"Everything is part of the Dragon God's plan!"
"Why else would the Dragon Kings who knew the truth fall one after another?"
Li Si sighed heavily, feigning helplessness. As long as his story was convincing enough—even convincing himself—he refused to believe that this naive Silver Dragon King wouldn't buy it.
Created by the Dragon God, the Silver Dragon King had been thrust directly into a divine war. Gravely wounded, she fled to the Douluo Continent to recuperate in the Star Dou Forest.
To say she knew nothing would be unfair, but she certainly lacked understanding of human treachery and deception.
After a long silence, the Silver Dragon King finally spoke.
"Human, I acknowledge you."
This decision was made after much deliberation. The dragon race's current strength was pitifully low.
This human carried soul beast bloodlines, as well as the bloodlines of the Water and Fire Dragon Kings, the Golden Dragon, and the Light Sacred Dragon. From a bloodline perspective, calling him a humanoid Dragon King wasn't incorrect.
The Silver Dragon King continued, "From this day forward, you are the Golden Sacred Dragon King, a first-generation Dragon King."
First-generation Dragon Kings, like the nine sons of the Dragon God, held the highest status in the dragon hierarchy. The Water and Fire Dragon Kings, the Light Dragon Emperor, and the Mountain Dragon King were among these nine.
Di Tian, by contrast, was a second-generation Dragon King, whose status was far lower than a first-generation Dragon King.
Though Li Si's current strength was mediocre, the potential of his inherited Water and Fire Dragon King bloodline meant he had a high likelihood of ascending to a first-tier god. With some fortuitous opportunities, he might even reach god-king status.
With the Silver Dragon King, a fragment of the Dragon God, validating his identity, his status as the Golden Sacred Dragon King was effectively solidified.
As if recalling something, the Silver Dragon King added, "But should you ever act against the interests of the dragon race, I will not hesitate to kill you."
With that, her enormous draconic form faded away, revealing a flawless human figure.
"This is my first time taking human form. It feels... a bit odd," the Silver Dragon King remarked, moving slightly to adjust to her new body, her face calm as ever.
Li Si exhaled in relief, feeling as though he'd narrowly survived. Not only had he earned the Silver Dragon King's acknowledgment, but he'd also been officially named the Golden Sacred Dragon King.
Titles aside, what mattered most was that his role as "Uncle Di Tian" was now firmly established.
But then, in the next moment, his mind went blank, his eyes wide in shock.
What was he seeing?!
"Your bloodline seems to be... reacting. Why is that?"
The Silver Dragon King's gaze fell curiously on Li Si.
Li Si: "..."
Why?! Could he even explain why?!
Suddenly, as though realizing something, the Silver Dragon King paused.
"Hmm? Are you thinking of... mating with me?"
"..."
Before Li Si could say anything, she continued, "Based on the purity of our bloodlines, we are indeed highly compatible for producing offspring. But not now—I still need to purge the Asura God's power from my body."
Li Si froze, stunned by her frankness. Then again, in dragon society, the stronger and purer the bloodline, the more important it was when selecting a mate.
"You're quite strange for a Golden Sacred Dragon King," she added.
"How am I strange?" Li Si asked, puzzled.
"When I was in my original form, you showed no reaction. But now, as a human, your response has become... significant."
The Silver Dragon King—now Gu Yuena—looked at him curiously.
"Who in their right mind would be interested in a giant dragon..." Li Si grumbled internally but wisely kept his thoughts to himself.
Instead, he pulled a set of clothes from his spatial soul guide and handed them to Gu Yuena.
"Here, for you."
Seeing this, Gu Yuena appeared to have an epiphany.
"Oh, humans... wear clothing, don't they?"
"Remember to conjure clothes when taking human form in the future. Even Di Tian knows to wear a black robe," Li Si advised.
Gu Yuena nodded instinctively.
The two chatted for a while longer before Gu Yuena escorted Li Si out.
"If, in 20,000 years, you still wish for it—for the future of the dragon race—I will agree," she said, her tone calm but her face slightly flushed. She wasn't embarrassed, though; the straightforwardness of the soul beast world left no room for unnecessary emotions.
"20,000 years..."
Li Si's mouth twitched. Would he even still be on the Douluo Continent then?
For these long-lived beings, 20,000 years was but a brief slumber. To Li Si, however, 20,000 years was an eternity—long enough for a civilization to advance from fire-starting to interstellar travel.
Li Si said nothing, merely nodding.
After a moment, he spoke again. "I'm called Li Si. Do you have a name? Like Di Tian—his clan is the Golden-Eyed Black Dragons, but his personal name is Di Tian."
"A name?"
"A name can be both significant and insignificant. Some names live on even after their bearers die..."
"I don't have one."
"Want me to come up with one for you?"
"Alright."
"Then how about Gu Yuena?"
"Gu Yuena?"
Gu Yuena nodded thoughtfully. She liked the name, though she didn't understand its meaning.
"Alright, from now on, I'll be called Gu Yuena."
"Oh, by the way, Li Si, this is my reverse scale. It might save your life in a critical moment," she said, producing a silver dragon scale seemingly from nowhere.
As Li Si reached out to take it, Gu Yuena suddenly appeared right before him.
Their eyes met, and from her gaze, Li Si could see hesitation. Yet, it seemed she had made up her mind, biting her lip as if resolutely placing a heavy bet.
Gu Yuena had decided to stake everything on this newly anointed Golden Sacred Dragon King.
For the future of the dragon race and soul beasts, she had to take a risk. Even if she lost, as Li Si had said, the Dragon God would return in 30,000 years. In the grand scheme of things, her gamble wouldn't matter.
With this thought, Gu Yuena suddenly leaned in.
Li Si: "???"
By the time he regained his senses, Gu Yuena was gone—likely back to continue her recovery.
Touching his chest, where the silver dragon scale now rested, Li Si felt conflicted.
"It's just a small fragment of the Silver Dragon King's bloodline, but for her to give this while still injured... I can't help but feel moved," he murmured, guilt flickering within him.
The Silver Dragon King's bloodline greatly enhanced his sensitivity to elemental energies, though the bloodline itself was currently weak.
After some thought, Li Si turned and headed back toward where Gu Yuena was recovering. As a food system spirit master, his first spirit ring possessed exceptional healing abilities. After all, that spirit ring came from a god...
(Chapter ends.)