Dragon Kingdom Arc, Chapter Thirty: Hibiscus of Light

The Diqian Palace suddenly began to tremble violently, as if the entire structure were being shaken to its core. This vibration did not carry any sense of hostility or danger; rather, it evoked the feeling of a massive gateway being unsealed. Everything felt eerie and mysterious.

As Ash had anticipated, the throne was indeed the final key to the hidden Dragon Spring Treasure. The group’s gazes were fixed intently upon the throne, filled with anticipation and tension. They knew that something unexpected was about to happen—perhaps the start of a thrilling adventure or the beginning of a legendary tale.

"Quick, get on! The throne is about to descend!" Ye Heng’s command was irresistible.

Hearing this, the group quickly leaped onto the steps and crowded toward the throne. At that moment, the once opulent and solemn Diqian Palace underwent a sudden transformation; the magnificent decorations and brilliant lights vanished, replaced by darkness and silence. As they departed, the palace seemed to be under a spell, rapidly reverting to its original state.

Beneath the ground, the ancient, thick walls appeared solemn and mysterious. The floor was covered in intricate patterns radiating a faint light, and the air was heavy with the scent of long-passed ages, instilling a sense of reverence. The entire space was filled with an indescribable yet exceptionally powerful aura.

"So, this throne was just a teleporter," Ash remarked.

"Indeed," Ye Heng replied, "a whole new world exists beneath the earth."

A mysterious aura permeated the passageway, stirring their curiosity. Ye Heng jumped off the throne first, followed by the others. As they moved along the tunnel, the sight before them left them in awe. They had entered a massive cavern, where the walls shimmered with strange lights that illuminated the entire space.

In the center of the cave, a mysterious stone platform stood abruptly, as if it had been waiting there for someone destined to arrive. Upon the platform rested three treasures, each exuding such a powerful aura that it was truly breathtaking. As the group approached cautiously to get a better look, they were overjoyed: the top two treasures were swords.

These swords were unique in design, yet both emanated a sharp, piercing sword intent that seemed capable of severing anything in the world. The first sword shimmered with a dazzling golden light, as if a sun had descended to earth. Its radiance was blinding, and its power commanded reverence. It felt endowed with divine strength, capable of dispelling darkness with every swing. Holding its hilt, one could feel endless energy flowing through their fingertips, instilling infinite confidence and courage.

The second sword shimmered with a brilliant blue light, entwined with countless bolts of blue lightning. It radiated a heart-stopping energy; merely gazing at it made one feel the destructive power it contained. Each bolt of lightning seemed to possess its own life and will, dancing along the blade. When swung, the lightning would surge forth, forming a magnificent yet lethal web of electricity. Its power was staggering—able to slice through steel and trigger mountain-shattering tremors. Whoever held this blade would command the most violent forces of nature, capable of sweeping through armies with ease.

The third divine artifact was a long spear. Its entire body shimmered with a cold, piercing light, and its tip was so sharp it seemed capable of piercing the heavens. It lay quietly on the platform, yet it projected an unparalleled pressure that made one hesitate to approach.

The appearance of these three treasures left everyone present in high spirits. They knew these must be the legacy left behind by the Dragon Emperor and Empress or the Human Emperor. Possessing them could grant endless power and glory.

"Is... is this truly the legendary Dragon Spring Treasure?" Ye Heng whispered, his eyes wide with disbelief and awe.

Ash was equally stunned. "How magnificent! With such powerful divine weapons, even a B-rank Martial God could likely contend with an SSS-rank Martial God for more than three moves."

Ye Heng frowned thoughtfully. "But taming such peerless divine artifacts is no easy task. They contain immense power and mystery, far beyond what an ordinary warrior can control." He knew that the greater the treasure, the greater the challenge.

"However," Ye Heng continued, his brow furrowed, "if I claim this artifact, it will surely clash with the soul-bound weapon already within me. I fear that such a conflict could destroy my path as a Martial God!"

Ash gently patted his shoulder, comforting him. "You don't need to worry about that. While you cannot lose your soul-bound weapon, there is no rule against dual-cultivation. If you succeed, you will become the first dual-cultivating Martial God in history, carving out a brand new path." Her eyes were filled with unwavering faith in him.

Amy added, "Go ahead. My sister and I both thank you. You were prophesied by the Five Peaks as the 'Child of Light' for a reason."

Ash followed, "Even if that weren't the case, I would always support you and be proud of you." Her gaze was gentle yet firm, granting Ye Heng boundless courage.

Encouraged, Ye Heng took a deep breath, a look of resolve crossing his face. He decided to embrace the challenge. He stepped toward the first sword with caution, drawing upon his hidden strength. As he neared, a subtle resonance began to form. The sword seemed to sense his inner longing and began to tremble, moving slowly toward him.

Stunned, Ye Heng reached out to touch the hilt. The moment his fingertips brushed the blade, a rush of energy flooded his mind. Suddenly, the artifact awakened, erupting in brilliant golden light. This light flowed into Ye Heng like a clear spring. He felt his spirit sea expanding, growing vast and profound.

"Such rich light energy!" he marveled.

Ash was overjoyed. "To think this sword chose you as its master!"

"Indeed," Amy agreed, "but the difficulty remains: how to make this divine weapon coexist with your original soul-bound weapon?"

As the light energy continued to pour in, Ye Heng felt his perception sharpen, as if he had transcended the limits of a B-rank Martial God. He gripped the weapon tightly, his eyes glowing with gold. A powerful aura surged from him, and his martial energy increased twelvefold. Even his silver armor transformed, turning first to a dazzling gold, then to a brilliant vermilion gold, signaling its newfound power.

Because his spirit sea had expanded twelvefold, the soul-bound weapon and the divine artifact found a delicate balance instead of clashing.

"Success! You’ve advanced to an A-rank Martial God!" Ash cried, rushing to hug him.

Ye Heng shook his head in wonder. "It’s amazing. They are in complete harmony. Perhaps the artifact's arrival triggered this expansion, allowing me to skip what would normally take countless days of cultivation."

Amy pondered this. "If your spirit sea hadn't expanded, the conflict would have destroyed you. You are truly lucky."

"And what will you name this artifact?" Amy asked.

Ye Heng thought for a moment. "Its light is powerful, yet gentle—unlike the scorching sun. It feels like a lotus blooming in the darkness. I shall call it the 'Lotus of Light'."

Ash smiled in approval. Just then, the second divine artifact began to stir.