The method to enhance the dragon bloodline was simple: set up a magic array according to a fixed template, activate it with magic crystals, and then wait. It was completely automated, advanced, and had been checked by Avriel with no issues.
"I'll handle the magic array. I can engrave it onto metal plates, and you can just assemble them when you need to use it." Avriel, understanding Li Xi's baffled expression, offered a solution.
Li Xi smiled happily, "You're the best, wife. Having you is my greatest fortune."
"Then what does sister Ais say?" Avriel teased with a mischievous grin.
Li Xi was taken aback. "Let's just look at the next scroll."
The next method for evolving the abyssal bloodline was almost identical to the previous one. The only difference was that the abyssal bloodline's aggressiveness was too strong in the later stages. To truly absorb it without side effects, it had to be reconciled with divinity, which was divine power. Divine power could perfectly suppress the ferocity of the abyssal bloodline.
Without divine power to reconcile it, Demangar advised against absorbing too much abyssal bloodline, emphasizing the need to ensure one's willpower could maintain complete control. Demangar estimated that Li Xi could currently only handle about five drops.
However, with divine power, a standard unit of divine power could support Li Xi in absorbing ten drops of abyssal bloodline. Here, the abyssal bloodline referred to was that of the Flame Demon.
Li Xi retrieved a box from the depths of his spatial ring. Inside was a sealed, small, withered hand. Ais had identified it as the hand of the Goblin God.
Now, with Avriel, a professional demigod, and given that absorbing the abyssal bloodline required this item as a catalyst, it was finally put to use.
"This is indeed the hand of the Goblin God Grolu, but his divine power is negligible. According to Demangar's calculation method, it's only equivalent to three standard units of divine power." Avriel recognized the withered hand in the seal with just one glance.
"That's not bad either. Three standard units mean I can absorb thirty drops of abyssal bloodline. Coupled with my secret technique, I should be able to absorb around fifty drops."
"Although I don't understand your secret technique, I believe in you. I'll keep this hand for now and give me a few days to extract the divine power." Avriel's trust in Li Xi was unwavering, as always.
"Thank you for your hard work." Li Xi embraced Avriel and moved towards the bed. He had been preoccupied with matters while out in the wilderness and hadn't shared a bed with her. Now that they were back, he couldn't wait any longer.
Li Xi never admitted that his philandering was his problem. He preferred to believe he was influenced by his dragon bloodline. Dragons were naturally lustful. Although the Ghost Blossom Seal technique had significantly reduced the negative aspects of this trait, its fundamental nature remained.
Avriel stopped Li Xi's advances. "Aren't you going to see sister Ais? You've been away for so many days, and now you're trying to stay here. This makes me feel guilty."
"One more day won't make a difference." Li Xi began to undress, reaching for Avriel's sheer veil.
Just as they were about to embrace, there was a knock on the door, followed by a frantic voice calling out, "Is Madam Avriel home? I'm here on behalf of Lord Monton to request your presence for an important discussion."
Their actions immediately froze. Li Xi asked in confusion, "Monton is only eight years old, why is he looking for you?"
Avriel put on her outer robe and pushed Li Xi out of the room. "No matter what it is, your priority now is to leave."
Li Xi scaled the wall and left. "Alright, call me if anything comes up."
He arrived at Ais's home only to find she wasn't there, likely still busy at the Adventurers' Guild. When he left earlier, Li Xi had his shadow clone inform her, and he had left in a hurry, so Ais hadn't thought much of it.
Since Ais was out, Li Xi decided to use the draw chances he had accumulated over the past few days from the missions completed by his two shadow clones.
As his shadow clones were only low-level mercenaries and their missions were F and E rank, the rewards weren't great, so Li Xi hadn't paid much attention. He finally accumulated ten chances and decided to perform a ten-pull.
"Xiao Fan, prepare the turntable."
"Yes, master."
Although Li Xi had expected the prizes not to be exceptional, he still felt an urge to curse when he saw what was on the turntable.
Kunai, shuriken, a stack of explosive tags, a small bag of soldier pills, senbon, double rising dragons, ninja swords – these were all bladed weapons. The best among them was the Double Rising Dragon, which spoke volumes about the overall quality.
Among the ninjutsu were Lion Combo, Thousand Years of Death, Partial Expansion Jutsu, and Sexy Jutsu. The best was Partial Expansion Jutsu; the others were hardly worth mentioning.
"Spin."
"Stop."
"Congratulations, master, you have obtained a stack of ten explosive tags."
A stack of explosive tags with intricate patterns appeared in Li Xi's hand. He silently placed them into his spatial ring, thankful there were nine more chances.
The turntable updated. The bladed weapons remained largely the same, with the Double Rising Dragon being the only item removed from the previous round. The ninjutsu category remained the same, with the addition of Earth Style: Earth Wall.
"Spin." "Stop."
"Congratulations, master, you have obtained a small bag of soldier pills."
"No rush, no rush. This is just the beginning."
Third draw: "Congratulations, master, you have obtained a brand new hundred kunai."
Fourth draw: "Congratulations, master, you have obtained a small bag of soldier pills."
Fifth draw: "Congratulations, master, you have obtained Earth Style: Earth Wall."
Sixth draw: "Congratulations, master, you have obtained Earth Style: Earth Release Return."
Seventh draw: "Congratulations, master, you have obtained Konoha Violent Hurricane."
Eighth draw: "Congratulations, master, you have obtained a stack of explosive tags."
Ninth draw: "Congratulations, master, you have obtained a set of senbon (100 pieces)."
Tenth draw: "Congratulations, master, you have obtained a small bag of soldier pills."
"Ugh," Li Xi looked at the pile of weapons on the ground. Their quality was decent, but his current strength didn't allow him to fight with dagger-like kunai.
However, these ten draws weren't entirely without merit. He had acquired at least three ninjutsu, three hundred soldier pills, and two hundred explosive tags. For low-level missions, these items were quite useful.
Soldier pills had saved Li Xi numerous times when his energy was depleted. After using the last of them, Li Xi had longed for more. This time, he had drawn three hundred, enough for him to use a few times. Yes, just a few times, as a single pill no longer replenished enough energy to support his consumption. He now ate them handfuls at a time.
Explosive tags were essentially small grenades. When used effectively, they were quite useful. However, Li Xi had always preferred direct combat and didn't have much experience using such items. Since his shadow clones were out diligently completing missions, he could let them use these.
As for kunai, senbon, and similar weapons, Li Xi had no idea how to use them and could only let them gather dust in his spatial ring.
Of the three ninjutsu, Konoha Violent Hurricane was a representative taijutsu, commonly used by Rock Lee and Might Guy. It was a standard technique that could double one's speed and increase leg strength by two to three times. As a regular move, it was excellent.
Earth Style: Earth Wall could summon a massive stone wall to block enemy attacks or their escape. It was one of Kakashi's most frequently used ninjutsu. He could even manifest dog heads on his Earth Wall, which was quite cute. If Li Xi wished, he could also manifest his own head on his Earth Wall, though it wouldn't be a dog's head, but rather the fanged, sharp-mouthed visage of Sun Wukong's second generation.
Earth Style: Earth Release Return could be considered a simplified version of Earth Wall. It formed a small stone slab in front of the user with average defensive power. With Earth Wall available, Li Xi would rarely have a situation where he'd need to use it. Jirobo used this ninjutsu against Choji Akimichi, and it was the only time this jutsu appeared, with predictable results – it shattered upon impact, as fragile as an eggshell.
Li Xi formed hand seals. "Shadow Clone Jutsu."
"Poof."
A shadow clone appeared. Li Xi immediately punched it, shattering the clone before its eyes had even opened.
Half an hour later, 'Hoshigaki Kisame' returned. An hour after that, Stone Pillar returned.
"How is it? Are you adapting well?" Li Xi asked the two slightly weary shadow clones with concern.
"Main body, speak quickly. I just accepted a escort mission and am about to depart," 'Hoshigaki Kisame,' holding a refined long sword, replied impatiently.
Stone Pillar also had a look of wanting to get straight to the point.
Li Xi dared not offend these two; they were his walking ATMs, and he relied on them to complete more missions.
"Here are some good items from these ten draws. Let's split them equally among the three of us." Li Xi distributed the soldier pills and explosive tags to the two shadow clones.
"Is that all? You called us back for just this? If you waste our time like this again, don't blame us for getting angry." 'Hoshigaki Kisame' accepted the items with a look of annoyance, as if Li Xi were someone impure.
"It's my fault. I'll be more mindful next time. If you two need any help, please tell me. I promise I'll complete it even at the cost of my life." Li Xi wasn't offended by the shadow clones' attitude; instead, he was meek and subservient, like an illiterate farmhand who couldn't get his wages from the landlord's wife at the end of the year, feeling extremely wronged.
The two "masters" left, departing in a dashing manner, like petty thugs who had extorted a large sum of protection fees from honest citizens.
Everything was progressing smoothly. Li Xi hummed a happy tune, taking a bronze hot pot out of his spatial ring. It was crafted by dwarves and had been hammered one hundred thousand times, covered in scale-like patterns. To atone for his transgressions, Li Xi intended to perform exceptionally well.
Vast amounts of vegetables, the finest cuts of muscle from various magical beasts, even a small piece of dragon meat, and seafood, a luxury in the inland, along with many dishes provided by the dwarves from the underground world, filled the entire kitchen to the brim.
Feeling the time was right, Li Xi lit the charcoal fire, mixed the dipping sauces, and in the autumn night, eating hot pot from another world, he believed Ais would become even more inseparable from him.
"When did you get back? How did things go?" Ais opened the door and smiled happily upon seeing Li Xi busy by the table.
"Everything went smoothly. To express my apologies, I specially prepared this hot pot meal. Please, try it."
Ais had never seen such a way of eating before. Although at her level, the autumn night air felt like a gentle breeze, the aroma, unlike anything she had smelled before, and the hundreds of dishes made her feel the happiest at that moment.
"Wait a moment, I'll get another set of bowls and chopsticks. I'll call Madam Avriel over. She's living alone, and after all the events in Cardo City, she must be feeling down." Ais was about to leave before even sitting down.
Li Xi nearly jumped out of his skin. If Avriel were called over, he couldn't handle such a dramatic confrontation.
"There's no need. This is a dinner meant for just the two of us. It would be inconvenient to have an outsider," Li Xi said, his expression a little tense.
"It's alright, I don't mind. We have a long future ahead of us," Ais said, completely oblivious to the change in Li Xi's tone, and dashed out.