SUPREME ARCH-MAGUS - Chapter 944 - 944: The Sleeping Naga!

The journey beneath the sea bed began in silence.

Kent followed Nyara—the silver-haired princess of the Naga race. They moved through a stone tunnel hidden behind a waterfall at the edge of the southern cliffs. Behind them, the surface light of the world slowly faded, swallowed by the cold embrace of earth and ancient memory.

Their steps echoed across slippery rocks and moss-grown paths as they descended deep into the abyss. Thick spiritual mist coiled around their legs like whispering ghosts, and the air grew cooler, denser—until even breath became sacred.

“This is the passage to the Abyss of Molten Slumber,” Nyara finally said, pausing near a fork where three tunnels split in different directions. “It lies beneath the oldest dragon caves and Naga burial grounds. Few ever return.”

Kent gave a silent nod and continued behind her, each step drawing them closer to a realm where sunlight had never been born. The deeper they went, the stranger the surroundings became—stone walls turned into dark crystal, and bioluminescent creatures moved like spirits behind the translucent cave walls.

They passed through an underground river that flowed upward, a cavern filled with sleeping elemental bats, and another where a frozen lake reflected the sky despite being deep underground.

Finally, after hours of travel and countless turns, they arrived before a narrow archway wrapped in heat.

Kent could already feel the change—the air itself shimmered.

A deep crimson glow illuminated the cave’s entrance like a burning gate to another world. The rock beneath their feet grew unbearably hot, and Kent could feel the soles of his shoes beginning to soften. Waves of heat rolled out like silent screams.

Even Nyara stopped.

She turned to Kent and pointed ahead. “This… is it.”

Kent narrowed his eyes and looked forward. Beyond the entrance lay a vast cavern with a ceiling so high it vanished into darkness. A thick pillar of molten rock stood in the center like a sleeping volcano, cracks pulsing like veins of a slumbering beast.

“This is Muni Naga’s residence,” Nyara said, lowering her voice. “It is said he sleeps for decades atop the ancient Furnace of Karma, absorbing heat and time together. No disciple dares come here without a death wish.”

Kent remained quiet.

“You want a weapon, and this is the price,” she added. “But I cannot follow you further. This is where even fire spirits get burned.”

She stepped back into the shade, her silhouette slowly vanishing into the misted path behind. “I’ll wait for you at the waterfall exit. But if you’re not back in six months… then I’ll consider you dead.”

Kent didn’t answer. His eyes remained fixed on the furnace ahead.

He walked forward.

Inside the chamber, the heat was a living force.

Kent’s armor steamed. His breath grew ragged.

At the heart of the cave lay Muni Naga—or what remained of him.

A massive Naga body—serpent-like and coiled—lay sprawled across a dormant furnace. Scales as hard as divine iron shimmered under the lava light, while a human-shaped head rested on the coils, eyes closed, mouth slightly parted. The aura around him was ancient—primordial—older than fire itself.

Kent approached cautiously.

“Muni Naga?” he called.

No response.

“Muni Naga, I seek your blessing.”

Still no answer.

The only sound was the distant crackle of slow-burning stone. Kent moved closer and tried again—this time, louder. “I am Kent King. I came here on behalf of the Naga Ancestor whose life I once saved.”

The figure remained motionless. Only the furnace below him pulsed slightly, dim and dormant.

After another few failed attempts, Kent’s brow furrowed. He tried shaking the tail lightly. Nothing. Not even a flicker.

Kent finally sighed and stepped back.

“So even legendary smiths can be lazy…”

He raised his right palm and summoned a spark.

A tiny seed of Nirvanic Flame danced on his fingers—a flame not born from fire, but from rebirth itself.

Without hesitation, he pushed the flame into the dormant furnace.

At first, nothing happened.

Then, a shudder ran through the ground.

The furnace erupted like a sleeping god coughing after a thousand years. Pillars of fire shot upward. Sparks danced like stars. The coils of Muni Naga’s body quivered. His human eyes snapped open with blinding golden pupils.

His deep voice boomed, echoing like thunder and metal colliding.

“WHO DARES FEED THE FURNACE?!”

Kent immediately bowed. “I am Kent Hall. I humbly seek—”

“WHO ARE YOU TO AWAKEN MUNI NAGA WITH FLAME UNINVITED!?” the serpent god roared, now slithering upright. His body coiled and shrank until he transformed into a tall man with flame-kissed skin and molten eyes. Tattoos shaped like dragon runes glowed on his bare arms.

Kent didn’t flinch.

“Respected Elder, please hear me out. I came here for a weapon. For the tournament of the Golden Heir.”

Muni Naga’s eyes narrowed. “So many beg for my weapons. So many fools. All of them forget that weapons do not make a warrior.”

He waved his hand dismissively. “Leave before I burn you alive.”

But Kent didn’t move.

Instead, he slowly reached into his robe and took out a crimson token shaped like a curled dragon scale—etched with the mark of the Ancient Naga Ancestor.

The moment the token touched air, a low hum reverberated through the chamber.

Muni Naga froze.

His expression turned from irritation to disbelief.

“That token… Impossible. The Ancestor’s Life Token…”

Kent nodded. “He gave it to me. He said you will definitely carve a weapon for me after seeing this token.”

Muni Naga’s gaze softened for the first time.

“He only gave that token once in five thousand years…” he muttered. Then, he stared at Kent with solemnity. “Very well. I owe him. And through him… I owe you.”

He raised his palm and summoned a scroll of flame.

“Don’t worry, I will forge a weapon that matches the fire in your soul.”

Kent bowed deeply. “Thank you.”

Muni Naga gave a small grunt. Kent bowed and moved back to meet Nyara for one last time.

Outside the cave, the heat began to fade as he walked through the stone tunnels once more. Near the entrance, Nyara stood waiting.

He stopped beside her.

“I’m staying here for the next Six months. The Muni Naga agreed to forge a weapon for me.” Kent said with a determined look.

Her eyes turned wide. “You’ll miss everything.”

Kent shook his head. “No. This is everything. The Golden Heir Tournament is the key to everything I must do.”

Nyara opened her mouth to protest but stopped. She saw something in his eyes—a flame that wouldn’t go out.

She bowed. “Then… may the heavens guide you.”

He gave her one last look. With that, Kent turned back and walked alone into the furnace-lit abyss.

His figure vanished into the darkness.

And so began his final preparation—for the tournament that would decide fate itself.

–

-Thank you all-

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