https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-212-The-Arrival-of-the-Red-Dragon/13676482/
Chapter 213: Battle Within the Tower
At the very moment the Flame Column was about to strike Wagner’s head, the binding light barrier enveloping him finally shattered. But the breath was already too close—there was no time to dodge.
Multiple Protective Spells activated simultaneously, wrapping his body in layer upon layer of dark mist. Yet even that could not block the scorching intensity of the radiant flame.
The Flame Column cut through the paper-thin spell shield like a hot blade through butter. Though Wagner twisted his head desperately, the column still devoured his head—encased in the black robes—along with his neck and half of his shoulder, instantly engulfing them in fire.
But this was far from over.
Kai Xiusu was no scripted boss who failed to deliver the final blow. Facing a high-level mage who had lain in wait for a century, he would not grant the enemy even a sliver of mercy.
The massive Red Dragon opened its maw wide, its chest glowing faintly—and deep within its throat, a terrifying, blinding white fire coalesced, like a miniature sun that illuminated the entire dark tower with the brightness of midday. Then, with a roar, it unleashed the pent-up energy in a torrent.
[Extreme Efficiency Flame Breath]
A thicker, fiercer Flame Column erupted—bigger and more blinding than before—engulfing Wagner’s entire torso.
Two columns of fire crossed and recrossed, relentlessly scouring the残缺 body.
Even then, Kai Xiusu remained unsatisfied. He continued spewing flames from his mouth, as if determined to reduce everything to ash.
The meat body, transformed many times by Dragon Blood, rapidly carbonized under the extreme heat. Eventually, it turned into brownish salt pillars that crumbled and scattered across the ground—just like common desert sand.
“Phew… Is it really over?”
The Red Dragon slowly closed its jaws. The sheer overload of energy had left its scales scorching hot, and wisps of sulfurous smoke curled from between its teeth.
Yet its eyes never wavered from the pile of salt-dust.
It would not gamble on the possibility that this century-long mage had a hidden trick. It had to scrutinize every detail, just in case.
“He must not escape.”
After a pause, Kai Xiusu spread his wings and descended upon the salt pile, driving his claw down hard—repeatedly, mercilessly.
Boom!
The ground trembled. Dust surged into the air, as if the bones themselves were being ground to powder.
At the same time, the Red Dragon lashed out with its claw in a powerful [Claw Strike], generating a sharp, claw-shaped magical force field that severed the grotesque limb chains, freeing Lanpu from the [Dragon Vein Restraint].
The Dragonline Ogre emerged, trembling with excitement. He fell to his knees—clumsy and tearful—exclaiming:
“Master! The so-called ‘Dragon-Frenzied Black Wizard’ truly is nothing before your might!”
The Red Dragon remained unmoved, his expression grim.
“Lanpu. Don’t celebrate too soon. Watch closely. These salt grains… they’re not what they seem.”
Lanpu snapped to attention, bowing deeply.
“Yes, Master.”
Silence fell across the tower.
The Heaven’s Judgment Dragon Eye flickered with unstable images.
And in that silence—so absolute it felt like a needle could be heard falling—came a strange, creeping laugh.
At first, it was faint—like wind stirring salt dust, ghostly and whispering. But then it grew louder, twisting into a wild, unrestrained cackle.
Kai Xiusu snapped his head up.
There, in midair, the melted flesh sand swirled and danced—slowly coalescing into a twisted, phantom face.
It was Wagner.
The spectral visage stretched its mouth impossibly wide, revealing a grin so chilling it froze the soul.
“I know you, Kai Xiusu Claudew Noirikexius… Tiamat’s favorite child—”
“Hahahaha! You did come!”
“You will be the most exquisite material on my glorious evolution path!”
Kai Xiusu did not flinch. He merely stared, expressionless, muttering:
“Soul Transfer…?”
“Tch. Wagner truly did have a backup.”
Lanpu roared, summoning a blazing Fireball and hurling it at the sand—shattering it once more.
But Kai Xiusu shook his head.
“Stop. Lanpu. His true form’s spiritual soul has already fled. That face is just a mental projection illusion.”
Lanpu dropped to his knees again, sweat pouring down his forehead.
“It was my failure, Master. I let my guard down. He escaped.”
His voice was heavy, clenched with frustration.
“If only I had found the Sixth Circle Spell—[Soul Cage]—I could have ended him for good.”
The Red Dragon said nothing. Instead, he lifted a single grain of salt with his Mage Hand.
“It’s thick with Dragon Blood scent. Even melted, I can still feel the magic essence within. This was his true body—not some crude blood-based construct.”
He paused, then asked casually:
“Lanpu… What kind of body do you think he’ll take?”
Kai Xiusu’s tone dipped slightly, a cold smirk forming.
“And let’s not forget—this ‘perfect experimental subject’ has personally come to face him. Given Wagner’s nature… do you really think he’d abandon all his research just to flee?”
Lanpu thought for a moment—then his eyes widened in sudden realization.
“He’s a madman. He’d willingly endure fatal spells just to preserve his ‘artwork.’ So with you here—his ultimate blasphemy—how could he possibly leave? He’ll want to keep us.”
He paused, then added:
“And his body… He once said his finest creation was Valina. Or rather—the monster formed from his biological daughter, Valina. A Kinship Body. The perfect vessel for a Wandering Soul. Ancient Specters who’ve lost their minds often prey on such forms.”
Kai Xiusu nodded, voice firm.
“Find him. Erase him. Every trace.”
“Yes, Master.”
In a secluded corner of the first level of the Tower of Eternal Night—the very spot where the “Hut in the Snow” stood—
It was cold, deep, and silent. The walls were stained with blood, yet wiped clean in places.
Piles of neatly stacked white bones lay scattered in the corner—left behind by Valina, her childhood habit. Even as a child imprisoned in the Hidden Chamber, she had always kept things tidy, sitting quietly on her bed, waiting for her family to return.
This was the last remnant of Valina’s will—a fragile dream of home.
But Wagner had twisted it into a deadly trap.
Any unwelcome guest who barged in would be caught by the transformed Valina—now a monstrous abomination—becoming a new subject for inhuman experiments. Those lucky enough to survive were devoured as sustenance.
And now…
A familiar guest had arrived.
—The Wandering Soul of Wagner.
(End of Chapter)
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