Mythical Era: My Evolution into a Celestial Beast

Chapter 348: The Golden Spine (II)

By the time the sun rose the next morning, a massive lava lake, spanning a kilometer in diameter, had formed on the large island. The surrounding temperature had increased by several dozen degrees Celsius, causing the air to warp and distort.

A colossal black-and-red beast, just over a hundred meters long, stood at the center of the fiery lake, the flames erupting from its ferocious mouth now somewhat dim.

A golden spine, over twenty meters long and three meters wide, slowly hovered over the sea of fire, covered in countless rune traces.

The Thunder Fiery Emperor Beast panted heavily, breathing hard as it sat down weakly, causing the lava to splatter and shoot out into the air.

After half a day and a full night of spewing fire, the Thunder Beast was beginning to feel exhausted. However, being able to last this long was thanks to ability enhancement and its growth to the late stage of level 8.

Otherwise, considering its endurance had only been about three minutes after breaking through to level 7, it would have collapsed long ago.

After a short break, the Thunder Beast grabbed the twenty-meter-long rune-engraved spine and walked out of the lava lake. Then it disappeared into the ocean with a thunderous splash.

About an hour after the Thunder Beast disappeared, the surface of the ocean suddenly swelled up on the other side of the island. A colossal beast, over eighty meters long, emerged.

This creature had a body like a giant serpent, covered in green scales. The upper half looked almost like a human torso, and it had a pair of sharp claws.

However, its head was like that of a terrifying demon, with a pair of large, curved horns, giving it an eerie and intimidating presence filled with a sense of menace.

The level 8 colossal beast cautiously looked around before making its way to the shore, eventually reaching the center of the island where the battle had taken place.

As it observed the burning lava lake, shattered mountains, and cracked ground, the Demonic Green Python sniffed the air. Soon, its face showed an expression of terror, and its massive body quickly turned and slithered back into the sea, hastily heading in another direction.

In the depths of the pitch-black ocean, a pair of eyes with golden vertical pupils slowly opened.

The Thunder Beast watched the direction in which the Demonic Green Python had left and thought for a moment before flicking its tail to the python's direction, silently following. Despite its massive size, its movement through the water caused little disturbance, as most of the energy was dissipated by the invisible force field created by its Agility ability.

Earlier, when the Thunder Beast had entered the sea, it habitually released electromagnetic waves, which allowed it to faintly sense the python’s presence.

This was a rare mutated creature capable of concealing its aura. If it weren’t for the Thunder Beast’s triad of sensory abilities—detecting water flow through its feathery horns, electromagnetic scanning through its dorsal fins, and its biological instinct to sense auras of power—it might not have discovered the python.

Following behind the colossal beast at a distance of two kilometers, the Thunder Beast swam for over a thousand kilometers before suddenly stopping.

Ahead, it sensed a powerful aura, far surpassing that of the ancient Tiger Serpent and the Six-Armed Demonic Ape. It was likely a middle-stage level 9 colossal beast.

Moreover, this beast’s bloodline seemed to be of a very high stage, giving the Thunder Beast a sense of danger comparable to that of the Silver Colossal Dragon.

A king-level bloodline. Although it hadn’t approached, the aura it emitted was still enough to make the Thunder Beast feel a hint of danger.

Most importantly, it felt like it was being targeted.

From the looks of it, this beast had gathered some mutated creatures to form a faction of colossal beasts. The level 8 python was likely a scout, or perhaps had coincidentally encountered the Thunder Beast while it was hunting the Six-Armed Demonic Ape.

Regardless of the circumstances, a confrontation between the Dragon Palace and this colossal beast was inevitable.

Taking a deep look in the direction of the colossal beast’s aura, the Thunder Beast silently turned and left.

With its current strength, it could easily crush any beginning stage level 9 colossal beast, and it would have no problem defeating even middle stage beasts with lord-level bloodlines.

However, when facing a middle stage level 9 beast with both a king-level bloodline and top-level abilities, it was better to be cautious.

The Thunder Beast was well aware of how powerful such abilities were, thanks to its own top-level abilities. Each one could be said to have touched the edges of the laws, making them extremely formidable.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

Still, as long as it either broke through to level 9 or enhanced another ability to the top level, to elevate itself to the emperor level, it would likely have no problem taking down that colossal beast.

A few hours later, the Thunder Beast returned to the Dragon Palace, around one o'clock in the afternoon. The king-level colossal beast’s territory, the Dragon Palace, and the Six-Armed Demonic Ape’s island formed a rough triangle, with the Dragon Palace being approximately 1,500 kilometers away in a straight line.

Seeing the even more imposing and larger Thunder Beast, the Blue Giant Crab guarding the entrance scuttled over eagerly.

Gurgle, gurgle! My king, you’re back! My king, you’ve become even more mighty and strong! My king, you’re incredible, truly deserving of the title of king…

After a string of flattering remarks, the Thunder Beast, feeling annoyed, let out a low growl to interrupt. Roar! Enough, just make sure to guard the gate properly.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

It then let out another low growl. Roar! Keep an eye out around here. If any unfamiliar creatures above level 7 appear, report it immediately.

Gurgle, gurgle! Yes, my king, I’ll keep a close watch at all times and won’t let you down. My king, you look so mighty…

Boom!

The Thunder Beast swung a claw, its terrifying strength causing a powerful shockwave in the water as it sent the Blue Crab flying hundreds of meters away. Only then did it turn and swim into the Dragon Palace.

How many times had it told that guy to stop babbling? Didn't it realize that its flattery was too low-level? Repeating the same words over and over was getting tiresome.

Bang!

Outside the Thunder Fiery Dragon King's palace, one platform’s ice suddenly shattered as the Thunder Beast drove the golden spine into it like a stele.

Along with the ancient Tiger Serpent spines surrounding it, the Thunder Fiery Dragon Palace appeared even more majestic and grand.

The Single-horned Kun, Dragon Turtle, Silver Colossal Dragon, and Ghidorah instinctively poked their heads out when they heard the commotion. Their eyes widened in surprise upon seeing the runic spine and the powerful aura it emanated.

Roar! Batian, did you really kill another level 9 creature? The Silver Dragon asked in astonishment.

The Thunder Beast responded with a casual growl. Roar! After coming out from my seclusion, I felt a bit hungry, so I went out to kill a level 9 colossal beast to eat.

Roar! This bone contains some of that beast’s runic abilities. If you’re interested, you can contemplate it and see if you can gain any insights.

Immediately, the other colossal beasts were left speechless. Everyone here is level 8, but you’re so abnormal! For you, killing a level 9 beast seems as easy as crushing an ordinary creature.

While the colossal beasts were questioning their lives, the Thunder Beast suddenly stood up and roared.

Roar! Saixitia, Ghidorah, Big Horn, and Baxia, come out. We’re heading out to collect level 3 and 4 Life Crystals. Disperse in all directions and clean up all the territories controlled by the Dragon Palace. We’ll regroup in three days.

The Thunder Beast’s sudden roar initially left the Silver Dragon and others stunned. Then, the Dragon Turtle’s excited roar echoed. Roar! Let’s go, let’s go, it’s just the right time to test my new ability!

Squeak squeak squeak! Finally, I can go play… no, I mean, help Thunder Fiery get the stuff!

Compared to the dullness of cultivation, the two colossal beasts, who had been pent up for over a week, were ecstatic. They rushed out, fearing that the Thunder Beast might change its mind.

Following them were the Nine-Headed Serpent Ghidorah, its dragon heads roaring in chaos. Roar roar roar! Let’s go, help Ao Ba. I’m the best at this!

Boom!

Amid splashing water, the Serpent charged out.

As comrades, this was their duty. These creatures didn’t hesitate after hearing the Thunder Beast’s strong request and rushed out, showing their straightforward nature.

Even the Silver Dragon walked out with graceful steps.

Damn it, how elegant. Thunder Beast shook its head vigorously.

Roar! In three days, the great Saixitia will bring back many crystals. Look forward to it!

As it growled, the Silver Dragon lifted its head proudly, kicked its four legs, and leaped into the water with a splash, sending up a huge wave.

After the four colossal beasts left, the Thunder Beast also exited the Dragon Palace, despite having just returned. However, it chose the direction toward the territory of the unfamiliar level 9 colossal beast.

The Thunder Beast was still some distance away from reaching level 9. The only way to significantly boost its combat power in a short time was to become an emperor-level colossal beast.

At that point, even with its growth level at the late stage of level 8, it would be able to take on a middle-stage level 9 king-level colossal beast without much trouble, thanks to its four top-level abilities.

The only issue was that the Dragon Palace and the surrounding sea areas had already been swept through by the beasts before. It was uncertain whether enough Life Crystals could be gathered in the coming days.