CHAPTER 83 — The Dragon Stirs, The World Evolves
The world outside was burning.
Lin's group moved swiftly along the forested ridges that bordered Cloudsky territory. Distant thunder rumbled—not from storms, but from clashing cultivators and exploding talismans. The smell of smoke and blood rode the wind.
But then—
Lin staggered.
A deep, ancient pulse rippled through his soul.
Bai froze mid-step.
Mu turned, eyes wide.
Shengyuan stopped, hand instinctively going to his sword.
Even Aurora felt it.
"The dragon—"
Lin's eyes widened.
Bai Wanglong, the newborn true dragon, was waking.
No—not waking.
Calling.
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1. The Dragon's Dormant Self Is Pulled In
Lin closed his eyes and entered his inner Earth.
What he saw made his breath catch.
Above the Titan Sapling, the sky was tearing—not in destruction, but as if space itself were reaching inward.
A brilliant golden silhouette appeared in the rift.
A dragon's form.
Majestic.
Immense.
Still immature, but radiating a pressure older than mountains.
Bai Wanglong—still curled in his egg outside—
was pulling his spiritual self into the world Lin created.
Aurora gasped.
"This… this isn't possible. Not for a newborn…"
Lin disagreed.
"It's because of the sapling.
And the world's growth.
And his bloodline."
The golden dragon coiled in the sky like a celestial river, then plunged into the world—disappearing beneath the Titan Sapling like a shooting star entering deep water.
For a moment, everything fell still.
Then—
WHOOOOOOOM—!!!
The inner Earth convulsed.
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2. The Evolution of a Newborn World
Grass bent as if bowing.
Streams rose into the air.
Sky rippled like heat haze.
Aurora trembled, her voice barely a whisper.
"He's… strengthening the laws.
Dragons are primordial beings. Their presence shapes worlds."
Lin felt it.
Every inch of his world was being rewritten.
Gravity intensified, stabilizing the terrain
Time dilation increased—now seven times faster
Qi concentration jumped almost 30%
World laws solidified, becoming resistant to outside interference
Life acceleration began—animals matured faster, plants evolved overnight
The sapling swayed as if in worship.
Mu stared, awestruck.
"Lin… your dragon… he's fusing his essence with the world?"
Lin nodded grimly.
"He's preparing to awaken early.
And my world is giving him what he needs."
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3. A Dragon's Cocoon of Power
The Titan Sapling's roots coiled around a glowing orb at its base.
A cocoon—
dragon-shaped but not yet fully formed—
grew from light and qi.
Aurora hovered close.
"The dragon's physical body outside is asleep, but his spirit is cultivating here. He's using your world as a cradle."
Lin swallowed.
"How long until he wakes?"
Aurora closed her eyes and listened to the pulse of the world.
"Before, he would have needed years.
Now? Days. Maybe less."
Mu exhaled shakily.
"A dragon… on our side… that early?"
Wen whispered:
"That could turn the tide of the war."
Saint Shengyuan stepped forward, bowing reverently to the cocoon.
"This dragon… will be the first apex lifeform of this reality.
His fate is tied to your own, Lin Xuan."
Lin placed his palm on the cocoon.
His heartbeat and the dragon's aligned.
"Rest.
Grow.
When you wake… I'll need you."
A warmth spread outward—
a promise made between world master and divine beast.
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4. The Inner World Expands Again
The ground shook.
Hills rose like breathing beasts.
Rivers widened into lakes.
New biomes appeared instantly:
A volcanic region with magma rivers
A floating island range, held aloft by the world's new gravity laws
An ancient forest, thick with primordial qi
Crystal fields that hummed with natural energy
Mu spun in awe.
"It's… creating ecosystems we haven't even seen outside!"
Saint Shengyuan smiled.
"This world… is evolving faster than many minor realms I've seen."
Aurora added:
"Your connection to the dragon is accelerating it."
Lin clenched his fists.
Good. We need power. We need shelter. We need time.
The world answered, expanding to accommodate the dragon's power and the needs of its inhabitants.
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5. Returning to the Outside — And Realizing the Stakes
When Lin exited the inner world, the others waited anxiously.
"What happened?" Bai demanded.
Lin answered simply:
"The dragon is growing faster. My world evolved again."
Sheng hissed through his teeth.
"That means your world is approaching a low-grade minor realm already. If it continues…"
"—it'll become a pocket dimension capable of rivaling ancient sect grounds," Mu finished.
Wen added quietly:
"That makes you… a target beyond anything before."
Lin nodded.
"I know."
They resumed their march toward Cloudsky Sect.
But the outside world felt even worse.
Murderous qi drifted through the forests.
Smoke thickened.
The sky itself seemed bruised with demonic clouds.
Saint Shengyuan frowned deeply.
"If Cloudsky has not yet fallen, it soon will."
Lin's eyes narrowed.
"Then we fight our way through."
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6. The War Draws Near — First Signs of Catastrophe
They reached the outskirts of Cloudsky territory.
And froze.
Ahead, massive formations clashed in the distance.
Explosions shook the ground.
Demonic cultivators rode monstrous blood beasts through the valleys.
Cloudsky disciples were retreating, overwhelmed.
Mu whispered:
"It's… a battlefield."
Shengyuan's fists tightened.
"The demonic alliance is launching a full assault."
Wen trembled.
"If we don't get back soon—"
Lin stepped forward, eyes glowing with lightning and solar fire.
"We will."
He opened a hand.
The world gate shimmered.
"If things become hopeless… retreat inside.
The dragon will awaken soon."
Bai grinned, spear crackling.
"Then let's carve a path to Cloudsky Sect."
Their steps echoed across the burning landscape.
War awaited.
So did destiny.
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