THUD!

A deep, muffled boom, like the beat of a war drum, didn’t come from the outside world. It exploded from the deepest part of Raylo’s soul, from within his chest!

In that instant, the endless devouring at his heart came to an abrupt halt.

All the rampaging energy was completely absorbed and fused in that moment.

The suffocating energy fluctuations in the room instantly subsided, leaving only the faint, imposing aura radiating from the Silver Dragon.

Inside Raylo’s chest, a brand-new heart had completed its rebirth.

It was several times stronger than before, with faint, silver lines of Magic Power slowly flowing across its surface. Its Power was fuller and more potent.

THUMP... THUMP... THUMP...

The sound of strong, powerful, and steady beats rang out.

Each beat was like the striking of a war drum, resonating with his own Fighting Spirit.

A vast surge of Life Force gushed from this new heart, instantly coursing through his entire body.

The weakness and emptiness caused by his drained energy began to recover at an astonishing speed, nourished by this wave of Life Force.

His withered Qi Sea was refilled, becoming even vaster than before.

Raylo’s eyes shot open as a sudden understanding flooded his mind.

’This isn’t a Cultivation Technique or a Secret Technique,’ he thought. ’It’s a talent, awakened from the depths of my bloodline.’

Because of his physique as an Earth Knight, because his contract partner was a Giant Dragon, and because he had resonated with Moonlight’s Life Force field at the deepest level the moment he broke through—it all culminated, after enduring that storm-like consumption of energy, in the birth of this...

Heart of the Giant Dragon!

He lifted his head and looked at the Silver Dragon before him.

Moonlight’s draconic head lowered slightly, and she gently nuzzled Raylo’s forehead with her smooth, silver horn.

The space in the room rippled. The massive body of the Silver Dragon shrank rapidly, and as the light faded, she transformed back into the large, snow-white cat.

This time, however, her landing was unsteady. She collapsed to the floor, and even twitching a paw seemed to take a great deal of effort.

A pang of pain shot through Raylo’s heart. He quickly bent down and scooped her up.

The touch was no longer the cool, smooth scales from before, but her familiar soft fur. The little one in his arms, however, felt exceptionally weak.

"You worked hard, Moonlight."

Raylo’s voice was a little hoarse.

"Awoo..."

Moonlight let out a faint cry, found a comfortable position, tilted her head, and fell fast asleep right in his arms.

Coal Ball, who had been huddled at the foot of the bed, tentatively poked its small head out. Its beady black eyes glanced at Raylo, then at the "big sister" sleeping soundly in his arms, seemingly still reeling from the shock of what had just happened.

The next morning, when Raylo opened his eyes, the little one who had been in his arms was gone.

He sat up, feeling refreshed and clear-headed. The new "Heart of the Giant Dragon" inside him was beating with a steady, powerful rhythm, each thump filling his entire body with inexhaustible strength.

At the foot of the bed, Coal Ball was holding an apple with its two front paws, munching away contentedly. Its beady black eyes darted toward the windowsill from time to time.

Raylo followed its gaze and saw Moonlight sitting elegantly on the windowsill, her snow-white fur seeming to glow with a sacred halo in the morning light.

She was meticulously licking her paws. Aside from a lingering trace of exhaustion in her eyes, she seemed to be fine.

Sensing Raylo’s gaze, Moonlight turned her head, her pale golden eyes meeting his calmly.

Raylo smiled, walked over, and ruffled the fur on her head.

"Hungry?"

The tip of Moonlight’s tail swayed gently, an honest answer.

An hour later, in the castle courtyard, a strange sight left the passing Knights and servants dumbfounded.

A small mountain made entirely of roasted geese stood in the middle of the lawn.

These geese were roasted to perfection. Their skin was an enticing caramel color, glistening with a rich sheen. The strong aroma of meat mixed with spices aggressively dominated the air of the entire courtyard.

This was the "Roasted Goose Mountain" Raylo had prepared for Moonlight.

Moonlight paced around the Roasted Goose Mountain twice, as if inspecting her spoils.

She let out a satisfied "awoo" and pounced. Her movements were elegant yet swift, and in a few quick motions, she tore a roasted goose apart and began to feast with gusto.

Seeing Moonlight full of energy again, the last trace of worry in Raylo’s heart vanished.

「Three days later.」

A magnificent Griffin with tawny Iron Feathers soared through the sky.

Above it, an even larger golden figure flew alongside. In the sunlight, its magnificent golden scales shimmered like flowing Gold. It was the Golden Dragon Sun.

Raylo, riding Baofeng, looked down from high above at the vast lake below.

Amber Lake.

Under the midday sun, the surface of the enormous lake glittered, revealing a warm, deep golden hue, as if a massive, uncut piece of amber had been set into the earth—magnificent and mysterious.

On the shore, an exquisite castle was built by the lake. This was Lillian’s Amber Castle.

"Brother!"

A clear, bright voice called out from below.

Lillian, dressed in a practical Mage Robe, was already waiting in the open space in front of the castle with a squad of her domain’s Knights.

She looked up, her amber eyes sparkling with excitement as she waved her hand vigorously.

Baofeng landed smoothly in the open space and folded its wings.

Raylo swung himself down, and Lillian immediately fluttered over to him like a little butterfly.

"You’re finally here!"

Lillian clung to his arm, her tone a mix of playful complaint and affection.

"Something held me up."

Raylo ruffled her hair, his gaze sweeping over the high-spirited Knights behind her. He nodded in satisfaction.

"You’re managing the domain well."

Lillian lifted her chin proudly, then looked at him with curiosity.

"You said in your letter that you were coming to my Amber Lake to explore some underwater ruins? Count me in! My Water Magic will be perfect for this!"

"No."

Raylo refused without a second thought.

"The situation underwater is unknown. It’s too dangerous."

"But..."

"No buts."

Raylo cut her off.

"However, I can introduce you to a new friend."

Lillian’s curiosity was immediately piqued.

"A new friend?"

Raylo didn’t answer. Instead, he took her hand and walked to the edge of the vast Amber Lake.

He looked up and gave a command to the Golden Dragon circling in the sky.

"Sun."

ROAR!

A clear, high-pitched dragon’s cry echoed across the heavens.

The Golden Dragon Sun’s enormous body unfurled in the air. Its golden eyes looked down upon the calm surface of the lake as its Dragon Mighty spread out like a tangible force.

The cry penetrated the water’s surface, traveling toward the very depths of the lake.

The dragon’s cry echoed for two minutes.

Suddenly, giant bubbles began to rise from the placid lake. Then, the water in the center of the lake started to churn violently upward, as if some colossal beast was about to break through the surface.