"What an unexpected harvest..."
Cassius stowed away the Infernal Core, licking his lips with a look of pure delight.
Just as Zariel had expected, the covetous red dragon would never abandon a succulent prize like the Infernal Core once it was within his grasp.
What she had failed to foresee, however, was that Cassius had every intention of joining the Blood War—a toxic quagmire that others avoided like the plague. In fact, he could hardly ask for anything better.
Now that the Empire's interior was entirely stable, the five million Starfallen under his command were desperately in need of a grinding ground where they could endlessly farm experience—and Avernus was a phenomenal choice.
In that sinful land drenched in gore and slaughter, players could unleash their imaginations and act with absolute abandon, without having to worry about any negative fallout whatsoever.
After putting away the Infernal Core, Cassius returned his gaze to the interface. More information refreshed across the panel, sending a surge of excitement through him.
[Under the onslaught of the Cinder Empire, the Kingdom of Thrace has fallen. The Lord of Hell, Zariel, who coveted Auguste, has also been slain by your hand.]
[The Empire's string of earth-shattering feats has made the Feanso Continent tremble, and its renown has spread across the multiverse. Your Faction Renown Level has increased to: VI]
[Due to the traits of the Imperial Domain, you may choose to redeem one trait of Legendary rank or lower.]
Mind Control
You will possess the ability to control the minds of others, capable of dominating the wills of most weak-willed individuals within the Empire's borders.
"There shall be no more free will, only my will." — Yuli, Halfling Psion
Omnipresent
You can perceive all information within the Empire's borders; every wisp of shadow shall become your eyes and ears.
"You have no secrets—because I am everywhere!" — Clyde Fleck, Shadow Rogue
Iron-Blooded Empire
The combat morale of the Imperial Army is increased by 10%. Your soldiers will become more cruel, bloodthirsty, and fearless of death, but they will also consume more resources.
Cassius browsed through them carefully. He found that while these Legendary faction traits were exceptionally formidable, their restrictions were equally severe—most could only function within the Imperial Domain.
Yet for Cassius, who already wielded godlike authority within the Empire, the effects these abilities produced were things he could already achieve directly or indirectly. Wasting a trait selection on them felt somewhat redundant.
Much like the last time, the Sovereign-Conferred Divine Right he had chosen had served well to secure internal stability, making spies and rebels think twice before making a move.
Cassius continued scrolling downward. Over twenty faction traits appeared consecutively across the panel, a mixed assortment ranging from low-tier all the way to Legendary.
These traits could grant special abilities to all vassals across the faction. Some increased wealth, some altered the environment, and others could directly affect the souls of the Empire's populace.
Charismatic Leadership, Conscripted Labor, Magic Surge, Cultural Fanaticism, Martial Law, Mass Levies, Supremacy of Law...
In the end, his eyes came to rest upon a rather peculiar faction trait. After studying it closely, he selected it without the slightest hesitation.
[You have selected the Legendary Faction Trait—Imperial Boundary Marker]
Imperial Boundary Marker
Quality: Legendary
Description: You can erect boundary markers across the expanse of the Cinder Empire, using them as emblems of your territory.
Marker Effects:
1. The Imperial Boundary Marker can release the power of law, gradually converting the surrounding territory into an Imperial Domain centered upon itself.
2. Any player affiliated with the Cinder Empire faction may select the Boundary Marker as a respawn point. Factionless novice players may also select the Boundary Marker as a spawn point.
3. Interconnecting spatial tunnels will form between Imperial Boundary Markers. The Emperor and permitted imperial vassals may traverse freely between markers, disregarding planar barriers.
(Note: This is an exclusive trait for the Imperial Domain.)
Previously, Cassius had only converted major cities such as Isdalia and Northwind Keep into Imperial Domains. With the Boundary Markers, he would no longer have to convert territory personally; he could simply sit back and reap the rewards.
At the same time, the marker's respawn points and spatial transit capabilities would grant Cassius far tighter control over newly captured cities and extraplanar colonies.
In the near future, imperial subjects could even expand their territory through the markers. Plant a boundary marker, and a legion of thousands would assemble in an instant.
At this thought, Cassius grinned, baring a fierce smile. He clenched his claws tightly. "With this trait, the entire Empire will be firmly under my grasp."
Rumble—
The earth shuddered. Amid rising dust, a boundary marker slowly rose from deep underground.
Standing twenty meters tall, the marker bore a smooth, refined texture like finely polished marble. It was covered in lifelike reliefs depicting vassals such as wyverns, white dragons, and half-dragons, alongside scenes of the Cinder Emperor vanquishing powerful foes.
At the very peak of the marker was the imperial crest of a slit pupil and flame. In the center, a line of small text was inscribed:
Boundary Marker: Auguste
The front showed the location's name written in Common, while the back bore the spatial coordinates of the site.
Once the boundary marker emerged, a majestic pressure radiated outward. The power of law rippled steadily from the marker as its epicenter, gradually transforming the surrounding space into Cassius's Imperial Domain.
"Very good. Next is the experience..."
Sensing that familiar aura, Cassius nodded in satisfaction before turning his gaze back to his system interface.
After obliterating the Kingdom of Thrace and slaying Zariel, Cassius's harvest was simply staggering—achievements, wondrous items, faction traits, and experience, everything in abundance.
Right now, Cassius felt like an old farmer in autumn, his fearsome dragon face overflowing with the joy of a bumper harvest.
[Slew the Lord of Avernus, Zariel (Challenge Rating: 36); gained 215,000 XP]
[Your total class level has increased to: 27]
[Your current classes are: True Dragon Sorcerer 19 / Bloodscaled Fury 3 / Element Master 4 / Hidecarved Dragon 1]
[Please select a class for this advancement]
Level 20 was the class level cap for all players. So long as one crossed that threshold, even without any other abilities, they could be respectfully hailed as a 'Legend.'
In his previous life, even as a diehard veteran player of Elezerg, Cassius had only reached Level 16, and that was already during Version 3.0.
Even so, he had counted as an elite among players back then. Only those 'professional players' who truly treated the game as their entire life could cross the threshold of Level 20 and become genuine powerhouses of the multiverse.
Now, Cassius finally had the opportunity to truly step into this realm. It stirred a wave of nostalgia within him—even though he already possessed terrifying power rivaling that of a demigod.
As for what choice to make, that went without saying.
[You chose to advance True Dragon Sorcerer to Level 20]
[Due to dragon innate spellcasting and the innate authority of the Elemental Lord, your current caster level is: 31]
The moment he confirmed the advancement, Cassius felt the world before him open up dramatically. A sensation unlike anything he had ever known surged into his heart.
Everything before him—impregnable city walls, soaring mountain peaks, turbulent rivers—seemed as fragile as soap bubbles, ready to burst with the gentlest poke.
Immediately after, a cold, mechanical voice sounded beside his ears.
[In the shadow behind piercing red, endless black, and radiant yellow, the multiverse reveals its true power to you.
Millions of baffling arcane secrets written in forgotten scripts circle within your mind... yet you can understand them.
More importantly, something you have long sought now lies fully revealed before you:
Reality is a fragile thing, an assemblage of power beyond common knowledge, reachable only by those worthy of touching it.]
"This is..."
A faint light shone from Cassius's pale golden pupils. In an instant, his gaze pierced through those ethereal 'soap bubbles,' seeing the reality behind it all.
The world he inhabited, and even the universe he was in, floated like a soap bubble amidst a vast ocean of chaos.
Within that chaos, Cassius could discern countless towering, indistinct figures. Before Them, his universe appeared utterly minuscule.
Suddenly, what seemed like a profound eye opened among the distant figures, gazing across the expanse straight toward Cassius.
[Warning!]
[You are under the gaze of G$v@qL*K9! Emergency Mind Shielding System activated!]
In an instant, noisy ravings and shrill detonations roared in Cassius's ears.
Under the influence of those sounds, emotions that should have belonged only to mortals—terror, madness—uncontrollably welled up in his heart.
Yet Cassius was now a sub-progenitor dragon, a quasi-divine lifeform commanding multiple sources of origin power. What manner of entity could possibly strike fear into him?
[Mind shielding complete. Eye of Reality has concluded. Please maintain your sanity.]
The terrifying spectacle before him vanished in a flash, returning once more to the scenery of Auguste.
The cacophony beside Cassius's ears cut off instantly. He panted heavily, hot steam venting in bursts from his nostrils. His heart pounded violently, taking a long while before his composure returned and he calmed down.
"What... on earth was that?"
Cassius knew very well that this was definitely not something a sorcerer who had just reached Level 20 was qualified to see.
Or rather... it was very likely something the system—or more accurately, the entity behind the system—wanted Cassius to see through this opportunity.
Heavy, oppressive, and despairing—those were the underlying colors of that place.
The joy Cassius felt from toppling Thrace and defeating Zariel was instantly diluted, and the pride and satisfaction of watching the Empire expand step by step dimmed.
He had realized this long ago.
He had to become stronger, at any cost. Otherwise, even if he dominated the Material Plane, he would remain nothing more than a cricket trapped in someone else's cage, forever unable to leap free.
Cassius quickly set aside the stray thoughts in his mind.
Keep advancing. Only by growing stronger could he comprehend what lay before him, and only then would he earn the right to stand as an equal alongside those supreme entities.
"Continue advancing."
Having thoroughly regained his composure, Cassius gazed at his panel with a calm, detached look.
[Your True Dragon Sorcerer class has reached its pinnacle. Tracing back your progenitor dragon bloodline, you have obtained power lost to the ancient ages. You know—this shall restore the glory and splendor of dragonkind.]
[You have obtained the special ability: Primal Reversion]
Primal Reversion
Skill Effect: Unknown
In that era when dragons ruled the world—over sky, earth, and sea—the shadow of dragon wings cloaked all things. The progenitor dragons once commanded all primal power; more precisely, They were the very embodiment of power.
As an elite among pureblood dragons, you have successfully awakened the progenitor dragon bloodline within you. Upon burning your own blood and igniting the flame dormant within your genes, you will briefly obtain the power of a third-generation progenitor dragon.
"The form of a fourth-generation progenitor dragon."
Cassius stroked his chin, pondering deeply as he sorted through the memories of draconic history in his mind.
The earliest dragons had been vastly more powerful than the repeatedly weakened true dragons of today. Judging by the size of the tibia in the Gold Dragon Council, said to have belonged to the third-generation progenitor dragon Orlando, a third-generation progenitor dragon could grow to over a thousand meters in length.
As their offspring, the size of a fourth-generation progenitor dragon was bound to be extraordinary as well, measuring at least five hundred meters long—surpassing every living creature that had ever appeared on the Material Plane during the Third Age.
Cassius even had reason to suspect that once he used this Primal Reversion ability, he would face rejection from the will of the Material Plane and be cast directly out into the Outer Planes.
[You have obtained the special ability: Progenitor Dragon Bloodline]
Progenitor Dragon Bloodline
Your blood will possess the immortality and uniqueness exclusive to progenitor dragons. Unpredictable transformations will occur in your offspring and vassals.
"Offspring?"
Cassius fell silent for a moment, feeling a touch helpless.
As a sub-progenitor red dragon still in his juvenile stage, Cassius was quite young. He had no offspring, nor did he even possess a true mate.
Still, by this point, perhaps that matter ought to be placed on the agenda.
[Tracing back your ancient progenitor dragon bloodline, you have obtained the Legendary Draconic Spells: Dragon's Vengeful Gaze, Freedom of Dragons]
Dragon's Vengeful Gaze
10th-tier Transmutation Spell
[The dragon glares with wrath upon its enemy, and the spell's target bears the ultimate fury of dragonkind. Targets of weaker constitution will be utterly obliterated and disintegrated, leaving behind only a wisp of smoke and ash.
Channeling such terrifying energy demands an equal price; when the target's vitality is excessively potent, the dragon's eyes will bleed and its skin will spasm.]
"An upgraded Finger of Death..."
Cassius looked upon the information for this seemingly terrifying Legendary spell with rather lukewarm interest.
Kill whatever you glare at sounded like an impressive spell.
Yet Cassius knew full well that spells with 'instant death' properties were notoriously prone to 'bullying the weak while fearing the strong': rarely effective against formidable adversaries, yet remarkably efficient when slaughtering weaklings.
Still, it was a Legendary spell after all. The only practical use Cassius could envision was using it from afar to pick off spellcasters hiding in the shadows.
Promptly, he lowered his head and looked toward the next Legendary spell.
Freedom of Dragons
10th-tier Abjuration Spell
[Dragons have always pursued freedom, yearning to soar unfettered across the heavens forever. Thus, they devised this spell to deal with those bothersome arcanists.
The subject becomes immune to the following spells, effects, and spell-like abilities: Entangle, Fear, Dominate/Control, Imprisonment, Paralysis, Petrification, Sleep, Slow, Stun, Time Stop, and Temporal Flow Anomalies.]
Reading this, Cassius finally nodded with considerable satisfaction. His convenient ancestors had indeed left behind quite a few useful spells.
Evidently, this was one of them.
Chapter 717