Dragon Monarch System Chapter 1001:- Level Three Dragon Palace [II]

"I didn’t expect so many people to come out of the capital just to witness this scene." Aditya felt truly astonished. The crowd's numbers kept swelling rapidly.

Soldiers moved ahead to spark cheers among the masses. Yet, as the cheering started, the crowd seized the reins, bombarding Aditya with endless nicknames. Their voices swelled louder and louder, merging into a thunderous roar that drowned everything else.

Certain individuals lifted both arms high, bellowing his name.

The sight left Aditya stunned. Surprise filled his expression. He could hardly believe it. More than 100,000 people filled the area, and the count surged as fresh waves poured from behind the walls. His cheers boomed even fiercer.

"I wasn’t expecting this to become a full-blown cheering frenzy." Still, he didn’t mind it at all. Never before had he heard such roaring acclaim.

Their adoration shone through in the relentless, ear-splitting volume of their shouts.

"They love you so much," Julia remarked with a warm smile. Having stood by his side from the very start—or perhaps even earlier—she felt prouder and more joyful for him than anyone. Her happiness outshone even his own.

She understood the grueling efforts he poured into reaching this point.

"You’re the pride of the Istarin Dynasty." Alicia gently patted his right shoulder, gazing at the throng with a faint smile. Under his rule, the Istarin Dynasty had ascended to the Istarin Empire.

"The greatest Emperor to ever walk the earth," Riya chimed in alongside Alicia.

"Honestly, considering all the tireless work you’ve done for them, it’s no wonder they adore you this much." Riya turned to Aditya with a soft smile. How could anyone not swell with pride at this display?

"The Imperial Academy’s research team just ran a survey across five key cities in the Istarin Empire. Over the past year and a half, at least 2.7% of newborns got the name Aditya, as parents hope it brings their kids good fortune like the emperor’s. That’s spiked the name’s usage across the continent by nearly 9000%." Lilith shared the latest academy buzz she’d caught.

Keep in mind, those five cities house nearly 30 million residents.

Amid the roaring cheers, Aditya’s heart warmed deeply. He’d acted out of imperial duty, expecting no rewards. He sought nothing back, yet the sight of people erupting in joy at his mere presence filled him with true bliss.

His deep hatred for corruption stemmed from Earth, where it lurked everywhere.

Even in nations boasting democracy’s glory, rot festered from the highest echelons down. It hid beneath the surface, with power twisted for selfish ends over public good.

Powerful leaders would, before striking another country, have kin pour funds into war-profiting sectors. Once battle ignited, those investments skyrocketed, yielding massive gains.

As tensions peaked, the leader would publicly soothe fears, vowing a quick end. Markets steadied, prices dipped.

That’s when family snapped up shares cheaply again.

Shifts in the conflict sent prices soaring anew, letting them cash out at peaks for even greater profits. To outsiders, it seemed like routine politics and market swings. In truth, it was a rigged loop exploiting authority for riches.

Aditya had witnessed such schemes firsthand. Yet it ravaged entire nations. This was merely one of many real instances he’d observed. No saint himself, he’d played the game to survive back then. But his clout was minimal.

Circumstances had changed now.

Thus, Aditya vowed to eradicate corruption for a enduring empire. No room for it anywhere. He refused to let the corruption plague spread. One unchecked case emboldens ten more, corrupting the whole system.

Both the Istarin Empire and Celestial Dragon Empire must stay pure from top to bottom.

Aditya faced the masses and lifted his arm in a wave.

Instantly, the cheers exploded ten times louder. A mesmerizing spectacle unfolded.

None beside Aditya had witnessed such a vast multitude roaring for one man, endlessly chanting his name.

Pride swelled in everyone for him. They knew the relentless toil he endured out of sight.

Conquering realms and claiming lands proves simpler than nurturing the economy of fresh territories.

History brims with war victors, but few forged the economic wonders he had. The empire flourished on his bedrock. Long before Spencer’s arrival, Aditya laid unshakeable groundwork.

The upgrade neared completion. Aditya and the others shifted focus to the Dragon Palace.

Rather than a sun-like blaze, it dulled briefly before flaring brighter.

An intense, blinding light burst across a 15 km radius in every direction, then faded; the old Dragon Palace site stood empty.

Simultaneously, the radiant glow ascended slowly. The light—embodying the Dragon Palace—rose steadily until hovering at 400 meters high.

『Ding! 99%...100%...!』

Gradually, the brilliance softened. With visibility restored, the transformations revealed themselves.

『Ding! Congratulations!! The Dragon Palace has been upgraded to Level Three. Extra materials expanded its size. New functions and features unlocked. 』

Hovering overhead loomed the Dragon Palace, utterly transformed. It bore no resemblance to its former self.

Vastly enlarged, it radiated grandeur beyond measure. Every detail exuded nobility, as if crafted for royalty.

The Dragon Palace crowned a levitating island, spanning its entirety. Twenty-five diamond-shaped, 1-meter (3.28 feet) glowing pillars encircled it, orbiting lazily around the structure.

The island sprawled enormously at nearly 400,000 square meters, dwarfing the prior palace manifold. Jagged edges featured drifting stone fragments that fused back seamlessly, like a living entity. Beneath, subtle mana flows cascaded invisibly, infusing mystery and might.

It hung motionless in the heavens, utterly steady, cradled by the firmament.

"Woooooo!!!" Aditya and companions gaped at the stunning paradise drifting silently above.

The Dragon Palace claimed its foundation wholesale. Roughly 30 meters of underlying earth lifted too, forming the floating isle. Its departure carved a 30-meter-deep crater.

"We need to fix this crater fast." Aditya thought the huge pit marred the landscape’s beauty.

"Your Majesty, focus on the Dragon Palace right now, not the crater." Spencer gently chided, eyes locked unblinkingly on the marvel.

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A huge thanks to everyone for the golden tickets and gifts! Let’s keep the momentum going!!!