Ashen Dragon

Jezarslack's tone was incomparably excited, almost manic, as he asked, "Do you know why I dare to invade the Prime Material Plane in my true form?"

Cassius did not answer.

Clearly, the demon did not intend to let him respond, continuing without leaving any pause.

"What is sealed here..."

"Is far more than just me!"

Jezarslack lifted his ethereal, gaunt arm once more, the demonic silhouette appearing again behind him.

As the heavy chains clanked noisily, the complex runes emitted a dazzling light that continually scorched the demon's emaciated body, yet were unable to stop him from pouring out an immense chaotic power.

The entire floating island began to violently tremble, cracks spreading across the towering mountains in the distance, eventually causing them to shatter and send debris and dust rolling into the air.

When the dust settled, an unimaginably gigantic form was revealed under the void's curtain.

"How could this be..."

Cassius stood frozen, murmuring to himself.

His expression changed drastically, and even his true form's breathing became rapid.

On the horizon of the floating island appeared a colossal dragon's body, as massive as a mountain—a form he knew all too well, the shape of a Red Dragon.

The ferocious dragon head was nearly a hundred meters long, its spine covered with bone spurs resembling undulating peaks. If the body buried deep within the floating island's rock were fully revealed, this Red Dragon would likely be over a kilometer long—vastly exceeding Cassius's imagination of "Red Dragon" and even the entire dragon species.

This ancient Red Dragon still maintained the posture of struggling to break free from the floating island. Its giant claws stretched outward, forming the highest peak on the island, and even its cavernous maw, as vast as the Abyss, was exaggeratedly open toward the sky.

But heavy chains firmly bound its sky-covering wings, and indestructible rocks tightly encased its body.

That universe-shaking body had long ago lost its vitality; even its scales had grown dull. Its lake-like eyes were devoid of any ripples, like a pool of murky dead water. Only its chest emitted a faint pulsing glow.

It turned out that the body of this Red Dragon was the true essence of the floating island.

More accurately, this was a giant corpse of a deity floating in the star realm!

Jezarslack gazed into the distance as if appreciating a spectacular view, his face showing irrepressible excitement and thrill.

"Praise the Master of Fire, the Invincible One, the World Cleanser—Karix."

"He symbolizes pure power and destruction, the Ancestral Dragon God of the Final Scourge, who periodically descends upon the Prime Material World to unleash unholy flames upon mankind."

Like reciting an epic opera, or a devout zealot, the demon's fervent and impassioned voice echoed in the void, lingering long after.

Then, with a supremely confident expression, he turned to look at the now-transformed Red Dragon standing still.

"Tens of thousands of years ago, Karix descended upon the star realm, attempting to cleanse this material plane, and I took the opportunity to descend as well, aiming to implement the grand will of the Abyss."

"Unfortunately, Karix overestimated his strength and underestimated the cunning of the gods; they designed a trap to seal him. Karix had to abandon his majestic body and escape with most of his divine power, eventually being exiled to the desolate Outer Planes—Chaotic Void Tunnel."
Explore stories on My Virtual Library Empire

"However, his body, imbued with nearly untarnished Ancestral Dragon Bloodline, was left here. The gods collaborated to conceal its existence, and it can only be accessed through the Stellar Prism's coordinates; even Bahamut and Tiamat were unaware."

"Though tens of thousands of years have passed, and the divine powers have gradually dissipated in the star realm due to a vicious curse, there is still a thousandth of the Dragon Vein Power contained within, which is enough to make you the most terrifying dragon in the Prime Material Plane, at least on the Elzegai Continent."

Jezarslack stared intently into Cassius's eyes, as if looking at prey caught in a net, and spoke once more, his deep, magnetic voice dripping with insinuation.

"How about it, Cassius?"

"This is my utmost sincerity."

Cassius remained frozen, his mind racing, myriad thoughts swirling, while his true form in the material world exhaled hot white smoke, and his pale golden eyes quivered slightly.

But he managed to suppress the deep-seated greed in his blood, forcing himself to calm down.

Karix's original body was a treasure even Tiamat would covet, perhaps even the foundation for deification.

Would this "Lord of Vengeance" really gift it to him freely, merely for the sake of cooperation?

"Every gift from fate is secretly marked with its price."

"And a demon's gift hides an unending well of blood and chaos."

"This decayed body isn't his sincerity; it's a thousand-year-old feast prepared by the demon for himself, with me as the perfect vessel."

Cassius thought to himself.

The Red Dragon refocused his gaze on the demon before him, scrutinizing that "sincere" expression with a hint of resoluteness deep in his eyes.

But he did not reveal it openly. Instead, he fully activated his [Silver-Tongued] ability, combined with his innate charisma that could twist reality, and feigned an excited, trembling demeanor with superb acting skill.

Cassius stared intently at the colossal carcass, appearing as ravenous as a feral dog, his expression utterly greedy. "Jezarslack, I... I accept your sincerity. If I can possess this power, I am willing to merge with you."

"How should we commence this so-called cooperation?"

He feigned impatience, anxiously asking.

Jezarslack finally broke into a satisfied smile.

"Don't be anxious, my dear partner, I prepared the contract over a thousand three hundred years ago; you can easily give up this clumsy, ridiculous incarnation and come in your true form."

"I have made considerable concessions, and that's the least you can do, isn't it?"

In Jezarslack's deep eyes, Abyssal Turmoil swirled. The chaotic energy formed twisted symbols in the void, eventually manifesting as a dark yellow, ancient contract scroll, signed by Jezarslack with part of his true name obscured by mist.

"Alright."

Cassius responded straightforwardly.

But his panel refreshed with dark red information.

[You've gained an advanced career path: [Pact Warlock - Fiendish Sovereign]]

[You have formed a pact with a fiend from the Lower Planes. These beings crave the corruption or destruction of all things, including you, ultimately.]

[The Demon Lord who signed a contract with you will become your sect master, granting you power.]