...
{3rd Pov}
Astreo had finally reached Spiritual Attainment Level 7, a significant milestone that elevated his overall strength and control over his Dimensional elements.
At this level, his Psychic, Space, and Chaos elements received a tremendous amplification, each now carrying a boost equivalent to that of a Lower Heavenly Grade Element.
'System, how powerful am I now?' Astreo asked in curiosity, wanting to clearly understand the magnitude of his current strength.
His progress had been substantial — both his Advanced Space and Advanced Psychic Stars had been successfully raised to Tier 5, while the rest of his elemental stars remained at their previous levels.
However, all of his Intermediate Magics had reached Tier 8, a remarkable achievement on its own that spoke of his relentless effort and precise control.
The familiar mechanical voice of the System promptly answered his query, delivering detailed analysis in its usual emotionless tone.
[Master's innate amplification for Spiritual Attainment-based elements is eighteen times stronger than ordinary users. At Advanced Tier 4, your spells are equivalent in power to Super Tier 2 magic, with an additional enhancement from your Spirit Grade affinity. At Advanced Tier 5, the strength rises further, reaching the level of Super Tier 3 magic, again accompanied by the Spirit Grade buff. However, due to your Intermediate Magic being at Tier 8, and because of the exponential scaling of spell structure, each of your Intermediate spells possesses an effective power output eight hundred sixty-four times greater, placing them on par with a normal Half-Forbidden spell.]
Astreo couldn't help but find the situation a little ironic.
Despite being Intermediate Tier Magic, his spells at that level were currently stronger than his Advanced-tier magic, simply because their Spell Tier and energy multiplier ratio were much higher.
The thought made him smirk slightly; it was as amusing as it was impressive.
After carefully digesting the System's explanation, he decided to take a day of rest to allow both his mind and spirit to recover.
The intense mental strain from his continuous practice had started to accumulate, and he knew rest was necessary before he resumed his research.
His next goal was clear — to continue his study of Domains.
Normally, only mages who had stepped into the Super Level were capable of comprehending Domains, since it required a deep understanding of the essence of an element and the ability to manipulate its inherent laws.
The only known exception to this rule was through acquiring a Soul Grade Element Seed, particularly for Elemental Magicians, as some seeds contained an innate domain that allowed comprehension and use of Domains before reaching Super Level.
However, Astreo was not an ordinary Elemental Magician.
He was a Dimensional and Black Magician, a path far more complex and obscure than standard Elemental Magician.
His power did not rely on Elemental Seeds at all; instead, every increase in his capability was determined by his Spiritual Attainment and dimensional comprehension.
Because of this, all of his multipliers, spell growth, and elemental resonance depended directly on his spiritual realm and innate talent, not on the conventional Elemental Seed system.
If he wanted to wield Domains for his own elements, he would have to develop each Domain entirely on his own, building them from raw understanding and sheer willpower rather than borrowing the natural essence of an elemental source.
Now, Astreo wanted to develop a Domain while still at the Advanced Stage, rather than waiting until he reached the Super Tier, as was the conventional path followed by most magicians.
His reason for doing so was simple yet profound — he wanted to ensure that his ability to comprehend magic independently, without relying on shortcuts or natural talent, would continue to grow.
He desired to strengthen the very foundation of his understanding so that his future progress would not be limited by a lack of true comprehension.
At this point in his life, Astreo was already categorized as a terrifying genius, someone whose growth and magical power defied the predetermined Magic System.
However, being a genius came with its own set of unique problems, problems that most people would never understand.
For instance, Astreo often compared his situation to that of a student in an ordinary classroom.
If a genius student can effortlessly score a perfect hundred marks every single time simply by attending the class — without ever studying, practicing, or revising — then that person will never truly learn how to study like a normal student would.
When the day eventually comes that the standard rises and the problems become far more complex and demanding, such a genius will find themselves struggling to solve them, not because they lack the intelligence or talent, but because they have never developed the method or habit of learning.
They are brilliant enough that if they put even half the effort that an average person does, they would easily come out on top every single time.
Yet, the problem lies elsewhere — since they have never needed to study, they do not know how to study.
The simple and basic concept of learning through effort is foreign to them, because their lives have never required it.
That was exactly what Astreo was facing right now.
He understood that his innate talent and rapid growth through infinite resources could easily make him overconfident, leading to stagnation in areas that truly mattered.
He did not want to become a waste, someone who could only handle weaker or simpler problems because his power allowed him to bypass the need for deeper comprehension.
He feared that if a situation ever arose that truly tested his limits — something equal to or greater than his own strength — he would fail, not due to lack of potential, but because he had never learned how to handle such challenges properly.
Despite his combat rating being off the charts, to the point that even someone with powerful external cheats would struggle to match him, his theoretical understanding of magic and his overall comprehension still lagged behind his raw power.
This imbalance troubled him deeply, for it meant that his growth was leaning too much toward strength and not enough toward understanding.
By attempting to create and comprehend a Domain while still at the Advanced Level, Astreo was undoubtedly making things far more difficult for himself.
It was a time-consuming, mentally exhausting, and resource-draining process that most would never dare attempt before ascending to the Super Tier.
However, he willingly accepted that hardship because he preferred spending time to remove a weakness rather than living with one for the rest of his life.
After all, Astreo's ultimate goal had never been to simply become strong or to dominate others with brute force.
His true aspiration had always been far greater and much more ambitious — to become the greatest mage who had ever lived, one who could truly understand the laws, concepts, and mysteries of all forms of magic from the ground up, not through shortcuts or luck, but through his own effort and comprehension.
After that, Astreo decided to spend the rest of the day relaxing, something he rarely allowed himself to do.
He attended his regular kindergarten classes, which, despite sounding easy, tested his patience in a completely different way.
He had to constantly restrain himself from punching the snot-nosed brats who seemed determined to test his limits every few minutes.
Managing to maintain his composure among children who cried, shouted, and threw things at random was a feat far more difficult than battling magical beasts.
Of course, he found a bit of entertainment in his otherwise frustrating day — particularly in the form of the teacher, who, according to Astreo's personal observation, was undeniably hot.
Unable to resist, he ended up flirting with her in his usual calm yet playful tone, much to her confusion and amusement.
He wasn't serious about it, but it was one of the few moments that actually made his day feel somewhat interesting amidst the childish chaos.
Ahem.
After the long and mentally exhausting day at school, the school bus finally dropped him back at the orphanage, where he spent the remainder of the afternoon and evening doing absolutely nothing productive.
He simply lazed around, taking naps, occasionally glancing at the ceiling, and letting his mind wander freely for once without any magical calculations or cultivation techniques running in the background.
His relaxed behavior, however, did not go unnoticed. Grandma Yu, the caretaker of the orphanage, was completely shocked to see him acting so unusually idle.
Normally, Astreo was always busy — studying books in the library, studying more books and then even more books— so seeing him simply lying around all day made her worry.
She even went as far as to ask if he was feeling unwell, her concern evident in her voice.
Astreo could only force a small smile and explain to her that he wasn't sick, merely tired from his recent intense training and studies.
After a bit of convincing, Grandma Yu reluctantly accepted his explanation, though she still looked at him with a suspicious, motherly squint for quite a while before finally letting it go.
Once evening came and dinner was over, Astreo went to bed earlier than usual.
The moment he closed his eyes and drifted into sleep, his consciousness immediately shifted to the Summoning Plane — the vast and mysterious dimension where all contracted creatures resided and cultivated.
Upon arriving, the first thing he did was go to see Xyra, his most powerful contracted beast and loyal companion.
She had been diligently absorbing the rare resources and essence crystals that Astreo had been supplying her with for the past several days.
As a result of his constant investment, she was now on the verge of ascending to the Emperor Level, her aura pulsating with terrifying pressure even within the Summoning Plane.
Thankfully, despite Astreo himself being only an Advanced Summoning Mage at the moment, her advancement process would not be hindered in any way.
The only limitation that existed was during the actual summoning process — when he summoned her into the Magic Plane, her manifested strength would be slightly restricted, and she would only appear as an Evolving Monarch at best.
However, her true body and essence in the Summoning Plane would still be that of an Emperor-level beast, with full access to her power once Astreo's summoning realm advanced enough to sustain her true form.
However, the same cannot be said for the contracted beasts residing within the Magic Plane, as their situation was far more restrictive.
Unlike those from the Summoning Plane, whose true forms and strength remained intact in their native dimension, the creatures bound to the Magic Plane would have their power permanently adjusted to match the summoner's current level.
This was because they existed entirely within the framework of the Magic Plane itself, where the natural laws imposed limitations to maintain balance.
Their essence could not surpass the summoner's magical realm without causing rejection or collapse of the contract link.
But for Astreo, such limitations were more of a minor inconvenience than a true obstacle.
Being someone who possessed nearly infinite resources, he could easily bypass these natural restrictions if he truly wished to.
For him, elevating the power of his contracted beasts to their true potential, even temporarily ignoring the usual cultivation restrictions, was simply a matter of investing a few high-grade forbidden-Summoning element resources.
With the right combination of forbidden summoning essences, dimensional catalysts, and chaos crystals, he could forcefully synchronize their true strength with his realm whenever necessary.
As he contemplated this, Astreo's thoughts shifted toward a new possibility — the idea of forming a contract with one of the most legendary and dangerous beings still alive in the Magic Plane: the Black Dragon Emperor, Austin.
The creature was currently known to be residing deep within the Tyrant Mountains, a place feared even by the strongest of magicians and forbidden for human entry.
Astreo analyzed the potential benefits in his mind. Austin, despite being classified as a Low-Level Emperor, was the last remaining True Dragon in the entire Magic Plane.
His existence alone carried immense historical and strategic value.
Moreover, if Astreo could heal Austin's severe injuries — remnants of a devastating ancient battle that had nearly destroyed his core — the dragon could potentially recover and ascend to a Low-Mid Level Emperor, a realm of strength that only a handful of living creatures in the entire world could ever reach.
To put it in perspective, even Mo Fan, the protagonist of the original world and one of the most terrifying figures to ever live, had only managed to reach that same level of power by the end of his journey.
Though Mo Fan stood at the absolute peak of the Low Emperor Tier, capable of rivaling or even killing weaker mid-tier Emperors with his combined elements, the difference between ranks was still astronomically vast.
After the Low-Mid Level Emperors came the Mid-Level Emperors, such as the Azure Dragon, a mythical being that had once stood as one of the greatest protectors of the world.
Even though the Azure Dragon was now considered a semi-dead entity, it still possessed power that exceeded any Low-Level Emperor by more than a hundredfold.
In the entire Magic Plane, there were barely a dozen beings who had reached the Mid-Level Emperor stage, each of them capable of destroying entire nations or altering climates at will.
Above them stood the rare and almost unreachable Low-High Level Emperor, of which the world had only one known existence, a being that resided in the Kunlun Mountains, hidden away from civilization and untouched by the mortal world.
Beyond even that, at the pinnacle of all existence, were the two High-Level Emperors, the apex beings of the Sahara Desert and Antarctica.
The power difference between these levels was beyond comprehension. Even the gap between the strongest Low-Level Emperor and the weakest Mid-Level Emperor was over a hundred times, and the disparity only grew exponentially beyond that point.
The High-Level Emperors of Sahara and Antarctica stood as literal forces of nature — beings so overwhelmingly powerful that a single casual spell or breath of magic from them could affect the entire world's balance.
If either of those two ever decided to turn against humanity, there would be absolutely no hope for survival.
The entire human civilization would be wiped out effortlessly, and even the revered Totem Beasts, who were considered divine protectors, would be swatted away like flies before their might.
That was the realm of power that Astreo sought to reach — a level where his very existence could reshape the world, where no being, no law, and no god could stand above him.
He was not merely pursuing strength for the sake of dominance; he was striving to transcend all limitations, to walk among the greatest beings that had ever lived, and to one day stand as the ultimate mage — equal to, or perhaps even beyond, the Emperors themselves.
'Anyway, Austin is connected to Wen Tai, and unless I manage to advance all the way to the Emperor realm myself, it would be far better to avoid any direct contact with him for now,' Astreo thought carefully, his expression serious as he analyzed the possible consequences.
He knew very well that Wen Tai was not someone who could be underestimated.
The man had a reputation for being mysterious, manipulative, and frighteningly knowledgeable about everything that occurred across both the Magic Plane and the Dark Plane.
In fact, Wen Tai was also the main reason Astreo had chosen not to approach Salang yet, even though he had originally planned to take her under his protection and guidance.
The thought of doing so still tempted him, but his logical side knew better.
Who could say for certain whether Wen Tai wasn't secretly observing her from the shadows of the Dark Plane, using one of his countless methods of surveillance or soul projection?
Astreo wasn't foolish enough to test such possibilities, not until he had reached a level where even Wen Tai would think twice before acting against him.
With a light shake of his head, Astreo dismissed these uneasy thoughts, forcing his mind back into focus.
There was no point dwelling on matters he couldn't yet influence.
For now, his goal was to visit the Dragon Valley, where his most loyal contracted beast, Xyra, resided alongside other dragons and magical creatures.
He directed his spiritual energy and soon shifted his consciousness toward the valley, the familiar surroundings of the Summoning Plane unfolding before him.
As soon as he arrived, he was warmly greeted by everyone present.
The creatures of the valley, who all recognized his presence through his aura, bowed or acknowledged him respectfully.
Even Nemonia, who was the daughter of Xyra and one of the most prideful beings in the valley, treated him with respect and deference, despite knowing that, in terms of sheer power, he was still far weaker than her.
Her attitude was a result of deep reverence — after all, Astreo was her mother's contractor, and their bond carried an authority that even the proud dragons could not ignore.
Meanwhile, Xyra, who had been peacefully cultivating her magic essence deep within her cave, instantly sensed his arrival through their contract link.
The bond between them was so strong that she could detect even the faintest fluctuation in his aura.
Her eyes opened immediately, and without hesitation, she stood up and began making her way toward him, her excitement clearly visible in the subtle tremor of her wings.
When she finally reached him, Xyra's expression softened with warmth.
Without a word, she transformed into her human form, a tall, beautiful aged woman with features that carried both the grace and majesty of her draconic heritage.
The moment she saw Astreo standing there in his small childlike body, she couldn't help but smile affectionately.
In an instant, she rushed forward and embraced him tightly, wrapping her arms around him and lifting him effortlessly off the ground.
Her maternal instincts kicked in, and she hugged him against her chest, her protective aura enveloping him completely.
To make things even more embarrassing for Astreo, she started licking his cheek with her tongue, much like how a dragon would show affection to its kin.
"Xyra, stop it, that's enough!" Astreo protested in mild annoyance, his face reddening slightly as he tried to push her away.
But she only laughed softly, clearly enjoying his reaction, her eyes gleaming with amusement and tenderness.
The other dragons present in the valley could only stand there completely speechless, their eyes wide and jaws slightly open as they witnessed the blatantly affectionate and rather embarrassing display from their Matriarch and Clan Leader, Xyra.
The sight of their proud and dignified leader openly hugging, cuddling, and even licking the face of a small child-like boy was something that none of them were mentally prepared for.
The entire valley seemed to fall into a stunned silence, the awkwardness in the air so thick it could almost be sliced with a blade.
Meanwhile, Astreo's eyebrows twitched violently, his expression shifting between exasperation and disbelief.
He inwardly cursed his situation, a single thought echoing in his mind — Don't lewd the shota!
He wanted to scream those words aloud but decided to hold back, simply sighing and accepting that this was yet another part of his strange daily life.
Ahem.
Trying to regain some semblance of control over the situation, Astreo cleared his throat and finally spoke in his usual calm but firm tone.
"Now that you're done covering my entire face with your saliva, should we perhaps focus on your advancement instead?" he said flatly.
His voice wasn't particularly loud, but it carried a crisp clarity that allowed every dragon present in the valley to hear his words perfectly.
The reaction was instant.
A collective gasp spread through the crowd of dragons as they stared in disbelief.
To them, it was unthinkable — this small human child had just rejected the affection of their revered Matriarch, the same being they worshipped as their supreme leader!
For dragons who viewed power and bloodline above all else, such casual familiarity and even mockery toward someone of Xyra's stature was something beyond comprehension.
The main reason behind their shock was that Ember and Xyra usually talked in her private den, however today she was so excited that she came out in the open, showing how close they were.
Among them, a certain dragon elder clenched his jaw tightly, his teeth grinding audibly.
His golden pupils narrowed into slits as he glared at Astreo with a mix of jealousy and suppressed fury.
That elder, who had long harbored an unspoken crush on Xyra, could barely stand seeing his beloved Matriarch act so gently and intimately toward someone else — especially a mere human child who, in terms of raw power, was far weaker than any of them.
Xyra, however, seemed completely unbothered by the reactions around her.
Instead, she chuckled softly, her laughter carrying a teasing and playful tone that contrasted her usual regal demeanor.
"You don't like me loving you, little one?" she asked, her voice dripping with amusement.
"Do you even realize that a True Dragon's saliva can heal wounds? You should be thankful — I was just treating you in my own way."
Astreo immediately rolled his eyes, his face twitching as he shot her a deadpan look.
"In your fantasies, maybe!" he replied sarcastically.
The way he said it made a few of the younger dragons flinch — no one in their right mind dared to talk to Xyra like that — but to everyone's surprise, Xyra only laughed even harder.
The two of them continued to bicker playfully, their back-and-forth resembling that of two quarrelsome children rather than a legendary dragon and her summoner.
Their dynamic was strange yet oddly natural, as if they had long grown accustomed to this kind of teasing exchange.
Finally, Nemonia, who had been standing a short distance away and observing everything quietly, decided to step forward.
Her gaze alternated between her mother and Astreo, a small but genuine smile tugging at her lips though it looked terrifying from a human perspective.
However, she soon composed herself, her expression turning serious as she addressed her mother.
"Mother…" she began softly, her tone respectful but filled with curiosity, "are you really going to attempt to break through to the Emperor Tier now?"
Her question hung in the air, and the moment those words were spoken, the entire atmosphere of the Dragon Valley shifted.
The playful tension disappeared, replaced by an air of solemn anticipation.
Every dragon present turned their attention toward Xyra, waiting for her answer — for the moment when their Matriarch might finally ascend to a realm that only a handful of beings in existence could ever hope to reach.
In fact, Xyra's mother had been diligently consuming and absorbing the vast amount of resources that Astreo provided her with every single week.
These weren't ordinary resources either — they included high-grade essence crystals, High-Grade elemental cores, and rare draconic catalysts that were nearly impossible for anyone else to obtain.
Through this steady and intense nourishment, her strength had been growing at an astonishing pace.
Now, she stood firmly at the peak of the Evolving Monarch level, only one single step away from breaking through and becoming a full-fledged Emperor-level being.
The fascinating thing about dragons — and what truly set them apart from most other magical species — was the unique nature of their evolution.
Unlike other races or creatures, dragons didn't need to mutate or completely transform themselves into a new species when advancing to a higher level.
Instead, their evolution was internal and self-contained, deeply tied to the purity and power of their own bloodline.
When a dragon sought to break through to a higher realm, all they needed to do was refine their bloodline essence, purifying it repeatedly until it reached the point where it transcended into its own Source, forming the foundation of a true Emperor's bloodline.
To put it simply, when a dragon ascended to the Emperor Level, their bloodline didn't just evolve — it manifested its own distinct and individual characteristics, essentially creating a new bloodline that represented their unique traits and power.
Every single Emperor-level dragon, therefore, possessed a different kind of draconic essence, one that embodied their personality, element, and nature to its fullest extent.
This new bloodline then became the core of their identity as an Emperor, setting them apart from every other dragon that came before them.
When such an Emperor-level dragon eventually produced offspring, those descendants inherited a diluted version of the Emperor's bloodline.
However, when those children grew and advanced on their own path, their bloodline would mutate and evolve again, changing form and becoming a new variant once they themselves reached the Emperor realm.
This continuous cycle of evolution ensured that no two generations of dragons ever possessed identical bloodlines, making each one unique and unmatched in their own way.
Of course, this incredible process also came with a significant drawback.
It made the advancement of dragons far more difficult than that of other creatures, especially those directly linked to Elemental Planes like Spirits.
For instance, Elemental Spirits like Flame Belle, the contracted being of Mo Fan, could reach the Emperor level simply by accumulating enough time, energy, and elemental essence through continuous battles and growth.
Their progress was more straightforward since their strength was supported by the Elemental Plane itself, which acted as a natural amplifier for their power.
Dragons, on the other hand, had no such external support.
Every ounce of progress came from their own bloodline refinement, their internal cultivation, and their ability to bear the immense strain of transformation.
Yet, this also meant that once they succeeded, their power became utterly unique.
No two Emperor Dragons were ever the same; each carried its own distinct set of abilities, attributes, and magical phenomena.
Because of this, even among beings of the same tier, a True Dragon Emperor was almost always considered to be several times stronger than any other creature of equivalent level.
Astreo wasn't entirely sure if this principle applied to other worlds or planes as well, but within the world of Versatile Mage, this was the true nature of the Dragon Race — this was how True Dragons operated.
Their evolution was a reflection of their essence, individuality, and pride.
(A/N: Please note that this section is slightly AU — an alternate interpretation of dragon evolution within the Versatile Mage universe.)
Now, Xyra stood at the absolute peak of her current bloodline, her entire being vibrating with condensed energy and potential.
All that remained for her was to gather sufficient magical energy to trigger the final transformation — the breakthrough into the Emperor Level.
Her Draconic Heart, the core of her existence, had already been saturated with tremendous amounts of mana and life force, pulsating like a second sun within her chest.
The next step would determine her destiny — the moment when she would either ascend into the realm of Emperors or fall short at the final gate of evolution.
"Yes… If I were to fall during my attempt, then please… contract another talented dragon in my place, Astreo," Xyra said softly, her tone calm yet solemn, causing an immediate reaction from everyone present.
The moment her words left her lips, every single dragon within the valley flinched.
The idea of their Matriarch and Clan Leader speaking of her own possible death sent a cold tremor through the crowd.
Dragons rarely failed during their advancement, and the probability of death during evolution was incredibly low for their race — their bodies and souls were naturally designed to endure extreme transformation.
However, Xyra was already an ancient dragon, one who had reached the very end of her natural lifespan, and that alone made her advancement considerably more dangerous.
Her success was far from guaranteed, and the risk of her falling at the final step was real.
Astreo could have easily responded with his usual confidence — he could have said something like, "As long as I'm here, you won't fail," and no one would have doubted him.
He had every reason to believe in his own ability to assist her breakthrough.
But he didn't say those words.
He didn't let arrogance take the lead this time. Instead, he remained calm and composed, reminding himself of an old piece of wisdom he once heard: "Unless you are being provoked, silence is the wisest response."
It was a saying that had guided him through many difficult situations, and this was no different.
Unlike the typical self-absorbed Young Masters that seemed to exist in every corner of the world, Astreo wasn't the kind of person whose ego shattered at the slightest provocation.
He wasn't someone who needed to prove his worth through empty bravado or loud declarations.
He knew who he was — he didn't have the fragile pride that made others act recklessly just to save face.
There was no need for unnecessary words when his actions could speak for him instead.
Ahem.
After everyone had exchanged their farewells and offered their final blessings, Xyra and Astreo departed together, leaving behind the murmuring dragons of the valley.
The two of them traveled directly into Astreo's System Dimensional Space, a unique and isolated realm accessible only to him.
The moment they arrived, the environment shifted — the air grew dense with energy, and countless radiant streams of mana floated across the endless void, converging around them like rivers of light.
Astreo turned serious, waving his hand to erect a spatial wall between them.
The transparent barrier glowed faintly, dividing the area into two separate zones — one for him and one for her.
"I'm going to supply you with an immense amount of resources," he said firmly, his expression leaving no room for hesitation.
"You will break through to the Emperor Level, Xyra. There's no doubt about it."
Xyra smiled at him, her golden eyes soft and filled with a mixture of affection and determination.
"I do not want to disappoint you, Astreo," she said gently.
"If not for your guidance, your resources, and your belief in me, I wouldn't even have had the chance to attempt this breakthrough. You've already done more for me than anyone else ever could."
Astreo looked at her for a long moment, then finally nodded, his small hands clenched at his sides.
"Then let's begin," he said quietly, though his tone carried a weight that echoed through the entire dimensional space.
"I'll start the process now."
And with that, the air around them began to hum, signaling the start of one of the most critical moments in both of their lives — the attempt to ascend beyond the limits of mortality itself.
Then, one by one, the Fire Holy Spring Essence, specially formulated and refined solely for Xyra's advancement, began descending from the air like molten streams of scarlet light.
The liquid shimmered with intense radiance, radiating both warmth and divine power as it poured down upon her from above.
Without hesitation, Xyra closed her eyes, her entire body glowing in a crimson hue as she reverted to her true dragon form.
Her massive figure expanded until it filled most of the area, her scales gleaming like forged rubies under a divine flame.
The Fire Holy Spring Essence soon submerged her completely, forming a vast, glowing pool that radiated heat strong enough to melt ordinary mountains.
Astreo didn't waste a single moment.
He ordered the system to place Soul Grade Fire Seeds into the mixture one after another.
Each seed pulsed with a unique rhythm, and the moment they made contact with the pool, they were instantly absorbed into Xyra's body.
Her entire frame trembled slightly as her aura surged upward, each breath she took shaking the very fabric of the dimensional space.
The once-still atmosphere turned turbulent, the mana in the air swirling chaotically as flames erupted and danced across the ground.
Astreo continued this process with calm precision, his eyes glowing faintly as he observed her magical fluctuations.
He waited until her aura reached a critical threshold, the point where any further accumulation could trigger a violent reaction.
At that moment, he extended both hands, releasing several treasures made by his System — the Source of the Fire Element of Heaven and Earth, along with a cluster of Heavenly Seeds that pulsed with overwhelming power.
As soon as these treasures entered the area, an immense pulse of energy burst outward from Xyra's form, strong enough to distort space itself.
The entire dimensional field trembled as if the realm was alive and reacting to her presence.
Her body and soul simultaneously began to break apart and rebuild, the old shell of her being disintegrating while a new, far stronger essence replaced it.
The process was brutal yet majestic — the rebirth of a dragon into an existence closer to divinity.
Suddenly, a glowing notification window appeared before Astreo's eyes, the text etched in golden letters:
[Notice! The Dimensional Plane is resonating with the individual 'Xyra'. Do you wish to grant permission for advancement?]
This was the hardest step for any being — mage, monster, or spirit — attempting to ascend beyond their limits.
Getting recognized and accepted by the Plane of Existence was what determined success or failure.
For most beings, this was the stage where they perished, unable to gain acknowledgment from the world's will.
But for Astreo, this step was nothing more than a formality.
His System's Dimensional Plane wasn't just a mere subspace — it was a self-sustaining world, a domain with its own governing laws and elemental origin.
It could fully support advancements to the Divine Grade or, up to the level of Plane Dominator.
Therefore, the recognition that others would spend their lives begging for was something Astreo could simply grant with a single command.
With no hesitation, he uttered the word, "Yes."
The moment the confirmation was made, Xyra's power exploded outward.
The ground beneath her cracked, flames surged to the heavens, and the surrounding mana condensed so tightly that it looked almost solid.
Her body began expanding once more, the sheer pressure from her presence forcing the air to vibrate.
Her advancement sequence unfolded before Astreo's eyes:
False Emperor Level… achieved!
Lesser Emperor Level… achieved!
Low Emperor Level… achieved!
Her ascension continued in a blinding crescendo of heat and light until, finally, her aura stabilized.
The violent fluctuations gradually subsided, leaving behind an overwhelming yet steady power that filled the entire dimension.
When it ended, Xyra stood at the peak of the Low Emperor Level, her entire being radiating a divine majesty that surpassed anything she had ever displayed before.
The advancement had stopped there, but even at that level, the transformation was monumental — a being reborn at the top of the world, ready to shake the heavens themselves.
(A/N: It cannot be a fanfic of a Chinese Novel if Heavens aren't mentioned and ready to tremble before Protagonist's might LMAO)
Her body began to change drastically, undergoing a complete metamorphosis that shook the entire Dimensional Plane.
Her massive form expanded continuously, her sheer size alone now reaching an astounding 700 meters in length, while her standing height rose to a staggering 200 meters.
When she unfurled her majestic wings, the scene was nothing short of awe-inspiring — the wingspan stretched across nearly one and a half kilometres, covering the entire horizon of the space and casting an immense shadow that swallowed everything beneath it.
Her once crimson scales deepened in hue, transforming into a polished abyssal black, each scale glimmering faintly with reflections of crimson, violet, and shadowy gray — like galaxies imprisoned within her flesh.
Her eyes, which once burned like embers, now shone with a brilliant amethyst glow, radiating both wisdom and unrestrained power.
Around her colossal figure, the three elements of Fire, Shadow, and Chaos swirled and intertwined, creating a destructive yet beautiful storm of primal energy that distorted space itself.
A deep, thunderous roar escaped her throat, echoing across the dimension like a divine proclamation.
She raised her head and opened her jaws wide, releasing a massive beam of black fire — a condensed breath of pure destructive energy.
The beam shot upward, hitting the ceiling of the Dimensional Plane, shaking the entire realm with overwhelming pressure.
The sky cracked like fragile glass, reverberating under the might of her power.
A sudden notification resounded through the air, accompanied by a golden ripple of divine authority:
[Congratulations! The individual Xyra has been recognized as the Abyssal Fire Chaos Dragon by the Dimensional Plane!]
Even Astreo, who prided himself on his composure and foresight, found himself momentarily frozen in shock.
Though he had mentally prepared himself for impressive results, the sheer magnificence of the transformation far exceeded his expectations.
His eyes widened as he looked up — far, far up — at the colossal dragon who now towered over him like a living mountain.
Her presence alone was suffocating, and next to her, Astreo truly looked like nothing more than a tiny speck of dust, a mere grain before a divine being.
'System, show me her status,' he commanded within his mind, still struggling to process the grandeur before him. The familiar blue system window appeared, displaying a detailed status report:
[Name:] Xyra
[Age:] 1100+
[Attributes:] Fire, Shadow, Chaos
[Race:] Abyssal Fire Chaos Dragon
[Gender:] Female
[Tier:] Peak Low Emperor (Small Continental Level)
[Potential:] Peak Monarch
[Status:] Immortal embodiment of Abyssal Fire Chaos Dragon bloodline
Note: Once an injured Supreme Monarch, she has now evolved into the possessor of one of the highest-level bloodlines across all Dimensional Planes. Her rebirth has awakened her connection to the Shadow and Chaos Elements, granting her partial control over the Laws of Chaos. She possesses potential for Divinity and the qualifications to ascend as a Dark King of the Dark Plane.
Astreo stared at the status screen, utterly gobsmacked.
He had expected Xyra to ascend to the Low Emperor level, perhaps skipping a tier or two like Lesser Emperor or False Emperor, but this… this was on a completely different scale.
She had not only skipped stages — she had transcended bloodline boundaries entirely, obtaining an entirely new form of existence that was almost divine in nature.
Her new bloodline — the Abyssal Fire Chaos Dragon — wasn't something that should even exist in the Magic Plane. To make matters even more unbelievable, she had also gained mastery over Shadow and Chaos Elements, giving her control over forces that most beings couldn't even comprehend, let alone wield at the realm of Emperor.
And then there was the final detail — the part that made Astreo's mind blank out for a moment.
She now possessed potential for Divinity, meaning she could theoretically ascend into the Plane Dominating Tier, the realm where beings surpassed existence itself.
Not only that, but her status even mentioned the possibility of becoming a Dark King of the Dark Plane — an apex ruler comparable to the gods of other worlds.
As Xyra basked in the overwhelming surge of her newly attained power, her immense form emanating divine authority, Astreo stood silently before her, deep in contemplation.
His expression remained calm on the surface, but his thoughts were far from tranquil. Now that she had ascended to such an extraordinary realm, her strength had far surpassed his own by countless folds.
The gap between them was so immense that even the slightest comparison seemed meaningless.
At this point, Astreo was nothing more than an insect before her overwhelming might, a mortal gazing up at a goddess who could erase him with a mere flicker of will.
Of course, he was aware that time was on his side; within a few years, he would surely be able to contend against her if he continued progressing at his current pace.
However, that was only under the assumption that Xyra did not advance even further — something that was far from guaranteed now that she had awakened such a transcendent bloodline.
He sighed softly, rubbing his temples as his mind began racing with calculations and possibilities.
"I might have to redo the contract," he muttered under his breath.
The current binding was designed for a Low-Level Emperor creature. Now that Xyra stood at Peak Low-LevelEmperor level, her very existence could overwhelm the original pact structure.
If he didn't reinforce or restructure it, it could end up harming both of them — or worse, rendering the bond unstable.
With that thought in mind, Astreo raised his hand, dismissing the Dimensional barrier that separated the two of them.
The moment the spatial wall vanished, an invisible pressure crashed upon him like a tidal wave.
In an instant, his soul trembled violently, and every instinct in his body screamed the same thing — "Run!", "Kneel!", or "Submit!".
His breathing hitched, his heart pounded rapidly, and his vision wavered under the sheer magnitude of her existence.
What was even more terrifying was that Xyra wasn't even trying to release her aura anymore; she had long since restrained it.
And yet, just her presence alone, her passive existence, was enough to shake his very soul and distort the flow of mana in the area.
The magic around them turned unstable and chaotic, the elemental laws bending and twisting unnaturally as though they were being rewritten in her vicinity.
Even Astreo's abilities — ones that normally operated independently of environmental interference — became unresponsive, refusing to activate properly under the suffocating pressure of her existence.
That was the sheer extent of her power now.
It was a living demonstration of the unimaginable gap between a Monarch and an Emperor.
A Monarch could rule nations, but an Emperor could reshape the world itself.
The difference wasn't just in raw strength; it was a difference in existence, in the very authority they wielded over the laws of reality.
There was a reason why Emperors were revered as living gods in every realm.
Their magic and their will could influence entire continents, even affect global climates or natural laws with a single careless gesture.
A mere thought from them could alter destinies, and their presence alone could silence armies.
They were immortal, unaging, and their vitality could sustain them for millennia without decay. The only true weakness they possessed was that they could still die — but even that wasn't simple.
To kill an Emperor required an equally powerful force, or catching them during a rare moment of serious injury or exhaustion.
And even among Emperors, there were vast differences. Taking down a regular elemental Emperor might still be conceivable under extreme conditions.
But trying to kill an Undead Emperor or a Psychic Emperor — beings whose souls and consciousness were nearly indestructible — was an entirely different matter.
Those beings could persist even after their bodies were destroyed, making their annihilation nearly impossible.
Xyra immediately noticed Astreo's stillness — the rigid, frozen posture of his body as he stood overwhelmed by her sheer presence.
Even though she had already restrained her aura significantly, the residual pressure radiating from her newly ascended form was still far too much for anyone below the Emperor realm to endure.
Realizing this, she acted swiftly and transformed into her human form, the light of transformation enveloping her in a cascade of violet and black energy.
Within moments, the immense dragon vanished, replaced by a tall, graceful woman whose presence still carried an aura of absolute power.
Her once aged human look had now changed drastically — her eyes now gleamed with dragonic purple pupils, their depths swirling with the essence of Fire, Shadow, and Chaos.
Her raven-black hair shimmered faintly like liquid obsidian under the dim light, flowing down her back like a silken waterfall.
Two curved black dragon horns emerged elegantly from the sides of her head, adding to the intimidating majesty that surrounded her form.
Even while suppressing her power, her existence alone felt divine and suffocating.
[XYRA's IMAGE]
As she stepped forward, the ground beneath her lightly trembled, and Astreo — who had been standing still as if petrified — finally snapped out of his trance.
His body shivered slightly, his breath returning in short bursts as he instinctively gasped for air.
It took him a few moments to regain composure, and when he finally managed to raise his head, his eyes widened slightly as they met hers.
For a brief second, he forgot to breathe.
Her beauty was no longer mortal.
It wasn't the fragile beauty of humans, but the terrifying allure of a divine being, a mixture of danger and perfection that could drive men mad.
Still, Astreo forced himself to calm down, and although his heart was racing, he managed to muster a faint smile — one that looked far more strained than usual.
For perhaps the first time since he got system, his composure cracked, his voice stammering slightly as he spoke.
"X–Xyra… congratulations! You've truly broken through to the Emperor Realm!" he said, forcing his tone to sound steady but failing to hide the nervous tremor underneath.
His words were completely genuine — he meant every syllable — yet beneath the surface, a wave of unease and discomfort swirled within him.
He wasn't afraid of her exactly, but the change in their power dynamic disturbed him.
Until now, he had always been the superior.
But now… she stood on a level far beyond his reach.
The difference between their existences had shifted drastically in a single moment.
Astreo's thoughts raced as he silently pondered how to maintain harmony between them going forward.
'How should I treat her now?', he wondered.
'She's not just my contracted beast anymore… she's a being that could annihilate countries with a thought.'
If he had already reached Forbidden Curse Tier in magic cultivation, he wouldn't have been worried at all.
He would have full confidence that no matter how proud or arrogant she became, he could still control the situation effortlessly.
But reality was different — right now, he was the weaker one.
Despite being the reason for her advancement, despite giving her all the resources and guidance that made her what she was today, Astreo couldn't deny a simple fact — dragons were prideful creatures.
Their arrogance and sense of superiority were deeply ingrained in their very blood.
And now that Xyra had ascended to Emperor level and obtained one of the highest bloodlines in existence, it was only natural that her pride would soar beyond imagination.
Astreo wasn't naive enough to think she would instantly betray him — he knew her loyalty wasn't that shallow — but he also understood how easily emotions like pride, shame, or ego could strain such relationships.
Especially when a powerful being was forced to serve someone weaker.
(A/N: Most importantly this is a Fanfic of a Chinese Novel)
He sighed inwardly, his mind sharpening as he resolved what he must do.
For now, he didn't want her to feel insulted, ashamed, or humiliated about following someone weaker than herself.
His goal was to ensure that their relationship remained balanced, that she still respected him not out of power but out of choice.
After all, if she ever did betray him — he would eventually surpass her, no matter how long it took.
The revenge could wait for the future.
But right now, more than vengeance or suspicion, what Astreo wanted was simple: he didn't want Xyra to feel humiliated by obeying a man who, at this moment, was weaker than her.
He straightened his posture, his expression softening slightly as he looked at her again.
No matter how vast the gap between them became, one fact remained unchanged — she was his companion, and he was the one who helped her rise to this level.
Xyra slowly walked toward Astreo, her steps deliberate and graceful, the air still heavy with lingering traces of her Emperor-level aura.
Then, to his utter astonishment, she suddenly stopped just a few meters in front of him — and before he could even ask what she was doing, she knelt down.
Astreo's eyes widened in shock as he watched her lower herself all the way to the ground.
Her movements were solemn and filled with determination, her long black hair cascading forward like silk until her forehead touched the ground.
The sight of such a majestic, overwhelmingly powerful dragon bowing in front of him — a being capable of leveling nations — was so surreal that for a few seconds, Astreo simply stood there frozen, unable to react.
Then she spoke.
"Lord Astreo…" Xyra's voice carried deep respect and sincerity, echoing softly but powerfully in the air.
"I, Xyra, offer myself as your wife."
For a full heartbeat, Astreo didn't even process the words.
His brain went blank.
Then the meaning hit him like a thunderclap.
His mouth fell open slightly, and his entire body stiffened.
"W–Wait… You… you want to become my wife?" he stammered, his voice trembling uncontrollably.
His expression was a mixture of disbelief, embarrassment, and sheer confusion.
Xyra slowly lifted her head, her face slightly flushed, the faintest pink tint colouring her pale cheeks.
Her amethyst eyes met his directly, shimmering with a mix of emotion and resolve.
"If not for you, I would have died as nothing more than an injured, forgotten dragon," she said, her tone calm but heavy with sincerity.
"Yet now, because of you, I have become an Emperor, a being capable of commanding the lives of millions. I am aware that every step I took forward, every power I gained, and even this rebirth of mine — all of it exists because of you. I owe everything I am to your guidance, your support, and your presence. I have nothing material that could possibly repay such a debt…"
She took a small breath, her voice trembling just a little as she continued.
"…So I offer myself — my entire being — as gratitude. If you would have me, I will devote my life to serving you not as your subordinate, but as your wife."
Astreo blinked.
Once.
Twice.
Then again.
His thoughts were completely scattered for a few long seconds before he managed to regain even a shred of coherence.
He exhaled sharply and finally managed to speak, though his voice carried both disbelief and exhaustion.
"I… see…" he muttered, rubbing his temple.
After a brief pause, he let out a longer sigh and finally began to regain his composure.
The shock slowly faded, replaced by exasperation and a faint hint of guilt.
He realized how absurd his earlier assumptions had been.
Just moments ago, he had doubted her loyalty, thinking she might become arrogant or distant now that she had surpassed him in power.
Yet here she was, kneeling, humbling herself, and offering everything she had to him.
He couldn't help but feel ashamed for ever doubting her.
Still, that didn't change the awkwardness of the situation. Because no matter how heartfelt her offer was, there was one enormous, glaring problem — he was still a child.
Astreo sighed again, this time in resignation, looking away with an awkward grimace.
"Xyra… look, I appreciate what you're saying, truly. I understand your gratitude and your sincerity, but…" he rubbed the back of his neck, lowering his gaze slightly, "you do realize that I'm only seven years old, right? This… this is absolutely illegal by every standard imaginable."
He took a step back, clearing his throat in embarrassment as he continued, "Besides, you're—" he hesitated, choosing his words carefully, "you're already a grown woman. Actually, scratch that — you're a thousand-year-old dragon, and you even have a daughter. No matter how young you look, that definitely puts you in the grandmother category!"
The corner of his mouth twitched as he finished that sentence, his tone half serious and half sarcastic.
"So yeah, even if I were some ancient reincarnated soul or something, this is still way beyond morally acceptable!"
Xyra, still kneeling, blinked at him in confusion as he sighed yet again, placing his hands on his hips.
"Xyra, listen," he said, regaining a more serious tone, "we had a deal — a contract, remember? You'll naturally follow that as my partner and ally. That's all there is to it. You don't need to go offering yourself as… ahem… my wife or anything like that. Just… keep things the way they are, alright?"
Internally, however, Astreo could already imagine his future adult self — the version of him that would one day be grown and strong — absolutely screaming at him in frustration.
He could almost hear the voice yelling, 'You absolute idiot! She's offering herself to you, and you're turning her down?!'
But Astreo simply shrugged inwardly.
That would be future him's problem to deal with, not his.
Right now, he was more focused on not committing any crimes before hitting puberty.
Xyra's expression faltered the moment she heard Astreo's firm rejection.
A faint trace of panic flashed across her regal face, and she quickly shook her head, her voice trembling slightly as she spoke.
"Lord Astreo… please, allow me to explain," she began, her tone urgent yet respectful.
"I know you are still a child, even by human standards. I am well aware of the differences between us — that we are merely contracted partners, bound by magic, and that you are my summoner. I also know that I already have a daughter… and once, I even had a husband."
Her voice softened at that, eyes clouding briefly with memories of her past.
She paused for a moment before continuing with renewed determination, "I know it may seem foolish or even inappropriate for me to raise such an offer, but my intentions are genuine. I truly want to be your wife, Lord Astreo. I do not mean it in the way humans might think of marriage — I mean it as a pledge, a sacred bond of loyalty and devotion that transcends even life and death."
Her purple eyes shimmered faintly as she added, "I swear that I will never demand authority or position. I will never seek dominance over you. If it would make you comfortable… then I will be the one who takes the role of the submissive partner."
Her last sentence caught Astreo completely off guard.
For a few moments, he stood frozen, staring blankly at her, unsure of how to even begin processing what she just said. His mind was caught between disbelief and contemplation.
On one hand, this entire situation was ridiculous — a thousand-year-old dragon proposing marriage to a seven-year-old child.
On the other hand… there was an undeniable logic behind it.
If he accepted her offer, if he became her husband, then her loyalty toward him would reach its absolute peak.
Dragons viewed their mates as the ultimate authority, bound by instinct and bloodline — a connection deeper than any contract or oath could achieve.
In simple terms, if he accepted, she would never betray him — not even in death.
Astreo's rational mind immediately began weighing the pros and cons.
'If I accept this,' he thought, 'I'll secure her unwavering loyalty and eliminate any risk of rebellion or pride-driven conflict in the future.'
That was a significant advantage.
But then again, there was the glaring issue — this entire arrangement was, well, extremely questionable.
He groaned inwardly, dragging a hand down his face as he muttered under his breath, "Great… now I'm considering marriage proposals from century old dragons."
Still, he couldn't deny that it was tempting.
And since there was no FBI, no police, or any kind of child protection law enforcement in this magical world, there was technically nothing stopping them.
He thought back to a saying his Grandma Yu used to repeat jokingly when talking about age gaps — "Old cow eats tender grass."
Astreo let out a silent, deadpan sigh.
'Yeah,' he muttered internally, 'that's pretty much what's happening right now.'
Finally, after a long mental debate, he made his decision.
He looked at Xyra, who was still kneeling in front of him, and spoke seriously.
"Alright," he said slowly, "I'll accept your offer… but with conditions."
Xyra's eyes lit up, her expression hopeful and almost joyous. Astreo raised his hand to stop her from getting too excited.
"First of all," he continued, clearing his throat awkwardly, "this… whatever this is… will be purely symbolic for now. I'm still a child, and this isn't that kind of world." He coughed twice, his face slightly red.
"So before any kind of adult activities or… uh… romantic stuff, you'll have to wait until I've matured. Got it?"
Xyra blinked, then smiled warmly and nodded without hesitation.
"Of course, my Lord. I understand perfectly. I will wait until you have grown — no matter how long it takes."
Her sincerity disarmed him again.
After that, she began explaining the ritual required to formalize their new bond. Her words, however, made Astreo's eyebrows twitch almost immediately.
"So… wait," he said slowly, staring at her incredulously.
"You're telling me that as part of this 'marriage ritual,' I need to… put my foot on your head and face?"
Xyra nodded calmly, her tone serious and composed.
"Yes. This ritual has been passed down in my Dragon Clan for countless generations. It symbolizes absolute submission and recognition of one's chosen partner as their superior. By placing your foot upon my head, you acknowledge my devotion, and I acknowledge your sovereignty as my husband."
She said it all with a serene smile, not even slightly embarrassed by the absurdity of her explanation.
Astreo, on the other hand, was utterly speechless.
He stared at her for several seconds, his expression blank.
"This… this sounds so unbelievably kinky," he muttered under his breath.
Still, he sighed in resignation.
"You know what? Whatever. Let's just get this over with."
Ignoring how bizarre and awkward this entire situation felt, Astreo finally lifted his foot and lightly placed it on top of Xyra's head.
The moment his foot made contact, the surrounding atmosphere shifted dramatically.
A powerful surge of magical energy erupted between them, swirling in waves of red and black light.
The dimensional space itself trembled slightly as an ancient, binding power recognized their union.
A glowing notification appeared before Astreo's eyes.
[The Husband-Wife (Superior) Dragonic Contract has been successfully established!]
The system's cold mechanical voice confirmed the impossible — the creation of a unique, hybrid bond that merged marital and magical contracts into one.
And just like that…
Astreo, the seven-year-old prodigy, became the husband of a Dragon Empress.
At the age of seven.
…Yeah, fate had a twisted sense of humor.
To be continued...
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