“Don’t be so cryptic. Get to the point!”

Yan Yi grew impatient. How could this Bone Dragon open its mouth only to sneer at humans? Sure, he wasn’t from the Human World—but he *was* human. Being looked down on by another race? Seriously irritating.

“Cough, cough… This *is* the key point!”

The Bone Dragon wanted to add more sarcasm, but Yan Yi’s glare shut it up fast. Terrified he’d strike again, it hurried on.

“To even claim the title of King, you must reach the third step of the Heaven Defying Realm—the Heaven Defying King stage! Only then do you qualify. As for the so-called ‘Kings’ of the Human World? Hmph. Trash.”

Yan Yi fell silent. Maybe it was true. The Human World’s “Kings” were probably just the Royal City monarch and the Mercenary Guildmaster—maybe they hadn’t even broken through to the Realm of Magic…

Judging by the Bone Dragon’s tone, the Dragonfolk definitely had true Kings. And his own strength? Barely the first step of the Heaven Defying Realm. *Long way to go.*

“In this world, aside from the Human World, every nation ruled by a single race has a *real* King! The Dragon King of Dragon Valley, the Elven Queen of the Elf Kingdom, the Beast King of the Beastman Tribe… Honestly, without King-level power, you can’t even *become* the ultimate ruler!”

Yan Yi froze. He’d seen the maps—over a dozen single-race nations existed. He refused to believe only rulers held that power. Others *had* to exist.

So the Human World was absurdly weak? Bordering the Beastman Tribe, Dwarf Kingdom, Giant Kingdom… yet untouched? *Something’s off.*

Sensing his doubt, the Bone Dragon added, “Even though the Human World has no Kings—and maybe only *you* reached Heaven Defying—the Grand Elder of our Dragonfolk forbade us from ever touching it. No reason given. I bet other races got the same order.”

*Wait, what?* Yan Yi’s confusion deepened. No logic. No answers. He shook his head. *Whatever. Doesn’t concern me.*

“Fine, fine. What about ranks *below* King?”

“Beneath King lies the second step of the Heaven Defying Realm: Heaven Defying Emperor. Mana condenses into a crown. Even Emperors are rare—our clan only has the Five Great Dragon Emperors and the Grand Elder.”

The Bone Dragon puffed its chest proudly. “Heh. I was… *ahem*… a candidate for one of the Five Great Dragon Emperors—the Bone Dragon Emperor.”

“And then you died?” Yan Yi deadpanned.

The Bone Dragon nearly stumbled. “Wait—you *are* dead!”

“Er… True, but that sounds awful. Can we skip it?”

“Then why do you have a physical skeleton? And past-life memories?!”

Critical question. If it was dead, why defy all logic? If it was a Dragon Emperor candidate—likely Heaven Defying in life—why did its post-death power rival Demon Ascension?!

The Bone Dragon sneered condescendingly… then wilted the second Yan Yi raised the bone.

“Cough… Gotta start from the beginning. Know how Spirit Eyes were born?”

“Obviously not! Why else ask?!”

“Tch. Spirit Eyes and our Skeleton Dragon clan are inseparable. Originally, none existed. We command souls—summon the departed to aid us.”

Yan Yi’s expression shifted. *Necromancy?* No wonder humans never had it. Racial trait.

“Long ago, a supremely powerful ancestor of ours fell. His blood condensed into roughly three hundred droplets scattered worldwide—forming all Spirit Eyes. When a soul dies with strong attachment, it lingers. The Spirit Eye’s summoning power anchors it. Theoretically, as long as the Eye exists, the spirit persists. But regain full consciousness? The link snaps. Full memory return? Total severance. Without a summoner’s anchor, spirits fade fast. And summoning costs *life*—only our clan can do it.”

Yan Yi stayed quiet. *No wonder that Heaven Defying researcher created Life Transition magic. Otherwise, spirits couldn’t stay.*

“I don’t even know how I died. Being pulled back by a Spirit Eye was pure accident. Since I knew the magic, I sustained my spirit with mana… then solidified it into this skeleton you hold.”

Bitterness tinged its voice. Its life now rested entirely in Yan Yi’s hands.

“I’d planned to rebuild my body from it… but *you* ruined that path.”

“Not my fault! Accident!” Yan Yi protested, but the Bone Dragon’s *“It was YOU”* stare made him flinch.

“Okay, okay! How do I help?!” *Ugh. Fine. I surrender.*

The Bone Dragon sighed. Choosing this path meant permanent binding.

“Truth is… when this White Light Domain vanishes, I die. Only solution? I enter your body—give my mana source a vessel.”

It could survive… if Yan Yi didn’t block it with even a trace of mana.

Yan Yi just made a disgusted face.

“So… I won’t turn into bones?”

“No. I control only my thoughts. *You* command my regeneration. Summon any bone-made item anytime.”

“Really no issues?”

“Certain. In my state, what choice do I have? …Wait, you’re *actually* agreeing?”

The Bone Dragon blinked. *He trusts me?*

“Sigh… Dug my own grave. Gotta jump.”

Yan Yi exhaled calmly—but inside? Ecstatic. Free weapons? Practically *magic*! Remembering his first clumsy spell attempt, tears of joy welled up.

*Damn. Why *not* use a free labor force?*

The Bone Dragon eyed him, uneasy but unable to pinpoint why.

“Oh—another question.” Yan Yi hastily changed subject, fearing exposure.

“Dragon Valley has so many powerhouses… at least ten Heaven Defying? Strongest nation?”

The Bone Dragon shook its head. “Strongest is the Elf Kingdom. Two Kings. Ten Emperors.”

Fair skin. Pointed ears. Yan Yi’s mind flashed *doujinshi tropes*. *How is this harem-fodder race THIS strong?! No wonder our Central Academy senior got hunted. If I were an Elf? I’d kill him too!*

“Rumor says they harbor a being even Kings can’t match… but no proof.”

The Bone Dragon respected them. The massive Beast Empire? Dared not stir a ripple beside the Elf Kingdom. Unlike noisy neighbors constantly at war.

Anything beyond Heaven Defying Realm? Probably unknown—even to this world. Yan Yi let it go.

“Sky Garden, if counted as a nation, rivals them too. Archangel and Demon King—both Kings.”

Yan Yi recalled the bizarre Line City. *So it’s fractured. How was it ever united…?*

*CRACK.*

The White Light Domain shattered. Time’s up. Yan Yi raised the bone, nodding.

The Bone Dragon nodded back. “Whatever you do—*don’t block me with mana.*”

*Heh. I’d block you if I could… but I’ve got zero mana.*

The Bone Dragon’s form twisted into spirit, merging with the bone. It turned gelatinous, stretching to Yan Yi’s left shoulder—vanishing without sensation.

White light faded. Yan Yi stood in the crater’s depths, ignoring the ruin. Gazing skyward, awe swelled—*the world is so vast*—

***“HOLY CRAP! YOU’VE GOT ZERO MANA?! AND YOU’RE A KID?! HAD I KNOWN, I’D HAVE TAKEN OVER YOUR BODY MYSELF!”***

The mood shattered. Yan Yi’s eye twitched. Arms frozen mid-pose—retract or hold? Painfully awkward.

Slowly, he placed his right hand on his left shoulder. A thought sparked.

White gelatinous matter surged—forming a tiny, cartoonish Bone Dragon. Big, cute red eyes blinked. Confused, it murmured:

“Kid?”

Yan Yi smiled. Snatched it. H hurled it down.

*Thump-thump-thump-THUMP!*

A furious kicking spree began.