Had He Gotten Too Cocky?

Rocksplitter Thorn Dragon's lair lay in Rocksplitter Gorge, on the western side of the Star Dou Great Forest.

Countless cracks split the rock walls on either side, exposing dark red stone. Fallen rubble lay strewn across the ground. The air reeked of earth, laced with a faint, acrid whiff of sulfur. The deeper they went, the more oppressive it felt.

Er Ming led the way, with Lin Yuan and Yang Wudi behind him. The moment they stepped into the gorge, heat rose through their feet in waves, as though their soles might scorch.

Lin Yuan surveyed the terrain.

"It's in there?"

Er Ming bellowed into the gorge. His roar set the walls humming, and the sound rolled deep into the valley.

[Get out here, you stinking lizard!]

Before his roar had faded, a deeper, furious bellow erupted from within. The challenge had been answered.

Rumble!

A great mound heaved up from the clearing ahead. Earth and stone churned as a colossal beast burst from the ground. A foul wind swept through the gorge, making even the loose stones underfoot tremble.

The Rocksplitter Thorn Dragon.

It stretched over a dozen meters long, rivaling the Titan Giant Ape in size. Dark brown armor covered its body, each plate bristling with sharp spikes. Four claws dug into the rock, while a long tail trailed behind it, ending in a bony spiked hammer. The hammer struck the stony ground, sending chips flying. Most striking of all was the forward-pointing horn atop its head, gleaming coldly.

The instant it raised its head, it locked onto Er Ming. Its four claws gripped the ground, its whole body braced for a fight to the death.

Er Ming bared his teeth and swung up a fist, ready to charge.

[You're finished today, stinking lizard!]

Yang Wudi spoke up