Ember Dragon

DRAGON ASCENDANT

[Professional Introduction: Dragons are undoubtedly one of the most powerful creatures native to the main material plane. They occupy a unique position in the ecology of the multiverse and are the top predators of the material plane.

Those who become deified dragons seek to transcend the limitations of material existence, attempting to rise above all other dragons.

Their progression through the ranks of this profession represents their progress toward their ultimate goal.

Apotheodic dragons are proud and aloof, viewing the journey toward divine ascension as a brutal competition, becoming more and more like true gods as they progress.]
To qualify as an Ascended Dragon, a dragon must meet all of the following criteria:
Race: Any true dragon.

Basic Challenge Rating: 27+
Special Ritual: Eat the Treasure.

To begin the process of divine ascension, a potential apotheosis must consume its hoard, channeling all its riches into its own power in a quest for ascension pure enough to outweigh the dragon's natural greed.

[Note: Once you decide to start the holy ascension, your alignment and beliefs will not change! Your soul will develop in the direction of the gods!]
[Do you choose to start the holy ascension [Yes/No]]
"The Dragon of the Gods."

The Red Dragon Emperor licked his lips gently and carefully browsed the many pieces of information refreshed on the system panel.

Because he had traveled to many outer planes and witnessed the power of gods, Cassius was well aware of the huge gap between gods and mortals.

If the next era comes, the gods will walk the earth in their true form. According to the style of the Burning Empire, if Cassius has not become a god by then, he will be thoroughly liquidated.

Therefore, on the premise of maintaining the freedom of his soul, Cassius would not miss any opportunity to get close to or even become a god.

Obviously, this Deified Dragon is a nearly perfect opportunity, which can be the beginning of his transformation from a mortal to a god, and into the pinnacle existence of the multiverse.

Thinking of this, Cassius pressed the "OK" button without hesitation.

[You choose to start the sacred ascension and become the Dragon of Gods!]
In an instant, long dragon roars resounded through the sky, as if tens of thousands of giant dragons were raising their heads and roaring, chanting ancient dragon language songs.

A dazzling light descended from the sky, enveloping Cassius's huge body. An invisible force was surging into the depths of his soul, but there were still many mottled impurities remaining in his soul - that was the nature of dragons, the greed for gold coins and jewels.

Swallow your treasure!

Eliminate your greed!

Get rid of the bad qualities of dragons and transform into true gods!

An inexplicable voice appeared in Cassius' heart, constantly calling and urging him anxiously.

Cassius secretly thought: "Fortunately, I have already transferred most of my private assets to the treasury of the Burning Empire. There should be only more than one million gold nars in the treasure house of Dragon Blood Mountain."

The Red Dragon Emperor tore through space and came directly to the interior of Dragon Blood Mountain and his own treasury, where gold coins piled up like mountains, pearls and gems were like oceans, and there were countless equipments sparkling with magical brilliance, which were enough to drive adventurers to pieces and drive them crazy.

But for the Burning Emperor, who owns the entire northern part of Feanso and is rich enough to rival a country, this is just a tiny part.

"Then... let's get started."

Cassius took a deep breath, and a hot and powerful airflow rushed towards his bloody mouth, forming a huge vortex in his mouth and a violent storm around his body. Under this powerful attraction, the gold coins and jewels formed a turbulent torrent, pouring into the Red Dragon Emperor's mouth continuously, and also set off a glittering golden storm around him.

In just a moment, all the wealth, enough to buy a small country, entered Cassius's stomach and was decomposed by the unknown force.

Soon, flowing gold flowed out from the gaps between Cassius' scales. The gold was like swimming little snakes, gradually covering the scales and forming a thick golden coating on the red dragon's body, inlaid with pearls and gems, emitting a faint magical glow.

As more and more treasures were absorbed, the coating continued to expand and become thicker, eventually forming a giant golden cocoon covered with intricate patterns, wrapping the Red Dragon Emperor inside.

"This should be the end," Cassius thought as he felt the precious metal covering his body and his soul becoming gradually purer.

Unexpectedly, the prompt text appeared on the panel again.

[Note: The treasure hoard of the Conferred God Dragon must be worth at least 100,000 gold coins, but the dragon cannot choose to eat exactly 100,000 gold coins and leave the rest - it must eat the entire hoard.]
"There are actually such conditions. They are really demanding. If I were a native dragon, I would probably give up at this level." Looking at the requirements on the panel, Cassius couldn't help but sigh.

"In that case, I will do as you ask and eat all my treasures!"

The Red Dragon Emperor opened his claws, and various magical equipment flew out from his body and hovered above his claws.

Eye of the Storm King, Horn of Everfrost, Pocket Watch of Time, Scimitar of Decapitation, Noble Ring of Fire Giant, Guardian of the Golden Dragon, Amulet of Magic Invalidation.
These equipments, which had once played an important role for Cassius and even saved his life, were presented before him. The magical auras complemented each other, making it a feast for the eyes.

Cassius first picked up the gorgeous blue gem and swallowed it into his stomach. In an instant, lightning and thunder flashed all around, dark clouds rolled, and the red dragon's body was wrapped in dazzling lightning.

Then, the red dragon picked up the horn engraved with ancient runes, put it into its mouth and bit it into pieces. In an instant, the cold wind howled, frost and snow filled the sky, and the huge dragon body was wrapped in the cold air, emitting bursts of biting chill.

Cassius took out the pocket watch given by the Time Dragon and swallowed it. In an instant, the surroundings were turbulent, the space was distorted, and the flow of time kept changing, becoming extremely chaotic, as if he was caught in a turbulent flow.

The beheading scimitar, the fire giant ring, and the protection of the golden dragon were accompanied by violent magical reactions, and one precious equipment after another was swallowed by the red dragon.

But what is particularly magical is that the abilities and effects of these equipment did not disappear, but were transformed by the invisible force, flowing into Cassius' body and turning into abilities that belonged only to the Red Dragon Emperor himself!

Cassius narrowed his eyes slightly, with fire surging in his light golden pupils, and stared at his own panel with some surprise.

"This is... It turns out that this is not a simple consumption, but the ultimate and pure pursuit of individual power by the Conferred God Dragon!"

The equipment bar disappears, replaced by new expertise features:
[Treasure of the God-conferring Dragon]: When you eat your own treasure during the sacred ascension ceremony, you will gain the effects of all the magic equipment you devoured and receive additional benefits.

[Golden Body]: You have devoured more than one million gold coins. You can temporarily turn your body into pure gold, gain a +2 armor bonus, and become immune to all control effects.

[Power of the Storm Lord]: With the power gained from the Eye of the Storm Lord, you can manipulate thunder and control storms at will.

[Power of the Everfrost Rune]: Gained from the Everfrost Rune Horn, you can release wind and snow to create a world of ice and snow.

[Power of Time]: An ability gained from the time pocket watch. You can manipulate the flow of time within a certain range, fast forward, slow down, or even pause time, and release the cage of frozen time.

[Beheading Dragon Claw]: Ability gained from the Beheading Scimitar. You attach the power of killing to the claw blade. Your claw attack will have a beheading effect, causing instant death damage to the enemy. (End of this chapter)