Black Myth: The Legend of Tianpeng Seeking Demons

The setting sun blazed like fire, burning across the western horizon and turning the entire sky crimson.

The orange-red afterglow spilled onto the shimmering Longhu Lake, making the surface seem to be plated with a layer of molten gold, rippling with a mysterious light as it rippled in the breeze.

On the lake's surface, dozens of giant dragons coiled and danced, their scales gleaming in the afterglow of the setting sun, like creatures that had stepped out of ancient mythology.

Each dragon exudes a unique aura; some breathe fire, their flames blazing fiercely; some have lightning coiled around their tails, their lightning flashing everywhere; while others are filled with chilling aura, as if they could freeze the entire world.

There is a grand and magnificent confrontation between the sky and the earth, which inspires awe.

In the center of the lake, the oldest and largest ancient dragon, Ignis, floated steadily in the air, its huge wings flapping slowly, like a mountain in a sea of ​​clouds, majestic and imposing.

Its scales are fiery red like lava, shimmering with ancient runes, symbolizing the long and glorious history of the dragon race.

At this moment, Avril stood atop its head, holding a golden wristband, overlooking the surrounding area of ​​Dragon Lake.

The soft golden light emanating from the wristbands complemented the ancient runes of Ignis, making her figure appear exceptionally majestic in the afterglow of the setting sun, like an ancient female war goddess about to be baptized by fate.

Juckley stood by the lake, gazing at this magical scene, his mouth slightly agape, his eyes filled with shock and excitement.

"This is spectacular! It's even more exciting than a Hollywood blockbuster!"

He craned his neck to look at the silhouettes of the giant dragons in the sky and couldn't help but exclaim in amazement.

"Little White, when can I ride a giant dragon? That would be so cool!"

A cold laugh came from the little white creature inside the ring: "You? You can talk if you can control your appetite. If you can walk past a restaurant without eating there three or five times, then I'll admit you're qualified to approach a dragon."

Jukeli patted his belly dismissively and chuckled:

With delicious food and beautiful women before me, what more could I ask for? Shouldn't a carefree person like me enjoy life to the fullest?

He then turned to Adrian, trying to find an ally: "You agree, right, Adrian?"

However, Adrian was not in the mood for joking with him at the moment.

His face was grim, his brows were furrowed, and his eyes were fixed on Avril, as if he were gazing at a fate he could not change.

He watched as Avril stood atop the head of the ancient dragon, the powerful force seemingly enveloping and devouring her.

He felt a strong sense of unease, as if some force was pushing her down a dangerous path.

Juckley noticed Adrian's unusual behavior, his smile faded, and he asked with concern:

"Adrian, what's wrong with you? You look like you've seen a ghost."

Adrian frowned, his gaze deep.

“I’m worried about her,” he said in a low voice, as if filled with endless anxiety.

“She has gained such immense power, yet she is not mature enough. This power is too dangerous, especially for someone like her. She will… lose herself.”

Jukeli shrugged, somewhat dismissively.

"Lost? You're too pessimistic. Avril isn't the kind of person who would be easily swayed by power."

Adrian clenched his fists so tightly that his knuckles turned white from the force.

“You don’t understand, Juklee,” he whispered.

“I have seen too many people destroyed by power. Augustus, he was once an aspiring mage, but power corrupted him into a dark mage, ultimately triggering a war across the continent.”

“Avril’s current power… is even greater than his.”

"You mean she'll become the next Augustus?"

Juckley immediately felt a little nervous, and his gaze shifted from Adrian to Avril on the horizon.

“That’s right,” Adrian continued, his voice as cold as ice.

“If we don’t guide her carefully, she could very well repeat the same mistakes.”

Juckley fell silent for a moment, and the atmosphere became tense.

Just then, a deep, majestic dragon roar came from the sky, like a divine oracle from beyond the heavens, shaking the world.

"You are wrong."

The voice rang out from the sky, carrying an undeniable pressure.

The ancient dragon Ignis slowly descended, its massive body almost obscuring half the sky. Its enormous wings whipped up a gust of wind, causing the grass and trees along the lake to flutter and sway.

"Avril Lavigne will not become the second Augustus."

Juckley and Adrian looked up at the same time, staring at the dragon in shock, especially Adrian, who couldn't believe what he was seeing.

His voice trembled as he asked, "Why? She...she's just a human, a young female mage, why do you all submit to her?"

Ignis's eyes held ancient wisdom and insight. It slowly lowered its massive head, its dragon eyes blazing as it gazed at Adrian.

"She was chosen by fate."

It said, its voice echoing like thunder.

"She possesses a pure heart and an unwavering will. She will surpass all of you, become a great dragon knight, and protect this world."

Adrian was filled with conflict and struggle as he listened to these words.

He gripped the sword hilt tightly, his heart filled with a tangled mix of doubt and fear, unable to easily accept this seemingly divine explanation.

"But she wants revenge!"

Adrian's voice was filled with anxiety; he was unwilling to give up on this only remaining doubt.

"Her heart burned with hatred, and I witnessed firsthand how she would stop at nothing to exact revenge. I fear that this hatred will consume her, just as it did with those great figures of the past!"

Ignis let out a low laugh, carrying a certain dragon-like coldness and compassion.

“Child, hatred is a double-edged sword; it can give you power, but it can also bring destruction. You’ve experienced it firsthand, haven’t you?”

Adrian fell silent upon hearing these words.

His thoughts seemed to be suddenly shattered, and painful memories of the past flooded back.

He had once been a man driven by hatred, until that hatred nearly destroyed his life, and now he feared that Avril would repeat the same mistake.

Ignis continued, “But she is different from Augustus. She was not completely consumed by hatred; she still has choices. And I will guide her and teach her the true meaning of power—not destruction, but protection.”

These words plunged Adrian into deep thought, his past pain intertwined with his present worries.

He knew he had to trust Avril, or at least give her a chance.

Meanwhile, Avril Lavigne, standing atop the giant dragon's head, was also experiencing a surge of emotions.

She could feel the power and pressure emanating from the dragon, and she could also clearly hear Adrian and Juklee's conversation.

This force made her blood boil, but it also brought an endless sense of heaviness.

"Are you willing to sign a pact with me and become a true dragon knight?"

Ignis's voice suddenly rang in her ears, like a whisper from the depths of her soul.

Avril raised her head and looked into the distance.

Her heart was filled with contradictions and doubts. The thought of revenge never disappeared, but she also understood what would happen after revenge.

What good will her hatred do?

“The Dragon Covenant,” Ignis explained, “will grant you the power and wisdom of the dragons, but you must also bear the responsibility of protecting this world.”

"Protect the world?" Avril murmured.

This world, the world that once abandoned her, now requires her to protect it?

She recalled her painful past, the home destroyed by the dark sorcerer, and the loved ones she lost.

Is this truly her fate?

“The choice is yours,” Ignis said. “You can choose revenge, or you can choose to protect.”

Silence spread through her heart.

“Say yes, Avril!” Juckley’s voice suddenly came.

"This is your chance to change your destiny, and your chance to truly take control of your own power!"

Avril looked at him, her familiar eyes filled with expectation and encouragement.

She took a deep breath, her gaze hardening. She was not Augustus; she would not be consumed by hatred.

“I do,” Avril finally said, “I am willing to sign the covenant and become a true dragon knight!”

A dazzling golden light burst forth from Ignis, instantly enveloping Avril.

Her armor began to transform, and silver-white dragon knight armor took shape on her body, with golden bracers merging seamlessly with her arms.

As the golden light faded, Avril opened her eyes, her gaze filled with divine power.

From that moment on, she was no longer the girl fighting alone for revenge.

She is a true dragon knight, shouldering the heavy responsibility of protecting the world.