Lu Mingfei, become the King of Elden!

Chapter 153, Act 1
A colossal serpent emerged from the earth, its massive body radiating a terrifying pressure that seemed to suffocate the entire world! The icy rain lashed against its scales and bones, quickly vaporizing from its extremely high body temperature and condensing into mist in the air. The white mist swirled around its body, adding to its eerie, hellish aura.

This was the second time Lu Mingfei had seen a complete dragon body.

Unlike Constantine's nascent body, burning with the flames of a monarch yet still bearing the shadow of youth, and unlike Norton's iron-gray bronze and fire-lord true form, this next-generation being named "Dust Skeleton" had clearly absorbed sufficient nourishment during its long, cocooned slumber, evolving into a mature and complete dragon form. Every inch of its body radiated ancient dragon might, the power belonging to the bloodline of Jormungandr, a force powerful enough to shake the earth.

Perhaps... the human body and dragon form are a privilege reserved only for twins standing on the throne? And the next generation is ultimately just a beast that is closer to the origin of the world?
His appearance was more similar to Samson, one of Norton's dragon servants, yet quite different.

The scales of "Dust Remains" were layered like ancient armor, their edges sharp as blades. When the rain lashed against them, they produced a fine, metallic clang. Along its spine, a row of enormous bone spikes, like black mountain peaks, pierced through the scales and extended down into its massive body.

His body writhed slowly in the torrential rain and white mist, each movement accompanied by the rustling of scales and the mournful cry of the earth's crust, unable to bear the weight.

The portion of it that is visible above the ground is more than the diameter of a heavy truck, and its length is immeasurable. Lu Mingfei has no doubt that when it is completely free from the earth's constraints, its body will be like the legendary serpent that encircles Midgard, enough to cover the entire hill.

He did not have Samson's rugged scales and horns, nor his terrifying claws, nor the bat-like wings of the dragon of the borderlands. Rather than a dragon, he was more like...
"It looks more like a snake, doesn't it?"

Someone provided an answer for Lu Mingfei.

Lu Mingfei was slightly taken aback, then looked at the figure that seemed to have appeared out of nowhere beside him.

It is Lu Mingze.

The man was wearing a sharp, high-quality black suit with an elegant tie, and a huge black umbrella in his hand.

However, this umbrella is actually useless.

The whole world turned completely gray, like an old photograph from many years ago, except for Lu Mingfei and Lu Mingze, who were in color, and only the colored figures could move.

The dark clouds stopped churning, the wind ceased abruptly, and the raindrops hung suspended in mid-air.

His attire was as solemn as that of a family member attending a funeral, yet he wore a leisurely smile, like a cat playing with a mouse, as he calmly admired the giant serpent coiled in the center of the storm, his tone carrying a hint of approval.

"Even among the next generation, in terms of sheer size and strength, this guy is top-tier. It's practically a perfectly crafted, highly adapted vessel."

"container?"

Lu Mingfei was completely bewildered, utterly baffled:

"What are you babbling about?"

Are all dragons Gundam fans who, with nothing better to do than hollow out their subordinates' heads to become pilots?

Lu Mingze tilted his head:

"To be more precise, I'm an EVA enthusiast, because the next generation is alive. Brother, not all dragons are born with powerful bodies."

Lu Mingfei was taken aback by this sudden "container theory," almost choking on his own saliva. He glared at his elusive younger brother beside him, annoyed.
"So you devils are into anime culture now? Come on! Is this the time to discuss Gundam or EVA?"

He pointed to the enormous snake, coiled like a mountain range in the still rain:
"Look at this thing! The size, the imposing presence—I'd believe you if you told me it was an apostle! It looks like it only wants to eat me for lunch, not find some damn 'suitable person' to drive it!"

Lu Mingze held up the huge black umbrella and twirled gracefully, the raindrops frozen on the umbrella surface spinning like a crystal beaded curtain.

He examined the still, grotesque head of the dust corpse with great interest, as if admiring a great work of art:
"Brother, don't be so superficial. The EVA analogy is just to help you understand the concept of a 'container.' Of course, this 'dust' obviously doesn't have an insertion plug, nor does it need a synchronization rate..." Lu Mingfei waved his hand impatiently, interrupting the little devil's rambling:

"Alright, alright, enough chit-chat. What brings you here this time?"

Upon hearing Lu Mingfei's almost "heartless" question, Lu Mingze's expression changed instantly. He covered his lips with one hand, feigning tears and looking pitiful:

“Brother, you’ve changed… Ever since we went to that place called the Borderlands, you’re no longer as gentle with me as you used to be…”

Lu Mingfei rolled his eyes dramatically.

Seeing that the "customer" remained unmoved, Lu Mingze shrugged and resumed his smug tone.

"As a devil who made a pact with you, what else could I be here for? To save you, of course!"

He pointed to the towering serpent, his tone flippant:

"If I hadn't shown up, were you planning to grab a weapon and charge right away, brother? With all your broken bones, injuries, and barely half your strength left?"

Lu Mingfei, with his neck stiff, said irritably:
"What else can we do? Sit on the ground and wait to die?"

Then, as if remembering something, he suddenly realized something, and his voice was filled with strong vigilance:
"You bastard, you're not planning to take another quarter of my life, are you??"

"Bingo!"

Lu Mingze snapped his fingers, the sound ringing out crisply in the frozen world:

"Looks like I've mastered the devil's ways. How about it? A quarter of my life to help you deal with this giant earthworm, all-inclusive after-sales service, no cheating, pretty good deal, right?"

no respond.

The atmosphere suddenly fell silent.

Lu Mingfei did not jump up and down in anger or try to bargain as he usually did.

He simply stared at the giant serpent's head, which resembled a mountain range, at the savagery in its molten gold vertical pupils, then looked down at his mud-covered, scarred hands, and at the two Lost Knight Greatswords in his hands that still gleamed silver in the still world.

He suddenly let out a long, deep sigh.

There was no irritability, no entanglement, no dissatisfaction with the devil in the sigh; only a deep weariness.

"You feel……"

Lu Mingfei's voice was unusually calm. He raised his head, his golden eyes staring directly into Lu Mingze's abyss-like eyes, which were always filled with mockery.

"I can't beat Him, right?"

(End of this chapter)