Chapter 721: The Final Ascension

"What an unexpected gain."

Cassius put away the Hell Core, licked his lips, and looked pleased.

Just as Zariel expected, this greedy red dragon wouldn’t give up the Hell Core, the juicy prize already in his grasp.

But what she didn’t anticipate was that Cassius also intended to get involved in the Blood War, the mess everyone else avoided like the plague—and he was more than happy to dive in.

With the Empire now stable internally, his five million Starfallers were in dire need of a grinding field to endlessly farm EXP—and Avernus was a perfect choice.

In that land filled with bloodshed and slaughter, players could unleash their imagination without worrying about any negative consequences, doing whatever the hell they wanted.

After putting away the Hell Core, Cassius looked back at his panel. More information refreshed before his eyes, stirring his blood with excitement.

[Under the onslaught of the Ember Empire, the Kingdom of Thrace has been annihilated. The Hell Lord coveting August, Zariel, has also been slain by you.

The Empire’s series of earth-shattering feats sent shockwaves across the continent of Feanso. The Empire’s renown now spreads across the multiverse. Your faction prestige level has increased to: VI.]

[Due to the [Empire Domain] trait, you may now choose to exchange for a legendary or lower faction trait.]

[Mind Control]

You will gain the ability to control the minds of others, able to dominate the will of most weak-willed individuals within the Empire.

"There will no longer be free will—only my will." —Halfling Mind Sorcerer, Yuli

[Omnipresence]

You will receive all information within the Empire’s domain. Every shadow shall become your eyes and ears.

"You have no secrets—because I am everywhere!" —Shadow Wanderer, Clyde Frake

[Iron-Blood Empire]

The fighting spirit of your Imperial army increases by 10%. Your soldiers become more ruthless, bloodthirsty, and fearless—but they’ll also consume more resources.

Cassius read carefully and found these legendary faction traits incredibly powerful, though their limitations were strict—most only functioned within the Empire Domain.

But for Cassius, who wielded godlike authority within the Empire, these effects were already within reach by his own or indirect means. Spending a trait point on them felt like a waste.

Just like last time, the [Divine Mandate] he selected ensured stability within the Empire, deterring spies and rebels from acting rashly.

Cassius continued browsing. Over twenty faction traits appeared on the panel, a mixed bag ranging from basic to legendary.

These traits could grant various powers to all members of a faction—some increased wealth, others altered environments, and some even directly influenced the souls of the Empire’s populace.

[Charismatic Leader][Forced Labor][Magical Tide][Cultural Zeal][Martial Law][Mass Levy][Rule of Law].

Finally, his gaze settled on a rather unique faction trait. After studying it carefully, he chose it without hesitation.

[You have chosen the legendary faction trait—[Imperial Boundary Monument].]

[Imperial Boundary Monument]

Rarity: Legendary

Description: You can place boundary monuments within the Ember Empire to serve as territorial markers.

Monument Effects:

1. The Imperial Boundary Monument emits the power of laws, gradually transforming the surrounding land into [Empire Domain] with itself as the center.

2. Any player belonging to the [Ember Empire] faction can choose the monument as a resurrection point. New players without a faction can select it as their spawn point.

3. Imperial Boundary Monuments will be linked by spatial tunnels. The Emperor and authorized Imperial followers can ignore planar boundaries and freely teleport between them.

(Note: This is an exclusive trait of [Empire Domain].)

Until now, Cassius had only converted key cities like Isthalia and Northwind Fortress into Empire Domain. But with these monuments, he wouldn’t need to do it himself—he could just reap the benefits.

Meanwhile, the resurrection and teleportation features of the monuments would grant him stronger control over newly conquered cities and colonies in alternate planes.

In the near future, the Empire’s people could even use these monuments to expand territory. Raise one, and thousands would gather.

At this thought, Cassius grinned, his expression twisted with anticipation. He clenched his claws. "With this trait, the entire Empire will be mine to control."

"Boom—"

The ground quaked. Amid clouds of dust, a boundary monument slowly rose from the earth.

It stood twenty meters tall, smooth and finely crafted like polished marble, covered in vivid reliefs of bipedal wyverns, white dragons, and half-dragons—his vassals. It also showed scenes of the Ember Emperor triumphing over powerful foes.

At the top was the Empire’s emblem: a vertical pupil surrounded by flames. In the center, a line of small text was engraved:

[Boundary Monument: August]

The first part was the location name in Common, and the second was its spatial coordinates.

As the monument emerged, a tremendous pressure spread outward. The power of laws expanded from the monument, gradually converting the surrounding space into Cassius’s [Empire Domain].

"Excellent. Now for the experience."

Feeling the familiar presence, Cassius nodded with satisfaction, then shifted his attention back to his system panel.

After destroying the Kingdom of Thrace and killing Zariel, Cassius had gained an overwhelming bounty—achievements, artifacts, faction traits, EXP—he had it all.

At this moment, Cassius felt like an old farmer in autumn—his fierce dragon face beaming with harvest joy.

[You killed [Lord of Avernus – Zariel (Challenge Rating: 36)], earning 215,000 XP.]

[Your total class level has increased to: 27]

[Your current classes: True Dragon Sorcerer 19 / Bloodscale Berserker 3 / Elementalist 4 / Scaledhide Dragon 1]

[Choose a class for this level-up.]

Level 20 was the cap for all player classes. Crossing that threshold—even without other powers—meant you’d be honored as a "Legendary."

In his previous life, even as a hardcore player of "Erezaghe", Cassius only reached level 16—and that was already during version 3.0.

Even so, he had been among the elite. Only the true "professional players" who treated the game as life itself managed to break past level 20 and become true powerhouses in the multiverse.

Now, Cassius finally had a shot at that realm. It stirred his heart—despite already wielding strength close to that of a demigod.

The choice was obvious.

[You have chosen to advance [True Dragon Sorcerer] to level 20.]

[Due to innate Draconic Spellcasting and Elemental Lord heritage, your caster level is now: 31.]

At the moment of ascension, Cassius felt clarity like never before. A sensation he had never experienced surged through him.

Everything before him—unbreakable walls, towering mountains, raging rivers—felt as fragile as soap bubbles, ready to burst with the slightest touch.

Then a cold, mechanical voice sounded in his ear.

[Beyond the sharp red, endless black, and radiant yellow lies a shadow in which the multiverse reveals its true power.

Within your mind swirl countless arcane secrets written in forgotten tongues... yet you understand them.]

More importantly, things he had long pursued were now fully laid bare before him:

Reality is fragile. This is a force beyond ordinary knowledge, a gathering of powers that only the worthy may touch.]

"This is..."

A faint light shimmered in Cassius’s pale-gold pupils. In an instant, his gaze pierced the illusory "soap bubbles" and glimpsed the truth beyond.

The world he lived in—even the universe—drifted like bubbles in a sea of chaos.

And in that chaos, Cassius saw countless towering, blurry figures. Before them, his entire universe seemed insignificant.

Suddenly, one of the distant figures appeared to open a deep, mysterious eye and locked eyes with Cassius from afar.

[Warning!]

[You have been noticed by [G$v@qLK9!]. Emergency mind-shield protocol activated!]

Instantly, whispers and explosive screeches filled Cassius’s ears.

Under that noise, even his mind was involuntarily flooded with fear and madness—emotions that belonged to mere mortals.

But Cassius was now a Proto-Ancestral Dragon—a near-divine being wielding multiple primal forces. What could make him afraid?

[Mind shield complete. True Sight ended. Remain rational.]

The terrifying vision vanished instantly, replaced once more by the sight of August City.

The noise in his ears disappeared. Cassius panted heavily, steam jetting from his nostrils, heart pounding wildly. It took a long moment for him to calm down.

"What the hell was that?"

Cassius knew this wasn’t something a freshly advanced level 20 Sorcerer should be seeing.

Or more precisely, it was likely the system—or the being behind the system—used this moment to let Cassius glimpse that truth.

That place was saturated with dread, oppression, and despair.

The joy of toppling Thrace and defeating Zariel instantly faded. His pride in expanding the Empire dimmed.

Long ago, Cassius had realized this truth.

He had to grow stronger—at any cost. Otherwise, no matter how powerful he was in the Material Plane, he’d still be nothing more than a cricket trapped in a cage.

Quickly, Cassius cast aside those distracting thoughts.

Keep advancing. Only by becoming stronger could he understand it all and stand equal to those towering beings.

"Keep advancing."

Cassius finally regained complete composure, eyes cold and steady as he looked back to his panel.

[Your [True Dragon Sorcerer] class has reached its pinnacle. You’ve traced the bloodline of the Ancestral Dragons and regained lost power from ancient times. You know—this will restore the glory of the dragon race.]

[You have gained a special ability: [Primal Reversion]]

[Primal Reversion]

Skill Effect: Unknown

In the age when dragons ruled the world—sky, earth, and sea—all was blanketed in the shadow of dragon wings. Ancestral Dragons embodied the original forces of creation—they were power.

As one of the finest pure-blooded dragons, you’ve awakened the bloodline of the Ancestral Dragon. By burning your blood and igniting the fire in your genes, you may briefly wield the power of a Third Generation Ancestral Dragon.

"The form of a Fourth Generation Ancestral Dragon."

Cassius rubbed his chin, deep in thought, sorting through memories of dragon history.

The original dragons were far stronger than the weakened True Dragons of today. According to the Golden Dragon Council, based on the size of the tibia supposedly from the Third Generation Dragon Orlando, they could grow over 1,000 meters long.

As their offspring, Fourth Generation Dragons were also colossal—at least 500 meters long—far beyond any lifeform seen in the Material Plane’s Third Era.

Cassius even had reason to believe that using [Primal Reversion] would cause the will of the Material Plane to reject him, forcing him into the outer planes.

[You have gained a special ability: [Ancestral Dragon Bloodline]]

[Ancestral Dragon Bloodline]

Your blood now holds the immortality and uniqueness of the Ancestral Dragon. Your offspring and vassals will undergo unpredictable transformations.

"Offspring?"

Cassius paused, slightly helpless.

As a still-adolescent Proto-Ancestral Red Dragon, Cassius was young and had no offspring—he didn’t even have a real mate.

But perhaps it was time to start thinking about that.

[You have traced the ancient Ancestral Dragon bloodline and gained the legendary dragon spells [Draconic Vengeful Gaze][Draconic Freedom]]

Draconic Vengeful Gaze

Tier 10 Transmutation Spell

[The dragon’s glare targets its enemy, who is subjected to the ultimate fury of a dragon. Weaker targets are utterly destroyed and disintegrated, leaving only a puff of smoke.

Channeling such terrifying power comes at a price—when targeting the powerful, the dragon’s eyes bleed, its skin spasms.]

"An upgraded Finger of Death, huh?"

Cassius stared at the terrifying legendary spell with a trace of disinterest.

Kill-whomever-you-stare-at sounded powerful.

But Cassius knew that spells with instant-death effects were usually "bully-the-weak" types—useless against real threats but great for wiping out small fry.

Still, a legendary spell was a legendary spell. Cassius figured it’d be good for sniping mages hiding in the shadows.

Then he lowered his head and looked at the next legendary spell.

[Draconic Freedom]

Tier 10 Abjuration Spell

[Dragons always yearn for freedom, to soar unchained through the skies. So they created this spell to deal with annoying arcanists.

The target becomes immune to the following spells, effects, and spell-like abilities: entangle, fear, control, imprisonment, paralysis, petrification, hypnosis, slow, daze, time stop, and temporal distortion.]

At this point, Cassius finally nodded in satisfaction. His cheap ancestors did leave behind some useful magic after all.

Clearly, this was one of them.