Breakthrough to the Peak of the Saint Level

"Did you always know the Octopus Ghost King was hiding in that void?" the Zombie Dragon King asked, its mental consciousness vibrating with curiosity.

Swallowing Sky Python King nodded, responding, "Yes, it was summoned by the Bone Dragon King to ambush us. However, the Octopus Ghost King hesitated at the last moment."

"With its withdrawal, the Bone Dragon King had no choice but to retreat as well. Alone, it couldn't hope to match our combined strength."

The Zombie Dragon King frowned in confusion. "But the Octopus Ghost King is a mid-level demigod. Together with the Bone Dragon King, they could have potentially defeated us. Why did it choose to back down?"

Swallowing Sky Python King explained, "It likely saw my nine serpent heads and mistook me for being related to the Titan Devouring Python, prompting it to act more cautiously."

"That implies the Titan Devouring Python is incredibly powerful," the Zombie Dragon King noted.

"Indeed," Swallowing Sky Python King affirmed. "From what I estimate, the Titan Devouring Python's strength is at the peak demigod level. If it successfully transforms into a lich, it would ascend to the quasi-god tier."

"We need to enhance our power as well," the Zombie Dragon King urged.

Swallowing Sky Python King nodded again. They had to become stronger to serve their master effectively. 

"That explains why you didn't attack the Bone Dragon King when I advanced to demigod. You knew the Octopus Ghost King was lurking nearby," the Zombie Dragon King realized.

"Exactly," Swallowing Sky Python King replied. "The Octopus Ghost King is cautious, but that doesn't mean it would stand idly by and watch us kill the Bone Dragon King. We had to bide our time."

"Once our master births the Dragon Spirit, we can eliminate them at our leisure," it added.

"That makes sense," the Zombie Dragon King agreed. The Swallowing Sky Python King, with its multiple heads, was indeed more cunning. Had it been in charge, it would have attacked the Bone Dragon King immediately, leading to potential disaster. The Python King's strategy had been far more effective.

"Speaking of which, the Octopus Ghost King isn't very bright. If we genuinely intended to leave Dragonfall Gorge, it wouldn't need to offer any Dragon Soul Grass to secure the territory," the Zombie Dragon King commented.

"It's not about intelligence; it's about overthinking," Swallowing Sky Python King sneered. "It believed that by making this deal, it could avoid offending the Titan Devouring Python while simultaneously taking control of this region from the Bone Dragon King. Besides, the Dragon Soul Grass holds little value for it. Trading something it doesn't need for territory seemed like a good bargain."

"I see," the Zombie Dragon King mused, gazing enviously at the Python King's nine serpent heads. Both were undead dragons from ancient times, yet the Python King's multiple heads seemed to grant it superior intellect.

An hour later, the Octopus Ghost King reappeared. It didn't hand over the Dragon Soul Grass immediately, instead cautiously asking, "Are you sure this area will be mine, and you won't go back on your word?"

Swallowing Sky Python King answered sincerely, "Collecting Dragon Soul Grass is our mission. Once we have it, we will leave. Our domain isn't here in Dragonfall Gorge. Besides, your strength surpasses ours. Even if we did reconsider, you could handle it easily."

The Octopus Ghost King found this reasoning sound. It wasn't wary of the Python King and Zombie Dragon King, but rather the Titan Devouring Python undergoing its lich transformation. If these two reneged on their promise, it could simply deal with them forcefully. The contract would then serve as a defense against any reprisal from the Titan Devouring Python.

Satisfied, the Octopus Ghost King tossed a light orb containing over three thousand Dragon Soul Grass to the Swallowing Sky Python King. "Here you go. They're all yours now."

"Pleasure doing business with you," Swallowing Sky Python King said cheerfully, storing the orb and leading its group of undead dragons away.

Watching them disappear into the distance, the Octopus Ghost King felt pleased. It now had control over a significant portion of the gorge, previously overseen by various undead bosses under the Bone Dragon King's command. Content, it began mobilizing its undead army to secure this newly acquired territory. 

Meanwhile, in the Golden Oasis, Haotian sat cross-legged under the Ancient War Tree, bathed in a green glow and powerful life and nature magic. After a long period, he opened his eyes, emanating an aura far stronger than before.

"Saint level peak! Just one more step to demigod!" Haotian felt satisfied with his rapid advancement. Initially, he thought it would take longer to reach this stage, but the recent victories of his undead dragons in Dragonfall Gorge, combined with his accumulated experience, made his breakthrough feel almost effortless.