Chapter 177: The Azure Dragon’s Inheritance
The Azure Dragon Spirit’s voice echoed through the cavern as the last traces of pink mist faded into nothing.
"The trial is complete. You have proven yourself worthy of the Azure Dragon’s legacy."
Damon helped Seraphina to her feet. She swayed slightly, her legs still weak from what had just happened, but she steadied herself against his arm.
"The bloodline and physique of the Azure Dragon shall now be yours," the spirit continued, its ancient voice resonating with power.
A sphere of emerald light materialized between them, pulsing with an energy that made the air itself tremble.
Seraphina’s face fell.
She looked at the light, then at Damon, and something in her eyes dimmed.
"I understand," she said quietly. "I failed the trial. The inheritance belongs to you alone."
She stepped back, her shoulders sagging with defeat.
Damon watched her for a moment. There was no bitterness in her voice, only resignation. She accepted her loss without complaint, without protest.
But he could see the disappointment written across her features.
The Azure Dragon Spirit said nothing. It had no reason to care about her feelings.
The trial was clear—only one could receive the full inheritance, and that one was Damon.
The sphere of light drifted toward him.
Damon felt it before it touched him. A warmth spread through his chest, a tingling sensation that started at his core and radiated outward.
The energy pressed against his skin like a living thing, warm and insistent, coiling around his chest and shoulders as it sought entry.
It wanted to merge with him — he could feel that pull distinctly, the way it probed at the edges of his spiritual core, searching for the seam through which it might pour itself and become one with his very being.
And then, without warning, it stopped.
The warmth vanished.
The sphere simply hovered there, suspended between intention and completion, as though some invisible hand had reached out and stilled it mid-motion.
Damon frowned, his golden eyes narrowing.
The warmth receded, the energy pulling back like a wave retreating from the shore.
The sphere hovered just inches from his chest, pulsing but not advancing.
"What’s happening?" he muttered.
The Azure Dragon Spirit tilted its massive head, confusion flickering in its ancient eyes.
"The inheritance should be merging with you now. Why has it stopped?"
Damon didn’t answer. He reached out with his mind, searching for the System.
’System, what’s going on?’
A window appeared before his eyes.
[Host, The System has intercepted the Azure Dragon Bloodline and Physique integration.]
[The Reason is The System requires the original to create a perfect duplicate.]
[Integration at this moment would bind the original to your soul, preventing duplication.]
[The system is recommend to delay fusion until the duplication process is complete.]
Damon’s eyes widened slightly.
’So this is for the reward of the mission?’
[Yes, host. The duplicate will be 100% identical to the original in function and quality.]
[The original can then be fused with the host without loss of potential.]
Damon’s lips curved into a smile.
’Do it.’
[Processing...]
[Azure Dragon Bloodline detected. Copying...]
[Azure Dragon Physique detected. Copying...]
[Progress: 12%... 34%... 67%... 89%... 100%.]
[Duplication complete.]
[Original Azure Dragon Bloodline and Physique stored in inventory.]
[Host may fuse with the original at any time for optimal results.]
The sphere of light pulsed once, then dimmed, settling into Damon’s chest like a dormant seed.
The ancient Azure Dragon Spirit scrutinized the brilliant, shifting energy that now bloomed within Damon’s chest, its massive, serpentine brow furrowing as it observed the seamless integration.
It clearly suspected nothing, its ancient mind unable to fathom the machinations of the Incubus Lord’s unique System.
"It is done," the spirit finally intoned, its voice vibrating with the weight of eons.
"The Azure Dragon Bloodline and the divine Physique now reside deep within your soul, bound to your very essence."
Damon stood tall, his jet-black hair framing a face that remained the picture of calm, aristocratic confidence.
He felt the hidden, dormant warmth of his prize tucked away in his inventory, safe and ready for the perfect moment of fusion.
He offered the spirit a sharp, magnetic smile.
"I can feel it," Damon lied smoothly, his golden eyes glowing with a subtle, predatory brilliance.
"Good."
The spirit sighed, a sound like rushing wind through mountain pines. As the final vestiges of its purpose were fulfilled, its majestic, colossal form began to lose its crystalline integrity.
Its edges blurred and frayed, dissolving into shimmering motes of emerald mist that drifted idly through the cavern’s dampened air.
"I have one final request before my consciousness departs this mortal coil," the spirit whispered, its stature visibly waning.
Damon didn’t flinch, his gaze steady and his posture relaxed, embodying the absolute certainty of a future sovereign.
"Speak," he commanded, his voice resonant and expectant.
"Protect the Azure Dragon bloodline. It is the last remnant of my existence, the final echo of a lineage that once ruled the heavens."
Damon met the spirit’s gaze.
"I will."
The spirit’s eyes softened.
"This realm will remain as long as there is Azure Dragon lineage to power it. If you wish to sustain it, all you need is a single drop of pure Azure Dragon blood. It will keep the realm stable for a thousand years."
Damon filed that information away.
"Understood."
The Azure Dragon Spirit began to fade, its form dissolving into motes of emerald light.
"Farewell, inheritor. May the Azure Dragon’s strength guide your path."
The light scattered, rising toward the cavern ceiling like fireflies ascending into the night sky.
And then it was gone.
Silence settled over the cavern.
Damon stood there, feeling the dormant power within him, waiting for the right moment to awaken.
[Ding!]
A notification chimed.
[Mission: Help Seraphina Relieve Her Lust] [Completed]
[Description: The Azure Dragon Spirit’s trial has overwhelmed Seraphina’s resistance. She cannot complete this trial alone. As an Incubus Lord, you are uniquely suited to assist her without losing yourself to the mist. Help her find release and complete the trial together.]
[Reward: Duplicate of Azure Dragon Bloodline and Azure Dragon Physique]
Damon dismissed the window and turned to Seraphina.
She was watching him, her expression unreadable.