The Earth Dew Pond rippled with quiet energy. Mist drifted like a veil through the cavern, glowing faintly under the moonlight filtering through cracks above. Long Tian stood at the center, his claws resting lightly against the stone.
"I claim this place," he declared, his voice steady. "This is my nest. My domain."
The moment the words left his mouth, the system pulsed to life.
> [System Notification]
[Nest Point Recognized – Dragon's First Territory Established]
Territory Name: Azure Nest
Size: Tier 1 – Minor Domain
Boundaries: Earth Dew Pond Cavern (Expands with growth and influence)
Long Tian exhaled deeply, but the glow of the system didn't fade. New lines of golden script shimmered before him.
> [System Notification – Hidden Resource Detected!]
Analyzing environment…
Detected: High-Concentration Spirit Herb Clusters – Rank 3 to Rank 5
Detected: Dragon Spirit Qi Crystal Vein (Dormant – Deep Layer)
His breath caught.
A qi crystal vein infused with draconic essence. That alone was enough to spark wars between sects in the human world. And now, it lay buried beneath his paws.
He turned slowly, gazing across the cavern. Bioluminescent moss glowed along the stone walls. Silverleaf grasses shimmered around the edges of the pond. Some herbs he recognized from the jade's memory—Spirit-Binding Lotus, Moonvine Roots, and even Flame Orchid sprouts clinging to a southern crevice.
This wasn't just a hiding place.
It was sacred ground.
Then, a deeper pulse from the system rippled through his mind.
> [Main Mission: Stage 1 Complete]
Objective:
– Establish Territory [✓]
– Recruit Subordinates [✓]
(Bai Xue – Nine-Tailed Fox Descendant, Yan Yue – Flameborn Qilin)
Reward Activated: Dragon Domain Blessing
---
[Territory Blessing: Azure Nest]
• Cultivation Speed (All Residents): +300%
• Recovery Speed (All Residents): +300%
• Growth Rate of Natural Treasures: +300%
• Beast Loyalty (All within domain): Set to 50 minimum
• Wild Beasts within Territory: Instinctively obey Dragon Authority
---
A golden ripple burst outward from Long Tian's body. The Earth Dew Pond glowed like a living jewel. Qi surged into the walls, into the roots, into every breath of the land.
Yan Yue flinched and knelt. "What… is this?"
Bai Xue's eyes widened. "You've awakened something ancient. A true dragon's realm...!"
Long Tian felt it too—a pulse of authority, deeper than instinct, older than memory. Every beast within the borders of the Azure Nest would now feel it: a king had claimed the land.
And he would not be challenged.
"This is only the beginning," Long Tian said quietly. "A corner of the world carved for us to rise."
Yan Yue bowed his head. "Your rule begins in this cavern, my king."
Bai Xue stepped beside him, eyes shimmering. "Then let it be known—the dragon awakens, and his domain breathes with him."
Outside, deep in the forest, spirit beasts stirred. Some trembled. Others knelt without knowing why.
The Azure Nest had been born.