This was a golden beast’s leg, radiant and dazzling, thick and powerful, akin to that of a divine beast. Even in death, it exuded a terrifying might, flowing with golden light that instilled awe in all who beheld it. In this moment, not to mention the hundreds of ferocious beasts and birds of prey, even rare creatures like the silver crocodile, blood marten, and purple-gold serpent recoiled involuntarily, overwhelmed by its savage aura.
Finally, the Azure-Scaled Eagle stepped forward first, followed by a few other monstrous beasts—one resembling a blazing unicorn and another akin to a fierce hou. These were overlords of the outer regions, though aside from the Azure-Scaled Eagle, none belonged to this territory. With a thunderous crash, the eagle spread its massive wings, shaking loose countless boulders and sending debris flying, revealing most of the Lion-Dragon’s precious body. The other beasts did the same, advancing in unison. Stones shot into the air, forcing the remaining creatures to retreat in panic.
A brilliant golden radiance spilled forth, illuminating a colossal figure lying there—like a divine lion adorned with golden dragon horns, its forehead covered in shimmering golden scales, its fur brighter than the finest silk. This was the Lion-Dragon, a true descendant of ancient times. Though its noble bloodline was no longer pure, and it could never match the might of its primordial ancestors, it still reigned supreme in the depths of the mountains. Its body was not excessively large—merely six meters in length—but a beast’s strength was never measured by size, and this Lion-Dragon was proof.
Even in death, its golden form seemed forged from precious metal, its lingering might saturating the air. The golden glow bathed the entire mountain in brilliance, even turning the leaves a pale gold. This was the elder Lion-Dragon, a supreme and terrifying creature!
“ROAR—”
The Azure-Scaled Eagle, the Leopard-Hou, and the Blazing Cloud Unicorn moved instantly, confirming the Lion-Dragon’s remains before launching into a frenzied battle.
*CLANG!*
A silver arrow shot like lightning from the Leopard-Hou’s back—it too bore primitive runes within its body.
*THUD!*
Another beast screamed as the arrow pierced its chest, leaving a gaping hole where its shattered heart bled uncontrollably.
The Azure-Scaled Eagle had already taken to the skies, raining down vicious attacks. A ghastly green moon materialized, its eerie radiance sweeping through trees and boulders, cleaving one beast clean in half. The eagle unleashed indiscriminate destruction—if it could eliminate the strongest contenders, the remaining hundreds of beasts and birds would pose no threat.
The battleground turned into a bloodbath. Some beasts charged recklessly toward the Lion-Dragon, eager to feast on its flesh and precious blood. The overlords roared in fury—even the Azure-Scaled Eagle—attacking to stop them. Chaos reigned.
*SCREECH!*
A shrill cry suddenly pierced the air, so sharp it felt like a blade to the soul. A monstrous purple rat—large as a millstone—leapt thirty meters into the air, landing squarely on the eagle’s back.
“Aunt Azure-Scaled Eagle, look out!” Little Rascal cried.
To the rat, the eagle was the greatest threat, and it sought to eliminate it first. Though small compared to the eagle, its claws were deadly—one swipe tore off dozens of pounds of flesh, even piercing the legendary azure scales.
Little Rascal hissed, summoning a silver moon that chased after the rat. The furious but clear-headed eagle knew this was the infamous Rat King of the distant mountains—a creature that fed on metal, its teeth and claws unbreakable.
The eagle’s body flared with light as runes intertwined like lightning, momentarily immobilizing the rat before attempting to crush it with ancient runic power.
Shi Hao also acted, slashing at the frozen Rat King with his silver moon—yet with a metallic *CLANG*, it failed to cut through.
Little Rascal widened his eyes in shock. “Yi ya, again!”
*CLANG! CLANG! CLANG!*
Sparks flew as the silver moon struck repeatedly, finally breaking through the rat’s hide. Blood spurted, but its bones were as hard as divine artifacts, resisting the blade. Undeterred, Little Rascal summoned a second silver moon, relentlessly hacking until—*CRACK!*—the Rat King’s bones shattered.
*BOOM!*
Simultaneously, the eagle’s runes erupted, leaving the Rat King covered in bloody gashes before it plummeted to the rocks below.
With one overlord dead, none could challenge the Azure-Scaled Eagle now. It soared higher, waiting for the chaos below to subside before striking.
In truth, all the overlords eventually withdrew, unwilling to be exploited in the stalemate.
Suddenly, the eagle’s scales flared before tightening—as if sensing an unimaginable terror. It plunged downward, skimming the treetops in a frantic escape.
At that moment, Little Rascal’s spine turned to ice, as if plunged into a frozen abyss. Only as the eagle sped away did the sensation fade.
“What was that?” Never had he felt such dread—his breath had nearly stopped, his face pale.
The eagle flew far before ascending into the clouds, concealing itself while observing the battleground. Little Rascal activated his bone-text power, his eyes glowing as he peered down from the eagle’s back.
*ROOOOAR!*
A deafening howl shook the mountains and valleys, silencing even the falling leaves. The world turned frigid as a flood of terror surged forth.
In an instant, the clamorous forest fell silent. Creatures trembled, not daring to make a sound—even the blood marten, purple-gold serpent, and Blazing Cloud Unicorn froze in place.
A black figure emerged, like a demon king descended, its baleful aura casting the mountains into a deathly stillness.
It was an ape—not overly large, standing just over two meters tall, covered in half-meter-long black fur that gleamed ominously. Shockingly, it bore black fleshy wings, allowing it to fly. Most striking were the two thick, savage horns atop its head.
“Ah! Could this be a Demon Ape? And a royal-blooded one at that, capable of flight!” Little Rascal gasped.
The Demon Ape’s mere presence cowed the entire forest. Its icy gaze swept the land, and none dared resist. A miasma of death clung to it, as if it had slaughtered countless mighty beings.
“This is one of the mountain depths’ rulers—likely no weaker than the Lion-Dragon.”
*WHOOSH!*
The Demon Ape leapt a hundred meters into the air before landing atop a massive bear-eagle’s head. The ten-meter-long beast—a rare hybrid with a humanoid bear’s body and eagle wings—trembled in fear, not daring to move.
With chilling leisure, the ape pried open the bear-eagle’s skull—as large as a millstone—and feasted, indifferent to all else. The bear-eagle whimpered but never resisted, paralyzed by the overwhelming terror.
Every creature quaked. A king nearly equal to the Lion-Dragon had emerged from the depths—what could they do but despair?
*CRASH!*
After just a few bites, the Demon Ape launched itself toward the Lion-Dragon. Behind it, the bear-eagle collapsed.
The black ape was not massive, but one stomp shattered the rocky terrain, clearing the area around the Lion-Dragon.
*MOOOO!*
A bellow echoed as a blazing red bull charged from the distant forest—thirty meters long and fifteen tall, its hooves wreathed in flame. Its body shimmered like crimson silk.
“Is that the legendary Lava Bull Demon?!” Little Rascal’s eyes widened.
Even Shi Yunfeng, now aged, had heard tales of this creature from his youth—a fire bull whose might once shook the wilderness. Yet it still lived!
*WHOOSH!*
The Demon Ape took flight, confronting the Lava Bull Demon. Their auras clashed like a storm, ravaging the forest.
*ROAR!* *MOO!*
With twin bellows, they lunged at each other. The earth trembled as trees shattered and boulders flew.
Suddenly—*BOOM!*
Golden light exploded, bathing the forest in radiance. Unthinkably, the Lion-Dragon had risen, its fury uncontainable!
*ROOOAR!*
Like thunder from the heavens, its roar shook the mountains. A golden blur, it struck the two kings with inhuman speed.
*THUD!*
Too sudden, too fast! Despite its reflexes, the Demon Ape lost an arm, blood spraying thirty feet high.
*CRACK!*
At the same time, the Lava Bull Demon’s massive horn—several meters long—was torn off, flesh and all, by the Lion-Dragon’s claw.
The sight stunned every beast and bird. They crumpled in terror, trembling uncontrollably.
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