Ascendance: Chronicles of a Celestial Dragon

The vast expanse of nothingness stretched infinitely, a void devoid of sound, light, or even the faintest whisper of life. Yet, within this emptiness, a spark flickered—a singular point of consciousness in an otherwise blank canvas. That spark was Alex, and he was about to discover just how dramatically his life was about to change.

Alex felt himself being pulled, yanked from his existence and thrust into the unknown. Memories of his past life flickered like images on a film reel—his friends, family, the mundane routines of life, all fading away as he was enveloped by the light. Suddenly, he found himself standing in a grand hall, adorned with opulent decorations and celestial motifs that shimmered in shades of purple and gold.

"What the hell?" Alex blinked, trying to make sense of his surroundings. The air felt charged, humming with an energy that sent a shiver down his spine. "Where am I?"

His question hung unanswered in the air as he took in the sights before him. The room was vast, with towering pillars that reached the heavens, each etched with intricate designs that told stories of gods and celestial beings. At the center of the hall sat a massive throne, upon which lounged a figure exuding an aura of unrestrained power—Zeno, the Omni King.

Zeno looked up, his big, innocent eyes widening with curiosity. "You're not a god," he declared with childlike glee, bouncing on his throne. "But you're here!"

"Right… I'm here," Alex murmured, still reeling from the abrupt transition. He ran a hand through his hair, attempting to regain his composure. "Okay, Alex. Time to figure this out. One step at a time."

Before he could process his next move, a flash of light erupted beside Zeno, revealing an ethereal being in a long, flowing robe—the Grand Priest. His presence commanded respect and authority, and Alex instinctively felt the weight of the being's gaze upon him.

"Welcome to Zeno's palace," the Grand Priest said, his voice calm and melodic. "You have been brought here for a reason."

"A reason?" Alex echoed, still bewildered. "Can someone explain what's going on? I was just—"

"You were chosen," Zeno interrupted, his excitement palpable. "Chosen to be special! Like my friend!"

"Your friend?" Alex asked, raising an eyebrow. He could hardly wrap his mind around the notion that he was deemed special by a childlike being such as Zeno.

The Grand Priest's expression softened. "Indeed. Zeno sees potential in you, a potential that may surpass many in this universe."

"Okay, so what does that mean for me? Am I stuck here?" Alex asked, his voice tinged with uncertainty.

"You are free to explore," the Grand Priest assured him. "But first, we need to understand how you came to be here."

"Understand how I got here?" Alex echoed, suddenly wary. He hadn't considered that they might be curious about his presence. "I just… appeared."

Zeno tilted his head, his wide eyes filled with innocent wonder. "But how? You're not a god or an angel!"

"I'm not entirely sure," Alex admitted, trying to gauge their reactions. "Maybe it was a random accident?"

The Grand Priest regarded him thoughtfully, his eyes narrowing slightly. "Interesting. Very interesting. We must investigate this further."

As they spoke, Alex felt an unfamiliar surge within him, a flicker of energy that hinted at something greater. Then, before he could fully process what was happening, a holographic screen materialized before him, displaying a multitude of options, each filled with information he could scarcely comprehend. The interface pulsed with energy, offering him a glimpse of something extraordinary—his very own system.

Welcome, Alex!

Please select your bloodline to gain extraordinary powers!

His heart raced. This was not just any typical reincarnation; it was an opportunity to become something more. The choices flickered before him, each one more enticing than the last.

Celestial Dragon Bloodline

Demonic Bloodline

Celestial Being Bloodline

Ancient God Bloodline

"Celestial Dragon Bloodline?" Alex muttered, feeling drawn to its potential. "Sounds intriguing. Let's see what it offers."

As he made his selection, the screen shifted, revealing the benefits that came with the Celestial Dragon Bloodline:

Starting Power Level: 15 (Equivalent to an Angel)

Enhanced Strength and Agility

Unique Abilities: Celestial Manipulation and Dragon's Breath

Access to Ancient Knowledge of the Cosmos

"Damn," Alex whispered, a grin spreading across his face. "This is more than I bargained for."

The screen continued to flash, offering him further options for skills and abilities. He could feel a surge of energy coursing through him, a sensation unlike anything he had experienced before. It was exhilarating.

"Now, let's see what I can do with this power," Alex said, his confidence swelling. He glanced at Zeno, who was watching him with wide-eyed enthusiasm, and then at the Grand Priest, who was observing with a blend of curiosity and suspicion.

"What is that?" Zeno asked, his voice rising with excitement.

"It's… uh… just something I can do," Alex stammered, trying to maintain the secret of the system. "It helps me unlock my potential. Nothing to worry about!"

The Grand Priest frowned slightly, clearly intrigued but unwilling to press further at that moment. "Very well. Just be cautious with your newfound abilities."

Alex took a deep breath and centered himself, focusing on the energy within him. The room around him seemed to vibrate with his power as he felt the aura of the Celestial Dragon Bloodline manifesting. It was a rush, a feeling of empowerment that surged through him like a tidal wave.

As he settled into a relaxed stance, Alex closed his eyes once more. He could feel the energy swirling around him, a tempest of power waiting to be harnessed. He visualized the flames flickering at his fingertips, imagining them transforming into a controlled stream of fire.

Gradually, he began to mold the energy. The flames intensified, swirling around him in a vibrant vortex. He felt the heat radiating off him, but he kept his focus, channeling the energy with precision. "This is all pretty chill," he thought. "Just gotta ride the wave."

"I can do this," he whispered to himself, determination igniting within him. "I'm not just some average guy anymore. I'm powerful!"

With a sudden burst of concentration, he shot a stream of flames into the cosmos, watching as it illuminated the dark void. The flames danced among the stars, lighting up the surroundings and creating a beautiful spectacle.

"Look at that!" Zeno cheered, clapping his hands in delight. "You're so cool, Alex!"

"Yeah, it's pretty neat," Alex replied, his voice casual, as though conjuring flames was just another Tuesday for him. He turned to the Grand Priest, an idea brewing in his mind. "So, since I'm here and all, I might as well start training for something serious. You know, Ultra Instinct."

The Grand Priest raised an eyebrow, surprised by the request. "Ultra Instinct? That's quite ambitious."

"Yeah, well, I like to keep things interesting," Alex replied, his tone relaxed. "Plus, if I'm going to be here, I might as well be at the top of my game."

"Very well," the Grand Priest conceded, a hint of a smile forming on his lips. "I'll guide you through the basics. But be warned: mastering Ultra Instinct is no small feat."

"I get it; I'm not expecting it to be a walk in the park," Alex said, shrugging casually. "Just give me the lowdown, and I'll handle the rest."

With that, the Grand Priest began to explain the principles of Ultra Instinct, emphasizing the importance of instinctive movement and reflexes. Alex listened intently, nodding along, his demeanor relaxed and confident. He could already envision himself mastering the technique, the thought igniting a sense of determination within him.

"First, you must learn to let go of your conscious mind," the Grand Priest instructed, gesturing for Alex to focus. "Clear your thoughts and allow your instincts to take over."

"Sounds easy enough," Alex replied, closing his eyes and taking a deep breath. He cleared his mind, pushing aside thoughts of the past and any distractions. The weight of the universe felt far away as he sank into a state of calm.

In that moment, he felt a subtle shift within him, as if the energy surrounding him responded to his relaxed state. Instinctively, his body began to move, weaving through the cosmic void with an effortless grace that surprised even him.

"Good! Very good!" the Grand Priest exclaimed, clearly impressed by Alex's adaptability.

"Thanks," Alex said, a smirk creeping onto his face. "Guess I've got a knack for this."

As he continued to practice, Alex's movements became more fluid, more instinctive. It was a liberating feeling, like floating on a breeze, with every action flowing seamlessly into the next. He could feel the latent power within him awakening, and the thrill of it all was intoxicating.

"I could really get used to this," he mused, glancing back at Zeno, who was watching with wide eyes, his excitement palpable. "How about we make this a regular thing?"

"I love it!" Zeno cheered, clapping his hands