Coiling Dragon: Reborn As The Armored Razorback Wyrm

"Nien, why do you think Sadius keeps clearing out so many stones from his cave every day?"

Liyah asked as she watched the Stone Eater Mouse beside her gnaw on a rock.

"No idea. Maybe he wants to expand his cave a little?"

Recently, Nien had learned some Dragon-language, so he no longer had to sit in silence while other magical beasts spoke in it, leaving him to only squeak in frustration.

He didn't know what Sadius was up to, but the stones being cleared from the cave were extraordinary, brimming with elemental essence.

Ever since the Stone Eater Mouse clan had begun consuming these stones, their strength had risen significantly.

Everyone was curious about what Sadius was doing inside the cave.

But Sadius had given strict orders—no one was to enter. None of the other magical beasts dared to disobey.

Several Saint-Level magical beasts returned from beyond the valley.

Even the Violet-Eyed Goldfur Ape and the Thunderbolt Panther had now been subdued.

Only the Blood-Eyed Mane Lion and the Thunderwing White Tiger on the western side of The Mountain Range of Magical Beasts remained unconquered.

With five Saint-Level magical beasts now gathered, the valley was a formidable force.

"Liyah, Nien, has the Alliance Leader emerged from seclusion?"

"Not yet. Why, what's wrong?"

"Terrible news—the Radiant Church has suddenly begun marching into The Mountain Range of Magical Beasts! The Blood-Eyed Mane Lion and the Thunderwing White Tiger couldn't withstand their forces and have already submitted."

"What?!"

This was a grave disaster.

With two Saint-Level magical beasts defecting to the Radiant Church, the enemy's strength had grown even further.

"I have to find Sadius! He must emerge, or we stand no chance against the Radiant Church!" Liyah declared, ready to rush into the cave.

Two Raptor Dragons immediately blocked her path.

"Master has ordered—no one may enter!"

Liyah seethed in frustration, but Nien held her back.

"We must stall the Radiant Church. Once the Alliance Leader emerges, his strength will undoubtedly soar. At that time, the Radiant Church will no longer be a threat."

The assembled magical beasts agreed, swiftly issuing commands for their respective clans to mobilize, preparing to head west for battle.

Fire Dragons, Green Dragons, Winged Serpent Dragons, Twin-Winged Pegasi, Thunderwing Pegasi, Golden Sun Condors, Wind Wolves, Silver Dragons, Black Dragons, Raptor Dragons—beasts of all kinds surged forward.

A beast tide had begun.

The most terrifying among them were the countless rodent-type magical beasts, their swarming numbers blanketing entire mountainsides.

Suddenly, terrifying energy beams shot forth from the distant western horizon.

Boom! Boom! Boom!

Countless magical beasts were reduced to charred remains under the devastating onslaught.

"It's the humans' Magistone Cannons!"

Magistone Cannons—terrifying magical weapons capable of unleashing catastrophic energy blasts.

Even high-rank magical beasts could be gravely threatened by these weapons.

Before the enemy was even seen, their devastating artillery had already wreaked havoc upon the beast alliance.

"Advance! Destroy the Magistone Cannons first!"

Immediately, five Saint-Level magical beasts led the charge.

From a distance, they spotted the human mage formations.

Several large Magistone Cannons were mounted in the rear of the enemy camp.

Just as the five Saint-Level magical beasts prepared to storm forward and demolish the cannons, two Saint-Level magical beasts emerged from the opposing camp.

The defectors—Blood-Eyed Mane Lion and Thunderwing White Tiger.

"Helasor, surrender the Saint-Level Armored Razorback Wyrm! If you do, the Radiant Church's lords will withdraw."

"Traitors of The Mountain Range of Magical Beasts—die!" The Saint-Level Tyrant Dragon roared as it launched the first attack.

Darkness Magic surged forth—Touch of Evil!

Helasor lunged toward the Blood-Eyed Mane Lion.

"The Thunderwing White Tiger is mine!" The Thunderbolt Panther charged as well.

Both were feline Saint-Level magical beasts wielding Lightning affinity, long desiring a battle to determine superiority.

The remaining three Saint-Level magical beasts pressed on toward the human formation.

Suddenly, six winged figures took to the sky from within the enemy ranks.

"Two-Winged Angels of the Radiant Church!"

No one could fail to recognize the Radiant Church's Divine Angels.

Each Two-Winged Angel possessed initial Saint-Level power.

If they were merely that, the three magical beasts could still fight them.

But the six angels formed a Celestial Battle Formation—a whole different threat.

"Hold them off! Once my elder brother defeats the Blood-Eyed Mane Lion, he will aid us!" declared the Saint-Level Thunder Dragon.

A massive six-pointed star array appeared above the battlefield.

This Celestial Battle Formation far surpassed the one Sadius had encountered before—after all, it was executed by six Saint-Level entities.

The three Saint-Level magical beasts dared not take it head-on and could only retreat repeatedly.

On the ground, seeing the Saint-Level magical beasts occupied, the human Magistone Cannons prepared another round of fire.

Liyah, among the magical beast forces, commanded the rodent horde.

"We must break into the human formation, or we have no chance of victory!"

"Long-One, Long-Two, rally the dragons with the strongest defenses to lead the charge! We're advancing!"

Two dragons unleashed resounding roars.

In an instant, countless dragons charged forward in a terrifying stampede.

Misty Valley

The valley was completely devoid of magical beasts.

Sadius was immersed in his craft.

The cave walls were now filled with his carvings of various magical beasts.

Raptor Dragons, Fire Dragons, Green Dragons, Earth Dragons, Winged Serpent Dragons, Twin-Winged Pegasi, Thunderwing Pegasi, Violet Tattooed Bears, Golden Dragons, Thunder Dragons, Tyrant Dragons, Earthquake Bears, Shadow Mice, Stone-Eating Mice…

Every magical beast Sadius had ever encountered was now immortalized in his carvings.

The entire cavern had become a gallery of beastly sculptures.

Though roughly scuplted, they exuded the essence of the Straight Chisel School Carving Technique.

Sadius had been carving for a long time. If not for the cavern's rich elemental energy replenishing him, he would have exhausted himself spiritually long ago.

At last, Sadius prepared to carve the final beast—

The Armored Razorback Wyrm.

Yes, he would carve himself.

All previous carvings had been practice. Only upon completing his own could he claim true mastery of the Straight Chisel School Technique.

His claws struck the stone, carving each razor-sharp spike along his back.

Then his form took shape.

One by one, dragon scales emerged, unembellished yet exuding primal might.

Finally, his claws, tail, and head.

Only two final strokes remained.

He hesitated.

"Is this what they call 'the finishing touch' on a dragon?"

For the first time, Sadius doubted himself. If he succeeded, the sculpture would radiate an unmatched presence.

If he failed, all his work would be ruined.

Then he laughed.

"What am I hesitating for?"

With a sudden burst of clarity, his claws moved, tracing two simple arcs.

The carving was complete.

"Congratulations, Sadius. In just thirty days, you've sculpted a masterpiece. Among humans, you'd already be regarded as a master."

Floating beside him, Doehring Cowart had been watching silently the entire time.

Suddenly a powerful surge of Soul Mutated Soul Force erupted from Sadius, sending waves across Misty Valley and beyond.

In the northern reaches of The Mountain Range of Magical Beasts, three rodent figures turned southward.

"That soul force… far beyond ordinary Saint-Level limits."

"It seems a magical beast with an unparalleled soul talent has ascended. We must investigate."

In the blink of an eye, three Violet-Gold Rat Kings vanished into the distance.