Nine Star Hegemon Body Arts

Buzz.

The space around Long Chen twisted, and in the next instant, he appeared before a massive throne. Beneath it, countless divine dragons intertwined, their majestic forms supporting the throne like living pillars.

The sacred aura in the air gave Long Chen goosebumps. To his surprise, every dragon below the throne radiated a power far beyond even that of the Domain Protector.

Yet, all these terrifying existences were willingly serving as the foundation for this throne.

Golden divine light cascaded from the throne, bathing the world in its glow. Atop the throne rested a golden crown.

When Long Chen saw the crown, his heart pounded faster. The golden light originated from it, and both the throne and the dragons were bound to it. It represented absolute authority.

All of a sudden, an ancient voice echoed through the air.

“Great heir to the Dragon Sovereign, you’ve come. The Sovereign King Dragon Crown has been waiting for you for a long time. Put it on you, and you will become the supreme Dragon Sovereign. All dragons will kneel beneath your feet, and you will control their fate. None shall defy your will. At your command, they will fight to the death without hesitation.”

The voice was not loud or domineering. Instead, it was humble and devout—like that of a loyal servant awaiting his master’s order.

Long Chen slowly walked toward the throne. The stairs leading to it were formed from the bodies of dragon experts, each exuding terrifying pressure. With every step, the weight of the path pressed down on Long Chen, shaking him to the core.

If Long Chen truly could control all dragons, then there would be no need for him to fear Lord Brahma. Long Chen could face him directly.

Arriving at the throne, Long Chen reached out and grasped the crown. Within it, endless runes flowed and surged.

These runes were made of tens of thousands of dragon totems, which were kowtowing toward Long Chen. In other words, the power within the Sovereign King Dragon Crown was immeasurable. With this crown, was there anyone in the world he would still need to fear?

Long Chen’s heart shook. What he was holding was not just a crown, but a supreme authority over the dragon race—an absolute power. With it, he truly possessed the power to say “Follow me and prosper, defy me and die.”

Long Chen sat in the place where the crown had rested. He could feel the breath of every dragon beneath him. In that moment, he held their lives in the palm of his hand.

Tch, this desire for control, this vanity… It really is lethal! Long Chen slowly rubbed the golden crown, looking infatuated.

“Great Dragon Sovereign heir, put on the crown and you will be the new master of the dragon race. You will possess the same status as the Primal Chaos Dragon Sovereign,” said that ancient voice.

Long Chen let out a long breath and slowly stood up. Then, he gently placed the crown back where it had been.

“You…!” The ancient voice was shocked.

Long Chen slowly walked down the stairs and said, “It’s not worth it. The dragon race has its pride. They are a sacred and noble race. You can’t tie them up like dogs. This is a kind of blasphemy.”

After Long Chen reached the bottom, he looked back up at the throne.

Long Chen declared, “I endured humiliation in my childhood. Life was cruel. But when I got the chance to cultivate, I swore that I would forge my own destiny. I climbed up from nothing—for myself, for those I love, so that we could all live with dignity.

“I’ve stepped over mountains of corpses, crossed seas of blood, and faced endless tribulations to reach this point. I’ve brushed against death countless times, but I’ve never bowed to fate. I crave strength—not to trample others underfoot, but to live with pride. That’s the bottom line of my Dragonblood Legion.”

“Great heir, you misunderstand! This is not a trial! The dragon race is in grave danger and needs a leader. Please, lead them out of their plight—” the voice grew anxious.

“I owe the Primal Chaos Dragon Sovereign a great debt. I’ve been saved more than once because of it. That debt will never be forgotten,” Long Chen said solemnly. “If the dragon race faces destruction, I will fight for them—no matter the cost. Even if it means dying, I won’t hesitate.”

“If you are willing to carry such a burden, why not accept the Sovereign King Dragon Crown!?”

“If they are in crisis, I’ll stand at the front and shield them with my life. But I will never use authority to enslave them, turning them into tools of war. I never force people to work for me. I would rather they sincerely wish to work with me. All I want are brothers and sisters I can entrust my life to.”

“Master Long Chen—!”

“This position does not suit me. Please… find someone more suitable. I have to go. My tribulation is coming.”

Just before Long Chen left, the Sovereign King Dragon Crown quivered, and an invisible rune silently branded itself on Long Chen. Naturally, Long Chen was unaware of it.

“How could this be…”

That ancient voice was filled with worry, but Long Chen had left.

Just then, the dragons beneath the throne quivered, and raging flames surged out of their bodies.

“What?!”

The ancient voice cried out in alarm as the divine fire engulfed the entire throne. The throne and crown were slowly consumed—reduced to ash.

High above the heavens, amidst the sea of stars, a colossal dragon eye slowly opened.

“As expected… everything is moving toward an uncertain future. When I received the Sovereign King Dragon Crown, I was bound by fate. But he rejected it. Perhaps… that is the correct path,” said the Dragon Sovereign.

This immense dragon was wrapped in countless chains, each one siphoning its energy. That energy flowed into a bottomless, dark abyss.

…

When Long Chen reappeared in the Heaven Dragon Law Domain, Di Mengyao, Qing Yi, and the others were all waiting for him. Even Xue Tu had come.

Having learned what had happened on the martial stage, Xue Tu felt awkward. His expression was complicated when he saw Long Chen. He wanted to thank Long Chen, but he was too stubborn to open his mouth.

“So fast?”

Everyone was startled. Long Chen had only been gone for the duration of an incense stick. Just reaching the Sovereign Domain and returning should’ve taken longer.

They all thought Long Chen had failed almost immediately.

Hai Mingkong couldn’t help but ask, “What happened?”

Long Chen shrugged. “An old man tempted me, but how could I fall for that? If it was a beautiful woman, then maybe. Well, I ended up leaving on my own accord.”

Everyone was speechless, but none of them was surprised by this result. They didn’t bother asking too many questions.

Afterward, Long Chen and the palace master bade farewell to the Domain Protector. The Domain Protector tried to persuade Long Chen to undergo his tribulation here in the Heaven Dragon Law Domain, but Long Chen declined.

Long Chen had other plans for this upcoming tribulation. If he underwent it here, it would be impossible to realize those plans.

Long Chen had just left the Heaven Dragon Law Domain when he saw lightning clouds up ahead, along with a violent aura.

People are already undergoing tribulation? I should hurry up. Wait… is that devil qi?

Long Chen suddenly changed ideas and headed straight for that tribulation.