I Died and Became a Noble's Heir-Chapter 327: Phoenix Feathers

Emberion’s body stretched easily eighty feet from nose to tail, his scales the color of molten rock that had cooled to dark red and black. Each breath sent small plumes of smoke rising from his nostrils, and even in sleep, his orange mana seeped from his body in visible waves.

Jack deactivated Thunder Mantle, the red lightning fading reluctantly. No point waking a sleeping dragon with unnecessary displays of power.

His eyes swept across the summit, taking in details beyond the massive creature. The peak was relatively flat, perhaps a hundred feet across, with cooled lava forming natural platforms and ridges. Steam vents dotted the area, releasing superheated air in irregular bursts.

And there, embedded in the volcanic rock near Emberion’s resting place, glowed pieces of red stone.

Jack’s attention sharpened. He activated Flawed Sight, focusing on the glowing material.

[Pure Emberstone]

[Rare Magical Material]

[Description: Crystallized essence of volcanic fire, found only in the hearts of active volcanoes. Forms when extreme heat and concentrated fire mana combine. Used in high-tier fire-element enhancements and alchemy.] 𝒇𝙧𝙚𝓮𝙬𝙚𝓫𝒏𝓸𝓿𝓮𝒍.𝓬𝙤𝓶

[Note: Requires significant strength to extract. Material is bonded to surrounding rock through magical resonance.]

Jack crept toward the nearest piece of Emberstone, his boots making minimal sound against cooled lava. The stone was embedded deep, only its glowing surface visible, the rest buried in volcanic rock that had hardened around it.

He stopped perhaps ten feet from the material and activated Demonhand.

Black scales erupted from his fingertips, spreading rapidly up his hand, across his wrist, and continuing along his forearm until they reached his shoulder.

After his first transformation, this small transformation caused no more pain.

Jack knelt beside the Emberstone and began digging.

The volcanic rock was dense, hardened over who knew how many years into something approaching the durability of steel. But his demonic claws tore through it like soft clay, each swipe removing chunks of material that clattered away across the summit.

He worked methodically, excavating around the Emberstone rather than trying to pull it free directly. The material was roughly the size of his head, with orange veins throughout the rock.

After several minutes of careful excavation, the first piece came free. Jack lifted it, the Emberstone warm against his palm but not burning, and stored it in his inventory.

[Pure Emberstone acquired]

He moved to the next piece. Then the next. Working his way across the summit, he excavated each glowing stone with the same careful efficiency.

Some were buried deeper than others, requiring more time and effort to extract. But his demonic strength never wavered, his claws never dulled, his focus remaining absolute despite the monotonous nature of the task.

The twentieth piece came free with a satisfying crack, the Emberstone separating from the surrounding rock. Jack stored it away and stood, surveying his work.

Twenty head-sized pieces of Pure Emberstone. Combined with the Molten Lotus Pearls and Fire Elemental Ashes, he now possessed three of the seven materials needed for fire-element fusion.

[Pure Emberstone acquired - Quantity: 20]

Jack deactivated Demonhand, the black scales receding back into his flesh.

Behind him, Emberion shifted.

The dragon’s eyes opened slowly, molten gold irises darted at Jack. Smoke billowed from his nostrils as he breathed more deeply, his massive form rising from its resting position.

"Soul Warden," Emberion’s voice boomed across the summit. "You have returned."

Jack turned to face the dragon, keeping his posture relaxed but ready. "Emberion. I’ve come for answers."

The dragon’s gaze swept across the summit, taking in the excavated areas where Emberstone had been removed. His eyes crinkled with mirth.

"I see you’ve already helped yourself to my volcano’s resources. Malakai would have done the same." Emberion said, a nostalgic smile playing on his lips.

The dragon stretched, his wings unfurling briefly before folding back against his sides. The movement sent waves of heat rolling across the summit.

"I need phoenix feathers," Jack said, getting straight to the point. "You mentioned cooperation was possible."

"Phoenix feathers," Emberion repeated, his molten eyes studying Jack with interest. "For the fire-element fusion you’re planning. How many do you need?"

"As many as you have," Jack replied.

Emberion’s gaze remained fixed on him for a long moment. Then the dragon raised his head slightly and released a sound. It wasn’t quite a roar, not quite a call, but something that could be heard across the whole floor.

"I’ve summoned a phoenix," Emberion said, lowering his head back down. "She’s near the end of her current cycle. Due for rebirth shortly. When she dies, her feathers will fall, and you can collect them."

"How many feathers does each rebirth produce?" Jack asked.

"Approximately forty-five usable feathers per phoenix," Emberion replied. "The timing is fortunate. She was scheduled to undergo rebirth within the day regardless."

Jack nodded.

They waited in silence, the only sounds coming from steam vents hissing and the distant rumble of magma flowing beneath the volcano.

Then, he heard a flutter in the sky. A bird descended, wreathed in flames that trailed behind it like a burning banner. The phoenix was perhaps three feet from wingtip to wingtip, its body composed entirely of fire that burned red and orange.

It landed near Emberion, its flames flickering as it settled onto cooled lava. The phoenix’s head tilted, regarding Jack with eyes that glowed like molten gold.

The dragon looked at the phoenix with benevolence. "She’s served well for this cycle. The rebirth will be quick."

As if responding to Emberion’s words, the phoenix’s flames intensified. Its body blazed brighter, the fire shifting from orange to white-hot brilliance that made Jack squint against the glare.

Then, in a sudden burst, the flames exploded outward.

The phoenix’s body turned to ash instantly, the fire consuming itself in a final conflagration. The creature made no sound and showed no signs of pain.

The ash drifted downward in a gentle shower, settling across the volcanic rock in a gray circle perhaps six feet across.

And falling with the ash, dozens of feathers followed. Each one blazing red, trailing small sparks as they descended. They landed around the ash pile, their glow not diminishing despite no longer being attached to the living phoenix.

Jack moved forward, collecting the feathers carefully. Each one was warm to the touch but didn’t burn his skin. He counted as he gathered them, storing each feather in his inventory with methodical precision.

[Phoenix Feather acquired - Quantity: 45]

"Four of seven materials," Jack said, satisfaction evident in his tone. "Good progress."

"What else did you come for?" Emberion asked, his molten eyes tracking Jack’s movements. "You have the look of someone with more questions."

Jack reached into his inventory and withdrew the gray key. Malakai’s key.

He held it up, the dark metal gleaming in the volcanic light, intricate engravings catching the ambient glow.

"This," Jack said bluntly. "I need to know what it opens. I’ve searched everywhere but can’t find where it goes."

Emberion’s expression changed dramatically. The casual amusement vanished, replaced by something far more serious.

His molten eyes fixed on the key with intensity that made Jack’s instincts prickle with warning.

The dragon leaned forward, his massive head lowering until he was eye-level with Jack. Heat radiated from him in waves that would have been unbearable without Jack’s enhanced vitality.

When Emberion spoke, his voice exuded authority that went beyond mere words.

"Soul Warden," the dragon said quietly, his eyes never leaving the key. "That key doesn’t open a door. It doesn’t unlock a chest or reveal a hidden chamber."

He paused, letting the silence stretch.

"The key goes into your soul."