Chapter 872: Save Me
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Leon had once read about these miracles in the desolate library archives, and had always hoped to see firsthand the sprawling wonder that stretched for thousands of kilometers. Sadly, by the time the last age arrived, it had long since vanished.
To accomplish such feats, it could only be the work of a terrifyingly powerful Heavenly Mage—the strongest among them.
If the Son of Sand hadn't disappeared into some unknown plane—or perhaps into the endless void—Dunespire Tower would undoubtedly be the strongest force in the Odin Kingdom.
As for Skyhold Fortress, it's the most mysterious of all. They don't have a fixed territory—or rather, their domain lies within the cloud-shrouded mountains to the south of the Odin Kingdom.
Only the most ordinary, lower ranks of Skyhold Fortress dwell in those misty mountains. Their true stronghold is a floating city from the Third Dynasty.
That massive city floats above the clouds, forever concealed within the misty mountains. Aside from members of Skyhold Fortress, no one knows its exact location—and few have ever set foot on it.
Those lucky enough to witness it all admit words fail them; they simply can't describe its grandeur.
Skyhold Fortress's strength also ranks among the top mage factions in the Odin Kingdom, and it's guarded by Heavenly Mages year-round.
Leon also knew that during the great planar colonization, Skyhold Fortress stole the spotlight. That massive floating city was essentially an enormous war fortress, helping Skyhold conquer many planes.
But after several millennia, when Skyhold Fortress finally crashed to the ground, its decline was swift.
Now, even though Skyhold Fortress hasn't returned to its former glory, it's still one of the strongest powers in the Odin Kingdom.
In an instant, Leon's mind flashed through the profiles of these three factions, and he understood why Joey and Heron had sought him out.
Because in the Blazeforge Realm, these three factions are undoubtedly the strongest forces of the Odin Kingdom. Their leaders may not be Heavenly Mages, but they're at least true powerhouses on par with Joey and Heron.
At a time like this, someone qualified to cooperate with Joey and Heron is needed to face these three formidable factions together. As for the smaller powers, those can be left to the other forces of the Andalusia Kingdom to handle.
In the end, it's still the top-tier factions who will decide the outcome.
In other words, this Grand Gamble's victory or defeat will be determined by the clash between the elite forces on both sides.
"Archmage Leon, I'm sure you understand the situation now. This time, we must unite and cooperate. As for the others, neither Joey nor I have much confidence in them. You're the only one we both trust. We hope you can help us defeat the Odin Kingdom."
Heron's words were sincere. He didn't mention the final spoils, but with the points system in place, this was a clear olive branch. After victory, the biggest winners would surely be the three major factions.
Leon was silent for a moment, then nodded.
"Alright. If anything comes up, let me handle the people from Skyhold Fortress."
Seeing Leon nod, both Heron and Joey quietly breathed a sigh of relief. Although the Azure Sword Saint had started things off, in the end, it was still Cloudspire Tower and the Black Tower pulling the strings.
Ultimately, it was the rivalry between these factions that would decide the fate of the battlefield.
With the issue of cooperation settled, Heron glanced at Joey and fell silent.
Joey wore a faint smile, his expression calm and confident.
"Alright, that's settled then. Since Archmage Leon has agreed, both Heron and I can rest easy. There's one more thing we'd like your opinion on."
Leon was slightly taken aback.
"Is there something else?"
Joey waved his hand.
"It's not urgent. After we've conquered the Blazeforge Realm and return to Northend World, there will be a grand conference in the Odin Kingdom, gathering all the kingdoms of Northend. I hope, Archmage Leon, you'll join us for that meeting."
But that's still a ways off. Let's discuss it in detail after we've dealt with the Blazeforge Realm.
Leon nodded and stood up.
"Alright then, Joey, Heron, I'll go make preparations."
Leaving the meeting room, Leon started pondering how to strengthen his subordinates.
The materials collected from the Primordial Venom Dragon were almost all processed—now it was time to put them to use.
Back at camp, the first to greet him was Reina.
Reina had already fused with the empty dragon crystal shell from the Primordial Venom Dragon, and the change was dramatic.
As she walked, shards of ice crystals constantly formed and shattered around her, only to be replaced by new ones.
Wherever she went, the temperature plunged. With every step, frost spread beneath her feet, and each footfall conjured a block of icy blue ice, keeping her from touching the ground at all.
Even the ground within ten meters of her slowly became covered in a thin layer of frost.
Her aura hadn't grown much stronger yet, but her very essence had undergone a transformation. In battle, her power had fundamentally increased.
Once Reina fully fused with the Primordial Venom Dragon's empty dragon crystal and completed her metamorphosis, she'd definitely break through to Sky Rank.
After all, every Primordial Venom Dragon is Sky Rank...
Even just fusing with the empty dragon crystal from the Primordial Venom Dragon could utterly transform one's essence...
Reina stood off in the distance, with no one daring to approach within a dozen meters. At a time like this, getting close to her was just asking for trouble...
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Except for Hubert...
Hubert's skin was as red as a boiled shrimp, steam rising from his body. His eyes were blood-red, and even his breath seemed ready to ignite.
After fusing with a single drop of Primordial Venom Dragon Heartblood, even Hubert's physique couldn't handle it. His body seemed ready to burst into flames at any moment. If he hadn't previously fused with a drop of Golden Three-Headed Dragon's Blood, he would've been torn apart by now...
Right now, Hubert followed closely behind Reina, his red eyes locked on her. No matter where Reina went, he trailed after her. The terrifying chill she radiated couldn't lower his body temperature, and every time he got within three meters of her...
The swirling ice crystals around Reina would automatically attack Hubert, freezing large patches of his skin the instant they touched him.
But in an instant, those ice crystals would turn to steam, rising into the air. More and more ice crystals attacked, and only when Hubert's temperature dropped and he was completely frozen would he stop moving.
But as soon as he got a little farther away from Reina, the ice would shatter and he'd break free, shamelessly chasing after her again.
Reina wore a frosty expression, clearly wanting to strangle Hubert, but she held back and kept walking. Hubert, meanwhile, kept repeating the cycle of being frozen, breaking free, and chasing after her.
Seeing Leon return, Hubert howled miserably and rushed over.
"Archmage Leon Merlin, save me... I feel like I'm about to explode, I can't take it anymore, I'm dying! Please help me, Archmage Leon Merlin, I'm your most loyal servant! If I die, where will you find another Hubert as devoted as me? Just give me ten bottles of your life elixir..."
Leon ignored Hubert, casually tossed three Freezing Spells at him, turning Hubert into an ice block, then headed deeper into the camp.
This greedy and lazy Dragonblood Orc was always looking for ways to get his hands on something to save his own skin...
Deeper in the camp, the air was thick with oppressive magical energy, as if all the magic in the area was being held down here.
In the center stood a massive cauldron. On the nearby table lay a slab of fresh meat over three meters long—flesh from the Primordial Venom Dragon.
A rich medicinal aroma wafted from the cauldron. An Alchemical Golem tirelessly sliced pieces from the Primordial Venom Dragon meat and tossed them into the cauldron.
This was a potion Leon had prepared—to neutralize the dragon's toxins while preserving the useful properties of its venom.
The Primordial Venom Dragon's flesh contained immense energy—not ordinary energy, but a force that could alter innate traits and evolve one's essence.
Remember, the Primordial Venom Dragon is a creature from the Age of Gods and Demons, born Sky Rank, and a terrifying force in its era.
Their life tier is innately Sky Rank, even surpassing it. For humans, their flesh is an unparalleled tonic, a way to replenish and evolve one's very essence.
From the Age of Gods and Demons to now, through the reigns of the Chromatic Dragons and Pureblood Elves in the Nesser Dynasty, and then the Third Dynasty, fifty years have passed.
With each transition, the power level of Northend World seems to decline, and the essence and tier of all living things fall short of the previous era.
Primordial Venom Dragons are born with deadly poison, the most toxic substance in existence. Unless neutralized, nothing can corrode their flesh.
This particular Primordial Venom Dragon seemed to have died in a brutal battle, felled by a single blow. Its heart shattered, its magic faded over the ages, but its innate venom still permeated Viperfog Valley and never truly dissipated.
Time could not rot its corpse. After Leon purged the toxins, he had his fifty mages consume the flesh, even bringing his three Merlin cousins to partake. (My novel 'Throne of the End of Magic' has more fresh content on the official WeChat platform, plus a 100% prize draw! Open WeChat, click the '+' in the top right to add a friend, search for 'qdread' and follow—don't miss out!)