Gon shut his eyes and let out a loud battle cry, releasing his bloodline.
Suddenly—
A low murmur filled the hall.
It sounded like chanting.
Like an ancient sutra echoing through time.
Before everyone's eyes, a Golden Dragon appeared in the air. Unlike the others, it did not roar or rage. Instead, it sat cross-legged, its eyes half-closed, chanting softly.
The sound was soothing.
Tranquil.
The entire hall fell silent.
Ministers felt their racing thoughts calm. Elders felt their restless Qi settle. Even William felt his body and mind relax, a strange peace washing over him.
"This…" William murmured inwardly. This is dangerous.
Elder Poko's eyes shone.
"Good. Very good," he said with rare excitement.
"A Buddhist Dragon Bloodline. Grade Four."
Shanon Drake burst out laughing. "I take back what I said earlier, Brother. That brat is exactly like you."
Pandit Drake shook his head, smiling helplessly.
King Midas nodded slowly. "Son, I like your spirit. A Buddhist Dragon bloodline is exceedingly rare. It has been over five hundred years since one appeared in our clan."
He turned slightly. "Congratulations, Brother."
Elders of the First Family erupted into cheers.
Some loud-mouthed elders couldn't resist.
"There's no way the Second Family can eclipse the First Family now!"
Faces from the Second Family darkened, but none spoke.
Only Elder Gyro scoffed.
"Oh? There are still only two daughters left from the First Family," he said mockingly. "They're just girls. Even if they awaken high-grade bloodlines, what difference does it make?"
The two girls beside William glared at him.
William leaned slightly toward Silver. "Ignore this fool."
Gyro heard it.
At first, he hesitated—mindful of the king.
Then he laughed loudly.
"And don't forget that crippled boy," Gyro sneered. "Hahaha! The First Family still has its useless trash!"
The hall quieted.
All eyes turned to William.
But—
He remained calm.
He didn't glare.
He didn't retort.
That composure made several elders uneasy.
The king's eyes flickered faintly.
Before the silence could deepen, Shanon Drake stepped forward, his voice blazing.
"Gyro," he said coldly, "are you asking for a beating?"
Even Pandit Drake, usually calm, turned his gaze toward Gyro—sharp and dangerous.
William observed quietly.
Interesting.
Shanon is the first to explode.
Pandit… is the kind who strikes without warning.
And Father… calm, cold, strategic.
William's lips curved faintly.
If politics is this interesting… maybe I don't mind playing this game.
Suddenly—
The chanting changed.
Pages seemed to flip in the air as the Buddhist Dragon began chanting a second sutra.
The light dimmed.
The hall darkened.
A suffocating pressure descended as if the world itself was turning into purgatory.
Fear surged.
An instinctive urge to flee seized everyone present.
"Enough," Elder Poko shouted.
"Halt your bloodline—now!"
But black mist began pouring out of Gon's body.
His eyes rolled back.
He collapsed, unconscious.
Poko moved instantly, striking the back of Gon's neck with precision.
The dragon phantom vanished.
Silence returned.
Elder Poko bowed deeply.
"My apologies, Your Majesty. I did not intend to strike the prince."
King Midas nodded calmly.
"I understand. Please continue the ceremony."
Only then did the hall finally exhale.
Silver turned toward the girl next to her and smiled. "Good luck."
"Break a leg, little girl," William added lightly.
Ashley shot him a glare.
"Don't talk to me like that. I'm only polite because of Silver. Mind your own business."
With that, she strode forward.
"Ashley Drake of the First Drake!" a voice announced.
Elder Poko inserted needles across her palm, but before he could give instructions, Ashley released her bloodline on her own.
A collective gasp echoed.
A five-headed dragon phantom burst into the air, crimson flames dancing around each head.
Poko burst into laughter, his eyes blazing.
"Your Majesty! Another prodigy! A Five-Headed Crimson Dragon—Grade Five!"
The words Grade Five detonated like thunder.
Cheers erupted, especially from the First Family.
The king merely smiled.
His two brothers stepped forward, congratulating him and promising Ashley generous gifts in the future.
Next—
Silver stepped forward.
She followed the procedure calmly.
Then—
ROAR.
A silver-scaled dragon burst forth, its presence instantly freezing the air. Frost spread rapidly across the hall.
Before anyone could react—
Another thunderous roar echoed.
A second dragon appeared—crimson-scaled, breathing blazing fire. The temperature surged back to normal.
The two dragons danced playfully in the air, circling Silver as she laughed and ran beneath them, crackling with joy.
Poko stared in disbelief.
"T–Twin Dragon Bloodline… Grade Five—no…" He swallowed hard. "I am not qualified to grade this bloodline."
He bowed toward the throne.
King Midas nodded once.
"Silver, return to your place. The ceremony is not finished yet," he said gently.
Ashley waved for her to come over.
Instead, Silver stuck out her tongue playfully and ran straight toward William.
Only one person remained untested.
William.
"Seventh Brother," Silver said softly, "I always believed in you—just like Mother. Good luck."
William forced a small smile and gently patted her head.
Then he stepped forward.
"I'm Will—"
"Prince William," Elder Poko interrupted calmly. "Please give me your palm."
Laughter erupted among the elders.
Some jeered openly—especially from the Second Family line.
They had endured humiliation after humiliation from the king's daughters. Now, they finally saw a chance to vent.
Shanon Drake clenched his fists, ready to speak—but after a moment, he only sighed.
Pandit Drake stepped forward instead.
"Seventh Prince," he said evenly, "don't listen to them. You are your father's son."
"You can do this."
"If you succeed," he continued, "I swear to give you two of my greatest treasures—and fulfill one wish of yours."
He paused, then softened his tone.
"But no pressure. This may be your last chance. Even if you fail, I'll ensure you live a life more luxurious than anyone else in this kingdom."
The king looked… pleased.
Shanon burst into laughter.
"Don't jinx the kid," he said loudly. "This time, you'll awaken for sure. I can feel it."
He thumped his chest.
"I swear on my brother's name—if you succeed, I'll give you four of my greatest treasures and two wishes!"
The king, who had been quietly sighing, smiled.
Not a polite smile.
A genuine one.
For the first time that day, his mind—and his heart—were truly calm.