Ashen Dragon

"I am ready, Your Majesty!"

"For the Ashen Empire!"

"Sacrifice my heart for the Empire!"

The three players immediately placed their right fists over their hearts, performing a standard Empire "Loyalty Salute," seizing the opportunity to pledge their allegiance to the Emperor before them.

After all, this had always been the Empire's "politically correct" stance. There was even a well-known Empire joke on the forum:

When you don't know what to do, just be "loyal."

Cassius smiled without speaking, while the players' hearts were pounding in the wake of the grand scene they had just witnessed.

Summer Night Autumn Rain had a thousand thoughts running through her mind.

"This is... the main storyline!"

"The advancement of the Dragon Pact Warlock might be closely related to the main storyline!"

"According to the forum analysis, the main storyline of the first version, 'Northern Wind and Cloud,' is about the rise of the Empire."

"And based on the intelligence revealed by Kai Xu, the faction leader, the main storyline of the second version—could it be disaster and conflict?"

"Perhaps it is related to the renowned Empire of Fadlan in the South, or maybe it involves the invasion of ancient demons."

"In any case... the Dragon Pact Warlock is likely to play an important role in it."

"Great!"

"This advanced task was definitely worth it!"

Summer Night Autumn Rain felt a surge of joy in her heart.

She was unaware that Cassius was just stringing them along and making grand promises.

He knew that Summer Night Autumn Rain was very close to Mantou, so he intentionally released some "forward-looking previews."

These words, as material entered into Mantou's videos, would also attract more players to join the Ashen Empire faction.

"Since you are all ready."

"Then let's begin the ritual."

Cassius' calm words interrupted the players' wild thoughts.

"Yes, Your Majesty."

Misha nodded solemnly and took a step forward, golden flames flickering in her eyes.

When she had become a Dragon Pact Warlock, the promotion ritual was still quite simple.

But now, after significant improvements by the Empire's many mages and warlocks, the Empire had developed a mature advancement process, though it had not yet been practiced.

"Praise to the supreme Ashen Emperor, the noble and great True Dragon Cassius..."

"He is the fury from the mountains, the embodiment of victory and glory, the protector of commerce and trade, the sole ruler of the Ashen Empire..."

Flames leaped from the girl's hands as she chanted the sect master's name, and the Draconic incantations merged slowly into her spell, with gold vertical pupils faintly appearing in the void.

As she chanted, the three contracts slowly floated in the air.

"It's really effective, this sect master's contract ritual found by the Magic Department from ancient tomes."

Cassius thought to himself.

He casually extended his hand and slightly raised his eyes, and a gigantic shadow tens of meters high appeared behind him.

That was the manifestation of Cassius' true form, the Red Dragon, who looked down at the three players with those pale gold vertical pupils and slowly opened its massive maw.

"Roar—"

The long roar echoed through Isdalia.

Instantly, the entire city was in an uproar, with exclamations, cheers, and prayers filling every street, square, and building.

"This... this is His Majesty!"

"It's the voice of His Majesty Cassius!"

"Praise the great Red Dragon! Praise the Ashen Emperor!"

"May His Majesty Cassius bless my husband, who is pioneering in the South, to return safely..."

Regardless of race or status, whether they were pedestrians on the road, workers laboring, or soldiers at the shooting range, they all looked up in unison, gazing fanatically at the Isdalia Grand Altar in the city's center.

"Is this the majesty of the Emperor?"

"My god, the whole city is cheering."

"This advanced task... is too grand, worthy of the Empire's only magic system advanced career."

The three players were also infected by this passionate atmosphere, their hearts filled with excitement, and "Loving the Dragon Like the Wind" even appeared crazed, almost drooling as he gazed at the Red Dragon's shadow.

"Hehehe, the true form of Lord Cassius."

"The tail..."

Cassius noticed the players' odd gazes, his mouth twitched slightly, but he continued the ritual nonetheless.

The black-haired, golden-eyed man slowly stood from his throne, the chest of the Red Dragon's shadow behind him bursting with blinding light, illuminating all directions.

Instantly, it seemed as if a second sun had appeared atop the Isdalia Grand Altar.

"I, Cassius Klaubow Norixius..."

"In the name of the Ashen Emperor, grant you my power, and allow you to become my servants and proxies..."

Under Misha's prompt, the three players knelt down directly.

After all, for them, this was just playing through the storyline in the game, without any psychological burden.

Summer Night Autumn Rain knelt on one knee, her eyelids drooping under the immense pressure.

Her interface refreshed with new information.

[You have obtained an advanced career path: (Pact Warlock - Grand Dragon Sect Master)]

[You shall form a pact with the rare group among giant dragons—Variant Dragons.]

[These powerful beings disdain mortals, unsatisfied with the innate talents of giant dragons, eternally pursuing endless ambition, and they will endow you with dragon's power.]

[Attention: Once the pact is signed, your faction cannot be changed! Your character will be influenced and possibly controlled by the sect master!]

[Do you agree to sign the pact (Yes/No)]

"Yes."

Summer Night Autumn Rain made the choice without hesitation.

Isn't it just becoming a servant?

For a profession of this strength, what's the harm in abandoning a bit of dignity?

So many people want the chance to serve His Majesty Cassius and can't even find an opportunity! In other words, they're not even in line to be considered!

"Shush—"

The magical patterns on the contract suddenly lit up.

The immense power of the Red Dragon descended from the sky, transforming the players' blood vessels into arteries rich with magic.

It gradually converted their hearts into scorching, vitality-filled Dragon Hearts.

Flames of aurora sparkled all over the three players' bodies, emitting sulfur-smelling white steam, and their bodies underwent dramatic changes in the mist.

Summer Night Autumn Rain's dark gold vertical pupils glimmered faintly, and scales seemed to emerge faintly at her temples. Her dragon horns became even more elongated, and even her fingers grew increasingly sharp.

Her back and neck bore intricate scarlet patterns.

The corners of her eyes were tinged with the color of flowing flame.

"Is this..."

Summer Night Autumn Rain slowly opened her eyes.

[You have obtained traits (Dragon's Spell) (Dragon Heart)]

[ (Dragon's Spell): Your Red Dragon sect master has expanded your spell-learning range; you can receive the sect master's blessings and learn ancient Dragon Spells.]

[ (Dragon Heart): The sect master's power has transformed your heart; you will have a magical heart and arteries akin to those of a giant dragon, greatly enhancing your constitution and elemental affinity.]

{Charisma: 15→17}

{Constitution: 11→13}

You should know these are precious attribute points!

As players, if they ignore other means and only rely on career leveling, they can only allocate two attribute points for every four levels they gain.

"This power level is insane..."

Summer Night Autumn Rain couldn't help but marvel.

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