Coiling Dragon: Reborn As The Armored Razorback Wyrm

Sadius returned once more to the Misty Valley.

After dealing with the Violet Tattooed Bear, he felt a great sense of relief.

No longer would he have to worry about perishing alongside the Saint-level Violet Tattooed Bear three hundred years later, only for Linley to reap the benefits.

Reaching the Saint-level was merely the first step into the ranks of the top powerhouses on the Yulan Continent.

Upon returning to the Misty Valley, two Raptor Dragons immediately approached him with deference.

Just moments ago, these two Rank-Eight Fire and Green Dragons had followed Sadius and witnessed firsthand his battle against the Rank-Nine Violet Tattooed Bear.

Then, upon flying back, the two dragons had spread word throughout the Misty Valley—of how Sadius had first grievously wounded the Rank-Nine Violet Tattooed Bear with a single strike, then crushed its skull with his claws.

Every high-level magical beast in the valley now regarded Sadius with reverence.

The two Rank-Eight Raptor Dragons were the most elated of all, having already pledged their allegiance to Sadius long ago.

Not long ago, Dragon One had obtained a Rank-Nine Dragon Core.

Now that Sadius had acquired a second Rank-Nine magic crystal, Dragon Two was undoubtedly the most likely candidate to receive it.

As for the Fire and Green Dragons that had joined later—well, they had sworn their loyalty too late. Even if there were rewards, they would come only after the two Raptor Dragons.

Sadius was not one to be stingy. Since both Raptor Dragons had been obedient, he granted the Violet Tattooed Bear's magic crystal to Dragon Two.

Back in his cavern, Sadius glanced toward the ceiling.

That sword—Bloodviolet—remained his greatest trump card, but he still couldn't take it down.

Who knew if some Deity-level powerhouse from the Planar Prison would escape if he did? He was no match for such beings yet.

Since that was the case, this place had to remain hidden. No one—neither man nor beast—could be allowed to discover it.

"I'll go into seclusion for a while. Using the magical formation to draw in elemental essence, I'll refine the Darkness and Earth Dragon Cores to reach the Saint-level. Then, I'll leave the Magical Beast Mountain Range and slip into Wushan Town in the O'Brien Empire. The Baruch clan should have long since declined… Perhaps I can seize the Coiling Dragon ring."

Sadius found it puzzling how the Coiling Dragon ring had ended up in the Baruch clan's estate.

As the soul-protecting Sovereign artifact of the Azure Dragon Sovereign, it had fallen to the Yulan Continent after the Azure Dragon's demise. It had once been in the possession of Doehring Cowart.

But how had it eventually reached the Baruch clan?

Was it fate that the Coiling Dragon ring would end up in Linley's hands?

Who was orchestrating this so-called destiny?

Beirut?

Or was it Hongmeng, watching from beyond the universe?

Sadius shook off his wandering thoughts and began his training.

A hundredfold concentration of Darkness and Earth elemental essence continuously surged into him.

After comprehending the forces of nature, stepping into the Saint-level in both Darkness and Earth was an easy feat for him.

However, he wanted to attempt comprehending the profundities of both elements.

If he could grasp even a sliver of insight, it would be a tremendous boost to his strength.

After all, as a transmigrator, he had foreknowledge of the various profound mysteries of the Laws.

Now, standing in a place with a hundredfold elemental density, he should be able to comprehend the mysteries of Darkness and Earth more easily.

The two elements coursed through his body continuously.

Sadius used his spiritual energy to carefully observe them, hoping to gain insight.

Despite training for a long time, he still failed to comprehend any of the mysteries.

However, both of his Dragon Cores absorbed enough energy to reach the Saint-level.

With that, Sadius had reached the Saint-level in three elements. Combined with his Soul Mutation, even he wasn't sure how powerful he had become.

"Time to leave."

Sadius made a decision—he would seal the cavern completely, ensuring that no one could enter.

With everything prepared, he flew out of the cavern.

By now, the two Raptor Dragons had fully refined the energy of their magic crystals, advancing to Rank-Nine.

"Dragon One, Dragon Two, Little Red, Little Green—come here."

Little Red and Little Green were the names Sadius had given to the leaders of the Fire and Green Dragons.

The four massive dragons immediately flew over.

"Lord!"

"Little Red, Little Green, you mentioned that your ancestors were once commanded by a great being to guard the Misty Valley, preventing anyone from entering the cavern?"

"Yes, my lord!" Little Red replied. "Our Fire Dragon clan has obeyed this command for generations, always standing guard over the Misty Valley and barring entry to the forbidden cavern."

"My Green Dragon clan has done the same," Little Green confirmed.

When Sadius had first arrived in this world, he had assumed that his past self had ordered these dragon clans to guard the Misty Valley. Later, he realized that wasn't the case.

After all, how could two entire clans of Rank-Eight flying dragons obey the orders of a single Rank-Nine dragon?

Upon deeper reflection, the most likely explanation was that Beirut had given this command.

The magical formation sealing the spatial rift to the Planar Prison had been constructed by Beirut. As a so-called "Deity-level powerhouse," it made perfect sense for him to order the dragons to stand guard here for generations.

"Continue guarding this valley. Do not grow lax. And do not toy with intruders. If anyone manages to enter the cavern, I will not forgive you."

The two dragons immediately swore their loyalty, vowing to guard the valley with all their might.

With everything in order, Sadius prepared to depart.

Just then, he noticed an unusual patch of grass not far away.

"That's Blueheart Grass!"

His eyes gleamed as he stared at the cluster of Blueheart Grass.

Without hesitation, he had Little Red unleash a fireball, reducing the entire patch to ashes before flying away, satisfied.

Leaving the Misty Valley behind, Sadius set his course westward—toward the territory of the Radiant Church.

His goal was Wushan Town, where he hoped to obtain the Coiling Dragon ring ahead of time.

Inside it lay the Azure Dragon's essence blood and a fragment of Sovereign power.

Not to mention, a knowledgeable Earth Saint Magus.

Since he had already taken Bloodviolet from Linley's future destiny, why not take the Coiling Dragon ring as well?

He would walk Linley's path—leaving Linley with no path to walk.

Flying westward, Sadius shrank his form to avoid drawing attention. After all, he was leaving the Magical Beast Mountain Range and entering human territory—too much attention would be troublesome.

As he flew, human settlements gradually came into view.

The closer he got to the mountain range's edge, the more human activity he spotted.

Countless adventurers, mercenaries, magi, and warriors ventured into the Magical Beast Mountain Range, seeking fortune.

To them, magical beasts were both prey and profit.

Even a single magic crystal could be sold for an immense sum of gold in the outside world.

However, the Magical Beast Mountain Range was fraught with danger—many adventurers never returned.

Each year, an untold number fell prey to magical beasts.

Of course, many more fell not to beasts—but to their own kind.

In these mountains, betrayal was far deadlier than the beasts themselves.

One could predict a magical beast's attack, but not the treachery of men.

Human greed was often more terrifying than any monster.

And at that moment, Sadius happened to be witnessing such a scene unfold from above.