Dragons

Late autumn, year 10009 of the Yulan Calendar. Chiyan City, O'Brien Empire.

An stood in the Training Ground in the rear courtyard of Earl Baruch's manor, his eyes closed as he felt the surging power within him. Golden scales shimmered beneath his skin, and battle qi rushed through his meridians like a tide.

"An, have you made up your mind?" Linley's voice came from behind him.

An opened his eyes and turned around. Linley wore a fitted dark cyan warrior's outfit, his long hair tied back. Bebe was with him, perched on his shoulder, watching An with his little jet-black eyes.

"I have," An said. "I'm going to the Sunset Mountain Range to capture Saint-level dragons. I need their blood. Fresh blood from living dragons. Combined with blue heart grass, it will let us stockpile resources to awaken the bloodlines of future generations. Wharton just got married, and he'll have children someday. Our Baruch Clan can't keep relying on luck to awaken our bloodline the way we did in the past."

Linley was silent for a moment, then nodded.

The Baruch Clan had declined for over a thousand years because its Dragonblood Warrior bloodline had grown thinner with each generation. Now that they had the means, they ought to pave the way for their descendants.

"I'll come too," Linley said.

An did not refuse. Linley was now a Saint Realm Middle Stage Dragonblood Warrior as well, and his strength after Dragon Transformation was not to be underestimated. They also had Bebe and Barker, the eldest of the five Undying Warrior brothers, who was at the early Saint level. Barker's defense was astonishing; even against a Saint-level dragon, he could hold out for a while.

Their four-man team was strong enough to go wherever they pleased in the Sunset Mountain Range.

Early the next morning, An, Linley, and Barker set out from Chiyan City, flying southeast. Bebe perched on Linley's shoulder, squeaking excitedly.

"Boss, this is my first trip to the Sunset Mountain Range!" Bebe said in human speech.

Linley stroked his head. "Don't get too excited. Saint-level dragons aren't easy to deal with. Most have lived for thousands of years and have plenty of experience. Dragons also stick together. Once we attack one, its companions might come."

Barker grinned, baring his gleaming white teeth. "Then let a few more come. We can take care of them all at once."

The four flew onward at tremendous speed.

The Sunset Mountain Range lay on the southeastern border of the O'Brien Empire, stretching for thousands of li and rivaling the Magical Beast Mountain Range in fame. It was home to countless magical beasts, including no small number at the Saint level. Dragons occupied a particularly vast area known as "Dragon Valley."

Dragon Valley was An's destination.

After half a day of flight, the four arrived above the Sunset Mountain Range. Rolling mountains and towering ancient trees stretched into the vast distance. An spread his spiritual power over a radius of several dozen li, searching for the aura of a Saint-level dragon.

"Over there." An pointed southeast. "There's one with a very powerful aura."

The four concealed their auras and flew low, approaching quietly.

Beyond a dense forest, an open valley came into view. A clear river ran through it, with lush grass along both banks. An enormous creature crouched beside the river, drinking.

It was a Tyrannosaurus.

Nearly a hundred meters long, it had pitch-black scales as hard as stone. Its limbs were thick and powerful, and every step could make the earth shake. At that moment, its head was lowered as it scooped up river water with its enormous tongue. Even while it drank, its domineering draconic presence left the nearby low-level magical beasts trembling.

"A Tyrannosaurus," Linley said quietly. "Immense strength, formidable defense, slightly slow. But its tail attacks are terrifying. Don't take them head-on."

An nodded.

"Barker, you and Linley circle around from the left. Bebe, take the right. I'll approach from the front," An said. "Remember, we need it alive. Don't kill it."

A flicker of excitement crossed Barker's eyes. "Understood."

An transformed first. Golden scales covered his entire body, his wings spread, dragon horns rose from his head, and spikes lined his back.

The Tyrannosaurus abruptly raised its head, fixing its fiery red eyes on An.

"A Saint-level Dragonblood Warrior!" the Tyrannosaurus said in human speech, its voice booming like thunder. "Who are you? Why have you invaded my territory?"

An hovered in the air, gazing down at the Tyrannosaurus with dark golden eyes. "I'm An Baruch. I need your dragon blood, fresh living dragon blood. If you're willing to cooperate, I won't hurt you. Otherwise-"

The Tyrannosaurus flew into a rage.

"Someone from the Baruch Clan!" It let out an earthshaking roar. "Your ancestors slaughtered my kin, and now you dare come here again! You're courting death!"

The Tyrannosaurus opened its enormous jaws, and black dragonfire surged out, hurtling toward An like a black dragon of flame. With a beat of his wings, An shifted several dozen meters sideways like a phantom. The dragonfire swept past his body and reduced the forest behind him to ashes.

"Roar!" The Tyrannosaurus roared again, lashing its enormous tail at An like a steel whip.

An reached out with both hands and caught the tip of its tail in his golden claws. The Tyrannosaurus's tail carried enough force to shatter mountains and split stone, yet held in An's arms, it could not advance another inch.

"Hah!" An heaved, lifting the Tyrannosaurus's hill-sized body off the ground and slamming it into the nearby cliff. The rock face shattered, boulders tumbled down, and dust filled the air.

The Tyrannosaurus shook its head and climbed out of the rubble. A trace of fear entered its eyes. This Dragonblood Warrior was even stronger than it was.

Just then, Linley, Barker, and Bebe closed in from three directions.

Linley had already completed his Dragon Transformation. Dark cyan scales covered his body, his dragon tail swished, and his dark golden eyes stared coldly at the Tyrannosaurus. Barker had transformed directly into his Undying Warrior form. His skin had turned grayish white, and he resembled a solid rock, radiating a suffocating sense of weight. Bebe's body had grown to a meter long, his black fur stood on end, and his little eyes brimmed with fighting spirit.

The Tyrannosaurus looked around, its heart sinking.

A peak Saint-level Dragonblood Warrior, a Saint Realm Middle Stage Dragonblood Warrior, an early Saint-level Undying Warrior, and a Saint-level magical beast whose strength it could not gauge-it could not defeat such a lineup alone.

"You've gone too far!" The Tyrannosaurus threw its head back and roared. Its cry pierced the clouds and spread in every direction.

An's expression changed. "It's calling for help! Finish this quickly!"

He became a streak of golden light, charging straight at the Tyrannosaurus. Unable to dodge in time, it could only strike with its thick forelimbs. An neither dodged nor retreated, driving a fist into its claw.

Boom!

Fist met claw with a thunderous, muffled crash. The Tyrannosaurus's claw was knocked aside, and its entire forearm went numb. Seizing the opening, An closed in and carved a deep wound across its abdomen with his golden claws.

Blood gushed out.

An did not continue his attack. He withdrew several dozen meters and stared coldly at the Tyrannosaurus. "One last chance. Give me your dragon blood, and I won't kill you."

The Tyrannosaurus panted heavily, its fiery red eyes filled with unwillingness to yield.