Chapter 31: The Scarlet Blood Dragon Ganoderma

"Oh, looks like it's about to transform into a flood dragon?"

The tumor was the embryonic form of a dragon horn. Once the time was ripe, this giant python could shed its mortal coil and ascend into a flood dragon. Subduing a giant python on the verge of such a transformation was an exciting prospect.

Han Yang felt a surge of intent and released a trace of the Chaos Golden Roc's aura. Though the pressure appeared effortless, it descended upon the python like a massive mountain. The giant python was instantly stunned. The creature, which had been ferocious and menacing moments ago, now trembled all over. Its massive body went limp like sludge, and its enormous head slammed heavily into the ground as it shivered in terror.

To a python about to transform, the aura of the Chaos Golden Roc was equivalent to the wrath of heaven itself. It felt an instinctive fear deep within its bloodline; submission was its only path to survival.

Han Yang nodded with satisfaction. The beast knew how to read the room. He flicked his finger, and a drop of golden essence blood shot out, merging into the python’s body. This essence blood contained Han Yang’s chaotic power, an incredibly nourishing treat for the python. After absorbing the blood, the tumor on the python's head swelled visibly, and the golden light grew increasingly dazzling.

A moment later, the light suddenly receded. The tumor vanished entirely, replaced by a shimmering golden dragon horn.

"Roar!"

The python let out a deafening roar, its voice filled with joy. It had successfully transformed! The creature’s size expanded explosively; its body, once the thickness of a water barrel, became even sturdier, and its scales grew harder, flashing with a metallic luster. It rolled excitedly through the mist, kicking up gusts of wind.

After a while, the python seemed to remember something. It turned its massive head toward Han Yang, its eyes filled with gratitude. It slithered slowly to Han Yang, lowered its head, and rubbed affectionately against his leg.

Han Yang smiled slightly and patted the python’s head. "Follow me from now on."

The python naturally took on the role of his mount.

Everything happened so quickly that Zhu Ganglie, standing to the side, was left completely dumbfounded. He had thought he was a dead man, never expecting Han Yang to subdue such a ferocious beast so easily. He stood stunned for a long while before coming back to his senses. He looked at Han Yang with longing, rubbing his trotters together, and asked cautiously:

"Big Brother... could you give me a drop of blood too? I, Old Zhu, am actually quite fierce as well..."

Han Yang glanced at him, a playful smile curling his lips. "You're fierce? What’s fierce about you?"

Zhu Ganglie puffed out his chest and said proudly:

"I have thick skin and sturdy flesh; I can take a beating! Plus, I’m good at ramming. One charge, and I can send a bull flying!"

Han Yang burst into laughter, tears nearly streaming down his face. He pointed toward the depths of the mist and said:

"See that swamp over there? Go catch me a swamp giant crocodile, and I’ll give you a drop of essence blood."

Zhu Ganglie followed the direction of Han Yang's finger and saw a pitch-black swamp in the distance, emitting a nauseating stench. Vaguely, he could see a few pairs of crimson eyes flickering in the mire.

Zhu Ganglie immediately lost his nerve, his face falling as he whimpered:

"Big Brother, I... I’m afraid of water..."

Han Yang looked at him with a gaze that was neither amused nor stern. "Afraid of water? And you call yourself fierce?"

Zhu Ganglie stammered, unable to find an answer. He snuck a glance at the flood dragon coiled beneath Han Yang, feeling a mix of envy, jealousy, and resentment. The dragon's massive body wove through the mist, with Han Yang sitting steadily atop it, as if he were a king descending upon the world.

Left alone, Zhu Ganglie paced back and forth, scratching his ears and cheeks, his heart burning like oil. The red eyes lurking in the depths of the swamp made his spine chill just thinking about it; his boar bristles felt like they were about to stand on end.

"Damn it, asking me to catch that thing is practically asking for my life!" he muttered, his thick backside twitching uneasily. "Big Brother is really something else. Is it so hard to hand out a little reward? I’ve been serving him hand and foot, working myself to the bone—am I not worth a single drop of blood?"

Despite his grumbling, Zhu Ganglie didn't dare defy Han Yang’s order. He hovered at the edge of the mist, glancing back every so often, fearful that Han Yang might suddenly appear and scold him for slacking.

"Eh? What’s this?"

A strange fragrance wafted into his nostrils, perking him up. Following the scent, he pushed aside the dense fog and saw a blood-red lingzhi mushroom growing quietly on a damp rock. The mushroom was wreathed in a faint red glow, radiating intense spiritual energy.

"Good heavens! This is a real treasure!"

Zhu Ganglie’s eyes lit up, and his thick trotters trembled. Having spent his life roaming the forests, he naturally recognized this as an extraordinary spiritual item. If he traded this for money, he’d make a fortune! But then, he thought of Han Yang’s essence blood. With this treasure, he might just be able to trade for a drop!

Thinking of this, Zhu Ganglie immediately pulled the mushroom up by its roots, cradling it like a treasure, and trotted happily back in the direction where Han Yang had disappeared.

"Big Brother! Big Brother! Look at the good thing I found!"

Han Yang was sitting cross-legged on the dragon's back, eyes closed in meditation. Hearing the shouts, he opened his eyes and shot him an impatient glance.

"What are you clamoring about? Didn't I tell you to go catch a swamp crocodile?"

Zhu Ganglie presented the mushroom like a gift. "Look, Big Brother! This is a Blood-Red Dragon Lingzhi! It’s worth way more than some lousy crocodile!"

Han Yang took the mushroom and examined it carefully. A flash of surprise crossed his eyes; it was indeed a Blood-Red Dragon Lingzhi, and quite an old one at that. Its medicinal effects far exceeded those of ordinary mushrooms.

This silly pig actually had decent luck.

"Fine, you’re in luck, kid."

Han Yang flicked his finger, and a drop of golden essence blood flew into Zhu Ganglie’s mouth.

Zhu Ganglie hurriedly swallowed it and immediately felt a powerful energy rampaging through his body; his internal organs felt as if they were being burned by fire. He let out a pained howl, and his body began to change. His once-rough hide became tougher, flashing with a metallic luster. His tusks grew sharper, like a pair of honed daggers.

"Hahaha! I’ve become stronger too!"

Zhu Ganglie waved his trotters excitedly, feeling filled with power. Seeing a large tree nearby that would take two men to encircle, he felt a sudden urge and slammed his head into it.

"Boom!"

With a loud crash, the tree toppled over, and the snow on its canopy showered down. Zhu Ganglie, however, remained unscathed, merely shaking his head and snorting.

"Hahaha! That feels great!"

Han Yang watched the silly display and couldn't help but shake his head and laugh.

"You fool, that drop of blood only provided an initial reinforcement of your physical body. If you want to truly become strong, you need to cultivate diligently."

Zhu Ganglie scratched his head. "Cultivate? How do I do that? Isn't living a long life enough?"

Han Yang held his forehead in silence.

"It seems this pig still has a long way to go..."