Ashen Dragon-Chapter 443 - 365 Loyalty Is Not Absolute

Chapter 443: Chapter 365: Loyalty Is Not Absolute Chapter 443 -365: Loyalty Is Not Absolute The players followed the Elder Fire Element across the narrow rocky bridge over the lava pool, arriving at the peak of Balash Volcano.

The reddish-brown tower stood prominently at the volcano’s summit.

The tower was over thirty meters tall, its body made of igneous rock formed from solidified lava, with a surface that had a flowing feel.

Light emanated from the windows and crevices of the tower, accompanied by white steam and gray smoke swirling around.

Red chains coiled around the tower’s exterior, as if binding some massive beast, exuding a sense of powerful beauty.

To build such a magnificent structure in an environment filled with lava and devoid of life was a testament to the terrifying strength of the tower’s master.

“To have it in such a place…”

“It’s so tall!”

“Was this built using magic?”

The players who had passed the trial discussed animatedly.

Summer Night Autumn Rain looked up at the tower, feeling somewhat excited.

“This is it, the legendary Tower of Everflame, the place to advance the hidden occupation——Dragon Pact Warlock.”

“I must succeed in advancing… Oh, may His Majesty Cassius bless me.”

She prayed silently in her heart.

As a female player, she didn’t like the rough, fully dragonified look of the Red Scale Conqueror, but was deeply enchanted by the elegance and nobility of the dragon vein sorcerer.

The delicate small horns on either side of the head, the golden vertical pupils, and the few scales that decorated the eye corners as if they were makeup, all seemed just right.

And the humanoid form of “Ashen Empire’s Emperor” Cassius happened to hit her aesthetic point perfectly.

Dragons, by nature, had an extraordinary charm.

And those with a bloodline connection to dragons, be it humans, elves, or any other beings, were no exception.

Reaching the entrance of the tower, the Elder Fire Element placed his burning fist on the stone door, turned his head, and said in a low voice: “Trialists…

“The master… commands… enter…”

“Boom——”

With the sound of gas escaping, the tall stone door slowly opened, steam and smoke billowing forth, making it hard for the players to keep their eyes open.

“Everyone, quickly go inside.”

“Advancement, here we come!”

“Heh heh, this time our Royalty guild has three magicians who passed the trial; it will surely be foolproof.”

“The strength of the Red Scale Conqueror and the Dragon Sanctuary Holy Knight is already quite high. This Dragon Pact Warlock trial is so abnormal; its strength must be heaven-defying as well!”

The source of this c𝓸ntent is freewebnøvel.coɱ.

“Indeed, it’s the face value of the first magic system advancement occupation!”

“Haha, I wonder what rewards I’ll get from the guild leader after advancing this time. It will surely be worth a lot of money.”

The players’ voices were extremely excited as they began to imagine a bright future.

The Royalty guild was slightly different from other guilds. Their guild leader was not only a formidable player in “Erezer” but also exceptionally wealthy in real life.

This was why Royalty’s players were far more driven than those from other guilds, willing to follow commands unanimously, and with a more noticeable disparity in levels within the guild.

They were not just playing a game; they were making money!

Summer Night Autumn Rain remained silent, cautiously observing the surroundings. The lesson from a player who courted death was right before her eyes.

She had a faint feeling that things were not so simple.

To successfully advance to the hidden occupation, gaining favor from that special female NPC was essential!

“Maybe this isn’t the final trial, and there will be another elimination round.”

Inside the Tower of Everflame was a spacious hall, its reddish-brown walls adorned with grotesque monster heads.

“Trialists…”

“This way…”

The Elder Fire Element led the way, guiding the players up the spiral staircase.

Since the tower had been built recently, its interior lacked much extra decoration, appearing somewhat empty. The second and third floors were almost entirely vacant.

Nonetheless, flames flickered everywhere, with sparks flying, and on certain floors, fire elemental creatures served as attendants.

“This place is fascinating.”

“It really is…”

“Is that a Magma Stone Monster? Can it be tamed? I want one too!”

Without pause, they ascended several levels, eventually reaching the top floor of the Tower of Everflame.

A heavy stone door stood before them, engraved with lifelike images of bipedal wyverns—a symbol along with the fire and vertical pupil emblem.

In the Ashen Empire, only the palace, the Imperial Senate Hall, and other official institutions were qualified to carve the Ashen Emblem on their main gates.

“Arrived…”

“Enter…”

The Elder Fire Element stood guard at the door like an imposing gatekeeper, watching the players coldly.

Even through the thick door, people could feel the top floor’s steam-like heat.

Summer Night Autumn Rain thought: “This should be the top floor of the Tower of Everflame, the mysterious NPC’s residence.”

“And also… the final trial for the Dragon Pact Warlock.”

As they neared their destination, the players grew increasingly excited, their discussions becoming more animated.

“It’s happening, it’s happening!”

“My awesome hidden occupation is coming!”

“Heh heh heh, I’ll boast about this on the forum and make those newbies admire us!”

“Boom——”

The Elder Fire Element pushed the door again.

The final door opened.

Steam and heat surged forth, the smell of sulfur stinging the players’ noses.

As the smoke cleared, the mysterious tower top was revealed, and all the players’ eyes lit up.

“Whoa——”

“This, this is…”

“So wealthy!”

In the spacious room, exquisite statues were placed on either side, portraying the Ashen Empire’s Emperor Cassius in both human and dragon forms.

The human statue on the left wore a royal robe and had a smiling face, nearly perfect in appearance, with slight features of a red dragon, exuding an air of nobility and mystery.

The dragon statue on the right spread its broad wings, seated on a tall throne, looking majestic and solemn. Its dragon eyes looked down with an overwhelming pressure.

Every scale and tooth of the dragon statue was meticulously carved, lifelike in detail.

The two statues faced each other, two sides of the same coin, with intricate carving and luxurious materials—even the golden eyes were inlaid with solid gold balls.

The walls displayed several large, exquisite oil paintings, most depicting well-known stories from within the empire.

From left to right, they were: “The Beginning of the Ashen Nest,” “The Scourge that Destroyed the Legion,” “Battle of Glacier’s Demise,” “Battle of the Twin Dragons,” and “The Coronation of the Ashen Empire’s Emperor”…

In front of the two statues, piles of various treasures, pearls, and jewelry were neatly arranged, with magical equipment sparkling in their glow.

“So much money… There must be tens of thousands of gold coins here!”

“Wow, I’ve never seen so many gold coins in my life.”

“What? Blue gear!”

“That’s nothing, look at that ring! The ring of the Nobility of the Fire Giants! An exotic level accessory!”

“What? This is… purple gear!”

“And that! The Whip of the Elder of the Fire Element! Also an exotic level weapon!”

The players exclaimed repeatedly, almost blinded by the gold and equipment, feeling like they were Grandma Liu visiting the Grand View Garden.

Some players’ voices became filled with greed in the end—these were exotic-level equipment pieces worth thousands of gold coins!

Bringing one back to the guild would certainly make a significant impact!

But Summer Night Autumn Rain thought things were amiss. The room was filled with a familiar aura of “loyalty”——it felt like the work of Cassius’s devout followers.

She frowned slightly.

Could it be… This room is the final trial?

——Vote for monthly tickets——