The golden coffin slowly opened, revealing a figure standing atop it.
This was a middle-aged man, dressed in celestial robes adorned with stars, his attire exuding extraordinary elegance. His dignified and scholarly appearance carried an air of grace as he stood with his hands behind his back—an aura that set him apart from mere mortals.
A faint smile played on his lips as his gaze swept over the cultivators below, including Kael. Wherever his eyes lingered, none dared meet his stare, their own gazes involuntarily shifting away.
His eyes were like the depths of the ocean—vast enough to encompass all, yet capable of overturning everything in an instant!
"The Water Dragon!" Kael narrowed his eyes, uttering the two words.
Arjun, meanwhile, looked as if he had seen a ghost, his eyes wide with disbelief. "This… this really is the Water Dragon. Could he still be alive?" The thought escaped him before he could stop it.
Both Kael and Arjun had encountered the Water Dragon before—within the Mirror of the Water Dragon, Kael had even fought a battle against a version of him at the same level, a clash that lasted two hours before ending in a decisive outcome.
But the figure before them now was undeniably the real Water Dragon.
Every movement, every gesture of the Water Dragon atop the golden coffin carried the bearing of a peerless expert, a far cry from the version they had faced in the mirror.
Because of this, all the cultivators present were struck speechless. How could a figure who had fallen three thousand years ago still be alive?
It was utterly bizarre—and impossible not to be shocked.
"No… this can't be the real Water Dragon," Kael muttered, frowning.
"Not the real Water Dragon?" Arjun was stunned. This version of the Water Dragon seemed even more authentic than the one in the mirror—yet Kael claimed otherwise?
"Exactly," Kael nodded, a peculiar glint flashing in his eyes. "This is definitely not the Water Dragon. It must be… a remnant of his soul."
The true Water Dragon had perished three thousand years ago during the "Cataclysm of the Undead"—a fact well-documented across the three continents. Moreover, Kael's keen spiritual sense detected something unusual about the figure atop the golden coffin.
That's right—the being standing there was nothing more than a remnant of the Water Dragon's soul!
It was said that when a supreme expert died, they could use secret arts to leave behind a wisp of their soul, embodying their will from life. Unless that will dissipated, the remnant soul would endure.
The Water Dragon's will… Could it be searching for an heir?
Among the cultivators present, some quickly grasped the truth—particularly the two tenth-level powerhouses. One of them, a white-bearded elder, narrowed his eyes and muttered, "So it's just the Water Dragon's remnant…"
"To think so many juniors have trespassed into my forbidden domain."
The Water Dragon stood with his hands behind his back, hovering above the floating golden coffin. His voice was calm, yet it carried an undeniable authority.
"This… is the Water Dragon?" Many in the crowd had never seen him before, and now, faced with his presence, they gasped in awe.
No one had expected to encounter the Water Dragon here—even if only as a remnant soul!
His imposing figure loomed over them, his gaze sweeping across the gathered cultivators like a sovereign surveying his subjects.
"Since the Mystic Tortoise allowed you entry, and you've overcome the puppet army I left behind, your strength is… passable. You may be worthy of my legacy."
His words sent shockwaves through the crowd. Faces paled, then flushed with excitement.
The Water Dragon had just confirmed it—his inheritance was real!
Every ear strained to catch his next words.
Even the black-armored warriors momentarily forgot their grudge against Kael, halting their assault. Yet, like venomous snakes lying in wait, they remained poised to strike at the first opportunity.
Kael, too, stayed still. Against four enemies, he and Arjun were at a disadvantage. His mind raced, strategizing how to overturn this precarious situation.
"However, I must first determine which among you possesses unparalleled potential. Only then shall my legacy be bestowed."
The Water Dragon stood atop the golden coffin, his crown radiating brilliance—a fitting symbol for a former monarch and peerless powerhouse.
"Water Dragon, what say you of me?"
A booming laugh echoed through the crowd as a figure darted forward like lightning—the white-bearded tenth-level powerhouse. Though his face was etched with wrinkles, his voice resonated with vigor, and his movements were fluid, exuding the dignity of his rank.
The Water Dragon's gaze settled on the elder, studying him briefly before shaking his head with a faint smile.
"Mediocre talent, unremarkable strength, and limited potential. Reaching the tenth level is your absolute limit."
The crowd erupted in murmurs.
A tenth-level powerhouse, revered by all, had just been dismissed as worthless in the Water Dragon's eyes!
The elder's face cycled between ashen and flushed, each word striking like a dagger. Yet he couldn't deny the truth—the Water Dragon was right.
Though he had broken through to the tenth level, his potential was exhausted. This was precisely why he had sought the Water Dragon's legacy, desperate for a path to greater heights.
Now, with a single sentence, the Water Dragon had shattered his hopes.
"So the legacy isn't just about power… Potential matters far more." Arjun's eyes gleamed with realization. If strength wasn't the priority, even he might have a chance!
Or perhaps anyone present could claim the inheritance.
After the elder's humiliation, the cultivators exchanged uneasy glances, hesitation rooting them in place.
The Water Dragon's standards were ruthlessly high, his words sharper than blades.
"Your Majesty Water Dragon, what of me?"
Just as the crowd fell into silence, Lucian stepped forward, his demeanor elegant and commanding attention. Unlike the white-bearded elder, Lucian exuded an aura of profound magical energy as he moved, his eyes sharp and vibrant—undeniable proof of his extraordinary talent.
"It's Lucian!"
"Lucian is here too?"
"He's among the top talents of the younger generation, already at the ninth level and ranked 49th on the Continent's Rising Stars List. A true prodigy!"
"If Lucian's competing, the rest of us might as well give up..."
Whispers spread among the cultivators, all familiar with Lucian's reputation. He was one of the rare geniuses across the three continents, renowned as the heir of a prestigious magical family.
With calm confidence, Lucian faced the Water Dragon.
The Water Dragon's gaze swept over him, and within moments, he delivered his verdict:
"Reaching the ninth level at such a young age is commendable. Your strength is solid, and your potential is promising. A fine seedling indeed."
The cultivators turned their eyes to Lucian, their expressions a mix of awe and resignation.
Lucian allowed himself a faint smile, expertly masking the flicker of pride in his eyes.
"Damn it, if even Lucian's stepping up, what chance do the rest of us have?" Arjun muttered in frustration. Though he considered himself talented, he couldn't help but feel overshadowed.
"Huh? You're actually going up there?"
At that moment, Kael also stepped forward, curious about how the Water Dragon would judge him.
The moment Kael moved, the Water Dragon's attention snapped to him. A single glance from those fathomless eyes sent a jolt through Kael's heart—as if every secret he held had been laid bare in an instant.
"To think the world still holds talent as exceptional as yours!"
Even the Water Dragon, who had maintained an air of detached majesty, showed a flicker of surprise. His voice carried unmistakable admiration as he addressed Kael.
"What?!"
"The Water Dragon said that kid's talent is extraordinary?"
"Impossible! He didn't praise even Lucian like that!"
"Who is this guy? What's his background?"
The crowd erupted into murmurs, all eyes now fixed on Kael—this unfamiliar face who had suddenly stolen the spotlight.