaotic wind magic poured forth, capable of obliterating anything in its path.

“Divine Art: Myriad Laws Impervious.” A white glow enveloped the man.

“Counter Magic: Wind Barrier!”

An invisible shield snapped into place before him.

The chaotic gale shattered against the barrier. Though partially dispersed, the force still sent the man flying—his blade snapped clean in half.

*Is this all it takes to stop my breath? Foolish human.*

But the man rose. Blood soaked his body, wounds that should have been fatal visibly knitting together under a pure white light. Life Magic swirled into his form.

Gripping the broken blade, he lunged—impaling the dragon king’s throat.

Defeat.

The Swift Dragon King fell.

Sub-dragon blood drenched Wang Qi. Heat surged through his veins. His very life force shifted, ascending to a higher tier…

---

Grass flaps lifted as several girls burst out from underground.

“Holy crap, I almost suffocated!” Zou Moan grumbled, brushing dirt off her clothes before hopping over to Wang Qi. She poked his arm. “Damn, Wang Qi! Is this what Physical Enhancement feels like?” Her hands roamed freely over his muscles.

Zhang Yemiao, watching Li Pingtian cleanse her with Divine Art nearby, facepalmed. *How can she be so shameless…?* She dashed over. “My turn to touch too~!”

Wang Qi had been scowling at Zou Moan’s antics, but Zhang Yemiao’s request left him no choice. Resigned, he held out his arm like livestock awaiting slaughter.

Zhang Yemiao and Zou Moan squeezed his upgraded muscles—testing their hardness, savoring the aura of power. A strange satisfaction hummed within them.

“Alright, enough,” Wang Qi said finally. “I’ve leveled up. Let’s head to our destination.”

Li Pingtian materialized beside them. She’d swapped her nun’s habit for a plain, modest dress. “We’re aiming for the tri-border zone between the Arcane Principality, God of War Empire, and Oceanic Deity Kingdom. It was once a harbor, but constant warfare turned it into a desolate wasteland… Rumor says even Sky Cities clashed there.”

Sky Cities.

The ultimate weapons of this world—like nuclear-armed aircraft carriers on Earth. Capable of striking land, sea, and air simultaneously with unmatched mobility. Thirteen Level-8 mages, each wielding a different elemental affinity, were required just to pilot one.

Even the Arcane Principality—a nation famed for forbidden magic—possessed only three. That alone proved their might.

“Then let’s go!” Zhang Yemiao declared.

She conjured a simple wooden cart, then knocked out several lightly injured Swift Dragons. Zou Moan approached, casting the lowest-tier “Arcane: Slave Bond” to force them into harnesses.

*Swift* Dragons lived up to their name—they made excellent draft beasts.

As Zhang Yemiao and Zou Moan worked, Li Pingtian suddenly grabbed Wang Qi’s arm. He blinked in surprise.

Her expression remained blank. “They both touched you. I want to touch too.”

“Why didn’t you join them earlier?”

Silence. Wang Qi sighed, letting her run her hands over him.

“Did you research that place?” he asked.

“It’s called Seasky City. Originally an Oceanic Deity Kingdom outpost for land invasions. But the battles there were so fierce, the terrain itself was reshaped. Now all three nations treat it as a warzone. Even during this ceasefire, it’s hell for any survivors.”

*Survivors after such devastation?* Wang Qi’s worry deepened. Establishing a faith here might be far harder than Li Pingtian predicted. *We’re still too weak…*

“Pingtian! Heal these dragons!” Zhang Yemiao called. “Zou Moan’s drained from casting Slave Bonds. We need them to pull the cart!”

Li Pingtian slipped away from Wang Qi.

As she healed the dragons, Zhang Yemiao sidled up behind her. “Pingtian… are you trying to steal him from me?”

Li Pingtian’s Divine Art flickered and died. She turned, face unreadable. Zhang Yemiao met her gaze squarely. “I confessed to Wang Qi, you know. If you like him too, let’s compete fairly. But if you don’t…” She flashed a deliberately cute smile. *Please don’t compete. Pingtian’s obsessions run deep—like her fixation on going back…*

Li Pingtian didn’t answer. She resumed her healing.

“Naa~ naa~ naa~ Pingtian~” Zhang Yemiao wrapped her arms around her, swaying. “Tell meee~”

The healing light shattered again. Li Pingtian stared coldly. “You reek of Dorm Leader vibes.”

Finally, a crack in her monotone.

Zhang Yemiao recoiled sheepishly, then fled to Wang Qi’s side.

The golden-haired girl tied her hair into twin tails. “Hehe~ Wang Qi, how’s this? Cute?” Her golden tails swayed.

For a moment, Wang Qi felt like he’d stepped into an anime world. *Well… I did technically transmigrate.*

“Oh! Twin tails? Dorm Leader, you never disappoint!” He nodded approvingly. He’d always had a soft spot for this look—especially on a blonde beauty like Zhang Yemiao. The ultimate tsundere twin-tail package.

Suddenly, she pressed close. “I asked Li Pingtian if she has feelings for you…”

*What?!* Wang Qi’s heart lurched. *She just… asked her outright? Since when did our Dorm Leader get this aggressive after confessing? Feels like she’ll pounce and ravish me if I slip up… Right? She wouldn’t…*

Curiosity gnawed at him. How *had* Li Pingtian responded?

Zhang Yemiao studied his face. “Wanna know?”

He nodded.

“She didn’t answer.”

Relief washed over him—followed by an odd pang of disappointment.

“But her silence *proves* something!” Zhang Yemiao’s eyes narrowed. “Normally, you’d just say ‘yes’ or ‘no.’ We’ve got no secrets here. Her vagueness is suspicious…” Her voice dropped to a whisper, warm and girlish against his ear: “Qi-gege… what do *you* want? Do you… hope she likes you? Or hope she *doesn’t*?”

Her scent and warmth flooded his senses. His thoughts scattered.

Before he could reply, she’d already skipped away. “Don’t forget Zou Moan! She’s been face-down in the dirt forever!”

Wang Qi murmured to the empty air: “Vixen…”