Golden Dragon: Six Thousand Years of Empire-Chapter 469 - 282: The Trials of the Holy Dragon’s Son_2

"I’m willing to experience it, but my mother only gave me a ten-day vacation, and I’m about to return to Heaven."

"Since you’re willing, I’ll talk to your mother and tell her there’s no need to return to Heaven; just stay with me."

Noah hadn’t yet decided what kind of person he wanted to teach his child to become.

But as a father, Noah naturally wanted to pass on all the knowledge he possessed to him, and with his own experience, he hoped to eliminate as many of his son’s flaws and shortcomings as possible.

In Noah’s view, his eldest son had a certain degree of cognitive impairment.

Although he was even closer to mortal beings than Noah himself, he approached mortals as the Holy Dragon’s Son, meaning that much of the true filth and darkness would actively avoid him.

Everything he saw and encountered was beautiful. Standing too high, he was inevitably blinded by the clouds and mist, unable to see the truth.

There was no need to blame his short-lived friends for changing over the years. It was all for survival. By worldly standards, some people were more mature than before, having shed many naive ideas, and now bore the burden of family responsibility.

Seemingly contemptible behavior was, in fact, fulfilling the duties a husband and father must fulfill. Life is about trade-offs, and perfect outcomes are rare.

As the saying goes, without experiencing others’ hardships, do not urge others to do good. Noah felt he could add, without experiencing others’ hardships, do not mock others’ humility.

With the same identity and similar hardships, could you make different choices and hold onto past beliefs? If not, what right do you have to ridicule?

Of course, even if his offspring truly held firm, Noah wouldn’t think much of it, as his son retained his memories, after all.

Even if Iliad lost his power and identity, undergoing mortals’ hardships, he knew it was just a trial, one that would eventually end.

This realization was enough to help him endure many hardships. However, even such an imperfect trial could make his eldest son much more mature, less naive.

"Please, Father, arrange it for me!"

Having witnessed and felt the terror of time and age, Iliad immediately replied.

He wanted to challenge those difficulties that distorted his memories of friends.

"For ten years, during this time, unless your life is in danger, I won’t interfere with you. Even if your mother wants to release you early, I’ll stop her."

"Ten years? Fine."

The noble Holy Dragon’s Son agreed at once. Thus, the characteristics inherited from the Ancestor Dragon began to fade from him. His scales and horns retreated, his wings disappeared, and even his body began to shrink. In the end, only a black-haired boy of about thirteen or fourteen stood in the grand hall, looking somewhat awkward.

"Is this what it feels like to be a mortal?"

Sealed of all power by Noah, Iliad felt an unprecedented weakness and a growing sense of anxiety, as his body felt hollow and unsupported.

"Truly insignificant!"

Iliad looked up at his father, feeling a completely different sensation than before.

He couldn’t even clearly see his father’s appearance. All he could see now was a blazing radiance that flooded every inch of his vision, the Golden Sun, suspended in the palace.

"Living the life of a mortal in my territory is the lowest difficulty challenge in the current world!"

Noah gently waved his Dragon Claw, creating a spatial rift that swallowed Iliad, who had yet to adapt to his mortal form. Before being engulfed by the spatial rift, the Holy Dragon’s Son heard his father’s requirement:

"What lies ahead for you is a survival challenge for mortals. Live well, live as a mortal should. Don’t disappoint me, Iliad."

When the darkness receded, and light reappeared, Iliad found himself in a narrow, dark alley.

The rancid, foul air, the trickling sewage in the corners, and the crawling unidentified insects made the once dignified Holy Dragon’s Son frown.

Despite his unpleasant sensory experience, Iliad felt no regret, let alone thoughts of giving up. Instead, with unsteady steps, he walked out of the alley and into a bustling street.

Even without his powers, Iliad still retained a wealth of knowledge. Although most of this knowledge was now practically useless, language was still applicable.

He quickly found out where he was: still within his father’s territory but at the border, in a town bordering the mountains, where Adventurers were primarily the local population.

"Do I need to start training anew?"

Iliad raised his pale and even tender hand, finding it absurd.

Gurgling~

A gust of evening wind brought intense hunger and coldness. Clearly, as a mortal now, his concerns ought to be about food, clothing, and shelter.

While Iliad struggled for survival in the border town, aiming to become an Apprentice Adventurer, Ophelia, unsurprisingly, sought out Noah to find her missing son.

"Where’s Iliad?"

"He’s undergoing a trial?"

"Whatever trial he’s undergoing should be suspended now to attend class. The teacher I arranged for him has already arrived."

The words of the Great Angel Leader revealed anxiety.

"Let the teacher you invited wait for ten years. After he completes his trial, I’ll send him over."

Noah nonchalantly replied, indifferent.

"Where exactly have you sent him?"

"It’s a secret."

Noah refused to divulge any details.

"Noah, do you know who I’ve arranged to teach him?"

Ophelia’s anger had successfully been provoked.

"No, I suppose not as good as me. Right now, I’m his teacher. You’ve been raising Iliad for twenty years; it’s my turn. Any issues with that?"

"Are you a child?"

The Angel laughed, annoyed by the Golden Dragon.

"Yes, didn’t you know? I’m not even an adult yet."

Noah justified himself confidently.

"..."

The Great Angel Leader stared at Noah silently for a moment before startling him with her words,

"You haven’t sent Iliad to Hell again, have you?"

"How could that be? Why would I send my son to Hell?"

"Naturally, to see your foster father. Did you think I haven’t figured it out by now, that I know nothing?"

"If you know, you know. I never planned to hide it from you, so why get so worked up?"

Noah was slightly surprised but remained outwardly calm, indifferent.

"Though your foster father is quite special, there’s no denying his position as a Hell Lord. I cannot allow my son, a descendant of the Blazing Sky God, to have any association with a Hell Lord. Do you understand?"

"It was just an elder looking after a younger one."

"The equipment your son brought back from Hell, each piece has history. Although they were all stolen by your foster father from other Hell Lords, as gifts, don’t you find it..."

"Perfectly suitable."

Noah interjected his explanation at the right moment.

"Noah, I’m not joking; I’m not playing games with you. My father has already met with your foster father."

"What did your father say?"

Noah changed his posture, lying down more comfortably.

"He said nothing."

"Are you joking?"

"No, my father only gave one comment."

"What?

"Where is Iliad?"

"I can assure you he’s not in Hell."

Seeing Ophelia’s determined look, Noah had to concede a little,

"He’s on my territory."

"My father said he’s a very pure and exceptional warrior."