.
.
The Ancient Dragon Vorthar soared through the endless sky.
Below them, rivers of molten lava flowed between mountains made from colossal dragon skeletons.
The closer they came to the center of the ruins...
The denser the Dragon Qi became.
Even Knox felt his cultivation slowly rising.
[Ding!]
Dragon Qi detected.
Passive cultivation speed increased by 300%.
Current Cultivation: Core Formation Realm – Fourth Stage.
Knox smiled.
"Not bad."
Lyra looked at him curiously.
"What are you smiling about this time?"
"Nothing."
"I don't believe you."
"You don't have to."
She rolled her eyes.
"This is why everyone says you're impossible."
A few minutes later...
An enormous golden palace appeared beyond the clouds.
It floated in the sky like a divine kingdom.
Countless dragon statues guarded its gates.
Above the entrance were three ancient words.
Dragon King's Palace.
Even Vorthar lowered his head respectfully.
"The King's resting place..."
The three landed before the palace gates.
As soon as Knox stepped onto the jade stairs—
BOOM!
The palace trembled.
A brilliant golden light descended from the heavens.
Ancient runes surrounded Knox's body.
Vorthar's eyes widened.
"The palace..."
"It's recognizing him."
Lyra looked equally shocked.
"But he doesn't have dragon blood."
Vorthar spoke softly.
"No..."
"It recognizes something even older."
The palace doors slowly opened.
Inside waited a magnificent throne hall.
Rows of golden pillars stretched into the distance.
Dragon murals covered every wall.
At the end of the hall...
A young man dressed in white robes stood calmly before a magnificent golden throne.
He slowly turned around.
His handsome face carried a confident smile.
"So..."
"We finally meet."
Knox immediately received a system notification.
[Ding!]
SSS-Class Destiny Holder Detected.
Name: Orion Celestis
Title: Child of Heavenly Fate
Cultivation: Nascent Soul Realm – Second Stage
Danger Level: Extremely High
Original Story Role: Final Hero Candidate
Recommendation: Suppress immediately.
Knox narrowed his eyes.
"So you're Orion."
Orion smiled.
"I'm honored."
"You know my name."
"I know enough."
Lyra frowned.
"You entered the palace before us."
Orion nodded.
"I've already passed the first two trials."
He looked directly at Knox.
"And I was waiting."
"For me?"
"For the only person capable of entertaining me."
At that moment...
Three more figures entered the throne hall.
Alexander.
Seraphina.
And Adrian.
They had finally arrived.
Alexander looked around.
"So everyone made it."
Adrian's gaze landed on Orion.
His instincts screamed.
"This person..."
"...is dangerous."
Orion clapped slowly.
"Excellent."
"The strongest young geniuses of this era..."
"Have gathered."
He spread his arms.
"The Dragon King certainly has a sense of humor."
Suddenly—
The golden throne began shining.
A majestic voice echoed through the palace.
"Welcome, descendants."
A giant golden dragon spirit appeared above the throne.
Its body stretched across the entire hall.
Every cultivator instinctively lowered their head.
Only Knox remained standing.
The Dragon Spirit looked at him.
Then smiled.
"Interesting."
"I shall explain the final trial."
The Dragon Spirit continued.
"My inheritance..."
"...cannot belong to the weak."
Five streams of golden light descended.
Each surrounded one participant.
Knox.
Adrian.
Alexander.
Orion.
Lyra.
Seraphina frowned.
"What about me?"
The Dragon Spirit smiled gently.
"You have another destiny."
"You are not a candidate."
Five ancient arenas rose from the floor.
The Dragon Spirit declared,
"Only one..."
"...shall inherit the Dragon King's legacy."
The palace shook violently.
The first arena lit up.
Golden letters appeared in the sky.
Knox Void
vs
Orion Celestis
The entire hall fell silent.
Even Alexander's expression became serious.
Adrian whispered,
"The strongest hero..."
"...against the strongest villain."
Orion stepped onto the arena.
His golden aura exploded.
Behind him appeared the phantom of a heavenly emperor.
"I've heard many stories about you, Knox."
Knox slowly unsheathed his sword.
"And I've heard enough about destiny."
Orion smiled confidently.
"Destiny always wins."
Knox's eyes turned cold.
"Then I'll kill destiny."
The System rang loudly.
[Main Mission Updated!]
Objective: Defeat Orion Celestis.
Special Reward:
Supreme Villain Authority +1%
Mythic Dragon Bloodline
100,000 Villain Points
Failure: Orion obtains the Dragon King's inheritance.
The arena barrier sealed.
The Dragon Spirit raised one claw.
"Begin."
The moment the word fell—
Orion vanished in a flash of golden light.
Knox smiled.
Finally...
A true opponent worthy of drawing his full strength.
As their swords collided for the very first time...
The Dragon King's Palace shook.
Far above the heavens...
The Celestial Court sensed the awakening of two terrifying destinies.
And deep within the endless void...
The First Villain's Throne emitted a faint black glow.
The greatest battle of the younger generation...
Had finally begun.
End of Chapter 18