Awakened Emperor

Several months later.

Embers of the Burned Empire, Anzeta Administrative Region, North-South Land Province, Dragon Blood Mountain.

This place was shrouded everywhere in scorching steam and sulfurous clouds. From afar, the mountain rose tall and imposing, jagged beyond compare, shaped like a colossal dragon raising its head and letting out a long cry toward the heavens.

At the same time, it was also a forbidden zone within the Empire.

It was said that Embers of the Burned Emperor Keosius slumbered here. Endless gold and jewels were buried here as well, along with all the Emperor's wealth.

Quite a few foolhardy adventurers had attempted to enter this forbidden zone, yet no one had ever emerged from it.

Even a notorious legendary thief from the Shadow Guild had vanished without a trace after visiting this forbidden zone, prompting many nobles and tycoons whom he had once robbed to cheer in delight.

To enter Dragon Blood Mountain, one first had to pass through the outermost patrol zone.

There were hundreds of watchtowers in the patrol zone, equipped with advanced magical devices such as Energy Sensors, Anti-Air Cannons, and Magic-Powered Tracking Cannons. Knights mounted on Wyverns patrolled the area without rest, ruthlessly eliminating every reckless intruder.

Even if one was fortunate enough to breach the patrol zone, what awaited the invader was a scorching belt several kilometers wide. Lava surged from cracks in the ground, while the roiling steam clouds and sulfur mist were enough to roast mortals alive, with power comparable to mid- and high-tier spells of the fourth circle or above.

Further inside lay the so-called "Elemental Turbulence Zone," the core region of Dragon Blood Mountain.

Kareks' Progenitor Dragon Body and Keosius's draconic aura brutally affected and altered the surrounding Weave, making the elemental reactions here extraordinarily violent, as if one had