Dragon Graveyard IV

Right before me loomed a massive skeleton, dwarfing all the others scattered across the graveyard. Its size was staggering, at least ten times larger than any of the other skeletons I had encountered so far. The sheer scale of its bones was awe-inspiring, but surprisingly, the overwhelming pressure I was feeling did not come from this colossal skeleton.

Something far greater was emanating from beyond it.

I moved cautiously, my footsteps echoing faintly in the eerie silence of the graveyard. As I approached the massive skeleton, I noticed what lay beyond—a hidden expanse revealed beneath the surface. It was a valley within a valley, like a secret layer of this forsaken land that had been veiled from view.

Without hesitation, I descended into the depths. The air grew heavier with every step, each breath I took carrying the weight of ancient sorrow and divine wrath. After walking a considerable distance, I finally came upon it—a being that defied description.

A massive dragon soul floated in the center of the valley, its form so vivid, so lifelike, that it felt as though a true dragon stood before me. The soul exuded an aura of supreme majesty, its translucent scales shimmering with a divine glow. Every detail, from the ridge of its spine to its razor-sharp claws, was painstakingly vivid. Its enormous eyes, though closed as if in deep slumber, radiated an indescribable power that threatened to crush me where I stood.

My heart pounded as I realized the truth: This was no ordinary dragon soul.

It was the soul of none other than the Dragon God.

The air seemed to freeze as the realization sank in. The legends I had read about the Dragon God—the being who had once ruled over all dragons, only to be slain in the catastrophic battle against the Shura God—played in my mind. Its soul should have dissipated long ago, yet here it was, intact, radiating a power that even death couldn't extinguish.

I felt a mixture of reverence and dread as I gazed upon the soul. The emotions that had been oppressive throughout the graveyard—the guilt, resentment, and regret—seemed to originate from this very being. It was as if the Dragon God's soul had absorbed the collective grief of every dragon that had fallen in this place.

In original Gu Yuena took the Dragón god heart from here while Tang Wulin was empowered her after absorbing a portion of this soul.

As I stood before the Dragon God's soul, lost in my thoughts, I suddenly froze. Its massive, ancient eyes opened, locking onto me. Instantly, I felt exposed, as though it could see through every layer of my being. I stood paralyzed, unable to move or speak, overwhelmed by the sheer weight of its gaze.

"What are you?" it asked, its voice resonating like the rumble of thunder across the valley.

Swallowing hard, I replied, "Just a human who fell here by chance."

The Dragon God's soul seemed to regard me with both curiosity and skepticism. "The dragon realm, after my death, is now but a parasite upon the Douluo Plane," it said, its tone laced with sorrow and bitterness.

After a moment, it tilted its head slightly, its glowing eyes narrowing. "Hm, but you are different," it continued, its voice suddenly sharp. "What is your purpose here?"

I took a deep breath, summoning the courage to speak under the weight of its presence. "I want to claim this place," I began, my voice steady despite the tension. "I plan to turn it into an alchemy garden—a sanctuary where the essence of dragons and the treasures of this graveyard can thrive and serve a new purpose."

The Dragon God's soul regarded me silently for a moment, as if weighing my words. "Why do you think I would agree to such a thing?" it finally asked, its tone both challenging and curious.

I exhaled, relieved that the slim chance of it killing me outright had passed. I had gambled on its willingness to listen, and so far, it seemed I was right.

"Because," I said, meeting its gaze, "I will kill the gods who betrayed and murdered you. I will restore the dignity of the dragon clan and help not just them, but all Spirit Beasts to rise again."

The soul's immense eyes narrowed, its glow intensifying. "Your words carry truth, human," it said after a pause. "But what makes you think you have the power to challenge them?"

I smirked faintly, finding a spark of confidence within myself. "Didn't you say I was different?" I replied. "That difference is why I can succeed. The gods can't keep their eyes on me. That's why I can act where others cannot."

The Dragon God's soul seemed to consider my words, its vast presence pressing against me as if testing my resolve. After a long silence, it finally spoke.

"Yes, you are indeed different. Your aura is unlike anything from the Douluo Plane," it acknowledged.

I nodded, standing firm. "Then let me prove it."

"Very well," the Dragon God's soul said, its voice echoing with ancient power, "but I have another condition."

"What condition?" I asked cautiously, my gaze fixed on the massive, glowing figure before me.

"After I was split into two parts—the Golden Dragon King and the Silver Dragon King—the Silver Dragon King escaped while the Golden Dragon King was imprisoned. That is the story the gods tell," it began, its tone heavy with a mix of bitterness and nostalgia.

"However," it continued, "the truth is far more complex. It wasn't me but two new children I was meant to sire who fought that battle. The Golden Dragon King perished, and what remains imprisoned in the God Realm is merely a vessel—a body meant for the Silver Dragon King to inherit, to strengthen her own bloodline."

I frowned, listening intently. The Dragon God's soul didn't pause, its ancient eyes piercing into me.

"As for the true Dragon King power, it resides within me," it said firmly. "Even if the Silver Dragon King reunites with the Golden Dragon's vessel, she will only inherit the elemental authority of the Golden Dragon King. She will never ascend to the level of a Dragon God. And that is where you come in."

I felt the weight of its gaze, the intensity of its words hitting me harder than any physical blow.

"I have no care for the fate of the Dragon clan or any Spirit Beasts," it said coldly. "That is the nature of our universe. I tried to go against it, and here I am. Perhaps you can succeed where I failed. But in exchange for granting you ownership of this Dragon Realm, my condition is this: you must inherit the will of the Golden Dragon King and marry the Silver Dragon King. Your union will give birth to a new Dragon God."

I was stunned into silence, my mind racing to process the magnitude of its request.

[What's the loss here? You're getting a beauty out of it anyway,] the system chimed in, breaking my train of thought.

I didn't respond, remaining silent as the implications sank in.

[Ah, I see what you mean,] the system said after a moment. [How about this? I'll allow her to accompany you to other worlds as well.]

I nodded slowly, weighing my options. "Okay," I finally said. "I accept. But what if she doesn't agree?"

The Dragon God's soul regarded me with an expression I could only describe as amused. "She will," it said confidently. "I will leave a part of myself within you that will explain everything to her."

I nodded again, a sense of determination settling over me. "Very well. I'll do it."