Knight Lord: Start with Daily Intelligence.

Chapter 472 Taming the Dragon - Morkana - The Crimson Calamity
Just as the three divine generals barely withstood the dragon's frontal assault, the other chosen knights who hadn't transformed moved. Like nimble golden meteors, they weaved through the gaps in the barrier formed by the divine generals, avoiding the deadly flapping of the dragon's wings and the range of its breath, and unleashing enchanted swords, spears, and precisely channeled destructive divine magic upon the dragon's relatively weak wing joints, abdomen, and the wounds cleaved open by Orstein.

At the same time, Ariria moved as well. Instead of retreating, she took a step forward. The surging emerald magical light surrounding her did not cause her to expand; instead, it was extremely restrained, concentrated in her raised fingertips and her eyes, which had transformed into pure dragon eyes. An indescribable, heavy pressure emanated from her, a domineering force originating from the very essence of life, mixed with a sculpted, almost tyrannical magical control.

On the ring finger of her left hand, the ancient-looking ring inlaid with eight shimmering crystals—the Magic Eight Winds Domination Ring—suddenly lit up. The power of the eight basic magical winds flowed and balanced within it, ultimately merging into a pure and terrifying amplifying torrent, which was then poured into the spell she was about to cast.

A deep, ancient dragon language mantra, carrying the tactile texture of scales and primal power, burst forth from her throat. Each syllable was as heavy as a mountain crashing down, causing violent tremors in the surrounding demonic winds, even forcibly stirring and tearing apart the death winds emanating from the crimson dragon.

“Yol… Toor… Shul!” (Gil… Thorns… Erupt!)

The wild, dragon-language incantation, amplified to its extreme by the Ring of Domination, did not emanate from her mouth, but instead manifested in an even more terrifying form.

As the last syllable exploded, the space around the crimson dragon's massive body suddenly distorted. Countless emerald green thorns, thicker than ancient trees and gleaming with a metallic sheen, sprang up out of thin air. They didn't emerge from the ground, but rather tore through space itself, like countless giant, living chains, instantly wrapping around the crimson dragon's limbs, neck, and its violently flapping wings!

These thorns burned with blazing white flames—not ordinary fire, but highly concentrated life force, possessing an extremely strong restraining and purifying effect on death energy. As they coiled and tightened, they emitted a teeth-grinding crunch, digging deep into the hard amethyst scales. A violent hissing sound erupted where the white flames touched the scales, forcibly evaporating large amounts of death energy. The scales visibly lost their luster, turning charred and brittle!
The Crimson Dragon let out a roar laced with pain and rage. It struggled violently, unleashing a force powerful enough to overturn hills, snapping dozens of the outermost thorns. But more thorns surged forward, instantly regenerating from their broken ends, the burning white flames intensifying. Its movements were clearly restricted and slowed, and for the first time, its pair of cold, purple soul flames flickered violently, fixed intently on the tiny yet deadly elf below.

Arielia remained expressionless, her dragon eyes filled only with cold calculation and absolute control. She raised her hand again, her fingers loosely clenched.

More dragon incantations erupted, and the air suddenly became thick and heavy, as if it had turned into invisible mercury. A terrifying gravitational field was suddenly applied to the bound body of the crimson dragon, pulling it downwards violently, attempting to crush its massive body to the ground completely. The flapping of its wings became extremely difficult, and it emitted a groan of unbearable strain.

This is not a simple gravity spell, but a simulation of the ancient dragon's power to control the earth, which is combined with earth and shadow magic through the ring and transformed into a substantial cage of oppression.

With her human form and the power of the legendary ring, along with her profound understanding of dragon magic, Eliria cast a spell whose intensity and oppressive force briefly suppressed this near-legendary undead behemoth!

She stood there like a wedge driven into the storm of death, creating an excellent opportunity for the three divine generals to counterattack, and greatly reducing the pressure on the chosen knights who were providing support attacks.

This is a brief but effective advantage gained between equally strong individuals through superior "weapons" and "skills."

The battle instantly intensified. The three divine generals stood like pillars in the middle of a torrent, desperately withstanding the crimson dragon's main attacks and tearing blows. Each collision shook the earth, and the explosions were deafening. New wounds were constantly added to their massive bodies, their armor was corroded, and their runes dimmed, but their counterattacks were equally heavy. Warhammers, greatswords, and shield bashes rained down on the dragon, shattered dragon scales and dissipating death energy flying everywhere.

The Chosen Knights' support attacks were like a persistent, deadly wound, precisely targeting and continuously weakening the dragon's power and disrupting its movements. The Crimson Dragon writhed violently, unleashing wave after wave of deathly breath that melted the scorched earth, creating massive craters. A torrential rain of purplish-black crystal spikes rained down, forcing the knights to constantly dodge and parry.

Under multiple suppressions, the Crimson Dragon roared furiously, its immense death energy erupting recklessly in an attempt to break free from the shackles of thorns and gravity. The purplish-black energy surged outward like a tide, corroding the emerald green thorns and colliding with the invisible gravitational field. Even the three divine generals were forced to retreat slightly by this desperate struggle.

But Su Li didn't give it a chance.

Just as the death energy reached its peak, Su Li moved. The legendary spear in his hand, the Spear of Oath, erupted with unprecedented blazing light, its crimson-gold divine radiance transforming into a pure, overwhelming torrent of destruction. He became a divine general, pouring all his power into it, his entire being and the spear becoming a crimson-gold meteor tearing through space, its target aimed directly at the wound on the Crimson Dragon's neck—a wound exposed by Hilder's greatsword and severely burned by the flames of life—that had been revealed during its struggle!

"break!"

A cold, sharp shout, like the final judgment.

The crimson-gold meteor pierced the massive wound churning with death energy with unstoppable force and perfect precision!
Time seemed to freeze for a moment.

The next second—

Boom! ! ! !
An unimaginable, massive explosion erupted from the Crimson Dragon's neck! Crimson-gold divine power, like countless sharp swords, ripped the dragon's body apart from within. The dense deathly aura that constituted its body was forcibly purified and annihilated by a higher-level divine power. Vast swaths of deep purple scales shattered and vaporized, and the massive skeleton crumbled inch by inch amidst a teeth-grinding cracking sound!
The Crimson Dragon let out a final, agonizing howl, which abruptly ceased. Its massive body could no longer maintain its form, collapsing from the inside out like a shattered glass sculpture, transforming into a purplish-black energy storm that swept across the entire scorched earth pit, only to be forcibly suppressed and purified by the omnipresent crimson-gold divine radiance.

The earth-shaking roar gradually subsided, leaving only the hissing echoes of annihilated energy. The pervasive aura of death was swept away, replaced by the scorching and pure aftershocks of divine power. At the center of the charred crater, only an even larger, molten pit remained, a testament to the ferocity of the earth-shattering battle that had just taken place.

At the center of the deep pit, the remaining purplish-black energy did not completely dissipate. Instead, it began to slowly condense, no longer in the form of a dragon, but outlining a breathtaking humanoid silhouette.

As the light faded, a woman knelt on the ground and slowly straightened up. She was covered in tattered, deep purple scales, which seemed to have a life of their own, conforming to her undulating curves. The key areas were covered with hard armor plates, while the rest of her body resembled a second skin, outlining breathtaking arcs.

Her skin was a bloodless pale white, like the finest cold jade, yet deep within it shone a faint, molten glow, a mixture of contradictory temperatures—cold and hot—pervading the air.

What's most striking are her legs, which are incredibly long, with smooth lines and explosive power. They extend downwards from her taut waist and hips, containing the strength to easily crush rocks, yet they are bent in an almost languid posture.

Her thick, long hair cascaded like a wine-red waterfall, shimmering with a metallic and blood-red sheen. A few strands clung to her pale cheeks and neck, adding to her eerie appearance.

She raised her face, a face that blended inhuman refinement with wild allure. Her features were sharply defined, yet her lips were full like dewy roses, their color an eerie dark red. And her eyes—no longer the cold flames of her soul—were two bottomless lakes burning with dark red embers, languid and dreamy, yet deep within them lurked a dragon-like arrogance and a predator's chilling coldness.

She swayed as she stood up, the tattered scales creaking softly with her movements. Her burning crimson eyes swept over the Chosen Knights who stood ready for battle, carrying an detached indifference, before finally settling on Su Li.

She tilted her head slightly, her long, wine-red hair gliding over her smooth shoulder armor, as if sensing something. Then, she took a step, her steps carrying the elegance and power of a feline, awkward yet determined as she walked towards Su Li. She stopped a few steps away from him, knelt on one knee, and lowered her head, which was adorned with magnificent long hair.

The gesture of submission, though performed by her, still carried a hint of untamed wildness.

Su Li landed back on the ground, and the flames on his spear slowly subsided. He and Hilde, who had just deactivated her transformation and returned, exchanged a glance, both seeing a hint of surprise in each other's eyes.

Hilde wiped a trace of blood from the corner of her mouth and said in a low voice, "Ariria fought exceptionally hard today."

Her gaze swept over the green dragon not far away, whose breathing was somewhat disordered but who still stood upright.

Su Li was also unaware that in this battle, Ariria suddenly changed her usual lazy demeanor and became extremely imposing.

But when Su Li's gaze fell on the woman kneeling on the ground, her wine-red hair, her burning crimson eyes, and her sexy body that blended the coldness of death with the heat of life, so aggressive, he instantly understood where Ariria's almost life-or-death fighting spirit came from.

This was not a simple battle; it was a silent demonstration and struggle for dominance between two near-legendary dragons. Eliria was declaring, in the most direct way, who was the strongest and most irreplaceable under Su Li's command.

He suppressed a flicker of emotion within him, his expression remaining stern, and stepped forward, stopping in front of the woman. The shadow cast by his tall figure enveloped her.

"Raise your head." Su Li's voice was steady, devoid of any emotion, as if giving an order to a newly acquired weapon.

The woman slowly raised her head as instructed. With that movement, her thick, cascading wine-red hair cascaded down to either side, completely revealing her graceful swan-like neck, her clearly defined and alluring collarbones, and large expanses of pale yet flawless skin. The tattered scales barely concealed the key parts of her full breasts, instead highlighting their breathtaking curves; a deep cleavage extended downwards, disappearing into an even more seductive shadow.

The stark contrast between the pale white and deep purple scales, mixed with the faint glow of molten lava, created a deadly attraction, enough to make any normal man's blood boil and ignite his most primal desire to conquer.

A subtle ripple flickered in the depths of Su Li's eyes, but his expression remained as cold and hard as iron. He looked down at her, his gaze sweeping over every inch of her exposed skin with an almost tangible intensity.

"Name," he asked succinctly.

The woman's eyes, burning with crimson embers, met his gaze, languid and dreamy, yet harboring the arrogance and untamed spirit of a dragon. Her full, dark red lips parted slightly, her voice carrying a strange huskiness and magnetism, like lava flowing over cold rock:
“Morkana, the Crimson Calamity.” She paused, her tongue seemingly unconsciously licking her lower lip—a small yet highly provocative gesture. “They… their dying whispers and fragmented memories… that’s what they called this form.”

She slightly adjusted her kneeling posture, a subtle movement that accentuated the lines of her long, powerful legs and made the curves of her waist even more breathtaking.

“My father entrusted me to you. And I have just witnessed your immense power.” Her voice held no gratitude, more like a statement of fact, but the slightly drawn-out tone and focused gaze stirred the heart like an invisible hand. “This power…makes me submit. Therefore, I belong to you, my…lord.”

Her words were words of submission, yet her posture remained that of a apex predator with its claws sheathed. The wildness and arrogance hadn't vanished; they were merely dormant, awaiting the moment of true taming or…reversal. This stark contrast, this blend of deadly danger and ultimate allure, imbued her submission with a chilling, exhilarating thrill of conquest.

Su Li's gaze lingered on her for a moment, his scrutiny akin to assessing a newly forged, sharp weapon, its edge gleaming but also capable of causing harm. He saw the destructive power contained within that body, and he understood the wildfire that had not been extinguished beneath that submission.

“Morkana, the Crimson Calamity.” He repeated the name, his voice still calm, revealing neither joy nor anger. “I accept your allegiance. From this moment on, your power and claws shall serve me, directed against the enemies I target. Your will shall submit to my will.”

Su Li extended one hand, palm open, formally extending an invitation to her.

Morkana extended a slender, white hand and slowly raised it. The hand was exquisitely beautiful, with smooth lines, distinct knuckles, and a deathly pale color, yet it exuded a cold, jade-like texture and a sense of power. Without the slightest hesitation, she gently placed her palm on Su Li's palm.

The moment her fingertips touched her, a slightly cool, icy sensation emanated from her—the temperature of the dead—creating a sharp contrast to the burning lava in her eyes and the faint heat emanating from her body.

Su Li clenched her fingers and grasped the cold hand, pulling her up from the ground with a slight effort.

Her movement to rise was as fluid as a rising shadow, the tattered scales making a soft rustling sound as she moved.

After stopping, she didn't immediately back away. Instead, at such close range, she naturally and slightly adjusted her posture, revealing her powerful yet alluring figure to Su Li's view. Her approach wasn't an attempt to entice him, but rather an instinctive reaction like a apex predator confirming its presence, carrying a scrutinizing gaze and a hint of subtle provocation.

Pale skin intertwined with dark scales, a dangerous yet alluring balance was achieved between the chill of death and the fiery passion of life within her. She stood there, her languid, dreamy eyes revealing an undying arrogance, and her submissive posture could not conceal her sharp nature.

Just then, a cold voice, laced with undisguised sarcasm, broke in.

"Ha. What a fine... meticulously crafted death doll."

Arielia walked slowly, her steps light, as if the earth-shattering magical duel hadn't exhausted her much. The emerald light around her had completely subsided, and she had returned to her stunning human form, though the cold, vertical glint in her dragon eyes hadn't completely faded. She stopped slightly behind Su Li, a position subtly indicating familiarity and the order of arrival.

Her gaze, like a cold probe, swept over Morkana's almost naked, pale body covered in battle marks, lingering for a moment on her breathtaking curves and wine-red hair, before a faint, emotionless smile curved her lips.

"It seems that Master Gorenson's 'masterpiece' of his millennia of leisure, besides drawing upon the winds of death, also included crafting a shell for himself to suit certain base desires." Her voice wasn't loud, yet it clearly reached everyone's ears, each word like a fine needle chilled to ice. "Unfortunately, despite possessing a plundered form, his essence still reeks of the decay of tombs and... absurd debauchery. Did he think he could find his place here with such superficial allure?"

Morkana slowly stood up, her tattered scales rustling softly with her movement. Slightly taller than Ariria, she lowered her burning eyes slightly, looking at the green dragon, her dark red lips curving into a lazy yet dangerous arc.

"I smell... jealousy from one's own kind?" Her voice was hoarse and magnetic, carrying a slow, deliberate malice. "Such a rich life force, yet mixed with such restless emotions. What are you afraid of, little green dragon? Afraid that this 'death doll'... will steal away that little bit of 'affection' you've been so carefully maintaining?"

Her gaze swept meaningfully over Arielia's entire body, finally settling on her long, slender legs—Arielia wore a gorgeous, silky blue robe, and beneath the high slit of the skirt, her beautiful legs were fully exposed, covered in thin white stockings. The upper part of the stockings created two alluring, shallow indentations on the delicate skin of her thighs, forming a strong contrast with her aloof temperament.

“Or,” Morkana’s smile deepened, her tongue licking her lower lip again, “are you just annoyed that someone else… knows better than you how to demonstrate ‘value’?”

Arielia's pupils contracted sharply for a moment, and the temperature of the air around her plummeted. She wasn't angry; instead, she took a very light half-step forward, almost side by side with Su Li, her already cold face even more frosty.

“Value?” She scoffed, her voice carrying an absolute sense of superiority stemming from her long life and immense power. “My value is measured by the corpses of my enemies and the cities I have destroyed, as Your Excellency will know. Unlike some… things pieced together from the remains of the dead, which can only beg for a shred of existence by groveling and flaunting their wealth.”

She tilted her head slightly to look at Su Li, her tone calm yet carrying an undeniable sense of belonging: "What the lord needs is a sharp blade that can tear apart the battlefield, not a bed warmer that needs to be constantly guarded against and could devour its master at any time. Don't you agree, Lord?"

The last question, though casual, directly passed the buck to Su Li and placed herself in the position of "one of their own" without a doubt.

Su Li stared expressionlessly at the two dragon-descended women before him, their auras vastly different yet equally dangerous, locked in a silent battle. The air was thick with a chilling killing intent and a palpable, almost tangible, hostility.

He raised an eyebrow, his gaze sweeping over Arielia's cool face and her long legs clad in white stockings, before lingering for a moment on Morkana's wild and alluring body and wine-red hair.

“As for its value, I’ll assess it later.” He calmly interrupted the escalating verbal sparring. “Morkana, follow me. Ariria, stay alert.”

He showed no favoritism, issuing the order with absolute authority before turning away from them and walking out of the scorched pit. It was as if what he had just subdued wasn't a near-legendary undead behemoth, but merely an ordinary trophy.

Ariria gave Morkana one last cold glance, her gaze like that of a queen looking down at a wild dog trying to invade her territory, before turning around without hesitation and following Su Li's steps, her white stockings leaving clear marks on the scorched ground.

Morkana stood rooted to the spot, her burning crimson eyes fixed on Su Li's retreating figure, then sweeping over Ariria's back, which carried a clear sense of declaration. A deep, predatory smile slowly curved her dark red lips. She took a step forward, silently following, the tattered scales rubbing against each other like a apex predator finally stepping into a new hunting ground.

This contest has clearly only just begun.

This crimson dragon was actually female, which was clearly beyond Su Li's imagination.

He had assumed that Master Gorenson, who guided the winds of death, would be a dwarf-style macho man.

(End of this chapter)