Defeating the World with the Power of One Dragon!

Chapter 60: The Dragon-Eating Serpent

Caravans passing through the Ser Wilderness mainly collected minerals from the wasteland, body parts of ferocious magical beasts, magical herbs, and similar resources to transport south to the Lothrian Federation for sale and profit.

The scale of these caravans varied greatly.

Some were so massive that even adult dragons dared not target them.

But there were also those who took risks, driven by hope and greed, coming to trade here despite insufficient escort forces.

Small-scale caravans with weak protection.

Once discovered by the evil creatures rooted in the wilderness, they were like delicious meals delivered on a silver platter—too good to pass up.

Every year, countless small caravans disappeared in the Ser Wilderness.

Yet merchants, as a species, would swarm wherever there was sufficient profit. No matter how great the danger, nothing could halt their steps or curb their greed.

Upon reflection, this was not much different from the ingrained flaws in dragonkind’s heritage.

“The Thousand Serpent Traces form a vast network of roads, with many branches. If I encounter a suitable small caravan, I might have a chance to seize it.”“If I want to rob a caravan, I’d better not show myself in person. Otherwise, my whereabouts will be exposed, attracting adventurers or even military forces hunting me down.”

“The number of Rampage Bears under my command is too few, and their intelligence is limited, making it difficult to carry out complex orders.”

“I need some truly intelligent subordinates.”

Before possessing the power of a single dragon that could dominate the world, having subordinates was necessary.

Or rather, all evil dragons needed minions.

Evil dragons were not metal dragons that could call on allies when threatened. They often operated alone. Without a subordinate legion, they were vulnerable to extermination.

“I am not an evil dragon, yet human prejudice is like a mountain. They always treat me as one at first sight, shouting for my death. Since that’s the case, I need to prepare accordingly and strengthen my foundation.”

Garoth pondered quietly.

After observing the Graymane Werewolf territory for a while, he refrained from rash action and prepared to leave.

There were other places to explore, especially the branch roads of the Thousand Serpent Traces. He was quite interested in the caravans passing through.

Just then, Garoth’s keen senses detected an older werewolf whose fur had turned grayish-white stepping out of a tent-like structure at the center of the territory.

Around its neck hung a necklace made from unknown beast bones, and it leaned on a polished, aged oak staff.

It was the shaman of the werewolf tribe.

After emerging, it immediately called over a dozen strong adult werewolves, who hoisted some fresh prey about the size of cattle or horses, tied up with limbs bound, and headed toward the dark mountainside opposite the moon.

Seeing this, Garoth did not hastily leave. He remained hidden high above, preparing to observe what the werewolf shaman intended.

The shaman, accompanied by the adult werewolves, soon arrived at the foot of the cliff.

Thud! The werewolves, a bit nervous, placed the prey on the ground, accidentally causing a dull noise that drew the shaman’s displeased gaze.

But the shaman understood their fear.

It waved its clawed hand, signaling the werewolves to step back, then took a deep breath and faced the terrifying neighbor living on the mountainside alone.

It produced a bone whistle.

The shaman blew into it with full breath, producing a long, resonant sound.

Crackling... the mountain wall trembled subtly, with loose stones falling like fine rain.

Immediately afterward, a huge serpent-like monster over ten meters long slithered out from a dark cave shadowed from the moonlight.

This was a massive giant serpent covered in green scales, with blood-red eyes, a triple-pronged tail, and a pair of sharp claws at the front of its body.

It wound down the steep cliff.

Its only pair of claws gripped the rocks, shattering the hard stone like tofu.

In the blink of an eye, it reached the old werewolf shaman, opened its gaping maw, and bit into one of the fresh prey the werewolves had brought, beginning to feast.

It did not immediately kill the prey but showed a look of pleasure, enjoying the prey’s screams and struggles, tearing skin, flesh, and bone bite by bite, shredding it piece by piece.

The entire process was brutal and bloody.

Even bloodthirsty werewolves shuddered, unable to look toward it. The wolf pups buried their heads in their parents’ fur, trembling like quails.

The entire Graymane Werewolf tribe seemed to fear this ferocious beast deeply.

After finishing its meal in a near-torturous way, the beast ignored the old werewolf before turning back.

It did not crawl down the cliff but, lacking wings, its body twisted and flew through the air, returning to the cliff cave.

“Cliff Serpent Dragon?!”

Seeing this beast, Garoth’s heart tightened.

Almost immediately upon sight, a flood of warning messages surged through his inheritance.

This beast was called the Cliff Serpent Dragon.

Cliff Serpent Dragon, Heavenly Pool Serpent Dragon, Stone Tomb Serpent Dragon, Rock Mountain Serpent Dragon, Cold Forest Serpent Dragon—Serpent Dragons, a subcategory of dragons.

Although wingless and having only one pair of claws, there was no doubt this Cliff Serpent Dragon was indeed a dragon.

Among dragons, in terms of evil and cruelty, even the notorious Five-colored Dragons looked up to serpent dragons.

Serpent Dragons were primitive and savage, intelligent yet thinking more like beasts than white dragons, and extremely vicious. They would use any means to inflict maximum pain and torment on enemies rather than simply killing them. They equally hated and despised all life, including their dragon kin.

Moreover, they fed on dragons.

Their own kind were on the serpent dragons’ menu.

It could be said they were passionate about eating dragons, favoring dragon flesh, and delighting in torturing and slaughtering their own kind—true embodiments of pure evil dragons.

Because of this, although serpent dragons had the bloodline and power of great dragons, they were widely unrecognized by other dragons.

Worse, their claws and sharp teeth carried potent venom, and their souls bore curses.

For example, the fire-element Cliff Serpent Dragon, if killed, would curse its killer with its life. If the curse resistance was insufficient to block it, the victim would suffer an endless weakening of fire resistance.

“It’s about ten meters long, probably a juvenile or adolescent serpent dragon.”

“Cliff Serpent Dragons rank low among serpent dragons. Its life level is probably close to mine, but their curses are troublesome. Facing one would be a thankless and exhausting task.”

Garoth hovered high in the air, trying not to attract the Cliff Serpent Dragon’s attention.

The serpent dragon leisurely flew to the cave entrance, gradually sliding in from the head downward.

But just as its tail was about to enter the cave, it suddenly stopped.

Its forked tail flicked a few times, and the Cliff Serpent Dragon emerged again, sniffing the air.

Because it treated dragons as food, serpent dragons were extremely sensitive to dragon scents. The Cliff Serpent Dragon vaguely sensed the presence of other dragons nearby, which made it hungry, boosting its appetite and heightening its spirits.