[{"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-777":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},1240577,1667,"Chapter 776","childhood-friend-of-the-zenith-chapter-777",777,"\u003Cp>The first thing I noticed was the sound of my own heartbeat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thump—!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It felt the same as usual, yet the vibrations seemed heavier.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I unconsciously clutched my chest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The man’s back appeared ordinary at first glance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But the longer I stared, the more something about him bothered me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thump—! Thump—!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The pounding grew stronger, loud enough to feel even without focusing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ha.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A hollow laugh escaped me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Of course. It was too easy.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Things had been going too smoothly—almost suspiciously so.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I should’ve known my life was never meant to be simple.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I clenched my chest harder and furrowed my brow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thump—!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The sound kept growing louder, and something deep within me began to stir.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Vrrrr—!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>An inaudible hum rang through my ears—something only I could hear.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hoo...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I held my breath, desperate to keep any sound from escaping.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even my heavy breathing might alert him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>—“The Divine Dragon Commander?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>—“Is that the new Divine Dragon Commander…?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>—“What about the Martial Tournament, then?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The commander was supposed to be the winner of the tournament.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So who the hell was this man?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As murmurs of doubt rippled through the crowd, the Sword Saint spoke up to explain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I understand your surprise. But trust me—this new Divine Dragon Commander is an extraordinary figure.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No identity.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No proper explanation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just a vague request for trust.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was hardly reassuring—and the crowd’s reactions made that clear.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Doubt, suspicion, and—oddly enough—anticipation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What’s with that excitement?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Was it just blind faith in the title of Divine Dragon Commander?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>While the Sword Saint continued speaking, I tuned him out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I was too focused on the so-called commander.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thump—!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The pounding in my chest wouldn’t stop.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A primal sense of unease prickled at me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And then I felt it—faint but unmistakable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Blood Qi.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The same ominous energy that had clung to Jang Seon-yeon and Namgung Cheonjun after they were tainted by the Blood Demon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The faint traces of Blood Qi were radiating from this man.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was subtle—so faint that it could’ve been missed entirely.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But I could feel it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That same Blood Qi flows through me, too.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ever since I inherited the dragon’s body, the Blood Qi had merged with me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though it was now more my energy than the Blood Demon’s, it let me sense similar auras.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This guy has Blood Qi.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The so-called Divine Dragon Commander carried the Blood Demon’s energy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Which meant—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“He’s one of them.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not just a possibility—it was almost a certainty.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There was no other explanation for that aura.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And that raised another question.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Who is he?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Who was this masked man?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What kind of person could show up out of nowhere and be declared the Divine Dragon Commander?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I can’t tell just from his body.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His steps and posture suggested he was a swordsman.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And someone of his caliber should be recognizable at a glance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I can’t see his face.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The mask concealed his identity completely.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Should I try to sense him?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I considered using my Qi perception to probe through the mask.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Too risky.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That mask wasn’t ordinary.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was likely enchanted, similar to the one I had used to disguise myself as the Heavenly Demon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even if it wasn’t, using Qi to probe him now could expose me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Someone at his level would notice immediately.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I couldn’t afford to take that gamble.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For now, the only thing I was certain of was—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“He’s connected to the Blood Demon.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I already knew the Blood Demon’s influence had reached the Murim Alliance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Frankly, it was more surprising that it had taken this long for someone like this to appear.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Maybe this is a good thing.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It might seem odd to think that, but—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“At least now, I have something to work with.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If no one had shown up, I’d be stuck wondering what the Blood Demon was plotting.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But now?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“There’s a target to focus on.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His presence was both a complication and an opportunity.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It’s confirmed—the Blood Demon’s faction has infiltrated the Alliance.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And they were acting with clear intent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Good. This makes it easier to plan my next move.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“...Hoo.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I took a slow breath to calm myself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was one of the reasons I’d agreed to take on the position of division leader.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The problem is—”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I knew he was connected to the Blood Demon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But what was his goal?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“How much does he know about me?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Blood Demon’s faction was already aware of my existence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They had likely briefed him on the situation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Is this his move against me?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Maybe his appearance today wasn’t a coincidence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Maybe it was deliberate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thump—.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thump—.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The pounding in my chest continued, matching the storm of thoughts racing through my mind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If a crisis like this arises again…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Sword Saint’s voice droned on, but I wasn’t listening.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>My eyes were locked onto the Divine Dragon Commander.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And then—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Swish—!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘…!’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The commander’s gaze suddenly shifted toward me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For a brief moment, our eyes met.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though the mask obscured his face, I could feel it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A fleeting instant—and then he looked away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But even in that brief contact, something stirred within me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What was that?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Those eyes—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even through the mask, they felt oddly familiar.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Where have I seen them before?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>******************\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Immediately after the mourning ceremony—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As people began to scatter, countless whispers spread through the crowd.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The legend of the Murim Alliance—Strategist Muk Yeon has returned.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Sword Saint’s partner during the Alliance’s golden age.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though now in his later years, Muk Yeon, hailed as a living legend, had come out of retirement upon hearing of the Alliance’s crisis.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The rumors had been floating around, but his appearance at the ceremony confirmed the truth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Naturally, the reaction was overwhelmingly positive.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And why wouldn’t it be?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Muk Yeon was the man who led the Alliance to decisive victories—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>During the first war with the unorthodox factions, including the battle against Go-Ryong Heiba Blade.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And countless other wars afterward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had always found ways to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A living testament to an undefeated legacy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Alliance had been strong because of the Sword Saint.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But it had never fallen because of Muk Yeon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was the mantra engraved in Zhongyuan during the Alliance’s prime.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So when Muk Yeon stepped down from his position alongside the Sword Saint’s retirement, many had voiced their concerns.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Concerns that, as it turned out, were justified.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“And things really did fall apart, didn’t they?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Murim Alliance had slowly begun to decline.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The next leader, Nakgeom Jang Cheon, was competent enough—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Decent at politics and administration.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But he was merely adequate compared to the dazzling brilliance of his predecessors.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To be fair, sustaining what had been built during the Alliance’s peak was never going to be easy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Nakgeom wasn’t bad. Just unlucky.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The gradual weakening of the Alliance wasn’t entirely his fault.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Still—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“He couldn’t keep up with the messes left behind.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whether it was unresolved issues from the Sword Saint’s era, Nakgeom’s own missteps, or simply bad timing—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Alliance began to falter, with one crisis after another snowballing into its current state.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Could the Sword Saint have done better had he stayed?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Probably not.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It wasn’t his fault either—there was only so much one man could do.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Eventually, Nakgeom stepped down, and the Sword Saint’s successor took over.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“And this guy got the worst luck of all.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The current leader, the Sword Saint, inherited not only the mess left by Nakgeom—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But also everything that was about to go wrong.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Including—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Me.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I had no plans of making his life any easier.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I was going to create even more chaos moving forward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At this rate, the Sword Saint would either go down as the most hardworking or the most incompetent leader in Alliance history.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And honestly, whispers of the latter were already circulating.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But in this mess—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Muk Yeon will sway public sentiment.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A legendary figure’s return was a perfect rallying point.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To the people, Muk Yeon represented hope.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hope that he could bring order back to the chaos.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And most of them truly believed it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Did Muk Yeon plan this himself?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I didn’t know him well enough to say for sure, but it seemed likely.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Someone aware of their own value would absolutely use it to their advantage.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And on top of that—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I heard the Star King will lead the Star Dragon Unit to fight the unorthodox sects.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Rumors had already spread.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>About how I—the Star King—saved Henan and was now preparing for war against the unorthodox sects.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Muk Yeon’s presence was already fanning the flames.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And my involvement just poured fuel onto the fire.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The narrative was clear—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The unorthodox sects caused this disaster.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Star King not only saved Henan but would now lead the charge against them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In other words, the real enemy was the unorthodox sects—not the Murim Alliance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was a carefully crafted message.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“And it’s working.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This cheap trick was proving far too effective.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>By tying Muk Yeon’s return to my appointment, they’d shifted public perception almost instantly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The enemy is the unorthodox sects.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>People who had been criticizing the Alliance began redirecting their anger.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Some voices still resisted, insisting the Alliance was at fault.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“So you’re defending those unorthodox bastards?!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Damn it! None of this would’ve happened if they hadn’t attacked us first!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ideological divides formed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Factional splits emerged.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And I couldn’t help but admire it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“These political players really don’t mess around.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What’s the easiest way to deflect criticism in politics?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not by redirecting attacks elsewhere—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“By making people turn on each other.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pit them against one another.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Keep the blame away from yourself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Propaganda’s terrifyingly simple.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That’s all it was—propaganda.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Murim Alliance’s tactics were no different from the ones I used.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What a shame.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I’d expected this outcome, but I had hoped things would burn a little longer to make my next steps easier.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Instead—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“And then there’s the Divine Dragon Commander.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The final touch.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The Alliance is clearly preparing for something.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The revival of the Divine Dragon Unit… Could this really bring back peace?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If they can perform even half as well as the old Divine Dragon Unit...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The focus shifted again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The uproar surrounding the attack was being drowned out by talks of hope and rebuilding.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I sighed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not out of frustration—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I should’ve done more research.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was disappointment in myself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I could’ve been more prepared.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I should’ve investigated Muk Yeon further.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Maybe even planned ways to remove him before he reappeared.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I should’ve studied the Divine Dragon Unit more.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I knew the Sword Saint had planned to revive it through the Martial Tournament.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I should’ve anticipated its symbolic power.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I wasn’t completely unprepared, but clearly, it hadn’t been enough.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Tsk.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Was it a critical failure?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not quite.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But it was a painful misstep.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Or maybe…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Perhaps this wasn’t the real issue.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There was a more fundamental problem.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I don’t have enough power.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No matter what challenges arose—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I simply didn’t have the strength to handle them all.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Grind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I clenched my teeth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Still too weak.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fighting the white-ranked beast had already made that painfully clear.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Today only reinforced the realization.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I’d regained my former level of mastery years earlier than in my previous life.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>My body was stronger, my techniques more refined.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And yet—it wasn’t enough.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This won’t do.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The goal ahead was far too high to stop here.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And today proved that even more.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I need to be stronger.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Reaching the lower ranks of the Top Ten Experts?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not even close.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I had to push further—much further.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Some might hear that and scoff, calling it arrogance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“At least the Three Lords.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That’s where I needed to stand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only then would I have a real shot.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Grip.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Muttering those words, I circulated my Qi through my body.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Every rotation brought a jolt of pain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The internal injuries were healing, but they hadn’t disappeared yet.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I could feel it as I rose to my feet.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Alright.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Once the ceremony ended, I offered quick courtesies and retreated to my quarters.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I had to investigate the Divine Dragon Commander and his ties to the Blood Demon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But more than that—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I needed to fix my condition.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And thankfully, I already had a method prepared.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I entered the storage room in my quarters.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gazing at the stash inside, I stepped forward and reached out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Let’s see.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Rustle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pulling away the cloth covering it, I revealed a pile of items beneath.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Large, red-hued stones—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dozens of them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The magic stones extracted from the red-ranked beasts during the last attack.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To most people, they were nothing more than remnants of the monsters.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But to me?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Each one was as effective as a rare elixir.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Compared to something like the Dokcheon Pill, these stones were infinitely more cost-effective.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And I had dozens of them stacked here.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“They’re not enough.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After strengthening my Qi channels, low-grade stones like these barely made a difference.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At most, they’d replenish the energy I’d already used up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But that didn’t matter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“They’re just appetizers.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The red stones were a warm-up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They weren’t my real target.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Amidst the pile, there was one stone that stood out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Larger than the others.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Its color was different, too—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>White.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The magic stone from the white-ranked beast.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The clean, pristine stone carried a presence that dwarfed the others.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was a trace of the monster I’d slain and had preserved carefully ever since.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Its energy couldn’t even be compared to the others.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I reached out toward it—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And paused.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The sheer density of the energy made me hesitate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Days had passed since the battle, and I’d been keeping this stone untouched.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not because I didn’t want to use it, but because—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“My body wasn’t ready.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The energy within this stone was massive.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Absorbing it required stability—something I hadn’t regained yet.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ideally, I would’ve rested for two weeks before attempting it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I don’t have time.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The situation had changed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I had no choice but to rush.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It won’t break my limits or anything.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At best, it would speed up my recovery.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even if I couldn’t absorb all its energy, it would still mend my internal injuries.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And with the Divine Dragon Commander lingering in my mind—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now was the time to act.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Decision made, I extended my hand again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tap.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>My fingers touched the stone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Its surface was cold against my skin.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Vrrrr—!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I activated the Absorption Art .\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And in that moment—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>BOOM—!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A torrent of energy surged into my heart.\u003C\u002Fp>",2423,"2026-06-05T15:10:17.629Z",1,"novelbin.me","2ab156bc2fef724e51b4f3bcf515029b404f6cc62120e24a832efaaf4dce6004","childhood-friend-of-the-zenith-chapter-778","childhood-friend-of-the-zenith-chapter-776",974,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fchildhood-friend-of-the-zenith-cover.jpg"]