A Dragon against the Whole World-Chapter 155 - 147: Metamorphosis and Sublimation

The blood-red barrier peeled away like melting ice, and the silhouette of the Red Iron Dragon stumbled out from the void.

His scale armor was battered and torn, his body covered in crisscrossing wounds. A piercing injury from back to abdomen, along with a massive cut on his neck, gushed with Dragon Blood.

The battle had ended by now.

Pain and exhaustion surged like a tidal wave, and Galos should have collapsed in weakness. 𝗳𝚛𝗲𝕖𝕨𝕖𝗯𝚗𝚘𝕧𝕖𝗹.𝗰𝗼𝕞

But a strange sensation began to grow within him, as the nearly depleted magical energy and overdrawn life force entwined like two writhing Giant Pythons deep within his organs, biting and fusing, birthing a soul-searing pain and heat that kept Galos standing.

This sensation was a sign of Dragon Qi Awakening.

Galos was in great pain, but his gaze remained sharp and resolute.

The magical energy and life force pushed to their limits were sublimating, transforming, evolving into Dragon Qi.

The battle with the Dragon Hunting Squad was incredibly perilous.

Their numbers were great, and apart from Viscount Ironthorn, the lowest-level lifeform was also level 10, the same as Galos, along with a level 14 Curse Master, level 13 Paladin, War Priest, and other high-ranking beings.

As the one being attacked and surrounded, Galos was at a significant disadvantage.

The most critical factor was the presence of the Gladiatorial Array Plate.

Retreat was impossible; he had to fight to the death.

Without followers and other Dragons to help hold the line, had he used Frenzied Blood Burst at the outset, the numerous elite Dragon Hunters could have easily kited him through their team coordination, avoiding direct confrontation.

Moreover, the frenzied state is best activated after the battle has warmed up, stimulating the body to achieve the strongest enhancement effect.

Galos understood this.

Therefore, he first endured with exploding scales to wear down the Dragon Hunters’ state, feigned weakness, suddenly burst forth with frenzy, decisively taking down a Berserker, forcing a breach in their ranks, then relying only on the inability of the Paladin and War Priest to completely delay him, swiftly killed the Fierce Beast Hunter and Shadow Assassin.

Thus, the tide turned, tipping the scales of victory towards him.

Ultimately, relying on a three-stage blood burst, he slaughtered the remaining Dragon Hunters who were on their last legs, having exhausted their ultimate skills.

Even so, Galos himself sustained extremely severe injuries under the combined attacks of the Dragon Hunters.

Forced to the brink, after a life-and-death struggle, he finally seized the opportunity for Dragon Qi Awakening, as magical energy and life force began to merge and sublimate.

"With Dragon Qi, my frenzied state duration should be extended."

"Most importantly, this means I can start learning the skills of the Martial Dragon, enhancing perception, instinctual danger foresight, and other attributes."

Galos reflected on the battle.

He believed.

The main reason he was in such danger was due to his dull perception.

As a hybrid Red Iron Dragon, Galos had positive hybrid traits in other aspects, combining the strengths of both sides, but in terms of perception, it was a negative hybrid, initially poorer than an average Red or Iron Dragon.

After some training and mental attribute enhancement,

his perception was slightly better than a normal young Red or Iron Dragon, but still very limited, not as high as that of an Elf Dragon.

For instance, this time, he failed to notice the stealthy Dragon Hunters, allowing them to get close enough to use tools against him, and during the gladiatorial domain, was deceived by the Curse Master’s illusion, losing the critical opportunity to interrupt their casting, and was strongly controlled for a period.

If he wasn’t deceived, and had interrupted the Curse Master’s spell early,

he might not have sustained such severe injuries.

"My perception has always been a weakness, and it improves very slowly."

"However, after awakening Dragon Qi, the situation changes completely."

Galos exhaled deeply.

The Martial Dragon, like the Martial Monk profession, shares a similar fundamental nature.

Reflexive evasion, focused acuity, and similar perceptual skills can all be learned with Dragon Qi, and with frequent use of such skills, due to his evolution talent, they can eventually become permanent passive abilities.

The magical and life energy continued to intertwine and merge.

Transformation and sublimation required some time.

It wasn’t an immediate process.

Meanwhile, the monster followers gathered around, forming an iron-like guard around Galos to fend off any further assaults, as several Dragons also landed beside Galos.

"Galos, how are you feeling?"

Seeing the terrifying injuries on the Red Iron Dragon, Samantha asked anxiously.

Though she didn’t know exactly what Galos had undergone, just seeing those shocking wounds could give an idea of how perilous the previous battle was.

If it were her or Solrog,

they’d probably be dead for sure.

"It’s nothing, though the process was a bit thrilling, ultimately I won."

"As for these wounds, as long as they didn’t kill me outright, they’re not a concern, I’ll be fine after some rest."

Galos said.

With a flick of his tail, he tossed the red stone-like Gladiatorial Array Plate to the Iron Dragon: "You keep it for now. It’s this alchemy tool that trapped me in the different dimension, and it can still be used."

The Gladiatorial Array Plate was already covered in cracks, like a porcelain about to shatter.

But it hadn’t truly broken yet.

The moment Galos won the duel, he became its new master, naturally understanding how to use it.

This was a formidable beheading tool, though it could only be used one more time, but if used well, it could work wonders at a critical moment.

Iron Dragon Solrog took the Array Plate, nodding heavily: "Quickly heal and rest."

"Meanwhile, Samantha and I will be right by your side."

Elf Dragon Vera shouted: "And me! I won’t let anyone sneak up again this time!"

Feeling guilty for her slightly delayed alarm earlier, though she shouldn’t be blamed, Elf Dragons have excellent perception yet aren’t strong enough to immediately detect shadow stealth.

Galos slowly stretched his body, his shattered scale armor screeching like metal against metal.

He lowered his head to inspect his wounds.

The Dragon Hunters’ attacks weren’t merely physical; most of the wounds retained energy that stopped regeneration, causing continuous bleeding.

The Paladin’s Evil-Breaking Slash left deep, bone-visible cracks on his neck, with light flames eroding within, Curse Master’s shadow energy embedded in his wounds like countless black-purple parasites gnawing at the new tissue, while the most troublesome was the Divine Energy leftover in the Blade of Judgment’s piercing wounds, burning him like fire.

"Before I sleep, these wounds need treatment first for quicker recovery."

Galos said.

His magical energy was almost exhausted, the remainder morphing into Dragon Qi.

"Frost Fang, come heal me."

Galos summoned the Mages and Shamans from each tribe.

The Mages carefully surrounded the Red Iron Dragon, meticulously eliminating stubborn residual energies, while scraping away necrotic tissue and applying the secret potions from wild monsters and healing Magic Potion from a previous caravan.

"Kalu, stop dawdling, bring an iron bucket, these Dragon Blood should not be wasted."

Galos instructed the Ogre to bring an iron bucket to collect Dragon Blood.

This time he lost a lot of blood, which could be transformed into more than one Dragon Vein Follower.

It emphasized recycling and not wasting resources.

After a full six hours, deep into the night, the Estonian River mist rose, crashing waves shattered the moonlight.

Galos’ wounds were almost tended to.

Due to extreme battle exhaustion, fatigue and drowsiness started to close in, clouding Galos’ mind.

But he didn’t sleep immediately; instead, invigorated himself, instructing followers to use the already assembled raft to cross the river, and camp on the north bank afterward.

Galos himself found a secluded spot nearby to rest.

Iron Dragon, Red Dragon, Elf Dragon, and the Mages and other elite units among the clan, all rallied around Galos’ resting point, keeping vigil through the night.