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Chapter 397: Ascension & Dragon Absorption
The Red Dragon’s scorching breath brought a rare warmth to Antonio City, a comforting breeze that stirred the hearts of its people and reminded them of long-forgotten warmth.
“That’s not just legend…”
“He really can bring us warmth! No more fear of surviving the winter this year!”
“Praise King Kai Xiusu…”
The tide of public opinion across the Anzeta Great Wasteland had completely shifted. The Red Dragon’s image in the people’s minds had grown ever more towering, majestic.
Under the Empire’s industrial might and the Emperor’s transformative will over nature, people no longer had to worry about enduring the cold winter, nor about filling their bellies. Even more, they could glimpse hope for the future through the propaganda newspapers—something unimaginable in the past.
Facts had proven that the old Northern Noble propaganda was utterly powerless against tangible benefits.
The Emperor continued his巡视 across his empire, soaring high above the cities like a sun suspended in the sky, bestowing miraculous scenes upon his subjects.
…
Meanwhile, Kai Xiusu spread his wings and soared through the heavens, letting out a free, exhilarating cry that cast a long shadow across the vast wasteland.
His Character Sheet continued to refresh with new experience points—but the speed had slowed dramatically.
As Kai Xiusu had predicted, the 【Experience Point Shop】 would trigger a burst of explosive growth in his experience points (XP) within just a few days of launch. After that, it would settle into a steady, trickle-like flow.
[You gained 1500 experience points]
[You gained 1500 experience points]
[You gained 1300 experience points]
[You gained 1200 experience points]
…
Now, the common experience points meant little to him. Each “1500 experience points” on his sheet was the combined effort of dozens, even hundreds of players, each contributing 1500 XP.
But the player base was massive enough—so vast in number—that sheer volume could still drive qualitative change.
A trickle could become a river. A river, an ocean.
Since the 【Experience Point Shop】 opened, the eleven thousand remaining players in the Anzeta Great Wasteland had eagerly exchanged their points. In total, they had delivered over thirteen million common experience points—astronomical by any player’s standard.
Yet when converted to Kai Xiusu’s Character Sheet, that figure became just thirteen thousand experience points.
This was the cost of the Ancestral Red Dragon template.
Even after this massive drain, the remaining XP was still more than sufficient to propel the Red Dragon past the threshold of the next class level.
It far exceeded the experience points he’d gained from destroying the Legendary Dragon Slayer Party.
Boom!
With a deep, thunderous impact, Kai Xiusu slammed back onto the ground, kicking up a massive dust cloud and cracking the earth beneath him with deep fissures.
“Doing it myself… is never as comfortable as letting players do it for me.”
“Hmm, being a Tavern Owner sure is sweet—eleven thousand players feeding me like a god.”
Staring at the ever-refreshing stream of experience points on his Character Sheet, Kai Xiusu couldn’t suppress the grin spreading across his face.
His expression was unmistakably greedy—like any purebred Red Dragon who’d just found a hoard of gold coins.
Then, another unassuming experience point notification flashed.
[You gained 1200 experience points]
But this time, the message didn’t drown in the flood of XP updates. It had crossed the threshold—ushering in a qualitative transformation.
[Your total职业 Level has increased to 18]
[Your current职业 is — True Dragon Mage 14 / Bloodscaled Fury 3]
[You may choose to level up either 【True Dragon Mage】 or 【Bloodscaled Fury】]
From a power perspective, 【Bloodscaled Fury】 was clearly the better choice.
For classes, every four levels marked a watershed. Raising 【Bloodscaled Fury】 to level four could elevate Kai Xiusu’s close-combat prowess to a whole new tier.
But this incremental boost was unnecessary for his current state.
More importantly, this class was one of the traps Jelrazaks had laid for him—risking instability in the Heart of Karex, potentially dragging him toward the Chaos faction.
Now, under the dual influence of 【Imperial Solemnity】 and 【Sacred Order】—Order energy saturated the space around him, suppressing the Chaos strength within the Heart of Karex to near silence.
Yet the pulsing, scorching heart still beat within his chest, rising and falling.
The ancestral dragon’s fiery blood still coursed through his veins.
This was no mere curse—it was a brew of the Bottomless Abyss and the mad Dragon God’s wrath.
And such a curse wasn’t so easily eradicated.
Kai Xiusu sensed it clearly: the Chaos force was only temporarily concealed, forced into hiding by Order’s pressure—never truly destroyed.
If the Empire’s domain ever weakened, if Bahamut’s Wind shattered, then the Chaos, the madness, the frenzied willpower would rise again, reclaiming dominance over his body.
That was a fate Kai Xiusu would never allow.
Until the curse was fully resolved, he would take no risks of losing control. He would not indulge in the wild strength, nor be tempted by its intoxicating power.
Level 15 was still just a transitional Sorcerer class level—but it granted him a new Dragon Spell.
This was the true value of the 【True Dragon Mage】 spell catalog: tangible, undeniable growth.
Most importantly, it carried no risk. No negative side effects.
Only one thing was required—just a little favor from the Goddess of Fate.
Without hesitation, Kai Xiusu made his choice.
[You have chosen to level up 【True Dragon Mage】 to level 15]
[Due to Dragonborn Spellcasting, your current Spellcaster Level is: 20]
A Spellcaster Level of 20 was already at the peak of the Weave of Magic.
At this level, spellcasters no longer merely cast spells—they sought deeper truths hidden beneath the surface of the Weave, mastering its intricate patterns to make magic feel as natural as breathing.
Now, Kai Xiusu felt that familiar sensation—the weight of a ceiling pressing down, as if he’d reached the top of the world.
Legends said the ancient Weave of Magic had never been just nine layers. It had been boundless, infinite.
Arcane masters once drew freely from its endless power—until their arrogance destroyed everything.
Now, the Weave was sacred, bound by Divine Beings.
The ancient Arcane scholars were imprisoned within the nine-layer structure—thus giving rise to the modern mage.
But Kai Xiusu, with his mind full of strength and power, had no interest in such lofty pursuits as the origins or evolution of the Weave.
Right now, the Red Dragon only felt a deeper mastery over his spells, a stronger influence over the Weave.
He was euphoric—so much so that ember sparks flickered at the corners of his eyes.
Yet almost instantly, Kai Xiusu held his breath.
He stilled, waited in silence, and silently whispered a prayer in his heart.
Suddenly, his pale golden eyes flared with light.
[You have acquired a 9th-level Dragon Spell — 【Dragon Absorption】]
【Dragon Absorption (Dragon Absorption)】
9th-level Abjuration and Evocation Spell
As innate magical beings, dragons naturally consume ambient energy with every breath, converting it into fuel for their breath weapons. Dragon sorcerers elevate this natural talent further, transforming it into complex dragon spells.
You open your maw, creating an energy vortex that absorbs any ranged spell targeting you. You can then channel that absorbed energy to cast your own spells.
(Note: Absorption has a threshold limit.)
“Dragon Absorption.”
“A fascinating spell. Somewhat like the old-world suction magic—but far more powerful.”
Kai Xiusu stared intently at his Character Sheet, nodding in quiet satisfaction. Even his long, thick tail gave a subtle, pleased flick.
This was the first true Nine-Ring Spell he’d acquired—entirely through his own innate talent.
No magical equipment. No external aid.
“I, Kai Xiusu, have reached this power through my own natural gift…”
“System Panel, upgrade!”
(End of Chapter)
Chapter end
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