As Tran Kien's thunderous words regarding the strategy of "People's War" and the spirit of "A Hundred Tribes, One Heart" echoed throughout the Great Hall, the illusion of the Hung King's court began to dissolve. The majestic figures of the civil and martial officials, and even the Sacred Ancestor Hung King upon his throne, gradually faded like drifting mist, returning the space to the profound mystery of the secret realm.
Yet, the resonance of the final trial remained, grand and powerful. The Hung King's approving gaze seemed to linger, a blessing and a recognition echoing from the ancient past.
The crystalline path reappeared beneath their feet, but this time it was no longer silent. It emanated a brilliant, shimmering light, as if it were rejoicing. At the end of the path, the colossal Dragon Mountain trembled slightly. The crimson crystal at the position of its heart beat faster and more powerfully with every passing second.
"Thump... THUMP... THUMP!!!"
Each heartbeat sent out a ripple of pure, potent life energy that swept through the entire space. The five of them, washed over by this wave of energy, felt the mental exhaustion from the four trials vanish instantly. It was replaced by a sense of exhilaration and vitality unlike anything they had ever known. The Primal Chaos Qi within Tran Kien, replenished by this surge, became significantly more condensed and vast, bringing him to the very threshold of the Mid-stage Qi Condensation Realm.
From the dark purple sky, the Guardian Dragon once again manifested. Its massive form no longer carried an air of intimidation, but rather one of joy and liberation.
"Hail, descendant of the Lac Viet!" its booming voice rang out. "You have done it! You possess not only will, benevolence, and love, but also the wisdom and vision of a sovereign. You have proven yourselves worthy to inherit this legacy!"
The massive dragon lowered its great head in a gesture of profound respect. "Tran Kien, the Chosen One. Step forward. The Dragon's Heart awaits its master. Merge with it, inherit the power of the Dragon Vein, and fulfill the mission entrusted by the ancestors!"
Tran Kien took a deep breath. He no longer hesitated. He looked at his companions and saw the encouragement and trust in their eyes. With a nod, he stepped alone onto the path of light, advancing toward the Dragon Mountain.
The closer he drew, the more he felt a terrifying yet incredibly warm power emanating from the Dragon's Heart. He could hear its beat, not just with his ears, but with his very soul. That rhythm seemed to harmonize with his own heartbeat and the circulation of the Primal Chaos Qi within him.
As he set foot upon the mountain, walking upon the body of the great stone dragon, he felt as though he were walking upon history itself. He passed over reinforced scales and sharp talons until, finally, he stood before the colossal crimson crystal.
It was larger than a house. Its surface was as smooth as a mirror, and inside, flows of energy as red as molten lava churned and swirled. He could sense that within this crystal lay a source of life energy so vast it could create an entire world.
He was unsure of what to do next.
"Do not use your hands," the Guardian Dragon's voice echoed. "Use your 'heart' to touch it. Use your Lac Viet bloodline, your Primal Chaos Qi, and everything you have gained from the trials to commune with it."
Tran Kien understood. He sat cross-legged directly before the Dragon's Heart, resting his hands on his knees and closing his eyes.
He did not attempt to forcefully absorb its energy. Instead, he did the opposite.
He began to circulate the Primal Chaos Qi in his body, not to draw power in, but to give it away. He guided his milky-white strands of pure Qi to slowly... slowly... radiate outward toward the crystal. At the same time, he opened his soul completely.
He shared everything. He shared his memories of Fallen Leaf Town, of his parents, and of the old beggar. He shared the sensation of his first time practicing the Iron Thrust mantra. He shared the tension of his confrontation with Xich Vu, the fury at the Treasure Auction, and the despair and madness at the Wind and Cloud Inn. And he shared everything he had just realized through the four trials: the will of Son Tinh, the benevolence of Tam, the sacrifice of the Betel and Areca, and the vision of the Hung King.
He asked for nothing. He was offering. He was dedicating his entire being to the legacy of his ancestors.
The Dragon's Heart seemed to sense his sincerity.
It began to beat even faster. A brilliant red light—vibrant yet devoid of scorching heat—erupted from the crystal, enveloping Tran Kien's entire body.
In that moment, Tran Kien felt as though he had become one with the entire Dragon Vein. He saw the invisible flow of energy pouring from the Dragon's Heart, through the secret realm, reaching every corner of the land of Great Viet. He saw the prosperity of the lands where the Dragon Vein flowed strong and the desolation where it had weakened.
And he also saw... a pitch-black aura, filled with ambition and malice, silently corroding the Dragon Vein in several places. That was the aura of Marquis Vinh An! He did not just seek to seize power; he sought to defile the very destiny of the nation!
A surge of righteous fury—not just his own, but that of the Dragon Vein and the ancestral legacy—erupted within Tran Kien's heart.
"BOOM!!!"
The Primal Chaos Qi within his body, fueled by the infusion of Dragon Vein energy, suddenly exploded. The bottleneck of the Early-stage Qi Condensation Realm was shattered with ease.
Mid-stage Qi Condensation!
Late-stage Qi Condensation!
Peak Qi Condensation!
His cultivation base surged like a violent storm, defying all common logic, until it halted at the very precipice of the Foundation Establishment Realm. Terrifying power flooded his body. Yet, Tran Kien did not lose himself in that power. His state of mind, tempered by the four trials, had long since surpassed his cultivation level. He easily brought this new strength under control.
The red light slowly receded. Tran Kien opened his eyes. They now held not only calm but also the imposing majesty of a king protecting his domain.
He had inherited the Dragon's Heart. While he could not yet fully merge with it, he had become its master, capable of borrowing a portion of the Dragon Vein's power.
He stood up and bowed deeply to the great crystal. Then, he turned to face his companions, who were looking at him in stunned silence.
"We," he said, his voice carrying an undeniable authority, "should head back now. There are a few debts that it is time to settle."