Defeating the World with the Power of One Dragon!

Chapter 132: Garoth's Flame Thunder, Explosive Scale Evolution

Torrential rain poured down, transforming the fine silver threads into a cascading waterfall that drenched the wilderness. Though it was midday when sunlight should have been abundant, thick dark clouds shrouded the world in gloomy darkness beneath the heavy rain.

A massive creature trudged through the mud.

This was a Sword-Jawed Beast, approximately twelve meters long, with scales and claws that gave it the appearance of a cross between a crocodile and lion. Its most distinctive feature was the pair of giant bone blades extending from its lower jaw.

Three meters long and covered in steel-hard enamel, the blades glinted coldly in the rain.

The beast was tracking a herd of Iron-Horned Deer. Its movements were surprisingly light, padded feet allowing silent progress through the downpour. Whenever it detected prey, it would lower its body, the bone blades on its head quivering slightly—the distinctive hunting posture of a Sword-Jawed Beast.

Just as it prepared to pounce, daylight suddenly erupted across the sky.

A golden-red lightning bolt split the rain curtain.

Garoth descended like a god, wreathed in violent electricity and flames that instantly vaporized the surrounding rain. The Sword-Jawed Beast instinctively raised its head, bone blades pointing skyward.

But it was too late.

A brilliant golden-red sphere shot from Garoth's mouth, piercing straight through the rain. At first glance it resembled ball lightning, crackling with golden arcs, yet its overall form burned like raging flames. Moving at incredible speed, it struck the beast's body in an instant.BOOM!

Countless lightning bolts and flames exploded simultaneously.

The level 10 beast—equal to Garoth in strength—stiffened violently, convulsing as large patches of charring spread across its body. Under this single strike, it collapsed rigidly to the ground, dead.

Folding his wings, Garoth landed before the fallen creature, carefully examining the wounds.

"The Flame Thunder Breath formed during Frenzied State shows excellent power—superior to both my Fiery Breath and Electric Fire Breath." A satisfied smile appeared on Garoth's draconic face.

Through repeated activation and training of his Frenzied State these past days, he'd gradually mastered deeper applications. Initially, the golden lightning could only stimulate his body to enhance physical attributes. But during one accidental attempt, Garoth discovered he could fuse the golden lightning with his breath weapon while Frenzied, producing spherical Flame Thunder.

This Flame Thunder combined properties of both lightning and fire—paralysis, penetration, explosion, combustion... multiple effects simultaneously.

As a Red Iron hybrid, Garoth was fundamentally fire-aligned. Iron Dragons also possessed fire attributes. Though capable of Electric Fire Breath, the lightning damage remained disproportionate—mainly providing speed while relying on fire for lethality.

Flame Thunder was different.

It represented true dual-element energy.

Just as draconic magical energy and life force could fuse into Dragon Qi, so too could fire and lightning merge into Flame Thunder.

"Currently Flame Thunder can only be used for breath attacks."

"But I sense its development hasn't reached its limit."

His golden mane standing proud in the rain, Garoth extended a claw, concentrating.

ZZZT!

High-temperature lightning—or perhaps crimson-gold flames—erupted between his claws, wildly flickering. Garoth attempted to shape and contain the energy, but failed as the unstable combination immediately dissipated.

If Flame Thunder could coalesce upon his body...

Undoubtedly, it would further enhance Garoth's offensive power. Moreover, judging by Flame Thunder Breath's properties, stable condensation could make it equally effective for both melee and ranged combat.

Exhaling softly, Garoth retracted all golden lightning.

HSSSSS... His scalding-hot Explosive Scales met rainwater, generating dense steam as they gradually cooled. A wingbeat dispersed the obscuring vapor.

"My scales also require evolution."

The Red Iron Dragon studied his cooling Explosive Scales, rainwater sizzling against their heated surface. This current scale layer no longer suited him.

Truthfully, they'd become inadequate ever since his wing evolution. During high-speed flight, friction rapidly overheated the scales—negligence could cause overload detonation.

As for their explosive and shrapnel damage...

Effective against mobs, but targets like Diamond Stone Giants or Behemoth Frosts barely suffered meaningful damage. Against weaker foes, Garoth could simply charge through them with wing-assisted speed, rendering the scales unnecessary.

Then there was their kinetic absorption defense...

By the time Garoth engaged in melee after rapid movement or diving, the scales were already near overload—like during his battle with the Frost Behemoth, where a single clash detonated his entire scale layer.

For present Garoth...

The scales' kinetic absorption remained useful, but their high-temperature explosion represented a failed evolutionary path.

Of course, success and failure must be judged dialectically across different stages. When first evolved, the Explosive Scales' wide-range bombardment and shrapnel perfectly suited Garoth—a successful evolution granting early-stage area attacks. Only through subsequent growth had they become incompatible with his enhanced traits.

"I require an entirely new scale system."

"One preserving kinetic absorption while preventing overload explosions during high-speed movement—ideally storing absorbed energy to replenish my stamina, granting greater endurance."

Garoth pondered deeply.

He possessed evolutionary directions and ideas, unfortunately, adaptive evolution wouldn't proceed according to his will alone. Precise control over evolutionary outcomes remained beyond him. The successful evolution of his Wings of the Celestial Comet involved both deliberate effort and fortunate circumstance.

Regardless, having goals was undoubtedly positive.

Garoth ingested some Scale Powder carried on his person, the world shifting to warm tones—colors no longer gloomy, the torrential rain now appearing vibrant and uplifting.

"Flame Thunder represents a special energy form."

"Frequent Frenzied State usage prolonging its stable duration should facilitate adaptive evolution toward stability."

"The scales present greater difficulty."

"Kinetic absorption and self-replenishment must involve complex processes requiring extended development. First, preventing easy detonation—perhaps implementing 'sudden stops' when nearing overload, allowing cooling. Consistently repeating this..."

Garoth's mind raced, simultaneously devising preliminary approaches for both Flame Thunder consolidation and scale evolution.

As time passed, the Scale Powder's effects gradually faded.

Perhaps due to Garoth's mental growth, the powder's efficacy had diminished—increased doses now required for equivalent cognitive enhancement. With only one Faerie Dragon producing limited quantities, Garoth now reserved it strictly for critical moments, abandoning earlier recreational usage.

Black Oil followed similar patterns.

Garoth's growing physique demanded larger quantities for equivalent effects. Fortunately, stable trade routes provided abundant supply—enough for bathing if desired.

ZZAP!

Golden lightning erupted as Garoth re-entered Frenzied State.

His rain-cooled scales rapidly reddened with heat. He practiced Flame Thunder condensation while allowing scale temperature to rise—stopping just before overload detonation, then cooling repeatedly.

Flame Thunder, Explosive Scales, Dragon Heart, Spines...

Garoth's life remained fulfilling, daily training schedules packed to capacity. He cherished this peaceful, productive routine—all accumulation simultaneously preparing for potential crises.

However, his scale and Flame Thunder training was soon interrupted.

A neck scale vibrated faintly.

Pausing, Garoth retrieved the Message Stone, receiving communication from the iron dragon. His pupils instantly contracted into cold, predatory slits before normalizing a second later.

"Viscount Iron Thorn, tax collectors."

"Inevitable."

Garoth had anticipated this day. Controlling a trade route—openly or covertly—would inevitably draw attention, though shadow governance minimized impact.

"As they wish, we'll negotiate first."

Eyes glinting, Garoth relayed instructions to Sorog.

He was no brutish beast.

Since the Serpentine Earth Rift belonged to its original developers, they held legitimate taxation claims. Garoth welcomed mutually beneficial cooperation maintaining the status quo.

But only if demands proved reasonable.

Exorbitant requests wouldn't be meekly accepted.

He honed claws and fangs for survival—to resist threats with power and overturn tables when necessary, not endure endless concessions.