Xiluo gazed at the charred layer on the tree and nodded slightly.
Overall, its power was quite decent.
Had it struck the green dragon hatchling Koraman head-on just now, that one hit might have severely wounded him! It might even have killed him!
Of course, that was also because his opponent had already suffered considerable injuries.
But even at full strength, his opponent would probably have lost most of his fighting ability in an instant after taking a hit like that.
Xiluo's Breath Weapon far surpassed the standards of his current age group.
It was a winning move that could decide a battle against an opponent of the same stage in a single strike.
According to the memories in the Dragon Inheritance, even many blue dragon wyrmlings could not reach this level.
Unfortunately, its consumption was just as tremendous!
With his current stamina and mana, two or three blasts would all but exhaust his mana.
Moreover, his Breath Weapon took quite a while to unleash, and its poor accuracy at long range was another problem.
To address this.
He had even modified his Breath Weapon, dividing it into a full version and a quick version.
The full version needed little explanation. It took quite a while to unleash, but its tremendous power could decide a fight in a single strike.
The quick version was the Breath Weapon Xiluo had used to hit Koraman at the start.
It took only half as long as the full version and used lightning's paralyzing properties to immobilize his opponent.
Then he would look for an opening to attack, or follow up with the full version of his Breath Weapon.
The two complemented each other, serving as Xiluo's current trump card and the weapon that had secured his present standing.
"It really does deserve to be called the strongest Breath Weapon. With power like that, it lives up to the name. Even Gordon wouldn't come out of a hit like that unscathed!"
"Between Gordon and Xiluo, who's actually the strongest among us?"
"Gordon, of course! He's the only red dragon among us. Much as I hate to admit it, those muscle monsters have far too much of an advantage when they're young!"
"Heh, I think Xiluo's stronger! Even Gordon couldn't take one hit from that!"
"Why aren't any of you talking about Alicia? I think she's pretty strong."
The hatchlings chattered among themselves.
"The strongest? That's me, Gordon Kenneth, of course!
"Xiluo, come duel me! I'll prove to every dragon here that I'm the strongest!"
A roar rang out, young but extraordinarily loud, and the hatchlings all turned to look.
A red dragon hatchling a full size larger than the others strode over with his head held high. Every dragon in his path stepped aside.
He was Gordon, the red dragon.
Xiluo fixed his gaze on this hatchling.
[Red dragon hatchling] Level: 4 (Elite) Status: Good
Gordon was now four years old, a red dragon hatchling one year older than most of the dragons present, with the strength of level 4!
Although he was only one level higher, he still utterly overpowered the other dragons!
Usually, even two dragons fighting him together could hardly match him!
This red dragon hatchling would use his formidable physical strength to send the other dragon youngsters scurrying away with their heads covered!
Even Xiluo had not pulled ahead of the other dragons in level. Only Gordon had! He was the sole level 4 hatchling!
Even with [Breath Enhancement], Xiluo knew he would have trouble matching him.
While dragons were still young, physical strength was simply far too important.
More than once, Xiluo had thought that perhaps he should have chosen the [Rapid Growth] talent when he first arrived.
If he had chosen that talent back then, who would be stronger now—him or this Red Dragon Whelp, Gordon?
"Don't say such pointless things. I don't want to go against Lady Barbara's advice," Xiluo refused casually.
"Before, you refused to fight me one-on-one because the age gap was too big! Now you keep bringing up Barbara? You coward! How long are you going to keep running away?!"
Gordon slowly walked up to Xiluo and glared fiercely at him.
Intense heat gushed from his nostrils, making the grass on the ground sway constantly.
A foul stench hit Xiluo in the face, giving him the urge to turn his head away.
"Aren't you a year older than me in the first place? Do you know how big a difference that year makes? It's practically like a wyrmling beating up a hatchling. Is that the kind of victory you want?
"If it is, I admit you're stronger right now!"
Xiluo endured the stench and spoke irritably.
"Roar! Then tell me! When exactly will you fight me one-on-one?" Gordon roared angrily.
"At least wait until we reach the young dragon stage. Only then will that one-year gap matter less."
"Roar! The young dragon stage! Fine! You said it! When the time comes, I'll defeat you in front of every dragon here and prove my strength! Raaaar!
"Now! You can have some fun with me instead!"
Gordon shouted, turned toward a fairly sturdy blue dragon hatchling, and charged with a furious roar!
"You! Don't come over here! I'm not fighting you! Help! Lady Barbara, help!"
The blue dragon hatchling he had targeted cried out in terror and turned to flee, but Gordon soon caught up, pinned the hatchling beneath him, and delivered a vicious beating.
Unlike Xiluo, who had demonstrated his strength and was acknowledged as powerful by all the dragons.
Gordon paid no attention to ordinary dragons' pleas for mercy or opinions.
He cared only about Xiluo, the opponent he acknowledged. Long ago, Gordon had already sensed a threat from Xiluo's Breath Weapon, and he had regarded him as a rival ever since.
Only defeating such an opponent with both sides giving their all and in peak condition would bring a dragon pleasure and satisfaction.
The other hatchlings were merely tools for him to beat at will and show off his strength!
The unfortunate blue dragon hatchling howled under the beating, screams piercing the green woods.
At the sight, the other hatchlings showed either pity or delight at the misfortune.
"What an arrogant, ill-mannered, crude, conceited muscle-brained idiot!" Alicia watched Gordon's red back, her face full of disdain.
The little black dragon girl beside her repeatedly voiced her agreement.
Xiluo curled his lips, not particularly interested. Just as he was about to turn away.
"Roar! All of you, stop! You fools!"
A tremendous dragon roar descended from the sky along with a violent gale, and the entire ground shook the next instant!
An enormous emerald-green figure, at least fifty feet long, crashed to the ground!
The colossal creature raised a foreclaw and lifted Gordon, who had been so insufferably arrogant a moment ago, off the ground by the scruff of his neck like a kitten.
All arrogance vanished from Gordon's face. His whole body hung limp, and his expression went blank.
Faced with this enormous green dragon, every one of the other hatchlings adopted a respectful expression.
Xiluo gazed at the green dragon.
[Young Green Dragon] Level: 12 (Elite) Status: Good
This level 12 green dragon was the highest-level monster Xiluo had encountered in three years.
According to his memories.
An existence of this level was already extremely formidable.
A single dragon could wipe out some weaker noble factions.
It was also an existence that some mortal warriors could never defeat in their entire lives!
To defeat a monster of this level.
Only powerful spellcasters, or knights and warriors who wielded holy power, could do it!
(End of chapter)
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