[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-childhood-friend-of-the-zenith":3,"chapter-childhood-friend-of-the-zenith-childhood-friend-of-the-zenith-chapter-466":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"english","Childhood Friend of the Zenith",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},1239992,1667,"Chapter 465","childhood-friend-of-the-zenith-chapter-466",466,"\u003Cp>Craaaash—!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The creature’s massive jaws opened wide, lunging toward him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thud!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It crashed into the wall, shattering it completely. With a limp arm, he barely managed to evade it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Moving underwater was highly inconvenient.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tsk…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Clicking his tongue, he scowled. His damaged body was problematic, but there was an even bigger issue right now.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Hand yourself over to me quietly!]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Every word the creature shouted reverberated painfully in his mind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Was it attacking him mentally, directly targeting his psyche?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What a nuisance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Physical issues were one thing, but now it was attacking his mind as well, which only made it more aggravating.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What is this thing?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was used to carrying odd things clinging to him, so it wasn’t exactly surprising if something else had appeared. But its sudden emergence left him with questions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A demonic beast resembling a snake with blue scales. Its enormous body and sharp fangs left an impression.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What a strange-looking creature. Arrogant as hell, too.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Despite everything, he felt an oddly familiar energy coming from it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ssshhh—!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sensing movement from his left, he raised both arms.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thud!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As soon as he raised them, the creature’s attack struck him, as if waiting for that moment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Gah!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A heavy weight pressed down on his forearm—the creature had struck him with its tail.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The force sent him flying back.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Slam!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The pain was so intense, he questioned whether this was really happening underwater. Knocked back, he collided with the wall, unable to avoid it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Damn… it’s strong.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A hollow laugh escaped him. No matter how he looked at it, the situation was dire.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>How could it be this bad?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One arm was chewed up, his Qi wasn’t responding properly. Was it because the vessel had broken? Maybe.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was hardly an ordinary person, yet he couldn’t demonstrate even a fraction of his usual ability.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To face a creature like that in this state…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What a nightmare.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was truly an absurd predicament.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He twisted his body.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Crack!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The creature’s claws embedded themselves where he’d been moments before. He tried to create some distance, but it wasn’t easy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His forearm throbbed. Was it fractured?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Maybe not.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Without his protective Qi, his defenses were weak.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Blocking wasn’t safe, so he had to dodge somehow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Slam!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But even that was impossible. His battered body flailed helplessly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ugh.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The impact shook his insides. Though he managed to shield his head, his injured arm twisted further.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Damn, that hurt like hell.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He struggled to pull himself together and refocus his scattered mind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Clench—!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The creature’s claw shot forward, grabbing him and pinning him to the ground.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thud!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The shock reverberated around him, bubbles rising from the impact. The sensation of bones shattering made him bite his lip.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Pathetic inferior.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[As a noble superior, I showed you mercy, yet you don’t know your place.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Did you really think you could win? You, a mere mortal destined to live for a fleeting moment?]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Oh, shut up! Can’t you speak normally?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His ears buzzed from the sheer arrogance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Crack!He tried to wrench himself free, but the creature’s grip held fast, refusing to let go.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Cease this futile struggle. You have no hope. Give yourself to me.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You want my body?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Exactly.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing this, he smirked. The creature had repeated the same demand several times now.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Claiming to be great and powerful, urging him to give up his body. Promising peace if he submitted. Claiming there was no way to win, so he should surrender peacefully.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet, the more he listened, the more questions arose.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“So… why keep asking for it?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[As I said—]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If you’re so powerful, why not just take it, you bastard?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[…]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At his words, the creature froze momentarily. He noticed and smirked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He wasn’t a fool, and he could sense the truth after just one encounter. In this state, he couldn’t defeat it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even in his current predicament, it was obvious.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But then why…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Why keep begging for it?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing the creature’s constant demands, he began to suspect something.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Looking into its uninjured eye, he spoke.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You… can’t take it by force, can you?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Growl…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You need me to give it willingly, right?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There was no response, only a low growl.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But that was more than enough.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The creature had an overwhelming advantage and seemed to want his body. Yet all it could do was threaten him, unable to take it by force.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Moreover, it seemed to be holding back, ensuring he didn’t die.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“So you can’t kill me or take it by force, can you?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It became clear that the creature was limited in what it could do to him. Was he certain? Not entirely.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But the more he observed, the more certain he became. The creature’s reactions were telling.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Its viciously twisted face, its increasingly ragged breaths. And yet, it refrained from further attacks.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This thing couldn’t do anything to him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Its only recourse was to break his spirit and make him give up willingly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course, it could be hiding other tricks, but…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Does it need to?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even so, it would need a compelling reason to try.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Perhaps as a result of this realization, he felt the pressure holding him down lessen slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He twisted his body. While escaping entirely was impossible, he managed to free one of his hands.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now, the question was what to do.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I know the problem…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He understood the creature’s issue, but that didn’t solve his predicament. Ultimately, he’d have to deal with it himself to put an end to this.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>How?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If only I knew.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If he did, he wouldn’t still be struggling here.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>All he had was the certainty that he wouldn’t die.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But he still had to figure out a way to overcome this situation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He couldn’t rely on brute strength.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If only my Qi was circulating…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His insides felt empty, making that impossible.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Damn it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was a total disaster.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As he twisted his body, his fingers brushed against the creature’s skin.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In that moment—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thrum—!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[…Grrr!]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He felt something invade his body. Simultaneously, the creature released its grip, flinging him away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whoosh!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He sailed through the water again. Though it was similar to before, this time he didn’t crash into the wall.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He twisted his body and landed lightly against the wall.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He immediately checked his condition.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…My Qi’s flowing?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He noticed a faint resurgence of energy in his body, just a small amount, but enough to make him smile.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“So… that was it.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Grrrr…!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though his body was wrecked and his mind was worn down, he felt slightly less stifled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sensing the tiny amount of Qi returning, he looked at the creature.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For a creature he’d never seen before, it felt oddly familiar.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“So that’s what you are.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He finally realized what the creature was.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Blood Qi.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was unmistakably Blood Qi.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The energy flowing from the creature was clearly Blood Qi, and that familiar presence confirmed it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though he didn’t understand why it took on this form…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Growl—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The creature’s identity as Blood Qi was clear. Looking at its snarling face, he spoke.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Sleeping so quietly all this time… why the sudden tantrum?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It wasn’t just anyone’s energy, but the Blood Demon’s energy that had been planted in him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When used, it granted immense power, though it came with a severe backlash.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Knowing it came from the Blood Demon, he had avoided using it as much as possible.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He couldn’t understand why this power, which he’d sealed in his dantian, was acting up now.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What are you?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Do not be mistaken.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[It was through my presence that you gained the chance for transcendence. That body rightfully belongs to me.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The creature’s words made him frown.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He’d gained the chance for transcendence because of this thing?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Transcendence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What could that mean? It was something the Blood Demon had also mentioned. It seemed related to the death of his humanity.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What would happen if he achieved transcendence?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A superior being, huh.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Was it really something beyond humanity, as it claimed? “Superior being”… even the word itself felt off.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He must have frowned more than he realized, as the creature continued to speak, as if displeased.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[You are unworthy of becoming aDragon, you pitiful thing.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dragon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The word the Blood Qi used struck him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A dragon…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing it made him reconsider the creature’s appearance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The long, snake-like body with limbs, the sharp, slashed mouth, and fangs. Its massive frame.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It resembled a dragon from legend.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Which made it even stranger.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Currently, in the Central Plains, “dragon” referred to—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>All of them are white-ranked demonic beasts.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was a term used to describe the white-ranked beasts that had emerged through the White Abyss Gate.\u003C\u002Fp>",1448,"2026-06-05T15:09:39.032Z",1,"novelbin.me","f23cf71f39faa671803386836e41915190c9e16ccb5a6269c4fde07c8d95434b","childhood-friend-of-the-zenith-chapter-467","childhood-friend-of-the-zenith-chapter-465",974,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fchildhood-friend-of-the-zenith-cover.jpg"]