Three days after the incident with the Immortal envoy, Frostwind slowly returned to normal.
On the surface.
But beneath the peace…
Something ancient had begun to stir.
Imperial Ancestral Hall — Midnight
Deep beneath the palace lay a forbidden chamber.
Only emperors with dragon blood were allowed inside.
Its doors had remained sealed for over a thousand years.
Until now.
Crack.
A thin golden line appeared across the massive stone gates.
Runes flickered.
Dust fell.
Inside the throne room, Arin suddenly opened his eyes.
He had been meditating.
His heart was racing.
A strange pull tugged at his soul.
"Something's calling me…"
[SYSTEM ALERT]
Dragon Bloodline Resonance Detected
Location: Ancestral Hall
Arin stood quietly.
Then looked at Elara and Seren sleeping beside him.
Auren floated in his cradle, glowing faintly.
"…I'll be right back."
He kissed their foreheads gently.
And vanished.
Underground Passage
Torches ignited as he walked.
Ancient murals lined the walls.
Dragons.
Kings.
Wars.
Sacrifices.
A forgotten history.
The pressure grew heavier with every step.
Finally—
He reached the sealed gate.
Golden light poured from its cracks.
"Open," Arin whispered.
His blood pulsed.
The door trembled.
Boom!
It split apart.
Inner Sanctum
A vast chamber revealed itself.
Floating in the center—
A crystal throne.
Upon it sat a skeleton.
Still wearing imperial armor.
A crown of dragon bone rested on its skull.
In its hands—
A jade tablet.
The moment Arin entered—
The skeleton's eyes ignited.
Blue flames burned.
"You have come…"
A voice echoed.
Ancient.
Tired.
Powerful.
Arin's pupils shrank.
"Who are you?"
"I am Kael Drayke."
"First Dragon Emperor."
"Founder of this dynasty."
[SYSTEM ALERT]
Ancient Soul Fragment Detected
Status: Semi-Dormant
Kael's gaze fell upon Arin.
"And you…"
"Carry my blood."
"And my regret."
Memory Projection
The room transformed.
Arin saw—
A mighty empire.
Countless Immortals kneeling.
Dragons circling.
Kael standing at the peak.
Then—
War.
Heavenly armies descending.
Betrayal.
Blood.
Fire.
The empire fell.
Kael sealed himself here.
To protect…
One last inheritance.
"I failed," Kael said softly.
"I couldn't protect my descendants."
"I couldn't protect my son."
Arin clenched his fists.
"I won't repeat that."
Kael laughed quietly.
"Good."
The jade tablet floated forward.
"Then accept it."
"Dragon Emperor Legacy."
[SYSTEM ALERT]
Hidden Quest Triggered
Quest: Inherit the Dragon Throne
Difficulty: Divine
Reward: Unknown
A pillar of golden light engulfed Arin.
Pain.
Heat.
Pressure.
Knowledge.
Flooded his mind.
Outside — Palace Grounds
The sky darkened.
Thunder roared.
Golden dragons appeared among clouds.
Citizens panicked.
"What's happening?!"
"Is the Emperor ascending?!"
Inner Sanctum
Arin screamed.
Not in fear.
In transformation.
Scales covered his arms.
His bones strengthened.
His soul expanded.
[SYSTEM ALERT]
Cultivation Breakthrough
Half-Immortal → True Immortal (Early Stage)
Kael watched.
Satisfied.
"Grow strong, child…"
"Protect them…"
His flames dimmed.
Slowly fading.
Light vanished.
Silence returned.
Arin knelt.
Panting.
Sweating.
But alive.
Stronger.
Different.
In his hand—
A dragon-shaped ring.
[SYSTEM ALERT]
Divine Artifact Obtained
Name: Dragon Sovereign Ring
Arin stood.
Eyes blazing.
"Upper Realm…"
"Wait for me."