Above the mage

Chapter 722 Dragon Magic Spell: [Wheel of Life and Death]

This emerald forest is far more vast and tranquil than any ancient forest that Gaode has ever seen in the outside world.

It seems to be a sacred place independent of heaven and earth.

The towering ancient trees block out the sun, their trunks so thick that it takes dozens of people to encircle them.

The bark is covered with the marks of time, and the branches and leaves are as lush as umbrellas, layer upon layer, enveloping the entire forest in a verdant light and shadow.

The air was filled with a rich, almost misty, essence of plants and trees.

Strange wood-based creatures can be seen everywhere in the forest.

Tiny emerald butterflies flit among the branches and leaves, their wings scattering tiny particles of light that fall on the grass and trees, causing them to sprout into tiny buds.

A vibrant green deer trots past with light, graceful steps, leaving tiny white flowers blooming where its hoofprints have left off, releasing a delicate fragrance...

The entire forest is full of life and vitality; it is truly a living sanctuary for wood-based creatures.

Every inch of land and every branch contains immense wood-based energy.

Gao De's consciousness hovered above the forest, like an observer, without any independent consciousness. He was completely drawn by the gentle aura of the forest, slowly approaching its center, as if summoned by some ancient power.

In the very center of the forest stands an enormous, ancient emerald tree.

It was several times taller than the surrounding ancient trees, as if it were a pillar supporting this space of consciousness, exuding an ancient and majestic aura.

The trunk of the ancient tree is a pure emerald green, as if it were carved from a single piece of jade.

The surface is covered with ancient and mysterious patterns.

Each line shimmered slowly, flowing with a faint golden light.

Atop the tree, a blurry, emerald-green figure perched.

It has no specific form, like a condensed emerald green energy, yet it exudes a gentle yet powerful aura.

The aura emanating from it inspired awe in all who beheld it, inspiring awe and a reverence that dared not be disrespectful in the slightest.

Although the figure was blurry and lacked any specific outline, a strong intuition inexplicably arose deep within Gao De's consciousness:

This emerald green figure was the owner of the drop of jade dragon marrow he had consumed.

This refers to the Jade Dragon, which once dominated the region and possessed immense power.

Gao De's consciousness was continuously drawn by that gentle aura, slowly approaching the ancient jade tree.

It eventually landed on the branches of the ancient tree, facing the emerald green figure at the treetop.

Just then, the emerald green figure slowly turned around.

It released a gentle spiritual wave, like a warm tide, softly enveloping Gao De's consciousness.

It was neither aggressive nor malicious.

Only through pure spiritual resonance, like old friends meeting, can they silently communicate and gradually build a solid spiritual connection.

A moment later, the emerald green figure slowly dispersed, transforming into countless slender emerald green light threads.

Each ray of light contained pure dragon power and wood-type magic, like a spirit snake with its own consciousness, densely intertwined together.

Following the established mental connections, they swiftly rushed into the depths of Gaode's consciousness.

The moment these emerald green light threads merged into his consciousness, Gao De felt an indescribable sense of comfort.

It's like soaking in a warm, spiritual spring, where your entire being and soul receive the ultimate nourishment.

It was as if I had drunk a bowl of mellow spiritual wine, and my whole body felt light and airy.

Consciousness also fell into a brief state of chaos and pleasure, and all fatigue and constraints were completely dispelled.

Just as Gao De was lost in his reverie, the emerald green light threads that had seeped into the depths of his consciousness suddenly converged together.

They quickly condensed into a purer and more dazzling emerald green beam of light.

The beam of light was of the purest color, without the slightest impurity.

It was so solidified that it almost materialized, exuding an ancient and desolate aura.

The emerald green beam of light detached from Gao De's consciousness, shooting straight towards his magnificent and vast sea of ​​magical stars like a shooting star.

They blended in instantly, without causing the slightest ripple.

Upon entering the sea of ​​magical stars, the emerald green beam of light began to dart through the area at breakneck speed, leaving only a fleeting afterimage.

At the same time, it releases a powerful attraction, instantly drawing in a massive amount of magical stars.

The originally volatile and unruly magical particles, as if attracted by a magnet, gathered around the pillar of light and slowly rotated around it.

Immediately afterwards, the beam of light began to slowly expand, split, and transform back into countless tiny filaments of light.

It is like a skilled craftsman who uses magical stars as bricks and light threads as adhesive to build a complex and precise magical model bit by bit.

The entire construction process was extremely meticulous.

The arrangement of every pattern and the attraction of every bit of energy are all precise and allow no room for error.

However, it didn't take too long, and everything went smoothly.

A moment later, a complex and powerful special spell model had taken shape.

It hovered steadily in the center of the magical star sea, radiating immense power.

The surface of the spell model was adorned with faint golden patterns, perfectly matching the aura of the Emerald Dragon, far surpassing ordinary third-circle spell models.

It was at this moment that Gaode finally snapped out of his blissful state and gradually regained his senses.

The moment he regained consciousness, he keenly sensed the changes within his magical star sea.

The special spell model floating in the center of the starry sea was as dazzling as a star, instantly attracting all his attention.

Immediately afterwards, a vast and clear stream of information surged into his mind like a tidal wave.

This information was directly imprinted deep in his consciousness; he understood it without having to consciously memorize it.

This is the unique ability of the jade dragon that he gained after consuming the jade dragon marrow and resonating slightly with the soul of the jade dragon.

However, this ability is not any of the Emerald Dragon abilities that Lieutenant Colonel Greylin has ever mentioned.

It is neither a strengthening of the physical body nor an increase in elemental affinity.

It is a rare substance that none of the previous people who had consumed Jade Dragon Marrow had ever obtained.

A unique spell:

Dragon Magic!

【Wheel of Life and Death [Dragon Language]】(Curse Magic):

Inflict the Curse of Withering and Flourishing on the target.

After the spell is cast, tiny, barely noticeable emerald green sprouts will quietly grow on the target's skin.

These tender shoots use the target's physical strength as nourishment, quickly taking root and growing, constantly draining the target's vitality and strength.

The target will immediately suffer significant physical damage, manifested as fatigue, rapid decline in energy, and sluggish movements.

As the buds grow and wither, this feeling of weakness intensifies, eventually leading to extreme weakness.

Emerald green shoots will continuously sprout, wither, and grow new ones on the target's skin, in a cycle like the cycle of life, constantly weakening the target's combat power.

This is a continuous weakening spell. Even if the recipient passes a spell saving throw, they will still suffer a slight weakening of their physical strength, which cannot be completely avoided.

If the exemption fails, the victim will continue to lose stamina until the caster cancels the spell, or the victim's stamina is exhausted and they lose the ability to fight. Otherwise, the curse will remain in effect and cannot be removed by spells such as the Curse Liberation Spell.

Upon learning the specific effects of the spell, Gao De was filled with astonishment.

Dragon magic...

As far as he knew, this was a spell that only dragonborn could master, aside from dragons themselves.

Moreover, only pure-blooded dragon descendants can awaken it, just as the Pure Ice spell is to the Pure Ice bloodline, a powerful force engraved in the very essence of the bloodline.

He had already personally experienced the power of the True Ice spell.

In the general understanding of the mage community, the rarity and uniqueness of dragon magic surpasses that of ice magic.

Its original power comes from ancient dragons, and it is not only far more powerful than ordinary spells, but also has many special effects that ordinary people cannot imagine. It is a symbol of top-level combat power.

As Gao De carefully examined the effects of the [Wheel of Withering and Flourishing [Dragon Language]], he vaguely felt that the rumors circulating outside might be true.

A curse spell that remains in effect and cannot be dispelled by the opponent if they fail to save it...

This is an unprecedented supermodel-level effect.

Although it lacks explosive power and cannot defeat its opponent instantly.

But in a protracted war, it is an absolutely unparalleled weapon of mass destruction.

With just one successful spell, one can gradually drain the opponent's strength, causing them to fall from their peak state and eventually become a lamb to the slaughter.

However, amidst the joy, Gaode still harbored a slight doubt.

According to Lieutenant Colonel Grayling, although the Emerald Dragon Marrow is a royal treasure, many people have also consumed it.

If the user could awaken dragon magic from it, such earth-shattering effects would be impossible for Lieutenant Colonel Greylin to keep quiet about.

Moreover, even if the Emerald Dragon Marrow contains the extraordinary qualities and power of the Emerald Dragon, how could a technique as fundamental as Dragon Magic, which concerns the very origin of the dragon race, be so easily obtained with just a drop of Dragon Marrow?

If Dragon Marrow truly possesses such miraculous effects, its value would undoubtedly rise to another level, making it something that Lieutenant General Karen couldn't simply obtain for him using her military authority.

The fact that he was able to awaken dragon magic from this drop of jade dragon marrow must have a hidden, deeper reason behind it.

Is it because of the perfect compatibility between the [Wood Element Symbiotic Body] and the Jade Dragon Marrow?

Or was it because he developed a spiritual resonance with the remnant soul of the Jade Dragon that far exceeded that of ordinary people?

Many guesses swirled in his mind, but he couldn't find any clues for the time being.

Gao De took a deep breath, forcibly suppressing the turmoil and doubts surging in his heart. As his consciousness, which was immersed in the remnant soul of the Emerald Dragon, gradually withdrew from that vast Emerald Forest and slowly returned to his physical body.

The next instant, a powerful and solid sense of strength surged from his limbs and bones, making him shudder and a sharp glint flashed in his eyes.

He subconsciously sensed himself and clearly perceived the enormous changes taking place within him:

The "Green Wood Longevity Scripture" has broken through to the late stage of the third ring, and the spiritual power has also broken through to the fourth ring level!

This is the powerful effect of Jade Dragon Marrow!

Gao De sighed inwardly, the Unparalleled Fighting Tournament was about to begin tomorrow.

On this final day, his combat strength achieved such a leap forward, which was truly the icing on the cake.

First day of the Frost Month in the year 9660 of the Nolan calendar.

Today is both the opening day of the Unrivaled Fighting Tournament and the New Year of Nolan's Calendar 9660, making it the most important day of the year.

The crowds on the streets of Mithril City were even greater than before.

To maintain order, city guards in armor patrolled the streets.

The conversations among the throngs of people on the street mostly revolved around the upcoming French fighting tournament.

Which team will win the championship? Which famous mages are on the teams from each country?

Every word he uttered revealed his passion for the competition.

The shops lining both sides of the street were also very appropriate for the occasion, hanging up flags for the event and even launching promotional activities for it.

The entire city of Mithril was immersed in the exciting atmosphere of the competition.

Gao De concealed his magical aura and blended into the bustling crowd.

Following the direction of the surging crowd ahead, which is the venue for this French Bulldog tournament, we steadily walked towards the Dragon Ridge Arena.

The Dragon Spine Arena, the venue for the first Unparalleled Mage Tournament, was not a temporary structure, but rather the training ground for the Silver Dragon Cavalry, one of the three major military mage organizations of the dynasty.

It is garrisoned year-round by elite military mages of the Silver Dragon Cavalry, and is heavily guarded, strictly prohibiting unauthorized personnel from entering; it is essentially a military restricted area.

It will only be open to participants and spectators during the competition.

The Dragon Ridge Arena is situated on a natural saddle between Dragon Ridge, the main peak of the Mithril Mountains, and Eagle Beak, a secondary peak.

With an altitude of over four thousand meters, it is surrounded by thin clouds and mist all year round, giving it a majestic and solemn atmosphere.

The Wang Mian family transformed this natural basin, which was originally the lair of an ancient dragon and full of magic, into a three-dimensional arena that integrates military training and magical combat.

From a distance, the entire arena blends perfectly with the rolling mountains.

The man-made stone walls and watchtowers blend seamlessly with the natural rocks and cliffs.

Without careful observation, it is almost impossible to tell which are natural creations and which are man-made structures, revealing their antiquity and profound history.

Leaving the main city of Mithril City and traveling along the winding mountain road, a thousand-step cloud ladder soon appeared before Gao De's eyes.

The ladder is engraved with anti-slip runes, making it as stable as flat ground for people to walk on even steep mountain slopes.

Of course, for the Silver Dragon Cavalry Mage, this thousand-step cloud ladder was just for show.

They usually fly directly up there.

However, this is an exclusive privilege of the Silver Dragon Cavalry Mage.

Everyone else, whether ordinary spectators or contestants, had to walk up the ladder step by step, blending into the bustling crowd.

As the altitude increases, the magical energy in the air also intensifies.

Gao De could vaguely sense a faint pressure.

Yesterday he might have wondered about the source of the pressure, but today it felt incredibly familiar, and he instantly recognized its origin.

That was the lingering dragon's might from the ancient dragon's lair.

Although it was a thousand-step cloud ladder, Gao De could still quickly reach the top of the cloud ladder without using magic.

As soon as he reached the top, two enormous statues, each over thirty meters tall, stood prominently before him.

They stand facing each other like two majestic mountains, their imposing presence inspiring awe in all who behold them.

On the left is a statue of a dragoon.

It was a mage clad in mithril plate armor, standing tall and riding on the back of a silver dragon with outstretched wings, ready to take flight.

The silver dragon raised its head, its wings were half-open, and its scales were clearly visible, as if it would take off into the air at any moment.

The knight held a gilded lance, its tip pointing straight to the sky.

Gao De's gaze narrowed slightly, and he could clearly sense the subtle magical fluctuations within the spear.

This spear is not merely a simple ornament, but an extraordinary piece of equipment imbued with permanent true knowledge.

It blends seamlessly with the statue, forming a natural detection barrier.

This means that any disguise, transformation, or invisibility effect will be forcibly revealed once it passes by this statue, leaving no room for escape.

This is also the first line of defense for the Dragon Ridge Arena.

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