The vampire's eyes widened, his pupils entirely consumed by a crimson hue, leaving no trace of the faint gold.
Ao Yuan tensed, watching him warily.
From the legends of vampires in his past life, Ao Yuan knew this creature was now serious.
At this moment, the vampire began to change as he walked.
He first expanded, his head transforming. Fangs and pointed ears emerged.
Following this, two fissures opened on his back, as if something was about to burst forth.
Moments later, with a roar, a pair of blood-red wings unfurled from within.
Ao Yuan had seen transformations before; the gene-enhanced warriors of the American country could change. But unlike them, this vampire's transformation was like a work of divine craftsmanship, seamless and natural. This was fundamentally different from their pieced-together bodies. It was like comparing a cheap car to an expensive one; the difference was immediately apparent.
"To witness my true form, even in death, you'll have something to boast about to God!"
The vampire bared his teeth in a cruel, bloodthirsty grin. An aura, magnitudes stronger than before, erupted from him.
Sensing this power, Ao Yuan's expression shifted. He had always been the one to overwhelm his opponents with his aura, but now he was the one being suppressed. Facing the vampire's presence felt like confronting a ravenous beast.
"Screeeech!"
The vampire let out a roar and vanished before Ao Yuan with uncanny speed. In the next instant, he materialized beside Ao Yuan.
Seeing the incoming charge, Ao Yuan's eyes blazed, and he raised his claw to meet it. This strike, if aimed at a small mountain, would likely bring it crashing down.
However, the vampire merely sneered dismissively. With a casual flick of his own claw, he intercepted. Ao Yuan's claw was larger than the vampire's, and the outcome seemed obvious.
But as their claws collided, Ao Yuan's normally invincible dragon claw was sent flying back. Without losing momentum, the vampire's claws struck Ao Yuan.
*Scrape!*
Ao Yuan's body was covered in scales, tough enough to withstand bullets and ordinary missiles. Even the fangs of hellhounds couldn't leave a mark. Yet, under the vampire's strike, his scales were torn like soft tofu, leaving a deep gash.
"Hiss—"
Ao Yuan gasped, blood welling up. Fortunately, his healing ability activated instantly, closing the wound in a blink. However, this incident sharpened Ao Yuan's focus. From this single exchange, he understood that he was currently no match for the vampire.
But Ao Yuan wasn't disheartened. Instead, a fierce battle intent ignited in his eyes. What was the thrill of fighting weaker opponents compared to battling someone stronger? Only by facing stronger foes could he break through his limits and grow.
While Ao Yuan was contemplating, the transformed vampire looked at him with surprise. He naturally knew this was because Ao Yuan had mastered the dragon's innate divine abilities. But he couldn't comprehend why Ao Yuan possessed so many of them, especially given his current cultivation level. According to dragon lineage, someone at his stage shouldn't be able to wield such powers.
"It seems you are indeed exceptionally gifted!"
However, after a brief moment of thought, the vampire dismissed his surprise.
"But my favorite prey are those with exceptional talents. Their blood is the most delicious!"
"Is that so?" Ao Yuan spoke calmly. "I have many more abilities you wouldn't expect!"
"Since you want to taste them, I'll let you taste them all!"
"Roar!"
"Dragon Flame!"
Ao Yuan roared and spewed a torrent of fire.
"More fire?" The vampire shook his head, unconcerned. He waved his arms, and a mass of crimson energy coalesced, engulfing the flames in an instant.
Ao Yuan's expression remained calm; this outcome was precisely as he had anticipated.
"Weak Water!" Ao Yuan flicked his claw and shouted again.
*Whoosh!* A long river suddenly materialized in the void above. The river's waters poured down like a tsunami, surging towards the vampire.
"Hmm?" The vampire raised an eyebrow, his gaze towards Ao Yuan now filled with surprise. He hadn't expected Ao Yuan to wield not only fire but also water! At this level, he was already considered a top-tier prodigy among dragons.
However, he was unaware that this was just the beginning.
"Wind, come!"
*Whoosh!* A gale roared, forming an enormous hurricane. The wind blades generated by the hurricane seemed capable of tearing through the very heavens, a terrifying sight.
"Hmm?" The vampire's expression flickered, but he quickly regained his composure.
"Wind, fire, water?" He took a breath, his face growing serious. "Not bad, not bad!"
Finally, the vampire looked at Ao Yuan and nodded faintly. "With such strength, you are indeed worthy of a fight."
Ao Yuan smiled slightly, and his dragon claws pointed towards the sky.
"Lightning, come!"
*Rumble!* Thunder boomed, and peals of lightning suddenly erupted from the heavens. Countless lightning dragons coiled in the void, an aura of annihilation instantly engulfing the entire world!
The vampire's recently composed expression completely changed. Wind, water, lightning, fire! With these four, even someone as powerful as him had to take them seriously. A single misstep might prove fatal.
He mused that if Ao Yuan had hidden these abilities until the end and launched a surprise attack when he was unprepared, there might have been a sliver of a chance for victory, perhaps a one percent probability. But now that Ao Yuan had revealed all his cards, that one percent chance was gone.
"I must admit, in this current era of declining magic, you are indeed a prodigy!"
"But to encounter me is your misfortune!"
"Let this all end here!"
With a soft shout, the vampire lunged towards Ao Yuan.
"Go!" Seeing this, Ao Yuan waved his dragon claw without hesitation and uttered a command.
*Rumble!* Instantly, weak water, gale winds, lightning, and flames converged from all directions towards the vampire. Their power was immense, the very heavens and earth changing color as if the space itself was being torn asunder!
Having done this, Ao Yuan coldly watched the vampire on the ground. He was well aware of the vampire's intentions and knew he still had hidden cards of his own.