Andrew’s ears still rang with the old man’s icy words. “Three seals represent three rebirths. If you can shatter the final one and survive, you will rule the world as the chosen one. Fail, and you will become a cursed dragon, bound to destruction.”
A cursed dragon was the term used for the fallen heirs of the Lloyd royal family. The Lloyds bore the emblem of the celestial dragon as their crest, and those who thrived under the family’s guidance were hailed as true dragons. However, those who fell from grace, suffered irreversible injuries, betrayed the family, or were expelled were called cursed dragons. The Lloyds abandoned such people without exception, and in some cases, even hunted them down themselves. For example, Andrew’s father, Reginal, was known as the most powerful and most dangerous cursed dragon in the Lloyd family’s thousand-year history.
If the mysterious old man were right, Andrew’s fate would end the same way if he failed to break the third seal in his energy core. The only path left would be the road of the cursed dragon. Yet, Andrew cared little for titles, whether true or cursed. From the moment he cut his way out of Chetvine, he had stopped caring. The Lloyd family had abandoned both Reginald and him, so he had long turned his heart cold toward them. All that mattered now was shattering the third seal and rising again.
If he reclaimed the full strength that had once been his, then the entire world would be open to him, with no place out of reach. However, as things stood, the third seal felt impossible to crack. That was why he had chosen to head north toward Chetvine.
In Gabo Creek, he no longer saw opportunities or breakthroughs. Only Chetvine, with its immense wealth and endless possibilities, could provide the chance he needed. If he could strike at one of the great clans there and seize what they guarded, he was certain he could tear the seal apart.
Another reason was Victoria’s damaged energy core. To find a way to repair it for her, Andrew had to try his luck in Chetvine. Martial arts throughout the world had deep roots and countless miraculous techniques. Even someone as exceptional as Andrew did not understand or know everything. Hence, only by returning to Chetvine and obtaining special opportunities could Victoria regain her strength without much difficulty.
“Gabo Creek Province in the south isn’t really that outstanding,” Andrew said.
Victoria, as always, personally brewed tea for him at the Peck residence. “You must have seen many masters on your trip to Goldridge this time. South from there, like Nicholas from the McDaniel family in Sunstrand… They’re ranked on the Titan List. But our Gabo Creek Province can’t produce people of that caliber. The previous top martial artist of Gabo Creek, that bald Franklin, was really just mediocre. He wouldn’t be impressive in other provinces at all. Even so, you killed him! Andrew, you should probably rank in the top three of Gabo Creek now.”
Andrew listened attentively and smiled. “I don’t really know where I’d rank in Gabo Creek Province, but if you say top three, who would these three people be?”
Victoria took a small sip of tea. With a gentle smile, she replied, “First place would most likely be Luna from the Phelan family!”