Chapter 849: Lord of the Earth, Metal-Type Ability (III)

Just as the Silver Colossal Dragon had said, within the metallic world, the Destructive Dragon Emperor suddenly let out a low growl.

Kutadirei, after today’s battle, I suppose we can say we’ve come to know each other through combat. I wonder if you would be interested in joining my Dragon Palace.

Join the Dragon Palace?

The black colossal beast was stunned once more.

Wait a minute, weren’t we just fighting like the world was ending, trying to kill each other? And now you’re inviting me to join your colossal beast empire? Don’t you think this atmosphere is just a little too off?

The dark-red colossal beast calmly growled,

The Dragon Palace is expanding into the Chaotic Region. We’ve already pushed deep into this territory. Any colossal beast within the range must either join the Empire or be driven out.

The Dragon Emperor’s tone was as overbearing as ever, matching its nature exactly.

If you’re willing to join the Dragon Palace, I can grant you the title of dragon king—equal in rank to myself. The Dragon Palace currently boasts many dragon kings, ruled from the Dragon King Palace, which commands all directions. There are nine dragon kings in total. Among them, the World Serpent Dragon King Jormungandr is second only to me in power.

Below the Dragon Kings, the empire’s first war general—the Blade King—was once at peak strength comparable to a middle-stage ancient titan. It dominated the Chaotic Region and was known as the Beast King of Destruction. But when I encountered it, I slaughtered the ten million colossal beasts under its command, including two peak titan-level and one beginning-stage ancient puppets. Its power has declined since and needs time to recover.

Even the black beast was shaken. Not only was it stunned by the dark-red beast’s ability to slay ten million other colossal beasts—along with two peak titans and a beginning-stage ancient titan—but also by the might of the Dragon Palace.

Nine dragon kings and Jormungandr, whose strength is just slightly below this dark-red beast...

Had that Dragon King Jormungandr been here in this very battle, teaming up with the dark-red beast, even it wouldn't be able to stand a chance.

With that realization, the black colossal beast grew even more wary of the Dragon Palace. It didn’t reject the offer outright, but fell briefly silent before responding in a low, regal growl that shook the heavens.

Regarding joining the Dragon Palace, I’ll need to consider it.

The dark-red colossal beast nodded slowly.

That’s fine. In light of our battle today, I’ll have the other dragon kings hold back and not move against you for the time being. But in this world, fighting alone is not the path to power. If I had brought Jormungandr along today, do you really think you could have stood against us?

The Dragon Emperor’s words made the black beast pause in hesitation. Seeing this, the Dragon Emperor didn’t rush the matter. Its invitation was partly because the black beast was powerful and also because, like the Ancient Python, its body had already been transformed into nearly indestructible metal-elemental material under the influence of principle power.

Otherwise, even if the Dragon Emperor couldn’t kill it today, it would still return once it reached the peak of the titan level. After all, if such a massive black beast were still in a flesh-and-blood state, devouring it would be enough to propel the Dragon Emperor straight into the ancient titan level.

Of course, if not for the fact that the black beast had refined this world, evolving half its body into principle-infused metal, it never could have reached such an enormous size—nearly surpassing the limits of the ancient titan level.

After a moment of silence, the black colossal beast finally nodded.

Since the Thunder Fiery Dragon King has offered a sincere invitation, I am willing to join the Dragon Palace. However, I am currently using the power of principle to erode and integrate with this world. My principle-condensed true form has yet to fully merge with it, so I am unable to move for now.

A faint, savage grin appeared on the Dragon Emperor’s face.

That’s fine. The Dragon Palace doesn’t currently face any overwhelming threats; we don’t need to mobilize full force yet.

Then, with practiced ease, it drew from its reverse scale space a black-and-red scale the size of ten meters, shaped like a token. Its deep, resonant dragon’s roar echoed through the world.

This is the Dragon King Scale of the Dragon Palace Empire. It represents your identity as a dragon king and member of the faction. You need only wrap a thread of your principle power around it.

Dragon King Scale...

The black beast’s gaze fell on the black-red scale, feeling the will of principle entwined around it—no signs of traps or deceit. Beasts which had grown to the ancient titan level possessed intelligence no less than that of humans. Their actions were extremely cautious.

Only after confirming that the Dragon King Scale was safe did the black beast move its will. A surge of golden-black principle power gathered and imprinted itself onto the scale.

Standing amid boundless crimson light, the dark-red beast let out a majestic low roar.

Welcome to the Dragon Palace. From today onward, Kutadirei, you are the empire’s tenth dragon king. Your title is the Lord of the Earth. You now hold the right to participate in deliberations at the Dragon King Palace.

Lord of the Earth—a title signifying that when this black colossal beast stood upon the earth, its metallized plains and mountains granted it boundless strength and peerless might.

Lord of the Earth... I like the sound of that.

The black beast nodded in satisfaction.

With the black beast having joined the Dragon Palace, the tension between the two sides eased considerably. The Dragon Emperor suddenly let out a low growl.

Kutadirei, after fighting you, I’m a little hungry. Taking down one of your level 9 beasts for a meal isn’t asking too much, is it?

As it spoke, the Dragon Emperor’s gaze swept across the shattered earth. Over two thousand kilometers away, a late-stage level 9 colossal beast stood atop a newly risen mountain peak. Covered in black and gold scales and resembling a massive stag, it watched the scene before it in awe and fear.

After the clash between the two great beasts, nearly all life in this realm, already scarce, had been wiped out. Only a few level 9 colossal beasts and the Croc-Men protected by the golden-black beast remained alive.

The Dragon Emperor’s target this time was a beast with a metal-type ability, but neither the black beast nor the golden-black one had innate abilities particularly suited to it.

Their abilities had already evolved into advanced laws—some even into principles. Even if the Dragon Emperor slew them and refined their remains to comprehend their abilities, what it would gain would be fixed and already matured. That was also why it had hesitated about the Silver Time Butterfly’s ability.

𝐟𝗿𝐞𝚎𝚠𝐞𝚋𝕟𝐨𝚟𝐞𝕝.𝕔𝕠𝚖

In contrast, the abilities of level 9 beasts were still in the rune stage. Once comprehended and mastered, the Dragon Emperor could strengthen them step by step until they reached divine transformation, becoming abilities that would evolve with it and be far more compatible in the long run.

No problem,

The black beast growled indifferently at the Dragon Emperor’s request. All of this realm’s original lifeforms had perished back when it began its world transformation through the power of principle. These newer colossal beasts were born through its influence and carried metal-type traits; it cared nothing for them. Even if they all died in today’s war, it wouldn’t matter.

Boom!

Amid the 270-meter-long beast’s despairing scream, a massive red claw eclipsed the sky, stretching across the void to strike from afar. The beast’s defensive domain burst apart instantly under the Dark-Red Destruction Principle’s lightning. Its soul and will were wiped out just as quickly beneath the crushing red lightning.

The dark-red beast clutched the stag in one claw and turned to growl at the black beast,

Kutadirei, I need to lead Big Horn and the others to continue expanding our territory. I’ll be off.

Farewell.

The black beast nodded.

Boom!

In its Dark-Red Form, the Dragon Emperor tore open a rift tens of thousands of meters long, linking directly to the mythical world, and stepped through. Its massive body vanished in an instant.

As it watched the Dragon Emperor depart, the black beast felt the urgency to accelerate its own refinement and absorption of this world.

The outside world is changing too fast. Who would have thought that after so many years of chaos, a force like this would rise in the Chaotic Region? And this Thunder Fiery Dragon King is only one king of the Dragon King Palace, yet already possesses such terrifying strength. This force is truly fearsome.

The moment the Dragon Emperor returned, the Silver Dragon excitedly rushed over and roared,

Ao Tian, that guy—did he join the Dragon Palace?

Yes. He agreed. I gave him the title "Lord of the Earth."

The Dragon Emperor nodded. Then, with a flick of will, it dismissed its colossal form. The red lightning vanished, and its towering figure rapidly shrank. In the blink of an eye, the Dragon Emperor had returned to a height of 3,300 meters. Its aura weakened, and it stood still for a moment, catching its breath.

Even for it, this battle had taken a toll—over seventy percent of its power had been consumed. Even its vigorous life force had been reduced by ten percent from repeatedly regenerating injuries. It would take two full days to recover.

Still, the battle had brought good returns—a new ancient-titan-level combatant had joined the Dragon Palace, and the long-sought metal-type ability was now within reach.