Chapter 3: "The Dragon's Duel; Shadows of Redemption"

In the mystical Oriental world, where vibrant life thrives, the ancient and mighty Great Dragon safeguards the entire continent, ensuring its people can live freely in this paradise. Amidst the starry night, a blazing meteor streaks across the sky, unsettling the Great Dragon residing in the Dragon Altar. "The Black Dragon seeks to destroy the Dragon Altar and dominate the Cadia Riverlands," a voice whispers, foretelling an unprecedented catastrophe that awaits the land.

Deep within the remote Forbidden Area of Dragon Soul, the long-sealed reverse scale finally awakens, summoning the Lord of Reincarnation. Yu Zhong's mind becomes a swirling tapestry of memories from past lives, intertwining with his present fate. A surge of awe-inspiring power courses through his body as he gradually opens his eyes. Yu Zhong has regained the memories of his previous life and begins to reclaim his lost strength.

Empowered by the surging force emanating from the reverse scale, Yu Zhong becomes engulfed in memories. He recalls the pedantry and conservatism of his master, the foolishness and cowardice of his younger apprentice, and the concealed menace lurking beneath the seemingly peaceful era. Amused by it all, he chuckles to himself. Over a decade has passed, and the Cadia Riverlands failed to grow stronger under the Great Dragon's rule. Instead, the rise of the Southern Abyss and the resurgence of evil forces have ignited the fires of war. The impending conflict could erupt at any moment, posing immense danger to the complacent and vulnerable Cadia Riverlands.

Step by step, Yu Zhong ascends the stairs of the Dragon Altar, his strength escalating with each stride. The reverse scale slowly consumes his body, yet he displays no fear. Rather, he savors the pain and torment, fully aware that the ancient Black Dragon residing within the reverse scale seeks to control his consciousness. As the reverse scale takes hold, Yu Zhong's body undergoes a transformative mutation. Scales pierce through his flesh, growing in wild abandon.

Although his appearance undergoes a gradual metamorphosis, the two forces within his body struggle to blend harmoniously. The escalating agony threatens to tear Yu Zhong apart, and his consciousness fades, corroded by the influence of the reverse scale. Nevertheless, Yu Zhong persists. He knows that what he lacks will soon arrive.

Amid the relentless torment, Yu Zhong gradually loses consciousness, and the torrential power reduces the Forbidden Area of Dragon Soul to ruins. At this crucial moment, Oriental Fighters arrive, determined to halt Yu Zhong's destructive path in the name of the Great Dragon. Luo Yi, lying in wait, employs her Yin Yang Circle to ensnare Zilong and the others, leaving only Tang Wanwan to escape through her agile movements.

Yu Zhong teeters on the brink of total domination by the Black Dragon's consciousness within the reverse scale, poised to succumb to madness. In this dire juncture, Wanwan retrieves the keepsake once belonging to Yu Zhong—a dimly glowing primordial spirit. Wanwan has never doubted Yu Zhong's true nature, firmly believing that he is not as vile as everyone perceives, and that his mind has been consumed by the reverse scale. She rushes toward the uncontrollable and deranged Yu Zhong, clutching the primordial spirit, and places it within his body. A radiant light engulfs him as his sanity gradually returns, and he recognizes the now-grown Tang Wanwan.

Yu Zhong turns to face Wanwan, who gazes at him with hopeful eyes. A complex expression flickers within his own. To everyone's astonishment, Yu Zhong does not expel the reverse scale from his body. Having regained his sanity, Yu Zhong not only thwarts the ancient Black Dragon's attempt to consume his consciousness but also fully harnesses the power of the reverse scale. He becomes capable of transforming between the formidable forms of a dragon and a human, evolving into a true Fierce Dragon.

All along, this has been part of Yu Zhong's calculated plan. Exploiting Wanwan's kindness and naivety, he entrusted her with the primordial spirit, the key to his destiny. Now, at this pivotal moment, he achieves his ultimate objective, capitalizing on her unwavering trust.

As the reverse scale completes its return, the Black Dragon emerges in all its magnificence. Yu Zhong, now devoid of weaknesses, sets his sights on a single goal: to establish his dominion. In the form of a black dragon, he soars into the heavens, casting his gaze upon the ancient land below. He intends to overturn all outdated orders, forging a powerful and prosperous Cadia Riverlands according to his own vision.Luo Yi gazes at the soaring black dragon with a blend of awe and madness. Her long-held desires are finally fulfilled, and a new era dawns upon them all. The world will only remember the name of the mighty and victorious, never questioning their original intentions. Yu Zhong's conquest of the Cadia Riverlands is underway, as he seeks the ultimate clash with the Great Dragon, standing ready to determine the fate of the land.

Unbeknownst to Yu Zhong, hidden forces are already gathering to challenge his ascent to power. The resistance, led by courageous warriors and wise sages, vows to protect the Cadia Riverlands from falling into the clutches of darkness. They know that true strength lies not in dominance, but in harmony and unity. Through their unwavering resolve, they forge an alliance that will stand against the encroaching shadow of the Black Dragon.

As the opposing forces converge, a colossal battle looms on the horizon. It will test the mettle of heroes and the resilience of the land itself. The fate of the Cadia Riverlands hangs in the balance, its people yearning for peace and freedom. In this climactic struggle between light and darkness, the destiny of an entire continent will be decided.And so, amidst the chaos and uncertainty, the legend of Yu Zhong, the Fierce Dragon, begins to unfold. Will he succumb to the allure of power and dominance, or will he discover the true essence of strength and become a beacon of hope in the face of adversity? Only time will reveal the outcome of this epic tale that unfolds in the mystical Oriental world.

Zilong, the valiant warrior renowned for his prowess, stood face to face with Yu Zhong, now transformed into the formidable Fierce Dragon. The clash of titans sent tremors through the very ground they stood upon, their powers colliding with a force that shook the surrounding landscape.

Zilong, wielding his legendary Dragon Blade, charged forward with lightning speed, his movements a blur as he unleashed a barrage of strikes. Each swing of his blade was infused with his unwavering determination to protect the Cadia Riverlands from the clutches of darkness. But Yu Zhong, empowered by the combined strength of the reverse scale and the primordial spirit, proved to be an indomitable adversary.

The Fierce Dragon met Zilong's attacks head-on, his draconic form exuding an aura of raw power. Scales glinted menacingly as he retaliated with a flurry of devastating blows. The clash of their weapons echoed through the air, a symphony of clashing steel and roars that resonated with the weight of their struggle.

Zilong, fueled by his unwavering spirit, refused to yield. He tapped into the depths of his inner strength, channeling the power of the Dragon Blade to its fullest extent. With a mighty roar, he unleashed a torrent of energy, the blade imbued with the essence of dragons past. It sliced through the air, aiming straight for Yu Zhong's vulnerable spot.

Yet, the Fierce Dragon was no easy opponent to vanquish. With a swift motion, Yu Zhong dodged the lethal strike, his agility rivaling that of a dragon in flight. He countered with a devastating sweep of his scaled tail, sending Zilong hurtling through the air, crashing into the earth below.

Bruised but undeterred, Zilong rose to his feet, his resolve unyielding. He knew that he fought not only for himself but for the entire Cadia Riverlands, and he would not let their hopes be extinguished. With renewed vigor, he once again engaged in a deadly dance with the Fierce Dragon.

Their battle raged on, the clash of their powers illuminating the darkened sky. Each combatant pushed themselves to the limits, tapping into reserves of strength they never thought possible. The echoes of their clash reverberated throughout the land, a testament to their unwavering determination and unyielding will.

As the battle reached its crescendo, the fate of the Cadia Riverlands hung in the balance. Both Zilong and Yu Zhong knew that this final confrontation would determine the course of their homeland's future. It was a clash of ideologies, a clash between light and darkness, and only one would emerge victorious.

In this climactic struggle, the outcome remained uncertain. The clash of Zilong and Yu Zhong would etch itself into the annals of history, forever shaping the destiny of the Cadia Riverlands. And as the dust settled and the battle drew to a close, the world would bear witness to the aftermath and the consequences of their titanic fight.