The grand hall of the Heavenly Dragon Court was the most magnificent place Wei Chen had ever seen. Massive golden pillars carved like coiling dragons rose to a ceiling painted with the entire history of the immortal realms. The floor was made of living starlight that shimmered and moved under their feet like a river of stars. Thousands of powerful dragons — some in human form, some with scales and horns visible — lined both sides of the hall, their auras heavy and ancient.
Wei Chen walked at the front, completely calm. His seventeen queens walked behind him in a proud formation, each one radiating the full power of the inheritance they had claimed. Zhao Ling stayed close to his left, her hand in his. Lin Xue walked on his right, cool and graceful. Su Mei and Tigress Yu followed right behind, their eyes sharp and protective.
Celestia led them down the long hall, her starlight hair flowing behind her. She glanced back at Wei Chen several times, her galaxy eyes filled with open curiosity and growing desire.
At the end of the hall sat Emperor Longwei on a massive throne made of pure dragon bone and gold. He was an old but incredibly powerful man with long white-gold hair and a crown of black dragon horns. His aura pressed down on the entire hall like a mountain.
The Emperor's eyes scanned the pride slowly, lingering on each queen with open appraisal, before settling on Wei Chen.
"So you are the one who has shaken the immortal realms," Emperor Longwei said, his voice deep and resonant. "Seventeen queens. A complete sun. And you bring children into our sacred court. Bold."
Wei Chen stopped ten steps from the throne and stood tall, completely relaxed.
"We come as equals, not subjects," he replied calmly. "The Dragon Throne of Origin chose us. We are here to hear your terms for the coming war."
A ripple of surprise and anger went through the court nobles. One of the princes — the same arrogant man with black-gold scales they had met earlier — stepped forward.
"Equals? You bring a harem of conquered women and expect to stand as equals to the Heavenly Dragon Court?"
Before anyone could react, Tigress Yu stepped forward, her massive frame towering. Her tail lashed once, and her golden eyes burned with primal fury.
"Watch your tongue, lizard," she growled, voice loud and clear. "These are not conquered women. They are our queens. Speak of them with respect or I will rip it out."
The prince's face twisted in rage, but Emperor Longwei raised a hand to silence him.
"Enough," the Emperor said. "We did not summon you here to trade insults."
He leaned forward on his throne, eyes narrowing at Wei Chen.
"The Court acknowledges your claim to the Dragon Throne. However, the true war against the Void Forces is coming. We need your power. But first, you must prove you are worthy of standing among us."
The Emperor snapped his fingers.
A massive testing platform rose from the floor in the center of the hall.
"Show us your strength, Yang Dragon. One strike. Impress us, and we will treat you as equals. Fail, and you will serve as our vassals for the coming war."
The entire hall went silent.
Wei Chen smiled.
"One strike?"
He stepped onto the testing platform. The pride watched with complete confidence.
Wei Chen raised his hand and pointed one finger at the far wall of the hall — a solid wall made of ancient dragon bone that was said to be unbreakable.
A single golden beam shot out.
The beam was thin and calm.
It touched the wall.
The entire wall exploded into golden dust.
The explosion was so powerful that the whole hall shook. Cracks spread across the ceiling. Several nobles were knocked off their feet.
Silence fell again.
Emperor Longwei stared at the destroyed wall for a long moment.
Then he began to laugh — a deep, genuine laugh.
"Impressive," he said. "Very impressive."
He stood up from his throne and walked down the steps until he stood directly in front of Wei Chen.
"You have proven your strength. From this moment, the Yang Dragon Sect is recognized as an equal power in the Heavenly Dragon Court."
The nobles murmured in shock, but no one dared argue.
The Emperor's expression became serious.
"But the true war is worse than you know. The Void Forces are not just Long Huang and his echo. There is a greater power behind them — the Void God Emperor, an ancient being who has been gathering strength for twenty thousand years. He plans to devour all yang-based bloodlines and rule the heavens in eternal darkness."
He looked at Wei Chen and the pride.
"We need your complete sun to stand against him. In three months, the Heavenly Dragon Court will launch a full-scale war against the Void God Emperor's main forces. You will fight beside us."
Wei Chen nodded.
"We will fight. But on our terms. My pride stays together. My children stay safe."
Emperor Longwei smiled faintly.
"Agreed."
As the formal meeting ended, Celestia stepped closer to Wei Chen. Her galaxy eyes were burning with clear desire.
"The Emperor has prepared private quarters for you and your pride," she said softly. "I will escort you personally… if you wish."
The queens noticed the way Celestia looked at Wei Chen.
Su Mei smirked. "She wants him."
Tigress Yu growled low. "Let her try."
Wei Chen pulled Celestia close with one arm, his hand resting on her waist.
"Lead the way, Princess."
Celestia's cheeks flushed slightly, but she smiled.
As they walked out of the grand hall toward the private palace complex, Celestia leaned in and whispered in Wei Chen's ear.
"I have never seen a man claim so many powerful women and still make them so devoted. I want to know how you do it… intimately."
The pride exchanged knowing looks.
The night was about to get very interesting.
But as they reached the private palace, a new golden message appeared in the sky above the court — visible to everyone.
Void God Emperor's forces have begun their invasion of the outer immortal realms. The war has started early.
Emperor Longwei's voice echoed across the entire court.
"All forces prepare for immediate deployment. The Yang Dragon and his pride will join the first wave."
Wei Chen looked at his queens, then at the message in the sky.
The peaceful three months of preparation had just been cut short.
The real war was here.
To be Continued
© Kishtika., 2026
All rights reserved.