# 198
**Chapter 198 – Might of the Earth Dragon**
Deep within the underground cavern.
Unlike the winding tunnels where Lin Qiye and the others were, this was a vast subterranean hollow—easily the size of three gymnasiums. Half of it was filled with scorching magma, the crimson glow illuminating the darkness like a blazing heart.
If the maze of tunnels were blood vessels, this place was the underground heart of Mount Jinnan.
Mount Jinnan wasn’t a volcano. Human surveys had confirmed it shouldn’t even contain magma. Yet here it was—an impossible reserve of molten rock.
Unscientific. Illogical. That meant “mystery.”
In this world of molten fire, a colossal gray earth dragon slowly rose—nearly seventeen or eighteen stories tall. Its body was etched with glowing red veins, like flowing lava. Irregular, yet strangely beautiful.
*Hiss—!!*
Scalding air burst from its forelimbs. The dragon craned its neck, crimson eyes locked in fury on the figure before it. The magma around it seethed and churned.
Hovering in the air, half his body charred, stood a man—eyes wide with terror and exhilaration.
“Flame-Vein Earth Dragon… So this is the Flame-Vein Earth Dragon! Same Sea Realm as me, yet this strong…”
His name was Ma Tianyi, Fourteenth Seat of the Believers—and the commander of this hunt for Lin Qiye. He was the “Sea” Realm expert Lin Qiye had earlier observed motionless.
“Earth dragons are kings of the underground. They move through stone like fish through water, trigger geological disasters at will, and possess an [Absolute Earth Domain] that drags surface enemies into the subterranean world…”
Ma Tianyi stared at the Flame-Vein Earth Dragon, voice trembling with excitement. “And the Flame-Vein Earth Dragon is the king among kings. If Lord Yiyu can subdue it, the Church of the Ancient Gods will gain another calamity-level beast!
This merit won’t be any less than killing that dual-god proxy!
Two top-tier achievements in one go—what luck!”
*Roarrr—!!*
The Flame-Vein Earth Dragon bellowed, flames condensing into a blazing pillar that shot toward Ma Tianyi.
He dodged, but the edge of the blast vaporized his right arm.
He screamed, nearly plummeting into the magma, face pale—yet the excitement in his eyes never dimmed.
Normally, against such a monstrous mystery, only a higher-realm human could stand a chance.
“Need to call Lord Yiyu… or I’ll really die here.”
He pulled a small bead from his pocket, crushed it, and whispered something.
…
*Boom—!!*
A deafening explosion echoed. Golden ripples swept across the mountain range, flattening several peaks in an instant.
Amid flying rubble and dust, Yuan Gang—covered in wounds—straightened slowly. Two golden waves pulsed from his fists, radiating terrifying pressure.
His gaze locked on the summit ahead.
There, Yiyu leaned against a tree, not a hair out of place, elegant as ever, eyes mocking.
“Worthy of the vice-captain of the Shangjing City squad. To last this long in my nightmare…”
*Whoosh—!*
Yuan Gang’s eyes narrowed. A golden flash—and he appeared before Yiyu, fist descending with a golden shockwave!
*Thud—!!*
One punch reduced the mountain to dust. A second punch—sonic boom—left a gaping hole in another peak!
“Everyone thinks you’ve just entered the Sea Realm. Turns out you’re already touching the ceiling—half a step from Infinity…”
Yiyu’s voice drifted from the sky. He stood on nothing, shaking his head in regret.
“Pity. Too old. Even if you break through, you’ll be stuck forever—no potential. Otherwise, I’d have taken you as one of my Believers.”
He raised a finger. The storm clouds above twisted into a monstrous ghost-face, lightning snarling within, diving toward the earth!
The lightning face slammed into the ruins, swallowing Yuan Gang.
“My God’s Ruins turns every nightmare real. In this dream, I am god. You cannot win.”
When the smoke cleared, Yuan Gang stood in the crater—bloody, but unbowed.
He glared skyward, golden light flaring like a war god.
Then a whisper reached Yiyu’s ear. He raised a brow, glanced again at Yuan Gang.
“An unexpected bonus… Fine. Playtime’s over.”
Yiyu waved lazily. The world shattered like glass. Yuan Gang felt himself plummet—
*Thud!*
He slammed down outside a tent.
Rain lashed his bloodied face. He staggered up, looking around.
Mount Jinnan still stood. The command tent still stood. The storm clouds still roiled. The battle had been… a nightmare.
Yet the wounds remained.
If he had died in that dream—he would’ve truly died.
“Chief!”
“It’s the Chief! He’s back!”
Two instructors rushed out, shouting at the sight of his injuries.
“Chief, where were you? What happened?”
They moved to support him, but he waved them off, eyes on the mountain.
“No time. Report the situation inside—now!”