Dawn broke slowly over Frostwind.
Golden clouds lingered in the sky long after the storm had ended, and faint dragon shadows still drifted among them, as if unwilling to leave.
Across the capital, people whispered.
"The Emperor ascended…"
"He became an Immortal…"
"Our dynasty is blessed…"
Hope spread like wildfire.
Royal Chamber — Early Morning
Arin returned quietly.
His presence, however, was anything but quiet.
The air around him shimmered faintly.
Space bent subtly near his footsteps.
Even without releasing aura, he felt like a living mountain.
He pushed open the chamber door.
Creak.
Inside—
Elara stirred first.
Her eyes snapped open.
"…Arin?"
Then she froze.
Something was different.
Very different.
Before she could speak, Seren also woke up.
She sat up instantly, hand going to her sword.
"Why does it feel like a god walked in?"
Mira adjusted her glasses from her bed nearby.
Her pupils shrank.
"…Your spiritual density has increased by 870%."
Arin smiled awkwardly.
"Uh… good morning?"
They stared.
Then—
Elara jumped off the bed and hugged him.
"You scared me!"
"I woke up and you were gone!"
"I thought—"
He held her tightly.
"Sorry."
"I won't disappear like that again."
Seren punched his shoulder lightly.
"Idiot."
"Don't do things alone."
Mira nodded. "Next time, inform us."
Arin laughed softly. "Yes, ma'am."
Floating Cradle
Auren suddenly woke up.
Golden light surged.
He stared at Arin.
Then—
Reached out.
"Ba-ba!"
The Dragon Sovereign Ring on Arin's finger glowed.
Resonance erupted.
Boom!
A dragon-shaped light wrapped around Auren.
Runes spun.
Everyone panicked.
"Elara!" Seren shouted.
But—
Nothing harmful happened.
Instead—
Auren absorbed the light.
His aura stabilized.
[SYSTEM ALERT]
Heir Resonance Complete
Bloodline Purity: 78% → 91%
Mira whispered, "…He just refined a divine artifact's energy."
Seren muttered, "That's cheating."
Imperial Court — Noon
All ministers gathered.
Kneeled.
One by one.
When Arin entered, even veteran kings from allied nations lowered their heads.
Pressure alone forced submission.
Arin waved his hand.
"Rise."
The pressure vanished.
Instantly.
Everyone gasped.
General Kael stepped forward.
"Your Majesty…"
"Upper Realm scouts were detected at the border."
"Three of them."
"Observing."
Arin's eyes narrowed.
"Let them watch."
"If they dare step in…"
His aura leaked slightly.
The marble cracked.
"…they won't leave."
[SYSTEM ALERT]
Authority Domain Unlocked
Range: 5 km
Even Mira swallowed.
Royal Garden — Evening
Peace returned.
Arin walked slowly with Elara under blooming spirit trees.
Auren floated between them.
Golden petals drifted.
Elara glanced at him shyly.
"You're stronger now…"
"Does that mean…"
"You'll leave someday?"
He stopped.
Held her shoulders.
"Never."
"My strength exists for you."
"For our children."
"For this home."
Her eyes softened.
She hesitated.
Then whispered—
"…I think…"
"I might be pregnant again."
Arin froze.
"…What?"
Seren, who had been eavesdropping, choked.
"Again?!"
Mira dropped her tablet.
"…Statistically improbable."
Auren clapped happily.
"Ba-ba!"
Arin stared.
Then laughed.
Pulled Elara into his arms.
"Best breakthrough ever."
Far Away — Upper Realm Outpost
A scout trembled.
"Report to sect!"
"He's already an Immortal!"
"He has heirs!"
"This… this is a future Heavenly Emperor!"
Storm clouds gathered.
Destiny accelerated.