Chapter 363: The Golden Lion.
The dark rock layers draped over the bright sky, a dull red from the magma’s glow.
After flapping their wings to disperse the strange smell, the fire dragons returned, trying to sniff close with their noses but were knocked back by Ji Jie’s hard spines on his wings.
They had entered the underground of the Dragon Crystal Land, enjoying the abundant geothermal energy.
Compared to when they first arrived, Ji Jie paid more attention this time to the rich mineral veins, breaking off pieces whenever he encountered them and stashing them away.
The Flame King Dragon felt the flow of molten rock beneath his padded feet; a depression caused him to lower his head.
Ahead, several steps showed clear signs—these were undoubtedly the footprints of some kind of monster. Sniffing at the faint residual scent, it was so light that he couldn’t recall encountering anything similar before.
That must be an untried monster then! Just as they were lacking a target, one conveniently appeared.
The footprints grew fresher, leading around a corner just ahead.
Without hesitation, Ji Jie slowed down, his actions mimicked by Nana. The two Sunfire Dragons moved silently like feline predators, making not a single sound.
“Creak, creak, creak.”
Now, the sound of the fire dragon’s claws tapping against the floor became unusually crisp.
Ji Jie, somewhat helplessly using Energy Perception to probe forward, was surprised to find an energy source also creeping toward the corner—was it trying to ambush them?!
What stood out was that this energy source was humanoid with two horns, larger than humans yet smaller than most monsters… It was the Golden Lion!
He raised his wings, signaling Iron Pot to stop instantly. Raising his wings again, he halted Face Basin who was still moving forward.
The fire dragons froze in place as Ji Jie and Nana advanced alone, tensed and ready for battle.
The energy signature representing the Golden Lion seemed to realize something and abandoned its ambush, rushing straight past the corner.
With powerful dynamic vision, they caught sight of the figure rushing towards them with open arms—it was small but no less dangerous than an Ancient Dragon.
There was no doubt about it. The experience of wrestling five snow leopards for gold trophies and bodybuilding alongside three others told him this was the Golden Lion’s signature throw technique!
Though small, the Golden Lion resembled a toothed beast species akin to a snow lion, bearing primate-like traits from another life, much like a gorilla.
But this gorilla was agile enough to scale walls and drag flying dragons down to crash onto the ground, while also capable of spitting lightning balls and light cannons, shattering rock layers.
Its temperament was savage and bloodthirsty, resembling human hunters. Its small frame turned into an advantage due to its agility, paired with immense strength.
Without a moment’s hesitation, Ji Jie stood upright and slapped a paw toward the charging Golden Lion.
The nimble hands grabbed his incoming claw, the other hand smashing into his chest, its robust body temporarily holding up against the Flame King Dragon’s imposing aura.
Ji Jie could see the shock-filled red pupils of the Golden Lion, but soon those eyes reflected flames.
Karmic Fire enveloped the Golden Lion’s entire body with searing heat. His arms regained strength, pressing down with force until the ground beneath shattered.
Fully engulfed in flames, the Golden Lion rolled away, lifting its hands repeatedly to pat out the flames on its body. A cluster on its forehead remained lit, turning it into a fiery-headed captain.
“Whoa! Whoosh whoosh whoosh!”
The Golden Lion howled, standing upright like a human, continuously patting itself down until the Karmic Fire was extinguished. It then settled back onto all fours, tilting its head with a carefree attitude.
Ji Jie noticed the Golden Lion’s muscles trembling, its dark brown fur rippling with golden lightning like waves.
But the lightning quickly subsided, calming down. Roaring furiously, the Golden Lion’s reddened eyes slightly recovered, seemingly realizing it faced a pair of Sunfire Dragon mates. In a flash, it leapt onto the cave wall and disappeared into a narrow path.
“Does it think it can’t possibly win against two Sunfire Dragons?”
Ji Jie narrowed his eyes slightly, flying forward along the path where another segment of light indicated another section of the cave.
A sweep of Energy Perception revealed nothing due to the cave walls’ limitations; the Golden Lion had already run beyond the effective range and vanished.
He used a dust explosion to clear the passage, calling Nana and the fire dragons to join the search for the Golden Lion’s trail.
With a target to hunt, the Empress Flame Dragon and fire dragons became excited, dispersing to track footprints and scents.
Hunters weren’t exclusive to humans; every predator in the wilderness was a competent hunter.
While the Empress Flame Dragon could handle herself independently, Ji Jie focused on keeping the fire dragons together, knowing separation would only serve as prey for the Golden Lion.
They were all excellent hunters, but the Golden Lion wasn’t easy prey—it was a hunter itself.
At that moment, the hunter swung its thick forelimbs, leaping skillfully through the underground world, seeking a challenge worthy of testing its combat prowess.
The stronger the opponent, the more the latent power within the Golden Lion could be unleashed.
Such hunters all harbored an ideal quarry in mind, though such perfect prey wasn’t easily found. Until then, it would continue fighting to hone its instincts.
The magma gently bubbled as a Magma Dragon charged recklessly toward the Golden Lion, never imagining this tiny creature to be the king among toothed beasts.
Sidestepping to avoid the splashing magma, it did so effortlessly.
Its palm pierced into a fissure created mid-motion, leveraging enough force to lift a massive boulder, which it hurled directly at the Magma Dragon.
The boulder shattered, its fragments adhering to the magma covering the Magma Dragon’s body.
The Golden Lion pounced fiercely, delivering heavy punches that shattered the Magma Dragon’s molten armor. The scorching heat reddened its arms—or perhaps they were always that red when exerting power?
Steam rose from its arms, as if they’d hardened, no longer fearing contact with magma.
The fiery magma splashed, burning its body, intensifying the ferocity in its gaze. Its fur bristled, crackling with static electricity.
Its claws tore through scales, further rending the Magma Dragon’s body. Savage blows pulled out and reinserted fish-like bones. Before long, the Magma Dragon lay motionless on the ground.
Even the ground cracked under the wild stomps and punches, spewing magma.
Too weak! Too weak!
The glowing, heated arms wiped away droplets of magma clinging to its fur as thoughts of the earlier Sunfire Dragons crossed the Golden Lion’s mind—if only they could be separated, what a treat that would be.
“Creak, creak, creak.”
Apparently, the noise from the Golden Lion’s battle attracted another hunter looking to sharpen its combat instincts.
“Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!!”
“Roar!!!”
The embodiment of destruction and the explosive boxer stared at each other, recognizing a shared essence, simultaneously roaring.
Steam emanated from the Golden Lion’s reddened arms, while the Sui Long’s missile-like fists swiped past its mouth and across the magma, slime mold crackling with ominous red light.
Chapter 364
