Academic gathering with a lich-Chapter 602 - 555: The Reborn Giant Dragon (1/6)

The black runes, defying physical laws, swirled within the crystal. They featured a variety of patterns, originating from different races, different civilizations—all ancient artifacts acquired through Zhiyan’s scholarly research.

The red crystal displayed these characters, its red hue gradually dimming. Lyle directly manifested the Ominous incarnation, and the black mire of the Evil God silently eroded the entire surface of the crystal, then transformed into the appearance of the red crystal. The black giant stood beside the Crystal Dragon’s Nest, its form a head shorter than the crystal. With Lyle acting as the nexus, half of its body gradually consumed the entirety of the crystal.

During the erosion, Lyle craftily infused a hint of the power of death, and with his profound knowledge of Spirit Summoning Studies, he allowed this extra force to seep into the Dragon Priest’s rudimentary spiritual array. Kolosis, who was chanting in dragon tongue, felt nothing amiss, even thinking that tonight’s ritual seemed a tad more effective. Though minute, Lyle’s subtle trickery failed to influence the massive magical output of the Dragon Priest. This became an advantage, as Kolosis didn’t suspect an enemy’s interference but considered it a slight improvement in his own skills.

In the midst of an increasingly resounding Dragon Roar, Zhiyan’s ancient research neared completion.

Those runes that had entered the crystal contorted themselves into corresponding dragon language, fitting precisely upon the carved marks on the inside surface of the crystal—dragon language analysis, complete. The disguised black mire from inside burst forth with a brilliant light, signifying the joy of inheriting knowledge, the luminescence of civilizational legacy. Fortuitously, Ominous consumed these flashes of light, otherwise, the secret would have been exposed.

Kolosis sensed something and lifted his head; beneath the shattered cloak was a crystal Dragon Priest mask, indistinguishable from that of Scholar Sir, except from the carved eyes poured forth streaks of ghastly pale flame—the soul fire of a Lich.

Kolosis surveyed his surroundings and bowed his head again. The crystal, under Lyle’s guise, had no issues, and the dragon tongue chant could not be interrupted.

Feeling relieved, Lyle turned his head and observed Zhiyan as he lay against the outer wall of the crystal, sprawled on the ground like a dead dog. His skull shone like a super-sized light bulb, radiating the light of wisdom.

"Have we found the information we need, Mr. Zhiyan?"

Zhiyan rose, cupping his chin, his eye sockets emitted beams like searchlights, sweeping into the flowing black mire of Lyle’s eye sockets.

"I have gradually understood everything."

[Then have you understood, if you keep striking poses on the spot, I’d give you a beating right now.]

Zhiyan, looking at Ominous’ branch-like giant hand, with its thorn-like spiky branches thicker than his own finger bones, couldn’t imagine being gripped in the palm of that hand. He immediately stood to attention and bowed obsequiously.

"At your service, my... Mr. Dark!"

[Where is the Dragon Crown?] Lyle’s voice appeared directly inside Zhiyan’s head, that chilling and terrifying breath becoming a fine elixir for thought, especially as Zhiyan processed a massive influx of knowledge, feeling as if his skull was about to melt.

"The Dragon Crown... The memories of the Giant Dragon Conanlark don’t have its location. The Dragon Crown was forged by the Dragon Priest Kolosis after its death. However, I have come to know the method to forge the Dragon Crown, and the original plan of the Dragon Priest Council to usurp the era. There should be some clues within."

The black giant bent its massive head down, the two hollows of its skull slowly nearing Zhiyan, signaling for him to continue.

"The Dragon Crown, in the original plan, was to be created with the additional powers of several Dragon Priests, using the destiny of the Dragon Follower race to forge the Crown of the Era. The Blue Dragon Priest Morocoy was once an executor of this plan. Following the forging, it was the usurpation ceremony for the Firstborn of the Dragon, Koranac. In the presence of the race and the Giant Dragon, the Dragon Priest would place the Dragon Crown on it, which the Giant Dragon would then absorb, becoming its new Horn Crown. The Dragon Crown symbolizes the power of the Dragon Follower race, and now it seems Kolosis intends to drain the power of the Manu race to personally create a Dragon Crown. As a powerful Divine Artifact, the Dragon Crown must be very conspicuous, and there would also be Prohibition Runes specifically guarding it, secured by seals only the forging Dragon Priest can open."

Very conspicuous? But there’s nothing eye-catching around here... The Ominous giant lifted its head, staring directly into that orb of light that illuminated the entire subterranean world, outshining opulent jewels. The gemlike sun must surely be the Dragon Crown forged by Kolosis.

But how to obtain it? It was affixed above, covered with dragon language seals left by the Dragon Priests. Forcibly taking it by violence was impossible; the current Dragon Priests were simply beyond Lyle’s ability to contend with. Lyle was at a loss when, at that moment, Zhiyan beckoned to him.

"Remember that Giant Dragon’s plan, our plan?" Zhiyan’s phalanges stretched out, and at his fingertips, a wealth of knowledge transferred into the dark ominous sludge—the bodily knowledge of the Giant Dragon Koranac, as precise as Mr. Zhiyan had once boasted, down to every scale.

Ominous looked at the dragon skeleton suspended in the center of the Crystal Dragon’s Nest, a crafty smile appearing on his face.

[I am an excellent actor.]

"That’s perfect," Mr. Zhiyan said, grabbing a clump of the black mire and slapping it onto his own head, "I am an excellent scriptwriter."

Ominous turned into sludge, completely merging into the crystal.

Within the chanting of dragon language, shadows were moving.

Kolosis heard a strange noise, coming from the very spiritual array he had set up. This resurrection array that he had developed suddenly burst into brilliant light, a vague illusion forming in the chaotic mind of the crazed Dragon Priest. This is bad, the magic guiding just now went wrong in one part! My ritual is going to fail! Just as Kolosis mentally cursed his luck, the Spiritual Array began operating on its own, the magical flow naturally falling into place without any hint of obstruction, as if fate itself were leading him.

Kolosis had a premonition, and he continued to chant in the dragon language, channeling power and following the array’s guidance.

And a miracle, indeed, unfolded before his eyes.

The crystal body of the jeweled dragon manifested intricate scales, its rigid form fleshed out, giving the impression of a full and robust being. The skeletal fingertips of the Diamond Dragon Wing grew fine wing membranes, stretching like gold, and its lofty head broke free from the simple restraints of chains, its orange cat’s eye stones becoming lively, a majestic and noble being claiming possession of this body.

Or rather, returning to this body.

The giant claws instinctively grasped the ground, shattering the amber offerings below, the Giant Dragon swung its head, its gem-like brilliance under the sun’s shine blinding Kolosis.

The Giant Dragon locked eyes with the Dragon Priest.

Kolosis’s body trembled, and he used his Mercury Stone Magic Wand to support himself, like a person shouldering immense burdens, he struggled to raise his head. If not for being a Dragon Priest, he might have been moved to tears, and his trembling voice also indirectly conveyed his excitement.

"Lord Koranac... Is that you?"

A human-like puzzlement appeared on the face of the Giant Dragon. He remained silent for a moment, surveying his surroundings.

"Why have you awakened me, Kolosis?"