Legend of the Divine Archer

Wei Xi gasped as the cry of the wyvern inside him quieted, but the pain still flickered beneath his skin, like a storm barely contained. The bloodline had sensed Yan Jin's intent—it was no longer thrashing in protest, but waiting, poised on the edge of its desire.

Nie Li's eyes narrowed as he weighed his options. He clenched his jaw, his hands resting on the arms of his chair as he stared hard at Yan Jin. "Two million? You must really want that spear." His voice dripped with mockery, though there was an underlying frustration he could not hide.

Yan Bai glanced at Nie Li, clearly assessing the situation. He leaned forward, as if preparing to place another bid, but then hesitated. His eyes flicked toward Wei Xi, who was still visibly suffering. Slowly, Yan Bai sat back in his chair, his expression unreadable.

Captain Nie leaned forward slightly, but after a moment of tense silence, he scoffed. "Two million… Hmph. It seems I'll have to find something else to occupy my time." His voice dripped with venom, his eyes boring into Yan Jin with a cold fury. "You've made an enemy today, Yan Jin."

Yan Jin met his gaze evenly, not flinching under the pressure. He could feel Wei Xi's body finally beginning to relax beside him, the wyvern spirit calming as it sensed victory. Nie Li's thinly veiled threat hung in the air, but Yan Jin remained composed. He had secured the spear for Wei Xi, and that was all that mattered.

As the auctioneer's gavel came down, signaling the end of the bidding war, Wei Xi slumped back in his chair, his breath ragged but relieved. The spear was theirs.

The room slowly came back to life, the tension breaking as people murmured in awe of the staggering amount Yan Jin had spent. But for Yan Jin, it wasn't about the money—it was about saving his friend from the torment of his own bloodline.

After Yan Jin's decisive win at the auction, the atmosphere in the grand hall shifted. The intensity that had gripped the room moments earlier melted into a sea of hushed whispers, curious glances, and speculative murmurs.

The guests of Pine City, dressed in their finest silks and robes, huddled together in small groups, their voices low but excited. Yan Jin had not only won the spear, but he had also done so with such ease, spending two million bloodstones without so much as blinking.

Near the auction entrance, two merchants whispered to each other. One, a stout man with a bejeweled ring on every finger, leaned toward his companion, a thin, wiry figure with a sharp gaze. "Two million bloodstones! Can you believe it? That boy isn't even from Pine City, yet he throws money around like it's nothing."

The wiry man nodded, his brow furrowed. "It's not just the money. Didn't you see the way Nie Li backed down? That's the captain of the Golden Warriors. If even he hesitated to push further, Yan Jin must have something backing him, something we don't know."

In another corner, two aristocratic women, dressed in elegant gowns embroidered with gold thread, shared knowing looks. "Do you think he has a money gourd?" one of them asked, her painted lips curling into a sly smile.

The other woman giggled softly, though her eyes gleamed with envy. "A money gourd, or perhaps a wealthy benefactor. Either way, Yan Jin certainly knows how to make an entrance. First, he dazzles everyone at the banquet, and now this?"

"But who could he be? No ordinary merchant can spend like that." The first woman fanned herself delicately. "The Yan Clan doesn't like outsiders. I wonder how long they'll tolerate someone who upstages them at every turn."

Across the room, a group of younger cultivators buzzed with excitement. One of them, a boy with short-cropped hair and a lean build, muttered in awe, "Did you see that? Two million! He just raised his hand like it was nothing! I wish I had that kind of money. I'd be unstoppable!"

His friend, a girl with wide eyes and a ponytail, laughed. "It's not just the money, it's the way he carries himself. He made Nie Li—Nie Li, of all people—look like a fool." She lowered her voice. "I heard Captain Nie's pride was wounded. That's not good for Yan Jin. He'll have to watch his back."

The boy smirked. "Let Nie Li come. Did you see how calm Yan Jin was? It's like nothing fazes him. He must have some serious backing. Maybe he's from one of the hidden clans?"

Meanwhile, in the private suites, the more influential guests discussed Yan Jin's actions with keen interest. A gray-bearded elder with a prominent position in one of Pine City's top families stroked his beard thoughtfully. "That boy…he doesn't act like a typical merchant's son. He's too composed, too calculating.

He plays the part of an outsider well, but his moves are those of someone with experience in court intrigue."

Another elder, younger but no less shrewd, nodded in agreement. "There's no doubt about it. He's not just some upstart with wealth. He's playing the long game. It'll be interesting to see how the Yan Clan reacts."

From a shadowed corner of the suite, an enigmatic figure observed the room, their eyes sharp and calculating. "It's not just the Yan Clan that should be worried," they murmured to themselves. "If Yan Jin keeps making moves like this, Pine City will never be the same."

Even in the bustling streets outside the auction house, word of Yan Jin's grand bid spread like wildfire. Small-time merchants, beggars, and nobles alike exchanged stories of the mysterious boy who had spent two million bloodstones without breaking a sweat. Some said he was blessed by the gods; others whispered that he was cursed, destined to rise quickly and fall just as hard.

The beggars huddled near the gates gossiped amongst themselves, their tattered clothes barely shielding them from the cold breeze. "Two million bloodstones?" one old man with a grizzled beard muttered. "In all my years, I've never seen anyone spend like that. Must've been a lord from some far-off city."

A younger beggar shook his head, his eyes gleaming with greed. "No way. I heard he was an outsider with no known background. Someone like that isn't from just anywhere. He's got a fortune behind him, or some magic that brings wealth. Maybe we should follow him, see where he goes."

Inside the auction house, Yan Jin sat quietly, seemingly indifferent to the storm of whispers that surrounded him.

Wei Xi's gratitude was palpable as he sat beside Yan Jin, the weight of what had just transpired sinking in. His earlier discomfort from the intense bidding war was quickly replaced by a deep sense of appreciation. The spear, now in his possession, was not just a weapon; it was a symbol of Yan Jin's trust and the bond they shared.

Wei Xi looked at Yan Jin, his eyes brimming with emotion. "Big brother, I don't know how to thank you enough. You've done more for me than anyone ever has. I promise…I swear, I won't disappoint you. I'll prove myself worthy of your faith."

Yan Jin gave a small, reassuring smile. "You don't need to prove anything to me, Wei Xi. Just continue to grow, to be who you're meant to be."

Wei Xi swallowed hard, his gratitude mingling with the anticipation coursing through him. Without wasting another moment, he grasped the spear tightly and focused his blood energy, letting it flow into the weapon. Immediately, the air around him changed. The room grew heavy with a thick, feral energy, as if the very essence of a storm was brewing inside the confines of the auction suite.

Wei Xi's breath quickened as he felt the spear respond to his touch. His bloodline surged wildly within him, reacting to the wyvern's power stored within the spear. The weapon began to glow faintly, vibrating in his hands before suddenly liquefying into a stream of silver energy that rushed toward his chest.

"Ahh!" Wei Xi gasped as the spear transformed into a phantom wyvern spine, its jagged bone structure piercing into his body, embedding itself directly into his spine. His eyes widened in shock and pain as he felt the bone sink deeper and deeper, intertwining with his very being.

The room was filled with the sound of Wei Xi's gasping breaths and pained groans as the spine rooted itself into his body, fusing with his bloodline. The intense energy coursing through him felt like fire scorching his veins, and his muscles spasmed uncontrollably under the sheer pressure of the transformation.

He doubled over, his body wracked with agony, as his bloodline went through a forced evolution.

Yan Jin watched in silence, his face calm but his eyes sharp with focus. He knew this was no ordinary bloodline evolution. The spear, forged from the spine of a royal-grade wyvern, was forcing Wei Xi's bloodline to evolve beyond its current state. It was a dangerous process, one that could break a weaker person, but he had faith in Wei Xi's strength.

Wei Xi's body began to change. His fingers extended, and thick, sharp claws sprouted from his hands, their tips glowing faintly with blood energy. His eyes, once wide with pain, narrowed into feral slits, glowing with the intense, predatory gaze of a wyvern. His pupils became vertical, and the whites of his eyes darkened to an eerie gold.

The energy around him grew even more feral as his bloodline, now in the throes of transformation, surged uncontrollably. His very presence radiated power and danger.

The pain was excruciating, but Wei Xi gritted his teeth, refusing to cry out any further. His body convulsed again as his bloodline reached its breaking point. The royal wyvern blood within him, previously dormant, was now fully awakened, roaring through his veins like a rampaging beast.

Then, with a final, guttural groan, the transformation completed. The feral energy that had filled the room dissipated slightly, though it remained simmering beneath the surface of Wei Xi's aura. He slowly stood up, his breath ragged but controlled, his body now more powerful than before.

Yan Jin watched with a quiet satisfaction as Wei Xi's transformation stabilized. His friend was no longer the boy he had been moments ago. He had evolved—his bloodline had been elevated to an imperial-grade wyvern, the epitome of his lineage.

Wei Xi looked at his hands in awe, flexing his new claws. He could feel the raw, untamed power coursing through his body. The once-faint connection to his wyvern bloodline had been strengthened tenfold. His senses were sharper, his strength more intense. His entire being felt more alive, more dangerous.

"Big brother," Wei Xi said, his voice hoarse but filled with determination, "I can feel it. My bloodline…it's stronger, more potent. I feel… unstoppable."

Yan Jin smiled, though his expression remained calm. "Good. You've been given a rare gift. Remember to use it wisely, Wei Xi."

Wei Xi bowed deeply to Yan Jin, his gratitude palpable. "Thank you So much. I will never forget this,"

Yan Jin simply nodded, though his eyes sparkled with quiet approval. "No need for thanks. It's just money."

Wei Xi grinned, though his eyes still gleamed with the wildness of his new wyvern bloodline.