In the vast expanse of the sky, Owen tightly grasped the scales of the ice dragon, letting the cold wind whistle past his ears, his hair and robe fluttering wildly in the gusts.
Barlo's massive form, with wings unfurled, seemed to cover half the sky.
The dragon's scales, like finely carved ice crystals, gleamed with a cold light.
Its eyes were like two deep sapphires, mysterious and icy.
Riding on the broad back of the dragon, Owen gazed down at the world below — a land covered in white snow, shimmering silver under the sunlight.
Although Novalia was in the throes of winter, his mood was as pleasant as spring.
His arrival in isekai seemed predestined.
From the moment he stepped into this world, a strong sense of belonging welled up inside him.
He found himself effortlessly understanding the language and sensing the elemental energy around him.
Never before had Owen felt so at ease.
The harsh cold wind on his face felt as gentle as a spring breeze.
"Barlo, where are we headed?" Owen managed to speak even as they sped through the air.
"We're returning to our gathering place, the Dragon Echo Valley. That's where we dragons truly belong."
...
Dragon Echo Valley, a mystical place hidden atop a mountain range, is the sacred land of all dragons according to legend.
The valley is flanked by sheer cliffs, their peaks perpetually snow-capped, creating a majestic scene against the blue sky, resembling a magnificent painting.
The valley is shrouded in mist, adding to its ethereal, mysterious charm.
Sunlight filters through the gaps in the clouds, casting dappled shadows that add a touch of mystery to this sacred place.
The name Dragon Echo Valley comes from the constant dragon roars echoing throughout the year.
These are the dragons' communication with the heavens and earth, a sound so melodious and powerful that it resonates with every creature stepping into this realm.
At the valley's base lies a vast lake, its water so clear it serves as a giant mirror, reflecting the surrounding mountains and the shadows of flying dragons.
Along the lake's shore is the habitat of the dragons, with their caves carved into the cliffside, both grand and majestic.
The entire Dragon Echo Valley exudes the dragons' majesty, its invisible pressure enough to strike fear into the heart of any intruder, making even their breathing hurried.
The guardians of the dragons, ancient creatures with sharp scales and strong wings, soar here.
Their eyes twinkle with the spark of wisdom, a testament to the countless years they have witnessed.
An ice-blue dragon roars past and gracefully lands on the ground.
As Owen steps into Dragon Echo Valley, all the oppressive feeling seems to turn into a spring breeze.
In his heart, there's only one thought: "This is where I belong."
In the center of Dragon Echo Valley, twelve platforms, crafted from rare minerals and dragon bones, are solemnly arranged, signifying the esteemed status of the dragons' twelve elders.
Each platform is carved with intricate totems and runes, shining with the glow of ancient magic.
Atop the platforms, the twelve elders, dressed in robes that symbolize their status and strength, with golden dragon patterns embroidered on them, appeared almost alive as they shimmered with their breaths.
The elders' countenances were solemn and sacred, each pair of eyes brimming with profound wisdom.
Their dragon scales glowed with a composed luster.
Some elders were of immense stature, while others were more agile.
But without exception, they all radiated an unparalleled dignity, the result of centuries, even millennia, of power and wisdom accumulation.
Following Barlo into the heart of Dragon Echo Valley, Owen saw the twelve great elders descend from their platforms, greeting him with a highly solemn ceremony.
They formed a semi-circle around him, each elder wearing a kind smile, welcoming Owen in the ancient dragontongue with their deep, magnetic voices.
The dragontongue unfolded in Owen's ears, and he understood its conveyed meaning, "May your wisdom shine like the brilliant stars, illuminating your path ahead..."
At this moment, the sky changed dramatically.
The once sunny sky suddenly darkened, turning to night under the vibration of the dragontongue.
A faint blue nocturnal glow enveloped Dragon Echo Valley.
Stars twinkled brilliantly in the sky, like countless eyes watching over everything in the valley.
At this sacred moment, Owen stood at the center of the clearing, and the starry sky above him began to undergo subtle changes.
Soft silver light descended gently from the stars, wrapping around Owen like delicate threads.
These starlights spiraled around him, gradually forming a dazzling vortex of light.
At the heart of this vortex of starlight, a radiant light ball slowly took shape, descending gently and finally merging softly into Owen's body.
As the light of the stars infused into him, a bright gleam flashed in Owen's eyes.
He felt his mental power expanding rapidly, like a dammed river suddenly bursting forth, its powerful current surging with unstoppable force.
His consciousness spread out, his perception becoming extraordinarily sharp.
Closing his eyes, he reveled in the enhancement of his senses by an invisible force.
He could hear the faint rustling of leaves in the distance, smell the mixed scents of flowers and earth in the night breeze, and even pinpoint their exact origins within the valley.
Owen's skin became exceptionally sensitive, able to feel every subtle change in the air, even the gentle touch of starlight on his skin.
His taste and touch senses were also elevated to unprecedented levels, where even the slightest flavors and textures could evoke rich experiences in his perception.
He felt as if he could taste the sweetness in the air and even sense the flavor of the stellar rays, an indescribably delightful sensation.
Opening his eyes, his pupils seemed to sparkle with stars.
The young dragons and the surrounding dragonfolk were deeply shaken by this scene.
They no longer saw just a human, but a saint blessed with the Stellar Blessing, his aura becoming even more transcendent and mysterious.
Blinking in slight bewilderment, Owen listened as Barlo said with a grin, "This is the Stellar Blessing bestowed upon you by all twelve elders, greatly enhancing your mental strength, which will be greatly beneficial for your future cultivation."
A warm current flowed through Owen's heart as he looked at the twelve imposing elders, feeling immensely grateful.
He silently vowed, "I shall never let down the dragons in this lifetime."
Unaware of Owen's inner thoughts, the elders did not cease their actions.
The dragontongue continued to blossom in the sky, the entire Dragon Echo Valley vibrating as if aiding in transmitting the dragontongue to the deities above.
Owen understood again.
"May your strength be like the tumultuous rivers, aiding you to overcome all difficulties..."
The darkness in the sky began to fade abruptly as a dazzling ray of light sliced through the night, and the sun unexpectedly rose.
The sunlight wasn't blinding; instead, it was warm and peaceful, shining on Owen and bringing a profound sense of serenity.
The sunlight gradually coalesced into a golden light ball, descending slowly from the heavens and casting directly upon Owen.
The light orbited around him, its golden rays penetrating his skin, muscles, bones, and even the depths of his blood and soul.
As the power of the sun infused into him, Owen felt a transformative change in his body.
His muscles became firmer and stronger, as if reforged from molten lava and steel.
His bones seemed to gain the solidity of rock, his blood filled with fiery vitality.
Every breath Owen took was full of power, every heartbeat pumping endless energy.
He slowly lifted a hand, feeling the power in his palm, as if he could easily crush the hardest stone.
The sun climbed higher, its rays illuminating the entire valley, and also highlighting the radiance emanating from within Owen.
Standing there, he resembled an incarnation of the Sun God descended to earth, his figure becoming immensely majestic and revered in the eyes of all the dragonfolk.
Barlo, too, exaggeratedly scrunched up his facial features, muttering to himself, "Both the blessings of the sun and the stars? The elders of our clan have really gone all out. Is it really worth it?"