Path To Godhood Begins With Marrying Wife And Gaining SSS Rank Skill Chapter 506:Dragon Crystal And Soul

The dust began to settle as the intense explosion subsided. Ethan effortlessly pulled his colossal greatsword free from the remnants of Volcanus' shattered skull, the metal blade grating against fractured bone.

He stood motionless for a moment, gazing down at the defeated form of the ancient dragon. After a steadying breath, he turned his attention away.

His gaze immediately focused on the woman with vibrant purple hair, her staff held loosely. An immediate, sharp instinct, far more potent than the background awareness he usually maintained, surged within him – the same kind of instinct that had kept him alive through impossible odds.

She radiated danger.

Regardless of her identity, her composed demeanor amidst a battlefield where a mountain had just been obliterated marked her as someone not to be trifled with.

A swift decision formed. He eased his defensive posture just enough to allow for discourse and rolled his shoulder once as he advanced towards her, his expression etched with weariness yet sharp with awareness.

"Lady, you didn't assist me out of mere pity, did you?" he inquired, though it was more of a statement. "And this mere clone of your true self is already so terrifying; I can only wonder who you truly are."

Her eyes widened with genuine surprise as she scrutinized him more intently.

White hair.

A face that suggested someone in their fifties. Yet, confronting him, she perceived less of a man his age and more of an individual who viewed chronological years as a mere suggestion. She found herself recalibrating her assessment quietly. In terms of lifespan, he resembled a child before her, yet the formidable power emanating from him was anything but small.

Terrifying.

This was utterly terrifying. Reaching the Mythic Age at fifty was not unheard of, but even most who achieved it couldn't have pierced through her deception. Yet, he had.

"You can see through it," she stated, her voice tinged with disbelief.

"Hmm," Ethan responded with a nod.

"How?" she pressed, the shock still evident on her features.

"I am also a mage, and I can discern your mana signature. It lacked the vital warmth characteristic of a living human body," he explained plainly.

"You are also a mage."

The double shock almost caused her to question the fabric of reality. Out of courtesy, she hadn't scanned him upon their initial encounter, but now, her attention was fully captivated, her gaze sweeping over him with the focused intensity of someone who had witnessed countless wonders and was now confronted with something that defied all established categories.

"Are the younger generation so exceptionally strong, or have we simply grown too old?" she murmured to herself.

SWISHH!

She moved with astonishing speed, soaring towards him and circling him slowly. Her staff remained at her side, her eyes fixed on him with sharp, analytical appraisal.

"Draconic Bloodline. The Goddess of Light's Blessing. And another blessing I cannot identify; it feels profoundly alien, as if it originates from beyond this world altogether," she articulated as she continued her circuit.

Ethan felt a jolt in his heart and swallowed hard. Just who exactly was this woman?

He could feel beads of sweat forming on his forehead.

"Ah, what a magnificent specimen," she declared, her eyes glowing with a faint, intense interest.

Ethan immediately recoiled a step. "I am human, not a specimen. You cannot dissect me," he retorted, already discreetly preparing to activate every available escape route.

Could she be one of those unhinged individuals from the Mage Tower? Hell.

Observing his reaction, an uncommon expression flickered across the woman's face. A small, genuine smile appeared, clearly unfamiliar, as if the facial muscles required for such an expression hadn't been engaged in a considerable time.

"Hahahah," she chuckled softly, then seemed to regain her composure. "It has been an exceptionally long time since I last smiled. Do not be alarmed. Such habits are not my way. I am merely profoundly fascinated by you. It is rare indeed for me to take such an interest in someone."

Ethan maintained a neutral expression but did not step closer. "What became of those you previously took interest in?"

"Dead," she replied directly.

His body stiffened.

"Ah, I did not cause their demise," she added swiftly, waving a hand to dispel any potential misunderstanding.

"You see, our journey is rather extensive, and along the way, we are bound to encounter extraordinary individuals. Alas, they ultimately proved to be not as capable as they initially appeared." She sighed, a fleeting hint of melancholy crossing her features before her usual composure returned.

"Cough," Ethan cleared his throat. "Lady, I believe we should get straight to the matter at hand."

She nodded and straightened slightly. "I have been searching the globe for a dragon, and upon receiving the signals, I hastened here and provided assistance. I require the dragon's heart for my research."

Ethan's expression shifted, becoming somewhat displeased, yet he managed to maintain his composure. While it was a setback in one aspect, it also presented a chance to forge a relationship with someone like her, an opportunity he couldn't afford to disregard lightly.

"To be candid, my sole requirements are the dragon crystal and the dragon soul contained within, along with a small quantity of blood for the forging process. You are welcome to the remainder," he stated.

She arched an eyebrow. "You possess knowledge of forging?"

Ethan gave a nod. There was no reason to conceal this information. The more competence he displayed, the stronger his leverage would be in any impending negotiations.

The woman offered a smile, nodding slowly. "Excellent. You are indeed astute."

She extended her hand, and from her palm, multiple magic circles unfurled in successive layers. These formations rotated with a complexity that Ethan meticulously observed, though he still couldn't fully comprehend their intricacies. Whatever spell she was weaving, it was far beyond the scope of most abilities he had witnessed.

Suddenly, a draconic roar tore through the air from the direction of Volcanus' deceased form.

The sound emanated from a depth beyond the physical body, a raw, infuriated, and bewildered cry – the sound of a being realizing the utter loss of its existence. The ancient dragon's soul violently broke free from the cooling carcass, ascending into the sky above. It was immense and contorted, still bearing the silhouette of its former draconic self as it thrashed and strained in every direction, desperately seeking an escape.

The magic circles reacted instantly. Shackles forged from pure white energy erupted from the formations, hurtling through the air with calculated and fierce velocity.