656 Entering the King Realm

The old man hovered above the imperial city. Below, foreign inhabitants had already vacated, leaving only the dragon clan members. 

He declared, "Descendants of the dragon clan, from now on, East Qingzhou is your homeland. Pledge allegiance to it. Once I pass on, you won't be of the dragon clan, but people of Qingzhou. Should anyone betray Qingzhou, our clan leader can execute them as per our ancestral code. Conduct yourselves with honor and humility. We started as common beings and to that state, we return." 

His message, though plain, held profound weight.

On the ground, the dragon clan members mourned deeply, their cries echoing throughout the city. Their anguish was palpable — they foresaw the inevitable. 

Suddenly, a desperate shout pierced the air, "The Patriarch is fading!"