Chapter 30: The Divine Dragon's Three Stages

Dragons typically experience five stages in their lifecycle. Newly hatched dragons, known as hatchlings, stand about a meter tall. These young dragons are playful and can unconsciously use the dragon race's most basic breath attack.

Next are the second-stage dragons. They move at incredible speeds but are unable to fly, and they can freely cast various elementary spells.

Third-stage dragons can soar through the skies and wield intermediate-level magic. These dragons possess significant destructive power and are often responsible for causing trouble due to their restless nature.

Following this is the fourth stage, where dragons attain immense power and can effortlessly cast advanced spells. At this point, most dragons have established their own lairs. A holy dragon at this stage is considered exceptionally wise.

The fifth and final stage of a dragon's life is when holy dragons can transform into other species. Dragons at this stage have the capability to destroy entire cities.

Legends from the Classic of Mountains and Seas

The black and crimson demon king, the black and crimson wild flames, the black and crimson aura of condemnation—these colors have become the sole rulers of the vast cavern.

Amidst this black and crimson curtain, occasionally, the golden scales of the Dragon God would shimmer.

"Yinfeng, do you have any more spells left?" A cold voice pierced through the black and crimson.

"Whew, whew, whew..." Yinfeng gasped heavily. Even for someone as powerful as Yinfeng, casting three forbidden spells in succession was taxing on the body. He couldn't even speak.

A golden lightning streaked across, like an endless golden meteor tracing the dome of the cave.

The black and crimson flames suddenly surged, scattering outward. Two demon kings were attacked; before they realized what was happening, one demon was torn to shreds, and the other tried to escape by flapping its massive wings. However, the golden lightning caught up to it, and a dragon claw extended from the lightning, gently striking the demon's head. The demon was flung like an arrow into the air, crashing into the cave ceiling, showering black blood.

The golden glow vanished, and the Dragon God hovered before Yinfeng.

"What else do you have to say?"

"Pilot, you..." Yinfeng panted, "The Creator God is dead, and the Wheel of Fate is turning once more. Neither you nor I can resist this change. We were both born to face this calamity."

"Hmph, as a lower dragon, you have violated the four great taboos of the dragon realm: breaking pacts, harming life, defying superiors, and self-proclaiming as a true god. There are indeed those born to face fate, but not you," the Dragon God replied coldly.

"Nonsense! I've known for a thousand years that I am the destined new Dragon God!" Yinfeng roared, his massive head lunging at the Dragon God, his black head revealing enormous teeth, desperately trying to tear the Dragon God's skin.

The Dragon God's wings lightly flapped, striking Yinfeng's head, just like with the demon. "Boom!" Yinfeng crashed to the ground.

"Whew, whew," Yinfeng struggled to get up.

"As a dragon, you are born of my flesh and blood. I truly cannot..." The Dragon God's cold voice carried an unexpected emotion: "Red Night."

"Present." Suddenly, another red dragon appeared in the cave.

Red Night, the legendary Red Night Amy, Dashan, and Lu'er stared in awe at the hero dragon before them—the most trusted subordinate of the Dragon God. His true name was Koshdomia, meaning 'Hero of the Dragon Race.' Because whenever he appeared, the sky turned from blue to a red night, he was known to both dragons and humans as 'Red Night,' also the sacred dragon envoy of the fire element.

"Let me talk to them, then you can proceed. I don't want to see that scene."

"Taimugel Sai, I've always watched you. You are the first holy dragon to make an oath with ordinary humans after I created the dragon race. Perhaps it is indeed the arrangement of the Wheel of Fate." The Dragon God's voice had lost its coldness.

"Dashan, you must treat Taimugel Sai well. I'm not worried about you, but make sure a human named Chi Hanfeng is careful not to let me come looking for him," Amy's jaw dropped at the Dragon God's words of warning.

"Wait, esteemed Dragon God." Despite severe injuries and meeting the Dragon God, who is on par with the Creator God, for the first time, Amy's performance was unaffected: "You see, we're all injured like this, and if you leave, both Green and I will end up dead in the wild."

After a flash of golden light, Amy and Dashan felt much better.

"Dragon God, there are still a few of my friends over there; could you help heal them as well?" Amy pointed to the unconscious Afeng and Old Locke.

"The Wheel of Fate has begun anew. You all must guard it well."

"Taimugel Sai, you are born for this destiny; I grant you greater power—" Golden light descended from the sky, the golden mountain's light fluctuated, and under its influence, Green emitted a green glow that resonated with the golden light. After a sudden loud noise, Green's body expanded rapidly, growing over three meters tall. Her once small green wings unfolded, and with a slight flap, Green took flight.

Subsequently, the Dragon God's hand produced golden light again, gradually forming a long knight's lance: "Dashan, ordinary dragon lances cannot match the speed of a holy dragon. I give you a lance once used by a deity."

With that, the Dragon God lightly flapped his wings and flew towards the cave's ceiling.

"Hey, wait!" Amy shouted anxiously, "It's so rare to meet you; can't you give me something? Even a dragon egg would do."

"No one can hasten the Wheel of Fate." The Dragon God vanished from the cave.

"Yinfeng, you should end it yourself." Surprisingly, the legendary Red Night was so gentle.

"Ha, Pilot's only mistake was overestimating you." Yinfeng struggled to rise. As a wind dragon, his wings fluttered, and he hovered in the air.

"Is that so?" Red Night opened his mouth wide, and a torrent of red flame breath surged forth. Yinfeng dodged swiftly in the air, but the breath covered nearly the entire cave ceiling. Finally, a few flames hit Yinfeng, and in agony, he fell once more.

"As a lower dragon, when will your foolish head truly understand the power of a higher dragon? Heh, try again in your next life." Red Night's massive form landed before Yinfeng, a foot pinning Yinfeng's blue head.

"If you want me dead, you'll pay a price too." In a final, fiery counterattack, Yinfeng's black head lunged, biting Red Night's wing.

Caught off guard, Red Night's right wing received a heavy bite.

As a higher dragon, the finest warrior among the dragon race, no one had ever injured Red Night so severely. Without a cry of pain, Red Night ignored his wound, red flames erupting from his body.

Like lightning, he clamped his massive jaws on Yinfeng's neck, tearing with all his might.

"Crunch—Awooo—" A loud crack resounded as Yinfeng let out a wild, sorrowful howl. Under the fierce assault, the blue head was ripped away by Red Night.

Yet, a dramatic change unfolded. As Yinfeng's anguished cry echoed, black mist rose, gradually obscuring Yinfeng's body. When the mist cleared, Yinfeng was gone. His final words echoed in the cave: "Red Night, thank you for removing the tumor that tormented me for a thousand years. Remember, next time you won't have such a good opportunity. Haha, the Dragon God will never find me again."

Could it be that for centuries, Yinfeng had been hiding because the blue dragon head emitted something perceptible to the Dragon God? Now, this situation has entirely changed.

"Coward, don't run." Red Night flapped his wings, vanishing into the cave ceiling.

"Whoa—" Amy exclaimed in awe, "Wow, they all left just like that. The Dragon God is stingy, but since they're gone, haha, look at all these treasures!" Amy laughed wildly, diving towards the mountain-like pile of jewels left behind by Yinfeng.

"Amy—come help!" Dashan picked up an item from the ground and tossed it towards Amy, who was lunging at the golden mountain.

"Alright, alright, you're right; saving people is more important. The jewels aren't going anywhere," Amy reluctantly tore her gaze from the treasure.

After an urgent rescue, Afeng and Old Locke regained consciousness.

"Amy, where is everyone else? What about Yinfeng?" Afeng asked anxiously upon seeing familiar faces.

"They're all dead," Amy lowered his head.

"Xue!" Afeng wept bitterly.

"The two-headed dragon Yinfeng is also dead," Amy continued.

"What?" The three present stared at Amy in shock.

Ignoring Dashan's puzzled look, Amy went on, "Over there is its dragon head; its body exploded entirely. As for how it died, I'm sorry, we didn't see it. It seems Dashan summoned his own mount dragon, Green. When we awoke, this is what we saw." Though he was lying, Amy's face was convincingly confused, and the scattered blood seemed to testify for him.

"Ah, such pain," Old Locke groaned, supporting his body. "Over twenty people, and only four of us remain. But there's still much to handle. Afeng, what do you suggest?"

"Right, Afeng, Yinfeng left a lot of jewels. Should we distribute them to the brothers who died?" Amy unexpectedly suggested.

"Hmm, here's the plan: Old Locke and I will stay here to handle the aftermath. You two go report the mission. Other than the two teams that were wiped out, we'll say the three teams completed it. The remaining money here will first go to the fallen brothers, and the rest will be divided into five shares. You can later collect it from Old Locke. He leads a mercenary group on this continent," Afeng explained slowly.

"Okay, heh, I really hate to leave all this money behind, but I have no idea what I'd do with it all, and I don't even know where to keep it safe," Amy lamented, chiding himself.

Using a floating spell, the massive dragon head hovered in the air. Amy called Green over to help move the dragon head out of the cave.

Dashan left some of his last medicine with Afeng and reluctantly bid farewell.

"Remember to find me in the capital," Old Locke called out to Amy and Dashan.

"Will do."