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**Beijing, Dragon Empire Alliance, June 20, 2045**
Lin Feng sprinted through the school's training grounds, weaving past holographic traps as Xiaohuo, his Flame-Tailed Drakeling, zipped above, blasting [Ember Shot Lv. 3] at moving targets. "Keep up, you scaly slacker!" Lin shouted, dodging a laser. Xiaohuo retaliated with a spark that singed Lin's hair, snarling, "Call me slacker again, and I'll roast your shoes!"
"Roast my shoes, and I'll hatch that egg just to spite you!" Lin shot back, patting his pack where the **Mystery Egg** pulsed at 40% hatch progress. Its red-gold veins glowed brighter, driving Xiaohuo into a jealous frenzy. With **5600 System Points**, Lin could hatch it now for 1000 Points, but hitting Level 10 was close, and he wanted the free unlock.
His stats flashed:
**[Status: Lin Feng, Level 9]**
- **Stats**: Strength 31 (26 +5 from Iron Bracer), Agility 33 (28 +5 from Swift Boots), Intelligence 22, Vitality 23 (18 +5 from Flameweave Belt), Luck 16
- **Skills**: [Dragon Bond Lv. 1], [Dragon Claw Strike Lv. 1], [Celestial Evasion Lv. 1], [Dragon Roar Lv. 1], [Dragon Scale Armor Lv. 1], [Dragon Flame Burst Lv. 1], [Scorching Roar Lv. 1], [Dragon Swift Strike Lv. 1]
- **Pet**: Xiaohuo (Flame-Tailed Drakeling, Level 9, Evolves at Level 10, Skills: Ember Shot Lv. 3, Drake Slash Lv. 2, Flame Pulse Lv. 2, Fire Wing Slash Lv. 2, Dragon Flame Burst Lv. 2, Scorching Roar Lv. 1)
- **System Points**: 5600
- **Inventory**: Mystery Egg, Alpha Fang, Crimson Pelt, Wolf Pelts x14, Rat Tail Bundle x9, Mana Shards x4, Shadowclaw Claw, Serpent Fang, Ironroot Core, Treant Bark, Hyena Claw, Shadow Pelt, Bonefang Tusk, Iron Pelt, Iron Bracer, Swift Boots, Flame Drake Talisman, Flame Crest Ring, Flameweave Belt, Mana Vial
The [System]'s quest pulsed: **[Quest: Clear E-Rank Dungeon by June 28. Reward: 1000 System Points, Random Dragon Skill Shard, +20% Mystery Egg Hatch Progress. Deadline: June 28, 2045. Penalty: Xiaohuo Eats Your Gear.]**
"No gear-munching, you greedy lizard," Lin muttered, eyeing Xiaohuo's jerky stash. The E-Rank dungeon was a step up—deadlier monsters, better loot, and likely **Silver Fang Guild** traps. Lin needed Level 10 to hatch the egg and boost his firepower before Li Hao's next ambush.
Fatty Wang jogged up, spatula gleaming with [Spirit Buns] (+3 Vitality). "Feng! You're pushing it! Skipping class again's gonna get us all detention!"
Su Mei, **Mana Weaver**, followed, glasses flashing with focus. "Silver Fang's upping their game. Li Hao's got a new **Blaze Core** skill, [Inferno Lance Lv. 1]. They're planning to corner you in the dungeon."
Lin grinned, twirling his dagger. "Hair Gel's got new toys? I'll break 'em. Let's hit that dungeon and hatch this egg."
The [System] chimed: **[Host, E-Rank dungeons have 20% fatality rates. Silver Fang's traps could spike that. Don't be a dead hero.]**
"Dead? Nah, I'm too charming," Lin shot back, sprinting to the **Hunter's Gate**.
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**Hunter's Gate: E-Rank Dungeon - Emberfall Rift**
The **Hunter's Gate** thrummed with hunters swapping loot under neon glows. Lin flashed his **F-Rank Dungeon Pass**, upgraded for E-Rank access after his ranking match wins. The portal displayed: **E-Rank, Emberfall Rift. Enemies: Emberfang Wolves, Scorch Rats, Emberfall Drake (C-Rank Boss). Clear Condition: Defeat Drake.**
"Drake? Xiaohuo, you're meeting a cousin," Lin teased.
Xiaohuo sparked, tail lashing. "Cousin better not touch my snacks."
The portal spat them into a molten cavern, lava rivers glowing and ash choking the air. The [System] warned: **[Silver Fang Traps Detected - Enhanced Monsters, Lava Traps, Mana Disruptors.]**
"Rigged again," Lin muttered, activating [Dragon Bond Lv. 1]. Xiaohuo's senses sharpened his own—every crackle screamed danger. "Stay sharp, team."
Wave one: 15 **Scorch Rats**, Level 7, with fiery tails and E-Rank speed. Lin's [Dragon Scale Armor] tanked bites (-15 HP), and Xiaohuo's [Scorching Roar] stunned them with a fiery AOE (-100 HP each). Su Mei's [Mana Thread Lv. 2]—upgraded overnight—boosted Xiaohuo's damage (+20%). Fatty's [Spicy Toss Lv. 2] blinded the rats, and Lin's [Dragon Swift Strike] slashed five (-90 HP each). Loot: **Scorch Tail x5**, 80 EXP. **[EXP +80. Level 9: 460/900 EXP]**.
A lava trap erupted, spraying molten rock. Lin's [Celestial Evasion] dodged, but Fatty took a burn (-20 HP). Su Mei's [Mana Thread] healed him (+10 HP), snapping, "Feng, watch the traps!"
Wave two: 10 **Emberfang Wolves**, Level 8, with flaming claws. A mana disruptor trap flickered, halving Su Mei's buff duration. Lin's [Dragon Roar] staggered the pack, and Xiaohuo's [Dragon Flame Burst] scorched them (-130 HP each). Fatty's [Iron Pan Strike Lv. 2] cracked a wolf's jaw (-100 HP), while Lin's [Dragon Swift Strike] weaved through bites, slashing two (-110 HP). A wolf's claw grazed him (-25 HP, Total: 90/140).
Lin chugged his **Mana Vial** (+50% Mana), and Xiaohuo's [Fire Wing Slash] crit (-150 HP). The pack fell, dropping **Emberfang Claws x6** and 120 EXP. **[EXP +120. Level 9: 580/900 EXP]**.
A spiked lava trap sprung, nearly impaling Su Mei. Lin yanked her back, taking a hit (-20 HP, Total: 70/140). "Stay alive, Specs!" he grunted. The [System] mocked: **[Host, your HP's dropping faster than your grades. Focus.]**
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**Boss Arena: Emberfall Drake**
The cavern opened into a lava-lit arena, the **Emberfall Drake**—C-Rank, Level 10, 1200 HP—roaring atop a molten throne. Its scales shimmered red, weak to fire but with [Magma Breath Lv. 2] and [Tail Sweep Lv. 2]. The [System] flashed: **[Silver Fang Enhancement: +200 HP, +20% Attack Speed.]**
"Rigged to hell," Lin muttered. "Xiaohuo, show this poser who's boss."
Xiaohuo growled. "This fake's going down."
Su Mei's [Mana Thread] boosted Xiaohuo's fire (+20%), and Fatty's [Spicy Toss] coated the drake, reducing accuracy. Lin's [Scorching Roar] stunned it, and he tossed Xiaohuo like a flaming missile. The drakeling's [Dragon Flame Burst] + [Fire Wing Slash] scorched its wings (-250 HP). Lin's [Dragon Swift Strike] slashed its flank (-120 HP), but [Magma Breath] blasted him (-35 HP, Total: 35/140).
"Hot, hot, hot!" Lin yelped, [Dragon Scale Armor] tanking another hit (-15 HP). A lava trap erupted, forcing the team to scatter. Li Hao's team portal-crashed—**Li Hao**, **Chen Wei**, **Zhao Min**—with **Silver Fang** gear gleaming. "You're done, Trash Tamer!" Li Hao roared, **Blaze Core** pulsing.
The [System] pinged: **[Side Quest: Foil Li Hao's Ambush. Reward: 500 System Points, Random Dragon Item. Penalty: Li Hao Steals Boss Kill.]**
Lin grinned. "Hair Gel, you're late again!"
Li Hao's [Inferno Lance Lv. 1] pierced the drake (-150 HP), but [Tail Sweep] knocked Chen Wei flat (-100 HP). Zhao Min's [Shadow Stab] scratched it (-40 HP). Lin's team struck: Xiaohuo's [Scorching Roar] stunned the drake, and [Ember Shot Lv. 3] crit (-200 HP). Fatty's [Iron Pan Strike] cracked its scales (-90 HP), and Su Mei's buffs kept Lin's Agility at 33.
A mana disruptor trap zapped Su Mei, canceling her buffs. Lin dodged [Magma Breath] with [Celestial Evasion], then taunted Li Hao, "Nice lance, Hair Gel! Aim much?" He "slipped," shoving Zhao Min into a lava trap (-80 HP, KO). The crowd, watching live, roared with laughter.
Lin tossed Xiaohuo, who unleashed [Dragon Flame Burst] + [Fire Wing Slash], a fiery storm (-300 HP). Lin's [Dragon Swift Strike] crit the drake's neck (-150 HP). Li Hao's [Blaze Storm] missed, hitting Chen Wei (-90 HP, KO). Fatty's [Spicy Toss] blinded the drake, and Lin's [Dragon Claw Strike] finished it (-110 HP).
The drake collapsed, dropping a **Drake Scale**, **Magma Core**, and 200 EXP. **[Boss Defeated! EXP +200. Level Up! Lin Feng, Level 10]**
- **Stats**: Strength 33 (28 +5), Agility 35 (30 +5), Intelligence 23, Vitality 25 (20 +5), Luck 17
- **Xiaohuo Level Up! Level 10, Evolves to Flame Drake (New Skills: Inferno Dive Lv. 1, +20% Fire Damage)]**
- **[Side Quest Completed: Foil Li Hao's Ambush. Reward: 500 System Points, Random Dragon Item - Emberheart Amulet (+10% Dragon Skill Power)]**
The **Mystery Egg** glowed, hitting 100% hatch progress.
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**Egg Hatches: Meet Qingyue**
The arena shimmered as the **Mystery Egg** cracked, red-gold light blinding the crowd. A sleek, silver-blue dragonling emerged, the size of a cat, with icy wings and piercing eyes. "I'm Qingyue, Frost-Winged Drakeling," it hissed, voice cool and sharp. "You're my master? Don't bore me."
Xiaohuo bristled. "Who's this frosty wannabe?!"
Qingyue smirked. "Wannabe? I'm classier than you, fire-breath."
The [System] chimed: **[Mystery Egg Hatched! Qingyue (Frost-Winged Drakeling, Level 1, Evolves at Level 10, Skills: Frost Breath Lv. 1, Ice Claw Lv. 1). Bonded to Host via Dragon Sovereign's Celestial Mandate.]**
Lin laughed, petting both dragons. "Play nice, you two. Qingyue, welcome to the chaos."
Li Hao, revived, glared, his **Silver Fang** mentor storming off. The crowd chanted, "Dragon Tamer!"
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**Post-Dungeon Blitz**
At the **Hunter's Gate**, Instructor Zhang tossed Lin an **E-Rank Dungeon Pass**. "Reckless, but you're a monster, kid. Don't let two dragons make you cocky."
Lin saluted, grinning. "Cocky's my brand, sir."
In his dorm, Lin equipped the **Emberheart Amulet**, boosting dragon skills. His points hit **6100**, and Qingyue's [Frost Breath] promised ice-based havoc. Fatty and Su Mei crashed in, eating [Spirit Noodles] (+5 Agility). "Two dragons?!" Fatty gasped. "You're unstoppable!"
Su Mei frowned. "Silver Fang's not done. They'll hit harder next time."
The [System] chimed: **[Quest Completed: Clear E-Rank Dungeon. Reward: 1000 System Points, Dragon Skill Shard - Frost Pulse Lv. 1 (AOE ice attack for Qingyue), +20% Next Mystery Egg Hatch Progress]**
**[New Quest: Win Team Ranking Match by July 2. Reward: 800 System Points, Random Equipment, +15% Next Egg Hatch Progress. Deadline: July 2, 2045. Penalty: Xiaohuo and Qingyue Steal Your Snacks.]**
Lin tossed noodles to both dragons, grinning. "Steal my snacks, and you're both grounded."
Xiaohuo and Qingyue snapped at each other, sparks and frost clashing. "This guy's mine," Xiaohuo growled. Qingyue hissed, "Dream on, hothead."
As Beijing's neon pulsed, Lin felt the stakes soar—Li Hao's vendetta, Silver Fang's plots, and the trials loomed. His **Immortal-Rank Talent** was a secret nuke, but the [System]'s hints about **Level 1000 Gods** lingered. With two dragons, he'd blitz the apocalypse, troll his foes, and tame the endgame.
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