In the deep forest outside the Ryuzaki Domain, Prince Seiryu stood amidst the shattered trees, his eyes burning with renewed hope.
"Destruction before reconstruction," Seiryu muttered, clenching his fists. "I will endure it."
The spectral form of the Azure Dragon Venerable nodded in satisfaction. Such tenacity was the mark of a true Child of Destiny.
"Good," the Venerable said. "Cultivate the [Azure Sky Dragon Transformation] diligently. But remember, this technique requires a catalyst."
"A catalyst?" Seiryu asked.
"Yes. I sense that the Secret Treasury of Supreme Amatsu will open within a few years," the Venerable revealed, his eyes gleaming with greed. "Supreme Amatsu was a domineering figure. He once slew a True Dragon from the Ancestral Dragon Nest and stole its spine. That Ancient Dragon Bone is hidden in his treasury."
"An Ancient Dragon Bone?" Seiryu gasped.
If he could fuse with a True Dragon's spine, his potential would skyrocket. He would transcend mortality.
"Ancestor," Seiryu realized something. "Is that why you wanted me to find the Treasury?"
"Exactly," the Venerable confirmed. "You must find an Amatsu Token, enter the Treasury, and seize that bone. With it, you can crush that Ryuzaki brat like an insect."
Seiryu grinned, a savage, predatory expression.
"Rest assured, Ancestor. I will get that bone!" Seiryu laughed, his voice echoing in the dark woods. "Just you wait, Ryuzaki Haruto! And that traitor Suzaku! When I return, I will make you both kneel!"
The Divine Son's Seclusion
Inside the Ten-no-Kura (Heavenly Emperor Palace).
Achoo!
Ryuzaki Haruto rubbed his nose.
"Someone is cursing me," Haruto muttered, sipping his tea. "Is it Seiryu? By now, he should have unlocked his 'Grandpa in the Ring' and started his training arc."
He smiled, genuinely pleased.
"Seiryu gave me Dragon Qi and a loyal vassal this time. I wonder what gifts he'll bring next time?" Haruto mused. "There are no bad crops, only hardworking farmers."
"Anyway, let's put the leek aside for now."
Haruto set down his cup. His expression turned serious.
"I need to prepare for the Tenth Birthday Banquet. It's my debut. I can't be embarrassing."
He stood up and walked toward the meditation chamber.
"Reika," he transmitted his voice. "I am entering seclusion. Do not disturb me unless the sky falls."
When the news spread that the Divine Son was entering seclusion for the first time, the entire Ryuzaki Clan went into an uproar.
"Heavens! The Divine Son is actually training seriously?" "I thought he just breathed and leveled up!" "He broke through twenty-eight realms while playing with ducks. If he actually tries... how strong will he become?" "He must be aiming for the True Spirit Realm."
The anticipation was palpable. If Haruto emerged after a year of serious cultivation, he would be a monster.
The World Moves
One year passed slowly.
During this time, the Yamato Empire was buzzing with rumors. The Ryuzaki Clan had sent out invitations for the Tenth Birthday Banquet of their Sequence Zero.
The Desolate Heaven Immortal Domain was vast, split into Three Thousand Dao Provinces.
The Ryuzaki Clan controlled the central hundred provinces. But they were not the only giants.
Far to the west lay the Province of Rainbows (Niji-no-Kuni). This was the territory of the Ancestral Dragon Nest (Zuryu-no-Su), an Ancient Royal Family of non-human races.
In a bustling city in the Province of Rainbows, a figure in a blue cloak moved through the crowd.
The streets were filled with myriad races: beings with horns, wings, scales, and beast eyes. Humans were a minority here.
The cloaked figure was a human woman. She kept her head down, but her eyes were filled with a poisonous hatred.
It was Tachibana Ayaka
After being expelled from the Ryuzaki Clan by Ryuzaki Kenji, she had fallen from grace. Stripped of resources and protection, she had been hunted, abused, and forced to flee to the alien territories.
"It should be here," Ayaka whispered, looking up at a magnificent golden restaurant. "The gathering of the Dragon Princes."
"Ryuzaki Haruto... Ryuzaki Reika..." Ayaka hissed, clutching her cloak. "I am powerless to kill you. But the enemies of your clan can!"
She walked into the restaurant.
On the top floor, a group of powerful non-human prodigies were drinking Spirit Wine.
In the center sat a young man who radiated dominance. He wore golden robes, and two crystal dragon horns protruded from his forehead. His eyes were vertical slits, burning with golden fire. Under his skin, dragon scales shimmered.
This was Ryuu Haotian
He was a Dragon Prince of the Ancestral Dragon Nest. His older brother was the legendary Ryuu Tatsuya (Dragon Aotian), a Forbidden Prodigy with the blood of the Emperor Dragon.
Haotian was arrogant, cruel, and hated humans—especially the Ryuzaki Clan.
Ayaka took a deep breath. This was her chance.
She stepped forward, removing her hood to reveal her scarred but still beautiful face.
"Your Highness," Ayaka said, her voice trembling but loud enough to silence the room. "I have a secret to sell. A secret about the Divine Son of the Ryuzaki Clan."
Ryuu Haotian looked at her, swirling his wine. "A human insect? Speak. If it's boring, I'll eat you."
"The Divine Son..." Ayaka smiled, a twisted, vindictive expression. "He possesses the Kongo-Seitai (Ancient Sacred Body). And... he has broken the shackles."
The glass in Haotian's hand shattered.
"The Sacred Body?" Haotian's eyes narrowed. "Interesting. The natural enemy of my race."
He stood up, a cruel grin spreading across his face.
"Very good. You have piqued my interest, human."