Ashen Dragon

[God-sealing Dragon (DRAGON ASCENDANT)]

[Occupation Overview: Dragons are undoubtedly one of the most powerful creatures native to the Prime Material Plane. They occupy a unique position in the multiverse ecosystem as the top predators of the Material Plane.

Those who become God-sealing Dragons seek to surpass the limitations of material existence, attempting to stand above all other dragons.

Their advancement in this occupation represents their progress toward their ultimate goal.

God-sealing Dragons are proud and indifferent. They view the journey toward divine ascension as a brutal competition. As they progress, they become increasingly like true gods.]

To qualify for becoming a Dragon of Ascension, a dragon must meet all of the following conditions:

Race: Any True Dragon.

Base Challenge Level: 27+

Special Ritual: Consume the Treasury.

To begin the process of divine ascension, a potential God-sealing Dragon must devour its treasury, transforming all wealth into its own strength, in pursuit of a pure ascension powerful enough to overcome the inherent greed of dragons.

[Note: Once you choose to begin divine ascension, your alignment and beliefs will not change! Your soul will evolve towards the divine direction!]

[Choose to start divine ascension[Yes/No]]

"God-sealing Dragon..."

The Red Dragon Emperor gently licked his lips while carefully browsing through the multitude of information refreshed on the system panel.

Because he had traveled to many Outer Planes and witnessed the great powers of the gods, Cassius was very aware of the vast chasm between gods and mortals.

If the next era arrives and the gods walk the earthly realm in their true forms, given the operating style of the Ashen Empire, if Cassius has not become a god by then, he would surely face complete reckoning.

So, while maintaining the freedom of his soul, Cassius would not miss any opportunity that might allow him to get closer to, or even become a god.

Evidently, the God-sealing Dragon is a near-perfect opportunity to begin his transformation from a mortal to a god, evolving into a pinnacle existence in the multiverse.

With this thought, Cassius unhesitatingly pressed the "Confirm" button.

[You choose to initiate divine ascension and become a God-sealing Dragon!]

Instantly, a long dragon roar echoed in the sky, as if tens of thousands of giant dragons were raising their heads and singing ancient Draconic hymns.

A dazzling light descended from the heavens, enveloping Cassius' vast body. An intangible force surged into the depths of his soul, yet many mottled impurities remained—those were the dragon's very nature, the greed for gold and jewelry.

Swallow your treasures!

Eliminate your greed!

Expel the inferiority of dragons, and transform into a true god!

An inexplicable voice emerged in Cassius' heart, continuously calling, urging with urgency.

Cassius thought to himself, "Luckily, I had already transferred most of my personal assets to the treasury of the Ashen Empire. The treasury in Dragon Blood Mountain should only contain over a million Ginnar."

The Red Dragon Emperor tore through space, directly arriving at the interior of Dragon Blood Mountain, reaching his treasury where gold coins piled like mountains, pearls and gemstones resembled oceans, and countless magic-illuminated equipment lay, enough to make adventurers risk their lives and plunge into madness.

But for the Ashen Empire's Emperor, who owned the entire northern part of Fianso, this was merely a trivial fraction.

"So...let's begin."

Cassius took a deep breath, and a scorching and vast current rushed toward his massive maw, forming a huge vortex in his mouth, creating a fierce storm around his body.

Under this powerful attraction, streams of gold coins and jewels formed surging torrents, continuously flowing into the Red Dragon Emperor's mouth, stirring up a gleaming golden storm around him.

In a mere moment, wealth enough to purchase a small country was fully engulfed by Cassius, broken down by that unknown power.

Soon, flowing gold surged from the crevices between Cassius' scales, resembling tiny wriggling snakes, progressively enveloping the scales, generating a thick golden coating inlaid with pearls and gemstones, emitting a faint spell radiance.

As more and more treasures were absorbed, the coating expanded, growing thicker, ultimately forming a large golden cocoon inscribed with intricate patterns, enveloping the Red Dragon Emperor within.

"That should be the end..." Cassius mused, feeling the precious metals covering his body, as his soul gradually purified.

Unexpectedly, the panel again displayed a prompt.

[Note: The treasury of a God-sealing Dragon must have at least the value of ten thousand gold coins, but the dragon cannot choose to eat exactly ten thousand gold coins and leave the rest—it must consume the entire treasury.]

"There's such a condition, indeed a stringent requirement. If I were a native giant dragon, I might abandon at this juncture." Cassius couldn't help but lament while observing the panel's demand.

"In that case, I shall adhere to the requirements, consuming all my treasures!"

The Red Dragon Emperor opened his dragon claws, a variety of magic equipment flew out from his body, hovering above his palms.

The Eye of the Storm King, Eternal Frost Horn, Chrono Pocket Watch, Beheading Scimitar, Fire Giant Spirit Noble Ring, Golden Dragon's Guardian, Magic Invalid Protection Talisman...

These pieces of equipment, which once played vital roles for Cassius, even saving his life, appeared before him, their spell radiance mingling, dazzling to the eyes.

Cassius first picked up the splendid blue gemstone and swallowed it. Instantly, lightning and thunder flourished around him, dark clouds billowed, and his entire being entwined with brilliant electric arcs.

Subsequently, the red dragon picked up the horn inscribed with ancient runes, putting it in his mouth and crushing it. All of a sudden, cold winds howled, snow filled the sky, and his massive dragon body was enveloped in cold air, exuding biting chill.

Cassius then took out the pocket watch gifted by the Chrono Dragon and consumed it. In an instant, winds rose and clouds surged, space distorted, the flow of time constantly changing, extremely chaotic, as if trapped in a whirlpool.

Beheading Scimitar, Fire Giant's Ring, Golden Dragon's Guardian...with intense magical reactions, each precious piece of equipment was devoured by the red dragon.

But what's particularly miraculous is that the capabilities and effects of these equipment did not vanish, instead transforming by that intangible force, surging into Cassius, becoming his own exclusive abilities!

Cassius narrowed his eyes slightly, his pale golden pupils aglow with fire, gazing somewhat delightedly at his own panel.

"This is...turns out this isn't merely consumption, but the God-sealing Dragon's extreme and pure pursuit of individual power!"

The equipment tab vanished, replaced by new specialty traits:

[Treasure of the God-sealing Dragon]: When you consume your own treasures during the divine ascension ritual, you gain the effects of all the magic equipment devoured, along with additional enhancements.

[Golden Body]: Having devoured over a million gold coins, you can temporarily transform your body into pure gold, gaining a +2 armor bonus and immunity to all control effects.

[Storm Monarch's Authority]: Gained from the Eye of the Storm King, you can freely control thunder and ride storms.

[Eternal Frost Rune Power]: Gained from the Eternal Frost Rune Horn, you can unleash blizzards, creating a land of ice and snow.

[Power of Time Mastery]: Gained from the Chrono Pocket Watch, you can manipulate the flow of time within a limited area, speeding up, slowing down, or even pausing time, and can release a time-freezing cage.

[Beheading Dragon Claw]: Gained from the Beheading Scimitar, you imbue the power of slaying into your claw blade, making your claw attacks carry a decapitation effect, causing instant death damage to enemies...