It was finally here—the Dragon Ritual. Attendance wasn't mandatory, but curiosity had a firm grip on me.
Plus, Yin Xie was going, and it was safer to have her around than not. If something bizarre happened—and let's be real, it usually did—I wanted a front-row seat.
As we walked, Yin Xie decided to educate me on the finer details of this peculiar tradition.
"The Dragon Ritual," she began, her tone calm but laced with an undertone of amusement, "Is where female dragons accept resources from male dragons as an offering to decide a mate who will help them breed powerful offspring."
"Resources?" I asked, half-lost in the concept. "Like mana crystals and dragon hearts?"
"Exactly. The better the offering, the higher the chance of acceptance. Of course," she added with a smirk, "if two male dragons show up with offerings of equal worth, it doesn't end there. A small display of strength usually ensues, with the stronger one taking the girl."
I paused mid-step, letting her words sink in. "So... it's like a mix of a gifting ceremony and a gladiator match?"
Yin Xie chuckled softly, her silver hair swaying as we continued walking. "You could think of it that way. For dragons, it's a matter of pride. Winning the right to a mate through strength and wealth is a time-honored tradition."
I could almost picture it now—dragons tossing massive treasures into a pile, flexing their power before they threw down in an epic clash. The idea was absurdly primal, yet it carried a strange allure.
"But..." I hesitated, glancing at her. "What happens if someone refuses? You know, doesn't want to take part?"
Yin Xie tilted her head, her expression briefly thoughtful. "There's no rule that forces anyone to participate. But refusal can damage a dragon's pride—or worse, their reputation. For some, it's better to risk losing than to never try."
I nodded slowly, the weight of her words sinking in. It wasn't just a ritual; it was a spectacle of power, status, and legacy.
And for someone like me—a human in a world of dragons—it promised to be nothing short of thrilling.
As we approached the ritual grounds, I could already feel the charged energy in the air. This was going to be one wild night.
Two dragons were locked in a duel as Yin Xie and I walked to our seats. The sheer intensity of their battle was impossible to ignore. A barrier, shimmering with layers of energy, encased the arena. Each time one of the dragons struck, the barrier pulsed and flared, its strength tested against their might.
"You feel that?" I asked Yin Xie, the faint vibrations of their clash tingling through my bones.
"Obviously," she replied dryly. "That's a Grade 5 barrier. Powered by a Titan Core."
"A Titan Core?" I raised an eyebrow. "Aren't those supposed to be, like, insanely rare?"
Yin Xie shrugged, as if to say, Not for dragons. "Well, nothing else would hold a fight like this."
As we sat down, the golden dragon made the first move, a massive beam of light erupting from its maw. It streaked through the air with a sound like a crackling inferno. The black dragon countered with a sweeping breath of shadowy fire, the two attacks colliding in a brilliant explosion of light and dark. The impact sent waves of energy crashing against the barrier, causing the air to hum.
"Whoa." I leaned forward, unable to tear my eyes away. "That's... intense."
"Get used to it," Yin Xie said. "This is just a warm-up. They're barely trying."
Down below, the black dragon roared and shot upward, its claws extended. The golden dragon anticipated the move, twisting its body to avoid the attack, then lashed out with its tail. The black dragon caught the tail in its claws, the impact sending shockwaves through the air, and used the momentum to hurl the golden dragon into the barrier.
"Did you see that?!" I exclaimed.
"Sit down," Yin Xie hissed. "You're embarrassing yourself."
"They're incredible, though!" I whispered, still on the edge of my seat.
The golden dragon wasn't out yet. It regained its composure mid-air and dove straight at the black dragon, its body glowing with radiant energy. It crashed into its opponent with a deafening boom, the impact lighting up the barrier like a fireworks display.
"Bet you can't do that," I teased Yin Xie, nudging her with my elbow.
She rolled her eyes. "Do you want me to fight, or do you want to stay alive?"
I chuckled nervously. "Point taken."
The black dragon retaliated, slamming the golden dragon with a flurry of swipes and strikes, its claws trailing dark energy that left streaks in the air. The golden dragon roared in defiance, unleashing a shockwave that knocked its opponent back, before firing another beam of light.
"You think they planned this?" I asked. "Or is this all improv?"
Yin Xie gave me a withering look. "Dragons don't choreograph battles."
"Hey, I'm just saying. It's got a real movie magic vibe."
"You're hopeless," she muttered, but I caught the faintest hint of a smile.
The crowd around us roared in excitement as the two dragons prepared for their next clash. Despite my lighthearted commentary, I couldn't help but marvel at the raw power on display.
This wasn't just a fight—it was a spectacle, a testament to the sheer strength and pride of dragonkind. And, judging by Yin Xie's calm demeanor, this was really just the beginning.
The fight below had reached a fever pitch. The golden dragon, battered and bruised but undeterred, unleashed a massive, swirling sphere of light energy. It hung in the air like a miniature sun before hurtling toward the black dragon, who countered with a wall of shadowy tendrils rising like a living fortress. The clash of energies sent shockwaves rippling across the barrier, forcing some spectators to shield their eyes from the brightness.
The golden dragon roared, wings flaring wide as it lunged forward with claws glowing like molten gold. The black dragon twisted midair, dodging the attack with uncanny agility, and retaliated with a swipe of its tail that struck like a thunderclap. Sparks flew as their claws met, the sheer force of their strikes creating sonic booms that reverberated through the arena.
"Now this is a fight!" I said, leaning forward on the edge of my seat.
"Don't get too excited," Yin Xie warned. "They're still holding back."
"Still?!" I turned to her, incredulous. "What would it take for them to go all out?"
"A lot more than a mating ritual," she replied with a smirk. "You'd be ashes if you saw that."
Before I could respond, a familiar voice interrupted us. "Ace," Brandi said, her sultry tone cutting through the roar of the crowd.
I turned to see Brandi, flanked by Milim and Yu Zhong, making their way toward us. Brandi's ever-confident demeanor was intact, her movements as graceful as they were commanding. Milim, the petite dragon, had her arms crossed, looking every bit as annoyed as the first time we met. Yu Zhong remained stoic, his piercing gaze fixed on me.
"Uh, hey, Brandi," I said, sitting back, suddenly wary. "What's up?"
She didn't waste time with pleasantries. "We've made a decision," she said, folding her arms as she towered over me. "We want you to sponsor us."
"Sponsor you?" I repeated, confused. "What does that even mean?"
Milim huffed, clearly impatient. "It means you support us with resources—gold, mana cores, dragon hearts, whatever we need—and in return, we... work with you."
"Work with me?" I echoed, raising an eyebrow. "I thought dragons were all about pride and independence."
Yu Zhong finally spoke, his voice deep and measured. "The world is changing. Partnerships between dragons and humans are no longer taboo. Especially with someone... resourceful, like you."
"Resourceful?" Yin Xie scoffed from beside me. "He's reckless, not resourceful."
Brandi smirked. "Call it what you want, but Ace here has something no other human does—an endless supply of dragon hearts. That alone makes him worth the trouble."
I leaned back, crossing my arms. "So, let me get this straight. You three want me to fund your... dragon endeavors, and in return, you'll—what? Fight for me? Protect me? Build me a dragon palace?"
"Anything you want," Brandi said smoothly, leaning in closer. "Within reason, of course."
Yin Xie's eyes narrowed. "And what's stopping you from just taking what you want?"
Brandi's gaze flicked to her, a hint of amusement in her eyes. "Because we're dragons, not thieves. Besides, it's more fun to play nice... for now."
I glanced between the three of them, my mind racing. A deal with three powerful dragons could be a game-changer, but it also felt like walking into a lion's den.
The arena below erupted with another burst of energy as the golden dragon unleashed a dazzling nova of light, momentarily distracting me.
"Well?" Milim snapped, clearly growing impatient. "What's it gonna be?"
---
Dragon heart: 1,020,658 units.
Boundless Wealth:
Slot 1: Phoenix blood vials
(242 unit. ) | [+121 unit the next day. ]
Slot 2: advanced storage ring
(1 unit. ) [+1 unit the next day. ]