Ashen Dragon

"Bloodscaled Fury..."

"This feels pretty good."

Cassius panted heavily, unable to resist licking his lips, his bloodshot eyes brimming with excitement and frenzy.

However, the system's refresh continued.

[Your absorption rate of the "Heart of Karex" is at 0.83%]

[Due to partial energy absorption, your "Bloodscaled Fury" occupation will rise to level 3]

[Gained additional feats: "Powerful Attack," "Shockwave," "Wing Storm"]

[Gained additional abilities: "Fearsome Presence," "Draconic Fury," "Scales of Blood"]

Fearsome Presence

Seeing the Bloodscaled Fury would incite terror, with boiling rage stirring within it, invoking fear in all who behold it.

Draconic Fury

The Bloodscaled Fury's rage became even more terrifying. During frenzy, its strength and constitution values increased by an additional 2 points, and its will grew tougher, making control-type spells less effective on the Bloodscaled Fury.

Scales of Blood

The Bloodscaled Fury lived up to its name. During frenzy, a certain amount of blood seeped from around the scales, outlining them and enhancing the dragon's fearsome presence. More importantly, the blood supernaturally protected the dragon against spells and weapon damage.

"Such power..."

Cassius raised his claw, observing the blood marks outside the scales, letting out a sinister roar.

Not only did his muscles bulge like iron balls, but even the blood vessels in his neck bulged, like an enraged beast.

After this painful transformation, Cassius's body had grown several sizes larger. Not only did his body length exceed thirty meters, but his limbs and torso also became more robust and powerful.

Cassius let out an exhilarated howl.

That sound carried boiling rage, inciting the most primal terror in all creatures. Flocks of birds took off from the mountains in panic, only to stiffen in paralyzing fear and drop one by one, plummeting straight to the ground.

Even among the seasoned Tiefling Guards, some could not withstand this overwhelming pressure, fainting dead away—such was the might of the Bloodscaled Fury.

If he were to fight his former self now, his powerful melee abilities as the Bloodscaled Fury would undoubtedly leave his previous self covered in wounds, possibly even torn to pieces alive. Such was the terrifying power of the ancestor Red Dragon enhanced by Bloodscaled Fury.

Yet this transformation continued, still unceasing.

"Roar—"

The frenzied Red Dragon let out another roar.

The cracks covering his body expanded further, revealing flickering flames.

With the fierce beating of his heart, the "Heart of Karex" within it suddenly released terrifying energy, causing the crystal on his chest to show cracks, through which countless dark red glows emitted.

The light seemed to distort the world's rules, creating irregular trajectories in the air and forming eerie spinning patterns in his Dragon Crystal.

Eventually, Cassius uncontrollably opened his massive maw, spewing dark red flames.

"Boom—"

As soon as the flames touched the surrounding objects, they shattered instantly, disintegrating into the tiniest dust particles, filling the air as Chaos Mist—these flames were indeed the "Purifying Flame" Cassius had previously seen in the illusion.

Meanwhile, as a terrible chaotic wave spread in the North and throughout Anzeta, all spellcasters could feel this distorted, frenzied influence and were profoundly shocked, causing a huge uproar.

[Your absorption rate of the "Heart of Karex" is at 1.02%]

[You have absorbed part of the chaotic, destructive divine power from the "Heart of Karex," gaining a special ability: "Breath of Chaos"]

Breath of Chaos

Karex's periodic arrival in the Prime Material World brings universal destruction. Cleanse the unclean with Purifying Flame. The natural process and cosmic evolution often lead to more disorder and chaos. Your breath will accelerate this process, bringing ultimate chaos to all things.

When Cassius came to his senses and closed his mouth, the grand main hall was almost entirely reduced to white ash, with massive craters appearing around.

Only the most fundamental material particles remained, along with a burning, chaotic sea of flames.

Surrounded by flames, Cassius displayed a look of rapture, reluctantly sweeping a claw to extinguish them after a long while.

"Breath of Chaos."

"It's practically divine power."

In the Red Dragon's perception, before this chaotic Purifying Flame, nothing could resist; only the most thorough annihilation awaited.

"Master—"

Cassius turned his head to find the Ogre Mage rushing over from afar in a panic.

Ramp descended heavily to the ground, panting heavily: "Have you felt it, the Magic Web..."

The Ogre hadn't finished speaking when he suddenly felt an instinctual fear, breaking out in cold sweat and covering his mouth involuntarily.

"Didn't I say—"

"No one is allowed to come near here?"

The Red Dragon's bloodshot eyes flashed dangerously.

The powerful bloody aura expanded, suffocating the Ogre.

Ramp felt close to death for the first time, witnessing his master's terrifying, suffocating form.

He immediately knelt down, his large body trembling uncontrollably despite being over three meters high. His ugly face was filled with fear, barely maintaining sanity with sheer willpower.

He stuttered, "Master, I-I'm sorry."

"I was rude, I forgot your order."

Ramp held his breath until the oppressive aura lessened, allowing his heart to settle down, though he dared not relax at all.

"Never again."

Cassius said coldly.

He allowed no one to spy on his power, not even the most trusted kin or subordinates.

"So... what do you have to report?"

Hearing this question, Ramp broke out in large beads of sweat, his heart pounding again.

He intended to report the Magic Web's anomaly, but now it was clear this anomaly was caused by his master, with its exact cause even becoming Cassius's forbidden secret.

He obviously couldn't delve into this, lest he invite suspicion.

Having held a high position for years, Ramp hadn't felt such fear in a long time.

He finally realized—his master was a pureblood Red Dragon. Despite the peculiar changes, it was not something he could meddle with.
Find your next read at My Virtual Library Empire

Thinking fast, he carefully replied, "It's... Rackman Castle's constraints seem to have loosened slightly."

"Mortifael?"

"I was just looking for a chance... to test this power."

Cassius's eyes gleamed with fighting spirit, even licking his lips in excitement. But he didn't notice—the sheer desire for destruction appeared deep in his pupils.