https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-268-Snatching-from-the-Tiger-s-Mouth/13676558/
Chapter 269: Tiamat's Greed
The moment Kai Xiusu stepped into the Prime Material Plane with the Heart of Karex, the blood-flesh embedded within it began to rot at an alarming rate—flesh rotting into ash, crumbling into dust before his eyes.
For any material severed from the Source of Immortality, time in the Stellar Realm stands still. But such stillness comes at a cost: once removed from that realm, the passage of time is retroactively reclaimed.
The colossal Heart, once twenty meters in diameter, gradually withered, collapsing inward until only a faintly glowing, indistinct crystal remained—Karex’s last remnant of Immortality Bloodline Strength, preserved within this mortal vessel.
Kai Xiusu lifted it carefully between his fingers.
【Heart of Karex】
Relic, Mythic
Realm: Chaos, Destruction, Dragon, Evil, Fire (Rebirth)
Effect: Unknown (Extremely Dangerous)
Description: The Utter Null. Karex stands as the ultimate symbol of pure Strength and annihilation among dragons. There is debate over whether Karex was truly mad—some claim his madness birthed the endless storm-winds of the Madness-Infused Void Corridor. Before being banished to that realm, Karex periodically descended upon the Prime Material Plane, unleashing unholy fires of destruction upon the world.
His True Form lies sealed within the Astral Void. His Divine Power has waned over time, but the last remnants of his Frenzied Bloodline still pulse within the Heart, gathering in trembling resonance with the Basal Vessels—waiting, silent and eternal, for Karex’s return.
A strange unease settled over Kai Xiusu the moment he arrived. As soon as he crossed into the material plane, he felt multiple pairs of eyes fixating upon him—unseen, yet undeniable.
“This…?”
He immediately invoked Willpower Warping Reality, crafting a temporary Alternate Dimension to conceal the Fiery Energy Crystallization and the Stellar Prism, burying their signatures deep within the fold of another reality.
Then came the pressure—oppressive, suffocating—spreading from within his mind, flooding outward into the world.
Kai Xiusu looked up at the sky. His expression hardened instantly.
“It’s Tiamat.”
Sure enough, as an invisible ripple passed through the air, a vast, five-headed silhouette emerged in the heavens—towering, overwhelming in height, staring down at the Red Dragon with a grotesque, triumphant grin.
“Child,” the voice boomed, “you’ve grown stronger.”
Kai Xiusu gave a slight nod, his tone calm, unflinching.
“Good day, Queen Tiamat. My humble strength is nothing before your Might.”
The Five-Headed Dragon seemed to study him—measuring, searching. In those gazes burned an endless, ravenous Greed.
“But the stronger the child, the more prone they become to rebellion—especially ones like you… special ones.”
“Hope… you’re not one of them.”
Kai Xiusu folded his wings, adopting an expression of pure, unassuming innocence—though the sight of such a pose on a Red Dragon’s face was grotesquely unnatural, almost terrifying in its dissonance.
“Your Majesty, I have always dedicated myself to the Greatness of the Five-Colored Dragons. How could I possibly be rebellious?”
Tiamat’s spectral form continued its slow, deliberate inspection. The foremost head split into a wider grin.
“Such awareness in a young dragon… I am pleased. I have long sought ways to expand our strength and influence across the world.”
But then, her tone faltered—suddenly, unnervingly quiet.
“Yet…”
The five heads spoke as one, their voices merging into a single, overlapping chorus—each syllable laced with crushing, oppressive pressure.
A surge of Aura of Intimidation erupted—so powerful it tore through the earth. The wind howled, tearing up soil and rock. Kai Xiusu strained every muscle, forcing himself to remain standing, barely resisting the urge to fall to his knees, to collapse under the weight.
“Why… do I smell the scent of my foolish brother upon you?”
Tiamat spoke.
This was the true face of the Five-Colored Dragon Queen—the God of Evil Dragons. Her earlier warmth was not even a mask. It was merely a toy, a lure to entice the young dragon into her grasp.
And when her core interests were touched, she shed all pretense without hesitation—revealing nothing but her insatiable Greed and overwhelming Might.
Kai Xiusu forced his head upward, meeting her gaze. His expression was one of innocence, of absolute conviction—though his body trembled under the pressure.
“Your Majesty… I do not understand what you mean.”
The Red Dragon seemed to buckle under the Aura of Intimidation, head bowed, voice trembling as he defended himself.
“I am but a fortunate one, blessed by my ancestors—someone who has merely unearthed a fragment of the great Dragon Bloodline. I know nothing of your ancient feuds. I do not understand the histories of the old gods. I only wish to walk in your footsteps, to restore the supreme glory of the Five-Colored Dragons.”
“I have only been in this world for ten short years. Less time than it takes you to take a nap. How could I possibly know another divine dragon—let alone your brother?”
Then, with every ounce of will, he raised his head—each word spoken like a blade.
“Queen Tiamat… there can be only one sun in the sky. There can be no second dragon lord.”
“In my heart… there is only you—my only sun.”
Tiamat stared at him—long, deep, unblinking.
The suffocating Aura of Intimidation lessened dramatically. The voice of the Five-Headed Dragon softened, almost tender.
“Child… I hope your heart truly holds such thoughts.”
“I have seen so many promising young dragons—brilliant, strong—only to fall because of greed, to turn against me. Some even caused great disasters. In the end, I had no choice but to endure the pain of erasing them.”
“I regard every Five-Colored Dragon as my child. Even when I must bite their necks myself, I grieve. I weep.”
“I do not hate them. I only mourn their choices. They could have been part of a grand design… but instead, they chose a path that leads only to ruin.”
Kai Xiusu nodded quickly, his eyes blazing with sincerity.
“I shall heed your wisdom, Your Majesty.”
“Kai Xiusu, my child… remember—whatever I do, I do for the common good of the Five-Colored Dragons.”
“Hope… you never walk the opposite path.”
Tiamat’s silhouette fixed him with another long, searching look—almost as if searching for something buried deep within his soul. The weight of that gaze made Kai Xiusu instinctively hold his breath.
Then, without warning, she dissolved into the air—vanishing like smoke, the oppressive Aura of Intimidation fading with her.
“Huff… huff…”
Kai Xiusu’s heart hammered against his ribs. His breath came fast, sharp, desperate.
Using the meager reserves of his Arcane Knowledge, he instantly constructed dozens of layered Mental Barriers within his mind—each one a wall against the lingering terror, the afterimage of divine presence.
“Sleeping… was far too careless. I underestimated the power of a Divine Being.”
“This illusion of Tiamat’s… it cannot be used lightly. It must be purged completely from my mind.”
That was his thought.
Just seconds after bringing the Heart of Karex into the world, he had drawn Tiamat’s personal manifestation—she had come herself. And worse, he sensed the presence of other Dragon Gods watching from the shadows.
It was beyond dangerous.
But he was still, for now, considered Tiamat’s “kin”—tied to the fractured war chariot of the Five-Colored Dragons. He had not yet touched the core of her interests—so she had not struck.
Yet.
(End of Chapter)
Chapter end
Report
