Chu Zihang gazed into the river of time.
The longer he watched, the more shaken he became.
What truly unsettled him was not Odin's exposed identity, but the meticulous arrangements Odin had carried out over the past century.
His body trembled despite his effort to remain still.
The reason was simple.
He saw his father.
Chu Tianjiao was there, alive, yet reduced to a puppet bound within Odin's Nibelungen.
In that instant, Chu Zihang's golden pupils seemed to ignite. Even the black contact lenses failed to conceal the intensity of his gaze.
He fixed his eyes on Odin's figure, gripping the long spear in the vision, and etched every detail into his memory.
He said nothing. He did not allow himself to show agitation.
That was his nature.
Outwardly calm, composed, and disciplined, like a model student.
But beneath that surface, killing intent surged violently, restrained only by sheer will.
After committing everything related to Odin to memory, Chu Zihang shifted his focus deeper into the river of time.
"Lu Mingfei?"
This time, he could not suppress his reaction.
Shock flashed across his face.
Within the ancient history of the Dragon Race, he clearly saw Lu Mingfei.
That lone figure radiated brutality and dominance, an overwhelming presence rivaling even the Black King.
So Lu Mingfei was also a Dragon King?
Was Nidhogg the former Black King, and Lu Mingfei his successor?
Chu Zihang's thoughts spiraled. He turned instinctively toward the man beside him.
"Sir… Lu Mingfei, he really is…"
"These are all genuine fragments of the past," the man replied calmly, lifting a finger without looking up.
"And you can call me Malrick."
Chu Zihang accepted the explanation without pressing further. Compared to what he had just witnessed, names hardly mattered.
If Lu Mingfei was a Dragon King hiding among humans, then what about the man standing beside him?
In the river of time, there was no trace of Malrick at all.
"Senior Malrick," Chu Zihang said after a pause. Calling him by name felt inappropriate, especially on a night this cold and heavy.
"Are you also a Dragon King?"
Malrick shook his head lightly. "No. I am not from this world. I am only passing through."
He continued observing the Dragon Race's Seven Alchemical Kingdoms through the flow of time.
Conceptual Armament. Material Transformation. Life Alchemy.
These methods intrigued him.
He could already replicate similar effects, but the way this world used alchemy to enforce concept level rules was still novel. Even the teachings at the Supreme Mage Academy had not reached this level of refinement.
After several minutes of observation, Malrick decided to test it himself.
Conceptual Armament came first.
"Let us try something simple. Frost Box."
With a casual motion of his finger, a crystalline box formed out of thin air, cold mist spilling from its surface.
"Acceptable."
He tossed it once, examined it briefly, then crushed it into molecular dust. It vanished without a trace.
Chu Zihang stood beside him, his expression rigid, his eyelids twitching.
Malrick continued as if this were routine.
"Sword of Promised Victory."
"Flame Dragon Armor."
"Seven Dragon Balls."
"Infinity Stones… not yet."
Each conceptual weapon took shape, only to be destroyed moments later.
The process was remarkably efficient. Malrick did not need full structural knowledge of each artifact. He only needed a clear understanding of its concept and function, supported by sufficient alchemical mastery and mental strength.
He moved on to the remaining kingdoms.
Elemental Control. Soul Alchemy.
After completing his trials, Malrick dispersed the river of time with a wave of his hand.
"Every world has its own surprises."
He glanced at Chu Zihang, who was still visibly dazed.
"Wake up. It is time to go home. Your ride is already downstairs."
Chu Zihang snapped back to reality. The images of those weapons still burned in his mind.
With even one of them, he believed he could fight his way into Odin's Nibelungen and bring his father back.
He glanced toward his stepfather, who was stepping out with an umbrella, then turned back to Malrick.
After a brief hesitation, Chu Zihang bowed deeply.
"Senior Malrick, I need power. Power strong enough to save my father. Please teach me. I am willing to give anything. I will do anything."
He knew how insignificant his own worth was compared to the man before him.
But he had no other choice.
Even if this request cost him his life, he had to ask.
His life had been frozen on that day two years ago. Revenge had once sustained him. Now, only one purpose remained.
To bring his father home.
"You want power?" Malrick asked, studying him.
He had heard similar words many times.
Each speaker carried the same resolve, the same willingness to stake everything.
At first, such determination had moved him. Now, he understood it well enough to respond calmly.
After a moment of thought, an idea formed.
He needed Dragon Race blood anyway.
Helping Chu Zihang would be convenient.
Malrick made several gestures in the air, then condensed a small golden bead, barely one centimeter wide, using Conceptual Armament.
"This is the server core," he said, tossing it to Chu Zihang. "Protect it. That is the price for power."
He then retrieved an m body from his storage ring, cast it into space, and converted it into a conceptual construct with practiced ease.
Without another word, Malrick vanished from Shilan Middle School, heading east to wait for the blood collection process to begin.
Chu Zihang stared at the golden bead resting in his palm.
Confusion flickered across his face.
The moment his fingers brushed it, a projection unfolded before his eyes.
[Universal Exchange System Service Center activated. Guardian confirmed. Granting novice reward.]
[Do you wish to open the novice reward package?]
Chu Zihang swallowed, then nodded. "Yes."
[Reward opened. As the Guardian, you may choose one of the following options.]
[1. Chakra Seed, Enhanced Physiology, Sharingan Package]
[2. Basic Hakuda, Shunpo, Kidō, Hōgyoku, Adaptive Zanpakuto Package]
[3. Three Forms of Haki, Marine Six Techniques, Random Devil Fruit Package]
Chu Zihang blinked slowly.
For reasons he could not explain, these names felt strangely familiar.
____
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