With every possible preparation in place, Lance crushed the Red Dragon's skull at the cost of one arm.
Using his remaining arm as a blade, he sliced open the Red Dragon's ruined chest, dug out its heart, studied its patterns, and used Battle Qi to imitate the flow of magic power, constructing a new combat skill.
With every passing second, new inspiration emerged in his mind.
After seven days and seven nights, Lance stood up, gripped the Red Dragon's heart in his left hand, absorbed the power of its flesh and blood, and channeled it through the heart into the place where his right arm had been severed.
Within a few breaths, a new arm grew back.
"It cost me three years of lifespan. The price is still a little too high. It needs further optimization."
After murmuring to himself, Lance tossed the Red Dragon's heart, now depleted by a tenth, aside. He then slowly closed his eyes and prepared to test his new combat skill, Crimson Dragon Scale Armor.
In an instant, crimson Battle Qi surged around his body. Strengthened by his will, it gradually converged around his chest and ultimately condensed into the illusory shape of a Red Dragon's heart.
The ambient magic power in the air was drawn in, transforming into countless tiny red specks of light that flowed directly into the illusory Red Dragon heart.
Within the illusory heart, the specks of magic power began to pulse rhythmically, each beat perfectly synchronized with the heart's rhythm.
Gradually, dense dragon-scale patterns emerged across his skin, and his fingertips began to sharpen.
He used Battle Qi to imitate the Red Dragon's heart, drawing in magic power from the air and extending the illusory scale armor.
Just as it was about to take shape, the illusory heart suddenly exploded.