Mythical Era: My Evolution into a Celestial Beast

The moment the Destructive Dragon Emperor descended in its Dark-Red Form, the entire magma world quaked and roared in response. That crimson brilliance which dyed the heavens red was the extension of its power. It saturated the world like a boundless red monstrosity, spreading an oppressive aura across the sky.

Roar!

The countless colossal magma dragons entrenched below let out thunderous howls. Lava erupted, surging in a scorching tsunami toward the invading Dragon Emperor.

Though there was a vast difference in size and power between the two sides, these magma dragons all fought without hesitation or fear of death. They were manifestations of the ancient colossal beast slumbering deep within the lava, extensions of its principle power fused with molten rock to take form. They were lifeforms, yet not quite, acting like its retainers.

Boom! Boom! Boom!

Dozens of level 9 magma dragons, each hundreds of meters long, had just taken flight when they crossed into the sky and approached the Dragon Emperor. Before they could get within several thousand kilometers, they were crushed by the crimson brilliance that filled the heavens, bursting like miniature nuclear detonations mid-air and spraying flames across the sky.

Over thirty mythical magma dragons roared as the magma domain around them seethed. Searing breath shot from their mouths, forming dozens of fiery pillars that pierced through the sky.

At that moment, however, arcs of golden-red thunderbolts flashed across the crimson sea of light. Wherever the bolts passed, the dragons' breaths collapsed, and the mythical magma dragons howled in pain.

Boom! Boom! Boom!

More than thirty mythical magma dragons exploded one after another. The destructive force they unleashed was like thirty billion-ton crystalline hydrogen bombs detonating all at once, shaking the world in madness.

The scorching shockwave shattered the lava tsunami and swept across thousands of kilometers. Space collapsed, and deafening thunder rolled endlessly through the heavens.

Before the Dragon Emperor in its Dark-Red Form, these creatures didn't even qualify to get close.

Roar! Roar!

Seven titan-level dragons, each over two thousand meters long, let out savage bellows. Their lava-dripping wings spread wide, triggering a full eruption of the magma sea.

Boom! Boom! Boom!

Vortexes formed across the sea, spewing lava columns a thousand meters wide into the sky. Under the combined power of the seven titan-level dragons, a molten fireball over a thousand kilometers in diameter began to form above.

From afar, it looked as if seven titan-level dragons were lifting a blazing satellite brimming with immense energy toward the sky. Wherever it passed, space was compressed into tangible matter, releasing waves of red force outward.

The Dragon Emperor roared coldly, then became a streak of golden-red radiance as it plummeted from the sky at a speed beyond comprehension, ramming into the planet-breaking fire satellite.

Boom!

The satellite's core suddenly collapsed, then shattered under the overwhelming force. Molten lava erupted in all directions, like a planet exploding. In the wake of the destruction, the titan-level dragons howled. Before they could react, the magma before them collapsed, and a dragon claw wrapped in golden-red lightning descended with crushing force.

Bang! Bang! Bang!

Lightning burst. Four of the dragons exploded instantly, half of their massive bodies obliterated. Under that tyrannical might, they dissolved into blazing magma.

The remaining three dragons had no time to respond. The space before them fractured, sliced apart by the blade of a tail over ten thousand meters long. The dragons were cleanly severed, and more violent force followed, the golden-red lightning blowing them to pieces.

These dragons, born from the fusion of principle power and magma, were not complete beasts. Without the mighty life force of true mythical creatures, destruction meant death.

All of this happened in an instant. Only then, within the depths of the magma world, did the Nine-Headed Magma Dragon abruptly awaken. Its fearsome heads lifted, roaring with fury and shock, and its massive body rose up like a waking titan.

Boom!

The magma sea, stretching over ten thousand kilometers, trembled violently. A thousand-kilometer section of the terrain suddenly surged upward, and the entire world became hotter. Flames roared across the sky. The air burned with scalding intensity. Lava surged dozens of kilometers into the air, then exploded.

Amid the eruption emerged an ancient magma dragon over twelve thousand meters long. Its body was covered in dark-red scales. Between each plate, golden magma flowed, emitting heat so intense it melted space itself.

Each of its nine heads had two pairs of horns. One pair coiled straight like spirals, while the other curved thickly like ox horns.

Unlike the Silver Colossal Dragon and others of its kind, this dragon wore a suit of black armor. Though rough and pieced together like salvaged gear, it still covered its entire form, including its four claws and tail. Amid the flames, it radiated overwhelming power and dominance.

As it stood tall beneath the sky, surrounded by endless red light, the nine-headed dragon let out a savage, oppressive roar.I am the lord of cataclysm, the mighty Catasthea, king of dragons, the embodiment of strength and courage. You dared to invade the world of the lord of calamity and slaughter all of the magma dragons under my watch. Are you provoking my authority? However, if you admit your mistake and recite ten times: "You are the embodiment of courage and strength," "You are the valiant dragon king," and "Your brilliance shall eternally shine upon this world and be worshiped by billions of dragon beasts," then I might consider forgiving you.

Watching from above, the dark-red Dragon Emperor paused for a moment, gaze fixed on the Ancient Magma Dragon standing proudly atop the molten sea, its nine heads raised in arrogant defiance. Even the Dragon Emperor couldn't help but falter as it thought to itself,Wait no, do you understand the situation?

At that instant, the Dragon Emperor had the odd sensation of encountering a mentally challenged child. The killing intent it had prepared to unleash softened just slightly. From the fractured rift high above the sky, the Silver Dragon poked its head out, puzzled by the sudden standstill between the two ancient beasts.Ao Tian, is this guy stupid?

The Golden-Blue Colossal Dragon gracefully lowered its head into view, letting out a low growl.Obviously. It's a complete idiot. Just like Saixitia.

Damn you, Thorsafi! How dare you insult the great Saixitia! When have you ever seen the great Saixitia ask an enemy to praise its bravery and beauty mid-battle?

Faced with the furious Silver Dragon, the Golden-Blue Dragon gave it some thought and nodded in rare admission. ...Apologies, Saixitia. I was indeed wrong. You may be dumb most of the time, but in combat you're actually quite good at handling the situation.

Hearing such a rare apology, the Silver Dragon lifted its head proudly.Of course. The great Saixitia is far smarter than that thing.

Then it looked down and roared excitedly,Ao Tian, can we not eat this one? What if it's so stupid it affects your intelligence after being eaten?

In truth, the Silver Dragon had already taken an interest in the Magma Dragon, hoping the Dragon Emperor would subdue and recruit it into the empire. Now, seeing how utterly foolish it was, it didn't want it to die. With this magma dragon around, it would no longer be the dumbest dragon king in comparison. After being called "idiot" and "fool" by the Golden-Blue Dragon on a daily basis, the Silver Dragon had even developed a subconscious illusion that it really was dumb.

The two dragons' roars and conversation, amplified across the nearly refined magma world, were clearly heard by the nine-headed magma dragon, whose mouths twitched slightly.Stupid? Impossible. The great Catasthea is clearly brilliant. Everything earlier has just been an act to defuse the tension between them. Even though that enormous red beast above has an aura suggesting a beginning-stage ancient titan, it possesses power far beyond its apparent level. It's merely standing in the sky, yet the invisible might it's radiating already suppresses my principle of magma and flame. Breathing has become difficult.

This red beast's bloodline tier has already reached emperor level; it has the potential to become a true spirit. Even with my late-stage ancient-titan-level power, I have no confidence in winning. Under such circumstances, maintaining peace and saving face is the wisest course. Both parties can take a step back. Surely this beast won't want to fight a battle without a clear chance of victory either. After all, this is my home turf.

Inside this nearly refined magma world, its power soared severalfold, reaching the peak of the ancient titan level. With nine heads, each bearing a different ability, its strength was practically unmatched among peers of the same level.

Just as its nine pairs of eyes flickered, and it believed the invading Dragon Emperor would back off, the massive dark-red beast let out a low growl.You've got it wrong. It's you who should apologize to me. I was merely passing through and took one look at this world. Yet your underling dragons dared roar at me and told me to get lost. A bunch of mere mythical and titan-level dragons, roaring at an ancient-titan-level dragon like me? That's nothing short of challenging the dignity of a true ancient titan.

Catasthea was stunned.Wait a minute... Wasn't it you who first tore through the world's barrier? That's why my retainers roared, to issue a warning.

While it was still processing that thought, the Dragon Emperor continued its growl.Since your attitude isn't too bad, if you hand over the World Star Core as compensation, I might consider letting this go.

The moment the Dragon Emperor mentioned the Core, the magma dragon's eyes turned razor-sharp. The flames burning on its body instantly erupted.

Boom!

The entire world quaked under the surge of golden flames. One after another, red flame principle chains condensed in the air, radiating overwhelming pressure. Its nine heads locked onto the Dragon Emperor, eyes now cold and menacing.

They all roared in unison with savage fury.So your goal is my Star Core. Intruder! You seek death!

Boom!

The boiling magma throughout the realm surged skyward, condensing into a dragon head over a thousand kilometers wide. With its mouth open, it lunged toward the Dragon Emperor, attempting to devour it whole.

Chains of fire principle, each a hundred meters thick, pierced through the void from all directions. Ignoring the golden-red lightning domain, they bound the Dragon Emperor's claws and torso tightly. Above the sky, sequence chains of red flame shot across the firmament, weaving through all directions until they formed a vast net spanning tens of thousands of kilometers.

In that instant, the crushing weight of the magma world descended upon the Dragon Emperor. Even it couldn't help but sink slightly under the pressure. The red radiance that had been painting the surrounding space abruptly contracted within a thousand kilometers.

Roar!

As the principles suppressed it, the Dragon Emperor stood upright and bellowed to the heavens. Its arms swelled with muscle, and in the next moment, a world-ending force erupted from within its body.

Bang! Bang! Bang!

The chains coiled around its form shattered. Then, three rows of dorsal fins, each as large as a mountain, lit up along its back, from tail to spine.

Hum!

A brilliant light swelled in the Dragon Emperor's maw before erupting into a blood-red beam over a kilometer wide, radiating destructive energy strong enough to destroy heaven and earth.

The moment the breath was released, it began to absorb transcendent energy across a ten-thousand-kilometer radius. It swelled rapidly, ignoring the magma dragon's principle suppression entirely.

In the blink of an eye, the thousand-kilometer-wide magma dragon head collided with the blood-red breath, which had already expanded to several hundred kilometers in width.

Boom!

The magma head exploded under the onslaught of the heaven-flooding breath. Rings of dazzling red light surged outward in every direction, spreading tens of thousands of kilometers.

Yet the devastating breath didn't halt. It continued crashing forward, finally transforming into a beam over a thousand kilometers wide that pierced into the magma sea, submerging even the ancient-titan-level dragon within.

Boom!

The heavens trembled, the sea roared, and the entire world shook in violent resonance. Deep within the magma ocean, a glowing sphere of brilliant red rapidly expanded. Columns of blazing magma erupted skyward, shooting thousands of kilometers into the air and falling back down across the realm.

For tens of thousands of kilometers, molten fire rained from the skies. Howling winds tore through the world. Black smoke billowed endlessly. The land and sky quaked as if the apocalypse had arrived... Or perhaps this world had always been a molten hell.

Even so, this realm was far more solid and massive than the black mountain world of the dark Qilin or the earth world ruled by the Midgard Serpent.

Even the Dragon Emperor's breath had failed to penetrate the world completely. It merely pulverized the void, leaving massive rifts across the red barrier deep within the planet's core.