An Understated Dominance - Chapter 2407
“I’m sorry, Ancient Sage. I made a mistake earlier,” Dustin said, looking a bit awkward.
“It’s fine. I’m not upset,” Arion replied with a hearty laugh. He then waved to Kaden. “Bring out his reward.”
“Of course,” Kaden said, then took a jade box and set it on the table next to Dustin.
“Go ahead and open it,” Arion said with a smile, encouraging Dustin to take a look inside.
Dustin nodded and carefully opened the box with both hands. Inside, he found three translucent orbs—one gold, one red, and one green.
Each orb glowed softly, and a small snake of the same color moved gracefully within.
“Dracan essence!” Dustin exclaimed, his eyes widening in surprise.
He recognized the orbs immediately. He had seen Dracan essence before, but he was amazed that Sacred Wyrm Summit had three of them. It made him curious about the treasures this place held.
“So, what do you think of your reward?” Arion asked, still smiling.
“Ancient Sage, how did you know this was exactly what I needed?” Dustin asked, unable to hide his surprise.
“My mentor has unmatched foresight. He sees the trends of the world that others miss,” Kaden said with pride.
“Ancient Sage, I hold nothing but respect for you,” Dustin said, giving a respectful salute.
Sometimes, good things come when you least expect them. Dustin hadn’t thought he would receive the Dracan essence so easily, much less three at once. With four out of the five essences now in his hands, he just needed to find the last one.
“Don’t get too ahead of yourself,” Arion warned, still smiling.
He continued, “The Dracan essence will shape the fate of the world, and it will attract many forces eager to take it from you. Now that it’s in your possession, it’s both a blessing…”
and a burden. You need to think carefully about whether you’re ready for such a big responsibility.”
“I was given this task, and I will carry it out with loyalty. The Dracan essence is mine to protect, and I will do whatever it takes to keep it safe,” Dustin said seriously.
“Good. A true Dragonmarsh man should have that kind of spirit,” Arion nodded in approval.
“Ancient Sage, you’ve given me a great gift. I have some news to share with you as well,” Dustin said, changing the topic.
“Oh? What is it?” Arion asked, raising an eyebrow.
“The Hall of Gods from Streuquan has sent experts to sneak into Sacred Wyrm Summit. Their target is the Forbidden Ground. I’m not sure if they want the Dracan essence or if they have other plans,” Dustin explained.
“The Hall of Gods?” Arion’s expression turned serious, but he kept smiling. “They have some nerve trying to target Sacred Wyrm Summit.”
“They’re well-prepared. We can’t let our guard down,” Dustin replied.
“Kaden, take care of this. Anyone who dares to enter the Forbidden Ground—kill them,” Arion ordered, his smile now sharp.
“Understood!” Kaden said as he turned to leave.
There had been too many intruders around Sacred Wyrm Summit lately. It was time to put a stop to it.
“Kid, do you want to know what’s hidden in the Forbidden Ground?” Arion asked unexpectedly.
“Well… isn’t that something I’m not supposed to know?” Dustin replied, unsure of Arion’s intentions.
“It’s not a big secret, so I don’t mind telling you,” Arion said, taking a sip from his cup. He smiled and continued, “Dragonmarsh has grown stronger because it has been riding a wave of…
A country’s success often depends on three main factors: timing, geography, and harmony.
“By ‘timing,’ I mean the cosmic forces related to the universe’s natural laws. It’s a complex idea, and I don’t fully understand it myself, so I won’t go into detail,” he explained.
“Geography is about the land itself—its mountains, rivers, and resources. A crucial element here is the Dracan force lying deep underground. The strength of this force can determine whether a nation thrives or struggles.”
He continued, “Harmony relates to the rulers of Dragonmarsh and those with special destinies.”
“Alaric Drakon, the Chief Guildmaster of the Dragon Guard, once ruled Dragonmarsh. He seized the royal Dracan force and used it for his own selfish and cruel purposes. He betrayed his loyal subjects and spread fear throughout the kingdom.”
“Your mentor, Seth, intervened and risked his life to stop him. With one swift strike, he killed Alaric and defeated the Dragon Guard. He freed the Dracan force, allowing it to flow freely again. That was a truly righteous act, and I have great respect for him.”
Dustin listened carefully, a shadow passing over his face for a moment before he steadied himself. “I see what you’re saying. But how does this relate to the Forbidden Ground at Sacred Wyrm Summit?”
“Honestly, there is more than one Dracan force in Dragonmarsh.” Arion smiled knowingly. “Aren’t you curious about why Sacred Wyrm Summit has three Dracan essences? What do you think brings them here?”
“Are you saying another Dracan force is hidden beneath the Forbidden Ground?” Dustin quickly pieced it together.
“Exactly,” Arion nodded. “That’s why I’ve stayed here all these years. My duty is to protect the Dracan force. It not only shapes the future of Sacred Wyrm Summit but is also linked to the fate of all.”
“Dragonmarsh,” Dustin said, realization hitting him. “That explains it. Even after the royal Dracan force was destroyed, Dragonmarsh stayed stable. The one under Sacred Wyrm Summit still holds the country together.”
“Exactly,” Arion replied. “Thanks to the Dracan force, I’ve improved my cultivation and managed to survive this long.” He shared this secret without hesitation.
By protecting the Dracan force, Arion had boosted his own power, reaching new heights and earning respect from everyone around him.
“Why are you telling me this, Ancient Sage? What does it mean for me?” Dustin asked carefully.
Arion’s smile grew wider. “You’re perceptive. The truth is, time waits for no one. I’m almost 200 years old, and my time is running out. I can’t guard the Dracan force much longer.”
He continued, “Before I’m gone, I need to find a successor. And you are the perfect choice.”