Dragon Kingdom Arc Chapter Nineteen: The Dragon Heart Tower (Part Two)

“It’s connected, finally connected!” Ye Heng suddenly stood up, his eyes sparkling with excitement. He fixed his gaze on the map in Amy’s hand, his fingers quickly tracing out several routes. “I’ve pinpointed the source of the Dragon Qi. It emanates like a fine, unending thread from a specific point, and at that point, the Dragon Qi converges with such density that it can only be the Dragon Heart Tower.”

Ye Heng continued, “Our current terrain is truly vexing. Although we stand at the city’s center and seem just a stone’s throw from the Dragon Heart Tower, the treacherous landscape combined with the interference of the Dragon Qi makes every effort to advance feel as though some invisible force drags us back to the starting point. It’s as if ever since we first stepped into Shenlong City, we have been trapped within a mysterious formation.”

Taking a deep breath, Ye Heng slowly raised his right hand. A brilliant light quietly emerged in his palm—that was his unique Light Attribute Martial God Power. “But there’s no need to lose heart. My Light Attribute Martial God Power will be the key to breaking through this labyrinth. It will guide us to the right path and lead us to the Dragon Heart Tower.”

Eru tilted her mouth with a hint of skepticism. “Is that... really reliable?”

Amy shot Eru a sharp glance, her tone laced with some displeasure. “Could you stop with the nonsense? At a time like this, why so doubtful? Although Ah Heng is only a B-rank Martial God, his judgment and abilities far surpass those of you traitors.”

“Alright, alright, Amy, please calm down, calm down. Don’t argue with her,” someone said, gently restraining Eru.

Their playful banter and teasing painted a warm, slightly mischievous scene that quietly stirred Ye Heng’s heart, drawing him into deep contemplation. “If only there were no wars in this world, how wonderful that would be.” Yet reality was sharp and cruel like a blade, with the shadow of war spreading like an invisible vast net over the land. It was silent but mercilessly cutting through every soul, leaving deep wounds that would never fully heal.

Ye Heng’s eyes dimmed as waves of emotion surged within him. He knew well that, amidst these turbulent times, every moment of peace and laughter was precious—like a spring in the desert, longed for yet elusive. This beauty seemed near yet forever out of reach, like a fragile dream destined to shatter at the slightest touch.

He silently gazed at all before him, his heart heavy with mixed feelings. The brutal reality of war made him cherish these fleeting moments of tranquility even more, even though they were as fragile as a candle flickering in the wind, ready to be extinguished at any moment. Yet this very rarity and difficulty only strengthened his resolve—to protect this precious peace, he would spare no effort to pursue that distant, beautiful world of harmony. He believed that as long as there was love in people’s hearts and a yearning for peace, one day war would recede, and peace would dawn.

He longed for that day—the day when the three sisters could once again play carefree, just as they did twelve years ago. He wished for a world blessed with gentle rains and favorable winds. This was not only Ye Heng’s dream but the dream of all Martial Gods and all people alike.

Rich clothing, abundant food stores; a prosperous nation, peaceful citizens; lanterns glowing warmly, families rejoicing—everyone living freely in a flourishing age...

At that moment, Ye Heng noticed Amy’s unease. He gently grasped her hand, offering encouragement and comfort. “Amy, don’t worry. Everyone has their own strength and knowledge. You may not be a historian, but your courage and determination are just as important. We are a team; we need to understand, support, and care for each other.”

He reached out, lightly patting Amy’s shoulder, as if to convey an invisible strength. Amy lifted her head, gratitude shining in her eyes, and nodded lightly, regaining her spirit.

“Alright, then, let’s advance toward the Dragon Heart Tower.”

Following Ye Heng’s lead, the group resolutely embarked on their journey toward the tower. Dappled sunlight filtered through the canopy, like scattered gold dust gently falling on their shoulders and backs, casting a warm, luminous glow over the path. The earth beneath their feet was firm yet still carried the day’s residual warmth, as if every inch held a silent hope guiding them onward.

They wove through lush, verdant forests, their steps treading upon the marks of time. They crossed hills that had witnessed countless storms, and the rugged path did not slow their pace. Instead, their laughter grew louder, echoing through the woods—the sweetest melody of their journey. Unbeknownst to them, an unspoken bond and deep trust quietly took root in their hearts, linking them together.

At last, the majestic silhouette of the Dragon Heart Tower appeared before their eyes. At the same time, night quietly descended, draping the ancient land in a veil of mystery.

From a distance, the Dragon Heart Tower stood tall, piercing the clouds like a marvel forged by nature and human ingenuity alike, resembling a mysterious gateway connecting this world with another, inspiring endless reverie. Yet now, as Ye Heng stepped onto the stone steps leading up to it, the awe that had been unreachable from afar surged over him like a tidal wave—deep, intense, and profoundly stirring everyone present.

Inside, the tower was dim and enigmatic, like an ancient secret lightly dusted by history’s sands. Only faint rays of light pierced the darkness like slender threads, stubbornly illuminating the winding path ahead. These lights danced on the mottled stone walls, casting flickering shadows that added an indescribable depth to the tower’s mysterious aura. Ascending the timeworn wooden stairs step by step, each footfall echoed softly, as if the whispers of time whispered gently in their ears.

At every corner, the view suddenly opened up, revealing different scenes and carvings unfolding like a painting. Black and white dragons soared across the sky, their scales imagined to shimmer with cold or fiery brilliance. The wind from their wingbeats howled past, making even the air tremble. Nearby, in a lake, golden and red dragons played and frolicked, stirring the water into sparkling waves. Golden light and vibrant red hues intertwined, breathtakingly beautiful. These carvings were vivid, each stroke infused with the artisan’s soul, silently recounting ancient and mysterious tales that captivated the heart.

When Ye Heng finally reached the tower’s summit, the sight before him was nothing short of divine, instantly waking him from his reverie. A massive crystal orb hovered midair, radiating dazzling, pure light that bathed the entire summit in daylight. Its glow was untainted, warm and gentle, yet brimming with boundless power and majesty, as if capable of perceiving all things in the world. Inside the orb, wondrous scenes flowed endlessly—stars revolving, clouds swirling, exotic flowers blooming in competition, and elusive creatures flitting about. Everything seemed unreal, yet profoundly moving.

At that moment, Ye Heng felt an indescribable familiarity surge within him, as if this space, this scene, and even the faintly glowing crystal orb in his hand were inexplicably connected to him. This strange recognition transcended the boundaries of his soul, drawing even Eir beside him into silent immersion.

Ye Heng’s fingers instinctively brushed the smooth surface of the orb. A warm, intimate power flowed from his fingertips deep into his heart. “Why does this feel so familiar? It’s as if the power within the orb belongs to me, tied to my bloodline. And I can faintly sense Hsi’er—she and I seem to share this power.”

He turned to Eir, whose clear eyes reflected his own image. She gazed back, and without words, everything was understood.

“Eir, do you... feel it too?” Ye Heng’s voice held a trace of uncertainty yet was full of hope.

Eir nodded softly, her eyes shining with the same resonance. That power was gentle yet mighty, not only touching their souls but silently healing the wounds left by past battles—a true shared bond.

Ye Heng tenderly took Eir’s left hand, guiding her to gently touch the softly glowing crystal orb. At that moment, the orb seemed to awaken, bursting forth with unprecedented brilliance. An ancient, mysterious force surged out, enveloping Ye Heng and Eir tightly. Their bodies grew remarkably light, as if an invisible power was pulling them through the boundaries of time and space, ushering them into a wholly unknown new world.

When they slowly opened their eyes, they were met with breathtaking scenes: an endless starry sky stretched like a canvas, countless stars twinkling with distant, enigmatic light; vast oceans roared, hiding ancient secrets within their waves; dense forests thrived in lush greenery, each leaf telling a miracle of life; and bustling cities glittered with lights, showcasing the glory of civilization. All of this was both eerily unfamiliar and yet stirred a faint sense of nostalgia deep within their memories, as if it were their long-lost homeland or a wondrous realm visited countless times in dreams.

The Dragon Heart Tower remained the same, yet the sights before them differed from when they first arrived. Even Amy and Eru had vanished without a trace.

Ye Heng whispered, “Could it be that we have entered a dream?”

Eir replied, “Perhaps so. Look, the outlines of these buildings resemble those from when we first came, yet there’s an indescribable freshness about them. All the structures remain intact. As to which time fragment of this dream this belongs, I cannot say.”

“But with you here, I am not alone.”

Together, side by side in this familiar yet strange place, their hearts brimmed with infinite hope and steadfast faith in the future. They knew the path ahead would be thorny, but as long as they held hands and hearts, no challenge was insurmountable; every step would be firm and sure toward the distant horizon.

Eir softly chanted, “Lanterns ablaze all around the city, a river of stars flows through its heart.”

Ye Heng responded, “Ten miles of lights shine in splendor; a lifetime’s wish is for the years to remain as at the start.”

“So much beauty, how could one not envy it?”

Eir asked, “Do you want to change the world?”

A faint smile curved Ye Heng’s lips, a smile carrying the weight of years and reflection. “You’ve been asking that question for six years now.”

Eir smiled gently, understanding shining in her eyes. “And the answer remains the same?”

Ye Heng nodded, his voice firm yet tender. “Yes, as always.”

At that moment, the sky, like a fickle artist, suddenly darkened. The once brilliant starry expanse was swiftly swallowed by thick, heavy clouds, as if night had come early, devouring all light. It was nature’s silent warning of an unprecedented storm soon to sweep across the land.

The air grew thick and heavy, and a chilling aura filled the stillness, as if time itself had frozen, awaiting the inevitable roar of nature’s fury. Suddenly, a fierce wind swept in without warning, wild and untamed, like a beast breaking free from the abyss. Its roar was deafening, echoing through the valleys, tightening the hearts of all who heard it.

This tempestuous wind hurled the surrounding trees into chaos; branches and leaves danced wildly like nature’s final performance before the end. Flowers and grasses bent under its force, some uprooted and carried away into the vast night, disappearing into the darkness.

The wind strengthened, like a ravenous giant opening its invisible jaws, intent on swallowing the whole world. It whipped up swirling dust and falling leaves, forming vortexes that spun madly through the air—a majestic yet terrifying spectacle, as if the apocalypse were upon them.

People’s hair was tossed into disorder; their garments billowed like sails ready to set forth. They clung desperately to anything solid nearby, their eyes filled with fear and unease, afraid that a single slip would hurl them into the raging storm’s abyss. Children trembled, nestled in adults’ arms, while the adults’ eyes burned with resolve, striving to shield their families with their own strength. In that moment, human fragility and resilience coexisted, facing the raw, wild challenge of nature itself.