Ashen Dragon

"Boom——"

The Giant Mountain furiously smashed the ground, delivering a determined strike that caused the earth to crack and sent sand and dust soaring into the sky.

Yet this time, it still missed!

"Whoosh——"

A figure shot up rapidly, breaking through layers of smoke.

In just an instant, George had already ascended dozens of meters into mid-air, beating his Dragon Wings. His flaming golden pupils, from above, were locked tightly onto the Orc.

Suddenly, a strong Dragon's Might overflowed, pressing down onto the earth, while the scorching winds stirred by the wings began sweeping across the land.

"This is....."

George felt the surging Bloodline Power within his chest, the resistance caused by the broad Dragon Wings on his back as they flapped. Initially intrigued, his excitement soon grew immeasurable.

Half-Dragon.

In this desperate moment, the bloodline from the Ashen Empire's Emperor awakened within him, breaking the shackles of his genes and elevating him to the level of "Half-Dragon."

Within the Ashen Empire, although the titles of the Dragonblood Nobility were distinctly delineated, the innate reception of their bloodline varied. Their bloodline followed a unique classification system.

Creatures with features like Dragon Scales, vertical pupils, and Dragon Claws were collectively referred to as "Emperor Bloodline" or "Dragonborn." This group made up approximately 5% of the general populace, and George had been one of them previously.

Only those who grew Dragon Wings were qualified to be called "Emperor's Favored" or "Half-Dragon."

Their numbers were extraordinarily scarce, and they were almost always figures at the pinnacle of imperial power. Examples include Marshal Dolores from the Military Department, Lady Misha from Wildfire Tower, and even the Imperial Prime Minister Ramp, whose small pair of Dragon Wings graced his back.

Every Half-Dragon was a fortunate recipient of the Emperor's favor, and nearly all of them were celebrated Imperial Elders with outstanding service.

And now, after undergoing multiple Dragon Blood baptisms and surviving this life-or-death crisis, George had joined their ranks, becoming a noble Half-Dragon!

He recalled the figure in his mind from just moments ago and the gaze that had been cast upon him. Could it be—he had truly earned the Emperor's notice?

Thinking of this, George was overwhelmed with excitement, his chest surging with boundless exhilaration, momentarily forgetting the Orc on the ground.

This distraction enraged the Giant Mountain, who slammed the Warhammer onto the ground once more, smashing several large pits into existence.

"Damn reptile! You think you can escape? That some wings will save you?

I'm still going to kill you!"

The Giant Mountain roared to the sky, raising its Warhammer and pointing it at George in midair, shouting with fury.

"Those words should be mine instead. In the face of the power granted by His Highness, you don't stand a chance!"

George's gaze turned piercing, a sharp glint flashing through his pupils, his mocking tone unrestrained.

His Dragon Wings suddenly unfurled, casting a massive shadow on the ground below. Behind him loomed the phantom of a scarlet giant dragon, and the intense Dragon's Might poured downward, even causing the Giant Mountain to feel a heavy pressure on its shoulders.

The Giant Mountain's eyes opened wide in shock, brimming with disbelief.

Impossible?

How could there possibly be a creature with a stronger presence than his own? That was his most prized strength!

The Giant Mountain's eyes were bloodshot with rage as he let out a monstrous roar: "Waaagh"

The Orc's arm muscles bulged heavily, veins popping out. The enormous iron-forged Warhammer suddenly launched forward, flames jetting from its head, spinning swiftly as it hurtled toward George in the air.

Facing the incoming Warhammer, George remained unflustered. He flapped his wings and ascended another ten meters, easily avoiding the strike.

The Warhammer missed its target, continued its spinning arc, and returned to the Giant Mountain's grasp. The Orc grinned wide as he watched George climb higher — this was exactly what he had been waiting for!

"Boom!"

With a deafening crash, the Warhammer struck the earth, and utilizing the recoil force combined with his jump, the Orc shot upward with an unimaginable speed.

In mere moments, the Giant Mountain caught up to the ascending George, swinging the Warhammer mid-air toward him.

"Not good!"

Hearing the whistling sound of the enormous weapon cutting through the air behind him, George felt an immediate sense of danger. He turned his head and, sure enough, saw the Orc grinning menacingly as he charged toward him.

Such speed!

George twisted himself in midair, gripping his Longsword tightly with both hands, holding it horizontally in preparation to counter-attack.

Simultaneously, George felt an overwhelmingly hot energy brewing within his lungs, chest, and throat, ready to be unleashed completely.

—And the Orc in front of him was clearly the perfect target.

The Giant Mountain swiftly overtook George, positioning above him, descending with momentum, and swung the Warhammer fiercely toward the Half-Dragon while shouting: "Reptile, take my hammer!"

George finally ceased suppressing the chaotic energy inside him. With a ferocious expression, he opened his mouth wide, prepared for a life-or-death gamble.

"Boom——"

Accompanied by the sharp crack of air exploding, George spewed forth a dazzlingly bright and unimaginably scorching Pillar of Fire, blasting straight toward the Giant Mountain's chest.

The Giant Mountain's expression changed instantly. For some reason, at the moment George opened his mouth, it felt an inexplicable fear, as though the flames could completely destroy it!

It was the elite among millions of Orcs, a one-of-a-kind existence.

The weak and deceitful Imperial People had fired thousands of Bullets at it, hundreds of shells failed to kill it, even the overwhelming Artillery Fire couldn't engulf it. How could it possibly be felled by mere flames?

After a brief moment of astonishment, an uncontrollable, mindless rage took hold completely. Within the spore-constructed body, something seemed to awaken...