Chapter Eight: The Duel of Two Dragons

Staring unblinkingly at the immense figure before it, the creature’s body stretched for hundreds of feet, draped in blood-red scales. Upon its head blazed fiery crimson horns, thick as a man’s waist, and its eyes, a sinister dark red, burned with bloodlust. The Thousand-Shadow Blood Phantom Dragon trembled ever so slightly.

“It’s... it’s the Emperor Phantom Dragon!”

According to legend, the Emperor Phantom Dragon is the most powerful of all beasts—capable of summoning storms with a flick of its claws, shattering mountains and overturning rivers with but a gesture. This formidable species, which sits at the very pinnacle of the beast domain and commands the unquestioned submission of all others, is exceedingly rare—rarer even than the Thousand-Shadow Blood Phantom Dragon.

The Thousand-Shadow Blood Phantom Dragon births but one offspring every five hundred years, and the average female lives only a little over a thousand years. In other words, a mother dragon produces only two heirs in a millennium. Across the entire Blood Phantom Dragon clan, there are but a few dozen mothers, underscoring their rarity.

Yet the Emperor Phantom Dragon is even more extraordinary. Unlike other dragon clans that lay eggs, their lineage is passed down through a ritual—a bloodline inheritance.

This so-called bloodline inheritance requires one dragon to give up all its vital essence to birth another. To bring forth a new Emperor Phantom Dragon, another must expend its life’s blood, trading its essence for the continuation of the clan. The dragon that sacrifices itself inevitably perishes.

Since the dawn of the continent, tens of thousands of years ago, the number of Emperor Phantom Dragons has never exceeded a hundred. Thus, their clan is also known as the Hundred Emperor Dragons.

“Hmph, so what if you’re an Emperor Phantom Dragon? Any beast that sides with humans must die!”

Suppressing its shock, the Thousand-Shadow Blood Phantom Dragon surged forward, its massive horns charging straight for the Emperor Phantom Dragon.

The Emperor Phantom Dragon did not evade, but moved in kind, meeting the challenge head-on.

“Clang!” “Clang!” “Clang!”

Their horns collided, ringing out with the sound of metal clashing, sparks scattering in all directions.

“Whoosh!”

Suddenly, a gust split the air as the Emperor Phantom Dragon’s foreclaws swept forward, unleashing a sonic boom as it slashed at the Thousand-Shadow Blood Phantom Dragon’s waist!

Twisting its body, the Thousand-Shadow Blood Phantom Dragon narrowly dodged, then retaliated with a fierce swipe of its own claws.

The Emperor Phantom Dragon reacted swiftly, blocking the attack and seizing its opponent, then lashed out with its mighty tail.

Startled, the Thousand-Shadow Blood Phantom Dragon dared not meet force with force. Its enormous wings beat as it soared skyward, evading the blow and opening its jaws to unleash a torrent of dragon fire.

It had not forgotten that its child lay at the base of its tail.

As the dragon flames surged forth, the Emperor Phantom Dragon opened its jaws and spewed a blaze of its own.

“Boom!”

The two streams of dragon fire collided, exploding in a shower of sparks that rained down like fireworks.

The dragons sprang apart, retreating a dozen yards each.

“Emperor Dragon Dance!”

The Emperor Phantom Dragon launched another assault, its massive tail whipping up a flurry of illusory shadows and sonic blasts, sweeping ferociously at its opponent with overwhelming force.

“Phantom Dragon Shield!”

With a shouted incantation, the Thousand-Shadow Blood Phantom Dragon conjured a towering, spectral shield before itself. Within its surface, several phantom dragons swam in ceaseless motion, their presence mysterious and uncanny.

---

“Boom!” “Boom!” “Boom!”

The multiple tails of the Emperor Phantom Dragon struck the shield with thunderous force, the impact reverberating so strongly that even the space around them seemed to fracture.

The shield shimmered, ripples spreading across its surface as it struggled to dissipate the force.

Yet the Emperor Phantom Dragon’s blows were relentless and swift. Before long, cracks began to appear.

“Boom!” “Boom!” “Boom!”

Several more powerful tail strikes, and the shield finally collapsed with a resounding crash.

With its defense shattered, the Thousand-Shadow Blood Phantom Dragon retreated, narrowly avoiding the Emperor Phantom Dragon’s follow-up attack.

“The Emperor Phantom Dragon truly is formidable—it shattered my ‘Phantom Dragon Shield’ so quickly. Its reputation as the strongest of beasts is well deserved.”

Not allowing its opponent a moment to rest, the Emperor Phantom Dragon pressed its advantage, unleashing another torrent of fiery breath.

The Thousand-Shadow Blood Phantom Dragon snorted coldly, darting aside and lashing out with its claws.

The Emperor Phantom Dragon countered with its tail, blocking the strike, then slashed back—engaging in a fierce melee.

The two dragons fought with bodies as both weapon and shield, their battle so intense it seemed to shake heaven and earth.

“Boom!” “Boom!”

After several more powerful collisions, the dragons finally broke apart, each retreating.

The Thousand-Shadow Blood Phantom Dragon’s breath was ragged, fresh blood streaking its body—wounds left by the Emperor Phantom Dragon’s claws and tail, mingling with older injuries, covering it in crimson.

The Emperor Phantom Dragon’s breathing was also labored; its ethereal body appeared even more insubstantial after the brutal exchange.

“Let’s go all out!”

After a brief pause, the Thousand-Shadow Blood Phantom Dragon seemed to reach a decision. Its bloodshot eyes blazed as it recited an incantation: “Thousand Dragon Fury!”

Suddenly, a fierce wind arose, sand and stones flying everywhere. The towering trees swayed violently, even the ancient pool below was disturbed.

Black clouds gathered, thickening overhead and casting the sky into gloom. The furious roar of dragons echoed faintly through the darkness.

Opening its jaws wide, the Thousand-Shadow Blood Phantom Dragon drew the energies of heaven and earth towards itself, forming a gigantic sphere of white energy in moments.

Without hesitation, it flicked its head, launching the energy sphere at the Emperor Phantom Dragon.

The sphere instantly transformed into a white beam of light, accompanied by a chorus of dragon roars, shooting towards the Emperor Phantom Dragon with terrifying might.

The Emperor Phantom Dragon’s eyes narrowed as the white light expanded within its pupils. It wasted no time, placing its claws before itself and chanting rapidly.

“Emperor Dragon Celestial Flame Kill!”

As the words echoed, the space before the Emperor Phantom Dragon’s claws rippled with spatial waves.

---

The ripples spread several times, then faded. Suddenly, a surge of wild energy erupted, the space trembling violently as a massive blood-red pillar of fire burst forth, crashing directly ahead.

“Boom!”

It was as if a vast curtain of fireworks had blossomed across the sky. Smoke billowed, flames raining down in small bursts, waves of energy spreading outward in ripples, leaving devastation in their wake.

“Huff... huff...”

After a long moment, the smoke began to clear. Both dragons were panting heavily, the exchange having drained them immensely.

“If we continue this bloody fight, we’ll only destroy each other.”

The Emperor Phantom Dragon steadied its breathing, looking at the Thousand-Shadow Blood Phantom Dragon, whose labored gasps betrayed its exhaustion. It spoke: “Risking our lives to kill those who hold no grudge against us—doesn’t seem worth it, does it?”

The Thousand-Shadow Blood Phantom Dragon snorted, its bloodshot eyes fixed coldly on the two humans below. Its voice was icy: “Humans are despicable—there’s not a single good one among them!”

“You’re mistaken. Among humans, there are scoundrels; among beasts, there are traitors. It’s true there are despicable souls among mankind, but not all are worthless. To condemn an entire race for the actions of a few is too extreme,” Red Flame replied.

The Thousand-Shadow Blood Phantom Dragon stared at Red Flame without answering. Yet the blood in its eyes began to fade.

“We have no quarrel with you. Why not lay down arms and cease fighting? If this continues, it will only bring needless harm. Tell us your grievances—perhaps we can help. And your wounds need tending; letting them fester will only worsen things,” Red Flame said, glancing at the dragon’s injuries.

The Thousand-Shadow Blood Phantom Dragon gazed at Red Flame in silence for a moment, then slowly nodded.

Indeed, risking life for those without enmity was senseless. A moment ago, rage had blinded it, driving it to kill indiscriminately. Upon reflection, it realized its folly. With the Emperor Phantom Dragon present, it could not possibly harm the humans below. Its life was better reserved for revenge against the true culprit.

Seeing its nod, Red Flame laughed, his body shimmering as he transformed back into human form.

The Thousand-Shadow Blood Phantom Dragon coiled its tail before itself, carefully taking up its dragon egg with its claws. Then, shrinking its body, it transformed into a regal, elegant woman.

“What grievance do you have with humanity to hate them so deeply?”

As the two descended, Red Flame asked.

“I was betrayed by a villain, hunted by my own kin, and forced to flee here. These wounds are all thanks to him,” the Thousand-Shadow Blood Phantom Dragon replied indifferently, clearly unwilling to elaborate.

“Oh?” Hearing this, Red Flame understood she wished not to speak further. He chuckled and shifted the topic: “They say adversity breeds familiarity. Our battle today was fated. I am Red Flame, of the Emperor Phantom Dragon clan.”

“Thousand-Shadow Blood Phantom Dragon, Yulan,” she replied coolly, casting a strange look at Red Flame. The dignified Emperor Phantom Dragon, mingling with humans—and in a soul state, no less? It was incomprehensible.

Sensing Yulan’s questioning gaze, Red Flame smiled wryly. “It’s a long story.”

“Well, let’s put other matters aside for now. Let’s heal your wounds—they’re serious, and delay will only make things worse.”

“You know medicine?” Yulan asked, surprised. Dragons are blessed with unmatched power and vitality, but their talent for healing arts is mediocre.

“Not me, but the greatest expert in the human world,” Red Flame laughed, walking toward Lan Ying in the distance.

Yulan hesitated, then followed after him.