Evolving by devouring from a young dragon

Deep within the nest, Alduin perched on an obsidian platform, where a fire spirit chick nestled between his dragon horns stirred and let out a soft chirp.

The necessary materials have been prepared and are laid out in front of you.

Crimson Sun Crystal, Earth Vein Fire Marrow, Ash Silver Powder, Ancient Fire Pattern Sheepskin—each of these items was collected by Grim from various places over the course of more than half a year.

Auduin spread his wings, and his sonic perception expanded.

Krieg was carving runes inside the cave, the stone giants were patrolling the perimeter, and the goblins were busy taking inventory of supplies.

everything is normal.

Then he withdrew his senses and looked down at the magic circle.

Then a drop of blood seeped from the tip of the claw and fell into the Crimson Sun Crystal.

The crystal slowly lit up, and the fire spirit chick leaped from between the dragon's horns. The primordial flame core collided with the firelight, and the temperature of the entire nest suddenly rose.

The earth's fiery essence began to flow, and then melted.

The silver powder floated and rose, then flew toward the fire-patterned sheepskin, outlining a flame pattern.

Auduin closed his eyes.

A burning sensation came from the depths of his soul, as if something was squeezing into it; this was the consciousness of the Fire Spirit.

His soul frequency resonated with it.

He did not resist.

The burning sensation subsided, replaced by a warm current that spread from his heart throughout his body.

The fire spirit chick slowly opened its eyes, revealing a pair of golden flame eyes, curiously looking around.

The flames that had been flickering on its body gradually receded, and fine fire feathers grew out, extending from the top of its head all the way to the tip of its tail.

The last rune lit up.

Crimson-gold flames surged from the center of the magic circle, engulfing the entire lair. Alduin did not dodge; the flames grazed their bodies, leaving a layer of residual heat.

A few seconds later, the flames died down.

Alduin now had a dark gold mark on his forehead, with faint flames flowing within its depths. The fire spirit chick landed back on his dragon horns, its body wreathed in a faint dragon-shaped flame shadow.

It called out, louder and clearer than before.

Auduin opened his eyes.

The symbiotic contract was formed.

A power far exceeding anything he had ever possessed surged within him: fire resistance, high-temperature breath, rapid regeneration...

The Fire Spirit's primal embers merged perfectly with his dragon body, and perfect power was born within him.

Alduin opened his dark golden vertical pupils, flames and shadows swirling within them, his aura more powerful than ever before.

Just then, a heavy footstep sound came from afar, and Alduin looked up.

The massive figure of the stone giant Blue appeared at the cave entrance, almost blocking the entire entrance. His stone body was covered with swamp mud and a few withered leaves, as if he had just rushed back from outside.

His right hand was holding a dark, indistinct object.

Auduin looked closely.

It was a long, narrow object.

It was no more than five meters long, coiled up in Blue's large palm. Its twelve limbs were so short that they were almost invisible, clinging tightly to its body. Its scales were grayish, and its whole body was dull and without any luster.

It remained motionless.

Although his body was completely disfigured, Alduin recognized him at a glance.

This is the Serpent of Igor.

Blue lowered his head and presented the snake to Alduin.

Only when you get closer can you see clearly that there are large areas of scales peeled off the snake's body, revealing the whitish flesh underneath.

There was a scabbed wound on the left side of his abdomen, with blackened edges and a faint, putrid smell.

Auduin narrowed his eyes.

"Those kobolds were found in the south," Blue said in a low voice.

"They said it was the boss's pet, so I brought it back."

Alduin extended his dragon claw and nudged the snake's body.

It was limp and unresponsive, as if it were completely dead.

He retracted his claws and remained silent for a moment.

Three months ago, when he casually tossed the snake into the barren hills, it was covered in black scales and had twelve limbs that were bared and clawing. Although it wasn't exactly a powerful servant, it was at least lively and energetic.

Now that it's back, it's turned into a clump of grayish, rotten flesh.

Alduin used sound waves to sense its entire body and confirmed that it was only that its scales were stiff, its body was white, its body temperature had disappeared, and its heartbeat had stopped.

It's not completely dead yet.

The Serpent of Ig, a serpent capable of devouring dragons, possesses extremely tenacious vitality. Once severely injured and near death, it will enter a petrified state, exhibiting the characteristics described above.

It looks dead, but it's actually still clinging to life, waiting for its body to slowly heal.

It will wake up on its own once the repairs are complete.

Of course, this is on the premise that it can be repaired.

"Blue".

"exist."

"Where are those kobolds?"

"In the mines to the south," Blue said, "Grim arranged it."

Auduin tapped the stone platform lightly with the tip of its tail.

"Have them send someone over; I want to question them."

Blue nodded and turned to leave.

"etc."

Blue stopped.

Alduin glanced at the snake on the ground, then at the stone giant Blue.

"Useless trash," he said flatly. "Send it to Krieg."

Blue was stunned.

"Tell him," Alduin tapped the obsidian platform impatiently with the tip of his tail, making a dull sound, "that the snake isn't completely dead yet; it's in a petrified, suspended state. Tell him to dig out the snake's core and see if it can be used as rune material."

He paused, his gaze sweeping over the lifeless body, his tone even colder: "As for the remaining rotten flesh, dispose of it however you like."

Blue was silent for a moment.

Then he nodded, turned and walked away, his steps heavy and slow.

The nest fell silent again.

Alduin sat perched on the obsidian platform with his eyes closed. The fire spirit chick stirred between his dragon horns and let out a faint cry, as if asking something.

"Shut up," Auduin said.

The fire spirit chick shrank its neck and fell silent.

Auduin sat on the platform, eyes closed, lost in thought.

After his investigation, the Bone Hills showed no trace of any high-level magical beasts. With the strength of the third-tier Ig Serpent, even if he couldn't hunt them down, escaping wouldn't be a problem.

But it suffered severe injuries.

and……

Alduin narrowed his eyes as he recalled the festering wounds on the Serpent of Ig's body.

That is the magic that has a rotting effect.

Alduin's corrosive magic can also produce this effect, but it is more domineering, and that magic is more like some kind of death energy.

Half an hour later, Krieg arrived.

The runemaster, carrying a tool bag and with a serious expression, entered the lair without even offering a greeting and went straight to speaking.

"You don't want that snake anymore?" he asked.

Auduin opened one eye.

"Useless trash, what's the point of keeping it around?"

Krieg paused for a moment, as if organizing his thoughts.

"Although most of the snake's skin was rotten, there were still a few intact pieces on its back."

He continued, "The scales of the Serpent of Ig have excellent magical conductivity. Even if the quality has declined, they are still better than most materials on the market. If those scales are processed properly, at least three to five medium-sized runes can be engraved on them."

He paused, then continued, "And its twelve limbs, with intact joints, can be used as handles for engraving needles. The snake fangs are also intact; they can be ground up and used as magic-guiding drill bits. Although a lot of snake blood has been lost, the rest can be collected and mixed into magic-guiding ink to improve its quality."