Chapter 373: Two Couples.
The old Flame Empress Dragon flipped over, pinning the young one beneath her, her head tilted with a hint of arrogance.
Confirming dominance in the forward battle meant she was already halfway to victory in this territorial dispute.
Even if the opponent’s mate entered now, all she needed to do was retreat temporarily until her husband arrived. Then, she’d have him hold off the other spouse while she drove the young empress out.
By then, it would be two against one.
The old Flame Empress showed no mercy, planning to inflict more injuries on the struggling younger dragoness to gain an advantage for the upcoming fight.
With a sudden strike, her sharp claws reflected cold light, cutting through the flames with a chilling edge.
But Nana wasn’t hit. Instead of futile struggles, she used her claw to block the elbow of the older dragoness, deflecting the attack.
Jié Jié narrowed his eyes slightly, analyzing the situation.
The elder dragoness’s attacks were hindered as she realized Nana had used the same counterattack strategy when she was pinned.
Random struggles only wasted strength; gathering power was the key.
Nana’s arm bore several claw marks, and she let out a pained roar. The shoulder that had been pinned began to strain, breathing deeply instead of panting.
Her muscles tensed, forcing the elder dragoness to apply more force. Her lips parted, ready to unleash flames to interfere with Nana.
Nana seized the moment, her injured arm suddenly striking upward. Though it didn’t flip the elder dragoness completely, it disrupted her balance.
Radiating flames came but couldn’t stop Nana from twisting free. She broke free with a powerful tail whip to the elder dragoness’s face.
This was the essence of combat and wisdom. Living alongside Jie Jie, Nana had clearly leapfrogged the long time ancient dragons usually took to accumulate such wisdom.
Confusion spread across the elder dragoness’s face as she charged after Nana who was retreating.
Advantages shifted between the two Flame Empresses. As Nana absorbed the elder’s fighting experience, though the elder still held the upper hand more often, she could no longer dominate like before.
Thinking quickly, the elder decided to regroup with her husband.
With that thought, she roared provocatively and retreated.
“Roar!”
Watching the rival retreat, Nana proudly lifted her head, looking back at Jie Jie with heightened spirit.
“Then let’s chase them down without hesitation.”
Jie Jie stood up and moved alongside Nana, chasing the retreating elder dragoness.
Nana strutted proudly, her gaze sweeping over every ore around her, acting as if this place was already her territory—adorable indeed.
They soon caught up with the elder dragoness and saw her accompanying Flame King Dragon.
The ancient dragons sized each other up amidst their roars. The king marveled at the young empress’s beauty, while the elder empress finally noticed Jie Jie.
Compared to years ago, Jie Jie had changed significantly. Initially unrecognized, the elder was astonished by his size.
He was much larger than her husband, impressive and majestic, causing her spirits to sink.
Had they not even lived here for ten years before being driven out again?
Their children hadn’t grown up yet!
“Roar.”
The Flame King remained relatively calm, gently flapping his wife’s wings and lifting her lowered head with his own.
The couple rallied their spirits, sharing a mutual understanding, ready to face the challenge together.
The empress led the charge against Nana, dust exploding into hellfire, obscuring the Flame King.
Silently moving through the blurred firelight like a stalking leopard, he gathered his strength, waiting for the right moment to burst forth.
Their tactic was simple: focus on defeating the Flame Empress whose strengths they had gauged first, then deal with the daunting large Flame King.
Jie Jie exchanged a glance with Nana, seeing through their plan instantly.
As the guardian, he intercepted the lurking Flame King in a flash.
The Flame King had gathered his strength, turning into a blur rushing towards Nana. He didn’t expect Jie Jie, despite being larger, to move faster and knock him back mid-charge.
Attempting retaliation, his movements were once again quicker, interrupting the king’s attack and leaving a deep slash on his shell.
Realizing close combat wouldn’t work, the Flame King rapidly retreated, scattering dust.
A common yet effective trick, retreating while using dust to impede pursuit, buying himself time to regroup.
Even fellow Sunfire Dragons would be affected by the explosion’s impact.
And his retreat direction was toward where the two Flame Empresses fought, sticking to their initial tactics.
Though the explosion slowed Jie Jie briefly, the entangled Flame Empresses weren’t easy targets either. Nana certainly wasn’t someone to be easily dealt with.
Her wing membrane torn as she twisted, Nana took advantage of the elder dragoness’s hesitation about giving her mate an opening. She bit into the elder’s arm and performed a death roll.
Although she didn’t rip the arm off, her sharp fangs tore open a gaping wound, throwing the elder off her.
Before she could follow up, the Flame King’s claw strike forced her back into a corner.
Standing up, the Flame Empress found Nana now facing both Sunfire Dragons!
But Jie Jie was there too.
Fierce flames erupted all over his body as he sprinted, swiping his claws to injure the empress’s leg armor. A subsequent collision sent her stumbling.
The momentum carried through, pushing the Flame Empress away before leaping and driving his claws into the joint between the Flame King’s wing membrane and body, pressing down forcefully.
Unable to withstand the immense pressure, the Flame King’s limbs buckled, and his shell couldn’t resist the steel-like claws, adding fresh bloody claw marks.
“Roar!”
In pain, the Flame King shook his wings, scattering more dust. Using the explosive shockwave, he managed to create distance from Jie Jie once more.
