Defeat the entire world with the power of one dragon!

Chapter 566 Reversing the Heavenly Gang, Destiny Challenges the Crown

Reinhardt had been standing on the streets of the Red Emperor's City for a long time.

He was wearing a drab gray cloak with the hood pulled low, covering most of his face.

Pedestrians passed by him, occasionally glancing at him but quickly looking away. In this city, people like him were not common, but not unusual either; no one would pay attention to a silent stranger.

Even though he was once very famous, no one recognizes him now.

Reinhardt wandered aimlessly down the street, his gaze sweeping over both sides.

Shops lined the streets, and crowds thronged the area.

Intelligent beings of various races live together in this city, and their appearances and forms vary greatly.

Goblins hurried by riding small golems, kobolds carried baskets to select fruits and vegetables, centaurs patrolled and galloped with their iron hooves flying, and kobolds nimbly weaved through the crowd.

The air was filled with the aroma of food, mixed with various sounds, creating a vibrant and bustling scene.

Just then, an cannibal selling barbecue pushed his food cart past him.

Several little werewolves surrounded the car, baring their teeth and drooling, vying to buy it. They huddled together, their furry paws outstretched, making urgent whimpering sounds.

“Wolf cubs, don’t rush, don’t rush.”

The cannibal grilled the meat skewers, sprinkled them with salt and other spices, and a rich aroma immediately spread.

He handed over the meat skewers one by one, took the copper coins, and then casually stroked the head of a wolf cub. The wolf cub squinted its eyes and wagged its tail as it was stroked.

Reinhardt looked at one of the little werewolves.

He took the skewer and took a big bite, eating so fast that his face turned pale, and he didn't even bother to wipe the meat juice running down the corner of his mouth.

Another adult werewolf walked over; he was probably his father. He lowered his head and said something.

The wolf cub immediately raised the meat skewer and brought it to its father's mouth, while the father wolf pried all the meat off and ate it, chewing a few times before swallowing it.

The little one was stunned.

First, it stared blankly at its empty paws, then it bared its teeth and howled, its voice sharp and bright.

The wolf father laughed heartily, revealing a mouthful of sharp teeth. He then took out money to buy a kebab, stuffed it into the cub's mouth, and then lifted the cub up, letting it ride on his shoulders.

The little boy immediately stopped crying, happily munching on a meat skewer while still tugging at his father's ear.

The wolf father carried him on his back and gradually disappeared into the crowd, leaving only his laughter fading into the distance.

"Ferocious, ruthless, and predatory."

Reinhardt recalled the knowledge he had learned in his childhood.

The descriptions of werewolves in those books portray them as ferocious beasts, saying that they eat raw meat and drink blood, are cruel and ruthless, kill anyone they see, and have no reason whatsoever.

At that time, he believed it to be true and thought that werewolves were monsters.

But later, he learned that werewolves were originally humans who had transformed, perhaps through a failed magical experiment or some kind of curse, but there was a close connection between werewolves and humans.

Even after transforming into a werewolf, which makes them even more ferocious, their intelligence is in no way inferior to that of humans.

They have their own families and emotions, and are not the mindless ferocious beasts that most people imagine. Their fierce and cruel behavior is also because most werewolf tribes are nomadic and survive in the wilderness. Humans would not be much more civilized in the same situation.

As Reinhardt watched the werewolf father and son disappear, he suddenly thought of his own father.

His father rarely smiled.

In his memory, that face was always serious.

With a furrowed brow, stern gaze, and lips pressed into a thin line, he would drag him out of bed before dawn every day and force him to practice swordsmanship in the courtyard.

In winter, his hands were so cold they turned red, and he could barely hold a sword.

The father watched silently until the sword was picked up and the sword was gripped tightly again, at which point the father would nod slightly.

"You are the hope of our family."

My father always said, "You can't slack off, you can't let the family down."

Reinhardt was still young at that time and did not understand what the family's hope was.

All he knew was that he didn't want to disappoint his father, because when his father was disappointed, his face would look even uglier, his brows would furrow more deeply, and his gaze would be colder. That silent stare was more unbearable than any scolding.

His father never praised him either.

He had beaten his peers for the first time and expected praise, but his father only gave a cold "hmm."

Even when he entered the legendary ranks as a teenager, causing a sensation throughout Theo and attracting countless congratulatory crowds, his father simply nodded and said, "Not bad."

Later, he became Theo's hope.

Everyone said he was a genius, the light of Theo, a hero who could lead the kingdom to revival and overthrow the Red Iron Dragon's tyranny.

The overwhelming praise made him somewhat intoxicated, but it was on his most triumphant night that danger quietly approached.

As he pondered whether to accept the challenge, his father arrived.

That night, his father had his first heart-to-heart talk with him and smiled at him for the first time.

My father said, "How could you lose? You are the most talented person I have ever seen." He added, "I will watch you, and I will be proud of you."

That was the first time he had ever seen his father smile.

This is also the last time.

Looking back now, I realize that my father never intended for him to turn back once he pushed him onto this path.

Reinhardt closed his eyes and took a deep breath.

Some memories are very old for a human being.

More than a hundred years is enough time for most of the past to become blurred and faded, but now when I think about it, it is still vivid in my mind, as clear as if it happened yesterday.

He continued walking forward.

The streets are getting wider and the buildings are getting taller.

This should be the central area of ​​the Crimson Emperor's City, where the flow of people is more concentrated. Here, you can even see some tall golems standing on street corners, silently watching the crowds coming and going.

They are covered in runes and occasionally patrol the streets with heavy steps.

However, the liveliness here has nothing to do with Reinhardt.

He was lost in his memories, thinking of the former King Theo.

After his investiture ceremony, he was invited to the royal court.

The sun was shining brightly that day, and a gentle breeze was blowing.

The old king took his hand and stood on the palace balcony, pointing to the street outside, saying, "Reinhardt, look at the people living here. They are my people, and they will be your people too."

"Theo's future rests on your shoulders."

Young Reinhardt, with a solemn expression and a resolute voice, declared that he would not disappoint expectations and would certainly protect the kingdom and its people.

The old king patted him on the shoulder, his eyes full of satisfaction.

A memory flashed through his mind, and he recalled his last meeting with the old king.

At that time, he was on the verge of death, covered in blood and mud, his body pierced by arrows from Aura's Edge, and countless arrow beams were still raging inside him.

My whole body is in pain.

Every muscle, every bone, every cell is screaming in pain.

He did not wail or struggle due to the pain.

He was heartbroken and only wanted to wait quietly for death. Occasionally, he would let out a few low growls like a wild dog due to the pain, suppressed and numb.

At that time, he didn't want to think about anything, didn't want to do anything, and just wanted to close his eyes and end it all.

It was at this moment that the king's aged face appeared before him.

He struggled to sit up, but could only lie helplessly on the stretcher, saying in a hoarse voice that he had failed the king's expectations and begged for his forgiveness.

Tears streamed down her cheeks, mingling with the blood.

The king, with tears in his eyes, held his hand tightly and said, "Reinhardt, my poor child, it is I who should beg for forgiveness. I shouldn't have put you on the stage so early, I shouldn't have placed such a heavy burden on you. You are still a child."

"Go away, go far away."

"Forget your former identity and start a new life. As for Theo, remember that you owe nothing to this kingdom. Put down your burdens and live your own life."

Afterwards, the king spared no expense to treat him and secretly sent him out of Theo.

After leaving Theo, Reinhardt considered letting go of the past and starting a new life, but his heart was always tightly bound by guilt, like a thorn stuck deep inside.

On the one hand, he knew that he was not omnipotent and not good at governing the country. The revival of the kingdom could not be achieved by one person alone; it required far too many things.

But on the other hand, he finds it difficult to completely give it up.

Those expectant gazes, praising voices, and hopeful faces always appeared before him in the dead of night. He felt that he had let down too many people, betrayed the king's trust, and failed the hopes of the entire kingdom.

Later, he went to Orotra.

He went to the most dangerous places and did the craziest things.

He once battled giant beasts in the deep sea, staining the waters red with blood; he faced storms alone atop snow-capped mountains; he searched for lost relics deep in the desert…

He survived each time, and each time he became stronger.

Until one can no longer become stronger, reaching the limit of this body.

He is back.

He still can't let go of Theo.

At first, Reinhardt thought that whether it was fighting or negotiating, he would fight for the freedom of the people of Theo.

He thought that even if it cost him his life, he had to do something, but he didn't expect to see Theo who was completely different from the Theo he had imagined.

revival?

Ah, under the leadership of the Kingdom of Aura, Theo's strength far surpasses its historical peak.

The city is more prosperous, the people are wealthier, the streets are cleaner, and the order is better. It is already on a wide and glorious path, growing stronger day by day, and the people are filled with pride. How can we talk about revitalization?
He stood on Theo Street, watching the passersby and seeing the smiles on their faces, and suddenly felt relieved.

It was at this moment that the gloom that had been building up for years finally began to dissipate, revealing a crack.

Light shone in.

The threshold between him and destiny, which had been like a mountain pressing down on him, so heavy that it was unshakable, suddenly became clear and within reach.

He finally understood that what was holding him back was nothing but those obsessions he couldn't let go of.

However, it still fell short by a little bit.

A pair of cold, indifferent vertical pupils lingered in his mind, refusing to leave.

Every night, when all was quiet, those eyes would appear, looking down at him from above, making him toss and turn, unable to sleep.

That was the Red Emperor.

No, and it's not just the Red Emperor.

What truly held him back was himself.

He was the child who was strictly disciplined by his father, living in expectations since childhood; he was the genius who carried the hopes of the whole country, being praised too high; he was the loser who was severely damaged before even seeing the Red Emperor, whose confidence completely collapsed; he was the coward who fled to another continent to eke out a living, and could never face the past.

All sorts of emotions intertwined, coalescing into a giant beast coiled in his heart, tormenting him day and night.

Therefore, Reinhardt came to the Red Emperor's City.

He walked through the increasingly wide streets and finally came to a huge square, in the center of which stood a statue of the Red Emperor. He stopped and looked at the statue.

It is more lifelike and expressive than the statues in Theo.

Every scale is clearly visible, every horn is curved just right, and every muscle line is full of power.

The dragon raised its head and lowered its eyes, as if looking down over the entire city.

Reinhardt gazed intently at the statue and exhaled a long breath.

Then, he started walking again.

He didn't come here to see a statue.

He wanted to see the real Red Emperor, to face this Crimson Emperor, Cangxing, directly.

It wasn't for revenge, or to prove anything, or even to overcome fear; it was simply because he needed a period, an ending, a ritual that would allow him to truly let go of the past.

He was about to confront the colossal beast that had haunted his dreams for most of his life in reality.

Even die.

Even if it means being shattered to pieces.

Even the sword couldn't be drawn.

He was going no matter what.

The surrounding sounds suddenly became clear, and the sunlight shone on him, warm and comforting. The hustle and bustle, the noise and the coming and going of the crowds, all suddenly became real.

Reinhardt looked up at the sky.

A few white clouds drifted across the azure sky. At the horizon, the magnificent Dragon Court stood like a spectacle, soaring into the clouds. It was the highest point in the city, the closest place to the sky, and also the place where the Red Emperor spent his daily life.

Reinhardt took another step.

His pace quickened, and he gradually raised his head, walking towards the Dragon Court.

The towering buildings gleamed with a metallic sheen in the sunlight, and huge platforms extended upwards in layers. On each layer, giant dragons coiled and rose, their wings spreading out to blot out the sky and landing on the ground, causing the ground to tremble slightly.

The higher you go, the fewer dragons there are, but they are larger and have a stronger aura.

At the very top, it is hidden in the clouds and cannot be seen clearly.

Reinhardt stood at the foot of the Dragon Court, raised his head, and looked up at the unseen summit.

Dragons around him had already noticed him.

Several young Aura dragons hovered in mid-air, coldly watching him, but he ignored them, simply standing there, quietly gazing upwards.

A few seconds later, Reinhardt took a step.

hum!
With this step, the world changed drastically.

The clear sky seemed to be suddenly gripped tightly by an invisible hand, and the brilliant sunshine was extinguished in an instant.

Thick, dark clouds surged in from all directions, churning and roaring, gathering into a dark curtain that blotted out the sky above the Dragon Court, layer upon layer, pressing down very low, as if you could reach out and touch it.

Several young Aura dragons hovering low in the sky let out a roar of alarm and anger, the sound shaking the surrounding area.

But the next moment, the roar got stuck in his throat.

An aura that was infinitely close to destiny and was still rising spread out, rendering them unable to move.

Their wings were stiffly spread, their bodies suspended in mid-air, unable to even blink, their oppressive aura pressing down on every single scale.

Reinhardt raised his head, his cloak hood blown off by the gale, revealing a weathered face.

At his age, he could be considered young in the legends, far from being old, but his face was already etched with wrinkles.

His temples were gray, his eyes were sunken, his skin was rough, and his lips were chapped.

This is a face weathered by time, etched with the marks of years.

But he took another step.

The second step.

boom!
It was like an invisible hurricane exploding, sweeping away the surrounding dust and rubble.

Reinhardt straightened his back a little, the wrinkles on his face faded a bit, and golden light began to reappear in his hair, like sunlight piercing through dark clouds.

Several giant dragons swooped down from a higher platform, filled with anger and vigilance.

But they still find it difficult to get close.

Their power grew stronger and stronger, like an invisible wall that kept them out, forcing them to hover on the periphery.

Reinhardt continued walking.

As he took the third step, a faint light began to emanate from his body, pure and intense, as if something was burning within him. The light shone through his skin, growing brighter and brighter.

Lightning began to dance in the dark clouds, and silvery-white flashes of electricity illuminated half of his face.

As you can see, his face has become younger at a visible speed; his eye sockets are no longer sunken, his wrinkles have receded like a tide, and his skin has become firm and radiant again.

Step 4.

Rumble!
A thunderbolt struck, shattering the sky with a burst of lightning.

Countless bolts of lightning rolled and roared in the sea of ​​clouds, silver snakes danced wildly, illuminating the entire sky. The celestial phenomena underwent violent changes, with howling winds, surging dark clouds, and a mix of thunder and lightning.

At this moment, Reinhardt's golden hair completely replaced his gray hair, becoming thick and shiny again, fluttering in the wind.

His back was straight as a sword, and every muscle was being reshaped.

Reinhardt lifted his foot, leaving it suspended in mid-air.

After a brief pause, it fell again.

boom!
Suddenly, the light around him exploded, as if the sun had shattered.

In that instant, the entire Dragon Court was illuminated.

The dragons circling in the sky instinctively closed their eyes, some even being forced back by the light. When they opened their eyes again, they saw a young boy of about seventeen or eighteen years old.

Kim's hair was radiant, with sharp eyebrows and eyes, a straight back like a sword, and an aura of fierce purity emanating from him.

He stood at the foot of the Dragon Court, looking up at the sky.

The weariness and vicissitudes of life had faded from his face, leaving only the youthful vigor and sharp edge that once belonged to him.

Reinhardt's steps, seemingly slow yet incredibly fast, appeared to happen in the blink of an eye, as if he were taking a leisurely stroll, effortlessly breaking through to his destiny. But only he knew what lay behind those steps.

Year after year of torment and pain, countless sleepless nights, and unspeakable agony.

"Human, how dare you trespass into the Dragon Court! You are courting death!"

In the sky, the furious Aura Dragon roared, but even the might of destiny failed to frighten the dragons of this place.

Reinhardt ignored them.

He raised his head and looked up at the top of the Dragon Court, which was hidden above the clouds. He knew that the one he wanted to see was there, perhaps looking down at him.

He took a deep breath, looked up, and said, "I request an audience with His Majesty Ignatius."

The voice paused slightly, then rang out again, each word distinct: "Human Reinhard challenges you."

With the mandate of heaven, he challenges the throne.

Those unaware of the situation might think that the Grand rank is a higher realm than Destiny, or that the young man has gone mad, but Reinhardt knows exactly what he is doing.

He wasn't doing it to win, he was just facing it.

Within the thick, dark clouds, the dragons looked down at the tiny figure. Their eyes showed little emotion; they were simply looking at it as if it were a dead man.

But Reinhardt ignored those stares.

He looked up, waiting for a response.

The wait wasn't long.

After a few seconds of silence, a deep voice came from the top of the Dragon Court, piercing through the clouds and thunder, and clearly reaching his ears.

"Come up."

Two simple words, yet they conveyed no emotion.

Reinhardt flashed a bright smile.

Then, without further hesitation, he leaped up and resolutely flew above the dense dark clouds.

(End of this chapter)