Rebirth as a Time Dragon

First Layer of the Hero Domain, Sky Garden, Heroic Spirit Hall.

As usual, Kord, the God of Strength and Courage, was hosting a revelry of battles in the Heroic Spirit Hall with a group of heroic spirits. Some of the more renowned demigod-level heroic spirits in the Sky Garden were sparring with each other or engaging in strength contests directly with Kord.

Of course, confronting a god required Kord to deliberately restrain himself.

Heroic spirits, though powerful and not ordinary beings, still couldn't surpass the gap between them and deities. Only when all heroic spirits' life energy was combined under the gathering of the Hero's Crown could a heroic spirit king powerful enough to rival a deity be born.

In the past, Kord, who was warlike and admired strength, enjoyed these battle revelries with the heroic spirits.

But now, he seemed somewhat distracted.

Kord had divided thousands of avatars to simultaneously compete with all the demigod-level heroic spirits present. Yet, none of his avatars showed the joy of battle; instead, they appeared melancholic, unlike his usual self.

"If I could obtain the Hero's Crown, I would truly gain the recognition of the heroic spirits," he thought. "Instead of now, where they gather for endless battles but none are willing to believe in me."

Kord still longed for the Hero's Crown.

However, the Hero's Crown was now under the control of the Dragon God System, and Kord knew he was likely out of luck.

Dispirited, Kord ended the battle revelry early, entered the Heroic Spirit Hall alone, and sat on the throne meant for the heroic spirit king. He closed his eyes and emitted divine thoughts.

He was analyzing the rules of the Hero Domain, trying to find new ways to control the heroic spirits.

Since occupying the Heroic Spirit Hall, Kord had frequently engaged in similar rule analyses.

Unfortunately, no matter how much time passed, he always came up empty-handed.

Suddenly, the space in the Sky Garden rippled with waves.

A large plane gate slowly opened like a sky vortex.

This commotion didn't go unnoticed by the heroic spirits and gods present.

Under their gazes, two colossal figures first appeared, casting shadows with their dragon wings over the Heroic Spirit Hall atop the highest peak among the surrounding mountains.

Kord's gaze focused, breaking out of his concentration.

"Garon Aurelian and Bahamut!"

"Why has the Dragon God System come to the Hero Domain again? Are they here to fight again?"

The gods of the Hero Domain felt a chill in their hearts.

To be honest, they were already traumatized by the Dragon Gods.

During the Fire Realm battle, the Hero Domain was almost on the brink of following the Radiant Forest's footsteps, nearly shattering, terrifying the gods here. The strength Iron Garon showed in the end was clearly seen by those closest.

After the appearance of the two most notable dragons, the plane gate didn't close.

More true dragons emerged.

Almost all were of ancient dragon age and above, at least of legendary strength, and their numbers seemed endless.

The dragons circled the Sky Garden, the flapping of their wings creating a continuous sound like a storm, and the overlapping dragon auras made breathing difficult for the nearby creatures, causing great oppression.

Then, the silver dragon tilted its head and looked down.

In the vast mountains and dense forests, Garon's gaze precisely locked onto the Heroic Spirit Hall.

"My people, choose a place here to reside first. When the new divine kingdom is built, you will follow me there."

Whoosh!

Following the Dragon God's decree, the dragons scattered, causing a commotion in the recently settled Sky Garden.

These weren't ordinary true dragons but true dragon apostles carefully selected by the Dragon God and incorporated into the divine kingdom, none below legendary rank. Though the Sky Garden was an outer plane, legendary creatures, especially legendary true dragons, weren't weak here.

As they moved, the native residents of the Sky Garden were displeased.

Heroic spirits were the true masters here.

With nearly infinite life energy, heroic spirits feared no death. As long as their fighting spirit remained, they were almost immortal.

Many heroic spirits' eyes ignited with battle intent, eager to engage the dragons landing here.

Seeing this scene, Garon squinted and took out the Hero's Crown.

Then, the crown, like a woven bramble flower, was placed on the silver dragon's head, adjusted to fit perfectly among his three pairs of dragon horns, as if made for him.

Years had passed since the Fire Realm battle ended.

Although Garon hadn't fully mastered the Hero's Crown to gather a heroic spirit king with pseudo-divine power as before, he had gained some control over it, having imprinted his will on it day and night with some success.

"All heroic spirits, why do you not..."

Before Garon could finish his declaration of presence, he saw the heroic spirits kneel on one knee, bowing their heads like wheat blown by the wind.

"Hmm?"

Their reaction was too quick.

"Greetings, Heroic Spirit King!"

The heroic spirits shouted, their words filled with fervor as if finally seeing their loyal king.

In the Hero Domain, heroic spirits were heroes from various worlds, including humans, orcs, monsters, elves, and even dragons and giants.

However, once they became heroic spirits, they lost most of their past memories and emotions, retaining only their combat skills and loyalty to the Hero Domain.

If a heroic spirit king appeared, these heroic spirits would be the most fervent followers.

To Garon, collecting numerous heroes but removing their emotions and memories seemed a waste.

Heroes were not just about combat; their decision-making, leadership, and charisma were also important.

However, Garon understood why the Hero Domain did this.

It was simple.

Heroes from their worlds wouldn't willingly become puppets of the Hero Domain, bound to this outer plane.

This was the only way to prevent rebellion.

Scanning the heroic spirits, Garon commanded, "The true dragons' residence in the Hero Domain is permitted by me. No heroic spirit shall offend the dragons."

"Yes!"

The heroic spirits' voices were firm, showing unwavering obedience to their king's command.

Meanwhile, among the billions of heroic spirits in the Sky Garden, Garon noticed a familiar demigod-level heroic spirit.

Seeing the spirit's face, Garon was slightly taken aback.

"Alphax?"

The Fire Emperor of the Alphatia Empire, who indirectly caused its downfall, was now kneeling before Garon in the Hero Domain.

Seeing Alphax here was unexpected for Garon.

The outer planes were many, including the Abyss, Hell, and Heaven, among others. The Hero Domain couldn't absorb all hero souls, and only a fraction was here.

Heroic spirits didn't die and could accumulate indefinitely.

If all heroes from countless worlds became heroic spirits, the Hero Domain could eventually surpass Heaven and the Abyss.

Even with only a fraction, the Hero Domain had great potential.

Though currently weak, like the dragon race, it could grow stronger with time.

"You, come here."

Garon's gaze fell on Alphax's heroic spirit.

Alphax, among the top heroic spirits, had a biological level of 47 and was near the Heroic Spirit Hall with other demigod heroic spirits.

Hearing Garon's call, Alphax manifested a burning flame tower and swiftly arrived before Garon.

Heroic spirits had unique abilities.

Their powers varied but were tied to their relics.

A relic was the manifestation of a heroic spirit's memory and emotions, carrying unique power. Every heroic spirit's relic was different.

Alphax's flame tower was his relic.

Relics were both their strength and shackle.

"What is your name?"

Garon asked.

He wasn't sure if Alphax had a name now.

The heroic spirit looked up at the silver dragon, then knelt again, saying, "Heroic spirits are nameless. Only the king can bestow names, which is the highest honor."

Garon saw that the ambition and pride once belonging to the emperor were gone from this heroic spirit.

Understanding that if he wished, he could reverse the relic to restore Alphax's memories and emotions, Garon refrained. Doing so would only incite rebellion, especially from one as ambitious as Alphax.

"With the authority of the Heroic Spirit King, I name you Alphax."

Instantly, the omnipresent life energy surged, rapidly enhancing Alphax's power, raising his biological level to 56.

Simultaneously, the Hero's Crown dimmed slightly.

"Naming grants a significant power boost but drains the Hero's Crown. It cannot be used recklessly and needs time to recover."

Garon was testing his abilities as the Heroic Spirit King.

Though there were limitations, the increase from naming exceeded his expectations.

Alphax had leaped from mid-level demigod to near-peak demigod power, which was astonishing. Only the Hero's Crown, a core relic of an outer plane, could achieve this.

Now, Alphax was the strongest individual heroic spirit.

"The substantial leap is partly due to the first naming."

Garon thought.

"Thank you, my king!"

"Alphax will be your sword, clearing obstacles and vanquishing enemies!"

Alphax's deep, powerful voice declared.

"If I had the Hero's Crown before the war, fallen dragons could reincarnate here as heroic spirits without losing their memories and emotions."

Heroic spirits didn't retain their past strength initially.

But stronger souls had greater potential to absorb life energy and grow stronger over time.

Alphax was such, starting as the lowest heroic spirit but becoming a top-tier demigod through countless battles and life energy absorption.

"This could form an immortal army of true dragon heroic spirits."

"Though weakened outside the Hero Domain, they are immortal here, not to be underestimated."

"The

 more heroic spirits, the stronger the Hero Domain. The stronger it becomes, the more powerful the immortal heroic spirits."

Garon's eyes brightened.

Properly developed, the Hero Domain could become a highly defensible, plane-level divine kingdom stronghold.

"Maybe I don't need to build a new divine kingdom here."

Garon focused, feeling the endless life energy surrounding him, recognizing him as king.

With a thought, the life energy gathered and flowed into Garon's dragon body, providing a comfortable sensation as his cells greedily absorbed it, strengthening his dragon aura steadily.

"With long-term absorption of this life energy, I should soon break through to pseudo-mid-level divine power."

After the war with the giants, Garon's main timeline age was 118 years, just reaching adulthood.

Despite his ancient dragon status in other timelines, Garon considered his main timeline age as the true measure.

At a biological level of 70, reaching 80 would mark pseudo-mid-level divine power.

The Hero Domain's life energy could greatly shorten his growth time, potentially reaching this power in his adult stage, earlier than his previous expectation of reaching mid-level divine power in his late prime.

Joining the Dragon God System had brought many benefits, accelerating his already extraordinary growth.

"The heroic spirits' faith can also aid God Garon's resurrection and further progress."

Feeling content from the life energy nourishment, Garon wagged his tail.

"Garon, it seems you can absorb the Hero Domain's life energy now."

"Congratulations, even I can't absorb it."

"Haha, I look forward to you becoming a pseudo-greater divine power soon. It won't take long."

The Metal Dragon God, having just created an extradimensional space as a divine kingdom framework, stopped his work to congratulate Garon.

"Not even you can absorb it?"

Garon was surprised.

The Metal Dragon God shook his head, "Accurately, I can forcibly absorb it, but the Hero Domain's resistance makes it too laborious. The gain isn't worth the effort."

"Hero Domain's life energy is like a tantalizing cake for gods."

"Choosing the Hero Domain for battle and leading to the Hero's Crown was an unexpected fortune."

Meanwhile, the Metal Dragon God glanced at the Heroic Spirit Hall, "As the Heroic Spirit King, the Heroic Spirit Hall, the core of the Hero Domain, is now yours."

"In the hall, you should be able to oversee every corner of the Hero Domain and better manage it."

Garon looked at the Heroic Spirit Hall.

Naturally, he saw Kord inside.

The god's rugged appearance, full beard, and muscular build, especially his arms, with muscles like rock layers and veins like wriggling worms, stood out.

Kord also looked at Garon, and their eyes met in silence.

After a brief pause, Garon straightforwardly said, "Lord Kord, please leave my hall."

The dragon's voice was calm and polite yet decisive.

Kord stepped out, enveloped in divine light, and leaped to the sky, facing the two Dragon Gods.

"Garon, I've lived in the Heroic Spirit Hall for hundreds of thousands of years, and it's become my domain."

"Moreover, my divine kingdom overlaps with the hall."

He implied his unwillingness to leave.

Instantly, sensing Kord's hostility, the heroic spirits who once enjoyed fighting alongside him now brandished their relics, ready to fight him.

"The hall belongs to our king."

"Anyone who invades the hall is the enemy of our king and must be slain!"

Alphax sternly declared, unafraid of divine power.

Kord looked at Alphax with a complex expression.

Having fought countless times with these demigod heroic spirits over millennia, Kord cherished them. He didn't like to show off and was willing to befriend heroic spirits he admired.

But now, with Garon's arrival, these spirits were ready to fight him without hesitation.

"I don't mind your divine kingdom overlapping with the hall."

Garon calmly said.

The one who should mind was Kord.

Just as the Overgod could target divine kingdoms affecting the Celestial Mountain, as the Heroic Spirit King, Garon could disrupt divine kingdoms within the Hero Domain.

Both Kord and Garon understood this.

"Garon, I don't want to be your enemy, but I don't want to give up the hall and my divine kingdom either."

Giving up the hall meant abandoning his divine kingdom.

The Metal Dragon God, watching silently, added pressure.

However, this didn't deter Kord.

As the God of Courage, Kord didn't fear.

"People honor me as the God of Strength and Courage."

"I am the embodiment of strength, confident in my power. I know true dragons are also known for their strength. Garon, if you mind, how about a contest between a dragon and a god, using only physical strength?"

"Of course, I won't bully you. The contest can be held in the Prime Material Plane."

"If I lose, I'll leave without complaint and give up my divine kingdom."

"If I win, please choose another place for your residence."

Kord solemnly proposed.

The silver dragon smiled, flexing his claws, "Pure strength contest? Sure, I accept your challenge."

As a pseudo-weak divine power facing a mid-level divine power, Garon's words conveyed confidence, as if pitying a challenger, filled with certainty.

Garon and Kord left the Hero Domain, choosing a desolate continent in the Prime Material Plane.

The Metal Dragon God, finding it interesting, followed to watch.

The dragon and god descended onto a vast, barren plain.

Kord approached, growing with each step, eventually matching the hundred-meter dragon's size and stopping before Garon.

"Let's begin."

Kord extended his large hands.

His wide palms, covered in divine light, had intricate lines like mountain ranges.

The dragon stood on its hind legs, extending its claws covered in metallic silver scales, exuding immense power.

Boom!

Using the continent as a platform, the god and dragon faced each other, hands and claws clashing, pushing forward.

The one who retreated would lose.

Upon contact, a thunderous sound echoed far and wide.

Simultaneously, Kord's arms and legs tensed, muscles bulging, releasing immense power.

The dragon's body also swelled, muscles visible under its scales.

Garon didn't use time power, and Kord refrained from using divine power, both relying on pure physical strength.

Crash!

At full force, a deep chasm extended for thousands of kilometers, the ground trembling, distant mountains collapsing, raising endless dust.

Kord's eyes lit up.

"Such strength!"

His arms creaked, steam rising, eyes filled with excitement.

Among peers, he rarely encountered someone matching his strength.

Garon also felt the continuous force from Kord, fully exerting himself.

As a well-rounded time dragon, Garon rarely met equals in strength, making him equally excited.

Heart pounding, blood rushing, Garon's limbs and wings all exerted force, pushing forward, his tail providing support.

Kord's expression changed slightly, his body tilting back.

Boom!

He stomped his right foot, stabilizing himself.

The ground shook, cracking, distant mountains collapsing, forests sinking into deep fissures.

The dragon flapped its wings, limbs exerting force, tail tense, all strength converging, pushing forward. Behind the dragon, the ground also groaned under the pressure, nearby volcanoes splitting, spewing lava skyward.

Backed by the fiery sky, the dragon steadily advanced.

"Ah!"

Kord roared, his skin tearing, blood spurting.

But it didn't stop his retreat.

"...You win."

Finally, as the continent neared collapse, Kord, pushed back thousands of meters, admitted defeat.

Defeated in his prideful strength, Kord's divine light dimmed.

"Though I won, I acknowledge your strength."

Their arm strength matched, but as a true dragon, Garon used his wings and tail, securing victory.

Kord, in human form, couldn't perform better as a dragon, ensuring his loss.

"Alright, Garon Aurelian, I'll remember you."

"As the God of Strength and Courage, I don't lack the courage to admit defeat. As per our bet, my divine kingdom is yours."

"I will challenge you again in the future! I hope you won't refuse."

Garon, pleased by the full-strength contest, replied, "Alright, I won't refuse. But bring valuable stakes next time, or I won't bother."

Leaving the near-collapsed continent, the dragon and god returned to the Hero Domain.

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