Chapter 754: Kai Xiusu's Imperial Palace
Anzeta Great Wasteland. Ember Palace.
“Not bad—fitting for the residence of King Kai Xiusu,” Drakalith murmured, lifting her head to gaze upon the magnificent palace, genuine awe in her voice.
“If only I could claim this place for myself…” Her golden eyes gleamed with greed as she stared at the gilded splendor of the architectural complex, her tongue flicking out uncontrollably. This was the instinctual nature of a dragon.
But the thought passed through her mind like a fleeting shadow—she didn’t act on it. If this were the palace of a mortal king, she would’ve already begun burning and looting it without hesitation.
Yet she knew—she was about to face the supreme ruler of Feanso North, the most powerful dragon in the Material Plane: Emperor of the Ashen Flame, Kai Xiusu.
If the palace’s first impression was opulence, the second was sheer scale.
Inside the Imperial Palace, everything was colossal—front doors, staircases, seats, even the palace itself. The massive steel door engraved with the emblem of the Ashen Empire stood fifty meters tall. The palace halls soared even higher. To a mortal, the ceiling would remain invisible unless they strained their necks skyward.
Even a massive Red Dragon looked small before this awe-inspiring edifice.
As Drakalith drew nearer, the air grew scorching, as if about to ignite. Any mortal lingering in this zone would be roasted alive within moments.
Thus, the palace’s garrison consisted of half-Red Dragons with pure bloodlines—some even bearing ancestral Wyvern traits.
“Roar—!”
A chorus of roars echoed from above. Dozens of Wyvern crouched atop the watchtowers, heads raised, bellowing with regal ferocity.
Even faced with a Red Dragon under bloodline suppression, they showed no fear. Towering over her, they fixed their gaze with overwhelming height, fangs bared in silent defiance.
The soldiers guarding the palace remained on high alert, sprinting along the city walls, repositioning magical mechanized cannons. Dozens of dark muzzles trained directly on the approaching Red Dragon, ready to fire at a moment’s notice.
“Lowly two-headed dragon scum, half-breed humans, demon-blooded trash… how utterly insolent,” Drakalith sneered, her gaze dripping with contempt. A cruel smile curled her lips.
She rose into the air, wings unfurling, surveying the creatures beneath her with disdain.
Instinctively, the Red Dragon felt the urge to teach these unworthy beings a brutal lesson. Her eyes flashed with a terrifying killing intent.
Even the Wyvern trembled under that gaze—but they did not retreat. They roared back, maintaining their posture, their voices thick with oppressive power.
They knew—behind them stood the Emperor of the Ashen Flame. No enemy dared challenge him.
Their mission was simple: uphold the dignity of the Empire, and deliver the proper pressure to every visitor.
Drakalith’s muscles tensed, her body radiating fury, her appearance more fearsome than ever. It seemed she might unleash her wrath at any moment.
Then, the Tiefling Guard Captain stepped forward, voice calm and firm.
“You are Drakalith, correct? You have the right to enter the Imperial Palace.”
“However, you must know—this is a no-fly zone. No one may fly within the palace grounds except King Kai Xiusu. To violate this rule… the consequences are yours to bear.”
“Remember this: this is the Imperial Palace of the Ashen Empire.”
“Even deities must obey the laws here. They must answer to His Majesty, the Emperor.”
The Tiefling captain emphasized the last words. A palpable aura of authority—emanating from the 【Imperial Grant of Divine Authority】—washed over him.
Drakalith finally cooled down. She reevaluated the situation.
“That… is a legendary spellcaster?” she thought, startled. Then shook her head. Impossible. Such a figure wouldn’t waste themselves as a guard.
Her gaze turned to the Wyvern. These lowly crawlers were unusually large and powerful—averaging over ten meters in length, nearly matching the size of a young adult dragon.
“They’re stronger than their kind,” she murmured, astonished. “Almost like a new species.”
No wonder—King Kai Xiusu’s noble bloodline can even influence his followers.
Another wave of admiration surged through her.
The female Red Dragon descended from the sky, walking toward the city gate with her chin slightly raised—her arrogance undimmed.
With a deep, resonant groan, the Imperial Palace’s front doors slowly creaked open.
Drakalith stepped inside, striding purposefully toward the central palace.
According to Tiina’s report, Kai Xiusu awaited her audience there.
The main hall of the Imperial Palace was staggering—over a hundred meters tall, like a colossal pillar holding up the heavens and earth.
Drakalith followed the path, approaching the entrance. The closer she came, the stronger the oppressive aura grew, triggering an involuntary urge to worship deep within her soul.
The sheer presence of a dragon…
She closed her eyes, breathing in the overwhelming pressure. Her heart pounded. Her excitement soared.
She was no ordinary dragon—she was a noble-blooded Ancestral Red Dragon, a descendant of the Primordial Dragon line. No ordinary dragon—no, not even a Primordial Dragon—could suppress her bloodline.
Yet now, a terrifying pressure seeped into her very spiritual core, a sensation utterly unprecedented.
Boom—
The front doors of the main hall groaned open.
A wave of searing heat burst forth, thick smoke pouring out. The aura of the Dragon Emperor poured into the corridor like a storm.
Drakalith stepped through.
Along the hall’s walls hung enormous oil paintings. Beneath each stood golden sculptures—lifelike depictions of vampires, silver dragons, angels, demons, even divine avatars. These were the triumphs of the Emperor of the Ashen Flame.
Drakalith ascended the grand staircase, her gaze lifting.
And there—she saw him.
A mountain-sized Red Dragon lay sprawled across a throne adorned in gold. His posture was languid, yet radiated unyielding dignity.
His body was immense, muscles like solidified molten lava. His scales were deep crimson, thick and heavy, their surface shimmering with a metallic sheen. Intricate dark gold carvings ran across them—like molten magma flowing beneath the cracked surface of the world.
Four horns swept back from his massive head, forming a crown-like silhouette. His pale golden vertical pupils glowed like molten lava, filled with arrogance, contempt, and disdain.
That feeling…
The feeling of being looked down upon. Of being treated as trash.
A euphoric grin spread across Drakalith’s face. Her eyes blazed with desire. Her dragon heart pounded violently, her entire body trembling with intensity.
“King Kai Xiusu… I—I’ve finally found you again. I am Drakalith.”
“Do you remember? Not long ago, in Avernus… your noble presence left me utterly shaken.”
She spoke with breathless excitement, nearly losing coherence.
“Avernus,” Kai Xiusu murmured, glancing at her. “So you’re the Divinely Chosen One of the Dragon Queen? Sent by her oracle?”
Drakalith shook her head firmly.
“No. I’m not. She’s not worth my loyalty.”
Kai Xiusu’s interest sparked. He raised an eyebrow.
“Why?”
“You’re a Red Dragon. Tiamat’s most beloved child. Born to be a follower of the Mother of Monsters.”
“And you?” Drakalith smirked. “You’re the same, aren’t you? But she’s far too greedy. To be favored by her… one day, you’ll be utterly consumed—no bone, no trace left.”
Kai Xiusu chuckled.
“Hmph. You have a remarkably accurate assessment of the Dragon Queen.”
“But… don’t you want the strength of divine favor?”
Drakalith scoffed.
“Only the weak beg for a deity’s blessing—seeking hollow, fleeting power. True power comes from within.”
“I admire you because I’ve seen your might—your ability to stand against the Dragon Queen. You know I’ve always called you King Kai Xiusu, not some so-called ‘Dragon Prince.’”
Kai Xiusu narrowed his eyes. His golden gaze pierced her, flickering with quiet intensity—like a flame probing the soul.
He saw no pretense in her eyes. No trace of Tiamat’s presence in her spirit. She wasn’t a spy.
But deities were unpredictable. He wouldn’t rule it out.
“Drakalith,” Kai Xiusu said, voice calm. “You’re impressive. You defeated Tiina and made it here.”
He studied her. “So… why are you here?”
Drakalith’s voice trembled with fervor—almost ecstatic.
“I want one thing… to unite with you.”
“The blue and green dragons—mere crawlers—they’re unworthy of you. Only a Red Dragon of pure, noble blood can even be considered your mate. Like me.”
“King Kai Xiusu, our bloodlines combined would birth the perfect offspring—destined to be the natural ruler of all Red Dragons.”
She exhaled a stream of sulfurous smoke, her eyes blazing with vision of the future.
Kai Xiusu’s lips twitched.
So you’re not Tiamat’s undercover agent?
“This is impossible,” Kai Xiusu said coldly. “I don’t trust you. Everyone knows she’s coveted my bloodline for ages.”
“Even if you’re not her follower now, I can’t rule out you taking my bloodline to her domain.”
Drakalith lowered her gaze, expression calm. No trace of disappointment. As if she’d expected this.
“But I’ll prove it with action. I am the only dragon worthy to bear your offspring. The only one on the Feiansuo Continent who can stand beside you.”
“And now… I have another request. May I ask, Your Majesty?”
She bowed deeply—her posture humble, almost submissive. A sign of respect before true power.
Kai Xiusu regarded her with detached eyes.
“What will you offer in return?”
Drakalith folded her wings.
“I’ll become your undercover agent. I’ll provide you with intelligence on the Dragon Queen’s ascension plans.”
“Good,” Kai Xiusu said. “So… what is your request?”
Even the Emperor of the Ashen Flame was intrigued. He couldn’t guess what this ambitious dragon truly wanted.
Power? Wealth? Strength?
None of it fit.
Power meant nothing to a being like Drakalith. Strength created power. The empire’s wealth was endless—but every dragon knew, even a true dragon’s greed would never allow the Dragon Emperor to surrender his treasure.
And strength? Even less likely. She scorned Tiamat’s divine favor—why would she desire Kai Xiusu’s?
“I’ve always wondered… just how far I am from beings like the Dragon Queen. How much I must grow to rise above all others.”
Her golden pupils flared, burning with uncontrollable madness.
“King Kai Xiusu… I challenge you to a duel!”
“Let me witness the strength that can stand against the Dragon Queen!”
Silence fell.
The air in the palace froze.
A strange, awkward stillness settled over the hall.
“You…” Kai Xiusu lowered his head, staring at the tiny Red Dragon—so small in comparison to him, like a child before a giant.
He remained silent for a long moment.
Then, quietly, he said:
“You’re a madman.”
“But… your request is granted. Begin whenever you wish.”
“Thank you, Your Majesty,” Drakalith replied with a smile, as if truly honored.
Challenging the Emperor of the Ashen Flame to a duel?
It was madness.
He was the most powerful dragon in the world—the cruelest tyrant, the mightiest emperor. He could even oppose divine manifestations.
To suggest such a thing would make anyone in the Feiansuo Continent—indeed, across countless realms of the multiverse—seem insane.
And the size difference was staggering.
Drakalith was less than thirty meters long. Kai Xiusu’s true form stretched over sixty meters.
A gap of more than thirty meters—enough to fit an ancient Red Dragon inside.
Even in length, Kai Xiusu was only twice her size—seemingly not so extreme.
But in weight? The difference was terrifying—over a dozen times.
In human terms, it would be like a three-year-old child challenging a grown man.
And that was just physical form.
Add in breath weapons, spellcasting, and physical endurance—Drakalith would be annihilated.
This wasn’t a duel. It would be a massacre.
Kai Xiusu was baffled.
Could this Red Dragon… share the same secret obsession as Tiina?
He frowned. A thought struck him.
Perhaps… I’ve just uncovered the truth.
(End of Chapter)
Chapter end
Report
