A distant, ancient Land of the Dragons.
The Golden Dragon hung silently above all living things, and in the depths of fate, it seemed to understand the significance of this moment.
“Is that so… this is the meaning behind my being sent to this era?” Beiyuan’s thoughts flickered.
Then, in the next second, as if an instinct rooted deep within his bloodline had awakened, the Golden Dragon suddenly raised its head and let out a long, mournful roar.
Immediately, all the dragons surrounding it responded with their own howls, as if echoing the Golden Dragon’s call.
They were so fervent, so obedient, that Beiyuan almost believed they would do anything for him! As if from this moment on, just one command from Beiyuan would be obeyed unconditionally!
—Perhaps this was no illusion.
“A dragon only acknowledges one king in its lifetime.”
A voice suddenly came through.
From the ground emerged a massive Iron-colored Dragon that Beiyuan had never seen before.
The Iron Dragon slowly ascended into the air, but it did not approach Beiyuan’s domain.
From afar, it observed the scene and said, “It seems the result of the Wang Selection Battle has already been decided.”
“Father.” The Black Dragon and Silver Dragon respectfully addressed the newly appeared Iron Dragon, their tone full of deference.
This Iron Dragon was larger than all the younger dragons present but appeared much older, embodying the weight of years, calm and weathered.
Dragon kinship was thin; the Black Dragon and his son barely exchanged more than a greeting.
After the Iron Dragon appeared, the younger dragons guarding Beiyuan immediately grew alert.
Some bared their fangs and narrowed their pupils, issuing low warning roars from their throats.
The Black Dragon made no move to stop them, for he, too, was now a bulwark protecting Beiyuan’s throne. This was a boundary no one, not even kin, could cross.
“May I ask who you are?” Beiyuan did not sense hostility from the other, and he gently calmed the surrounding dragons’ heightened vigilance.
The dragons instantly shook their heads, still wary but much more restrained.
“…” The Iron Dragon looked on with a complex expression, then sighed with deep nostalgia, “Good… truly good…”
Its gaze swept across this youngest new blood of the dragon clan, a fresh future.
“This generation of dragons is the most fierce and unruly; I never thought I would see the day they obeyed so well.”
While speaking, the Iron Dragon cast a meaningful glance at each of Beiyuan’s sons before turning to Beiyuan himself.
“I have yet to introduce myself. I am a vassal of the Old Dragon King. I have had the lifelong honor of witnessing the moment of your birth, Your Majesty, the New King.”
When the Iron Dragon spoke, its demeanor and tone were unusually respectful. Though Beiyuan was far younger than it, he was the new King of the Dragons.
That alone brooked no disrespect, and the young dragons guarding Beiyuan would not tolerate it.
The Iron Dragon clearly understood this, “Just as these new dragons serve you, I bring word from the Old Dragon King: the Sacred Torch of inheritance is ready atop the Snow Mountain, waiting for you to assume it and complete the Succession Rite.”
Beiyuan’s eyes flickered with confusion. “The Old Dragon King?”
The Black Dragon, among the strongest of the new generation besides Beiyuan, took the floor with calm authority, explaining, “The Dragon King’s Succession usually begins when the Old Dragon King grows too old and powerless. Then the young generation competes, and once a new King emerges, the old King voluntarily steps down.”
“We have already held several Wang Selection Battles in this generation, but none produced a final victor.”
Though the Iron Dragon appeared calm, Beiyuan could sense beneath its steady exterior the strain of those unresolved battles.
The Iron Dragon twitched its eyelids and said quietly, “Because the cycles between these selection battles have become so long, the Old Dragon King has grown very frail, even unable to travel. So this transition ceremony must be completed by you in person.”
Beiyuan considered this before asking, “Where is the location?”
Since ancient times, dragons do not enter the space above the King; even those guiding him must remain beneath his altitude.
The Iron Dragon lowered its height, then spread its wings, “Please follow me.”
Their destination was a Snow Mountain not far from the castle.
On the way, Beiyuan learned from the dragons that the castle ahead was the residence of the Chasing Dragon Clan knights.
These knights lived around the dragons’ gathering places, while the dragons themselves clustered around their King.
In short,
“Without a King’s governance, we would never tolerate a single dragon’s ‘territory’ expanding unchecked.”
Meaning, without a King, the entire dragon clan would be overrun by monsters roaming freely across the lands.
In a vague moment, Beiyuan seemed to see countless lines weaving tightly together.
“We have arrived.” The Iron Dragon leading them suddenly announced.
Before them rose a continuous range of snowy peaks — the place the Old Dragon King had chosen for retirement, and where he still dwelled.
Beiyuan looked down from above and immediately spotted the ancient dragon standing atop the highest peak.
The White Dragon coiled around the sharply protruding spire — the mountain’s summit was dusted with snow.
But even this peak barely accommodated the immense White Dragon.
Its sharp claws pierced the snow, wings folded around the spire’s tip, the wind fluttering its aged, flowing white beard.
It gazed toward Beiyuan, flying closer, as if looking from the past into the future.
The falling snowflakes landed on its faded scales but could not shake its majestic form, as though it had always stood tall here.
This was the Old Dragon King.
Beiyuan sighed inwardly, as if seeing not just the dragon’s form but the image of an aged yet vigorous elder.
“This one must have been powerful once,” Beiyuan thought.
After entering the mountain’s domain, the dragons following Beiyuan gradually halted at the perimeter.
Honestly, the Black Dragon and others wished to accompany him further, but since this was a conversation with the Old Dragon King, they knew they had no right to intervene and reluctantly waited outside.
Finally, Beiyuan descended slowly and landed on the snowy peak closest to the White Dragon.
As he approached, he noticed many of the White Dragon’s scales had turned gray.
“You have finally arrived.” The White Dragon’s voice was deep and resonant, carrying a long history. “I have waited a long time.”
Beiyuan withdrew his curious gaze, sensing the words held deeper meaning. “How did you know I would come?”
The White Dragon seemed to reflect for a moment, its tone gentle as that of an old family elder weathered by countless years, “As my body grew old and powerless, a young friend I know foretold your arrival.”
…A prophecy?
Beiyuan was aware many races possessed strange abilities and asked, “Did this one also foretell when you would leave?”
As expected, Beiyuan’s question did not surprise the White Dragon.
At that moment, a sudden chorus of dragon howls rose from the sky.
Beiyuan looked up to see the dragons following him circling above, gathering around his domain like a flock paying homage to a phoenix, unwilling to part.
“What is this…?”
“It seems they cannot wait any longer; youth is always impatient,” the White Dragon chuckled, showing no sign of annoyance. “This is the first step of the Coronation Ceremony: the dragons dance around the dragon they have recognized as King, showing their loyalty and strength.”
A primordial, ancient dance belonging to dragons.
For some reason, Beiyuan suddenly thought of Amai’s ice dance. Though one was a human and the other dragons, the tone and rhythm they displayed were surprisingly similar.
This was not a soft, delicate dance, but one that seemed to break through ice, spinning on the edge of a blade.
Each massive dragon flapped its wings, not to hunt or attack, but like moths drawn to a flame—boldly and fearlessly.
Their roars formed a unique rhythm, sharp and high-pitched, beating like their wildly racing hearts.
They sought to convey this fierce passion and let their King know—
“If possible, my King, would you look upon us?”
“We are both your spear and shield; please show us your favor.”
Though their stance was firm, the message was a quiet and sincere hope.
“Why does my heart feel like it cannot handle this excitement?” Luluda clutched his chest, staring at the projection of the circling dragons, overwhelmed.
No one answered him, for they too were absorbed in the grandeur before them, eyes wide and breath held.
“Won’t you respond to them?” the White Dragon asked Beiyuan.
“…Should I go if I were not ready?”
Seeming to perceive Beiyuan’s hesitation, the White Dragon said, “If you find their offering unsatisfactory, you may also give them hardships to temper their recklessness.”
Beiyuan flapped his wings, “That’s not what I meant.”
The White Dragon smiled, “Alright then, young one from the future, I understand your concerns.”
The White Dragon finally stopped concealing the truth and plainly revealed Beiyuan’s origin.
“Just remember, a dragon acknowledges only one King in its life.”
The Iron Dragon had said the same.
The White Dragon looked toward the dragons still circling in the sky, waiting for Beiyuan’s response.
“No matter the cause, they have already recognized you— no matter if another powerful dragon appears later, no matter if you grow old, no matter if this dynasty collapses, no matter if one day you become neither wise nor clever…”