Beneath an endless veil of darkness lay a world untouched by the outside.
At first glance, the darkness appeared natural.
Yet anyone with keen enough senses would immediately realize it had been artificially created, stretching across the heavens like an enormous curtain that concealed everything beneath it.
Beyond the darkness stood an awe-inspiring sight.
Countless mountains pierced the sky, each supporting magnificent palaces, temples, and towering pagodas carved directly into their peaks. Bridges suspended between the mountains glowed with intricate formations while waterfalls cascaded endlessly into rivers that flowed through the valleys below.
Despite being hidden from the world, the city was very much alive.
Humans walked the streets carrying out their daily routines, disciples sparred in open courtyards, merchants exchanged treasures, and elders leisurely discussed the Dao beneath ancient pavilions.
Suddenly—
The surface of one of the rivers erupted.
A colossal Flood Dragon burst from the water.
Its azure scales shimmered brilliantly, each reflecting a faint aqua radiance that illuminated the surrounding darkness. Golden patterns adorned its elegant horns, giving the majestic beast an almost divine appearance.
The dragon glided effortlessly through the air.
To it, the sky was merely another river.
Without slowing down, it ascended toward the tallest mountain, where an enormous castle overlooked the entire hidden realm.
As its claws touched the stone platform before the castle gates, its massive body was enveloped in light.
Moments later, a young man stepped forward.
Only the pair of dragon horns protruding from his forehead and the long azure tail swaying behind him betrayed his true identity.
Golden eyes sparkled beneath flowing white hair that cascaded like silk down his back, each strand perfectly arranged despite the wind.
A graceful smile rested upon his lips as he strode confidently into the castle with the dignity expected of a Dragon.
Inside the grand hall, countless figures were already seated.
Representatives of nearly every race occupied the circular chamber.
Humans.
Elves.
Beastkin.
Giants.
Spirits.
Even races long believed extinct by the outside world.
The dragon quietly took his seat beside a woman whose ebony skin contrasted beautifully with her silver hair. Her long ears immediately revealed her identity.
A Dark Elf.
The two exchanged subtle nods before shifting their attention toward the front of the hall.
There stood an enormous throne.
Empty.
No one dared occupy it.
"It has been two years since the heir was identified."
A solemn voice suddenly echoed throughout the chamber.
Though thunderous enough to shake one's soul, it never escaped beyond the hall itself.
A tall man possessing an almost flawless physique emerged from a side chamber.
Every conversation ceased instantly.
Without acknowledging the countless gazes fixed upon him, he calmly walked toward the throne.
Rather than sitting upon it...
He took the seat immediately beside it.
A young boy quietly followed behind him before stopping several steps away with his hands folded behind his back.
"How shall we proceed?"
The man asked.
His calm voice carried unquestionable authority.
Immediately, the human elders began whispering among themselves.
The representatives of the other races merely watched.
They had long understood their opinions were rarely sought to determine policy.
Instead...
The humans used their responses to judge their loyalty to the Sect.
The dragon elder spoke first.
"We all know how difficult it is to survive that forest."
His deep voice resonated throughout the hall.
"Especially for someone who had only recently awakened."
"If he is still alive after two years..."
"...then his talent exceeds our expectations."
He folded his arms.
"The reward he chose already demonstrated wisdom over greed."
"He didn't chase immediate power."
"He chose survival."
A faint smile appeared on his lips.
"I suggest we retrieve him."
"Bring him back."
"And raise him properly within the Sect."
"After all..."
"He has already been acknowledged by the inheritance."
No one interrupted him.
The dragon neither feared the humans nor sought their approval.
Although they possessed the strength to suppress him...
That did not change the fact that Dragons were a superior race.
He intended to conduct himself accordingly.
The man beside the throne gave a nearly imperceptible nod, as though he had anticipated the suggestion all along.
His gaze then swept across the human elders still engaged in pointless debate.
After several moments...
He slowly rose.
The entire hall instantly fell silent.
"The heir shall not be retrieved."
His words stunned everyone.
"He will remain where he is."
"If he survives another two years..."
"...then he shall be brought before this Sect."
He turned slightly toward the empty throne.
"Upon entering these halls..."
"...he shall be recognized as the Sect Leader."
No one objected.
No one questioned him.
Without another word, the man turned and departed through the same doorway from which he had emerged.
The young boy silently followed.
Only after the doors closed did the murmuring resume.
The dragon elder clicked his tongue softly before standing.
He despised the feeling of inferiority these humans imposed upon him.
Yet he also understood reality.
Their strength far exceeded his own.
Submitting now promised far greater rewards in the future.
At the very least...
As one of the Sect's elders, neither the proud Knights nor the other ancient races dared touch the dragons living under his protection.
That alone made swallowing his pride worthwhile.
Leaving the castle, his body expanded once more.
In a flash of azure light, the elegant dragon soared from the mountain peak before diving toward the river hidden beneath the eternal darkness.
Far below...
In the deepest reaches of that same river...
A single eye slowly opened.
It was unimaginably large.
Merely opening it caused the surrounding waters to tremble.
The dragon immediately halted.
Its proud expression vanished.
Respectfully lowering its head, it remained perfectly still.
The colossal creature merely exhaled.
A gentle breath.
Yet that single breath sent the dragon tumbling backward through the water as though struck by an invisible mountain.
The dragon hurriedly steadied itself.
Without daring to approach again, it bowed deeply before retreating toward its own underwater palace.
The ancient eye watched him leave.
Then...
Just as slowly...
It closed once more.
As though awakening, even for a brief moment...
Had been more troublesome than the dragon itself.