Ashen Dragon

Yet Cassius still maintained his sanity, forcing down the excitement in his heart as he looked down at the dragon corpse that had transformed into a mountain and murmured to himself,

"Next, I just need to... proceed step by step."

At this moment, this mountain resembling a fierce giant dragon, in the eyes of the Red Dragon, had become a treasure trove more precious than gold or jewels.

After all, Karex's body had been sealed by him at Dragon Blood Mountain, and it couldn't escape.

Unless a True God descended or an Abyssal Lord personally arrived, no one could steal this dragon's body buried within the mountain under his watch.

Cassius just needed to stay within the forbidden area of Dragon Blood Mountain, continuously purifying and absorbing the remains of Karex. One day, he would elevate his own bloodline to the level of an Ancestral Dragon.

By then, even if he encountered Divine Incarnations or Abyssal Lords outside the Imperial Region, Cassius would remain fearless—after all, Ancestral Dragons were beings at the top of the food chain in the Multiverse, capable of traversing the star realm unhindered.

"Since it's a forbidden area, it should also become more mysterious."

Cassius slowly raised his claw, and the power of the Laws from the [Imperial Region] surged in his palm before violently expanding several kilometers away.

Instantly, pungent sulfur-smelling white smoke spewed from cracks on the ground, gradually enveloping the whole Dragon Blood Mountain, allowing only a faint glimpse of its majestic, towering silhouette.

"Whew..."

"It truly is... beyond my expectations, the reward for killing an Abyssal Lord."

Cassius let out a deep breath, calming his slightly stirred emotions, and then gazed back at his panel, where countless messages still awaited perusal.

Indeed, the Demon Slaying Achievement and the Blood of Karyx were just parts of his gains, with the most direct feedback being the massive amount of experience gained from killing demons.

In this "Defense against the Abyssal Battle," Cassius not only killed a real Abyssal Lord but the aftermath of his battles also killed millions of wave-like Abyss demons.

However, compared to the Red Dragon's current status and life level, those ordinary demons were too insignificant to provide much experience.

[Killed Coward Demon, gained 0.1xp]

[Killed Inferior Devil, gained 0.1xp]

[Killed Berserker Demon, gained 50xp]

[Killed Giant Bull Demon, gained 100xp]

...

[Killed [Barlow Flame Demon - Leo (Challenge Level: 18)], gained 20000xp]

[Killed [Revenge Monarch - Jelrazax (Challenge Level:30)], gained 155000xp]

[Your total Occupational Level has risen to: 24]

[Your current Occupation: True Dragon Sorcerer 17/Bloodscaled Fury 3/Elemental Master 4]

Cassius now faced little dilemma in selecting his profession—this time he continued to choose [True Dragon Sorcerer].

Rather than diversifying his choices, this Red Dragon preferred to focus his strength on one point.

Without the Imperial Region, his greatest reliance in battle was his naturally strong body and the powerful spellcasting ability granted by the Sorcerer profession.

[You choose to advance [True Dragon Sorcerer] to Level 18]

[Due to dragonkin's innate spellcasting and the Elemental Lord's Talent Authority, your current Spellcaster Level is: 24]

Again, the familiar sensation enveloped Cassius's body, his will roaming freely in the Magic Web, integrating more tightly with the world, almost as if they were one.

These high-level Sorcerers, with just a slight movement, could influence everything; they didn't need to cast spells deliberately—a mere thought could evoke tempests.

Their every move would lead to the adoration of thousands; this transcendental charisma made these Sorcerers natural rulers.

"A nice feeling..."

Cassius licked his lips and flashed a ferocious smile, eager again to look at his panel.

[At Level 18, you gain a capability granted by the origin of your sorcery.]

[As a descendant of the Ancestor Red Dragon, tracing the river of time to explore your long-standing bloodline, you feel a special aura from ancient times.

You acquire the Sorcery Origin Capability [Ancestral Dragon Majesty]]

[Ancestral Dragon Majesty]

Level 18 Dragon Bloodline Trait

As a descendant of the Ancestor Red Dragon, the True Dragons, Sub-dragons, and all such creatures with dragonkin bloodline around you will feel the pressure of your bloodline and fall into states of fear and shock.

While you trace your bloodline, you gain the ability [Ancestral Dragon Majesty] which allows you to further guide this effect, with a chance to control the minds of the oppressed for a period of time.

"Uh... is it similar to mind remote control?"

Cassius rubbed his scale-covered chin and scrutinized the information displayed on his panel.

For a dragon of his caliber, this ability seemed somewhat superfluous.

—The reason being, all Cassius needed to do was to flaunt his own massive body, over forty meters in length, to subdue most dragon-type creatures.

"However, when dealing with strong-willed Good Dragons like the Gold Dragons and Silver Dragons, it does have some effect.

For instance... those meddling Silver Dragons from Melwood."

Cassius casually shook his dust-covered wings and swayed his head as he remarked.

He then looked back at his panel and murmured softly, "Next... comes the spell."

Cassius no longer felt the usual excitement about acquiring new spells.

After all, for the current Ashen Empire's Emperor, even Ninth Tier Spells were just icing on the cake, and moreover, his adversaries were generally prepared for them.

[You delve into the memories related to spells in your bloodline and acquire ordinary secret spells.]

Cassius was somewhat puzzled, "Oh? It's not Dragon's Spell this time?"

As known, dragons are tremendously proud, and in ancient times, as rulers of the skies and lands, the Ancestral Dragons were no different.

Thus, they would never deign to learn the "lowly" spells of humans and Elves unless they were genuinely useful.

Thinking this, Cassius's eyes brightened as he stared intently at the panel.

[You have acquired the spell [Steel and Iron Bones][Unbinding Technique]]

[Steel and Iron Bones]

Eighth Tier Transformation System Spell

You make your body as hard as a statue cast from enchanted steel. During the duration of the spell, your strength +4, agility -4, armor value +10.

Simultaneously, you become immune to blindness, deafness, heavy strikes, diseases, toxins, shocks, electric shocks, and all spells affecting physical or respiratory functions.

Cassius's nostrils spewed hot dragonflame, and his expression grew excited again.

"Very useful spell, and it can adapt to my existing spells to produce... unexpected effects."

If he combined the agility bonus of [Weak Dragon] with the strength boost from [Steel and Iron Bones], he could gain four points of strength without affecting agility and still have indomitable protective capabilities.

According to the rules of "Erezer," each point increase in attributes would enhance strength by fifteen percent from its original base.

And these extra four points of strength would create a significant advantage in close-quarters combat!

Since Red Dragons are already extremely potent in melee, heralded as killing machines, with the enhancement of the spell, Cassius's close combat capabilities were truly like a tiger sprouting wings!

"Truly a spell that those proud Ancestral Dragons would willingly learn, indeed quite effective."

Cassius grinned broadly, an excited smile revealing his sharp, pointed teeth, and returned his gaze to his panel where another spell's information was gradually emerging before him.

[Unbinding Technique]

Ninth Tier Protective Magic

A force field erupts from you, destroying all control, binding, and sealing spells, destroying all physical, magic barriers, enchantments, and imprisonment effects.

All spells maintaining magic effects will dissipate, protective spells are unaffected, cannot penetrate the force field, and won't affect oneself.

Cassius nodded in satisfaction, his wings slightly spread, "Truly worthy of a Ninth Tier protective spell, each one is very effective.

With Unbinding Technique, I can now handle those annoying seals like Vagnard's Dragon-Binding Array or even... Dragon Fan's Lock."