Chapter 134: A Dragon's Gaze and a Tyrant's Burden
Vaelyss's molten gold eyes, unhindered by a veil, bore into Kael. "Unique methods, you say? I felt a significant surge of power from this chamber not long ago. Was that your doing, little one?" Her question, direct and laced with draconic curiosity, carried an undertone of immense, dangerous power.
Kael met her gaze, his external composure unwavering despite the internal pounding of his blood. As he held her stare, his refined senses, sharpened by his Heaven's Echo realm and amplified by Nexus's analytical capabilities, instinctively scanned the Dragon Empress. He didn't just see her captivating beauty; he delved deeper, seeking her foundational power, her realm.
"Scanning initiated: Vaelyss, Dragon Empress," Nexus reported instantaneously in his mind. "Realm detected: Eternal Crown Realm (Mid Tier). Power fluctuations: Stable, indicative of mastery. Bloodline signature: Ancient Draconic Sovereign. Threat assessment: Formidable. Compatibility for Bonded Union: High, extreme willpower and charm required."
The analysis finished just as a startling new notification flashed across Kael's internal vision, overlaying the remnants of Nexus's data. It wasn't a standard System message; it pulsed with a vibrant, almost sentient energy, demanding his full attention.
[SIDE QUEST INITIATED!]
QUEST NAME:The Empress's Embrace
OBJECTIVE:Make both Demon Empress Vanessa and Dragon Empress Vaelyss your wives by their own will.
STATUS:0/2
PENALTY FOR FAILURE:Current Alliance will be broken. Your whereabouts, unique abilities, and every detail of your System will be immediately revealed to the Aetherial Dominion's Elder, initiating a full, relentless hunt across all realms.
REWARD FOR SUCCESS:[CLASSIFIED - HIGHLY SENSITIVE DATA ACQUISITION]
Kael's entire being froze for a micro-second. The air thickened around him, though only he perceived the invisible weight of this new, impossible burden. His Carnal Sovereign Core surged with an almost manic energy, confirming the sheer, daunting scale of the objective. His Tyrant Rank Sin Points, so recently elevated, felt like a mocking whisper against the monumental task ahead. Make both of them his wives? By their own will? These were two of the most powerful, ancient, and independent sovereigns in existence! And the penalty... total annihilation at the hands of the Elder.
The quest's audacity was staggering, almost laughable, if not for the absolute, terrifying finality of the penalty. His heart hammered, not from fear, but from the immense, thrilling terror of the challenge. This wasn't just about power; it was about charisma, manipulation, understanding the deepest desires of beings who commanded realms.
Through the storm of internal chaos, Kael forced himself to remain a statue of calm. His expression, carefully neutral, gave no hint of the cosmic joke the System had just played on his life. He returned Vaelyss's piercing gaze, his own eyes burning with a controlled, dark intensity.
"That surge of power was indeed my doing, Empress Vaelyss," Kael stated, his voice steady, carrying only the confidence of recent victory. He chose his words carefully, navigating the treacherous waters of hidden truths and necessary deceptions. "It was a demonstration of the unique methods I possess, a glimpse of the capabilities that have allowed my Union and I to transcend realms at an unprecedented pace." He gestured subtly to his wives standing behind him, their combined auras now more defined and formidable. "Methods that Vanessa has deemed valuable enough for an alliance against a common, greater threat: the Elder."
Vaelyss's golden eyes narrowed slightly, her knowing smile remaining. She seemed to weigh his words, her draconic senses probing for deception. She glanced at Vanessa, a silent communication passing between the two ancient Empresses.
"So," Vaelyss purred, her gaze returning to Kael, "you are the new toy my old friend has picked up to play with in her war against the Aetherial Dominion. And you claim to wield some method that makes mortals grow like weeds?" A flicker of skepticism, mixed with genuine intrigue, entered her voice. "That is a bold claim, little Kael Viren. Tell me, what kind of alliance is this? And what exactly do you bring to the table besides your... potential?"
The pressure was mounting. Kael knew his answer, and his subsequent actions, would define his immediate future, and perhaps, the very survival of his Union. Two Empresses, one an ally, the other an uninvited, powerful observer, watched him, waiting for him to prove himself worthy of their attention. And underlying it all, the chilling, exhilarating demand of the newly revealed quest, a silent timer ticking down to an unimaginable triumph or utter ruin.
STATUS OVERVIEW
KAEL VIREN
System Level: 56 | Realm: Heaven's Echo (Low Tier - Tier 1)
HP: 450,000/450,000 | Mana: 580,000/580,000
Sin Tier: Tyrant Rank
Key Stats: Str: 38,000 | Dex: 39,000 | Will: 25,000 | Charm: 28,000
Notable Skills/Traits: Abyssal Dominion (T1), Soul-Forged Armament (T1), Throne of Ascendancy, Verdant Sovereign's Heart (Mythic), Sacred Dimension Pearl (Upgraded)
System AI: Nexus (Online)
THE UNION
Selene, Evelyne, Thalaria, Nysera, Valeria: Heaven's Echo (Low Tier - Tier 1)
Aelisa: Heaven's Echo (Peak Rank)
COMPANIONS
Emberfang: Infernal Flamebeast Cub (Tier 7/10)
Vira: Sky Serpent Hatchling (Tier 4/10)
CULTIVATION REALMS: THE GRAND PATH
Lower Realms:
Initiate
Essence Drawn
Veinwoven
Soulroot
Starforged
Sunbound
Moonglade
Skyshatter
Worldpiercer (9/9)
Higher Realms (Categorized: Low Tier (1-3), Mid Tier (4-6), Upper Tier (7-9), Peak (Tier 9 before next realm))
Heaven's Echo (Current Realm)
Low Tier (1/9)
Mid Tier (4-6)
Upper Tier (7-9)
Peak (Tier 9 before Celestiaflame)
Celestiaflame
Worldbreaker
Eternal Crown
Primordial Ascendant
Kael's Current Realm: Heaven's Echo (Low Tier — Tier 1)
Next Advancement: Heaven's Echo (Low Tier — Tier 2)