In the boundless void, an enormous island drifted silently, its vast expanse stretching beyond the reach of mortal sight. A faint silver bowl-shaped barrier hung in the sky above it, curving downward like an inverted dome to shield the entire isle.
Suddenly, from the majestic purple-gold palace at the island's heart, a series of earth-shaking dragon roars erupted. The sound rolled across the land like heavenly thunder, carrying an aura of supreme dominance and ineffable nobility that made every living soul on the island tremble.
All activity ceased. Every dragon on the isle looked up in astonishment.
"Buzz! Buzz! Buzz!"
Spatial tremors rippled through the grand hall as several figures tore open the void and emerged. Their eyes locked onto the center of the hall, bodies quivering with uncontainable excitement and ecstatic joy.
Before them stood nine lifelike dragons of varying colors, carved from some unknown divine material, coiled protectively around a compass-like artifact. The dragons appeared almost alive, as though they might surge forward at any moment.
The compass itself was engraved with intricate purple-gold dragon patterns, its body seemingly formed by several spiraling draconic figures. At its center rested a black-purple mirror-like surface. Within that mirror swam two purple dragons—one large, one small. Though they appeared tiny, the moment one gazed upon them, an endless void seemed to unfold, and the dragons themselves grew immeasurably vast—an eerie and awe-inspiring sight.
The resounding dragon roar had come from the smaller dragon's mouth, while the larger one lay motionless, as if conveying some profound message.
"The Royal Blood Spirit Disc has awakened… This means the Dragon Emperor's bloodline has finally returned to the world," murmured the eldest among them—the Great Elder—his voice trembling with emotion. His ancient eyes fixed upon the small purple dragon phantom, brimming with tears of overwhelming joy.
The other elders trembled as well, their hearts pounding with long-suppressed elation.
Over a thousand years had passed. At last, they had witnessed the return of the true Dragon Emperor's bloodline. Countless dragons had turned to withered bones while waiting for this very day.
"Great Elder, we must bring the royal bloodline back to Dragon Island at once!" one elder stepped forward urgently. "We cannot allow Her Highness to wander the Central Continent any longer. If the other three Dragon Islands learn of this, it will bring nothing but harm!"
"Second Elder speaks true," another elder in white robes added gravely. "Ever since the Dragon Emperor vanished, certain royal bloodlines developed treacherous ambitions. That cataclysmic battle shattered Dragon Island into four fragments, creating the present situation of four separate Dragon Isles. Many who could no longer bear the internal strife left our homeland to wander the endless void."
A more robust elder continued, eyes glistening with unshed tears and voice heavy with worry:
"Third Elder is absolutely right. Great Elder, this matter brooks no delay! The outside world is fraught with danger, and we do not yet know the current strength of the royal bloodline. If any misfortune befalls Her Highness, we shall become the greatest sinners in the history of the Ancient Dragon Clan—unable to face our ancestors even in death!"
The Great Elder understood the gravity all too well. "I know the urgency of locating Her Highness, yet we cannot act rashly or draw attention. I have already ordered the complete lockdown of Dragon Island. No one and nothing may enter or leave."
He then called into the void, "Hei Qing!"
Space rippled at his command. A towering, iron-built middle-aged man emerged, his presence radiating raw power.
"Hei Qing greets the Elders!" The man bowed deeply, his rough voice echoing through the hall. After rising, he looked toward the Great Elder. "Great Elder, what are your instructions?"
"Now that the Dragon Emperor's bloodline has appeared, take your most trusted subordinates and bring Her Highness back immediately. Conceal your movements at all costs. Under no circumstances may the other three Dragon Islands discover her! Failure will be punished according to clan law!"
Hei Qing's massive frame trembled. Disbelief and wild joy surged through him. The Dragon Emperor's bloodline—those sacred words he had only heard in legends. Every soul on East Dragon Island had devoted their lives to searching for the Dragon Emperor and his descendants.
Without waiting for Hei Qing's reaction, the Great Elder forced out a drop of his own blood essence. It fell onto one of the nine guardian dragons. The carved dragon opened its maw and fired a beam of light onto the compass. A fragment immediately detached from the artifact and floated toward the Great Elder.
He placed the metallic shard—forged from an unknown divine alloy—into Hei Qing's hands.
"This is the Dragon Seeking Fragment. It will guide you straight to the royal bloodline. Success is your only outcome. Failure is not permitted!"
Hei Qing received the fragment with both hands, his palms shaking uncontrollably. The moment he touched it, he felt the weight of generations of hope settle upon his shoulders.
"Yes, Great Elder! Even if I must sacrifice this life, I will complete the mission!"
"Go!"
The Great Elder waved his hand. Hei Qing cupped his fists once more and vanished from the hall.
After Hei Qing departed, the Great Elder turned to the white-robed elder. "Zhuli, follow Hei Qing in secret. Protect the royal bloodline at all costs."
"Yes!" Zhuli answered in a deep, resolute voice. He understood the unspoken command—this was the hope they had all clung to for centuries. His figure slowly merged into space and disappeared without a trace.
"From this moment onward, all elders and commanders are forbidden from entering closed-door cultivation. Remain battle-ready at all times. At the first sign of trouble, provide immediate support!"
The Great Elder's gaze swept sharply across the remaining elders.
"We respectfully obey the Great Elder's command!"
The elders bowed deeply and withdrew, leaving only the Great Elder standing alone within the majestic palace.
"I only hope Her Highness can be found swiftly…" he sighed, eyes fixed on the small purple dragon swimming within the compass. The Central Continent was vast. Even with the Dragon Seeking Fragment's guidance, the journey would take time. He could only pray that everything unfolded under the protection of the heavens.
The ancient island continued its silent drift through the endless void, yet an invisible tide of destiny had already begun to surge.