Deep beneath the Star Dou Forest, in a hidden underground cavern...
The broadcast finally ended, and everyone started exiting the stream room. Naturally, the mighty beasts like Di Tian were no exception.
"Lord Di Tian, quick! Show us the Dragon Essence! We need to see what this treasure looks like!"
In the dimly lit cavern, a massive, red-furred beast resembling a lion but with three vicious dog-like heads, the Crimson Demon Hound, Chi Wang, couldn't contain its excitement and urged Di Tian.
Hearing this, the other fierce beasts in the cave, including Bi Ji, Zi Ji, and Bear Lord, all perked up in curiosity. Even in a corner, a small, golden lion-like creature, with dragon claws and a striking red, vertical pupil, scurried over to get a closer look.
"Fine, fine, hold on."
Understanding the curiosity of his comrades, Di Tian responded in his deep voice, before reaching out to the stream room in his mind.
"Stream room, summon my Dragon Essence."
Although the broadcast had announced Di Tian's correct answer and the delivery of the Dragon Essence, it still needed to be retrieved manually.
With a flash of golden light, a transparent, golden orb appeared in Di Tian's outstretched hand, radiating an intense energy and vibrant life force. Both Di Tian and Zi Ji, as members of the dragon race, immediately felt their bloodlines stir in response to the orb's presence.
The moment they saw it, their instincts screamed that their dragon blood would evolve if they absorbed it.
"So this is the Dragon Essence? It's just a tiny orb, but it's packed with so much raw energy. Incredible!"
Chi Wang marveled at the sight, his eyes glued to the golden sphere.
"Di Tian, are you planning on absorbing it yourself?"
Bear Lord, standing nearby, rumbled in his deep voice, noting how Di Tian seemed momentarily lost in thought, staring at the orb.
"No. I plan to show it to our Lord first. If this Dragon Essence can help her evolve, it might aid in her recovery. Our Lord needs this more than I do."
Di Tian's reply was firm. In the previous broadcast, when a Dragon Essence was awarded, he hadn't realized it would take the form of an external item. But now, seeing it as something tangible, it was clear to him: this should go to the Silver Dragon King, Gu Yuena, their leader.
With his decision made, Di Tian reached out mentally to the Silver Dragon King. Despite hiding in the depths of the Lake of Life, avoiding the gods' prying eyes, Gu Yuena, as the embodiment of the Dragon God's wisdom and elemental power, could still observe the outside world through her spatial powers and divine senses. And, of course, she had been part of the stream broadcast as well.
Moments later, a silver portal shimmered into existence within the cavern. It was a gateway to the hidden space where the Silver Dragon King resided.
Without hesitation, Di Tian stepped through.
After a brief sensation of weightlessness, the world around him brightened. He found himself standing in an enormous, radiant silver palace. Before him lay an awe-inspiring, gigantic silver dragon, her gleaming violet eyes gazing down at him from above.
Even without taking human form, the beauty and majesty of the Silver Dragon King were undeniable. Her glistening, crystalline silver scales, her long, elegant tail, the perfect proportions of her body, and the regal curve of her horns – every feature exuded a flawless grace and beauty.
Truly, this was the embodiment of the continent's one true goddess.
"Di Tian, greetings to the Lord!"
Di Tian knelt before the towering dragon, speaking respectfully.
"This is the Dragon Essence I obtained from the mysterious stream. I bring it to you in hopes that it may aid your recovery."
Raising the glowing orb in both hands, Di Tian offered it to the Silver Dragon King.
"Let me take a look."
The Silver Dragon King extended a mighty claw, drawing the orb toward her with a pulse of divine power. Her massive violet eyes scrutinized the golden sphere as she gently probed its energy with her own.
But after a few moments, disappointment flickered in her eyes.
"No... this Dragon Essence won't help me."
Shaking her head, she sighed and handed the orb back to Di Tian.
Although the essence contained vast energy, it was only potent for those who had not yet ascended to godhood. For Di Tian, who had yet to break through that barrier, it could potentially unlock new potential in his bloodline. But for her, the Silver Dragon King, a fragment of the Dragon God, was no more than a trinket.
"If it were a Golden Dragon, I might have been able to use its power to merge with my own Silver Dragon energy, creating the Dragon God force. That would help purge the divine energies left behind by the gods of the Divine Realm."
"Di Tian, this essence is best used by you. It may help your bloodline evolve, giving you the potential to surpass even a million-year soul beast."
Returning the orb to him, Gu Yuena spoke with finality.
"Then I will absorb it at once, my Lord."
Di Tian responded with deep respect.
With a nod from Gu Yuena, a silver portal appeared once more, transporting Di Tian back to the surface of the Star Dou Forest.
As he appeared by the shores of the Lake of Life, two colossal beasts greeted him: the Titan Giant Ape and the Sky Blue Bull Python.
"Greetings, Lord Di Tian!"
They both bowed their heads in deference.
"You may stay here. I will go elsewhere to absorb this Dragon Essence."
With a casual command, Di Tian took flight, the golden orb clutched tightly in his hand, heading toward a more secluded area of the forest.