Chapter 993: Ancient King, Conquest of Purgatory (I)

A colossal beast over ten thousand meters long slowly emerged, with a pressure that crushed the void. Each step it took with its mountain-thick limbs caused the heavens and earth to tremble.

Its enormous form resembled a black-and-gold mountain range. Three rows of dorsal fins rose like jagged peaks, piercing through the cloud-filled sky, and the black mane stretching down its spine looked like an entire forest growing upon it.

Atop its savage head, the mane blazed like fire. Two pairs of sharp, forked dragon horns jutted upward, and the raised scales around them resembled a solemn, majestic crown. On both sides of its head, three pairs of crystal-red feathery horns extended like wings, radiating a brilliant golden-white halo that imbued the beast with a faint sense of divinity.

Compared to the true forms of demon gods and divine kings, which were condensed from principles, beasts that had reached the ancient titan level didn’t differ much in size. However, their imposing presence was far more terrifying, brimming with overwhelming pressure.

Just like the Destructive Dragon Emperor at this moment. As it moved, the space around it was crushed and shattered, forming rings of explosive shockwaves that rippled out in all directions for thousands of kilometers.

Yet amid the raging winds, the atmosphere was slightly undermined by the sight of two colossal dragons napping peacefully on the Dragon Emperor’s back, surrounded by sparkling crystalline ice and multicolored crystals.

As the Dragon Emperor returned, the sea exploded with waves. The Blue Giant Crab excitedly blew bubbles and waved its claws. Behind it, over three thousand giant crabs—red, blue, multicolored, most at level 7 and 8, with a few at level 9—waved their claws in unison, bubbling and shouting in harmony.

Salute to the great Lord Thunder Fiery!

Welcome back, great King of the Dragon Palace!

This sudden performance from the Blue Crab not only caused the Dragon Emperor to pause mid-step, but also left the surrounding orcas and Deep Sea Dragon Turtle bewildered.

The black orca's eyes widened in surprise.

What's going on, General Crab? That stone-brained head of yours actually thought to prepare something like this?

In the distance, Ghidorah stirred the ocean into chaos, sending waves bursting apart as it let out a chaotic roar.

General Crab, that was a brilliant move.

General Crab’s sudden formation of such a grand honor guard caught every colossal beast off guard. After all, the world of colossal beasts was relatively straightforward. Even the Single-Horned Kunpeng and its kind were subtle in their flattery. None had ever formed a ceremonial troop like this before.

What’s more, this troop was behaving properly. None of the awkward cheering like “awesome,” “badass,” or “eight legs going limp.”

Seeing all of the stunned colossal beasts, the Blue Crab made a peace sign with a claw toward the mermaid sisters who had surfaced nearby, as a gesture of thanks.

At the same time, the solemn and heavy atmosphere that had filled the world was broken by this light-hearted act. The Dragon Emperor then withdrew its deliberately-released bloodline pressure, and every colossal beast around it exhaled in relief.

Only then did they notice the presence of another giant figure trailing behind the Dragon Emperor. It was a dark-red nine-headed colossal dragon, even larger in size. Most notably, this late-stage Ancient Magma Dragon radiated an extremely dangerous aura.

So powerful!

Even the Time Dragon narrowed its gaze, and all five of the ancient titans stiffened.

Then, the massive Black Qilin respectfully lowered its head and let out a deep growl.

Congratulations, my king, on unifying the Chaotic Region and becoming the sovereign of this world.

The Ancient Ray-Beast cried out in a long, echoing tone.

Truly worthy of being king. Already breaking through to the middle stage of the ancient titan level. That mere hint of your aura just now nearly made my wings give out.

The Gray Python, coiled like a mountain, softly hissed,

Indeed. The aura released by Thunder Fiery just now was terrifying. I nearly had to enter my Coiling-World Form to defend myself.

At once, the Dragon Turtle and other colossal beasts fell into confusion again.

Come on, you’re all powerful ancient titans. Do you really need to flatter it like we do? Shouldn’t you be preserving some shred of dignity? And now that all of you have spoken, what are we even supposed to say?

The Dragon Emperor parted its jagged maw, and a deep rumble rolled through the sky and sea like divine thunder.

Indeed, this is a moment worthy of celebration.

From now on, the Dragon Palace shall be the sole ruler of this vast domain spanning billions of kilometers. This glory belongs to all of the dragon kings, to every colossal beast that is a part of the empire

Immediately, every colossal beast felt their blood boil with excitement, especially those coastal sea beasts and alien races who were more familiar with the Dragon Emperor.

The empire is invincible! The great Thunder Fiery Dragon King is unmatched!

Invincible! Unmatche!

Praise to the supreme Thunder Fiery King! Praise to the Great Dragon King Saixitia!

Yes, Saixitia too. If not for it, the Dragon Palace wouldn’t be what it is today

As the colossal beasts unleashed their domains and laws erupted, the ocean boiled and surged. The tidal chaos lasted nearly ten minutes before gradually settling down.

The Dragon Emperor looked toward the Ancient Ray-Beast and the others, and let out a slow, deep growl.

Now allow me to introduce the one behind me. This is Catasthea, newly joined as the fourteenth dragon king of the empire, the King of Magma Hell.

The Magma Dragon behind it, flowing with golden lava, stepped forward. The space beneath its feet immediately exploded, and searing shockwaves erupted in all directions.

Its nine heads turned in all directions, and it gave a small nod to the six ancient colossal beasts present, including the Blade King.

Greetings, everyone. I am the Lord of Magma, the ever-radiant Catasthea.

The Black Qilin let out a deep growl.

Greetings, Catasthea. I am Kutadirei, Lord of the Earth.

𝕗𝚛𝚎𝚎𝐰𝗲𝗯𝗻𝚘𝚟𝚎𝗹.𝕔𝐨𝕞

I am Alius, King of Sky and Void.

Jormungandr, the World-Wrapping Serpent Dragon King.

And I am Adrienna, King of Destruction and Ice Crystals.

Facing this late-stage ancient titan, which was currently the strongest in the empire aside from the Dragon Emperor, all of the other ancient titans responded with surprising courtesy.

The Dragon Emperor looked toward the coast and said in a deep, rumbling voice,

Catasthea, that Dragon Turtle in the sea is Baxia, King of Earth and Destruction. The one with nine heads, just like you, is the Nine-Headed Dragon King Ghidorah. The one coiled atop the mountain, surrounded by flickering time and light, is Zhulong, King of Day and Night...

Every time the Dragon Emperor announced a beast’s name and title, not only did Catasthea look over, but so did the other mythical- and titan-level colossal beasts, each of them visibly surprised.

However, Catasthea had long known that some of the Dragon Kings in the empire weren’t all that strong. Its nine heads swept toward the Dragon Turtle, the Crystalline-Red Colossal Dragon, and the other colossal beasts present, including the Longjia King.

On those nine magma-burning dragon faces appeared humanlike smiles as it enthusiastically roared,

Fellow dragon kings, greetings. This is our first meeting. From now on, we’re all family. If you ever need help, don’t hesitate to seek out Catasthea. I believe that under the leadership of the radiant Thunder Fiery King, the empire will grow ever more powerful and dominate broader, richer lands. At that time, we must unite in heart and spirit to assist the great Thunder Fiery King in managing this vast empire, devoting ourselves wholeheartedly and offering our strength to its glory.

The crowd briefly fell silent. None of the colossal beasts had expected this savage, massive magma beast to be so eloquent.

Meanwhile, those weaker dragon kings like Zhulong and the Crystalline-Red Colossal Dragon perked up with newfound energy. Deep inside, they were touched. For the first time, they didn’t feel overlooked.

The Dragon Turtle glanced sideways at Ghidorah with a bitter expression.

Damn it, Ghidorah, this is trouble. These new dragon kings are not only stronger than us, they’re better at flattery. What do we do now?

Ghidorah’s nine heads gave a subtle nod, its eyes silently relaying a message.

This is indeed a problem. Seems like we’ll need to undergo some training.

After the dragon kings completed their brief introductions, the Dragon Emperor looked toward the Time Dragon, who stood ahead of the Azure-White and Crystalline-Red Dragons. Its sharp perception instantly picked up on a subtle tension among the three dragons, and the corners of its mouth curved slightly.

Still, it was fine. Though the Azure-White Colossal Dragon’s gaze was cold, it made no further moves.

The Dragon Emperor lowly growled,

Kurapavida, long time no see.

Congratulations on reaching the ancient titan level and becoming one of the rare dragons who command the principle of time.

The dragon, cloaked in semi-transparent white scales, rumbled in response,

Compared to me, it is your growth, Thunder Fiery Dragon King, that is truly astonishing.

Just over a day-cycle ago, when the Dragon Emperor activated the Time Dragon’s heart scale to help it return from a fixed point in the past, the beast standing before it had only reached the titan level. Now, in what felt like just a nap’s time, this powerful beast had already reached the middle stage of the ancient titan level.

Such frightening growth shattered the Time Dragon’s understanding of what was possible. It even defied the very principle of biological growth. The Time Dragon had a strong feeling that this Thunder Fiery creature held a big secret, Perhaps it was born from the revival of a primordial lifeform that had never truly perished. As for eternity, that distant and unfathomable realm, the Time Dragon dared not even imagine it.

The Dragon Emperor had no idea what was going on in the Time Dragon’s mind. It growled again, this time with a softer tone.

Your Majesty, now that you’ve become an ancient lifeform, would you be interested in joining the Dragon Palace? This empire was founded by me and Saixitia, your daughter. At present, Saixitia is in deep slumber, attempting to break through to the titan level. Her Majesty Adrienna is already one of the empire’s dragon kings, as are Her Majesty Kaotina and Thorsafi. If you were to join the empire and become a dragon king, our strength would be greatly enhanced. And if anything were to happen to Saixitia in the future, you would be there to protect her. What do you think?

I will join.

The Time Dragon responded firmly, without hesitation. Its daughter and mate were both dragon kings of the empire; if it didn’t join, it would definitely be excluded. That wouldn’t just lead to family discord, but far more serious problems. Even now, the Time Dragon couldn’t forget the sight of the Azure-White Dragon and the Silver Dragon departing alongside that colossal beast.

The Dragon Emperor’s lips curved slightly, revealing a faintly savage smile.

Welcome, Lord Kurapavida, to the Dragon Palace. From this moment on, you are the fifteenth dragon king of the Dragon Palace, bestowed with the title: King of Time.