Decisive Choice: Consequences

Back in the secret realm, Feng Wei continued his intense training, unaware that shadow warriors awaited his arrival in the Crimson Chaos City. With each passing day, his determination and skill grew, honing his abilities to a level he had never imagined.

Assuming a handstand position, Feng Wei showcased an impressive and defiant stance. With hands firmly planted on the ground, fingers splayed to distribute weight evenly, he lifted his body vertically. His outstretched arms bore the weight of his body, while his shoulders and core worked in harmony to maintain stability.

His feet pointed directly upwards, forming a straight line with the rest of his body. The muscles in his legs, glutes, and abdomen contracted to hold this position, and his gaze focused on the point between his hands, aiding in balance.

In this challenging posture, Feng Wei chose to perform push-ups, adding an extra layer of difficulty to the exercise. As he bent his elbows and lowered his body towards the ground, he showcased impressive mastery of strength and balance, transforming a handstand push-up into a true display of athletic prowess.

The handstand position in calisthenics is a remarkable demonstration of strength, coordination, and concentration, requiring years of dedicated training for flawless execution. In this position, Feng Wei completed push-ups while counting "516, 517," sweat trickling down his body.

Observing the scene with the young princess in his arms, Bai Lian muttered to herself, "Is this the muscle a 15-year-old boy should have?"

As Feng Wei finished his set, he commented, "Great, looks like I've adapted to training with twenty times my weight. This armor is really useful."

In the days that followed, his routine consisted of morning exercises in the armor to increase endurance - running, push-ups, squats, and crunches - along with mental training through meditation. This approach led to his advancement to the sixth level of the Body Refinement Realm two days ago.

He could have progressed faster due to his lineage, but he wanted to build a solid foundation. After all, what's the mark of a genius? Is it not defeating stronger opponents? Surpassing higher realms? That's why building a strong foundation was more important. Even at the sixth level of Body Refinement, he was confident in defeating opponents up to at least the ninth level in a regular battle. In a life or death fight where he didn't need to hold back, it would be a different story.

Apart from his training, he had three other tasks. First, preparing meals; second, pampering the princess; and third, but not least, constantly annoying Bai Lian, a task he excelled at.

At this point, he had not only paid off his initial debt of hate but also accumulated an additional [307 points] of hate and [400 points] of affection.

His thoughts turned to his upcoming journey to the Crimson Chaos City. He had planned to leave earlier than he initially intended.

Fifteen days had passed since he began this intense routine. Feng Wei's days were filled with strenuous training.

At this point, he had not only paid off his initial debt of hate but also accumulated an additional [307 points] of hate and [400 points] of affection. And on the same day, Feng Wei, returning from hunting, carried a horned boar on his shoulders.

His body was covered in sweat and dust, but his expression was determined and focused. As he traversed the rugged terrain, his eyes locked onto a rare plant emitting a peculiar aura.

"Interesting... what could this plant be?" he murmured to himself. As he approached, its orange leaves gleamed in the sunlight, and a reddish fragrance hung in the air around it. With his experience, Feng Wei realized it was a fourth-level herb, a medicinal plant known for its beneficial properties in cultivation.

Before Feng Wei could pluck the herb, Bai Lian suddenly appeared. Her steps were light, and her expression devoid of emotion.

Bai Lian cast a meaningful glance at the plant.

"Do you have plans for this?" she asked, pointing to the plant, knowing it could be a valuable addition to the princess's evolution.

Feng Wei looked at the plant, then back at Bai Lian, a faint smile playing on his thoughts. "Actually, this herb isn't that important to me, given my lineage, but I don't need to give it away for free, hehehe. Plus, it seems she didn't notice it."

"Feng Wei, this plant is crucial for the princess. Its power can help her advance more quickly in her cultivation," Bai Lian explained.

Feng Wei looked at her, his eyes narrowing. "Bai Lian, you know as well as I do that the value of this plant isn't just for the princess. It could be useful for me too. And I have my own objectives."

Bai Lian took a deep breath, her expression oscillating between frustration and determination. "Feng Wei, please think beyond yourself. The Dragon Clan is counting on the princess for a better future. If you refuse to help, you're harming our clan."

Yet Feng Wei wasn't intimidated. He maintained his cold, proud gaze and took a step back. "Well, then be prepared for the consequences, Bai Lian. If you touch this herb, you'll probably regret it later." He stated with a malicious smile.

Still, Bai Lian chose to ignore the warning and harvested the herb. Shortly after, she found a spacious cave and handed the plant to the little princess of the Dragon Clan, who consumed it.

Bai Lian carefully handed a small herb to the little princess, her heart filled with hope and expectation. The princess eagerly nibbled on the herb, and almost immediately, subtle changes began to manifest within her. Bai Lian watched with a smile as a red shield, similar in tone to the princess's scales, enveloped her, offering protection against any potential harm as she embarked on her advancement.

The shield pulsed with a warm glow, its presence a testament to the innate power of the noble dragon lineage. Bai Lian's smile widened as she witnessed the gradual progress of the princess, a mixture of relief and excitement washing over her. The once-fragile princess was now on the cusp of evolution.

As Bai Lian continued to observe, she knew this moment was significant not just for the princess but also for the entire dragon clan. The advancements of noble dragons were extraordinary events that could shape the clan's destiny.

But Bai Lian wasn't content with merely witnessing the event. She had another thought in mind: recording this milestone. From her pocket, she retrieved a rare and precious item, placing it on the ground. Known as an Etheric Crystal, this unique crystal possessed the magical ability to capture moving images, like a fleeting snapshot of reality. Its crystalline core preserved images.

The Etheric Crystal was a highly coveted treasure because of its rarity. Major sects gained access to these crystals, using them to record crucial moments of history, share ancient knowledge, and document legendary battles. The quest for these indescribable crystals often led to conflicts between rival sects, each eager to possess these ephemeral treasures that held fragments of the past, capturing images of the present.

However, satisfaction soon gave way to concern as Bai Lian began to feel strange symptoms. Her expressions grew agitated, and she started sweating profusely.

Feng Wei, who had been meditating nearby, opened his eyes and noticed BaiFeng Wei, who was meditating nearby, opened his eyes and noticed the change in Bai Lian's demeanor. He watched her for a moment before commenting in a sarcastic tone, "I warned you that you would regret taking that herb. Are you stupid? Even with your cultivation level, you still didn't realize that there was a beast guarding the herb? Probably was waiting for the plant to mature and the poison was put in to protect it.