“I’m sorry, Ancient Sage. I misspoke earlier.” Dustin apologized with an awkward expression.
“It’s okay. I’m not bothered by it.”
Arion laughed heartily. He then waved at Kaden. “Bring out his reward.”
“Of course,” Kaden replied, then retrieved a jade box and placed it on the table beside Dustin.
“Go ahead and open it.” Arion smiled and motioned for Dustin to 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 faintly, and inside, a small snake of the same color slithered.
Their movements were graceful and almost alive.
“Dracan essence!” Dustin’s eyeş widened in surprise.
He had encountered Dracan essence before and immediately recognized the orbs. But what surprised him was that Sacred Wyrm Summit had not one, but three of them. It made him wonder what kind of treasure-filled land this was.
“Well, how do you like the reward?” Arion asked with a smile.
“Ancient Sage, how did you know this is exactly what I needed?” Dustin couldn’t hide his surprise.
“My mentor’s foresight is unmatched.
The trends of the world never escape his keen eyes,” Kaden said proudly.
“Ancient Sage, I have nothing but respect for you,” Dustin said with a respectful salute.
Sometimes, things did come when one least expected them. He hadn’t expected to receive the Dracan essence so effortlessly, much less three at once. With four of the five Dracan essences already in his possession, he just
needed to find the remaining one.
“Don’t get too ahead of yourself,”
Arion said with a smile.
He continued, “The Dracan essence will shape the fate of the world, and it will draw the attention of countless forces eager to seize it.
“Now that it’s in your hands, it’s both a blessing and a burden. You’ll have to think carefully about whether you’re ready to take on such a heavy responsibility.”
“I was entrusted with this task and will carry it out loyally. The Dracan essence is mine to protect, and I’ll do whatever it takes to safeguard it,” Dustin replied
seriously.
“Good. A true Dragonmarsh man should have that kind of spirit.” Arion nodded with approval.
“Ancient Sage, you’ve given me such a generous gift. I have some news to share with you in return.” Dustin suddenly changed the subject.
“Oh? Do tell.” Arion raised an eyebrow.
“The Hall of Gods from Streuquan has sent experts to infiltrate Sacred Wyrm Summit. Their target is the Forbidden Ground. I’m not sure if they’re after the Dracan essence or have other intentions,” Dustin said truthfully.
“The Hall of Gods?” Arion narrowed his eyes but kept his smile. “They’ve got some nerve trying to target Sacred Wyrm Summit.”
“They’re well-prepared. We can’t “Dustin afford to let our guard down,” replied.
“Kaden, take care of this. Anyone who dares to trespass in the Forbidden Ground-kill them.” Arion smiled, though his words carried a deadly edge.
“Understood!” Kaden responded and turned to leave.
There had been too many intruders around Sacred Wyrm Summit lately. It was time to put an end to it.
“Kid, do you want to know what’s hidden in the Forbidden Ground?” Arion asked suddenly.
“Well… isn’t that something I’m not supposed to know?” Dustin was unsure of Arion’s intentions.
“It’s not a huge 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’s been riding a wave of success that’s hard to stop. There are three key factors that shape a country’s success-timing, geography, and harmony.
“By ‘timing,’ I mean the kind of cosmic forces tied to the universe’s natural laws. It’s complicated, and I haven’t fully grasped it myself, so I won’t go into it.
“On the other hand, geography refers to the land-its mountains, rivers, and resources. What truly influences all of this is the Dracan force hidden deep underground. The strength of this force determines whether a nation thrives or falters.”
He went on, “Harmony is tied to the rulers of Dragonmarsh and those with special destinies.
“Alaric Drakon, the Chief Guildmaster of the Dragon Guard, once ruled Dragonmarsh. He took control of the royal Dracan force and used it for his own greedy, cruel purposes. He betrayed his loyal subjects and sowed fear throughout the kingdom.
“Your mentor, Seth, stepped in and risked his life to stop him. With a single strike, he killed Alaric and wiped out the Dragon Guard. He freed the Dracan force, and it began to flow freely again. That was an act of true righteousness, and I have nothing but respect for him.”
Hearing this, Dustin’s gaze darkened briefly before he composed himself. “I understand what you’re saying. But what does this have to do with the Forbidden Ground at Sacred Wyrm Summit?”
“Truth be told, there is more than one Dracan force in Dragonmarsh.” Arion smiled knowingly. “Aren’t you curious
why Sacred Wyrm Summit has three Dracan essences? What do you think draws them here?”
“You mean there’s another Dracan force hidden beneath the Forbidden Ground?” Dustin quickly caught on.
“That’s right.” Arion nodded. “That’s why I’ve remained here all these years without leaving. My duty is to safeguard the Dracan force. It doesn’t just secure the fate of Sacred Wyrm Summit, but it’s also connected to the fate of all Dragonmarsh.”
Realization dawned on Dustin. “No wonder… Even after the royal Dracan force was destroyed, Dragonmarsh didn’t collapse into chaos. The one beneath Sacred Wyrm Summit still anchors the country’s fate.”
“Exactly. Thanks to the Dracan force, I’ve reached my current level of cultivation and managed to survive this
long.” Arion openly revealed the secret without any hesitation.
By guarding the Dracan force, he had sustained himself. Its power pushed his cultivation to unprecedented heights and earned everyone’s reverence.
“Then, why are you telling me this, Ancient Sage? What does it have to do with me?” Dustin asked tentatively.
Arion’s smile deepened. “You’re sharp. The truth is that age catches up with everyone. I’m almost 200 years old, and my time is running out. I can’t protect the Dracan force much longer.”
He continued, “Before my time is up, I need a successor. And you’re the perfect candidate.”
