Under the full moon, a young man sat quietly by the pond, perched atop his usual rock. The golden moonlight bathed his striking face, illuminating the contrast between his golden hair on one side and the pitch-black strands on the other. Dressed in sleek black attire, Jin Long exuded an aura of quiet majesty, as though he belonged to an ancient painting brought to life. His golden pupils, set against the black sclera of his eyes, gleamed faintly, reflecting the tranquil waters before him. Yet, his gaze was distant, fixed on something far beyond the serenity of the pond.
For sixteen years, this night had loomed in Jin Long's mind. The timer etched into his consciousness—a silent companion—had been counting down since the moment of his birth. He'd waited patiently, enduring the mundane life of a mortal, all the while suppressing his curiosity and anticipation. Tonight, the timer had finally reached zero.
Five...
Four...
Three...
Two...
One...
A mechanical voice echoed in his mind, shattering the silence like a hammer against glass.
"[Congratulations, host. The system has been successfully activated.]"
Jin Long's eyes flickered—an almost imperceptible ripple in the calm mask he wore. Slowly, a cyan holographic screen materialized before him, shimmering faintly in the moonlight.
"It's finally here," Jin Long thought, his fingers brushing the cool surface of the screen. For years, he'd known this moment would come, though he'd had no idea what the system would offer. Now, the answers lay before him.
Raising a hand, he swiped across the screen. The initial panel disappeared, replaced by a new interface that bore a bold title:
[Welcome to the Dragon Sovereign System]
Purpose: To awaken and guide the divine bloodline of the Dragon Sovereign, aiding in cultivation, bloodline mastery, and ascension to the peak of existence.
The words hung in the air, their weight sinking into Jin Long's mind.
"A Dragon Sovereign?" he murmured under his breath. His voice was low, smooth, carrying an edge of curiosity. Stories of divine bloodlines were rare—confined to ancient myths and tales recounted by wandering storytellers. He recalled one such tale from his childhood: a fabled account of the Dragon and Phoenix bloodlines appearing in the mortal world, creating unparalleled cultivators who ruled for millennia.
For most, such stories were fantasy. For Jin Long, they had just become reality.
"So, my spiritual root wasn't defective after all," he thought, his mind racing. In this world, a spiritual root was the foundation of cultivation, the bridge that connected a mortal to the boundless energy of the heavens. Jin Long's spiritual root, however, had remained dormant—undetectable even by the Jin Clan's advanced methods.
He glanced back at the screen, swiping again to reveal more details.
[Dragon Sovereign System]
Name: Jin Long
Cultivation: Rank 0 – Mortal Realm
Spiritual Root: Rank ? – ???
Dragon Vein Progression: 0/9 Veins, 0%
Dragon Soul: 0/9 Fragments, 0%
Dragon Mark: 0/9 Marks, 0%
Innate Abilities: None
Martial Arts Techniques: None
Jin Long's gaze lingered on the section labeled Spiritual Root. The question marks were a mystery, but they confirmed one thing: his spiritual root was far from ordinary. Its rank, abilities, and potential were hidden, even from the system itself.
"If this is true, then the Jin Clan's methods were simply too crude to detect it," he mused. "Or perhaps my root possesses unique properties that conceal its presence entirely."
As his thoughts raced, memories of his past life surfaced. Jin Long was no stranger to hardship. His previous life on Earth had taught him the art of survival. Born to struggling parents, he had clawed his way out of poverty, building an empire through sheer will and determination. By the age of 25, he was a billionaire, a force to be reckoned with in the corporate world. But power had its price. Betrayed by those closest to him, he met his end at the hands of assassins.
Now, reborn in a world of cultivation, Jin Long carried the lessons of his past life with him. The cunning of a businessman and the wisdom of a mafia boss—these were his greatest weapons.
Returning his focus to the system, Jin Long swiped again, revealing a new panel:
[Quest Panel]
Quest Name: Path to Awakening
Objective:
Prove your potential as the Dragon Sovereign by achieving the following milestones within the allotted time:
Cultivate to Rank 3 – Core Formation Realm
Status: Rank 0 – Mortal Realm
Deadline: 18 months
Travel to the Desolate Western Continent
Status: Central Plains Continent
Deadline: 18 months
Jin Long's lips curled into a faint smile. The path ahead was clear. He had spent the last two months preparing for this moment, gathering resources and studying cultivation techniques in secret. Though he had refrained from practicing cultivation, his knowledge was vast—a repository of manuals, strategies, and insights gleaned from countless hours of study.
The system's objectives aligned perfectly with his plans. Reaching Rank 3 within 18 months was ambitious, but not impossible. Jin Long had always thrived under pressure, and this challenge was no different.
"First, I need to leave the Jin Clan," he thought, his mind sharpening like a blade.
The Jin Clan had sheltered him for sixteen years, but their disdain for his "defective" spiritual root made it clear he was unwelcome. Staying any longer would only hinder his progress. Even though his family was trying hard for him, it was limited to them. Those who were envious and jealous of his talent before bared their fangs, they had finally shown their true colors.
Over the past few weeks, Jin Long had quietly amassed over 7,500 spirit gold coins—enough to sustain him for years. He also possessed a medium-sized storage ring, a treasure that would prove invaluable on his journey.
His preparations complete, Jin Long rose to his feet, the moonlight casting a long shadow behind him. He gazed at the pond one last time, its surface calm and unbroken. This place, which had been his sanctuary for so many nights, would now become a memory.
Back at his quarters, Jin Long moved swiftly. He packed his belongings with meticulous care, dividing them into several storage pouches. One held his wealth, another contained cultivation manuals, and a third carried spare clothes and a simple longsword.
Finally, he penned a brief note, leaving it on his desk:
"I'll be out late exploring the city. Don't wait for me."
The note was a formality, a gesture to avoid suspicion. By the time anyone discovered his absence, Jin Long would be long gone.
As he stepped out into the night, the cool air filled his lungs, invigorating his spirit. The Jin Clan's sprawling estate lay silent, its guards unaware of his departure. Moving with practiced stealth, Jin Long slipped past the patrols, his movements as fluid as water.
Once outside the clan's gates, he allowed himself a moment of relief. The weight of their disdain, their dismissive gazes, was gone. He was free.
"This is the beginning," Jin Long thought, his golden eyes gleaming with determination. "The path to sovereignty starts now."
The road ahead was fraught with danger, but Jin Long welcomed it. He was no stranger to adversity. With the system by his side and the memories of two lifetimes guiding him, he would carve his destiny in this new world—one step at a time.
Under the watchful gaze of the golden moon, Jin Long disappeared into the shadows, leaving behind the life of a powerless mortal.
And so, the dragon began his ascent.