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In the instant Cassius brought "Karrikex’s Heart" into the Material Plane, the flesh on the heart began to rapidly decay, eventually turning to ash.

For matter that has lost its immortal source, time in the Astral Plane is almost still, but this does not come without a price. Once removed from the Astral Plane, the time it had lost is retraced.

Eventually, the massive twenty-meter diameter heart shrank, leaving only a vague, glowing crystal—the remnant of the immortal draconic power still within Karrikex’s corpse.

Cassius carefully picked it up.

[Karrikex’s Heart]

Artifact, Mythical

Domain: Chaos, Destruction, Dragon, Evil, Fire (Rebirth)

Effect: Unknown (Extremely Dangerous)

Description: Karrikex, the Void One, represents pure power and destruction among dragons.

Some argue that Karrikex was, in fact, mad, which resulted in the unending winds of the Shouting Empty Nexus.

Before being exiled to the Shouting Empty Nexus, Karrikex periodically descended upon the Material Plane, unleashing the impure fires of destruction upon the world.

His body was sealed in the void of the Astral Plane by the gods, and as time passed, his divine power dissipated. The remaining, violent essence of his blood gathered in his heart, waiting quietly for Karrikex’s return.

Cassius felt inexplicably uneasy. The moment he entered the Material Plane, he sensed multiple presences focusing on him.

"This is..."

He quickly twisted reality with his will, creating a temporary pocket dimension to hide the blazing energy crystal and Astral Prism, concealing their presence.

At that moment, an inexplicable sense of pressure came over his mind, spreading outward.

Cassius looked up at the sky, and his expression immediately turned solemn.

"Tiamat."

Indeed, as the intangible ripple spread, a massive five-headed shadow appeared in the sky, looking down at the red dragon with a sinister smile.

"Child, you’ve become stronger."

Cassius bowed slightly, greeting without arrogance, "Good day, Your Majesty Tiamat. My meager strength is insignificant before Your greatness."

The five-headed dragon seemed to scrutinize him, as if searching for something. Its eyes were filled with boundless greed.

"The stronger the child, the more rebellious they may become, especially a ’special’ child like you."

"I hope... you are not like that."

Cassius folded his wings, putting on an expression of sincerity and innocence—though such a look was grotesque and mismatched on a red dragon’s face.

"Your Majesty, I have always worked tirelessly for the grand cause of the Chromatic Dragons. How could I possibly be rebellious?"

The shadow of Tiamat continued to scrutinize him, and the leading head grinned once more.

"As a young dragon, I’m gratified to see you with such awareness. I have always insisted on finding ways to expand the power and influence of our chromatic kin."

However, Tiamat’s words paused, and the tone turned eerie.

"But."

All five heads spoke in unison, their resonating voice full of pressure.

A mighty force was released, sweeping across the land. Cassius had to exert his full strength to keep himself standing, barely avoiding collapsing or prostrating.

"Why do I smell my foolish brother’s scent on you?"

Tiamat spoke.

This was the true face of Tiamat, Queen of Chromatic Dragons and Goddess of Evil Dragons. The benevolence previously displayed was not even a mask, just a toy meant to deceive this young Cassius.

But once Her core interests were involved, She would tear off all disguises, revealing Her greed and might without hesitation.

Cassius struggled to lift his head and looked into the five-headed dragon’s eyes. He put on a look of innocence and righteousness.

"Your Majesty... I do not understand what you mean."

The red dragon, as if overwhelmed by the pressure, lowered his head and trembled as he explained:

"I am merely a lucky one who has drawn the favor of his ancestors, tapping into a shred of the great draconic legacy. I do not know your disputes, nor do I understand the ancient history. I simply wish to follow your lead to restore the supreme glory of our chromatic kin."

"I have been in this world for just ten short years, less than the time it takes you to take a nap. How could I know another great Dragon God, much less your brother?"

At last, he tried his best to lift his head and said word by word:

"Your Majesty Tiamat, there cannot be two suns in the sky, nor two leaders among dragons."

"In my heart—there is only one sun, and that is You!"

Tiamat looked at him deeply.

Suddenly, the suffocating pressure greatly lessened. The voice of the five-headed dragon also turned gentle, as if nothing had happened.

"Child, I hope your heart truly believes this."

"I have seen too many promising young dragons who chose to oppose me for their own selfish desires, often causing great calamities. In the end, I had no choice but to painfully remove them."

"Know that I see every chromatic dragon as my own child. Even when I personally bite through their necks, I feel immense sorrow, often shedding tears."

"I do not hate these rebellious children, only regret their actions. They could have been part of something magnificent, yet they chose such a miserable fate."

Cassius quickly nodded, his gaze fervent and sincere as he replied, "I will heed your teachings, Your Majesty."

"Cassius, my child, remember that no matter what I do, it is all for the collective good of the chromatic dragons."

"I hope... you do not walk the opposite path."

Tiamat’s shadow once again looked at him deeply, as if searching for something, causing Cassius to hold his breath.

Then She faded from the sky, and the immense pressure disappeared with her.

"Huff, huff."

Cassius’s heart pounded heavily, and his breathing was rapid.

Using what little he knew of mind magic, he quickly constructed dozens of mental barriers in his mind, providing himself with some psychological comfort.

"Since awakening, I’ve grown too lax, underestimating the power of a god."

"This terrifying illusion of Tiamat must never be used lightly again. It would be best if I could entirely erase it from my mind."

Cassius thought to himself.

Just by bringing back this "Heart of Karrikex" for a few seconds, he had attracted Tiamat, who personally descended as an avatar, as well as several dragon gods watching in secret. The situation was perilously dangerous.

Fortunately, for now, he could barely be considered a "relative" of Tiamat, bound to the scattered war chariot of the chromatic dragons, without fully crossing the line into challenging the interests of the Goddess of Evil Dragons.