The Sky-Swallowing Dragon Python King's Cunning Maneuver

In terms of size, the Skeleton Dragon King and the Sky-Swallowing Dragon Python King were evenly matched. Though its true form was that of a bone dragon, the Skeleton Dragon King's body wasn't just a skeleton. It was covered in a thick layer of golden bone, resembling heavy golden armor. This gave it an appearance even more robust and imposing than the Sky-Swallowing Dragon Python King, living up to its formidable title.

Upon arriving on the battlefield, the Skeleton Dragon King didn't attack immediately. Instead, it locked its gaze firmly on the Sky-Swallowing Dragon Python King. The sight of the nine snake heads made the soul fire within its skull flicker. It had seen those heads before!

The Skeleton Dragon King's mental voice trembled as it spoke, "You have crossed the line. The Fallen Dragon Gorge is not your territory! Even the Titan Sky-Swallowing Python would tread carefully here!"

Hearing this, the Sky-Swallowing Dragon Python King quickly understood that the Skeleton Dragon King mistook it for an underling of the corpse lich. This was understandable. Its nine snake heads did indeed come from the Titan Sky-Swallowing Python, almost identical in form. Denying a connection would be unconvincing.

"We're here merely to gather Dragon Soul Grass, yet we were attacked by your subordinates. If anyone's being presumptuous, it's the undead of Fallen Dragon Gorge!" retorted the Sky-Swallowing Dragon Python King.

At these words, the peak Saint-tier Corpse Dragon roared in anger. "Your zombie dragon killed our emissary and invaded my lord's territory. If we don't kill you, who will we kill?"

The Sky-Swallowing Dragon Python King gave it a disdainful glance. "Keep talking, and I'll rip your mouth off!"

The peak Saint-tier Corpse Dragon shrank back in fear. The earlier battle had shown it just how terrifying the Sky-Swallowing Dragon Python King's strength was—indeed capable of such threats.

The Skeleton Dragon King growled, "Hand over that zombie dragon, and I'll overlook what has happened here."

The Sky-Swallowing Dragon Python King turned to the Zombie Dragon King, Voris. "He wants to hand you over. What do you think?"

"Do as you please!" Voris grinned.

At that moment, the Sky-Swallowing Dragon Python King opened its mouth, but instead of attacking Voris, it spat out a glowing orb of immense soul essence. This was a trophy, promised to Voris for his breakthrough. Voris swallowed it whole without hesitation. Moments later, an invisible golden light descended from the sky, enveloping Voris.

Voris's aura surged rapidly, breaking through from peak Saint-tier to early demigod-tier in seconds. His body grew larger, matching the Sky-Swallowing Dragon Python King's size. Witnessing this, the undead bosses beside the Skeleton Dragon King recoiled in fear, their soul fires trembling. A one-on-one had just turned into a two-on-one.

Feeling the shift in power, the Skeleton Dragon King hesitated. "Let's put the past behind us. Leave Fallen Dragon Gorge immediately!"

"No way!" Voris, now a demigod, was more arrogant than ever, completely disregarding the Skeleton Dragon King. He was ready to team up with the Sky-Swallowing Dragon Python King to tear the Skeleton Dragon King apart.

However, what the Sky-Swallowing Dragon Python King did next surprised him. "Our mission is to collect Dragon Soul Grass. Hand over the Dragon Soul Grass from your territory, and we'll call it even."

Voris glanced at the Sky-Swallowing Dragon Python King, puzzled by the sudden change in attitude. He didn't protest, trusting the cunning of his ally.

The Skeleton Dragon King was silent for a long time before saying, "Dragon Soul Grass holds little value for undead of our level."

"That's none of your concern," replied the Sky-Swallowing Dragon Python King. "If you want peace, give us the Dragon Soul Grass!"

"You think I fear you two?" The Skeleton Dragon King's eyes glowed intensely, and its golden bone armor quivered, its aura seemingly stronger than before.

The Sky-Swallowing Dragon Python King remained unfazed. "Hand over the Dragon Soul Grass, and we'll have peace. Otherwise, this war continues!"

The tension escalated, the air thick with hostility. Finally, the Skeleton Dragon King relented, its aura withdrawing. "Wait here."

It disappeared into the night with its undead bosses. "He won't run, will he?" asked Voris.

"He won't," the Sky-Swallowing Dragon Python King replied. "He wants us gone more than he values the Dragon Soul Grass."

"Will you really keep the peace?" Voris asked.

The Sky-Swallowing Dragon Python King gave him a sidelong look. "What do you think?"

Voris laughed. "Peace isn't in our nature."

Half an hour later, the Skeleton Dragon King returned alone, spitting out a glowing orb filled with Dragon Soul Grass. "Over two thousand four hundred Dragon Soul Grasses, enough for you."

"Excellent. We'll forget what happened before," the Sky-Swallowing Dragon Python King said, storing the orb. "From now on, the southwestern region of Fallen Dragon Gorge is ours. The north is yours. We'll stay out of each other's way."

The Skeleton Dragon King nearly erupted in fury. He had been tricked! But he held back, merely saying, "Do as you wish," before leaving in a rage.

Voris chuckled. "You're a crafty one. With this much Dragon Soul Grass, our master can surely nurture a powerful dragon spirit!"

"Don't get too excited yet," said the Sky-Swallowing Dragon Python King, breathing a dragon breath into a seemingly empty space. An octopus-like figure was forced to appear, about ten meters in size.

Voris was startled, having not noticed its presence. "Let's make a deal," the Sky-Swallowing Dragon Python King said, vibrating with mental power.

"What kind of deal?" replied the Octopus King, speaking in human tongue, while the dragons used mental communication for secrecy.

"We'll trade the southwestern region of Fallen Dragon Gorge for the Dragon Soul Grass in your territory," the Sky-Swallowing Dragon Python King proposed.

"Why should I trust you?" asked the Octopus King.

"You're powerful enough not to fear betrayal," replied the Sky-Swallowing Dragon Python King. "I swear we won't set foot in the southwestern region as long as you're there. We just want the Dragon Soul Grass. Give it to us, and we'll leave Fallen Dragon Gorge to you."

The Octopus King pondered briefly and then nodded. "Give me an hour." Its avatar merged back into the void.

Voris, still shocked, communicated mentally, "Are you serious about leaving this place? What about our master's mission?"

"Our mission is to collect Dragon Soul Grass, not claim territory," the Sky-Swallowing Dragon Python King replied. "Next time we come, we'll go straight to its lair and deal with it directly."

Voris was stunned. The Sky-Swallowing Dragon Python King's cunning had taken his understanding to new heights.