[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-ember-dragon":3,"chapter-ember-dragon-ember-dragon-chapter-38":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"english","Ember Dragon",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":20,"prevChapterSlug":21,"totalChapters":22,"novelImage":23},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":16,"volume":17,"translator":18,"content_hash":19},1161854,1504,"Chapter 38: Bloodline Gift (Part 1)","ember-dragon-chapter-38",38,"\u003Cp>Cassius gazed down upon his minions, noticing the unfamiliar faces observing from a corner. Langpu had reported to him about this “Blackfang” lizardfolk tribe.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Observing their sturdy physiques—far more suited for an army than the current goblins and kobolds—he spoke:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Why have you come?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The minions instinctively made way for them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lizardfolk chief Ack Longfang, visibly uneasy, stepped forward, with the old shaman following calmly behind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ack knelt, took a deep breath, and said, “We fled here after monsters overtook our caves, and your immense power has awed us.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The Blackfang tribe is willing to submit beneath your mighty wings, to serve as the most loyal of your minions, O Great Red Dragon.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This is the highest sincerity our tribe can offer.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“And we present it all to you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The lizardfolk shaman gestured with his staff, and several strong lizardfolk stepped forward, bearing heavy chests.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They opened the chests to reveal glittering gold.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The other minions couldn’t help but widen their eyes at the sight, though they quickly averted their gaze.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>——This was treasure meant solely for the dragon, and any who dared to covet it would bear his wrath.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even the normally greedy chimera averted its dragon head, stealing only brief glances from the corner of its eye.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>From his high vantage point, Cassius’s expression remained unchanged, though his pupils reflected the gleam of gold.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His first interest, however, was not the gold, but the old shaman standing behind the lizardfolk chief.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Based on your power and the other’s state of “submission,” you can observe the following information.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>【Lizardfolk Shaman】\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Medium humanoid (lizardfolk), absolute neutral.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Name: Koda Blackscale\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>AC: 13 (natural armor)\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Speed: 30 ft, swim 30 ft.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Strength — 15\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dexterity — 10\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Constitution — 13\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Intelligence — 12\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wisdom — 15\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Charisma — 9\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Skills: Perception +4, Stealth +4, Survival +6\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Senses: Darkvision 30 ft, Passive Perception 14\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Languages: Draconic\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Actions: Multiattack, Bite, Claw\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Special Abilities:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hold Breath: The lizardfolk can hold its breath for 15 minutes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shapechange: Can magically transform into a crocodile for up to 1 hour.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Class Level: Druid Level 5\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Spells (Lizardfolk form only):\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As a 5th-level caster, the lizardfolk shaman has prepared the following druid spells:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cantrips: Druidcraft, Produce Flame, Thorn Whip\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Level 1: Entangle, Fog Cloud\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Level 2: Heat Metal, Spike Growth\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Level 3: Conjure Animals (reptiles only), Plant Growth\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Challenge Rating: 5 (1800 XP)\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Evaluation: “The lizardfolk shaman is a unique presence within their tribe, often wise and powerful, leading their people.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“An unsolicited druid, is it?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Interesting.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cassius thought.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Shaman, are you a spellcaster?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The old shaman took a step forward, bowing his head slightly, answering calmly, “Great Red Dragon, your might and wisdom humble me.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I have merely taken a few tentative steps on the path of nature and learned some small tricks.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With that, he raised his gnarled staff and pointed to an empty patch of ground.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Entangle.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The powers of nature responded to the shaman’s call, and a faint ripple shimmered in the Weave. Vines and weeds began to grow and intertwine over the open ground.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Unlike the arcane magic of sorcerers and wizards, druidic magic is classified as divine, drawing upon the divine powers of nature to tap into the Weave.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cassius, intrigued by this volunteer spellcaster, spoke directly: “Impressive. The gates of the Ember Nest shall open to you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Prove your loyalty to me.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Praise to you, Great Master.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The lizardfolk retreated, returning to their dark corner without engaging in disputes over territory with the other minions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cassius appreciated subordinates who knew their place.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lizardfolk were cold-blooded animals with absolute neutrality, lacking desires and viewing morality as an external concept. Their only motive was survival—a principle that aligned well with Cassius’s own methods.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They would be excellent candidates for managing human cities or even players in the future, as they could maintain basic order without disrupting it for personal greed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Simple, useful tools.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was Cassius’s high praise for them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Accepting the lizardfolk was merely a side note. The main event was about to begin.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bloodline Gift.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Surveying his minions, who looked at him with expectation, confusion, or anxiety, Cassius finally spoke in a measured tone:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I once told you that my minions must not accept weakness; I would grant you strength and long life.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Today is the day to fulfill that promise.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“To the worthy among you, I shall bestow… the Dragon’s Bloodline!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At once, his minions erupted into astonished murmurs; any with even a hint of understanding were awestruck.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ogre Langpu’s eyes teared up with gratitude, while the kobolds, with some kinship to dragons, were astounded, and even the former dragon-worshiping lizardfolk marveled in disbelief.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This… how is this possible?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That’s dragon blood!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The master’s generosity humbles me.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dragon blood was incredibly precious throughout Erezaghe.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Apart from natural procreation, bestowing a dragon bloodline typically required true dragon blood, each drop of which was a potent magical reservoir in the draconic vascular system. Even willing dragons would suffer from exhaustion and weakness for days afterward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No one could imagine that a true dragon would be so generous with such a gift.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet they didn’t realize that Cassius required only ordinary blood as the ritual’s catalyst; the remaining “Bloodline Gift” derived from an achievement-based special skill.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was practically a cost-free transaction.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The “Bloodline Gift” was divided into a potent active gift for select exceptional minions and a subtle passive gift for all within the Ember Nest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the valley’s center was a massive, three-meter-tall stone with a flat, spacious top.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A shallow indentation lay in the center of the stone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cassius had instructed Langpu beforehand to issue an order forbidding anyone from approaching the stone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Initially, the minions had assumed it was Cassius’s designated landing spot, so no one dared disobey the command. But now, their gazes on that stone grew fervent, realizing this wasn’t a restricted zone but a “place of promised gifts.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Goblins, kobolds, and even wyverns felt their breaths quicken with anticipation.\u003C\u002Fp>",992,"2026-06-03T12:47:02.671Z","2026-06-03T12:47:06.781Z",1,"novelbin.me","53202e3153b95787c84acebc3ca749f22a1551c2ff499da153d5bfaa2d6f5a24","ember-dragon-chapter-39","ember-dragon-chapter-37",603,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fember-dragon-cover.jpg"]