Two hours later.
The jagged peaks of Juling Mountain loomed ahead, dark and sharp against the morning sky. The village chief stopped at the base of the slope, his expression grave.
He took a slow drag from his pipe, then exhaled a thin trail of smoke."Mr Assassin, this is as far as I go. The dragon is up there. Be careful."
Qin Fu nodded, reading the tension in the old man's eyes. After a brief farewell, he stepped into the mountain pass.
The air grew heavy as he climbed, the smell of smoke faint in the wind. Then he saw it.
A black-scaled western wyvern sprawled across a stone ridge, its wings folded like iron curtains. Sunlight flashed across its hide, every scale gleaming with a deadly sheen.
Qin Fu extended his hand. A thread of mana shimmered outward.
[10 mana points consumed. Basic detection activated. The following information has been obtained.]
Name: Flame Wyvern (Juvenile)Health: 100%Mana: 300Strength: 17Agility: 15Endurance: 18Intelligence: 10Charm: 2Luck: 1
Skill 1 – Body of the Flying Dragon (Passive): Stamina +5, HP +1500, recovery rate +200%.Skill 2 – Fire Dragon Breath (Active): Unleashes a cone of flame, inflicting knockback, burn, and paralysis.Skill 3 – Flying Dragon Bloodline (Passive): Immune to all negative effects. Exudes Dragon's Might, slowing nearby enemies by 50% and inducing fear.
Qin Fu drew a sharp breath."That's a juvenile? What kind of monster are the adults?"
In his old world, few could reach stats like this. Even the strongest warriors rarely broke the strength cap.
"Tsk. Dragons really are the apex of life." His eyes narrowed. "But kill one, and you get a treasure trove."
He whispered in excitement. "Dragon blood, dragon scales—top-tier spell materials."
Ideas flashed in his mind, one after another. Hundreds of potential experiments.
With a flick of his wrist, the Arcane Staff appeared."Gu Gu, now."
The little owl shot into the sky, feathers rippling. Bones crackled and stretched as his round body swelled into a massive black silhouette with a three-meter wingspan.
One powerful flap, and he turned into a streak of black light, diving toward the wyvern.
Qin Fu followed, void energy coiling around him. Space folded, and he launched forward like a cannon shot.
The wyvern's eyes snapped open, too late. Gray and black collided with its chest. The impact sent the dragon crashing through boulders, dust and flame bursting in all directions.
Before the creature could recover, Qin Fu raised his hand."Void Art: Azure."
The improved version of his spell roared to life. Gu Gu's form distorted midair, his feathers twisting with a dark gleam. From his beak burst a streak of black light that pierced into the wyvern's head—Dream Eater.
The wyvern howled, thrashing, but the dream magic seeped in. Its eyes flickered with confusion, its breath faltering.
Qin Fu grinned. "Good work, Gu Gu."
The owl screeched proudly and pressed the assault, though his attacks barely scratched the wyvern's armored scales. The difference in level was still too great.
Then Qin Fu's eyes flashed."Gu Gu! Move!"
The Power of the Void! Maximum output!
A titanic energy wave erupted from the tip of the Secret Scepter, shattering the peaks behind the flying dragon. Rocks tumbled down the mountainside, clattering and rolling, leaving the valley scarred. It took a long time for the dust to settle.
Even with the aftermath, Qin Fu and Gu Gu stared intently at the wyvern's position, senses alert. Something immense and terrifying was stirring.
A roar split the air, deafening and bone-shaking. Smoke and dust blew away as the entire mountain shuddered. An invisible pressure spread outward, a primal intimidation that clawed at their hearts.
[You are affected by Dragon Power. Will attribute check in progress.][If successful, you are immune to the deterrence effect.]
Qin Fu's pupils narrowed. The dragon's presence was undeniable. Even after a full-power strike, it still radiated overwhelming might.
Through the haze, a massive claw sliced through the smoke. The dragon's head emerged, flames licking its jaws, wings unfurling with a terrifying span. Its crimson eyes burned with rage.
Its throat vibrated, and a torrent of heat and flame blasted toward them. Qin Fu's pupils shrank. He grabbed Gu Gu midair, and together they slipped into a shadow, vanishing just as the valley erupted in fire.
Bang!
Flame Dragon's Breath poured down like a molten waterfall, turning the valley into a sea of fire. Qin Fu hovered above the scorched ground, brain racing. A direct confrontation with its full power would be deadly.
When the smoke cleared, he exhaled. There was a massive hole in the dragon's wing, edges crackling with silver-gray void energy. Even a monster of this strength could be affected by precision and power.
Two hundred mana points would suffice. Time to show this flying dragon the real meaning of a Faye battle.
"Coo! When I give the signal, deliver another 'Food Dream'!" Qin Fu commanded.
"Oh!" Gu Gu responded with a sharp cry. Qin Fu released him, letting gravity pull them toward the wyvern.
The dragon tried to ascend, flapping its wings, but the left wing throbbed in agony. A pained roar echoed through the peaks.
Qin Fu seized the opportunity. Compressing space, he appeared before the dragon's crimson vertical pupil. He lifted the Secret Scepter, silver-gray void energy coalescing instantly.
Void Missiles, upgraded, shot forward. Streams of light pierced the dragon's eye. Even if it closed its eyes, it could not evade every missile.
In pain, the dragon lashed out with a claw, striking nothing but empty air. Qin Fu compressed space again, vanishing and reappearing at its right eye, repeating the assault.
Each strike drew howls of agony, yet the dragon could not land a hit, delivering only punishment to itself. Qin Fu allowed himself a small, satisfied smile.
He vanished and reappeared above the dragon's open maw. The Secret Scepter pulsed as a massive silver-gray sphere formed at its tip.
Eyes flashing, Qin Fu shouted. "Coo!"
Gu Gu responded instantly, striking the dragon again with Dream Eater. The accumulated dragon breath inside it backfired, exploding violently. Qin Fu followed with a wave of concentrated void energy, slamming into the exposed wound.
With his last reserves of mana, Qin Fu teleported to safety.
Huh.
He watched the flying dragon slump and fall, a mix of relief and exhilaration washing over him. He reached for the Sweet Whole Fruit, ready to take two bites.
A sudden, exasperated voice cut through the air behind him.
"Why are you messing with my little pet again? It's already troublesome enough to catch one."