Three weeks passed quietly, but according to Daniel’s orders, all preparations, plans, and instructions were carried out quickly and without interruption, one after another, or were already in progress.
The most important matter was gaining legitimacy among the dragons for the position of leadership. He had the Goddess’s approval, but before making any official announcement, he wanted to build his own standing among the dragons.
Just as he had requested, the narratives, revelations, and prophecies were gradually spread among the dragons by the elders and the Dragon Empress.
At first, the dragons were shocked. But little by little, they began to accept it, and it did not take long before they even became excited for the appearance of their new leader.
They were naturally a proud and arrogant race. Living in isolation and outside the world for so many years had not pleased most of them.
But when they considered that this was the Goddess’s command, and that until a new leader was chosen they could not show their greatness to the world again, they had no choice but to remain silent.
Now, however, a new leader was about to appear among them. A leader who would guide them to glory. Of course, excitement and joy spread among them.
Statues of Daniel were even built across Dragon Valley, based on the elders’ descriptions of his facial features. The statues were so magnificent that they made the dragons even more captivated.
They could not wait for their new leader to appear, and fortunately, it did not take long before the First Elder announced the time of his descent.
And that day was today.
On the largest floating island in Dragon Valley, tens of thousands of dragons had gathered. It would not be an exaggeration to say that more than 99 percent of the entire race was present.
Considering the vast size of this private dimension and how ancient this race was, one might expect their numbers to be much higher.
However, because of their immense power, reproduction among dragons was extremely difficult and sometimes impossible. This was also a kind of balance shaped by the world itself.
"Haha, today we can finally witness the Eternal Lord’s presence!"
"I can’t wait to see him! I never got to see the Goddess in my life, but at least before I die I can see the new leader!"
"I heard the Goddess chose him because of his immense potential and power!"
"The rumors say even ten elders together couldn’t leave a scratch on him!"
A lot of noise filled the air among the dragons. Of course, there were many exaggerated rumors as well.
At the very center, where all the dragons had formed a massive circle, a grand platform stood.
This was the platform where the Lord of Dragons was supposed to descend. According to the legends told by the elders, the Lord would descend from heaven into the mortal world.
The ten elders and the Dragon Empress stood in the front row, their eyes fixed on the platform. Just by looking at the crowd’s excitement, it was clear that their Lord’s instructions had truly succeeded.
"I didn’t expect the Lord to plan something like this," the Third Elder muttered.
"The dragons haven’t even seen him yet, and he already holds a position like a god among them. What will happen when he appears?" the Fifth Elder laughed.
"Have any of you seen the Lord during these three weeks? After giving his orders, he disappeared," the Seventh Elder added, causing all the elders to fall silent.
For three weeks, none of them had seen him. After explaining all his plans and instructions, he had vanished. More precisely, he had gone into seclusion to test his new powers.
This question was directed at the First Elder and the Dragon Empress, since they were the closest to him and might know something.
"We don’t know either," their answer disappointed the others.
"He didn’t forget that he’s supposed to appear today, right?" the Second Elder asked nervously.
"I doubt it. He chose this date himself. It’s impossible," the First Elder rejected the possibility. He had become one of Daniel’s most devoted followers.
In fact, not only him, but all ten elders were the same. Daniel had given each of them a significant amount of Fallen Blood, and by using it, all of them had evolved their souls. Their power had increased drastically, breaking past previous limits.
More importantly, because of his absolute loyalty, the First Elder had received a drop of Daniel’s essence. This was not ordinary. It was the essence of an Innate Primal, a being that practically carried a world within.
With it, the First Elder had even upgraded his bloodline and transformed into an Ancestral Dragon. Just one more evolution, and he could become a Primordial Dragon.
The other elders and even the Dragon Empress were extremely jealous, but they understood that there was finally a path out of their stagnation, loyalty and following Daniel.
The more loyal they were, the greater rewards they would receive.
"Then shouldn’t one of us go and inform him, just in case?" the Third Elder spoke again.
The First Elder was about to respond when suddenly the sky and earth of Dragon Valley began to tremble.
"He’s here," the Tenth Elder whispered.
The sky split open with a roar.
Clouds spun into a massive vortex, and a golden pillar of light poured down from within. A sacred pressure shook the entire land, and tens of thousands of dragons raised their massive heads at the same time.
Within that light... a man slowly descended.
He wore a long robe, black like the first void, covered in golden dragon patterns that moved across the fabric. The dragons on the robe seemed alive, they roared, spread their wings, and faded back into the glowing threads.
A divine halo formed behind him, shaped like the shadow of a massive dragon that covered the sky.
With every step he took in the air, a ring of light formed beneath his feet.
Then he landed on the central platform.
A heavy silence fell over the field.
Daniel stepped forward. His voice was not loud, not a shout, but it echoed through every mind like a command from the heavens.
"Children of the sky... heirs of a glory that once shook worlds."
His endless gaze swept across the crowd.
"You stood in the shadows for years. The world called you legends... monsters... threats."
The halo behind him expanded.
"But the truth is this, you are the embodiment of power. You are the peak of creation."
A strong wind blew, and his dragon-patterned robe moved like black and gold flames in the air.
"The Goddess chose me, not to rule over you, but to stand beside you."
Several ancient dragons unconsciously spread their wings.
"The time has come for the name of dragons to no longer be whispered in darkness... but to be declared beneath the skies."
His voice grew firmer.
"No more hiding. No more scattering. No more chains of the past."
He raised his hand, and the sky trembled.
"We will build a new era. An era where every being understands that when dragons rise, history changes. It is time for dragons to return to the world."
A few seconds of silence... and then the first roar.
Then a second.
And suddenly tens of thousands of roars tore through the sky.
Flames shot upward. Wings spread wide. The ground shook.
And Daniel, standing within that storm of fire and reverence, remained still and steady, like a god standing before his people.
A smile appeared on his face. Everything had gone exactly as he wanted. With just one look at the elders, fanatic devotion was visible on their faces.
Their blood was boiling. There was no longer any need to imprison themselves in this dimension because of old commands.
A new era had begun.