Chapter 440 Encirclement and Assassination? Talk to my Dual Domains and Twelve Characteristics! (Mega Chapter)
Several days later, the commotion from the founding banquet gradually subsided and returned to calm.
With mixed feelings and a wealth of experiences, the envoys from various countries packed their bags and embarked on their journeys home.
They need to report what they have seen and heard in the Kingdom of Aura over the past few days.
For example, bring back information about the disciplined military bearing, the well-established ruling structure, the powerful lords, and especially the unfathomable Red Iron Dragon Emperor.
This will allow us to reassess how to deal with this suddenly rising dragon kingdom in the north.
In the end, only the delegation from the Kingdom of Lorthen remained.
They were the first kingdom to formally recognize the sovereignty of the Kingdom of Aura, and their relationship with the Ignas Dragon Court was extraordinary due to their long-standing connections.
Let's not even discuss the long-term conflicts of interest and development in the future.
At least for now, the two are in a close honeymoon period.
Lorthorn's envoys stayed temporarily.
They were guided by their families to appreciate the rugged and primitive natural scenery of the Serbian wilderness.
Outside the Crimson Flame Royal City, on the vast and boundless wilderness, meticulously planned secondary cities and fortresses are gradually taking shape at a visible pace.
Although the construction speed cannot compare with that of the royal city built with the full strength of the nation, they are steadily and methodically constructing their foundations and outlines.
They have taken root among the mountains, on the hills, or deep in the forests, and have already shown their initial form.
It is foreseeable that under the rule and development of the Kingdom of Aura, this once-barbaric wilderness of Sel will surely flourish.
In the near future, this place will present a brand-new look where civilization and wildness intertwine.
The lords and high-ranking officials who had gathered in the royal city for the grand ceremony gradually dispersed to their respective fiefdoms and territories in the wilderness after the celebration, like a net being cast, becoming solid and crucial nodes in the vast network of the Kingdom of Aura's rule.
at the same time.
In the spacious training ground on the back of the Dragon Ridge Mountains.
Garus stood atop a mountain peak, his imposing black and red body obscuring half the summit. He gazed down at two figures locked in a tense standoff in the open space below.
On the left, the powerful red dragon Samantha lay with her limbs slightly bent, her muscles taut, her body like a volcano poised to erupt. Her wings were close to her back, and her thick, long tail slapped the ground, carving out furrows.
Her body was covered in rough patterns from battles, and there were also some battle-worn marks.
On the right, Iron Dragon Gorton is a size larger than Samantha, with bulging muscles. In addition to the solid muscle layer, there is a thick layer of fat for defense and energy storage, which makes the overall outline appear more rounded and powerful.
He had dragon scales that were polished smooth and shiny, with some areas decorated with exquisite plating patterns.
The two stared intently at each other, pacing back and forth, sparks seemingly flying from their dragon eyes.
The tension in the air grew stronger as the standoff dragged on.
Now, with the arrival of Iron Dragon Gorton, the siblings who never forget to belittle each other and bicker endlessly despite being far apart by blood ties finally have the opportunity to have a real "offline" duel, instead of just being limited to verbal battles.
Apart from Galus, who serves as both referee and spectator.
Witnessing this duel was another golden dragon, Karus.
He stayed here mainly out of his deep curiosity about the Dragon Kingdom.
He rarely left the orderly Dragon Realm, but after being invited to the wilderness to participate in the complete founding ceremony, his interest in everything happening on this land has only grown stronger.
As for Alberto the Golden Dragon, he had already eagerly gone to the territory granted to him by Garus to begin implementing and shaping his ideal blueprint for "order".
Another blood relative of the Ignas dragons, the Iron Dragon Sorog, had little interest in such a contest. Moreover, in the early days of the nation's founding, he was busy with numerous affairs of state and devoted himself to them with great enthusiasm.
Meanwhile, Deborah and the fairy dragon took the Crystal Princess to explore the wilderness.
Who do you think will win between the two of them?
Galus turned his enormous head and looked toward the golden dragon Calus, which was perched on another adjacent mountain peak.
Even while watching the battle, this runner-up of the Golden Dragon in the Eternal Radiance Dragon Domain maintained a dignified and elegant posture, his scales shimmering with golden luster in the sunlight.
Upon hearing Garus's question, his gaze lingered for a moment between the red and iron dragons below.
Then, he calmly said, "If we only compare basic physical attributes, the Iron Dragon's strength and defense should theoretically be superior to the Red Dragon's. However, in my opinion, the Red Dragon will most likely be the one to win in the end."
Galos asked, "Oh? Why do you think that?"
Karlius paused for a moment, then explained, “The Iron Dragon’s scales are shiny and its physique is imposing, but it is more like a nobleman dressed in finery attending a court banquet, lacking the sharpness that comes from being tempered by blood and fire.”
"The red dragon Samantha's eyes gleamed with ferocity, like a warrior going into battle."
"Her combat experience is certainly far richer than Tie Long's."
"This is enough to make up for, or even surpass, those fundamental attribute gaps."
This runner-up of the Golden Dragon, who was once defeated by Garus but was still quite remarkable, also has his own unique observations.
Below, the atmosphere of confrontation had reached its peak, and a battle was about to break out.
"Fatball! Are you ready to get beaten to a pulp and be crying for your mommy?"
Samantha grinned, revealing her dragon-like mouth full of sharp, white teeth, and let out a piercing taunt.
"Hmph! You rude red-scaled barbarian! Today I'll show you who the real dragon is!"
Gorton, not to be outdone, let out a low growl.
At the summit, Garus gazed down below.
He said, "As per your own request, you are not to use any equipment or skills from now on. You will fight purely with your dragon bodies. Are you ready?"
Two deep, battle-ready dragon roars responded from above.
"Okay, let's begin."
Hong Tielong's voice instantly ignited the fuse of this sibling rivalry.
roar--!
Almost at the same moment Garus finished speaking, Samantha made the first move.
Without any further probing or hesitation, she slammed her powerful hind legs into the ground, her massive body unleashing a speed completely disproportionate to her size, like a crimson lightning bolt tearing through the air, charging straight at Gordon with ferocious momentum!
The red dragon roared and howled, its eyes filled with pure and ferocious fighting spirit and murderous light.
Gordon hadn't expected Samantha to be so ferocious and aggressive right from the start, and his expression tightened.
However, his combat training at the Lorthorn Royal Court, as well as his bloodline, prevented him from being intimidated and retreating in the face of the red dragon's might.
Iron Dragon Goldton reacted reasonably well and immediately stood up.
He planned to use his superior weight and strength to push Samantha away or pin her to the spot with his claws.
With a flick of his dragon claw, he stirred up a howling gale.
Its strength is indeed remarkable.
However, Samantha's combat experience honed in the blood and fire of the wilderness far surpasses that of Gorton.
In the split second before a head-on collision was imminent, Samantha's forward momentum subtly shifted.
The seemingly all-out, fierce attack was merely a realistic feint.
The red dragon's strong and agile body swept past Gordon's powerful claw strike with an almost ground-hugging agility.
At the same time, her long tail, covered in hard scales, streaked through the air and struck the side of one of Gorton's hind leg joints, which he was using as a fulcrum.
"Aww!"
Gorton let out a roar that was a mixture of pain and rage.
The sharp pain and loss of balance from the side of his joint caused his heavy body to stagger violently, revealing a huge opening.
Samantha would never let such a golden opportunity slip by.
She flipped over, and one of her sharp claws, like a hook, gleamed coldly as it viciously tore at the gaps in the scales on Gorton's relatively vulnerable abdomen.
Sizzle—!
Despite the excellent defense provided by Gordon's thick layer of fat and dense scales, the red dragon's claws still left several clear bloodstains where they passed, with dragon blood slowly seeping out.
However, it must be said that Gorton's unique "defense layer" was indeed remarkably effective.
Otherwise, given the ferocity of Samantha's claw strikes, this would likely have been more than just a superficial wound; it would have been a severe injury that exposed the bone.
"hateful!"
Gorton, in pain, roared and swung his claws, trying to force Samantha back.
His power was immense; each swing covered a large area, carrying a heavy wind pressure, but it was completely unpredictable.
Although the red dragon Samantha has a volatile temper, she is exceptionally calm in battle and avoids engaging in pointless head-on clashes with the iron dragon.
She always managed to easily evade Gorton's powerful yet simple attacks with her quicker reflexes and more agile movements, and then, like a cunning hunter, she would constantly seek opportunities to counterattack.
She would sometimes attack his joints with her claws, and sometimes ram his ribs with her wing bones. Each attack landed where Gorton's defenses were relatively weak or where he had no time to defend.
Gorton possesses greater strength and defense.
However, under Samantha's swift, precise, and skillful attacks, he was like a clumsy punching bag, only able to passively take the blows.
His counterattacks repeatedly failed, and his overly aggressive actions repeatedly exposed his weaknesses.
Samantha seized the opportunity and gave her a severe beating.
Iron Dragon's once-splendid scales, polished to a gleaming shine, were soon covered in dust, claw marks, and mottled bloodstains, leaving him in a sorry state.
"All you do is dodge and weave! What kind of skill is that! If you're so capable, take one of my attacks head-on!"
Gorton, unable to break through after a prolonged attack and instead suffering repeated blows, roared in frustration.
"Fool! Fighting isn't about who's stronger! It's about who can stand the last one standing!"
Samantha mocked him mercilessly, and once again seized the moment when his defenses were wide open in anger, and suddenly lowered her head.
A heavy headbutt slammed into Iron Dragon's jaw.
Thump!
A muffled thud!
The impact made Gorton's vision go black and his head spin. His massive body completely lost its balance and crashed to the ground like half a small mountain, kicking up a cloud of dust.
Samantha, seizing the opportunity, showed no mercy and immediately pounced on him.
She pressed down hard on the iron dragon's relatively vulnerable neck with one claw, the tip of the claw even piercing through the dragon's scales and embedding itself in the flesh.
Although it couldn't inflict a fatal wound on the heavily defended Iron Dragon, it did create effective suppression.
Thud! Thud! Thud!
The red dragon raised its other free claw and brought it down on Gorton's head, which was pinned to the ground.
"Are you convinced? Are you convinced? Are you convinced?!"
She shouted as she hit, her manner aggressive.
Gorton struggled in vain, unable to break free from Samantha's dominance, which she had created using her weight and skill.
Finally, faced with reality, he begged for mercy, "I give up! Please stop hitting me!"
"I surrender! I surrender!"
The two spectators, Galos and Carius, both wore expressions of unsurprised agreement.
"This Lord Iron Dragon has obviously undergone some systematic combat training and has a decent foundation, but he seriously lacks real intense confrontation and is unable to skillfully utilize his physical advantages in actual combat."
Karus the Golden Dragon said, "For example, just now, he slammed his dragon wings on the ground and rolled over, easily shaking off the red dragon that was pressing down on him, and even turning the tables and pressing down on him."
"However, in his pain and panic, he didn't think of any of these coping methods and just struggled haphazardly based on instinct."
"On the other hand, the other Red Dragon lady's movements are efficient and fierce, with each move aimed directly at the vital points, reducing wasted effort."
"She must have grown up through a lot of battles; the difference between the two is too great."
At the summit, Garus slowly withdrew his gaze.
He was not at all surprised by this match, which was almost one-sided and quickly decided.
If we go back a few decades, when everyone was still a young dragon, Gordon might have been able to defeat Samantha, the red dragon whose combat experience was not yet fully mature, thanks to his huge attribute advantage.
However, with the rapid development of the Ironforge tribe, Samantha enjoys far more resources than before.
Her development is not slow.
Given the decades of combat experience she's undergone, it's no surprise that she won so cleanly and decisively.
On the other hand, despite losing the fight, Gordon did not show much frustration.
Back when he was still a fledgling dragon, he was beaten to the ground by this dragon sister more than once.
"Damn it, when I get back to the royal court, I'll have to undergo even more brutal training!"
"Let her be arrogant for now. Once I become stronger, I'll humiliate her back tenfold!"
As he rolled over, begging for mercy, Gordon thought viciously to himself, setting a goal for himself.
If the white dragon Therese knew what he was thinking at this moment, she would surely resonate with him from the bottom of her heart and regard him as a rare fellow dragon.
"Be smarter next time. Stop trying to make your sister Samantha laugh all the time. When you see me, keep your head down obediently, understand?"
The red dragon raised its claw, stained with a little iron dragon blood, and patted Gorton's dragon face, displaying an arrogant demeanor befitting a dark and evil being in the wilderness.
"Yes, yes, you're right! I was wrong before, I was immature! I'm completely sober now!"
Tie Long, ever flexible, immediately put on a fawning smile and nodded vigorously, while inwardly fantasizing about the day when their roles would be reversed and he would finally be able to hold his head high.
Immediately, Samantha the Red Dragon released her pressure on the Iron Dragon, satisfied.
"Go play by yourself. This governor still has important matters to attend to at the alchemy workshop. Unlike you, I can't be as leisurely as Lortheron." After saying that, Samantha flapped her wings and flew to the mountain where the red iron dragon Garos was located. She bid farewell happily and then flew straight towards the Royal City Industrial Zone.
Iron Dragon Goldon got up dejectedly, brushing the dust and grass clippings off his body.
With his thick skin and tough flesh, he almost instantly forgot the pain of being beaten, flapped his wings, and flew to the mountain where Garus was, his massive body squeezing against the red iron dragon.
“Garos, Elena just informed me that the Lorthene delegation is preparing to depart for home tomorrow.”
"After this parting, I don't know when we'll meet again. Just thinking about staying in that bustling but restrictive royal court makes me miss the free wind here."
"Especially you, my dear, mighty brother!"
"I assure you, I will never forget your might and power in Lorthorn!"
"If you need anything in the wilderness, just give the order through blood relatives. Whether it's intelligence, resources or anything else, I will never refuse."
He has only one thought right now: to cling to this brother's coattails.
Having witnessed the founding ceremony firsthand, Gorton became increasingly aware that his current success was likely due to Galus's influence.
“I haven’t officially conferred a title upon you, but the Kingdom of Aura will always reserve a special place for you.”
Red Iron Dragon stretched out its claws and patted Gorton's broad shoulder, looking down at him and saying in a deep voice, "Remember, Gorton, even if you are in Lorthorn, don't forget that your roots are here."
"You will always be an indispensable member of our Ignas Dragon Court."
Upon hearing this, Gordon's massive dragon body paused slightly, as if a warm current had surged through his heart.
He looked up at Garos's imposing figure in the sunlight and felt that his brother seemed to be radiating a reassuring light, and his body seemed to have become even more majestic.
"I will remember this forever! I will never forget it!"
He snapped out of his daze and responded decisively.
A few days later, the Lortheron delegation, including Iron Dragon Gorton, began their return journey, gradually disappearing on the southern horizon of the wilderness.
Whoosh!
After a period of fierce attacks, the golden dragon Karus let out heavy, rapid breaths, while in front of him stood the red iron dragon, who looked as if he had just had a massage and was quite content.
"Are the bodies of legendary dragons really that hard?"
Karus shook his claws, which were a little sore from the recoil of the continuous attacks, and couldn't help but ask.
"Thank goodness, I feel like I'm about to bleed. Come on, Carius, don't stop, keep going."
Red Iron Dragon said to Karus with a smile, his tone relaxed.
Karus was silent for a few seconds, then slowly but firmly shook his head: "No, Garus, it's pointless. I can't even break through your defenses."
Hong Tielong encouraged him: "How will you know where the limit is if you don't try?"
"A legendary dragon is at your disposal; this is a rare opportunity."
Upon hearing this, Jinlong shook his head again.
“I’ve been feeling a bit weary lately, probably because my slumber is almost over,” he said. “After I return to the Dragon Realm to finish my slumber and become a legend, I’ll come back to ask for your guidance.”
He had originally planned to spend more time traveling in the wilderness.
However, the dormancy period is a top priority in a dragon's life and cannot be delayed. He plans to return to the safest dragon realm to undergo it.
"Alright, then I'll wait and see, and look forward to the challenges that follow your legendary run."
Hong Tielong nodded, saying understandingly.
After a brief farewell, the figure of the golden dragon Carius transformed into a dazzling golden streak of light and gradually disappeared into the southern horizon.
In the blink of an eye, another month has passed since the founding ceremony.
At the training ground on the back mountain, Red Iron Dragon had just exhausted Deborah, who had accompanied him in high-intensity training, to the point that she was almost paralyzed, forcing her to go back to rest. After completing several more rounds of extreme training on her own, Red Iron Dragon spread its wings and flew up to the highest mountain peak.
He faced the biting mountain wind and gazed at the desolate land that belonged to him.
"After the formal establishment of the nation, I have not yet toured this land that belongs to me, as I have spent almost all my time on physical training."
He was deep in thought.
After a few seconds of consideration, Red Iron Dragon decided to personally inspect his own kingdom and relax.
call--!
He flapped his wings, his body tearing through the clouds, preparing to begin his first kingdom tour.
High in the sky, the red iron dragon was flying slowly and steadily.
He lowered his eyes and looked down, his sharp gaze sweeping across the desolate landscape below, which resembled a miniature landscape. He took in the newly built cities rising from the mountains and dense forests, as well as the countless people bustling about within them.
Once upon a time, he also struggled to survive in this vast and primitive wilderness, feeling that danger lurked everywhere.
Times have changed, and now the entire wilderness has become his backyard, under his rule.
The dramatic change in his circumstances brought a sense of satisfaction to his heart.
As he circled and surveyed the area, Garus would occasionally look back towards the tundra covered in ice and snow.
He was thinking that one day, when he could completely bring the frozen tundra under his control, his current titles such as "King of the Wilderness" and "King of the Borderlands" might be elevated to "Lord of the North"!
At that time, the south will be the stage for constant conflicts among other countries.
This vast northern region will then belong entirely to Garros, leaving him with no more worries.
As the king surveyed his kingdom's borders, he silently weighed his future plans in his heart.
However, just as he flew over a rocky forest, he encountered a strange rock formation.
Galos's expression suddenly hardened. Martial Dragon's keen intuition for danger allowed him to instantly detect something extremely unusual.
Buzz—!
Almost at the same moment, without any warning, the surrounding space instantly solidified.
An invisible, enormous barrier, like an inverted bowl, completely separated the airspace within a radius of several kilometers from the land below.
The light inside suddenly dimmed, and all sounds from the outside world disappeared completely.
Immediately afterwards, a strong sense of spatial rotation swept over me, as if the world was being turned upside down by an invisible giant hand.
Garus's massive dragon body came to an abrupt halt in mid-air, its wings flapping sharply to steady itself.
His gaze was sharp as lightning, scanning the suddenly changed environment.
"Is this... some kind of mirror space detached from reality?"
Hong Tielong instantly realized that he had been ambushed.
The next moment, four powerful auras, no longer concealed, suddenly erupted and surrounded him from the four directions of east, west, south, and north.
They were all dressed in identical gray robes, which completely concealed their faces and figures, making it impossible to discern their specific genders and ages. However, the legendary aura they exuded at that moment already indicated their extraordinary nature.
"Gentlemen, what brings you here?"
Hong Tielong narrowed his eyes slightly and asked in a deep voice.
"Of course, it's for you, Your Majesty Emperor Ignas."
A tall man in a gray robe responded with a smile, "We sincerely hope that under your guidance, we can embark on a broader and more glorious path."
"My guidance?"
Galos was in no hurry to act, wanting to gather more information first.
Those who hide their true intentions will not gain my favor in the slightest.
He said, "Since you have already used methods to seal off the space, why don't you reveal your true forms and be honest with each other?"
The men in gray robes exchanged glances and reached a kind of consensus. Then, the tall man smiled.
"As you wish."
Sizzle! Sizzle!
One by one, the gray robes tore to shreds, revealing the true form hidden beneath.
An old man wearing a robe with shadow patterns and holding a spiral wooden staff; a burly man covered in dark metal armor and carrying a two-handed greatsword; a beautiful woman with a graceful figure wearing a long dress that flows like mercury; and a bald giant with an exceptionally large physique and skin as rough as granite.
The moment he saw their true faces, Red Iron Dragon's pupils contracted slightly.
Regardless of their differences in appearance or physique, they all share certain similar characteristics.
Vertical pupils, dragon horns, scales, sharp claws... these are all typical characteristics of dragon descendants.
However, their aura was quite strange, with little dragon-blooded energy present; their features seemed more like some kind of distorted decoration.
“Your Majesty Emperor Ignas, we are followers of the ‘Path of the Scales’.”
"It is a great honor to see Your Majesty's true face today."
The elderly man at the head of the group spoke with a smile, his attitude quite kind and polite.
"Followers of the Path of Scales?"
Galos felt a chill run down his spine.
This organization also has a more well-known name.
The Dragon Worship Cult!
The Dragon Worship Cult, as the name suggests, is a cult that fanatically worships dragons and regards them as the most perfect form of life.
Moreover, the Dragon Cult is not limited to one time or place, but is a super-large organization that spans many worlds, and has already left its mark on various continents of the planet Bernardo.
However, the memories passed down by Galos explicitly mention the need to be wary of the Dragon Worship Cult.
The reason is simple.
While these believers revered dragons as the perfect form of life, they also stubbornly believed that immortal undead were the ultimate form of life.
Therefore, dragon worship cults often resort to any means necessary, including but not limited to instigation, deception, coercion, and so on, to transform dragons into dragon liches.
During this dangerous transformation, a considerable number of dragon liches became puppets manipulated by the Dragon Cult.
"As I established my kingdom and my reputation grew stronger, new challenges indeed arose."
Hong Tielong's mind raced, "For example, these four legendary core members of the Dragon Worship Cult right in front of me."
He knew full well that beneath the other party's seemingly friendly attitude lay a crisis that was difficult to resolve amicably.
After a moment's thought, Hong Tielong said, "So you are the core members of the Dragon Worship Cult."
"As you all know, I am still far from becoming a twilight lich, and I have no intention of transforming into a dragon lich at present."
"Gentlemen, please return. When I am truly old and frail, I will consider cooperating with you."
Upon hearing this, the beautiful woman gently shook her head.
She smiled faintly and said, "Time is long and merciless. Even the most powerful dragon will eventually meet its end."
"Since the ending is already predetermined, why does Your Majesty not wish to let us choose a new and greater path for you? Death is not the end, but a new beginning! My King, you will become stronger as a result, and we are willing to prostrate ourselves before the new and perfect posture you have displayed."
Her voice carried a strange power, subtly influencing the other person's mind.
On the other side, Red Iron Dragon seemed to be affected, his gaze becoming somewhat fixed.
What you said makes some sense.
He seemed to relax his guard, flapped his wings, and gradually approached, saying thoughtfully, "Perhaps I should change my mind. Come, tell me in detail about this path to rebirth."
At that moment, the old man with the staff raised it and waved it gently.
As an invisible spatial ripple spread out, the distance that the Red Iron Dragon had just closed instantly became invalid, and it was teleported back to its original position.
The distance between them remained unchanged.
This person is named Malcolm, a dimensional mage codenamed "Space Weaver," who controls the [Mirror Dimension] domain, which, being a space-based domain, has an extremely wide range.
Galos was currently under the influence of his domain.
Within this mirror dimension, Malcolm can create spatial barriers at will, extending or shortening actual distances.
In addition, he also possesses three legendary traits: [Spatial Affinity], [Dimensional Misalignment], and [Spell Limits].
Seeing this, the beautiful woman whispered, her tone tinged with regret: "Your Majesty, your will is indeed very firm. However, we are not so easily fooled."
Her name is Betty, a mind sorceress codenamed "Soul Whisperer." Her domain is "Painful Echoes," which amplifies the physical and mental pain of her opponents, interferes with their will, and can even create realistic hallucinations of pain.
Her special ability is [Mental Piercing].
On the other side, Red Iron Dragon's gaze turned cold and indifferent.
The old man, Malcolm, said, “When you step into a completely new level of life, you will understand the good intentions we have today.”
The burly man in armor with dragon horns on his forehead was much more straightforward.
He drew his two-handed greatsword from his back and roared, "Your fate was already sealed! We will kill you here, and then lead you to rebirth!"
"For the supreme glory of the Path of Scales! Become one of us!"
The dimensional sorcerer issued his final pronouncement as he waved his staff.
In an instant, countless chains made of spatial energy sprang up out of thin air, weaving together like living things into a giant spider web, which wrapped around and suppressed Garus.
Blazing Domain!
Red Iron Dragon let out a deep roar.
boom!
In an instant, surging flames erupted from his massive dragon body, transforming into a burning kingdom.
The spatial chains that had been coiling around the flames were instantly burned and melted upon contact with the scorching fire.
call--!
With a sudden flap of his enormous wings, his entire body, enveloped in a field of flames, transformed into a blazing meteor, launching a fierce charge towards the dimensional sorcerer Malcolm.
"Haha, well done! Let us personally witness just how powerful the King of the Wilderness truly is!"
Upon seeing this, the armored giant was not alarmed but delighted, laughing wildly as he swung his greatsword.
Layers of blazing flames also climbed up and wrapped around the sword.
At the same time, a strong sense of unease spread through Galos's heart.
The last time he was ambushed and surrounded was when he was a teenager, and he almost lost his life. Back then, he was able to successfully kill the powerful red dragon Gorsas by relying on a similar siege tactic.
Subconsciously, Galos sensed that the danger of this encounter was far greater than ever before.
Faced with four well-prepared legends of the Dragon Worship Cult, any probing attacks would be superfluous.
There can be no more reservations!
Frenzy State! Bloodlust State! Crimson Lotus State! Rage State!
With a roar that shook the heavens and earth, the Red Iron Dragon immediately activated its most ferocious and extreme battle state! If the Wild state didn't require a certain amount of rage to be accumulated before it could be triggered, it would have activated it without hesitation at this moment.
A colossal beast!
During his frenzied charge, accompanied by bursts of golden lightning and flames, his dragon body began to grow at an astonishing speed! In the blink of an eye, he transformed into a terrifying behemoth over fifty meters long, and with the continued amplification of his rage, his size continued to grow slowly.
A suffocating, terrifying sense of oppression swept over us like a tsunami.
The pupils of the four legendary figures of the Dragon Worship Cult suddenly contracted, and for the first time, a solemn expression appeared on their faces.
The armored giant's wild smile came to an abrupt halt.
At the same time, the giant red iron dragon, carrying lightning and flames, charged straight at them.
The burly man took a deep breath, channeling his immense energy into his arms, and raised the two-handed greatsword known as Ashes of Pleasure high above his head.
Ashes of Pleasure: Realm-Breaking Slash!
He roared, and his greatsword slashed out with the force to split mountains and cleave peaks.
Buzz—!
A massive, visible, distorted ripple erupted, like a boulder thrown into a calm lake, sweeping towards the Red Iron Dragon at an unbelievable speed, leaving no way to avoid it!
Wherever the ripples passed, Galos's originally raging inferno was severely affected.
Large swathes of flame extinguished silently, and the entire area seemed to have been severely damaged and torn apart by an invisible force, revealing numerous unstable gaps.
"That strong?"
Galos felt even more apprehensive and uneasy, but he did not panic. Instead, he became calmer in the face of danger, his thoughts racing.
Space compression!
Just as a gap appeared in the fiery domain, the old man Malcolm on the other side timely waved his staff.
In an instant, the space around Red Iron Dragon became as hard as steel, pressing in on him from all directions, trying to crush him, and also greatly restricting his ability to move.
"roar!"
The red iron dragon raised its head and let out a deafening roar, its dragon energy surging forth and transforming into extra giant arms.
His claws swept across, his dragon wings swung wildly, and his movements carried unimaginable power.
Click! Click!
The hardened, solidified space shattered like fragile glass before this terrifying power, utterly unable to withstand the ferocity of this behemoth.
However, the enemy is not a single person.
Just as the red iron dragon had escaped its predicament...
Countless rock spears, as huge as beams and pillars, formed from pure earth element, shot towards us!
They were summoned by the bald giant and blocked all of Galos's possible escape routes.
Moreover, these attacks, which are clearly piercing attacks, also have a certain area-of-effect shockwave and stun effect when they hit Garos.
This is his legendary ability, "Shockwave," at work.
Sizzle! Sizzle!
Cracks and dents of varying depths began to appear on the Red Iron Dragon's scales, which were harder than steel.
However, the Red Iron Dragon possesses advanced physical immunity, so these damages are very limited, and the accompanying stun effect is also completely negated by him.
At that moment, four exceptionally thick and sharp rock spears pierced towards the Red Iron Dragon's eyes.
Galos reacted swiftly, immediately raising its claws to intercept and block.
But at that very moment, another unexpected event occurred.
With a slight ripple in the space, the four rock spears vanished into thin air.
The next moment, they were imbued with the effect of spatial tearing and pierced directly into the joints of the Red Iron Dragon's limbs.
Pfft!
The spear pierced flesh, and dragon blood splattered.
A painful echo!
Almost at the same moment the rock spear struck, the mind mage Betis's domain did not expand around herself, but instead directly covered the massive body of the red iron dragon!
The pain that was originally harmless to the dragon was suddenly magnified dozens or even hundreds of times.
The excruciating pain, especially from the punctured joints of the limbs, felt as if it were exploding directly from the depths of the soul!
This level of pain is enough to make even the most battle-hardened and iron-willed warrior faint instantly.
Her mental piercing ability can penetrate most mental defenses, making it difficult for even the most determined beings to resist.
The four legendary experts worked in perfect harmony, their attacks as fierce as a storm.
In just a few seconds, they formed a chain of oppression that would leave even ordinary legends in despair.
"Die! With your death, we will be reborn!"
The armored giant seized the opportunity and roared in victory.
He gripped the Blazing Delight tightly in both hands, raising his power to its peak, and charged fearlessly towards the Red Iron Dragon, which was completely suppressed and unable to move!
Power Frenzy!
With the legendary effect activated, his muscles surged and bulged violently like waves, unleashing terrifying power far exceeding his usual strength.
Fatal strike!
He aimed at the Red Iron Dragon's relatively vulnerable neck, channeling all his strength into the sword and launching a determined attack.
However, just as the armored giant closed in and the greatsword was about to fall,
Red Iron Dragon, who should have been unable to move, suddenly tugged upwards at the corners of his mouth, revealing a dangerous smile.
Heart of iron! Unyielding and unyielding!
Although the mind sorcerer's attack was insidious and vicious, it was far from enough to make his mind go blank.
As for the movement impairment caused by the punctured joint?
The effect of unwavering resilience did not hinder him; instead, it fueled his even fiercer fighting spirit, enabling him to unleash even greater damage.
"Insects! You've fallen for their trap!"
The red iron dragon raised its head and let out a roar that shattered the clouds!
Steel industry!
Centered on him, the fiery domain, which was originally riddled with gaps and flickering, suddenly receded like a tide.
Immediately afterwards, a series of teeth-grinding metallic clangs rang out, and a brand-new steel domain suddenly unfolded, instantly enveloping the armored giant who rushed forward!
"Oops!"
The armored man's heart sank.
He narrowed his territory and shifted from an offensive to a defensive posture.
"die!"
At the same time, the giant beast's dragon claws, covered with layers of steel and made even larger and sharper, suddenly attacked with lightning speed!
Fast! Accurate! Ruthless!
The armored giant felt a blur before his eyes and was grabbed by the giant claw.
Crack! Bang—!
Almost instantly, the domain light barrier on his body groaned under the strain, and countless spiderweb-like cracks appeared on its surface. Then, like a stone being tightly gripped by a hydraulic clamp, it was mercilessly crushed and collapsed!
"ah--!"
As the domain shattered completely, the armored giant's eyes widened in fury as he let out a roar of resentment.
He gathered all his strength, making a desperate gamble, and once again swung the Blazing Delight, launching a final strike!
Clang!
A piercing clang of metal rang out, and sparks flew everywhere like fireworks.
The layers of steel attached to the giant dragon's claws were torn apart, and a huge gash that was deep enough to expose the bone was broken through the tough claw scales.
But that's all.
This desperate counterattack failed to stop Red Iron Dragon's resolute killing intent.
His claws snapped shut with lightning speed, completely enveloping the armored giant and then squeezing him down.
Pfft!
A muffled cracking sound rang out.
This legendary warrior was instantly crushed into a blurry mixture of flesh and metal, utterly dead.
His weapons were then conveniently taken into his possession.
All of this seems slow, but it actually happens in the blink of an eye.
Before the other three Dragon Cult legends could even mount an effective rescue, one of their powerful companions was instantly killed.
Their previous advantage was nothing but an illusion.
That was just a carefully crafted decoy pose by Red Iron Dragon!
He appeared to be driven by anger and pain, behaving in a brutal and direct manner. However, the moment his Flame Domain was broken, he had already calmly analyzed the situation and devised the best battle strategy.
Feign weakness to lure the armored strongman, who poses the greatest threat in close combat, into the trap, and then strike first and kill him in one fell swoop.
"My mental attacks don't seem to have much effect on him!"
"Dual domains?! He has mastered two completely different domains!"
"His limbs were riddled with holes, so why is his movement still completely unaffected?!"
The remaining three legends were deeply shaken, their faces filled with disbelief.
They hadn't expected that the red iron dragon in front of them had a dual domain, and probably many other unique characteristics.
At the same time, the Red Iron Dragon's wings had already stretched to their limit, and with a shrill whistling sound that tore through the air, it rushed straight towards its next target at an incredible speed.
Malcolm, the Dimensional Sorcerer!
Spatial folding! Spatial chains!
Malcolm's gaze was more solemn than ever before, and he unleashed two of his signature spells at the same time.
The spatial distance between them seemed to stretch infinitely, turning a short distance into an insurmountable distance.
However, the Red Iron Dragon's charging speed was terrifying. Even with the space extended, he continued to approach at an astonishing speed.
at the same time.
Countless metal spikes and rotating blades formed from steel material appeared out of thin air around the Red Iron Dragon, swirling and flying around like loyal guards, cutting and shredding the spatial chains that kept wrapping around it. Its massive body also moved with extreme agility, avoiding all the remaining spatial blockades.
"Buy me some time!"
Malcolm growled, his face becoming solemn and dignified.
Spell Limit Exceeded!
The space around him rippled violently, and the entire mirror dimension seemed to shake and tremble because of this enormous energy.
Clearly, he was preparing an extremely powerful spell!
Seeing this, the bald giant took a deep breath, a resolute look flashing across his face, and resolutely blocked the path of the charge between the red iron dragon and the dimensional sorcerer.
Mountainous region!
Layer upon layer of majestic and imposing mountain phantoms suddenly appeared around his body, pressing and crashing into the charging red iron dragon!
Immovable as a mountain!
The bald giant's feet seemed to be rooted to the void, and a layer of solid, heavy, earthy yellow light emanated from his body, causing his defense to surge as he stood still.
Crash! Crash! Crash!
Before that unstoppable steel meteor, the so-called mountains were as fragile as paper, easily smashed and shattered one after another!
The red iron dragon continued its momentum, crashing solidly into the bald giant's yellowish body.
Click...click!
The solid, earthy-yellow light on his body lasted for less than half a second before cracking under the strain, leaving his surface covered in cracks.
The bald giant suddenly opened his eyes wide.
collapse--!
The next moment, his body, like porcelain struck by a giant hammer, shattered with a deafening roar! It turned into a cloud of blood mist and fragments, his body reduced to dust.
"They blocked my way, I thought they were going to be tough."
Hong Tielong sneered inwardly.
Strong defense?
Let my behemoth-like stature and unwavering resolve speak for themselves.
At this moment, Garus had activated all combat states except for his Wild form, and with the amplification of two major traits, the human, despite his seemingly good defense, was still easily crushed in front of him.
A storm of emotions!
The sorceress Betis pushed her psionic energy to its limit, veins bulging on her forehead, and launched her strongest mental attack on the red iron dragon, attempting to interfere with or even interrupt his actions.
However, the result was exactly the same as before.
Even with the Psychic Pierce ability as her advantage, her attacks were like a gentle breeze across a hill for Red Iron Dragon, failing to create any effective ripples.
"How can the will of a living being be so strong?"
The mind-controller's understanding has been overturned.
In this battle, she was like an outsider, making no difference whatsoever.
The red iron dragon broke through numerous obstacles, carrying unparalleled power, and arrived before the dimensional sorcerer Malcolm.
The claws swept across suddenly, carrying the force to tear everything apart, and were about to smash the dimensional sorcerer into mincemeat.
But at this critical moment, the surrounding space once again experienced a strange disorder and distortion.
Red Iron Dragon's determined strike deviated from its original trajectory, almost grazing Malcolm's body and hitting only air.
Dimensional Misalignment: At crucial moments, deflect the enemy's fatal attack.
"It's done!"
At the same time, a glint of light flashed in the dimensional sorcerer's eyes.
Spell Limit Break - Dimensional Shatter!
His figure instantly became illusory and blurry, narrowly avoiding another claw attack from the red iron dragon, while the sorceress Betis on the other side also became illusory and transparent at the same time.
Both disappeared at the same time.
All that remained was the Red Iron Dragon, trapped within this collapsing mirror dimension.
Click! Click! Click—!
Countless spatial cracks, as fast as lightning, spread wildly at a speed imperceptible to the naked eye, covering every corner of the entire domain in the blink of an eye.
Then, the entire space began to collapse and annihilate inch by inch, towards the red iron dragon at the center.
As the cracks extended to the Red Iron Dragon's massive body, its hard scales also began to crack.
Fortunately, this is not a true spatial rupture, but a spatial effect based on dimensional magic.
The Red Iron Dragon's inherent high level of magic resistance allowed him to save off the vast majority of the damage.
Although the cracks covering his body looked grotesque and terrifying, reaching deep to the bone, they ultimately could not tear him apart, and his endless regeneration was also taking effect.
"These Dragon Worshipers..."
The Red Iron Dragon took a deep breath, crossed its enormous wings, and covered and protected itself like two huge shields, silently enduring the damage caused by the dimensional shattering.
at the same time.
Above the stone forest outside, Malcolm and Bettis's figures simultaneously materialized from the air.
Both of them were panting heavily, their faces as pale as paper. The dimensional mage, in particular, was extremely weak, clearly indicating that the series of operations just now, especially the final dimensional shattering, had taken a huge toll on him.
The two exchanged a glance, both still shaken, their eyes revealing lingering fear and apprehension.
“He was clearly only a level 21 dragon, but even when the four of us legendary warriors joined forces to surround him, he managed to kill two of us!” The Dimensional Warlock Malcolm said in a low voice with a slight tremor, “This Red Iron Dragon Emperor is far too powerful.”
The mind sorceress Betis whispered, "My spells, whether mental attacks or pain amplification, seem to have no effect on him at all."
"...How is this possible?"
The psychic, who should have been resolute, now experienced severe self-doubt.
Malcolm calmed his rapid breathing and reassured himself, "However, in any case, we will still be the ultimate victors. The stronger he is, the more fruitful our journey will be."
"Wait about five more seconds, until the mirror dimension completely shatters, and his body should fall out of it."
He began the final countdown.
"Five, four, three, two, one!"
As he dropped the last number, the space above them, as expected, rippled violently once again.
However, the two legendary warlocks' gazes instantly shifted from anticipation to fear.
A colossal figure, engulfed in flames, slowly emerged from the void, its wings, riddled with holes, unfurling.
boom!
The dragon energy surged and intertwined, repairing the damage to the wing membrane at a speed visible to the naked eye.
The magnificent wingspan once again blocked out the light of day, casting a huge shadow that completely enveloped the two frail legends below.
The overwhelming dragon's might surged like a tide, bombarding their already fragile mental defenses, turning their faces pale and causing their bodies to tremble uncontrollably.
The Red Iron Dragon Emperor lowered his head slightly, his gaze sharp as a knife, fixed on the two sorcerers below.
Immediately, he flapped his dragon wings and swooped down.
"Wait...wait! We can talk! The terms are negotiable..."
The dimensional sorcerer attempted a final struggle, even if it was just to buy himself a moment's respite.
However, Red Iron Dragon's will was as hard as iron.
He would show no mercy or offer any room for conversation to such a despicable ambush predator, and besides, with so many legendary methods at his disposal, he couldn't guarantee he could control him.
The red iron dragon's diving momentum did not falter at all, and was even faster!
Faced with this desperate attack, the dimensional warlock, weakened to the extreme due to the limitations of his spells and the self-destruction of his domain, could only squeeze out the last bit of power in his body to barely distort a small area of space in front of him and avoid this fatal blow.
*Sizzle!*
*Sizzle!*
The dragon claw grazed the edge of the distorted space, and although it was displaced, the resulting wind pressure still tore the warlock's protective robes to shreds, leaving deep, bone-revealing bloodstains on his body.
This is the limit for a dimensional sorcerer.
He originally had a chance to leave safely, but because he was so eager to kill Red Iron Dragon, he has now exhausted his strength and has no way to retreat.
The next moment, the giant tail of the red iron dragon came crashing down.
The speed and power were so great that he had no time to react, and the dimensional displacement was no longer effective due to his extreme weakness.
Bang!
The earth trembled, and the dimensional sorcerer's body exploded into a shrill cloud of blood mist and shattered bone fragments. He was reduced to dust before he could even utter a complete scream.
The last remaining warlock has already cast a spell to escape.
Her body became ethereal, transforming into some kind of spiritual energy entity, and rapidly moved away from this place.
Red Iron Dragon looked over indifferently and opened his mouth bluntly.
A burst of unrestrained dragon breath erupted, arriving faster than expected and instantly catching up with her.
Boom!
The dragon's breath struck precisely, instantly engulfing it, then disintegrating and vaporizing it! Not even a trace of remains was left.
In the blink of an eye, the two legendary sorcerers, who were unapproachable in the eyes of mortals, were crushed like clay chickens and earthenware dogs in front of the Red Iron Dragon Emperor, dying swiftly and decisively.
Beneath this sky, only Garros's majestic dragon body remained standing, its dragon aura intertwined with blood flames.
"The Way of the Scales, the Dragon Worship Cult, very good, I will remember you."
The red iron dragon's gaze swept across the land, and only after confirming that there was no more life did it flap its wings and, carrying with it an aura of killing intent that had not yet completely subsided, soar towards the Crimson Flame Royal City.
P.S.: I'm writing a bit slowly, sorry. By the way, please give me a monthly vote.
(End of this chapter)
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