Chương 102: Chapter 100: The First Temple of the Seven Virtues

The countdown had begun. 365 Days. Those glowing crimson numbers remained suspended in the sky above every kingdom. Every citizen. Every soldier. Every king. Every child. The entire world now knew the same terrifying truth. If the Seven Virtues were not united before the Final Eclipse... Everything would disappear. Not through war. Not through destruction. But by simply... Ceasing to exist. Silence filled the Dragon King's Vault. Even Cassian, who always found a joke in the darkest moments, couldn't speak.

Lyra stared at the crimson countdown.

"One year..." She whispered.

"My father spent centuries preparing for this." Michael clenched his spear.

"And we have only twelve months." Rayan looked toward Atlas.

"There has to be another way." The First Guardian remained silent. After several moments, he answered.

"There is." Hope flickered in everyone's eyes. Atlas continued.

"But it requires all Seven Virtues." The Dragon King's Vault suddenly trembled. The altar split apart. A hidden staircase descended deep beneath the World Turtle. Ancient torches ignited one after another. A massive circular chamber slowly revealed itself. At its center stood a crystal table. Upon it rested seven empty pedestals. Only five glowed faintly. Atlas stepped toward them.

"The Hall of Virtues."

"No Dharma King has entered this place since Arkan." Each pedestal bore an inscription. Courage. Leadership. Compassion. Wisdom. Conviction. Two remained dark. Covered by ancient cloth. Rayan approached carefully.

"What are the last two?" Atlas slowly removed the first cloth. The sixth pedestal shone with deep sapphire light. Upon it was carved a single word. SACRIFICE A heavy silence filled the chamber. Lyra lowered her head.

"My father always feared that virtue." Atlas uncovered the final pedestal. Unlike the others... It radiated no color. Only pure white light. The inscription was almost impossible to read. When Rayan finally understood it... His breathing stopped. FORGIVENESS Cassian frowned.

"That's... the strongest virtue?" Atlas nodded.

"The hardest battle is never against an enemy."

"It's against hatred." Kael quietly laughed.

"So that's how Arkan defeated the First War." No one answered. Because everyone realized something. Kael... Had never been forgiven. Suddenly— The crystal table projected a map made entirely of golden light. The entire continent appeared before them. Then... Seven ancient temples rose from beneath the map. Each surrounded by powerful barriers. Atlas pointed toward the nearest one.

"The Temple of Sacrifice."

"It has awakened." Its location appeared. Not on land. Not at sea. But inside the Ashen Volcano Range, where molten rivers flowed endlessly and no kingdom had survived. Michael frowned.

"The Crimson Dominion." Lyra nodded slowly.

"The land ruled by the Phoenix Clan." Cassian blinked.

"I thought they disappeared centuries ago." Reading on this site? This novel is published elsewhere. Support the author by seeking out the original.

"They did." A new voice answered. Everyone turned. The World Turtle itself had manifested a spiritual avatar. An elderly man with emerald robes and eyes like ancient forests. He leaned upon a wooden staff carved from living branches.

"I was the one who hid them." The Guardian immediately bowed.

"Master Gaia." The old man smiled warmly.

"The children still remember me." Gaia looked toward Rayan.

"The Phoenix Clan guards the Temple of Sacrifice."

"But they allow no outsiders." Cassian sighed.

"So..."

"We'll have to fight them." Gaia chuckled.

"If you fight the Phoenix..."

"You've already failed the trial." Suddenly— A blinding pillar of crimson fire erupted on the map. Another candidate had reached a temple. The World System reacted instantly. WORLD UPDATE Candidate: Kael Ardent Trial: Temple of Shadows Status: Completed Virtue Obtained: RESOLVE Everyone froze. Rayan looked toward Kael.

"Resolve..." Kael smiled.

"The world doesn't care whether you're a hero or a villain."

"It only measures your heart." Atlas nodded.

"He speaks the truth." For a brief moment... Neither Rayan nor Kael looked like enemies. Only two kings walking different paths. Then— The sky exploded. A messenger hawk descended into the chamber. It landed on Michael's arm. The Archon read the message. His expression darkened.

"What happened?" Michael looked toward Rayan.

"Ayanor..."

"... has been attacked again." Everyone stiffened.

"By who?" Michael took a deep breath.

"Not the Black Sun."

"The Northern Empire." Silence. Cassian's fists tightened.

"They're invading now?" Michael nodded.

"They believe Ayanor has become too weak after the Black Sun assault."

"They've declared war." Rayan slowly closed his eyes. One kingdom after another. One battle after another. The world was collapsing faster than anyone expected. He looked toward the countdown in the sky. 364 Days... 23 Hours... Time had already begun moving. Rayan gripped the Dharma Dragonblade. His golden eyes burned with renewed determination.

"We save Ayanor." He turned toward Atlas.

"Then we claim Sacrifice." Atlas smiled proudly.

"Now..."

"... you truly think like a king." Far away, atop a frozen mountain in the Northern Empire... A young emperor watched the crimson countdown with a cold smile. His silver cloak fluttered in the icy wind. Beside him stood an army of over a million soldiers. He looked toward the distant south.

"So..."

"The Last Dharma King has awakened." He slowly drew an ice-blue sword that radiated divine power.

"Good."

"I've waited long enough." The Emperor of Frost... Caelum Drakhar Had entered the game. And unlike Kael... He had come for only one purpose. To conquer the world before it ended. To Be Continue....