Chapter 318: Control of the Elements

Watching the crimson scales in front of him gradually shatter into dust, Muria forced himself to stay awake and pondered over the shocking news he had just received.

Firstly, his top enforcer, the red dragon Auston who paraded around Titan territories to show off his strength, had been chosen by an ancient red dragon of at least legendary fourth tier as a mate.

Yes, a mate. Though he was unsure which number mate he was, he was indeed a mate, a fact Muria confirmed repeatedly with Renata. Not a consort, which slightly surprised Muria.

The ancient dragons in the goddess Tiamat's divine realm were all her consorts, doubling as enforcers, their status, well, laughable. They were nothing more than dragon-shaped massagers in the eyes of the dragon queen.

"It can't be true, how could an ancient red dragon take interest in a not yet mature red dragon?" Following Muria, the red dragon Otralis, who witnessed the entire conversation between Muria and Renata, spoke enviously.

It too wished to be noticed by a powerful peer, to be forcibly made a mate "against its will," while simultaneously gaining dominion over all its monster clans.

"Old man, Auston's size is no less impressive than that of a mature dragon," said the red dragon Cleist, who also emerged from the half-plane, scoffing at Otralis's envious tone.

"If you were the same age as Auston, he could knock you down with just his two claws."

"Boy, you dare underestimate me?" Hearing Cleist's mockery, Otralis immediately turned around, staring menacingly at Cleist, who was only a third of its size.

"Just stating facts. Not to mention Auston, even I, if we were the same age, could easily defeat you and your kind who do nothing but sleep," Cleist retorted.

Seeing Muria standing in front of him, Cleist felt emboldened, knowing well this elderly red dragon could crush him with one swipe but daring to speak his mind, confident that the dragon wouldn't dare touch him.

Roaring in response to such insult, Otralis's mouth slightly opened, letting out a threatening growl as fiery dragon breath swirled within.

"What, you want to kill me for speaking the truth?" Cleist remained unfazed by Otralis's intimidation.

"Old man, it's not that I look down on you, it's just that you're really not up to the mark. Apart from being a few hundred years older than me, you're pretty much good for nothing."

Red-haired and youthful, Cleist stretched his hand skyward, conjuring fireballs over three meters in diameter out of thin air, circling him.

Third-level spell, Fireball!

A favorite among fire element mages of Silver rank and above. A single large fireball isn't impressive, but the sight of nearly eighty fireballs appearing simultaneously is indeed spectacular.

Otralis was stunned to see so many fireballs, swallowing the dragon flame it had readied. Cleist's mastery over magic astonished it.

"Watch closely, old man." Under the disbelieving gaze of the elderly red dragon, the fireballs around Cleist dispersed into flames, then merged into seven fierce, thick fire serpents, circling him.

"How is this possible?" Witnessing the seven sentient fire serpents coiling around Cleist, Otralis was completely flabbergasted. In its worldview, such control over the fire element was beyond the capability of an underage red dragon, not to mention even ancient red dragons lacked Cleist's terrifying control.

"Can you do this, old man?" Cleist, again manipulating the flames into a lifelike flock of firebirds, challenged the elderly red dragon with a provocative look.

Silenced, Otralis had nothing to say. At over six hundred years old, it had passed the age of impulsiveness and had learned to control its temper.

It now understood Cleist wasn't mocking it; the younger dragon was merely stating the truth. Such magical prowess indeed would allow him to dominate in their age group.

"Let me tell you, before you, every dragon under Lord Muria's command had magical prowess no less than mine," Cleist said proudly.

"Especially the Auston you're jealous of. He's been learning magic since birth. Apart from age, he surpasses you in everything. You're not even qualified to be jealous of him. Your existence is just dragging us down."

By the end, Cleist let loose, pointing directly at Fiona and the green dragon behind her, mocking them broadly.

"Enough," Muria intervened, seeing the displeased expressions on the dragons he subdued in Ionia, rebuking Cleist: "Cleist, shut your mouth."

"Hehe, as you command, Lord Muria." Cleist bowed slightly in a human manner, performing an impeccable gesture before retreating behind Muria contentedly.

Since being skinned by Otralis, Cleist had harbored resentment. He admitted his mistakes and accepted his punishment.

But that didn't mean the executioner could do as he pleased. Otralis had gone as far as stripping much of his flesh, a grudge Cleist never forgot.

Today, seizing the opportunity, Cleist showcased his magic in front of this vile dragon, thoroughly mocking him.

"Although Cleist's words were harsh, your magical abilities do indeed fall short," Muria said after dismissing Cleist, addressing Otralis and Fiona with a lack of energy.

"You really need to systematically learn magic, especially now that you're my followers."

"I understand, Lord Muria," Fiona responded, squeezing out a strained smile.

"I've already started learning," replied the dejected ancient red dragon, humbled by Cleist's display.

"That's good," Muria nodded, satisfied. "Now, let's head to the human city we just came from. I need to use the church's teleportation circle.

Ancient Red Dragon Bronya can't be a nobody. According to Renata, three human nations are simultaneously attacking her territory; the noise should be noticeable."

"Lord, please mount," Otralis, in human form, respectfully lowered its head in front of Muria.

"Hmm." Muria, experienced in these matters, stepped onto the head of Otralis, between its horns. Then, Otralis soared into the sky, followed by Cleist, Fiona, and three soul-tier green dragons.

As for the slumbering Yndira and the other dragons, Leon the demon hunter, and Muria had left them in the half-plane. Controlling a half-plane made many things much more convenient.

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