After that little interlude, I, in my three-meter-tall dragon form, sat on Diaharut's back and began collecting special products for the next feast in the abyss wilderness.
Diaharut was over 800 years old. According to the classification of the dragon clan, he was a mature dragon. As a triangular, four-winged abyss dragon with noble blood, Diaharut's strength was completely comparable to that of the strongest red dragon among the Chromatic Dragons of the same order.
Therefore, Diaharut's strength was approximately equal to that of a mature red dragon.
In fact, it was almost the same. Red dragons in their prime usually had pseudo-legendary strength. That meant they could probably compete with newly ascended legendary professionals—but they couldn't defeat them. However, they could still escape.
To sum it up in one sentence:
Above the legend, I will run away when I see you. Below the legend, you will run away when you see me.
"What is the growth pattern of your Abyss Demonic Dragon?"
I stood on Diaharut's back. If I encountered a high-quality specialty product (high-order and above), the dragon would spit out abyss breath to kill it directly, and then I would store it in the space spell's storage.
The process was obviously a bit boring, so I randomly found a topic.
"After we emerge from our shells, the Dragon Mother will throw us into an underground cave with a large number of little lemures to survive for ten years. After ten years, the Dragon Mother will take away the surviving dragon cubs and sell them, to give jobs to the Abyss Lords who are related to the Demon Dragon Clan, such as participating in life-and-death battles in the Devil's Arena. The lord will ensure the safety of the demon dragon cubs except for work, and the demon dragon cubs will stay with the lord until they reach adulthood, and then you can be free."
Diaharut's words made me fall into deep thought.
The cultivation method of the Abyss Dragon is completely different from that of the Chromatic Dragon.
Although both of them emphasize the survival of the fittest, the Abyss Demonic Dragon Clan takes the initiative to train their cubs because they stay in the cruel Abyss. Otherwise, with the growth time of the Abyss Demonic Dragon, if they just threw away their cubs casually like the Chromatic Dragons, the Abyss Demonic Dragon would have long been extinct.
The living environment of the Chromatic Dragon Clan is often a relatively peaceful material plane. In this plane, after most of the Chromatic Dragons reach adulthood, there will be very few creatures that can threaten them. The difference in living environments makes the Dragon mothers of the Chromatic Dragons choose to be spoiled, so they don't spend time training their cubs at all.
They raise them for a few years and then throw them out casually. If they die, they are unlucky and too weak, but if they survive, they become local tyrants.
At this moment, I also understood why the dragon body of the Abyss Demonic Dragon was stronger than that of a true dragon.
This is optional. The Abyss Demonic Dragon abandoned its magical talent as a dragon and gained powerful physical abilities.
This can be seen from Diaharut.
It has not learned any spells except dragon's breath, dragon's power, demonic domain, spiritual attack, and other spell-like abilities inherited through blood. Because it is difficult to learn, the manic mental power of the Demon Dragon is not suitable for the spellcaster profession, which requires calm thinking and spirit.
Let's not talk about the Metallic Dragons. Among the Chromatic Dragons, no matter how lazy they are, they still know some spells. After all, time has passed, and mature dragons are all 700 years old or older. They can learn a spell every hundred years, so they can learn all seven.
Thus, due to nature and nurture, the Demonic Dragons live more hardcore lives.
"The Demonic Dragon Clan doesn't even inherit the art of transformation?"
In the following conversation, I was surprised again.
The spell-like ability Transformation is a bloodline inheritance spell that all dragons have. Spell dragons such as the Silver Dragon may obtain it in the juvenile dragon stage, Steel dragons are born with it. while Black Dragons are delayed until the adult dragon stage.
Regardless, all dragons gain this ability.
Because this is a form of protection for the dragon. And a breeding miracle.
The Transformation technique truly alters the dragon's body and actively restrains its aura. Unless a person is proficient in soul-related magic, it is difficult to recognize that the transformed life form is a dragon. This ability not only allows the dragon to cover up its huge size but also makes it less conspicuous, increasing its chances of survival.
A massive form is both a shield and a target, a symbol of dominance yet an irresistible challenge. But for dragons, their size is more than just power—it is perfection, the embodiment of creation itself.
With this gift, they can mate with nearly any being, transcending the barriers of species and forging life where none should be possible. Few races across the multiverse share this unparalleled ability to create new life beyond their own kind. And yet, the dragon's supremacy is absolute—for their blood dominates, bending nature to its will. Even a child born of a goblin would not remain a mere goblin. Strength, intellect, and boundless potential would surge through its veins, a living testament to draconic perfection.
This is why dragons are revered as the pinnacle of existence. Their legacy spreads across the stars, birthing sub-dragons, drakes, and countless hybrid species that roam the worlds. Their ability to seed creation is as vital to their race as the Titans' legendary power—Condensation—a unique ability that only they possess.
But where Titans mold the physical, dragons reshape fate itself, leaving behind not just offspring, but a dynasty of dominion. This is not merely an ability. It is their birthright. A power that ensures their influence will never fade, a legacy that no force in the cosmos can erase.
This ability is definitely more necessary for a demon dragon born in an extremely harsh environment like the Abyss. After all, there are too many powerful life forms in the Abyss that can threaten the Demon Dragon.
Diaharut saw his master's doubts and resolved them with practical actions.
I saw a huge black light flash from the forty-meter-high Demonic Dragon, and its aura disappeared instantly.
Suspended in the air in my dragon-man form, I looked at the palm-sized black lizard on my shoulder, not knowing how to evaluate it.
Even with my level 14 caster mental strength, I couldn't detect that this black lizard was an Abyss Dragon.
It was still a mature, triangular, four-winged Abyss Dragon with a body size of more than 40 meters and an advanced bloodline.
"Master, this is the innate ability of our Abyss Demonic Dragon, Shrinking. It is different from the shrinking spell or any type of spell-like-ability. The shrinking talent of our Demon Dragon Clan can conceal all auras and mental power fluctuations while hiding the energy in the body. Thanks to this ability, as long as the Demonic Dragon Clan doesn't act recklessly, their survival rate can be greatly improved," The little black lizard on my shoulder said.
I clicked my tongue in surprise.
By chance, I had learned the magic Shrinking, but as Diaharut said, magical shrinking does not affect breathing or similar factors. Its only effect is to reduce body size. Beginners can shrink to half their size, while masters can shrink to a quarter. There is no limit to the reduction factor when returning to the true form, but if the original size is too large and the goal is to shrink to an extremely small size, it consumes a vast amount of magic power.
But that is to be expected. Shrinking is merely a third-tier auxiliary spell. How can its effects compare to the innate abilities of the Abyss Demonic Dragon?
Creatures were truly evolved here, they weren't just created without any logic in mind and their evolution here is not as lazy as in my past life.
Everyone understand that nature is infinitely creative? It keeps creating Crabs because it works— why? Because it's sufficient. Evolution isn't about being the 'best' or even 'good'; it's about being 'good enough.' If something works well enough, that's all it needs. Why haven't zebras evolved lasers to fend off lions? Because 'evolution is lazy.' It finds the simplest solution to a problem and sticks with it. It doesn't go out of its way to make a species superior.
But here it truly tries to create a superior races.
During the conversation, time passed, and soon my spell storage space was filled with Abyss specialties.
After a quick count, there were seventy-five advanced creatures and four top-tier creatures. The strongest among them was the 18th-tier Abyss Three-Headed Hound, which was as large as a hill.
If I had to hunt them myself, my efficiency would be far lower. Diaharut was different. He was the overlord of this area and was highly familiar with the hiding places of many Abyssal creatures.
However, his appetite was not as exaggerated as mine. He would only hunt when hungry to fill his stomach and maintain the biosphere.
Even if the conditions were not ideal, Diaharut continuing to reproduce for hundreds of years would be impossible.
After returning to the Great Rift Valley, Diaharut's lair, I thought for a while and made a decision.
"Diaharut, let's sign another contract."
Diaharut was a little stunned and couldn't help but feel nervous. Was his master thinking about signing an even more cruel contract?
If that were the case, he would definitely resist.
Although the previous horse contract sounded embarrassing, he was still generally free and retained a certain dignity.
"Don't be so arrogant. I'm telling you, if anyone wanted to sign this contract, I wouldn't offer them yet, I will offer to you." Seeing signs of resistance from Diaharut, I suddenly spoke with dissatisfaction.
Under Diaharut's hesitant gaze, I controlled a drop of blood that was astonishingly red and deep, with golden threads wowing around it, like the finest blood-gold spar, to float into the air.
This drop of blood exuded an overwhelming power, making even Diaharut's expression turn serious and a little surprised.
Because he recognized that this was blood essence.
For any creature of flesh and blood, essence and blood are most important. Losing too much can permanently weaken strength or even reduce talent.
Of course, the amount of dragon essence and blood before me wasn't enough to cause such side effects. At most, it would leave me weak for a few months.
My decision this time was an impromptu one.
In the past six months in the Tal Plane, the war between the Crimson Nest and the human-led camp had become increasingly fierce. During this period, the Crimson Nest lost three adult dragons and more than twenty master-level monsters, while the monster army suffered nearly two million casualties.
The human-led side also endured heavy losses. One ordinary legend was seriously injured and nearly died, dozens of masters perished, and the losses among ordinary soldiers exceeded 200,000.
Mundo also experienced several life-and-death crises on the battlefield. If not for the troll's abnormal recovery ability, which was further amplified by Overeat skill, he would have died long ago. Of the more than 30,000 Blackwing warriors who went there, fewer than 20,000 remained. The casualties among such elites were tragic, illustrating the sheer brutality of the war.
I smelled the intensity of the war gradually getting out of control.
Therefore, after Diaharut surrendered, I vaguely had this idea.
I need a helper, one who is strong enough. Although Diaharut now has pseudo-legendary combat power, he is still not strong enough and has not met my expectations.
"The Essence and Blood Contract is the highest-level contract between dragons and their dependents. Whether it is a chromatic dragon or a metallic dragon, this contract is rarely used."
The same goes for me. So far, all the dependents have been ordinary contracts or placed under the worst bloodline aura because I feel that these dependents are not worthy of my precious blood essence.
Familiar contracts cannot be made with dragons because they share the same bloodline and cannot be placed under a bloodline. However, Diaharut is an abyssal dragon and does not share the same bloodline as me. Therefore, it stands to reason that as long as my bloodline and strength are strong enough, I can sign a familiar contract with him.
Regarding this, I'm confident.
Though I bear the form of a Black Dragon, my essence has long transcended such a simple identity. After countless feasts over the years, my blood has become a battlefield of power—a fusion of abyssal void, ancient legacies, and untamed might.
Yet, among the countless forces that have intertwined within me, one reigns supreme—the blood of the Plutonium Dragon. Its dominance is so absolute that even after all these transformations, golden threads of radiance still weave through the depths of my essence, an unyielding testament to its supremacy.
So my blood line has undergone deep mutations.
Diaharut understood his master's thoughts. It was not that he looked down upon his new master, but rather that his own bloodline was indeed very strong.
Familiar contracts, even Essence and Blood Contracts, probably have no effect on him. The only effect may be to establish a deeper spiritual connection with the master, making communication easier.
However, since it was not a harsh contract, after already signing the mount contract, Diaharut ignored the dragon's pride and finally accepted the Essence and Blood Contract, giving up resistance.
Just think of it as a convenience for communication.
The transformation of the Blood Essence Contract was quickly completed, and Diaharut closed his dragon eyes, feeling a little surprised.
It felt as if some kind of mutation had occurred in his bloodline.
Was it an illusion?
"Just continue to stay here in the Great Rift Valley. There is plenty of food here, which should be enough for you to eat in the short term."
After the dependent contract was successful, I also breathed a sigh of relief.
Although I guessed that a contract could be made, I had never tried it, so I wasn't very confident.
"By the way, don't secretly eat my succubus cooks and fire turtle, or I will be angry."
Before leaving, I warned Diaharut again.
Although I didn't particularly care about the lives of the lower-level succubi and the fire-burning turtle, in contrast, I was even more disgusted with my subordinates for disobeying my orders.
Sensing my serious mood, Diaharut snorted and said nothing.
But that was enough.
After getting along for a short time, I found that Diaharut's silent response was considered tacit consent.
It's normal to be dissatisfied with this. After all, Diaharut is an abyss dragon with a powerful bloodline. It would be fine if I ate his flesh because I'm very strong, but if he were offended by low-level ants like low-level succubi and lava turtles, he would definitely be very angry.
After giving the instructions, I did not stay in the Great Rift Valley for long and quickly returned to Duolun City through Any Door.
Looking at the majestic city of Duolun, greed flashed across my eyes.
I really want to occupy this abyss city.
Becoming an Abyss Lord grants authority in the abyss city, and one's strength is greatly increased.
But this is secondary to me.
The most important thing is that every Abyss Lord can earn a huge amount of wealth.
In the abyss, both strength and wealth are important. The former allows you to quickly acquire the latter, and the latter can also allow you to quickly acquire the former.
"Don't be impatient. Although the Abyss Lord of Duolun City is not a creature with a powerful bloodline and is just a legendary night elf, after ruling Duolun City for so many years, the wealth he has earned can probably buy a complete set of legendary equipment that is most suitable for him."
Equipment is also part of strength.
Legendary equipment is very precious, and it is difficult for ordinary legends to own even one piece. But if you obtain a piece that suits you, your strength will be greatly improved—let alone a complete set. For an ordinary legend, being equipped with a complete set of legendary equipment, even if the quality of the equipment is not the best among legends, is enough to increase his combat power and allow him to leapfrog his level.
"When my strength reaches another level, I'll see if I can lure him out of the city," I muttered secretly.
While thinking, I paid the city entry tax and returned to the castle I had purchased.
The snake demon Salonia and the sword demon Cisse walked out to greet their master.
It had been two years since I accepted these two servants, and now their strength had improved. This could be clearly seen from the powerful aura exuded by the two—one a woman, the other a man.
[Cisse: Elementary 16th Order]
[Salonia: Beginner 17th Order]
In the abyss, demons who reach the 15th order or above are called great demons.
*****
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