Chapter 4 - Seed of the Ancient Dragon

The cavern's maw exhaled fetid breath, thick with the dust of millennia. Alex crept forward, Void Fang Devourer at his flank, its epic spikes quivering with hunger. Glowing fungi cast eerie light on scattered bones—some human, most monstrous—leading to the Apex Predator Seed. The crystal throbbed like a heartbeat, draconic veins pulsing gold and crimson.One touch, and we're god-tier, Alex thought. But the system warned: [High-Risk Evolution: 50% Failure Chance. Success: Dragon Sovereign Path Unlocked.]He reached out. The seed bonded instantly, searing his palm. Light exploded, engulfing Void Fang.[Chain Evolution: Apex Input Detected! Generating... SSS Threshold Breached!][Evolution Complete: Eclipse Dragon Sovereign (SSS-Rank Legend). Traits: Draconic Phase (full intangibility), Essence Apocalypse (AoE drain), Infinite Scale Growth.]Void Fang—no, Eclipse roared, shrinking to wolf-size then exploding to twenty feet, obsidian scales gleaming, wings unfurling with shadow flames. The cavern trembled; stalactites crashed.Perfect. But outside, academy forces amassed—Varkis's reinforcements, led by Headmaster Thorne (no relation), a peak A-rank aura blazing."Thorne bloodline ends here!" the Headmaster bellowed, earth spears launching. Eclipse phased through, Apocalypse activating—a dome of draining mist that withered trees and paled hunters.Alex mounted the dragon's back, Thunder Phase propelling him skyward. "Burn them." Eclipse spewed Eclipse Breath—shadow fire that ignored armor, draining essence mid-air. Ten hunters dropped, mummified.Headmaster summoned a golem titan. "F-rank delusion!" It swung, but Eclipse grew larger, scales hardening to diamond. Claws rent stone; tail swept the titan to rubble. [Essence Harvest: Earth Mastery (Lv.2), +10 All Stats.]Kairos, patched up, hurled a desperate sovereign storm. Eclipse devoured it whole, growing another size. Alex dismounted, lance extended. "Your house falls today."The Headmaster charged, fists glowing. Alex parried with Earth-infused strength, draining counter. Blows traded—cracks echoed. "Impossible! How does trash wield SSS?!""Trash evolves." Alex's final thrust pierced the chest, essence flooding in. [Milestone: First A-Rank Kill. Unlock: Sovereign Core Fusion.]Eclipse shrank, nuzzling loyally. The academy forces routed, whispers of "Dragon Rider" spreading. But the system chimed: [SSS Core Ready: Fuse with Self? Warning: Visible Aura Changes. Attract Sect Scouts.]Alex eyed the horizon—black-cloaked figures watching from peaks. Sects already? Game on. He chose Y. Power surged, eyes glowing draconic gold.A new quest pinged: [Arc Trigger: Sect Invitation Wars Begin. Survive the Night.]Eclipse growled, sensing ambush. Deeper forest stirred—something ancient awakened.