Chapter 176: Phantom God Space, Dragon Egg Incubation Preparations
The Vale, Mountains of the Moon, Blood Volcano
Blood Volcano was an active volcano located roughly three hundred miles from the Gates of the Moon in the Vale. It had once been a favored gathering place of the Painted Dogs clan. As a branch of the Burned Men, these tribesmen also delighted in inflicting pain upon their own bodies.
Upon the scorching crater, two figures appeared particularly out of place, forming a stark contrast with their surroundings.
Within an environment filled with poisonous gases and unbearable heat, human beings were usually the least likely creatures to be found, for such conditions were fatal to ordinary people.
However, when those two figures were powerful beings such as Jon and Jeyne Arryn, the blazing heat of the crater seemed insignificant.
The two stood there as though completely indifferent to the extreme environment. The power emanating from their bodies appeared more than enough to resist the savage forces of nature.
After surveying the surroundings, Jon's gaze settled upon the lava pool that resembled boiling water, his eyes revealing a trace of curiosity and confusion.
Turning toward Jeyne Arryn, he asked in a doubtful tone:
"Can dragon eggs really regain their vitality in an environment like this?"
Upon hearing Jon's question, Jeyne Arryn answered almost immediately, her voice filled with confidence and certainty:
"Of course! This is what is known as the Fire of the Gods. It is not merely a special natural phenomenon, but also the source of power for us Dragonlords."
At this moment, Jeyne Arryn held two dragon eggs in her hands, both of which had been taken from that sept in Gulltown.
"In the presence of such powerful energy, dragon eggs can be reborn, and the vitality within them will be completely awakened."
Jeyne Arryn's words revealed a deep reverence for this mysterious power while also demonstrating her absolute confidence in the rebirth of the dragon eggs.
"Then let's begin!"
As soon as Jeyne Arryn finished speaking, she directly handed the dark-purple dragon egg to Jon.
"You've been asking me what Glass Candles are used for. Now I'll show you."
After speaking, Jeyne Arryn produced two Glass Candles as though performing a magic trick.
"Glass Candles are frozen fire that has been lit. When they burn, it means the power within them is being activated."
Under Jeyne Arryn's guidance, Jon took one of the Glass Candles into his hand. Influenced by its flame, Jon's soul gradually emerged from his body.
As Jon appeared, Jeyne Arryn beside him likewise manifested within the void.
"This is..."
Feeling the strange yet somehow familiar surroundings, Jon voiced his confusion.
"What is it?"
Sensing Jon's bewilderment, Jeyne Arryn asked curiously.
She could tell that Jon seemed somewhat familiar with this place. Thinking about Jon's unusual abilities, Jeyne Arryn explained:
"Our people call this place the Phantom God Space. It was here that we discovered the secrets of the soul, and it was here that we became beings akin to gods."
"The gods!?"
As Jeyne Arryn spoke, fragments of memory suddenly flashed through Jon's mind: an endless starry sky and terrifying creatures dancing joyfully among the heavens.
"Is this really your first time entering this space?"
Detecting fluctuations in Jon's soul, Jeyne Arryn asked the question.
"Of course it isn't his first time!"
At that moment, a somewhat shrill and overlapping voice suddenly echoed throughout the area.
"Divinity..."
"Greatness..."
"Justice..."
...Amidst a series of sacred hymns that sounded like the murmuring of a heavenly choir, a gigantic figure appeared before Jon and Jeyne Arryn.
"Vile heretics, releasing the evil presence of the ancient Old Gods. In the name of the Father, I shall deliver divine punishment upon you!"
Within that colossal projection of light, a middle-aged man formed entirely of rainbow-colored energy hurled a punch directly toward Jon and Jeyne Arryn. The power behind it seemed capable of destroying heaven and earth.
"Damn it! Can't we fight back?"
Having never encountered such a situation before, Jon felt extremely uncomfortable. Yet when he looked at Jeyne Arryn, he discovered that she displayed no reaction whatsoever.
Just as Jon was wondering why, the giant figure's punch passed directly through their soul bodies.
"What's going on?"
After confirming that his soul had suffered no harm, Jon asked in confusion.
"In the Phantom God Space, beings like him are what we usually call gods. When the Dragonlords first entered this place, they were startled by these entities as well. But after discovering that their attacks had no effect on us, we gradually stopped paying attention to them."
"Then what purpose does this space serve for us?"
Jon was curious about Jeyne Arryn's explanation. In his view, practical Valyrian Dragonlords would never come to the Phantom God Space merely to watch appearances and comedic performances from so-called gods.
"Damn you!"
"You despicable, insignificant..."
...Realizing that he could not harm Jon and Jeyne Arryn, the giant middle-aged figure shining with seven-colored light began shouting and cursing furiously.
"This!?"
"Don't be surprised. These gods are all like this. Their personalities and dispositions seem remarkably similar to those of humans; only their forms and states differ. In my opinion, some of them are even inferior to human beings."
Jeyne Arryn spoke directly after observing the fellow's behavior.
"Oh, right. This one should be the Seven. What do you think? Is he different from how the septons usually describe him?"
"Huh?"
Upon hearing Jeyne Arryn's explanation, Jon's soul-body mouth fell wide open.
"Your power truly differs from ours. I originally wanted to see the appearance of that giant demonic dragon behind you within the Phantom God Space. I never expected that here you would look exactly like us."
After confirming her relationship with Jon, Jeyne Arryn had become extremely interested in the System residing within him. In her view, the System should be some special form of rule-based power, much like the powers Dragonlords obtained within the Phantom God Space.
"Come. Let me show you the essence of this world."
Following Jeyne Arryn's lead, Jon's soul body involuntarily drifted after her toward the distance.
This place resembled the volcanic crater where they stood, except that everything was in a state of perpetual chaos, as though covered by a layer of gray-black mist.
Guided by Jeyne Arryn, Jon's soul body floated directly toward the crater. For some unknown reason, as his soul drew closer, he began to feel a trace of heat through his otherwise blurred senses.
Although he remained in soul form, Jon instinctively hesitated when he plunged into the magma.
As the two descended deeper, the origins of the world gradually revealed themselves before their eyes: gold, diamonds, gemstones, and countless ores radiating strange lights.
In some areas beneath the magma, these priceless treasures of civilization were as common as pebbles by the roadside. During the descent, Jon even spotted an enormous golden stalagmite, which he estimated to be twice the size of one of his Drakons.
"This is the consequence of greed. It was because those people saw such treasures that they desperately forced slaves to continue digging deeper. Yet they never understood that before such natural power, their own strength is insignificant."
Seeing Jon's astonishment, Jeyne Arryn spoke calmly from the side.
Finally, after an unknown period of time, Jon and Jeyne Arryn arrived before a colossal sphere of light resembling a miniature sun.
"We call it the Eye of the Gods. As long as we expend power to draw from it, the immense energy within can be carried away through the strength of our souls."
After saying this, Jeyne Arryn transformed into a streak of light and charged directly toward the enormous sphere.
Before the giant sphere of light, Jeyne Arryn's soul caused not even the slightest ripple, as though a speck of dust had fallen upon the surface of a lake.
"Ah..."
After hearing a scream, Jon could no longer sense Jeyne Arryn's presence. Realizing she had likely returned to her body...
Jon followed her example and charged toward the giant sphere of light.
As he approached, an intense burning sensation spread throughout his entire being.
Plop...
After experiencing a sensation similar to falling into water, Jon's soul instantly felt a surge of scorching heat.
Then his body began growing heavier and heavier until he finally fell from a great height.
"Cough, cough... Huff, huff..."
After his soul returned to his body, Jon greedily gulped fresh air, much like he always did after ending a skinchanging experience.
"Are you alright?"
Feeling Jeyne Arryn's comforting touch, Jon immediately asked:
"Do you feel as though your body is burning hot, as if you possess endless strength?"
"Naturally. This is the source of a Dragonlord's power."
Jeyne Arryn answered directly after hearing Jon's question.
"Good. Now let me teach you how to restore vitality to our dragon eggs!"
.-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
If you like the story please give it some power stones and reviews. And if you want to read 40+ advance chapters or just want to support me please join my patreon at [email protected]/Translatingfanfics