At first, the Dragon Emperor ignored the distant echoes. Mortals often wandered through caves — a thing hardly worth acknowledging.
But then the footsteps turned into stumbling.Staggering.Labored breaths.Someone was running for his life.
A young man burst into the cavern, clothes torn, face pale, blood dripping down his side. He collapsed beside the pool of spiritual energy the Emperor had spent centuries gathering.
Four men followed moments later, their laughter cold and triumphant.
"You can't run forever," one called out. "Be grateful. Dying for saving our young miss was already a gift."
"I never had improper thoughts about her!" the boy shouted, voice hoarse. "You're only afraid I'll surpass her when the Sword Sect comes to choose disciples!"
The Emperor watched silently.
Humans killing humans — it hardly mattered.But when the pursuers noticed the glowing pool of essence around the sword, hunger twisted their expressions.
"Big brother… that's pure energy," one whispered. "If we refine it—"
Greed.Always greedy.
The Emperor's aura flared before he consciously allowed it — a ripple of draconic fury shaking dust from the cavern walls.
"Humans," his voice thundered directly into their minds."How dare you gaze at this emperor with such greed?"
They froze.
But not for long.
"A living spiritual weapon…" the leader breathed. "If we sell it, we'll be rich!"
They reached for him.
A whisper of sword intent swept through the cavern.
When the light settled, the four men lay dead. Not a single strike had been seen.
A massive dragon phantom unfolded from the blade, filling the cavern with an ancient presence that bent the air around it. Its eyes — vast, cold, and weary — settled on the dying boy.
The Emperor looked into his memories.Saw the hardships.The isolation.The unwavering determination.The quiet refusal to submit.
Perhaps it was foolish.Perhaps it was fate.But something stirred within the ancient blade.
"A firm heart…" he murmured. "Very well. I will give you a chance, human."
He lifted the youth with a flicker of will and lowered him into the pool of liquid essence. Healing light wrapped around him, mending bone and spirit alike.
Seven days later, the boy awoke.
He rose unsteadily from the glowing liquid, breath catching in his throat as he beheld the cracked sword resting at the center of the cavern.
He stepped forward and bowed deeply.
"Senior… I don't know your name or your purpose. But you saved my life. I will remember this kindness for as long as I live."
The sword said nothing.
But deep within the metal, the Dragon Emperor's old resolve stirred.
This boy — Alden — would walk the path he chose for himself.
And when the time came…
The heavens would tremble again.