"Roar—" The velociraptor spewed flames from its jaws, igniting the surrounding area within dozens of meters into a sea of fire.
"Sizzle~~~"
The flames erupting from the velociraptor's mouth scorched the bodies of four warriors. Protected by Frostguard Armor and aura shields, the four warriors could withstand this fiery assault.
As for the female archer, she had already mounted the gryphon and was firing arrows from the sky.
The Bloodthirsty Ironbull stood like a fortress wall, shielding the two female mages.
"Whoosh!" "Whoosh!" "Whoosh!"
Perched on the gryphon, the cold-eyed female archer steadied her rock-solid hands and unleashed three consecutive arrows aimed at the mysterious mage riding the velociraptor!
"Swish!" The velociraptor's whip-like tail lashed out faster than the arrows themselves, instantly smashing the archer's Triple Shot into splinters. Simultaneously, the tail reversed direction and swept toward the four male warriors. The shrill whistle of the tail tearing through air alone made the warriors' faces pale as they frantically dodged like apes.
Yet the undulating draconic tail didn't follow a straight path, its trajectory eerily unpredictable.
"Crash!"
One warrior failed to evade in time. The tail brutally struck his waist, shattering both Frostguard Armor and aura shield in an instant. Then the tail coiled tightly around the warrior's torso."Luke!" The red-haired burly man beside him roared in desperation, his eyes nearly splitting from their sockets.
"No—" Luke also screamed in terror.
With a flick of its massive tail, the Velociraptor hurled the ensnared 'Luke' straight into its gaping maw. The beast's jaws snapped shut with a bone-chilling crunch, accompanied by Luke's final agonized shriek. Beneath the saw-like rows of serrated teeth, Luke's body shattered instantly. A bloodied thigh segment tumbled from the raptor's jaws, knee joint protruding through torn flesh with white bone fragments glinting horribly.
"Don't look." Hilman shielded Liner's eyes.
The visceral scene - too brutal even for grown men's first exposure - now burned into the eight-year-old's retinas.
Liner's breath came in ragged gasps, an invisible boulder crushing his chest. His mind reeled with grotesque afterimages: ruptured abdomen spilling intestines, splintered skull fragments, that severed limb with its ghastly ivory spike...
This baptism of carnage - his first witnessing of human dismemberment by prehistoric predator - etched itself into his psyche. The crimson stump with its protruding bone marrow became an indelible mental scar.Hillman, Lowry, and Roger exchanged glances, their eyes filled with concern as they looked at Linley.
An eight-year-old child witnessing such a brutal, bloody scene—could he handle it? Would it plant shadows in his heart? If fear toward battle took root in his youth, it would shackle his future achievements.
"Killing... it's nothing, nothing!" Linley desperately reassured himself internally. "When I grow up, I'll have to kill people if I join the military anyway. I must endure this. I must endure it."
Linley was indeed clever, having read countless books. He understood the path ahead of him.
In the Yulan Continent, facing life and death was normal for any grown man. Yet Linley was still a child, unaccustomed to such brutality. He kept repeating his mental reassurances, and gradually, the shock and terror in his heart began to fade.
Instead, within moments, he felt his blood simmering with fervor.
"That battle... it was so intense. So exhilarating." For some reason, that gruesome, violent clash had ignited a fiery passion within him, awakening a primal yearning—a thirst for slaughter and combat.
"Is this because of the Dragonblood Warrior lineage?" Linley wondered.
But he suddenly realized he felt not dread, but anticipation toward such bloody battles. He shifted sideways, avoiding Hillman's blocking figure, and continued watching the ongoing fight a hundred meters ahead.
"Linley, don't look!" Hillman grew alarmed when he saw the boy still straining to watch."Uncle Hillman, I'm not afraid." Linley lifted his head to look at Hillman.
Hillman suddenly noticed a flicker of crimson light in Linley's pupils and felt a sudden shock in his heart, momentarily halting his attempt to stop the boy. Linley continued gazing toward the battlefield a hundred meters ahead, where the battle had reached its most intense moment—
The three remaining enraged warriors leapt toward the mysterious mage atop the Velociraptor.
"ROAR—" The Velociraptor swung its massive head, snapping at one warrior with its gaping maw while slashing another with its razor-sharp claws. Simultaneously, its whip-like tail lashed toward the final attacker.
The warriors were forced to divert their charge.
The cloaked mage remained motionless astride the beast, lips murmuring silently as the Velociraptor alone repelled the assault.
"Dance of the Fire Serpents!"
The mage's icy voice pierced the air as seven massive fire serpents, each dozens of meters long, materialized with roaring fury. The coiling behemoths radiated palpable heat, their scaled bodies shimmering with terrifying realism as they surged outward. Every observer froze in primal awe.
Fire-element eighth-level magic—Dance of the Fire Serpents!The mysterious mage had actually been murmuring incantations all along, preparing the terrifying eighth-level spell 'Dance of the Fire Serpents'. This spell could summon seven gigantic flaming serpents, its offensive power reaching such horrifying levels that even the Velociraptor's astonishing defenses would suffer grave injuries if not perish outright under the assault of seven fire serpents.
Against a seventh-level mage, their mercenary squad could still put up a fight. But facing an eighth-level mage - especially one accompanied by a Velociraptor - their mercenary team stood no chance of resistance.
They finally realized this mysterious spellcaster was actually an eighth-level mage!
"It's the Dance of the Fire Serpents! Run!" The red-haired burly man paled drastically, screaming hysterically.
The remaining six members of the mercenary squad were seized with terror.
"Too late. Embrace your baptism of death." The mysterious mage's cruel, maniacal voice pierced the mercenaries' hearts like icy daggers.Episode 1: The Coiling Dragon Ring
Chapter 11: Dance of the Fire Serpents (Part 2)
The seven fire serpents flew at an astonishing speed. Where they streaked through the air, even the houses along the town's streets burst into flames, sending pillars of fire roaring skyward—a scene of utter calamity. The commoners of Wushan Town, who had already fled to watch from afar, felt their hearts twist with grief and bitterness as they witnessed their homes reduced to ash.
Before the seven colossal fire serpents, stone houses crumbled like toys, devoured by raging flames.
"Go!" The female archer abandoned all hesitation, urging her griffon to soar higher into the sky.
The fire serpent spell had a limited range. As long as she flew beyond it, she would escape danger.
"Hiss—!" Two of the fire serpents coiled around each other, enveloping the two female mages and the Bloodthirsty Iron Bull. The sickening sizzle of scorched flesh echoed out, and even Linley caught the acrid stench of burning hair.
"Brother Kalai, save me—!" The female mage's bloodcurdling scream pierced through the flames.
"Hmph, hmph—!" The Bloodthirsty Iron Bull's crimson eyes blazed with madness, its muscles writhing and bulging as it snorted furiously, struggling to break free from the serpents' grasp. But each serpent's constricting force was monstrous.
"Louis!" The red-haired warrior roared in anguished fury.
Within moments, the two beautiful mages and the Iron Bull were reduced to ash. But the red-haired man had no time to mourn—he and the two remaining male warriors now faced their own fire serpents. Before the towering infernos, they seemed as helpless as infants.Even if a single punch could shatter rocks, what could they do when coiled by the serpent's fiery body?
"Ahhh——" The three warriors wrapped in flames let out piercing howls.
Amidst the screams, their protective aura shields shattered instantly. The sizzling sounds of combustion erupted as the warriors' facial muscles contorted grotesquely, eyeballs bulging wildly. All body hair incinerated instantly while skin, muscles, bones... under the serpent's terrifyingly high-temperature flames, nothing could resist. Within moments, these formidable warriors were reduced to ashes.
"Hu—hu—"
The female archer gasped raggedly, having finally escaped the range of the flaming serpent's dance.
"Lujia, Louisa, Brother Kailai... I swear I'll avenge you. I swear it." The archer wept bitterly before mounting her griffin and soaring skyward.
**Boom!**
A thick bolt of lightning abruptly struck down from the heavens, directly hitting the utterly unprepared archer. Her body vaporized into ashes instantly, while the griffin plummeted charred and convulsing. It crashed through a commoner's stone rooftop, smashing into the dwelling below.
"Escape? Hmph." The mysterious mage snorted coldly.
Watching this unfold from a hundred meters away, Hillman swallowed hard, his heart gripped by primal dread: "An eighth-tier mage... and a dual-element one at that.""Was that called the Dance of the Fire Serpents?" Linley stood frozen in place, utterly stupefied by what he had witnessed.
The scene of seven colossal flaming serpents soaring skyward, their surging flames and scorching heatwaves, had shaken him to his core like never before. Each gigantic fire serpent rivaled the Velociraptor in size. The simultaneous ascent of seven such creatures resembled the descent of apocalyptic disaster. Buildings crumbled into fiery ruins beneath waves of all-consuming flames.
In mere moments, the formidable group - four warriors, two mages, one archer, and two magical beasts - had been obliterated. Only the griffon's fate remained unknown amidst the carnage.
Though the seven flaming serpents had vanished, the oppressive heat lingering over the battlefield still pressed against Linley's skin. The scorched ruins and shimmering thermal currents silently testified to the cataclysm that had just transpired.
"Incredible... absolutely incredible."
Linley's breathing remained ragged, his mind repeatedly replaying the nightmarish spectacle of seven fire serpents ascending like heralds of destruction. Compared to that terrifying display, even the fearsome Velociraptor paled slightly in magnitude.
His gaze shifted to the mysterious mage perched atop the distant Velociraptor. The spellcaster's frail silhouette appeared almost comically small compared to his draconic mount.
"He... he unleashed that 'Dance of the Fire Serpents'?" Linley struggled to reconcile the unassuming figure with the apocalyptic magic it had conjured. An instinctive tremor of fear coursed through him as he stared at the purple-robed enigma.
"This... this is what a true mage can do?" For the first time, Linley understood with crystalline clarity the terrifying potential of magic.The same...
Linley, in his heart, felt a longing for powerful mages.
"If one day, I could unleash such an attack as well." The moment he recalled that scene, Linley felt his blood boil to its limit—an extreme state of exhilaration.
At this moment—
Linley understood the path he would take in the future.
To pursue the pinnacle, the pinnacle of strength.
"Father." Linley suddenly noticed his father, Hogg. The entire Wushan Town had suffered an unforeseen calamity. As the lord of Wushan Town, Hogg felt nothing but helplessness in his heart.
"Stay silent." Hogg glanced at Linley, signaling him not to make a sound.
He then turned his gaze to the mage, his heart bitter. "An eighth-level mage, and a dual-element one at that. Even the entire Kingdom of Finlay has few who surpass him. Yet such a figure has come to our Wushan Town."
Hogg could only hope this mysterious mage would leave soon, allowing Wushan Town to return to peace.
The mysterious mage leaped down directly from the Velociraptor's back—a height equivalent to two stories—landing effortlessly.
He walked to the spot where the red-haired man had been burned to death. With a wave of his hand, the ashes scattered, revealing a purple diamond shimmering with a dreamlike radiance. The mage promptly picked up the "Depeiro Shadow Diamond."
"Ha ha... The Depeiro Shadow Diamond! I've searched for ten years. Yet this time, merely taking a shortcut through this town, I've serendipitously obtained it. Ha ha... Haimans, with this Depeiro Shadow Diamond embedded into my staff, let's see how you'll contend against me now. Ha ha..." The maniacal laughter of the mysterious mage echoed.The nobles of Wushan Town, Hogg, and a large group of commoners stood quietly in the distance, not daring to make a sound, terrified of provoking the wrath of this mysterious mage.
"Wushan Town—who owns this territory?" the mysterious mage suddenly demanded.
"Father." Linley's heart clenched in fear.
Hogg had no choice but to step forward and reply respectfully, "Great Mage, this Wushan Town is my territory."
"Hmm." The mage's face remained hidden beneath his violet robe. His voice was calm as he said, "Your town has suffered considerable losses. The members of that mercenary squad I killed carried plenty of gold coins. Even if melted by the 'Dance of the Fire Snake,' the gold can still be exchanged for currency. Consider this compensation for Wushan Town."
Hogg felt a wave of relief upon hearing this.
This mage likely wouldn't descend into mindless slaughter.
"I, Hogg, thank the Great Mage on behalf of Wushan Town for your mercy." Hogg bowed deeply.
The mysterious mage gave a faint nod before turning toward the Velociraptor. The beast immediately crouched low, stretching out its forelimbs. The mage stepped onto its scaled leg, took two strides, and lightly leapt onto the creature's back.
*Hmmph—* The Velociraptor snorted, twin plumes of sulfur-scented white mist puffing from its nostrils.
Then it resumed its heavy, earth-shaking tread. The townsfolk watched as the colossal Velociraptor and its enigmatic rider gradually vanished down the distant end of Wushan Town's main street. Only when the last echoes of their departure faded did the people finally release the breath they'd been holding.
Watching the seventh-level magical beast 'Velociraptor' and the mysterious mage depart, Hogg finally breathed a sigh of relief in his heart.
"Uncle Hiri." Hogg turned directly to the steward 'Hiri'. "Immediately arrange some men to search through the ashes for any gold lumps formed from melted coins. This mercenary team wasn't ordinary - they must have had considerable wealth. Let's hope this can compensate for Wushan Town's losses this time."
Hogg looked around at the surroundings where rows of houses had all turned into ruins.
"Yes, milord." Hiri nodded.
"Hillman." Hogg looked at Hillman standing nearby and smiled. "How do you feel?"
Hillman also nodded: "Terrified with worry. When I saw the seventh-level magical beast 'Velociraptor' and that mysterious mage, I knew our Wushan Town had absolutely no means of resistance. If a prestigious eighth-level mage like that took a sudden fancy to destroy our town, no one would likely blame the mage, let alone punish him."
Mages held extremely lofty statuses.
Even ordinary mages enjoyed status comparable to nobility.
An eighth-level mage could stand and speak directly to the king of a kingdom without performing kneeling rites. This demonstrated the revered status of eighth-level mages.
"Exactly. So we should consider ourselves fortunate that no residents of Wushan Town died." Hogg said with a smile."Something to be thankful for." Hillman also nodded with a smile.
"Hillman, take some men to assist Uncle Hiri here. Properly resolve the housing issues for the civilians who lost their homes." Hogg instructed.
"Yes, Lord Hogg." Hillman accepted the order.
Hogg turned to look behind him carefully, then asked Hillman in confusion: "Hmm? Where's Linley? He was just here moments ago."
"Not sure, I didn't notice." Hillman shook his head too.
"My lord, Young Master Linley has already returned." Old Hiri nearby spoke up, "However, when the young master left earlier, he seemed rather absent-minded. Not sure what he was thinking about."
Hogg nodded thoughtfully.
*******
At the Baruch family estate, what the mansion lacked in many things, it had in abundance of rooms. During the Baruch family's most prosperous era, it had housed several hundred people. Now far fewer inhabitants remained in the estate. Even Linley, an eight-year-old child, occupied his own separate house.
Linley's bedroom.
Currently, Linley sat cross-legged alone on his bed, frowning in deep contemplation.
His mind kept replaying the terrifying scene of "Dance of the Fire Serpents" - seven enormous fire snakes, each as thick as water vats and dozens of meters long, soaring through the air. Flaming waves swept across the sky, instantly turning the surrounding area into an ocean of fire. The powerful warriors and mages of the mercenary team were reduced to ashes in mere moments.
"Mages... are so powerful."
A faint tremor passed through Linley's heart. "Although I have dragonblood warrior lineage, my bloodline concentration is low. The dragonblood warrior bloodline also conflicts with other battle qi manuals. This... limits the peak of my growth as a warrior. I wonder... if there's any possibility I could become a mage."Linley suddenly felt a desire to become a mage.
"That Velociraptor is terrifying. If I could own one too..."
Scenes of the Velociraptor flashed through Linley's mind.
Its lightning-fast tail could casually shatter boulders and demolish houses with a single swipe. Its colossal body resembled a massive siege chariot from an army—once it charged at full speed, its massive frame and armor-like scales would make it an unstoppable force.
"Magical beasts... I wonder how one can obtain one." Linley yearned deeply to have a magical beast companion.
For some reason, no matter how he tried, Linley couldn't fall asleep. Tossing and turning in bed, his mind replayed images of the gigantic Velociraptor and the mysterious mage conjuring the "Dance of Fire Serpents."
"Linley, what's wrong?" A familiar voice suddenly called out.
Linley scrambled upright and saw his father, Hog, standing before him, smiling approvingly.
"Father." Linley greeted respectfully, though inwardly puzzled. "Father is smiling at me? With that expression?"
Hog was typically strict with Linley, rarely offering warm smiles—let alone the affectionate look he wore now.
"Good. Very good." Hog praised, gazing at his son. "You've proven yourself worthy of the Dragonblood Warrior lineage. Our ancestors' greatest strength lies in fearing neither death nor bloodshed. If descendants of Dragonblood Warriors cowered before battle, it would be a true mockery."
Linley understood immediately—his father was referring to how he'd remained composed while watching the Velociraptor brutally crush Luke alive.
Surprised, Linley asked, "Father, you saw?"
"How could I not sense the commotion from that Velociraptor? I emerged the moment it arrived in Wushan Town, though I observed from a different direction. I witnessed every moment of your composure alongside Hillman." Hog nodded.Lin Lei chuckled to himself.
At that time, apart from the initial fear, he had actually felt his blood boiling with a fierce urge to fight. Lin Lei wondered if it was due to his Dragonblood Warrior lineage.
Hoge laughed: "Lin Lei, was today's events too overwhelming? So overwhelming that you forgot about dinner?"
"Dinner?" Lin Lei was startled.
"Growl~~~" His stomach chose that moment to protest loudly. Only then did Lin Lei remember—he had gone to evening training, but before it even started, he'd encountered the Velociraptor and the mysterious mage.
By all reasoning, he should have returned for dinner afterward.
But his mind had been completely occupied by the soul-shaking "Dance of the Fire Serpent" and the Velociraptor.
"Father, I want to ask—is it possible for descendants of our Dragonblood Warrior family to become mages?" Lin Lei's hands unconsciously clenched the bedsheet as he stared fixedly at his father.
Hoge paused, then understood—his son wanted to become a mage.
"It's possible," Hoge nodded.
Lin Lei's eyes lit up with hope.
Hoge raised a hand to calm him, explaining: "Lin Lei, our Dragonblood Warrior lineage has produced two mages in total throughout history. You must understand—magic talent is crucial. Normally, only one in ten thousand people has the potential to become a mage. The odds are vanishingly small. Don't get your hopes up too high."
Lin Lei shook his head resolutely.
"Father, I'll seize even the slimmest chance," the eight-year-old said with unchildlike seriousness.
Hoge studied his son's grave expression. Normally such solemnity would be comical on a child, but now he couldn't muster a smile.
After pondering, Hoge said: "Lin Lei, during the annual military recruitment season in late autumn, the capital city Fenlai holds magic aptitude tests. If you're truly determined, you can try this year."
"Late autumn? That's only half a year away, isn't it?" Lin Lei's eyes sparkled with excitement.