LOST CULTIVATION METHODS

Jin stood in the strange realm with floating islands and glowing rivers, a place not bound by mortal laws.

The air shimmered with pressure, ancient and powerful.

Above him, translucent dragons soared in spirals, remnants of a proud clan now lost to time.

Then, the voice came—deep and echoing like thunder wrapped in reverence.

"First Trial: Combat."

A burst of radiant light solidified into a humanoid figure clad in draconic silver armor.

Its eyes were like polished gold, and it radiated a power far beyond anything Jin had faced before.

"You who carry the fragmented blood of the dragon. Let your body prove your worth."

There was no warning.

The warrior charged.

Jin barely activated his Tyrant Body in time before a crushing blow sent him flying.

He smashed into a floating boulder, coughing blood.

The projection gave him no respite—it followed, blade glowing with energy.

Jin pushed through the pain.

Wind surged beneath his feet, Wind Surge activating as he spun to the side, avoiding the next strike by a hair's breadth.

He countered.

A fist charged with blood qi slammed into the warrior's torso. It barely flinched.

Then, Jin's Fury skill activated—his cultivation doubled.

His blood burned like lava, and his eyes turned red.

The projection hesitated for the first time.

Blow for blow, they battled through the skies.

Floating islands shattered.

Sparks danced across the realm.

Eventually, with one last roar and a double-fisted strike fueled by every drop of qi, Jin pierced the projection's chest.

It staggered.

Then it bowed and disintegrated.

"You pass."

"Second Trial: Loyalty."

The world changed.

Jin was stripped of his power. He stood, powerless, in a memory-like illusion.

He saw Lana kneeling, bleeding. Arielle chained, Sarah unconscious in the dirt.

And on a distant throne sat himself—older, crueler, eyes empty.

A tyrant.

Mocking voices whispered around him.

"To grow strong, you must lose everything."

The vision-Jin raised his hand—and the scene replayed the moment his enemies died, but so did his loved ones.

Jin shook his head. "I won't be that man. Not again."

He stepped forward. "I protect my family. I don't sacrifice them."

The illusion tried to resist—but he kept walking, eyes never leaving Lana's.

She smiled faintly, and then all three women turned to light.

"You chose love over power. Loyalty over conquest."

"Final Trial: Vision."

Jin appeared in a temple made of crystal and light.

Carvings of dragons from various eras decorated the walls.

At the center floated a vast mirror.

From it emerged a massive dragon composed of starlight.

Its voice thundered across the space.

"What future do you seek, descendant?"

Visions flooded Jin's mind—

—Him as a ruler feared but alone.

—Him hiding, weak, with family always in danger.

—Him dying as the women wept.

Then one final vision appeared: Him standing tall beside Lana, Arielle, and Sarah.

Not as a king—but as a guardian.

People behind him, not beneath him.

Power used not for dominance, but for protection.

"I choose them," Jin said softly.

"I choose to protect."

The dragon nodded.

"Then walk your path."

Light engulfed Jin.

Energy surged through him.

Dragon runes burned across his skin before vanishing into his blood.

[Dragon Bloodline Resonance: 35% Achieved]

[Elemental Insight: Ice, Wind, Fire, Earth – Gained]

[New Skill: Dragon Soul Resonance (Incomplete)]

[Tyrant Body Progress: Increased]

[Level Up +2]

[Magic Power +200 | Strength +10 | Vitality +5 | Agility +6]

[Blood Demon Bloodline: 5% → 8%]

His eyes flared open—glowing with dragonfire.

Back in the cavern, the pedestal pulsed.

Lana, Arielle, and Sarah stared in awe as Jin reappeared, clothes torn, breathing steady, but his presence transformed.

He stood tall. A prince no more.

A dragon among men.