Pillar of Yita

”Oh,” the old Dragon lay there motionless, but its voice was filled with wonder, ”A little Fairy, and it seems you have some connection with our kind. Hello, little girl.”

Fang Hong couldn’t help but look back at the others, but everyone was unresponsive, as if only he had heard those words.

At that moment, Tainaric stepped forward and placed his hand on his chest, saying, ”Respected Guardian, in response to your summons, I have come. Er Ata told me about your exploits, and I have long aspired to meet you, though I regret that I have not had the chance before now. I bring greetings from the Shining Sea, but that is not the only reason for my visit; I am here for that ancient prophecy.”

”I understand,” said the old Dragon, its voice like a distant wind sweeping through the hall, ”Step forward, Child of the Stars, I have waited for you a long time. Let me bless you; that little rascal Sophie finally did something right.”

Everyone was stunned.

The Lizardmen exchanged glances, and Fang Hong didn’t yet understand what this so-called blessing meant when, at that moment, it felt as if a dark tide was sweeping through his world of thought.

His eyes widened as he saw that it wasn’t a wave, but a succession of continuous images. Those images penetrated his mind, becoming gradually clearer.

He felt as though he had become a Dragon.

A small Dragon, frail and just hatched from its shell, constrained by a primitive instinct to nibble at its own eggshell, regaining a little strength.

It was an utterly dark environment.

It was the first Dragon to hatch from a clutch of eggs, named Toragotos; it carefully flapped its wings, observing the environment enveloped in darkness.

That was a profound Underground City.

It stood silently like a palace in the darkness, and at the edge of little Dragon’s vision, there was a building that seemed somewhat familiar to Fang Hong, shrouded in mist.

That was a Spire.

Then the scene changed, and he had grown significantly, capable of lurking in the dark underbelly to hunt smaller beasts. It became the ruler of this small domain, with no beast stronger than it.

After all, it was a Dragon, named Toragotos.

Then Fang Hong’s mind was flooded with more memories: having seventeen or eighteen siblings, most of whom had died over the years; in the dark Underground, the young Dragon Kind’s survival rate was quite low.

And deep in his memories, there was always a place that made him feel terrified, as if the mere thought of it could chill a Giant Dragon to the bone.

At that moment, Fang Hong too felt this vicariously.

He felt the years pass by as the young Dragon grew bit by bit, finally gaining enough strength to challenge the most powerful creatures of the Underground World, such that even the Night Lizard People fled from its roars.

Then, it returned to that place once again.

In Fang Hong’s Vision, there was a solitary bridge, as if suspended in the pervasive mist, with neither beginning nor end. It approached the center of the bridge, its unease growing more pronounced.

Then a tall structure broke through the fog.

That was a palace.

And in the center of the palace, the black High Tower stood silently.

That was almost the last image Fang Hong saw before he was consumed by terror, seeing the pitch-black eye atop the tower staring intently at him, as if getting closer and nothing could escape its grasp.

Just as he was about to scream, all the images vanished.

Only the old and aged voice of the Dragon rang out: ”That is where the prophecy lies, Child of the Stars, do you see it?”

Tainaric frowned deeply, ”Is that the relic of the ancient Sages? What is sealed inside that Spire?”

Behind the Lizardmen, Tianlan stood frozen like a puppet, motionless and pale. Gita also pressed her hand to her chest, seemingly uncomfortable.

The Lady Noble, unusually, furrowed her brows, clutching her carry-on and tilting her head as if deep in thought. The expressions of the others weren’t much better. Even the Lion People became serious, gripping his Scepter of Authority and sighing lowly, ”Such a powerful Dark Force.”

Atira nodded slightly. And beside them, Sophie too frowned, clutching her Sword.

The golden light flickered in the eyes of the old Dragon before it replied, ”This is all I can tell you, Child of the Stars, even I cannot probe what lies buried at the heart of those memories, which are from my youth. Perhaps they can be of some help to you.”

”Come now,” it said, ”Let me bless you.”

”Wait a minute!” At this moment, the towering Lizardman from the Sokin Clan stepped forward, ”Why should this thing be blessed? I am the one who should receive your blessing, old Dragon.”

He rudely blocked Tainaric’s path, looking down at him with disdain.

And the Old Dwarf seized his war hammer and roared, ”What the hell are you? Move aside!”

While the disagreement was unresolved,

Fang Hong suddenly felt a slight jump in his heart.

”Huh?”

All the Lizard People in the area turned their heads, including the Blood Lizard Clan Leader who had been silent above, their vertical pupils strangely looking at the human standing behind Tainaric.

Among them all, only the Lizardman Prince seemed to have anticipated this, remaining silent and taking a step back to stand beside Fang Hong.

And at that moment,

Fang Hong suddenly felt an intense burning pain on his forehead.

He almost let out a cry of agony, then saw everyone’s eyes widen, staring at the silver Mark that appeared on his forehead.

It was a Crown—

Though only half remained.

...