Divine Emperor of Death

Chapter 4515: Five-Clawed Imperial Dragon

The very air shimmered with prismatic distortions, and the projection of the world twisted ever so slightly with each breath.

Above and below them, floating landmasses drifted through a sea of stars, suspended not by gravity but by the Shard Region’s spatial fabric. Some islands were jagged and lifeless, crumbling into void sparkles, while others bloomed with glowing crystal trees or ancient ruins half-phased into a distorted mess, indicating the spirit tribes that once lived there.

Faint arcs of silver-blue lightning occasionally danced between nearby islands. It appeared to be some form of natural discharge of spatial friction between colliding spatial layers.

As Davis stepped onto the first levitating island after the one he initially landed on after crossing through the Shard Region, his foot made contact with an obsidian rock. He wobbled a bit before balancing himself.

The island didn’t seem to obey conventional gravity; there was no true ’up’ or ’down’. He was just walking straight, but he had actually descended on the island.

Once he landed, his body suddenly recognized that he was descending, causing him to wobble.

Behind him, Myria narrowed her eyes, already activating her perception to stabilize her soul’s position in space. The others also did the same thing in a different manner. It was quite tricky to traverse in this area, giving them the feeling that they were descending now, but they were still walking straight.

Nothing happened if they walked still, but they could tell that their perception was affected.

Ralaza Heavenshade grinned at him for making a mistake before she strode forward.

Davis shook his head but followed her.

Small, hardy wildflowers bloomed in the cracks of the rocks, their bright colors shaking their perception further. These appeared to be offshoots of treasures that were already harvested.

A strange veil of purple mist hung at the edges and cliffs, obscuring the peaks and softening the sense of danger in their hearts. The flora here was very strange, twisting and churning space. Regardless, there wasn’t much danger since they were all perceptive.

They didn’t feel threatened by this Shard Region. Instead, they talked about how Stella would love to be here.

After forty minutes or so, they gradually reached a location where there was a flat plateau jutting out from the slopes. By this time, their senses had also completely adjusted to the perception. They were no longer getting fooled by the strangeness of the space. It would be strange if they didn’t, considering they were all ridiculously powerful enough to overpower the atmosphere of this area.

However, they seemed to have entered a deep region, and other than Davis, a few others, most started to wobble.

Even Ralaza Heavenshade was finding it difficult to stand straight.

It would take some time for them to adjust again.

Regardless, they had already arrived at their destination.

Underneath the starry skies, lying above the cliff, was the face of a giant dragon. It had spotted them, its eyes roaming with interest. With a smirk, it rose and jumped off the cliff, causing spatial dust to kick up and shimmer over its wings.

Davis’s eyes as he saw the Five-Clawed Imperial Dragon descending like a living cataclysm, its titanic form blotting out the sky.

Towering over mountains, its azure-golden scales shimmered like polished divine armor, each plate glinting with the hues of golden runes that didn’t point to any Primary Laws. Its four limbs thundered as they landed, each step crushing valleys beneath claws longer than city streets. Five hooked talons on each paw tore into the earth, radiating a crushing weight of authority that sent tremors rippling through the land.

It caused Davis and the others to wobble.

Behind it, a whip-like tail tipped with a bladed crown lashed through the air, splitting the purple clouds and causing storms to recoil.

"Humans..." It spoke heavily, actually using the Sky Word Language.

Its massive chest heaved with restrained might, the torso sculpted like a war god’s statue, quite broad, brutal, yet exuding noble power. Two monumental wings unfurled behind its back, easily spanning the horizon. Their translucent membranes flickered with golden veins that pulsed like the beating heart of the sky.

Thunderstorms were born in their wake. Spikes jutted along its spine like natural pylons of radiating might, each one pulsing with a terrifying energy. Even when still, the dragon’s presence warped the air around it, distorting space with waves of pressure that could silence numerous beings into awe.

The dragon’s head was both regal and terrifying, framed by three golden horns that flared backward like a celestial crown. Its maw, lined with serrated crystal-like fangs, glowed faintly. Its eyes were like twin stars of deep azure flame.

Davis was totally flabbergasted.

This mere Immortal Emperor Beast was over three kilometers tall. It was insane for an Immortal Emperor Beast to be this big.

"As expected of a Grand Ancestral Magical Beast and the pinnacle of all magical beast races... what a majestic aura..."

Davis couldn’t help but nod as he muttered.

The King-Tier Five Clawed Golden Dragon even possessed a smirk upon hearing Davis’s words.

"It seems as though you all truly want the Exalt Grade Treasure even at the risk of your lives. Then don’t blame me, Barakiel, for crushing you all underneath my claws."

"Hey, it’s going to attack..." Ralaza Heavenshade eyed him, her pupils shuddering.

Her brows were furrowed. Davis could see that she was scared under the Five-Clawed Imperial Dragon’s mountainous and majestic pressure. He was a bit surprised since he felt she was a brave woman, brave enough to speak with him in an informal tone and even make fun of him, yet her heart cowered right now.

Was bloodline suppression really that worse at higher stages?

Davis narrowed his brows as he returned his gaze to the Five-Clawed Imperial Dragon. He didn’t feel a single ounce of pressure, but he did feel its majestic aura. It was authoritative and supreme, not letting anyone disrespect it. It demanded all the attention and respect from the surroundings, even the flowers and flora around swaying and bowing to its presence.

"Barakiel, was it?"

Davis started. He raised his hand, scratching the side of his head in doubt, "I’m not so sure how to fight you. Should I hold back or finish you off in one move? You decide."

He initially wanted to fight suppressed but it showed too much disdain.

"Oh?"

The Five-Clawed Imperial Dragon didn’t even look at Davis before. Its azure eyes flashed with an imperial light as its gaze landed on him.

"You are a puny human from the Celestial Transcendent Galaxy that cannot survive without its utmost conqueror. Your little race that relies on external power, such as cultivation, cannot compare to our dragon race that dominates everything in our path through the might of our body alone. The next time you talk to me like that, I will make you kill yourself. Regardless, it is better if you prolong the fight since I’m bored waiting for Exalt Grade Treasure to grow up. Otherwise, I wouldn’t have let these flies go."

It grinned as it cast Ralaza Heavenshade a mocking look.

Ralaza Heavenshade looked like she was about to throw fists from anger, but Rath Heavenshade held her back. They were at an extreme disadvantage because of the bloodline suppression.

The Five-Clawed Imperial Dragon moved aside and waved its claw, causing a barrier to be released and reveal the treasure inside.

It was a lone purple mushroom that looked anything but ordinary.

"You see... by the smell of it, there’s still three months left for it to reach maturity."

"Three months?" Davis looked shocked, "No way. Move, I’ll try to make it mature right away."

"Hahaha! You are one crafty human. I must say that your attempt to steal it was funny. If you dance for me, you might end up living today."

The Five-Clawed Imperial Dragon, Barakiel, looked absolutely satisfied as he nodded. He seemed... amused.

"They’re way over themselves."

"Peak arrogance."

Myria shook her head while Tia giggled.

The latter continued using soul transmission, "My time is better used for something else- like finding a way out. I’ll divine if there is some a Dimensional Vortex leading outside."

"Be careful. Dimensions are scary. You never know what might be lying in wait once you start divining and indirectly call upon strange and mysterious forces of the universe." Myria warned.

"I know." Tia’s lips curled, "It cannot be more dangerous than divining in the Shadow Dimension."

She started divining as she took out a staff, which started to swing like a pendulum as she began chanting in a strange note that couldn’t be deciphered, even though she was using the Sky Word Language.

"Die."

The Five-Clawed Imperial Dragon frowned at this strange song.

He instantly made his move, flicking his claw, and a terrifying golden light erupted, ripping through the space as it sought to cleave her apart into two.

*Bang!~*

But with a single wave of his hand, Davis destroyed the claw light.

For the first time, the Five-Clawed Imperial Dragon that was lazily sitting stood with all four limbs, giving Davis a glance of surprise.

"You are not ordinary, are you?"

Barakiel instantly took interest in Davis, who revealed a glimpse of his power. He raised his massive hand and brought down the claws to the front, starting to close the distance as he shrank down from three kilometers to three hundred meters.

"To hide your power from me is not an ordinary feat. Not many humans could do that in front of my extraordinary senses. How long have you trained in stupidly concealing yourself when you could’ve refined your bodily might more?"

A disappointed tone echoed from the Five-Clawed Imperial Dragon.