Orion nodded grimly, his eyes calmly yet solemnly scanning the ancient battlefield stretching endlessly before them. "Exactly. Each decade, warriors gather here to spill even more blood. I doubt anyone even remembers clearly what started this all."
Arya softly whispered, her voice filled with sorrow, "So many lives wasted... for what?"
The day gradually slipped toward evening, the oppressive gray skies deepening into hues of orange and crimson.
As the sun dipped below the distant horizon, Duke Varian signaled his unit to halt for the night as the rest of the commanders also stopped their respective soldiers.
Soldiers swiftly broke formation, spreading out across the flat, barren land, each unit beginning to erect their tents with precision.
Soon, hundreds of thousands of small campfires flickered gently across the encampment, casting long, dancing shadows upon the weary faces of warriors preparing themselves for the coming battle.
Orion and his companions stepped down from their ornate carriage, each stretching their limbs and quietly observing the soldiers around them.
The grim expressions of the common warriors, filled with resignation yet steely determination, were sobering reminders of the cost of war.
Even as night approached, the dense, acrid scent of blood lingered oppressively in the air, mingling with the smoke of cooking fires and quiet murmurs of conversation.
Soon, Duke Varian approached them, his amber eyes somber and filled with heavy responsibility. The lines of worry and tension upon his face had deepened since their last meeting.
He spoke softly, voice steady yet tinged with sorrow. "We’ll rest here for tonight. By tomorrow afternoon, we’ll reach the battlefield itself."
Orion nodded solemnly in acknowledgment, his gaze calmly meeting the Duke’s. His companions remained respectfully silent, sensing the heavy burden Duke Varian bore.
After a moment of quiet reflection, Orion spoke quietly, "What about the other groups? Are they prepared?"
Varian sighed deeply, nodding with confidence. "Yes. The other nobles, mercenaries, and outsiders from other worlds have their own commanders and have taken strategic positions in the army. However, there’s uncertainty. No one truly knows how fierce the anomaly’s forces will be, nor how prepared the Lionkin are for this battle."
Elias folded his arms thoughtfully, his voice quite realistic. "It’s difficult to trust foreign groups. Everyone fights for their own purpose here, not just for your kingdom."
Varian nodded gravely, acknowledging Elias’s concern. "Indeed. That’s the greatest uncertainty. Alliances of convenience can fracture under pressure. But we have no choice but to trust that everyone understands the greater threat. Or at least they will fight by our side until that anomaly is defeated."
The discussion gradually shifted toward lighter exchanges before Varian excused himself, stepping away to confer quietly with his generals.
Orion and his group quickly set about pitching their individual tents, moving efficiently thanks to the training they’d undergone earlier.
Arya and Emilia set theirs up swiftly, exchanging quiet, reassuring smiles as they worked side-by-side. Sylvia erected her tent meticulously.
Kale silently pitched his own with calm proficiency, while Felira and Elias finished theirs with practiced ease, occasionally joking softly to relieve the heavy atmosphere.
Inside his tent, Orion sat cross-legged upon a meditation mat, eyes closed briefly as he focused inward, gathering his thoughts and mana.
After a moment of quiet contemplation, he opened his eyes and carefully reached into his inventory. He retrieved a small vial carved from pale, polished bone, the amber liquid within viscous and shimmering gently in the lantern’s soft light.
[Master,] Lumi’s gentle, curious voice echoed softly in his mind, tinged with mild surprise. [Do you plan to take the Drakebone Marrow Elixir right now?]
Orion’s expression turned calm, filled with anticipation as he softly nodded his head. ’Yes. With this elixir, I should be able to reach the sixth level of the Body Path Realm. Tomorrow’s battle will require every ounce of strength I possess. I can’t afford to hold back now.’
Lumi’s presence brightened slightly, filled with quiet approval.
[Understood, Master! I’ll monitor your condition carefully. Let’s succeed together! (๑•̀ㅂ•́)و✧]
Orion smiled warmly at Lumi’s enthusiastic encouragement, feeling his tension ease slightly at her calming presence.
He held the bone-white vial delicately, its polished surface cool against his fingertips. The viscous amber liquid within shimmered softly, radiating a vibrant, potent energy that resonated subtly with his draconic bloodline.
Taking a deep breath to steady himself, Orion tilted his head back and emptied the contents of the vial in a single, decisive gulp.
Immediately, a fierce heat blossomed from his throat, racing downward and rapidly permeating every part of his body. The powerful elixir surged violently through his veins, sending ripples of fiery energy pulsing through him.
Without hesitation, Orion swiftly closed his eyes, focusing inward and channeling his soul power according to the intricate methods outlined in the Ninefold Physique Refinement Scripture.
His breathing slowed, becoming deep and rhythmic as he concentrated on guiding the rampaging energy of the elixir toward his bone marrow—the critical focus of the scripture’s sixth stage: Bone Marrow & Circulatory Enhancement.
The fiery energy from the Drakebone Marrow Elixir rapidly condensed within his bone marrow, sinking deeply into the core of his skeletal structure.
A sensation like molten metal coursing through his bones engulfed him, intensely painful yet invigorating at the same time.
Orion maintained his steadfast concentration, harnessing the potent medicinal energy, directing it purposefully into his marrow, methodically cleansing and refining it with utmost precision.
As the elixir’s effects merged deeply into Orion’s bone marrow, another potent reaction erupted simultaneously within his bloodstream.
His dormant draconic bloodlines, sensing the rare, potent nourishment, awakened violently, surging forth with insatiable greed. They began voraciously absorbing the elixir’s essence, eagerly drawing it into their core in a fervent attempt to evolve further.
Orion inwardly noted the familiar yet still remarkable sensation of his draconic lineage stirring within him, the potent bloodline roaring to life, yet he could sense the barriers to its next evolution still remaining distant and formidable.
Despite the draconic bloodlines’ relentless desire, Orion understood clearly they were still far from a complete evolution, though undeniably inching closer with every potent treasure consumed.
He redirected his focus, carefully balancing the elixir’s energy between his bloodlines and his current task. The dense, radiant energy swiftly spread throughout his body, enhancing his circulatory pathways, cleansing impurities, and significantly increasing the potency and flow of mana within every vein and artery.
Beads of sweat formed across Orion’s forehead, trickling silently down his brow, a testament to the immense strain of balancing and guiding such formidable forces within him.
His breathing grew deeper yet steadier as he methodically integrated the elixir’s energy into every part of his being.
Slowly but steadily, Orion felt his circulatory system undergoing profound enhancement, his veins and meridians expanding and strengthening, capable now of containing and circulating even greater quantities of pure mana.
Throughout the night, Orion continued this painstaking refinement. Outside his tent, silence enveloped the massive encampment, broken only by faint murmurs, occasional clinking armor, and crackling campfires.
Within his quiet tent, however, a fierce internal battle of concentration, refinement, and evolution raged silently.
Time gradually slipped by unnoticed, the night deepening until dawn began painting faint hints of grey upon the distant horizon.
As the first gentle rays of daylight filtered through the seams of his tent, Orion’s refinement finally reached completion.
His bone marrow and circulatory system had been profoundly transformed, now radiating an intense vitality, strength, and purity far surpassing their previous state.