Gift from the Dragon, a hidden profession! (5400)

The moment the main crystal bloomed, the entire Crystal Land underwent an earth-shattering transformation.

On the ground, small, exquisite dark purple crystals appeared out of thin air, as beautiful as the stars in the night sky.

These crystals all split, rotated, and bloomed in the same rhythm.

"Crack! Crack~!"

Crystal flowers bloomed brilliantly across this lifeless, desolate, and lonely land.

In the blink of an eye, the entire Crystal Land was covered with countless purple crystal flowers.

As for the God Servant Legion, the moment the crystals bloomed, their bodies were assimilated into dark purple shapes, then shattered into fragments all over the ground.

The Survivors of the four major cities witnessed this shocking scene with their own eyes!

The entire Crystal Land was covered in countless purple crystal flowers.

It was as if they were blooming from the corpses of those who had fallen in battle.

This scene was truly visually stunning!

At this moment, the Survivors also seemed to understand the origin of this dungeon's name.

"So that's it, Battle of the Oracle: Crystal Bloom…"

"So it was like this…"

"Crack! Crack…"

As more and more purple crystal flowers spread, in the blink of an eye, they reached the feet of the four major cities.

The defensive shields of the four major cities were easily broken.

Then, these crystal flowers grew directly onto the city walls.

Just like the God Servant Legion, the city walls were assimilated into dark purple crystal shapes in an instant, and then collapsed in a moment.

Rumble~!

After the city walls collapsed, these crystal flowers spread to the streets and ruins within the city…

As well as that statue containing vast divine power.

However, even these statues showed no sign of stopping the spread of the crystal flowers.

In the blink of an eye, these statues also turned into crystals, then collapsed with a crash, turning into fragments all over the ground.

The moment the four statues shattered simultaneously, all Survivors heard a system notification.

[The Battle of the Oracle: Crystal Bloom dungeon has ended. Points will be calculated shortly…]

[The Survivors from the four factions are now being moved out of this plane…]

As the words faded, a white light appeared before the eyes of the Survivors from the four factions.

Before they could understand what had happened, the scene flashed, and they returned to their own territories.

The final scene still lingered in everyone's eyes.

On that Crystal Land, two figures were still standing proudly.

They gazed into the distance at the sky, surrounded by countless Branded Monsters and blooming crystal flowers, like the kings of the entire Crystal Land…

These two who were left behind were none other than Cao Xing and Liu Muxue.

Seeing the collapsed four major cities, a look of confusion appeared in Cao Xing's eyes.

"Does this count as… the end of the campaign?"

Up until now, Cao Xing had not heard a system notification. Moreover, he was still in this plane.

And just at this moment, that vast, boundless will seemed to have arrived near this plane.

In an instant! A terrifying aura exploded forth!

The sky seemed to be torn open by an invisible, immense force.

An inscrutable, high-level language came from within… That voice, like a mysterious incantation, echoed throughout the entire plane.

Cao Xing could not understand it. But… he felt a crisis of death!

It was a true crisis of death! It followed him like a shadow, making his heart feel as if it were being tightly gripped by a cold, giant hand!

He could clearly feel that this will was angry. The other party seemed to be about to strike at him!

Cao Xing's face turned pale instantly, and he couldn't help but curse inwardly.

"Holy crap! No way, right?"

"The mission is complete, and I'm about to be erased?"

However, just at this moment, the entire Crystal Land began to tremble violently!

Then, countless huge cracks appeared on the ground, and these cracks spread rapidly like a spider web.

Endless purple light erupted from these cracks. At the same time, an unprecedented explosion sound came.

"Boom!!!" The sound exploded between heaven and earth like a thunderclap.

Then, the entire land instantly fell apart! The Crystal Land… collapsed!

No… It couldn't be called a collapse. Rather, this vast Crystal Land had transformed into a giant dragon!

An infinitely huge giant dragon. Its body was dark purple all over, and every scale was adorned with beautiful patterns.

On its back were crystal mountain ranges, rolling and undulating, like a moving world!

"Roar!!!" A roar rang out.

This Crystal Dragon roared angrily at the sky, spewing out a purple beam of light.

The beam of light shot up into the sky, as if it wanted to pierce through the firmament.

And from the sky, from that torn opening, a powerful golden light also erupted!

The two powerful energies collided instantly. Then… Cao Xing couldn't see anything anymore.

Including him and Liu Muxue, their bodies were directly annihilated under the collision of this powerful energy!

Time passed. A voice faintly came to his ears.

"That was a sandstorm, a chaos, a boundless hunger, an endless fury…"

"He only peeked at that consciousness for an instant, but that was enough. It noticed him…"

He didn't know how long had passed. It felt like a mere second had passed. It also felt like a year had passed. Cao Xing's consciousness gradually awakened.

However, he found that the place he appeared in was not the Crystal Land, nor was it his own territory. Everything around was a vast expanse of white, and he couldn't see anything.

It was just like when he saw that giant dragon named Oruen.

And just at this moment, a neutral voice rang out in his mind.

"The world says I am greedy… However… the scars of the brand can never be erased from my heart…"

Cao Xing was very familiar with this voice. Over the past month, he had heard it often. It was not the Fate Dragon Oruen, but another giant dragon.

"Chosen One… I am Krakatoa…"

Cao Xing's expression gradually became serious, and then he asked.

"Did you just use your final strength to launch that attack?"

"Yes… My true form didn't have much strength left for a long time…"

"And after I launched that blow, my true form has already disintegrated."

"My consciousness will also completely dissipate after a period of time…"

Hearing this, Cao Xing's mood became somewhat heavy. Even if he had given his all, was he still unable to change the fate of Krakatoa's death?

It seemed as if it had been destined in the dark. No matter what efforts he made. Even an Ancient Dragon of true god-level could not stop its own death.

The neutral voice said: "Chosen One, do not feel sad."

"You have already done very well…"

"Because of your efforts, the world has once again maintained its balance…"

Hearing this, a strange look appeared in Cao Xing's eyes. "Maintained the balance, but, aren't you…"

"Yes, I am dead…"

"My death was unavoidable; fate was already destined, and even True Gods cannot resist it…"

Cao Xing asked in confusion: "Was it the Six True Gods who killed you?"

The voice paused for a moment, then slowly said: "No… It was not them…"

"Actually, they also wanted to maintain the balance, but they had no choice…"

"They also knew that only by killing me could they continue to hide ****, just like ten thousand years ago."

"Ten thousand years ago, there were also deaths of True Gods, and I will not be the last…"

"During the time I chose to self-seal, I saw many things, but I cannot tell you everything I saw."

"I can only tell you one sentence."

"The Six True Gods are not enemies, and Ancient Dragons are not friends. Do not trust anyone…"

A grave look appeared in Cao Xing's eyes. He carefully reviewed the last sentence in his mind. The Six True Gods are not enemies, and Ancient Dragons are not friends…

The situation was becoming more and more complicated, to the point that even he felt somewhat lost.

Krakatoa's voice continued to sound.

"Chosen One, I know you are feeling very confused now. Do not be lost; just follow the choices of your heart."

"Before you encounter the same choice, think carefully about why you came to this world from another world?"

"Because you Otherworld Lords are all special…"

"None of your choices will be influenced by any factors, thus enabling you to transcend beyond fate…"

These words hit Cao Xing like a lightning strike, instantly enlightening him!

He nodded solemnly and said: "I understand. Thank you for clearing up my confusion!"

Krakatoa said: "It is I who should thank you for persisting until the last day, allowing me to recover a bit of strength…"

"Now, my authority has been successfully inherited by my child."

"It will replace me and become the new Crystal Dragon…"

After hearing this, Cao Xing realized something: "Your child is that other Fate Dragon, Oruen?"

"Yes…"

"Chosen One, thank you for everything you have done…"

"I would really like to have a good chat with you, but my time is running out."

"In these final moments, may I know your name?"

The dragon's voice grew weaker and weaker. Cao Xing slowly said: "My name is Cao Xing."

Upon hearing this name, the dragon's voice fell silent for a moment.

Then, it said again: "Cao Xing, you have helped me and my offspring, so you shall become a friend of mine, Krakatoa."

"Now then… as a friend, I will bestow upon you one final gift…"

As it finished speaking, a mysterious power descended onto the top of Cao Xing's head.

[For unknown reasons, '???' will grant you the power of an Ancient Dragon. Do you accept?]

…

Cao Xing pondered for a moment and clicked 'Accept' directly.

[Merging with the power of an Ancient Dragon…]

At the same time.

The mysterious power above his head suddenly descended upon his body.

At this moment, Cao Xing felt himself wrapped in an endless dark purple divine power, as if he were submerged in a mysterious ocean of energy.

Because this power was simply too terrifying, that powerful aura completely saturated his body!

In just an instant, Cao Xing was left dizzy from the impact of this vast power.

Just as he was about to lose consciousness, a faint voice echoed in his mind.

"You have already acquired my trait… My child, Oruen, will inherit my power…"

"And I shall depart completely. Rest assured, my death has dispelled the suspicions of certain existences, and you will not be detected."

"Goodbye… my friend, Cao Xing…"

"Perhaps one day, we shall meet again…"

At this moment.

The voice vanished completely.

This Ancient Dragon, who had lived for who knows how many years, had finally passed away.

A system notification appeared.

[The monster gazed at its own reflection; it stared at it for a long time, until it passed through the reflection and arrived at the other side…]

[It discovered that it had actually arrived within the dragon's consciousness, like standing in the eye of a storm. In its heart, a storm was brewing; this storm would tear the heavens asunder, kick up sandstorms, and drag everything into the most primal chaos…]

[And right at the center of this storm's eye, it found a dark purple heart. The heart was dripping with blood, permeated by a desire for destruction that was suppressed to the extreme…]

[At this moment, it understood that at the center of every storm, there existed a place of emptiness—a desire that could not be filled.]

[For the storm to fill that desire, it needed to devour more, yet the sense of emptiness would only grow stronger…]

[At this moment, it also realized that the dragon was, in fact, itself…]

[Thus, without hesitation, it threw itself into the storm…]

[…After the Dragon-Slaying War, Krakatoa was left alone in the vast and desolate Crystal Land. Everything around it was barren, which made it feel a loneliness that permeated its very marrow!]

[Thus, it chose to seal itself away, suppressing the storm within its heart, until one day it vanished from the world entirely.]

[It succeeded… With its own death, it bought a brief moment of balance for the world.]

[One day, the Crystal Dragon might appear again; one day, a new dragon slayer will emerge; and one day, they will become friends once more.]

[To… the death of the Crystal Dragon, Krakatoa.]

…

Time flowed slowly…

Cao Xing did not know how long had passed.

He only felt as if he were lying in a warm, soft, mysterious place, then gradually breaking out of a shell, transforming into a giant dragon soaring through the sky.

He also felt himself turning into a magical will, able to clearly hear what others were thinking in their hearts.

A moment later, he heard a system notification.

[Fusion successful. You have absorbed the residual power of the Crystal Dragon and become a hidden class: Frost Dragon Mage!]

[Base attributes increased by 50%]

[You have learned new skills: Crystal Control (Passive), Ice Crystal Fury (Passive), Doomsday Ice Star (Forbidden Spell-level skill)]

[You have acquired the trait: Crystal]

…

At this moment, a look of shock appeared in Cao Xing's eyes.

"It actually made me a hidden class!"

"Not only did it increase my attributes by 50%, but I also gained three skills!"

"Holy crap! Isn't this too overpowered?"

At the same time, a system notification appeared in Cao Xing's ears.

[Survivor Cao Xing, please note: The Battle of the Oracle: Crystal Bloom has ended!]

[Over the past month, you successfully guarded the Main Crystal until the very last moment, earning an extra reward: 5 million points…]

[Calculating point leaderboard rewards…]

…

…

[Calculation successful. Within the 30 days of the Battle of the Oracle, your cumulative points earned: 31.4156 million]

[Your rank on the point leaderboard is: 1]

[Received ranking reward: One free item exchange from the point shop, gold point + 200]

…

…

Before Cao Xing could snap out of it, the white, hazy scene around him had already vanished.

When he opened his eyes again, he found that everything around him had become incredibly familiar.

Under the illumination of the lighthouse, the gleaming King's Altar stood like a sacred monument.

The Mage Tower, radiating an aura of blue magic, resembled a mysterious magical lighthouse.

The surrounding spacious streets, the well-arranged residential houses, the Tailor Shop, and so on…

And those familiar faces.

This place was none other than his own territory.

"I'm back…"

A gratified smile appeared on Cao Xing's face.

The Battle of the Oracle had only lasted a short month, yet it felt as if a year had passed.

The spot where he appeared happened to be the very center of the territory.

At this moment, all the combatants in the entire territory were standing in the central plaza, waiting expectantly…

Their hearts filled with nervousness and unease.

When Cao Xing transformed into a meteor and descended into the territory, all eyes turned toward him.

Upon seeing that familiar face and attire,

The worry and confusion in everyone's eyes vanished in an instant.

Then, expressions of irrepressible excitement appeared on their faces!

They shouted excitedly,

"My Lord!"

"Big Brother!"

"A-Xing!"

A chorus of exclamations rang out as everyone quickly surrounded him.

Elisa and Little Chuchu rushed forward, hugging his waist.

They held on tight, refusing to let go.

The others also wore expressions of immense joy.

At this moment, Cao Xing asked with a smile: "What's the matter? Why is everyone so excited?"

Elisa raised her head, "My Lord, and you ask what's the matter!"

"We have all returned from that place, but we never saw you come out."

"Everyone has been waiting here, and waiting… we waited for several hours and still didn't see you."

"We thought… we thought… wuu wuu wuu…"

As the little girl spoke, her voice began to choke with sobs, and tears fell like dewdrops.

Hearing this, Cao Xing was slightly stunned.

He then checked the time.

He discovered that it was already past five o'clock in the morning!

He thought to himself:

"So, only five hours passed in that strange space? I thought years had gone by!"

Collecting himself, Cao Xing smiled and said: "Don't worry, haven't I returned?"

"I am your Lord, how could anything happen to me?"

Elisa nodded like a chick pecking at rice.

"Mm-hmm! My Lord definitely wouldn't have any trouble!"

"You promised Elisa that you would give me lots of candy and milk!"

Gentle smiles appeared on everyone's faces.

Cao Xing continued: "Alright, after fighting for a month straight, everyone must be exhausted."

"Go back and rest now."

"Tomorrow, I'll give you all a day off!"

Upon hearing this, everyone cheered loudly!

"Long live my Lord!"

With excitement on their faces, the crowd dispersed.

Soon… only Liu Muxue and Cao Xing remained.

She said with concern: "A-Xing, you came out so much later than everyone else, did something happen?"

In the end, she and Cao Xing had been annihilated together by that terrifying attack.

Logically speaking, they should have appeared at the same time.

Yet, Cao Xing was several hours later than her.

Cao Xing pondered for a moment, but in the end, he decided not to tell Liu Muxue about what he had encountered in that space.

After all, this matter was too significant.

Cao Xing smiled and said: "Don't worry, it's nothing."

"It's just that a mysterious existence wanted to chat with me about some things."

Hearing this, a thoughtful look appeared in Liu Muxue's eyes.

But she was a smart woman, so she didn't ask any more questions.

Instead, she said softly: "Alright… then I will head back to the Lords Manor first."

"Once you've finished handling your affairs here, remember to go back and rest for a while."

Cao Xing nodded with a smile, "I know."

When Liu Muxue had also left, only Cao Xing remained.

At this moment, a faint smile was on his face.

"Next, it's time to tally the gains from this Battle of the Oracle."

"This time, I farmed tens of millions of points, allowing everyone to break through to the Master rank."

"Then, I accepted Krakatoa's power and successfully changed classes into a hidden class—Frost Dragon Mage."

"Finally, I also obtained the reward for ranking first on the point leaderboard: one free item exchange from the shop, plus a full 200 gold points."

…