Awakening The Weakest Talent: Only I Level Up Chapter 1149: 1149 Royal Guards

High upon the peak of a jagged mountain, within a mysterious and ancient canyon, a massive portal flickered into existence, its surface shimmering with an ethereal glow as it groaned open.

It hung suspended in the void, acting as a gateway to some unknown and distant realm.

Far below in the belly of the valley, a formidable army of Beastmen stood in rigid, disciplined ranks, waiting for their next command.

Dressed in heavy, reinforced plate and brandishing lethal steel, these warriors radiated an aura of iron-clad determination.

As the grating sound of the opening portal reverberated throughout the canyon, every orc raised their gaze, their hearts filled with eager anticipation.

Little did they know that the entity emerging from the rift was not a returning brother-in-arms, but a catastrophic foe.

The portal stretched wide, bleeding out a torrent of dense, oppressive power that threatened to fracture the very laws of local reality.

Shaken by this terrifying presence, the orcs felt a cold tremor of dread. Nevertheless, they held their formation, bracing to meet whatever horror descended upon them.

The high-ranking Dragonkin leader, clad in thick crimson scales and gripping a massive spear, watched the portal with a stoic expression. His concentration shattered when he beheld a colossal Dark Poison Dragon barging through the turbulent gateway.

Perched high upon the beast’s broad back, a human youth—Lu Yu—from the Ten Thousand Dragon Kingdom scanned the battlefield with cold, unwavering eyes.

Dominating the dragon's back, Lu Yu radiated an authority that demanded submission. With a sharp flick of his hand, he signaled the Dark Poison Dragon; the beast snapped its wings wide and dove like a falling star, plunging directly toward the unsuspecting orc ranks.

The massive creature emitted a soul-shattering roar, swinging its jagged jaws open to shower the ground in a deluge of emerald slime. This was no common liquid, but a potent, nightmarish poison that rained down like a relentless tempest, dissolving all existence in its path.

Utter chaos broke out as the orcs witnessed the draconic behemoth plunging from the clouds, accompanied by the cascading spray of toxins. Any attempt to flee proved futile; the venom spread faster than any warrior could hope to sprint. In a heartbeat, a massive portion of the army was consumed by the liquid death.

The unfortunate victims met a truly horrific end. Beneath the caustic touch of the poison, their frames melted into a vile sludge of blood and gore.

The toxic tide continued to surge outward, an ever-widening ocean of ruin that devoured every living thing with chilling efficiency.

Witnessing the absolute slaughter, the mighty Dragonkin commander felt all desire for combat vanish from his bones.

He glared at Lu Yu, his voice trembling with bitter rage, “The sheer scale of this Poison Dragon is impossible! That fool Kane failed me! He is completely useless, leaking our secrets and squandering our wealth! His final efforts were nothing but a total failure!”

Letting out a heavy, defeated breath, he acknowledged that the destruction of his army was a blow from which he could not recover. With a final, furious glance, he turned to retreat.

Lu Yu, tracking the movements of the fleeing Dragonkin—a strange hybrid of dragon and man—felt a flicker of genuine curiosity. This rare species was certainly a target of interest.

Acting quickly, Lu Yu sent the Dark Poison Dragon into an aggressive dive. His left arm shimmered and shifted, distorting into a razor-sharp Dragon Claw crackling with violent energy.

He lunged toward the retreating adversary, aiming to cripple his target with a single strike.

A screeching hiss echoed as the claw raked across the Dragonkin, tearing away a single protective scale. However, the move failed to land a decisive blow, allowing the monster to scramble away with desperate agility.

The Dark Poison Dragon banked upward and circled back. Lu Yu decided further pursuit was unnecessary. With the orc army wiped out, his mission was complete, and chasing a single survivor would be a waste of his potential.

Looking down at the terrified remnants of the orcish forces struggling to flee, Lu Yu viewed them as beneath his notice. Engaging such weak, low-level trash wasn't worth the exertion.

Still, the skirmish had served its purpose—a vivid display of the Dark Poison Dragon’s terrifying capabilities.

The gargantuan beast had proved itself a tool of total annihilation, capable of erasing an entire division with a single strike.

A cold sense of satisfaction washed over him as Lu Yu commanded the Dark Poison Dragon back through the portal, returning to the sanctuary of the Ten Thousand Dragon Kingdom.

Lu Yu arrived back in Jasper City, a sprawling metropolis famed for its chaotic and vibrant nightlife.

Though the enlargement staff was undoubtedly a relic of immense power, Lu Yu held reservations about bestowing it upon his other beasts, specifically the Spirit Dragons.

He feared that the artifact might irrevocably alter their natural growth, especially since his Fire and Water Spirit Dragons hadn’t yet attained their true forms. The risk of forcing a massive transformation without a way to undo it was simply too great.

He made his way directly to the City Lord’s mansion to relay his success to Lin Yuan.

Gratitude glowing in his eyes, Lin Yuan welcomed the youth into his private study. "Lu Yu, once again you have saved our lives! You are a shining hero of the Ten Thousand Dragon Kingdom!"

His voice was thick with emotion, his appreciation clear. Lu Yu’s prowess in battle had significantly surpassed his initial expectations.

Zhao Qingya stepped forward to meet him. "Your feats will be recorded in the annals of our history. Your contributions are truly invaluable. In the near future, you will be cleared of your provincial duties and granted a position within the royal family."

Lu Yu offered a careless shrug. "The inner circle of royalty holds no interest for me. My only goal is to track down the person I’ve been hunting."

"Then we should press onward," Zhao Qingya replied with a knowing smile. "Reaching the capital will broaden your resources and increase your odds of success."

"Let us depart right now. I have no more time to squander."

Lin Yuan stepped in with a frantic tone, "We had a grand celebration planned for your arrival. Could you not reconsider your schedule?"

Lu Yu shook his head with finality. "That won't be necessary. I have zero interest in such things. I have attended far too many state banquets in my time; they are all identical and dreadfully boring. There is nothing new to experience there." He turned his gaze to Zhao Qingya. "Let us head to the capital immediately."

"As you wish. The restricted Teleportation Gate in this city offers a direct link to the capital."

"Why such a direct route here?" Lu Yu inquired. "I assumed we would be forced to transit through several secondary cities first."

"Jasper City is legendary for its diversions. For the elite, it is a preferred destination to unwind before returning to the throne. Thus, a long-distance gate was established here. My credentials grant me the authority to operate it."

"Excellent. Let us move out and utilize it. A direct path is exactly what I need."

They offered brief goodbyes to Lin Yuan, leaving the quiet streets of Jasper City behind as the reconstruction effort began in their wake.

Together, Lu Yu and Zhao Qingya crossed the threshold to the majestic gate, an entryway like none other they had seen before.