[Yanling: Monarch's Blaze] [Yanling, originating from the world of Dragon Raja, is an ability produced by the Dragon's gene, unique to pure-blooded dragons and their hybrids.] [A high-risk Yanling, sequence number 89—Yanling: Monarch's Blaze—grants the user control over fire and the power to create large-scale flame explosions.]
Lu Li stared at the reflection of his pure golden eyes in a nearby shattered mirror, his mind processing the power this unknown, great entity had bestowed upon him after saving his life.
His body was restored, his lineage altered, a new power gifted...
At this moment, Lu Li felt an unprecedented sense of clarity and vigor.
The Clockwork Meka, lacking self-awareness, simply looked at each other, confirmed that Lu Li was not dead, and charged at him once more.
Their speed, which should have been impossible to react to, now appeared clear and transparent to Lu Li. Every movement was perfectly tracked.
He was both shocked and overjoyed. Had his body really been enhanced to this degree?
Dodging a powerful punch from one Mek, Lu Li turned to face another's leg blade, wreathed in Hydro, as it sliced towards him. He threw a punch of his own.
It should have been an ordinary blow, but at that moment, his fist burst into flames.
When his flaming fist collided with the leg blade, the impact of fire and water created a massive cloud of white steam.
Simultaneously, as the other two Meka charged, the air within the factory began to heat up rapidly.
Lu Li chanted softly, "Yanling: Monarch's Blaze!"
"BOOM—"
A tremendous explosion echoed through the factory. A massive shockwave and a sea of fire swept through the area.
The entire unlicensed factory collapsed in an instant. From within the smoldering ruins and roaring flames, an unscathed Lu Li walked out of the smoke.
He was breathing heavily. He casually tossed aside the head of a Mek guard he was holding and looked at his own hand with a sense of elation.
This was the first ability he had obtained, Yanling: Monarch's Blaze... It was unbelievable. A single attack had destroyed the entire factory. Before, he wouldn't have even dared to dream of such power.
Although this strength was nothing in the eyes of top-tier experts, Lu Li could now be considered to have officially stepped onto the threshold of the extraordinary.
However, the joy quickly faded as he remembered that his mission was a failure. His partner was dead. According to the rules of the House of the Hearth, punishment was inevitable.
Furthermore, while Monarch's Blaze was powerful, it consumed a great deal of stamina. For now, he could only use it for instantaneous, explosive bursts of heat or to apply flames in a small area. He would need to practice diligently to master its use in combat.
He walked over to the charred corpse of his companion, their features burned beyond recognition. Lu Li's expression was complex. After a moment, he took out a body bag he had prepared, placed the remains inside, and slung the bag over his shoulder, leaving the mission site.
Evening
Lu Li entered the Fleuve Cendre via the sewer system beneath the Court of Fontaine. After giving the password to the gatekeeper, he entered the House of the Hearth's stronghold, the body bag still on his back.
A group of "family" members gathered, their faces grim as they saw Lu Li's disheveled appearance and the bag he carried.
"Lu Li, you failed the mission?" a young man who had worked with him before asked quietly.
"No... The intel was collected. I brought it back. But... the enemy's defenses were far stronger than reported. Paroni died. I couldn't save him..." Lu Li said softly, placing the body bag on the floor.
"..."
The others exchanged glances. "Even so, you'll probably still be punished. Try not to take it too hard..." one of them said.
Lu Li nodded with a sense of resignation.
Before long, the door to the room opened. The cat-eared girl he had partnered with many times and a tall, masked Wind Operative entered.
Lynette looked at the scene in surprise. Her brow furrowed, and she quickly took a roll of bandages from her pocket and walked towards Lu Li.
"I already bandaged it, Lynette," Lu Li said helplessly, feeling a little awkward as she removed his crude dressing and re-wrapped it neatly with a bow.
"The way you tied it won't stop the bleeding properly. Did you disinfect and apply medicine?" Lynette asked, her cat ears twitching slightly.
"I did," Lu Li replied.
Hearing this, Lynette gave a slight nod.
The Wind Operative walked over to the body bag, unzipped it, and stared silently at the charred remains inside. After a moment, she zipped it back up.
"Come with me, Lu Li," she said calmly. "You need to submit your mission report and a reflection on your failure. Lord 'Father' wishes to see you."
"Understood."
"Also, be prepared," the Wind Operative added softly. "Your mission was not a success. Your partner's death means you will be punished."
Beside them, Lynette pursed her lips slightly, but these were the rules of the House of the Hearth. No one could refuse to obey.
Lu Li nodded lightly, indicating that he understood.
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