Chapter 548 - Chapter 548: Dragonblood Mountain

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Chapter 548: Dragonblood Mountain

The moment Jezal Slak's soul was completely incinerated, thick black clouds surged across the sky, unleashing endless lightning and torrential rain.

In that instant, it was as if the world itself rejoiced at the fall of the abyssal demon, cheering and exulting in victory.

"Boom! Boom! Boom!"

Thunder continued to rumble. Thick bolts of lightning streaked across sky and earth, sweeping away the dense fog of chaos.

The black clouds gradually dispersed, and the sun, hidden for days, returned to the sky, casting radiant light across the world.

At last, dawn had come.

Bathed in sunlight, the abyssal dragon's corpse appeared riddled with wounds, its once-dull crimson scales now veiled in a hazy sheen.

Blood flowed freely from its massive wounds, carving deep grooves into the land and merging into rivers of scarlet.

The shadow that had loomed over Cassius since his arrival in this world—the weighty chains that had bound him—finally vanished.

"It's finally over...

The destined fate, Jezal Slak's curse, Karrikex's madness, all of it."

Cassius muttered softly.

For a moment, he recalled the scene of becoming a hatchling over a decade ago—the perilous dealings with demons, the madness brought by the Abyss years ago...

"No, perhaps it's not over yet."

The red dragon gazed at Karrikex's vast, twisted remains, then turned to the distance—where the towering Abyss Wall was fading.

Dazzling lightning and starlight flickered within the black fog, as if foreshadowing an approaching storm.

Soon, the avatars of the so-called "Three Gods of Justice" would descend upon the Material Plane, and the fate of Karrikex's remains would become uncertain.

The gods would never allow something that could become a "World-Destroying Dragon" to remain. They'd likely eliminate all threats—even him, if necessary.

And if Cassius completely absorbed Karrikex's corpse, Jezal Slak's dying curse still echoed in his ears.

It was a forbidden relic, tainted by the Abyss and madness—a trap likely containing Jezal Slak's final ploy.

One rash use could lead to a "Karrikex's Heart"-like possession.

"Whatever comes, I'll face it head-on."

Cassius whispered an old proverb from his past life, then slowly raised his right claw. Instantly, a world-bending power surged forth.

—He had already thought of a temporary way to preserve the dragon's corpse. He didn't need to absorb Karrikex's power yet, nor did he want to lose control over it.

The red dragon clenched his raised claw. A torrent of pure energy erupted, ravaging the land and reshaping everything nearby.

[Imperial Domain: Command]

"Boom—"

A deep rumble echoed from beneath the earth as the ground slowly rose, encasing the nearly 300-meter-long corpse.

The land trembled violently, stones tumbled, and smoke billowed upward. The earth beneath began to lift, raising the corpse thousands of meters into the air.

Bathed in sunlight, the rising dragon corpse became a miraculous sight—shocking Imperial retainers, Celestial reinforcements, and even the visiting metallic dragons.

"By the gods..."

"What power is this? That red dragon... he's creating a mountain!"

"That's something only gods can do!"

A Celestial creature pointed at the rising rocks, jaw agape, awe written across their flawless faces.

In their minds, no mortal of the Material Plane could create such divine miracles—raising the land, birthing mountains—that was the realm of gods atop Mount Celestia.

"By the Lord of Northwind, this power... Looks like my brother was right. This red dragon emperor has far surpassed what we can contain. He rose too fast, like a meteor."

In human form, Pabliceko adjusted his glasses, voice serious as he murmured to Imelda beside him.

"Let's hope this emperor brings a positive change to the state of Feanso. If not...

No matter what, Melvord will fight him to the end for justice and law."

Imelda also gazed toward the distance. The ancient silver dragon folded her bright silver wings tightly against her body, then let out a low, solemn hum.

"All hail Cassius!"

"Long live the great red dragon!"

"His Majesty succeeded! The abyssal dragon has fallen!"

The Imperial followers erupted in deafening cheers. Though many had witnessed Cassius create mountains before, the sight still left them awestruck and elated.

The land lifted the colossal dragon corpse skyward in sunlight—what a majestic sight!

Among the crowd, the ogre Langpu stood tall, lifting his head, tears welling in his small, murky eyes, his throat quivering.

In a hushed voice, Langpu muttered again and again: "Master... Master, your plan succeeded!

You really slew a Godspawn. This is a historic milestone in the grand blueprint."

"Crack... Crack..."

As crisp sounds echoed, Karrikex's remains began to slowly petrify into dull stone.

The massive dragon head transformed into a towering cliff; the arched spine became a high ridge, and the broken wings formed broad slopes.

The hundreds-of-meters-long tail turned into a winding mountain chain; the bleeding wounds became flowing rivers; even the massive claws became twisted boulders at the mountain's base.

At last, an enormous, dragon-shaped mountain—its silhouette howling skyward—stood proudly among the ruins of the Anstica Mountains.

This majestic peak replaced the once-revered "King of Snow Mountains," Thierry Peak, becoming the tallest mountain in all of Anstica—and even across the entire Anzeta Wasteland.

White smoke with a sulfur scent drifted from Cassius's 100-meter-long body. Flame spouted from between his scales and vents as his elemental form gradually receded, returning him to a normal 40-meter size.

He beat his wings and soared to the peak of the newborn mountain, his crimson scales shining brightly under the sunlight.

The red dragon spread his wings, his heavy voice echoing across Anstica: "From this moment forth, this shall be a forbidden land of the Ember Empire. Any who trespass shall be enemies of the Empire—sworn and eternal."

"I name it—"

Cassius paused, pondered briefly, and then declared:

"Dragonblood Mountain."