Sovereign of the Ashes

When Sein asked about the “Dragon Qi”, Gongsun Wudi explained it using terms like “fortune” and “dragon veins”.

These were concepts unique to the Martial Civilization, leaving Sein still quite puzzled.

From what he could observe, however, he concluded that the energy dragon was a manifestation of some special occult force, similar to the intangible totem projection he had seen in Rongyue World.

Clearly, after more than a hundred thousand years of development, the Martial Civilization had developed its own distinct methods of harnessing power.

Even Sein found himself impressed by this Dragon Qi.

“May I ask—aside from protecting your homeplane, does this Dragon Qi have other uses?” Sein asked. “Can it be used offensively in battles?”

“Of course. In the Dawn Empire, the higher one’s authority, the more the ‘dynasty fortune’ they can draw upon. No one can wield more Dragon Qi in battle than my brother, His Majesty the Emperor. After him, it would be the Crown Prince and me,” Gongsun Wudi replied.

“Beyond that, officials across the empire can also borrow a portion of the Dragon Qi. In general, the higher an official’s rank, the more Dragon Qi they can use. Those of lower rank can only access a limited amount,” she added.

“Besides combat, Dragon Qi can also speed up our cultivation. It even brings considerable benefits to a person’s luck and the growth of their entire clan.”

Hearing her explanation, Sein’s curiosity only deepened.

“I haven’t had the chance to use Dragon Qi in battle yet, since the Rongyue World War is already winding down. But I’ll show you when the opportunity comes,” Gongsun Wudi continued.

“In truth, we don’t rely on it often. Dragon Qi is closely tied to the fortune and prosperity of the entire dynasty. It’s said that when it first appeared, it was no larger than a palm—just enough to rest upon our Heirloom Seal. But as far back as I can remember, it already covered the capital city and the entire continent within our plane.”[1]

“Over the past tens of thousands of years, as the Dawn Empire has continued to grow stronger, so too has this Dragon of Fortune. As you can see now, it has expanded to the point where it can extend beyond the boundaries of our plane.”

“The reason it is so active today is likely because of our victorious return. Most of the time, it remains relatively quiet,” Gongsun Wudi said.

Sein nodded. This journey had truly broadened his horizons.

The sheer power of this Dragon of Fortune was likely already comparable to that of an overlord-level creature!

After a moment, he asked, “From what you have described, this Dragon Qi is artificially created. Who was the one who developed it?”

“This kind of system for harnessing occult energy would already be considered an advanced field even within the Magus Civilization, something only soul overmages could explore. And it can even influence fortune?” Sein marveled, unable to hide his amazement.

The note of genuine admiration in his voice caused a subtle shift in the gaze behind Gongsun Wudi’s metal helmet.

She looked ahead, her eyes seeming to pierce through layers of cloud and mist, as though she could already see the jade palaces and towering structures in the imperial capital.

“It was created by my father,” she said.

Sein raised an eyebrow.

Her father was none other than the founding emperor of the Dawn Empire.

The founder of an entire civilization was never an ordinary figure, let alone one who had created something like this Dragon Qi.

Another being who had carved out a path entirely of his own, huh...?

Sein could not help but reflect on it.

***

Just as Gongsun Wudi had said, the Dragon Qi of the Dawn Empire was closely tied to the overall strength of the civilization.

As the army returned in triumph, bringing with them vast resources and prisoners of war from the Rongyue Star Domain, the energy dragon circling the plane grew noticeably more active and vibrant.

As it swept across the formation, Sein saw many mid-tier and lower-ranking soldiers of the Dawn Empire gain immediate benefits.

Even a top-tier powerhouse like Gongsun Wudi was not exempt—a faint shimmer of light spread across her metal armor.

This was a blessing granted by both the planar will and the Dragon Qi.

A moment later, Sein noticed a faint white glow forming around his own body.

He looked down, surprised. “Even me?”

Gongsun Wudi glanced at him. “Under the laws of the Dawn Empire, you are currently here as a diplomatic representative of the Magus Civilization. This means you have an official title and rank within our borders.”

“I see,” Sein said. “Great, this gives me the chance to study this energy more closely.”

Gongsun Wudi looked away again. “Good. Once we reach the capital, you may stay at my residence for now.”

“However, you won’t have much time. My brother—the Emperor—will likely summon us to the palace for an audience soon,” she added.

Sein nodded. “Understood.”

***

Upon entering the Dawn Empire’s homeplane, Sein and his companions were met with a far warmer reception than anywhere they had passed through before.

Warriors from all across the empire gathered to welcome the returning army, showering the legions with open admiration and respect.

The Dawn Empire was built on martial strength, and its people held martial strength in the highest regard.

Those with talent and potential were eager to enlist in the imperial military.

Although the empire was home to many powerful noble clans, the current Emperor was clearly a ruler of exceptional authority.

For these clans to prosper, they had to align themselves with the military. Only by earning merit through constant warfare could they secure their family’s future and lay a foundation for generations to come.

As for those from humbler origins, they were not without opportunity.

For tens of thousands of years, the “Martial Imperial Examination” had provided a path of advancement for commoners, allowing more and more of them to rise through the ranks.[2]

The capital of the Dawn Empire lay at the very center of the plane’s main continent—a placement that all but declared the legitimacy and supremacy of imperial rule.

The spoils of war from Rongyue World were steadily transported into the imperial treasury.

Captured beings, including Rongdi the Earth Hound, were escorted to the prison after the victory procession.

Caiyu, the Rank Four envoy representing Rongyue World’s surrender, was assigned a temporary residence.

Sein, however, received treatment on an entirely different level.

As a representative of the Magus Civilization, he was brought directly to Princess Gongsun Wudi’s residence.

From the outside, her estate was far more imposing than Sein’s Divine Tower of Ashes.

Calling it a residence hardly did it justice—it was practically a small royal palace, complete with ornate railings, jade-like stone paths, lush green hills, and tranquil lakes!

There was more than enough space for Sein to construct several magic towers of his own within the princess’ estate.

But what truly caught his attention were the two plaques hanging above the main gate.

One read: “Guardian of the Nation”!

The other read: “Great Peace”!

The calligraphy on both was clearly made by an overlord-level being.

Even now, they radiated a deep, oppressive power.

Calling them world-class secret treasures would not be an exaggeration.

“These were written by my father,” Gongsun Wudi said.

The Residence of Princess Guardian of the Nation and of the Great Peace—that was the full name of her residence, and the royal title she held within the Dawn Empire.[3]

Dragon Qi swirled thickly around the plaques, surging through the air on either side.

Gongsun Wudi was already powerful. With the added support of such concentrated fortune power...

Sein could almost feel the care and favor her father had bestowed upon her.

Translator’s Notes:

1. Heirloom Seal was a seal allegedly carved out of a sacred piece of jade, used by emperors in ancient China to symbolize the Mandate of Heaven. ☜

2. The Martial Imperial Examination was a specialized, state-run examination system in imperial China designed to select military officers based on merit. Initiated by Empress Wu Zetian in 702 AD, it assessed physical strength, archery, weaponry, and strategic knowledge. It was less prestigious than the civil exams but provided a path for military career advancement. ☜

3. Princess Taiping (sometimes also known as Princess Guardian of the Realm and of the Great Peace) was a powerful Chinese imperial family member during the Tang dynasty. She was a prominent political figure behind the scenes, active during the reigns of her mother, Wu Zetian, and her brothers. Gongsun Wudi’s princess title in pinyin is Princess Zhèn Guó Tài Píng. “Zhenguo” means “Guardian of the Nation/Realm”, while “Taiping” translates to “Great Peace”. As this full title is quite unwieldy in English, it will be shortened simply to Princess Guardian, and her residence will be referred to as the Residence of Princess Guardian moving foward. ☜