"Your Majesty, you mustn't do this! If we declare a national mourning, won't the whole world find out?" Yves hurried forward, trying to dissuade him. The Emperor shook his head repeatedly while pointing at the phone on the ground and said to Yves, "Do you think we can hide this? The incident caused a massive disturbance. Satellites from other nations will immediately focus on Mount Kulun. Once they magnify the footage, they'll easily recognize that the man standing in the storm of lightning is Xayne! "If we keep silent, and our people learn the truth from foreign media, the nation will lose faith in us. They'll be heartbroken over our secrecy. Xayne isn't just the King of the North. He's a god in the hearts of many and the very soul of our nation's military. "A man like him, lost in the Kulun Thunder Sea, cannot be mourned in silence. To do so would betray the basic dignity of leadership. Send the decree. Summon the elders of Wyncock, the elders of Wyncock Kings Circle, and the

Compared to Serena, the reactions of the Big Four upon hearing the news of Xayne's demise were almost celebratory. Especially Zoro, who was watching the breaking news on TV with a cold smirk. "Xayne, that arrogant fool, finally met his end in the Kulun Thunder Sea!" "Master, does this mean we can now move against the Xavier family?" One of the family members asked.Zoro shook his head slightly. "Absolutely not. This is not the time to touch the Xavier family. Right now, Xayne has just died, and his influence remains strong. Anyone foolish enough to act now will face a brutal end. Not only would it offend the Emperor, but it would also anger millions of Drakonia citizens. "While the Eastin family holds considerable power, the principle remains: 'What the people give, they can take away.' It's an eternal truth. However, when our people are attending the Emperor's court meeting, make sure they block any efforts to grant Serena or Xayne's widow any official titles or honors!" Zoro's

"Your Majesty, this is too extreme!" The court erupted as officials—those who had opposed the recognition of Xayne's widow and those who hadn't yet spoken—fell to their knees in unison, pleading tearfully. For years, they had toiled, building vast fortunes to secure the futures of their families. This decree, should it come to pass, would not only erase their wealth but also dismantle generations of effort, leaving their descendants unprotected and vulnerable. "Too extreme?" The Emperor's voice dripped with icy disdain as he continued, his eyes seething with contempt. "Xayne sacrificed everything for this nation. Knowing full well he was marching toward death, he still pressed forward. Do you think he did this for himself?"His gaze hardened as he spoke again, his tone growing more intense. "Yes, the prosperity of Drakonia endures, but it is built on the sacrifices of heroes like Xayne! Even in his final moments, his thoughts were of the nation. Yet here you stand, consumed by sel

Xayne remained kneeling in reverence for a long time, offering his deepest respects to Zeanid and Joy's remains. Only after a while did he rise to his feet and continue deeper into the Kulun Ruins.As he ventured past the Thunder Path and moved further ahead, Xayne could feel a surge of vitality in the air. The grayish sand and stones began to fade away, replaced by vibrant forests. Animals, large and small, could be seen darting through the trees, and Xayne felt his breathing ease considerably.As he recalled the words of Zeanid, he realized that the further he walked toward Dijox's tomb, the more alive everything around him seemed. The White Dragon's Heart governs both life and death. He had already faced death within the Thunder Path, and now, as he walked toward life, it felt as though he was experiencing the cyclical nature of existence — the beginning of a new reincarnation. The alternation between life and death had been guiding him, imparting some deep message that Xayne co

Xayne felt the strange sensation intensify as he quickly stood up. A whirlwind swirled around the altar, and everything around him, including Mount Kulun's range, seemed to fall within his perception. It felt as though he was the master of this world, every movement of his hand and every step he took perfectly in tune with the world around him.A fleeting thought crossed his mind. 'Am I a Radiant Commander now?'As he clenched his fist again, an immense, unstoppable surge of power flowed through him as if nothing in this world could stand in his way. That feeling made his heart race. It felt as if he had broken through after merging with the White Dragon's Heart.Looking up, Xayne saw clearly through the several-meter-high stone walls of the great hall. In the sky, he caught a glimpse of a beam of light—a streak of dazzling radiance. It was the sign of becoming a Radiant Commander.According to the records in the Heavenly Tome, whenever someone ascends to Radiant Commander, a celesti