"You were sleeping so soundly; I didn't want to disturb your rest," Garon said with a chuckle.
It had been over a hundred years since he last saw Yuna, and he missed her dearly. However, for Yuna, it had only been a short while since she had seen Garon, so she wasn't experiencing much emotional turmoil and was still feeling a bit embarrassed.
"You haven't been at Dragon Court recently, and there's been no news of you in the primary material world," Yuna said, changing the subject. "Did you go to another timeline again?"
She looked at the silver dragon, blinking curiously. Yuna had always been curious about Garon's adventures in other timelines.
Garon lay on the cool treasure, nodding lightly. "Remember the ancient Imaskar Empire I told you about? I visited a timeline a thousand years beyond that."
If one included the years spent in different timelines, Garon was almost two hundred years old by now. However, in the main timeline, he was still a very young Time Dragon, a few years shy of his teenage phase.
"Tell me what you did there," Yuna urged, intrigued. She knew Garon's trips were never just for sightseeing; he usually undertook significant actions.
Yuna's curious gaze made Garon eager to share his stories. He began to recount his experiences in the Netheril Empire, drawing her in with his narrative.
"Wow," Yuna exclaimed when she heard about the Ascension magic. "Is that really a spell a mortal caster could create?"
Garon nodded, "Karsus was the most talented caster I've ever seen, even the goddess of magic was astonished by his creativity."
He paused, reflecting. "In the endless march of time, there are always some who shine so brightly that even gods laud their brilliance."
Yuna nodded, then looked Garon up and down with stars in her eyes. "So, in a way, you're the Karsus of dragonkind."
Considering the pace of his progress, Garon was advancing faster in the main timeline than Karsus did; he was still in his youthful dragon stage, under twenty-five years old, yet he had already reached demigod status and made a formidable name for himself in the primary material world.
"That's one way to put it," Garon acknowledged, his draconic pride swelling at Yuna's admiring tone. However, he didn't entirely enjoy the comparison to Karsus, whose story ended tragically without external aid.
"Ferun sounds like a fascinating primary material world," Yuna remarked. "I remember the Second Empire of Imaskar was looking for a way to reach it."
After a pause, she suggested, "Maybe we could visit Ferun Continent later."
She was referring to Ferun Continent in the main timeline.
Garon considered this and nodded slightly, "Ferun Continent has dragons and elves too; it's probably also a battleground in the wars between dragons and elves."
He wasn't very familiar with the current state of Ferun Continent in the main timeline but he knew that the once-glorious magic empires of Imaskar and Netheril on Ferun Continent had long been buried in the sands of history, with only legends remaining.
After spending some warm days with Yuna in the dragon's lair, Garon called a council of the ancient dragons at the Eternal Hall.
Several ancient dragons attended.
The hall where the council convened was vast, its surroundings crafted by magic to resemble a starry sky, accommodating the enormous forms of the primordial and ancient dragons.
Garon's gaze first swept over the Iron Dragon King and Sun Dragon Karol, who had surprised him.
Previously just shy of demigod status, these two dragons had now both stepped into the demigod tier. Although their aura was somewhat unstable and their appearance slightly forced, they had indeed reached the demigod threshold.
Their appearances had also changed.
The Iron Dragon King's length had reached about 60 meters, and Karol had become more petite and delicate. Previously, Karol's form was akin to a cat, but now it seemed more like a small squirrel, harmless and adorable against the backdrop of the massive primordial and ancient dragons.
Sensing Garon's gaze, the Iron Dragon King nodded slightly at him. Its lips moved beneath its dark scales, "Karol and I have stepped into the last stage thanks to the gifts from the Dragon God for our achievements in the war."
It smiled, "Praise be to the Dragon God."
The Iron Dragon King, long thought to have been forsaken by the Dragon Gods, was now tasting the benefits of having divine support.
"Indeed," Garon nodded. "Make sure you don't waste the gifts from the Dragon God."
He then turned his attention to the other ancient dragons.
He had already met the ancient red dragon, Augustus.
The other four ancient
dragons included a blue dragon from the chromatic lineage and a silver dragon from the metallic lineage. There wasn't much to note about them, other than their sizes being much larger than those of legendary dragons, and their appearances hadn't changed much.
However, the other two ancient dragons were quite rare.
The ancient Terror Dragon and the ancient Spine Dragon were seldom seen. Terror Dragons, Garon had seen two at the legendary level in Dragon Court; their appearances were quite malevolent, with broken scales showing rotting purple flesh beneath, resembling undead creatures and living up to their name.
This breed of dragon excelled at using plagues and diseases as weapons.
An ancient Terror Dragon, if it released its plagues and diseases without regard for the cost, could turn an entire primary material world into a dead zone without divine intervention to stop it.
"Good day, ancient Terror Dragon Sophia greets you, Lord of Dragon Court," Sophia, a female quasi-deity dragon, said. Her name sounded gentle and beautiful, which contradicted her rotting, plague-ridden appearance.
Garon nodded and smiled slightly, "Sophia, welcome to Dragon Court."
The Spine Dragon then spoke, its voice creating vibrations in the air, "Spine Dragon Theodore greets you."
Garon looked at the Spine Dragon.
This dragon looked nothing like any of the true dragons present. Without deep knowledge of dragonkind, one wouldn't consider it a true dragon at first glance, nor even a lesser dragon.
The Spine Dragon looked far too different compared to typical true dragons.
Rather than a dragon, it resembled a hundred-meter-long centipede, but without the legs of a centipede. At first glance, it looked more like a floating giant spine, its body covered in pale bone armor with countless sharp, chilling spines.
Dragons are defined not by their appearance but by their lineage, majesty, breath, and other qualities.
The Spine Dragon possessed all these, making it a true dragon despite its unconventional appearance.
Garon looked at the Spine Dragon, recalling rumors about its kind.
"The legacy of dragons records that Spine Dragons are masters of psychic energy," he mused aloud, "though I'm unsure how accurate this information is."
Theodore twisted slightly, its bony, elongated body creaking, and humbly responded, "Our kind is indeed credited too highly in the legacy, but we do possess psychic powers."
As it spoke, an invisible psychic force swept over the dragons present, including Garon.
Garon quickly identified this force as psychic energy.
After a moment's thought, Garon retrieved a cluster of Kara crystals from a dimensional space.
Faint psychic waves emanated from the center of the Kara crystals, rippling outward like water.
Upon seeing the Kara crystals, the Spine Dragon's eyes shifted.
"What is this?"
It looked to Garon.
Garon tossed a Kara crystal to the Spine Dragon, explaining, "These crystals carry psychic energy and were discovered on the planet Kara."
"I've considered that they might awaken psychic powers in true dragons who do not naturally possess them, but I'm not sure if it will be successful since I'm not very familiar with psychic energy."
"You can take it back and study it."
The use of Kara crystals had been successful only among some members of the Alpha species, who became psychic sorcerers through them. However, their method of using the crystals wasn't applicable to dragonkind.
True dragons naturally possess incredibly strong psychic defenses.
The principle of the Kara crystals is radiation infiltration, which is more effective on weaker minds. Trying to affect a true dragon enough to awaken psychic powers is highly improbable.
Theodore picked up the Kara crystal and briefly observed it.
"The psychic energy emanating from this crystal seems capable of permeating minds," it quickly concluded—a realization that had taken Garon weeks to discover.
Everyone has their specialty.
As a master of psychic energy, the Spine Dragon clearly understood its nuances better.
After a pause, the Spine Dragon looked up at Garon, its tone slightly excited, "Lord, if you could provide me with more of these crystals, I might be able to set up a psychic awakening array that works on dragonkind."
"It's my first time seeing a crystal that can radiate psychic energy like this."
Garon nodded, "After the council concludes, you should visit the planet Kara; there are plenty of these crystal mines there."
Regardless of the outcome, providing dragons with an additional means of power was undoubtedly beneficial.
Then, Garon invoked his magic, forming a peculiar magical model that appeared before all the dragons present.
"This is the Counter Maze spell, a seventh-tier spell."
"Memorize it, then take it back to your respective war zones and teach it to our dragon warriors."
"When the time is right, we'll launch a coordinated attack on the elven strongholds across all worlds, breaking their defenses and striking them hard."
The Counter Maze spell.
It used magic and life force to mimic high elven runes, specifically
to break Maze Ward barriers.
This spell was a gift from Iouleum to Garon.
In that timeline's Ferun Continent, after Garon had mentioned to Iouleum how useful the high elves' Maze Wards were, the incredibly creative archmage had successfully replicated this unique elven magical skill and applied it across every floating city.
Naturally.
When Garon asked Iouleum for a spell to counter the Maze Wards, he was promptly given the Counter Maze spell.
A couple of casters using the Counter Maze spell wouldn't affect a large Maze Ward, but if enough casters used it together, it could shake and even shatter the barrier.
High elven Maze Wards are continuously updated and iterated.
The Counter Maze spell might only work once against a Maze Ward.
Thus, this spell wasn't meant for regular combat but to be used at the right moment to deliver a crushing blow to the elf army, maximizing the impact.
"I've already foreseen the elves' utter defeat," the ancient red dragon laughed.
Following this, the dragons discussed the latest war developments.
With numerous demigods and quasi-deity dragons now in the primary material world, the war had grown complex, with both demigod presences and military forces playing crucial roles in determining outcomes.
After a while.
The ancient silver dragon Zeviel turned to Garon, "Half a year ago, an elven demigod descended to the primary material world."
"He defeated several of our ancient dragons, turning his area into the only zone where the elves currently have the upper hand in the primary material world."
Hearing the ancient silver dragon's words, Garon's interest was piqued.
"So, this elven demigod is very powerful?" he asked.
Zeviel looked embarrassed, "Yes, I was defeated by him."
At that moment, the primordial silver dragon Nehemiah spoke, "Zeviel doesn't need to blame himself; that one is a child of the chief elven god and the goddess of life, with a very high divine status. Losing to him is no disgrace."
"Oh?" Garon's interest deepened.
In the primary material world, he had rarely met any challengers.
At first, maybe a few powerful elven demigods could compete with him, but after Garon gained divine misfortunes and mastered more time-related powers, he no longer found any elven demigods who could match him.
"Tell me more," he requested.
"Sorlina, the youngest child of the chief elven god and the goddess of life, born six thousand years ago."
"She has her own divine realm, is not just a divine messenger but a true demigod, known among the elves as the Princess of the Sun, adored and admired by countless male elves," the ancient silver dragon explained with a bow.
Garon stretched out a claw, stroking his chin thoughtfully.
"Sorlina, the Sun Princess, a child of two powerful deities," he murmured. "Such an elf, if captured..."
Garon grinned.
He had been absent from the main timeline for a year, essentially resting for a century, and felt as if his joints were rusting from disuse.
Moreover, just one year of silence seemed to have made the elven gods forget his existence, daring to let a princess from their own ranks run wild in the primary material world.
This irked Garon, feeling as though his authority was being challenged.
Capturing the Sun Princess would be a perfect declaration of his return.
"If it's you, capturing her should be no problem," Augustus smirked suggestively. "Lord, I've heard that the Sun Princess is also a stunning beauty among the elves and has never taken a spouse. You could capture her and have her bear a dragon child."
"That would surely crush the elves' morale."
Only a red dragon could conceive such a plan, Augustus thought, despite his ancient status; the innate nature of his kind hadn't changed.
Just then, Augustus suddenly felt an intense sense of danger.
His battle instincts as an ancient dragon told him he was under threat.
Instantly, amidst a clash of steel, his deep red scales stood on end, and his body burst into flames, turning the council hall a fiery red as he entered a battle stance, appearing as a fearsome dragon from hell.
However, such an intense reaction also indicated how tense Augustus was inside.
"Yuna, Augustus was just joking," Garon's voice interjected.
"And you know how red dragons are; try not to take it personally," he advised.
At that moment, a pair of pale purple eyes flickered in the shadows and, with a soft snort, vanished.
Yuna had been watching silently during the council meeting.
As a demigod, her ability to bend light was so strong that it could even shield her from the perception of other demigods. Moreover, being inside the Eternal Hall, the ancient dragons had let
their guard down and hadn't noticed her presence.
It was clear why Yuna was so enraged.
"Augustus, I already have a mate," she stated firmly. "Don't ever make jokes like that again."
The flames on Augustus's body died down as he gave a sheepish smile, "Understood."
He then looked around quietly and whispered to the hidden Yuna, "Please forgive my offense, noble Power Dragon."
This ancient dragon had heard of Yuna's deeds on the planet Kara.
Yuna didn't respond.
Clearly, the Power Dragoness was still fuming.
Augustus became anxious and looked to Garon.
He wasn't actually afraid of the Power Dragoness at the moment; after all, he was an experienced quasi-deity dragon himself. But the potential of a legendary dragon species was beyond his reach.
And it wasn't just about strength when it came to getting by.
It was also about backing.
And the forces behind Yuna were not something Augustus wanted to provoke.
Garon smiled slightly, "Kill an elven demigod in the Elemental Plane of Fire, and I will forgive your transgression on Yuna's behalf."
He gave Augustus an out.
Killing an elven demigod was not an easy task.
Not all dragons were like Garon, who could easily slay or capture a demigod of the same level. Most of the time, battles between demigods were hard-fought, and capturing one was even more challenging.
"As you wish," Augustus quickly agreed, nodding.
At that moment, Garon felt a slight pain in his tail as the invisible Power Dragoness bit him, but after a gentle bite, Yuna did nothing else. In Garon's presence, she was still quite rational.
Afterward.
Garon obtained the coordinates of the primary material world where the Sun Princess was located and dismissed the council.
Deep in the dragon's lair, Yuna appeared puffed up, turning her head away in a huff.
"Don't listen to that red dragon's nonsense," she said.
"You know, red dragons aren't known for their intelligence."
"Why would I have children with an elf? My offspring can only be Time Dragon hatchlings or Power Dragon hatchlings."
With a few soothing words from Garon, Yuna quickly calmed down and put the matter of the Sun Princess out of her mind.
"Garon, teach me the art of Giant God Transformation," she said. "I think I'm ready to learn now."
To any dragon, the mountainous form of Giant God Transformation was unforgettable, and Yuna was no exception.
Garon had already planned to teach her, so he nodded, "Yes, it should be safe for you to learn Giant God Transformation now."
When he first started learning, he was still some way off from reaching demigod status and had almost been merged into the River of Time. However, with his guidance and protection, and starting as a demigod, Yuna faced much less risk.
Speaking earnestly, Garon explained, "When you perform the Giant God Transformation, you'll feel your will and your body merging with the world force field."
"You'll feel omnipotent, as if you can draw endless strength from immersing yourself in the world force field."
"But you must believe that these are false temptations. Merging with the force field will only cause you to lose yourself and become part of it."
"I trust you to maintain your will and not be corrupted by the power."
Listening to Garon, Yuna became serious.
They then left the Eternal Hall and found a secluded spot in the Dragon Court plane without any dragon structures to begin their formal mastery of Giant God Transformation.
Yuna was a quick learner.
After Garon taught her the specific method of activation, it didn't take her long to understand it.
The principle behind Giant God Transformation wasn't complicated—it required the practitioner to connect with a primal force and withstand the endless erosion of that power.
The birthplace of power, described by Yuna as the world force field, is one of the foundational stones that construct worlds and planes.
Everything, from the stars in the sky to the dust on the ground, exists within the world force field.
Gravitational fields, electric fields, magnetic fields—these are all manifestations of the world force field.
To Yuna, the world force field was as the River of Time was to Garon.
Under the watchful eyes of the silver dragon, Yuna took a deep breath and then closed her eyes, immersing her mind in the world force field.
Simultaneously.
As if influenced by something, the world force field around her began to fluctuate.
Garon sensed countless lines.
There were infinitely extending parallel lines rising from unknown origins and extending into the unknown, and winding arcs that eventually converged, interweaving strangely like ocean currents.
Different objects were interconnected and influenced each other through these lines.
Even Garon's own body had these lines forming on it, and he too was
situated within this field of lines.
Garon didn't show any surprise.
This wasn't his first time seeing the concrete manifestation of the world force field.
Long ago, when he and Yuna had merged their minds, he had seen such scenes, and through his eyes, Yuna had also seen the tangible form of the River of Time.
As time passed, a continuous stream of power gathered.
Tidal waves of power centered around Yuna, entering her body.
Then, under Garon's gaze, the Power Dragoness's body swelled incrementally, quickly transforming into a terrifying beast over six hundred meters long with wings spanning nearly a kilometer, its scales reflecting the patterns of the vast sky.
But Yuna didn't stop there.
Her expression one of intoxication, her body continued to grow rapidly while becoming increasingly ethereal, gradually resembling the world force field more and more.
Garon's expression shifted, and in an instant, he used Giant God Transformation.
The silver dragon spread his wings, unleashing the power of time and forming a time-stopping domain to constrain the gathering power of the world force field as much as possible while his dragon might swept over Yuna.
Impacted by Garon's dragon might, Yuna shuddered, the intoxicated look fading from her face as she struggled.
A few seconds later, she opened her eyes and dispersed her power.
The world force field receded, and Yuna's massive, mountain-like body deflated like a balloon, quickly returning to its original form.
The restored Yuna was visibly shaken. "This power is indeed very dangerous."
"If it had been a little later, I might not have been able to return."
Garon asked, "Do you still want to continue?"
Yuna giggled, "With you here, I know you'll protect me. Although it's dangerous, I know you won't let anything bad happen."
With Garon's support, able to timely remind Yuna, there indeed wouldn't be any major problems.
Initially, when Garon practiced Giant God Transformation, he had the assistance of Volibear and his own experiences in the time vortex to rely on, which were thrilling yet safe.
"Then let's continue," Garon nodded.
Thus.
In the Dragon Court plane, under the astonished and awed gazes of many dragons, the kilometer-long monstrous figure appeared and disappeared repeatedly, over and over.
As time went on, during practice after practice, Yuna exhausted her mental energy and fell into a state of fatigue.
"Too much is as bad as not enough. Wait until you've recovered before starting a new round of practice," Garon told her.
Giant God Transformation was highly taxing on mental energy.
Yuna retreated to the dragon's nest within the Eternal Hall and fell into a deep sleep.
Garon, meanwhile, used the River of Time as a medium to perform a time teleportation.
And his target was the primary material world where the Sun Princess resided.
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