The morning sky above Frostwind was unnaturally clear.
Not a single cloud.
Not a trace of wind.
It was as if the world itself was holding its breath.
Arin stood on the palace balcony, holding Auren in his arms. The little prince was chewing on Arin's finger happily, occasionally releasing tiny sparks of golden light.
"You're getting stronger every day," Arin murmured.
Elara stood beside him, leaning gently against his shoulder.
"Too fast," she replied softly. "It scares me."
Before Arin could answer—
The sky split open.
Not with thunder.
Not with lightning.
But with silence.
A thin silver line appeared in the heavens and slowly widened into a massive rift. Starlight poured out, forming swirling patterns that hurt the eyes to look at.
All across Frostwind, people fell to their knees.
An overwhelming pressure descended.
Even seasoned cultivators trembled.
"This aura…"
"It's beyond Emperor Realm…"
From within the rift, a figure descended.
A woman.
Tall.
Graceful.
Wearing flowing silver robes embroidered with constellations.
Her long black hair floated without wind.
Her eyes shone like distant galaxies.
Each step she took seemed to cross thousands of miles.
She stopped above the palace.
Her voice echoed across the capital.
"Lower Realm Sovereign Arin Drayke."
"Come forth."
Inside the palace, alarms rang.
Generals rushed to their stations.
Formations activated.
Defensive arrays flared.
Arin handed Auren to Elara.
"Take him inside."
Her face turned pale. "Arin…"
He held her hand briefly.
"I'll be fine."
But inside, he knew.
This opponent was different.
[SYSTEM ALERT]
Target Identified
Name: Liyue Chen
Origin: Starfall Immortal Sect
Cultivation: Early Immortal Realm
Threat Level: Catastrophic
Arin walked into the open courtyard.
Golden armor materialized around his body.
Dragon aura surged.
He looked up.
"I'm here."
The woman descended slowly until she stood before him.
Up close, her presence felt endless.
Like staring into the night sky.
She studied him quietly.
"…Impressive."
"For a lower realm native."
Arin frowned. "State your purpose."
"I am Envoy Liyue Chen," she replied. "I am here for the Dragon Heir."
Instantly, Arin's eyes turned cold.
"No."
Her eyebrows rose slightly.
"You misunderstand. This is not a request."
Boom!
Pressure exploded outward.
The courtyard cracked.
Pillars shattered.
Arin was forced back several steps.
Blood seeped from his lips.
But he did not kneel.
"You want my son," he growled.
"Over my dead body."
Liyue regarded him calmly.
"Attachment weakens cultivators."
"In the higher realms, such emotions are discarded."
She lifted her hand.
Space warped.
A massive star-shaped seal formed.
"I will take him."
[SYSTEM ALERT]
Forced Extraction Technique Detected
Suddenly—
Golden light erupted from within the palace.
A cry rang out.
"Waaaah!"
Auren's voice.
The seal trembled.
Then cracked.
Liyue's eyes widened.
"…What?"
Inside, Elara felt Auren burning hot.
Runes covered his skin.
His eyes shone like twin suns.
A small dragon phantom appeared above him.
[SYSTEM ALERT]
Heir Protection Mode Activated
Back in the courtyard, Arin felt a surge of power.
His blood boiled.
He roared.
"DON'T TOUCH MY SON!"
Dragon wings burst from his back.
His cultivation spiked violently.
[SYSTEM ALERT]
Emergency Overdrive
Pseudo-Emperor → Half-Immortal (Temporary)
Liyue stepped back for the first time.
"…Interesting."
They stared at each other.
Immortal.
Dragon.
Father.
Protector.
The air itself began to burn.