The Palace of Eternal Flame was silent, save for the ragged breathing of its King.
A group of Alchemists and Royal Physicians knelt by the bedside, helpless. The King's veins were black, pulsing with a sickly green light.
"It is the venom of the Nine-Headed Hydra," the Head Physician sighed. "A Saint-level beast. Without an Immortal Elixir, His Majesty will not survive the night."
"What can we do?" a minister wept. "The Princess went to the Ryuzaki Clan, but instead of medicine, she brought shame! She is kneeling there like a beggar!"
"We cannot demand an explanation," another whispered fearfully. "The Ryuzaki Clan is the sky. If we offend them, the Vermilion Bird Kingdom will be erased from history."
Despair hung heavy in the air. The King coughed, blood spattering his crimson robes. His eyes dimmed. 'Is this the end of my lineage?'
"Your Majesty!" A guard burst in. "Distinguished guests have arrived! They demand an audience!"
"Fool!" The Prime Minister roared. "Can't you see the King is dying? Send them away!"
"Is the King dead yet?" a cool, melodious voice cut through the shouting. "If not, why can't we see him?"
"Who dares curse the King?!" The Prime Minister spun around, furious.
"Insolence!"
An elderly voice barked. Granny Hana, clad in simple hemp robes, stepped into the hall. She flicked her sleeve.
Bang!
A surge of Quasi-Saint pressure erupted. The Prime Minister was blasted backward, crashing into a pillar and coughing up blood.
The hall froze. Every knee trembled. A Quasi-Saint! Even their King at his peak was only at this level!
Behind the old woman walked a vision of elegance. Ryuzaki Reika, dressed in a flowing palace kimono, entered with the grace of a queen.
"That... that is the Noblewoman of the Ryuzaki Clan!" a minister gasped, recognizing the famous "Flower of the High Peak."
"Ahem..." The King struggled to sit up, his face pale. "I didn't expect the Ryuzaki Clan to come personally. Are you here to punish us for my daughter's rudeness?"
The ministers held their breath. If Reika said yes, they were all dead.
"Is my Divine Son a ruthless demon who kills for sport?" Reika smiled faintly, hiding her amusement behind her sleeve. "You should be grateful for his mercy."
She stepped forward, her hand brushing over her spatial ring.
Flash.
Purple clouds filled the room. The scent of absolute purity washed away the smell of sickness. Floating in Reika's palm was a root shaped like a mythical Kirin, pulsing with life.
"The Kirin Immortal Elixir!"
The physicians screamed. The King's eyes bulged. This was a treasure that could start wars, and she held it casually.
"King of Suzaku," Reika's voice turned serious. "I offer you a choice. Submit to Ryuzaki Haruto, the Divine Son, and receive this medicine. Live, and potentially break through to the Saint Realm."
"Or refuse," she shrugged. "And perish along with your kingdom."
The hall was silent.
The ministers exchanged looks. Submitting to the Ryuzaki Clan was one thing. But submitting to an individual—an eight-year-old child—was humiliating for an Ancient Kingdom.
"You hesitate?" Reika raised an eyebrow, her aura turning cold. "Do you know what an honor it is to serve the future Emperor?"
The King looked at the elixir, then at his terrified subjects. He sighed.
"I agree," the King said, bowing his head. "Please thank the Divine Son. My only request is... please spare my daughter."
"Don't worry," Reika said, tossing the priceless elixir to him. "His Highness is merely teaching her a lesson."
The King caught the medicine with trembling hands. He could feel the vitality radiating from it.
"Remember," Reika warned, her eyes sharp as daggers. "This life belongs to the Divine Son now. If you harbor even a sliver of disloyalty... the Ryuzaki Clan will turn this land into ash."
"I understand," the King said, his eyes burning with renewed hope. "From this day forth, the Vermilion Bird Kingdom belongs to Ryuzaki Haruto."
With the vassal pact sealed, Reika and Granny Hana left as quickly as they arrived. The first piece of Haruto's empire had fallen into place.
The Protagonist's Departure
Several months later.
In the Azure Dragon Kingdom, a storm was brewing.
Prince Seiryu (Xiao Chen) stood on the balcony of his palace, looking toward the distant Central Province. His aura had changed. It was sharper, more dangerous.
He had mastered the [Nine-Transformation Dragon Art] from his mother's ring.
"I am ready," Seiryu whispered, clenching his fist.
He summoned his Dragon Chariot. As he climbed in, his heart beat with the rhythm of a hero's ballad.
"I will storm into the Ryuzaki Clan," he declared to the wind. "I will defeat their arrogant Divine Son. I will rescue Suzaku and prove to the world that a genius from the desolate lands can topple a giant."
A confident smile played on his lips.
It was a classic story. The underdog hero challenges the oppressive young master, wins the girl, and becomes a legend.
"Just you wait, Ryuzaki Haruto," Seiryu laughed, urging his chariot into the sky. "Your stepping stone has arrived."
Blissfully unaware that he was not the hunter, but the prey walking into the lion's den, the Prince of the Azure Dragon flew toward his destiny.