The lizard's body flew back from the last clash. He spread his wings wide, halting his momentum in the air—but just then, Qi swords materialized at his sides.
He caught the glint from the corner of his eye. Reacting instantly, he brought his scaled wings in to shield himself.
The swords struck with a CLANG—metal against metal—yet the sheer force behind them blasted him downward.
He smashed through a building and crashed into the ground, forming a fresh crater.
Rubble crumbled around him as Lizarius slowly rose, his white scales etched with scratches and scorched marks.
Suddenly, the ground trembled.
Two massive serpents, formed entirely of earth, erupted from beneath the surface—jaws wide open, lunging for him.
> "Snacks made of dirt?" Lizarius growled.
He swung his wings, bolts of lightning crackling around him as he dodged between the serpents. They slithered with unnerving coordination, striking like living beasts.
> "They aren't alive… someone's controlling them."
Landing on the ground as his claws touched down, Lizarius let out a thunderous roar—a sonic wave burst from his maw, shattering both serpents into crumbling rubble chunks of stone.
His glowing golden eyes locked onto the ground. He saw him—Wu Jian, hidden within the earth itself.
Wu Jian, weaving through the soil as if flying, evading every trace of debris with uncanny precision.
Lizarius narrowed his eyes.
He raised a claw and slammed it into the ground. Beneath the surface, sharp earthen spikes shot out shot toward Wu Jian like spears with deadly precision.
Wu Jian's eyes widened. Instantly, he surged With practiced focus through the earth, moving like a fish through water—avoiding each spike with fluid ease.
From above, Lizarius narrowed his eyes.
"How is it doing that?
He asked the system:
"System. How is it doing that? He's moving through the earth so easily."
---
> System:
"He is using the Earth Escape Technique—a High-Tier Mortal Grade Movement Art. It allows the user to travel through soil and stone with ease.
While it can be practiced by any cultivator with sufficient energy control, it is most effective for those with Earth-element spiritual roots, who can naturally harmonize with the terrain."
---
> Lizarius (thinking):
"So it's a technique... I have memories of those. Skills cultivators practice to become stronger, right?"
---
> System:
"Correct. A technique is a structured method of using spiritual energy—whether for combat, defense, movement, or cultivation enhancement.
Mastery increases your strength and potential."
---
> Lizarius:
"And spiritual roots... they're what humans use to cultivate, just like a beast's core?"
---
> System:
"Correct. Spiritual roots are the foundation of a human cultivator's ability to absorb and refine spiritual energy—just as a beast's core stores and channels their power."
---
> Lizarius:
"Since I can control earth... that means I can practice this technique?"
---
> System:
"Correct. You possess the Earth Gene. You are eligible to begin cultivation of the Earth Escape Technique."
---
> Lizarius:
"So how can I—"
But before he could finish, a heat wave surged through the air, cutting him off.
Raising his gaze, his pupils contracted.
From the sky above, a massive dragon made of pure flame was descending—its size three times larger than before, its jaws open in a silent roar.
Its heat boiling the very air.
Created by Li Feng Wei, attack
> "Blazing Dragon Three Form Blade — Third Form: Flaming Dragon Descent!"
The fiery dragon roared silently, crashing down toward Lizarius with apocalyptic force.