There exists a group of people in the world unknown to the general public. They possess immense power, far exceeding that of ordinary individuals. However, they are very low-key, never revealing their identities in public. They have their own secretive circle, shrouded in mystery, making it impossible for ordinary people to truly understand their lives.
They live among ordinary people, going to work and coming home each day. In their free time, they might visit a bar for a drink. They are as busy as anyone else daily. If they do not display their strength, others would never realize that they possess such tremendous power.
Perhaps you would never know that your neighbor could be a martial arts master capable of tearing you apart with a mere gesture, someone with whom you might have had a heated argument.
This is a circle of the strong. With the rapid advancement of technology and the invention of powerful weapons, these individuals have gone into hiding. As times progressed, they found themselves increasingly incompatible with the era. Powerful weapons can easily kill them. A martial artist who hasn't reached the Earth level can hardly withstand the attack of modern weapons. Regardless of their strength or power, a single bullet could effortlessly end their life.
Reaching the Earth level is a mere aspiration for most martial artists. The scarcity of spiritual energy on Earth has made cultivation extremely difficult. Many spend their entire lives in the Human level. On Earth, the Earth level is synonymous with mastery.
These individuals no longer seek dominance but rather aim for immunity to disease and extended longevity. A Human level martial artist can almost be disease-free and live up to 150 years, the natural limit for ordinary humans.
If someone with good aptitude works hard and luckily reaches the Earth level, their body would break through certain limits, evolving to allow a lifespan of up to 250 years.
Moreover, if a person is exceptionally gifted and reaches the Small Heaven level, they could potentially live for five centuries, or 500 years. However, those who achieve the Small Heaven level on Earth can be counted on one hand. Reaching this level requires talent, effort, and even serendipitous encounters. Their breakthroughs are full of uncertainties.
As for the Great Heaven level, it may as well be a myth, as no human has ever reached this level.
In the era of cold weapons, a Small Heaven level master could rampage unchallenged, doing as they please, even establishing a country with ease. Only those of the same level could balance their power.
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But now, in this so-called Age of Decline, a stray grenade could annihilate them, turning years of arduous cultivation into ashes.
Though they possess formidable power, their bodies lack the dragon's robust defense. Regardless of their strength, they are vulnerable and powerless before the might of the state.
So, the circle of martial artists remains extremely low-key, forced into hiding. However, today, this seemingly stagnant circle is experiencing dramatic upheaval.
Dragons, regardless of the mythology—be it Western dragons or Eastern dragons—are always seen as powerful beings.
They symbolize immense strength. For martial artists, dragons represent hope for a breakthrough in their abilities. The scarcity of spiritual energy has led to a shortage of rare treasures. Modern industrial development has caused devastating environmental damage, making those already rare treasures almost extinct. The appearance of a dragon, while astonishing, also brings a glimmer of hope to these martial artists.
Every part of a dragon is valuable: dragon blood, dragon meat, dragon liver, dragon heart—each one is a rare treasure. Perhaps consuming just a piece of dragon meat could help them break through their long-stagnant cultivation.
The title of Dragon Slayer is both magnificent and sacred. With only one dragon in the world, slaying it could ensure one's name is etched in history, potentially becoming another legend centuries later. Consequently, all martial artists who consider themselves powerful enough, or incredibly lucky, are eager to try. They are ambitious, sharpening their swords in preparation.
...
While the human world prepares to hunt the dragon, our dragon, Brandon Drake, is napping in his lair. The spiritual energy here is far inferior to that on the mysterious island, making cultivation inefficient. Brandon Drake decides to relax. Although cultivation doesn’t cause fatigue, the lack of sleep over a long period is unbearable. Since his reincarnation as a lizard, Brandon Drake hasn’t slept, spending every night in cultivation. The prolonged lack of sleep has left him mentally exhausted, so he convinces himself to take a good rest.
It has been nearly 20 days since Brandon secretly returned to the Snake Valley. The past days have been peaceful, which pleases him greatly. He enjoys this period of tranquility. Brandon is a peace-loving dragon and detests killing without reason. A peaceful life is what he truly enjoys.
He couldn't help but admire his own wisdom. Perhaps humans still don't realize that he has quietly returned to the Snake Valley. The most dangerous place is often the safest. Proud of his cleverness, Brandon chuckles softly.
However, even a soft chuckle from a dragon sounds thunderous. Angela, who was carrying a giant crocodile into the lair, was startled by the eerie laughter. The crocodile, placed on a large leaf, fell to the ground, covered in dust despite its aromatic, grilled exterior.
Angela quickly realized her mistake and let out a scream, hastily kneeling to apologize. Brandon daydream was abruptly interrupted by her scream, causing him immense displeasure. His voice boomed like rolling thunder through the cave.
"Human, you are the most foolish maid I've ever seen. Take the food out and redo it."
Angela's eyes reddened with extreme grievance, her nose stinging and tears welling up. She struggled to hold back her tears as she hurriedly picked up the giant crocodile and rushed outside, tears streaming down her face.