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Chapter 11 - CHP11: You Can Try (1)

Long before Dai Long's era, before the rise of dragon sages and the refinement of their civilization, the world of dragons was nothing more than a realm of unbridled chaos. In those ancient days, the True Dragons were fearsome, primal beings—forces of nature rather than creatures of wisdom. 

They waged endless battles, razed continents with their fury, and shaped the world through their boundless destruction. War was their language, and might was their law.

Yet, amidst this storm of blood and fire, there existed one dragon who refused to be consumed by the madness. 

A being so ancient that even the passage of time has obscured his name. He looked upon his brethren—beasts of limitless potential, yet shackled by their own nature—and saw not rulers, but lost creatures enslaved by their instincts. He longed to change their fate, to raise them above mindless slaughter and carve out a path of wisdom and unity.

And so, he embarked on a journey unlike any other.

With his unmatched might, he ventured into the chaos, battling the myriad races that sought dominion over the lands. His claws tore through the mightiest of foes, and his breath incinerated entire legions. From the ruins of ancient civilizations and the bones of titans, he gathered the rarest materials—ores that gleamed like stardust, stones imbued with the power of eternity, and essences that hummed with the primordial force of the world.

With these treasures in hand, he began his magnum opus—the grand construction of what would soon become known as the Dragon Realm, a sanctuary of order within a world of madness. 

At the heart of this vast dominion, he raised an awe-inspiring mountain range of gold, so immense and magnificent that it seemed as if an ocean of molten metal had solidified in place. From the sky, the mountains shimmered like a sea of celestial gold, and from the depths of space, the land itself took the form of a colossal dragon's claw, grasping defiantly at the void beyond.

But the crowning jewel of this creation lay at the heart of it all—a magnificent amphitheater, carved into the highest peak of the golden mountain range. It was a structure beyond mortal comprehension, a divine coliseum forged from the very essence of the cosmos. 

This hallowed ground, named the Eternal Dragon Throne, was not merely a place for meetings; it was a sacred sanctuary where the fate of the True Dragon race would be decided, where the mightiest among them would rise, and where their laws and edicts would be inscribed upon the annals of eternity.

Yet, its creation remained an enigma. For the mountain, vast and unwavering, did not rest upon the land—it floated above the world, suspended by an unknown force. Its foundation was hidden from all but a select few, those rare True Dragons who had glimpsed the source of its ascension.

And so, the stage was set. A new era was upon them. A place of wisdom and power had been born amidst the chaos, a beacon for all dragons to gather, to learn, to rule.

It was here, upon this hallowed throne, that legends would rise.

And today would mark the beginning of one such legend.

…..

It was another radiant and vibrant day in the Dragon Realm.

Across the boundless skies, thousands of dragons soared, their scales glistening under the celestial sun. A rare and monumental event was unfolding, as countless beings—each exuding an overwhelming presence—rushed toward the heart of the continent. It was an unprecedented sight, for the Eternal Dragon Throne was sacred ground, a domain strictly reserved for the royal lineage and a select few of the main branch families.

Ordinary dragons were forbidden from even approaching unless they possessed a level of strength that commanded undeniable respect. Only those who had carved their names into history through raw power and unparalleled achievements could stand within its hallowed grounds.

Today, however, was an exception.

A grand spectacle was about to take place, and the Realm of Dragons had been summoned to bear witness. It was an opportunity that came once in an age, one that dragons from all corners of the realm refused to miss. 

Countless beings, both young and old, hastened toward the central continent, yearning to claim a vantage point. Some would succeed, while many would perish in vain attempts to stake a place amidst the mighty.

The air buzzed with countless murmurs and whispers. Speculations, theories, and outlandish claims filled the space between the flapping of colossal wings and the rhythmic beat of hurried footsteps.

Only a select few truly knew the reason for this summons.

"I wonder what that person has to say for himself."

A calm, almost indifferent voice cut through the clamor. The one who spoke was a pale blue-haired young man, exuding an effortless grace as he strode through the skies. With each step, rainbow-colored clouds bloomed beneath his feet, propelling him thousands of miles per second in a spectacle of divine beauty.

"It's the Rainbow Spear Dragon, Xie Hong," someone gasped from below.

The moment the name was uttered, sharp intakes of breath followed. Fear, admiration, and disbelief swirled in the eyes of those who had been graced by his passing shadow.

Xie Hong was no ordinary dragon. He was the direct disciple of a Venerate from the royal family—a figure whose presence alone was enough to shake the continent. Before the onlookers could process what they had just witnessed, Xie Hong disappeared into the horizon, his rainbow trail fading like an illusion.

BOOM!

A golden pillar of light erupted from the earth, its force sending shockwaves rippling across the land. Many dragons were thrown back, some coughing blood from the sheer impact. Yet no one dared utter a complaint. Instead, all eyes turned toward the newcomer.

A young man clad in deep earthen armor stood at the center of the devastation, his eyes scanning the crowd before he let out a derisive snort. With a simple tap of his foot, the ground beneath him surged upward, transforming into a colossal wave of stone that carried him forward with unstoppable momentum.

"It's him… Shen Xie of the Divine Earth Dragon Tribe!" someone gasped in horror.

Recognition dawned upon many, and expressions paled as fear took root. While Xie Hong's appearance had left them in awe, the emergence of Shen Xie filled them with raw terror. One momentary misstep, one misplaced word, and their bodies would be nothing more than dust beneath his feet.

But their shock had only begun.

"You're all being so mysterious for no reason. Just come out already!"

The voice boomed like a thunderclap, causing the earth itself to tremble. Those unfamiliar with its owner faltered, confused by the sudden outburst, but a few among them recognized the commanding tone.

"You certainly are a sharp one, aren't you?"

A lilting, feminine voice responded, carrying with it an intoxicating sweetness.

A young woman materialized in a swirl of red flowers, her every movement exuding a mesmerizing allure. A delicate fragrance spread in her wake, enchanting all who breathed it in.

"It's Lady Hong of the Flower Dragon Tribe."

The whispered name sent another shiver through the crowd, but not because of her alone.

No.

What made them tremble was the one she had pledged her love and devotion to. A name they dared not utter, for to do so was to invite calamity.

Without sparing a glance at the insignificant beings around her, Lady Hong vanished in a swirl of crimson petals, leaving behind a lingering sense of unease.

ROAR!!!

A monstrous, dark roar shattered the winds, and a massive, pitch-black figure plummeted from the clouds above, its impact cratering the land. The sheer weight of its presence sent tremors through the earth, forcing many to their knees.

A few of the younger people all exclaimed excitedly. While the older had looks of scorn and disgust.

"It's the Devil Ape… Mo Wujin!"

"Ahh man. His cloud commanding spell is too cool.

This time, even the strongest among them shuddered.

Mo Wujin was a terror unlike any other. 

His cold, piercing blue eyes swept across the crowd, his mere gaze causing the much weaker dragons to convulse and collapse. Without hesitation, he leaped into a cloud and his figure became invisible, vanishing within the clouds.

ROAR!

Another dragon's cry resounded, this one carrying an undeniable sense of majesty.

A golden dragon wreathed in blazing orange flames descended from the heavens, its sheer presence parting the clouds and illuminating the land below. As it landed, the flames dissipated, revealing a golden-robed, orange-haired young man with a sharp and regal countenance.

Beside him, another dragon appeared—a being of crystalline perfection, her form radiating a divine light that eclipsed all those before her. When her dragon form faded, she was revealed to be a breathtakingly beautiful young woman with flowing blue hair.

No one spoke.

Only their minds repeated two names in silent reverence.

Chi Long. Long Shuling.

Twin siblings of the Crystal Dragon Tribe.

Without acknowledging the stunned crowd, the two vanished in a burst of brilliant orange light.

Silence reigned.

One by one, the onlookers exchanged glances, their expressions a mixture of disbelief and dread. One prodigious figure after another had appeared, each one a towering presence on the legendary Chaotic Dragon God Leaderboard.

"What the fuck is going on?"

The words slipped out from an overwhelmed bystander, and for once, no one scolded him.

Because they were all thinking the same thing.

No longer hesitating, they pushed forward, determined to reach the Eternal Dragon Throne, where the truth behind this fateful gathering would soon be revealed.

…..

The Eternal Dragon Throne was a place of such overwhelming draconic might that the very laws of heaven and earth blurred into obscurity. Here, nothing but the supreme power of the dragons reigned, saturating the air with their ancient and terrifying presence.

Thousands of dragons had gathered, their imposing figures filling every inch of the grand, ancient circular chamber. It bore an uncanny resemblance to the amphitheaters of Rome or Greece, with towering levels of seating carved in a semi-circular fashion, all converging around the central area. 

The heart of this chamber held a floating platform of golden-red stone, etched with intricate runes that pulsed faintly with primordial energy.

Upon this floating dais stood a small white jade structure—a step, modest in appearance yet exuding a profound sense of authority. Surrounding it were towering statues of robed figures, each gripping a weapon—a sword, a spear, a bow. Every weapon was aimed at the jade step, as though guarding the sacred site.

Light streamed in from unseen sources, bathing the chamber in a golden glow, casting long, flickering shadows that danced upon the walls. Above this platform, looming high in the sky, was an even larger, majestic platform of pure gold. Winding stairs extended from its edges, cascading toward the ground like the roots of an ancient celestial tree.

Three golden thrones adorned this supreme platform. Towering above the others was the largest, floating just slightly higher—unmatched, unparalleled. Precious gems and halos of mysterious light revolved around it like celestial fire, and a massive green dragon head was engraved upon its front. 

The face, though mere stone, bore such arrogance and life-like ferocity that many could not bear to meet its gaze. Even in its inanimate state, it radiated a faint but terrifying dragon's might, commanding fear and reverence.

This was the Eternal Dragon Throne.

To the right of the throne, seven smaller dragon thrones hovered above the ground, each carved from a different material—Pitch Black, Earthen Brown, Grey, Brilliant Silver, Red, Green, and Blue. Each radiated a tyrannical aura, the embodiment of the dragons who would soon claim them.

Seated in another area, perched high above the throne room like watchful gods, was a gathering of ancient elders, their weathered faces lined with the wisdom of countless ages. These were the elders of the great dragon tribes, the true architects behind this grand assembly. Their keen eyes followed the arriving figures below, waiting, anticipating.

But there was one absence they could not ignore.

Dai Long had not yet arrived.

"Hmph! This Dai Long is arrogant beyond reason," scoffed an elder with long silver eyebrows, his voice laced with irritation. "He does not even care to arrive first and explain himself!"

A few exchanged glances, but none spoke. It was well known—Sages knew all, and merely speaking their title aloud was enough to alert them.

A certain old man with piercing purple eyes merely smirked at the remark, suspecting the elder's indignation stemmed from his allegiance to the current Dragon Emperor. If that were the case, the old fool was about to learn a harsh lesson.

Time flowed like an unseen river, bringing with it more arrivals—powerful figures who commanded awe wherever they stepped. The throne room soon overflowed with the prodigies of the dragon realm, each one a legend in the making:

Xie Hong, the Rainbow Spear Dragon. Shen Xie of the Divine Earth Dragon Tribe. Lady Hong of the Flower Dragon Tribe. Chi Long and Long Shuling. Mo Wujin, the Devil Ape.

They each took their places beneath the seven floating thrones, expressions varying from excitement to indifference. Only Mo Wujin remained cold, his icy gaze scrutinizing the room with unreadable thoughts.

As dusk settled, the throne room became a sea of restless bodies, thousands upon thousands murmuring in anticipation. The soundscape was chaotic yet charged, voices blending in an intricate web of whispers, exclamations, and speculation. Despite the noise, an undercurrent of tension bound them all—something momentous was about to occur.

Then, the heavens trembled.

A deafening dragon roar split the skies, its sheer force shaking the mountains, rattling the very bones of the planet. It was a roar of ancient supremacy, a declaration of absolute rule. The skies darkened, as if bowing before the force that had unleashed such a terrifying sound.

Every living being felt it in their blood, in their very souls.

From the highest peak of the firmament, seven enormous dragons descended like divine meteors. They fell toward their respective thrones, their massive forms shifting mid-air into their humanoid appearances:

Mo Li, his stern gaze surveying the chamber, was the Leader of the Divine Darkness Dragon Tribe. Shen Xing, his wicked grin stretching across his face, was the Leader of the Divine Earth Dragon Tribe. 

Zho Hong, his stone-like expression unchanging, was the Leader of the Divine Metal Dragon Tribe. 

Venerate Dong Mei, her youthful but mature beauty belied her ancient wisdom was the Leader of the Divine Space Dragon Tribe. Huan Xu Long, his murderous glare locked onto Mo Li, was the Leader of the Blood Dragon Tribe. 

Yao Meng, his crystalline robes shimmering, was the Leader of the Crystal Dragon Tribe. Wan Qu Ling, her face veiled in water-like mist, was the Leader of the Water Dragon Tribe.

As they landed, the entire assembly bowed in reverence. Even the elders, even the mightiest prodigies lowered their heads in unison, their voices rising like thunder.

"WE GREET THE SUPREME DRAGON LEADERS!!!"

And in return, the leaders nodded and kept standing. They were waiting for one last arrival.

And then, it came.

ROAR!

A supreme dragon's roar shattered the heavens. It was not just a sound—it was a decree, a proclamation of absolute dominance that rippled across the entire Dragon Realm. 

The very fabric of reality trembled beneath its force, mountains quaking, rivers thrashing in violent upheaval, and the sky itself seemed to darken in submission.

It was a roar of unchallenged authority. Of sovereignty. Of a power so vast and ancient that even time itself seemed to pause in reverence.

Every living creature across the land felt it—a primal tremor in their very souls. From the smallest of beasts to the mightiest of dragons, they bowed, whether in fear or in awe. Even the winds howled in obedience, and the air became thick with the weight of his presence.

Then, from the void, a vast, jade-green dragon's head emerged.

It was colossal, its sheer size making the grand throne room seem small in comparison. Its scales gleamed like polished emeralds, each one etched with the stories of an ancient, indomitable bloodline. 

Golden energy surged around its form, lightning crackling violently across its body like divine chains struggling to contain its overwhelming power.

The dragon descended like a comet, its mighty presence swallowing all light and thought.

And as it reached the Eternal Dragon Throne, the jade beast dissipated in a burst of radiant energy, revealing a tall, imperious man standing where the dragon had been.

His regal white-and-gold robes flowed with celestial grace, embroidered with the image of a nine-clawed dragon—the mark of supreme dragon royalty. 

Upon his head sat a divine white jade crown, glistening with the essence of heaven itself. His piercing jade-green eyes swept across the thousands gathered, their gaze alone an unshakable decree of command.

It was as if all bloodlines, all legacies, all destinies bent before his presence.

The very moment his gaze landed upon them, countless dragons felt their blood roar and ignite within their veins, their very beings forced into recognition of their ruler. The weak trembled. The strong clenched their fists, struggling to contain the instinctive urge to bow.

He had arrived.

The Eternal Dragon Emperor had taken his throne.

And in that instant, a single cry erupted.

"ALL HAIL THE ETERNAL DRAGON EMPEROR, THE JADE DRAGON OF HEAVEN!!"

A roar of voices followed, shaking the very walls of the throne room:

"ALL HAIL THE ETERNAL DRAGON EMPEROR, THE JADE DRAGON OF HEAVEN!!"

"ALL HAIL THE ETERNAL DRAGON EMPEROR, THE JADE DRAGON OF HEAVEN!!"

"ALL HAIL THE ETERNAL DRAGON EMPEROR, THE JADE DRAGON OF HEAVEN!!"

Every dragon—young and old, strong and mighty, prodigy and elder—spoke as one. It was not merely a greeting. It was an oath of allegiance to the one being who stood above them all.

And in that moment, the Dragon Realm itself seemed to recognize its ruler. The skies gleamed with divine brilliance, and the land pulsed with a quiet, unquestionable submission.

The Eternal Dragon Emperor had arrived. And the world bowed before him.

The chant repeated, a relentless declaration of loyalty and awe.

Yet three figures did not bow.

Mo Li, Mo Wujin, and the purple-eyed elder.

The Dragon Emperor nodded and made his way around to the front of his throne. Once he sat on it, a suppressive force emerged in everyone's present blood, causing them to go silent.

This was the effect of the royal bloodline; all dragons must submit!

Silence reigned as all eyes turned toward the great throne, now occupied.

A supreme force swept through the hall, pressing into their blood, demanding submission. Even the strongest dragons could not resist the call of their Emperor's bloodline. Many trembled, hearts pounding, souls roaring in response. Some felt fear. Some felt awe.

Some… felt ambition.

But not Lady Hong. No, her eyes glowed with something else entirely—a lovesick haze, a dreamy longing as she gazed upon a certain figure.

Seated upon the Eternal Dragon Throne was a man who commanded the cosmos itself. Draped in white and golden robes, a divine jade crown upon his head, his very presence bent the world around him. His jade-green eyes swept over the assembly, anchors that locked onto every soul present, setting their blood ablaze.

This was the Dragon Emperor.

A moment of silence passed, then the Emperor's gaze shifted. He looked toward the empty throne beside him, a frown touching his regal face.

"Older brother," he said, his voice calm yet edged with command, "can you stop being so mysterious and take your seat?"

A chuckle echoed from the void.

From nowhere and everywhere at once, a man draped in reddish-orange robes appeared, seated casually upon the throne to the left of the Emperor.

The room reacted as if the very sun had descended.

Yu Shenlong, the Dragon of the Red Sun, had arrived.

A murmur of reverence spread like wildfire, even the mightiest dragons unable to mask their admiration.

Yu Shenlong merely smiled, waving a hand in a gesture of easygoing peace. "Forgive me, Emperor," he said, laughter still dancing in his tone. "Let us continue."

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