It has been 12 years since the Second Nightmare Invasion began.
The Nightmare World deployed one-third more Tenth Ring existences to the Shadow Battlefield than the Three-Party Allied Forces, hence their fighting style was extremely fierce, with long drives straight in.
Under the fierce offensive of the Nightmare, the Three-Party Allied Forces relied on the geographical advantage brought by the Shadow World's will, temporarily stabilizing the situation in a defensive posture.
However, under the absolute crushing of numbers, the Shadow World would fall in less than a few hundred years. At that time, the Three-Party Allied Forces could only retreat to Nora.
And the Shadow World would be completely occupied by the Nightmare World, the consequences of which would be unimaginable. As of now, the Abyss, Netherworld, and Star Realm have not expressed their positions.
After the Ancient War, the Shadow World shattered, and fragments of the dark side scattered throughout the heavens. The main world became a place jointly managed by multiple parties, not allowing one party to enjoy it exclusively.
But looking at it now, the other three behemoths have temporarily abandoned the Shadow World for various reasons, choosing to watch from the sidelines, with the intention of profiting from it.
Nora did not dare to fully support the Shadow World, so Sir Silver and the Lord of Light and Shadow led the Chaos Sky Saint Lord, Star Radiance Overlord, and other five mercenaries to go.
All other official members of the Supreme Council stayed in Nora to prevent their home from being stolen by the Nightmare World. The Primordial Beginning Demon Lord Xuan adapted to the situation.
He came and went without a trace, and his strength was more difficult to deal with than ordinary Tenth Ring mid-stage experts. He was also a hidden trump card of Nora.
If his foundation was not too shallow, his realm not high enough, and the Great Dao of this universe was somewhat lacking for him, the Primordial Beginning Demon Lord's potential would not be inferior to Eamon.
On the other side, the Void Sanctuary also sent out half of its experts, led by the Starry Sky Sword Saint, who was known as the "Number One Sword in the World."
The arduous battle had just begun.
Nora Calendar 2012, Bloody Battle Year 1900.
Land of Nora.
The Nightmare had arrived. Although all races were prepared, many people still died in their dreams, sleeping forever.
Compared to the Abyss, the Nightmare was more pervasive and harder to defend against.
Seemingly peaceful, the actual casualties were no less than those caused by the Abyss, and even Nightmare Lords descended, destroying the New Continent.
Fortunately, the Dream Stealing Project was also nearing completion. Just last year, a top-tier treasure called the Dream Gyro was quietly refined.
This day.
In a low-level Wizard organization, a young and beautiful Second Ring female Wizard, who was obviously using a disguise technique, lay on the bed, her body twitching non-stop.
"No, I'm not ugly!"
"You monster, Gun Kai!"
"I am the most beautiful woman in the world!"
Her face struggled. She was currently in an extremely terrifying Nightmare, but a hideous humanoid monster descended from the sky.
It was the Overlord of Ugliness, a general under the command of the Demon Monarch of Heavenly Ugliness. It was the embodiment of the fear of ugliness condensed by all living beings.
"Heh heh heh, you're beautiful? Why don't you look in the mirror and see your face? You think you can change the ugliness in your heart by using a disguise technique? You humans are truly hypocritical, even disliking your own natural bodies!"
"No! No! No!"
Accompanied by the female Wizard's screams, the Overlord of Ugliness began to completely occupy her dream. With its Ninth Ring strength, this was simply easy.
At the same time.
In this New Continent, tens of thousands of mortals and transcendents were trapped in the terrifying dream woven by the Overlord of Ugliness, unable to extricate themselves.
Before long, they would be frightened to death and leave in pain! And the Primal Soul Wizards responsible for guarding this place did not even realize that the enemy had arrived. A Overlord-level dream was a dimensional strike to them.
Suddenly.
Just as the Nightmare completely occupied the female Wizard's subconscious, the red and black barrier began to twist, and then shattered without warning! Crack.
A golden light shattered the Nightmare and descended into the female Wizard's dream. It was a ten-thousand-foot Gyro, spinning at high speed, twisting space, time, dreams, and negative emotions, all of which were rolled into the center of the Gyro, crushed, annihilated, and absorbed!
"This... what the hell is this? Damn it! I can't leave!"
Accompanied by the Overlord of Ugliness's painful wails, tens of thousands of Overlords of Ugliness were annihilated at the same time and in the same place on this New Continent!
It descended into the dreams of many living beings with its Overlord True Spirit, and now it evaporated from the world. Even the True Spirit dissipated with the distortion of time and space, with no possibility of resurrection!
The Overlord of Ugliness had fallen!
The golden Gyro seemed to have grown larger, silently leaving everyone's dreams, and when it reappeared, it was already floating above the Sauron Continent.
Daydream Believer's residence.
This Legendary Wizard opened his palm, and a small Gyro was spinning, never stopping. This was the Dream Gyro! Using the corpses of seven Nightmare Lords as the main material, and exhausting one-tenth of the Supreme Council's treasure trove of divine objects, plus the original relic, the Gyro Conch, it was finally refined by Eamon and Treasure Dragon Master, two top forging masters!
It is Nora's number one weapon against the Nightmare, controlled by the Daydream Believer. It can freely travel through the main dream network woven by billions of Nora's creatures.
Through the dream network, it can freely enter the dreams of any Nora creature, obliterating Nightmare Creatures trying to invade Nora.
Non-Nightmare Lords die upon touching it.
Ordinary Nightmare Lords dare not confront it head-on.
The Dream Gyro can also further its Growth by absorbing the bodies and souls of Nightmare Creatures. One day, it may become a cosmic treasure! This is the Dream Stealing Project! Stealing the power of the Nightmare to nourish Nora!
Darkness Zone.
The Demon Monarch of Heavenly Ugliness looked at the shattered Soul Tablet of his subordinate general, his eyes filled with fear. Just now, he had placed a trace of consciousness on the Overlord of Ugliness, so he witnessed the terrifying power of the golden Gyro. With his early Tenth Ring cultivation, he could not confront it head-on! "What's wrong?"
The other monarchs asked one after another.
"Trouble. Nora has developed an extraordinary treasure. It seems to be able to sense Nightmare Creatures invading Nora, and then use a network woven with dream power to precisely strike our people... How did Nora forge such a treasure with their technology? Could there be an expert guiding them from behind?"
"Damn it!"
"Why don't we all just kill our way in!"
"That's right, brute force can break all techniques!"
At this moment, the Ignorance Monarch said:
"Don't rush. The power of this treasure must be limited. We need to test its upper limit first. Send more cannon fodder to attack simultaneously.
After figuring out the situation, we will launch a full-scale assault!"
Ancient Dragon Continent.
Thanks to the two treasures, the Light of the Sun and the Quiet Night Moon, the situation here is much better than in other places, but Nightmare invasions still occur occasionally. In response, the School of Dream Weaving and the School of Mechanics are working overtime to research countermeasures.
Rumble! As the eighth world of Destruction Heaven was shattered, Levi ascended the steps and arrived at the ninth level. His Strength had reached a new level.
"Nine layers of Destruction Saint Domain, eight layers of Adamantine Saint Domain, eight layers of Invisible Saint Domain, seven layers of Steadfast Holy Domain, six layers of Undying Saint Domain and No Hiding Saint Domain, a total of 44 layers!"
He placed his hand on the Klein Crystal Ball again.
[Mental Strength: 76000/78000]
In recent years, Levi has also completed the sequence wonders of the Death School, increasing his mental Strength limit by one thousand points and his mental Strength by two thousand points.
In addition, he has also researched the Ninth Ring Sealing Art, Nine Palaces Sealing, which is the culmination of his current Sealing Art.
Levi's hands transformed, and above the Sky Dome, a spatial Magic Array similar to the Nine Palaces Eight Trigrams of his previous life suddenly formed. Then, the nine stars connected, sealing the Sky and locking the earth! The space within a radius of tens of thousands of miles was folded with indescribable power, turning into a palm-sized black sphere, like a microcosm, encompassing everything.
This was inspired by the Gray Mist Monarch.
"Nine Palaces Sealing!"
Levi crushed the black sphere, and then violent spatial turbulence and fragments erupted, engulfing him. The Bloody Battle Armor shone brightly, blocking it.
When the space returned to calm, Levi was unharmed.
"This Nine Palaces Sealing is not only a Sealing Art, but also a method of attack."
Levi opened the Proficiency Panel.
Levi———————— Primordial Magnetic Giant Soldier, Giant of Light, Sword Nine, Nine Realms of Submergence, Mist of Fear, Clock of the Mind: Twenty-first Order (Limit) Nine Palaces Sealing: Twentieth Order (1/20,000,000)...
To date, he has created seven Ninth Ring spell sequences, each of which is a top-quality spell, widely circulated.
"As long as I research the Chaos Sequence to the Ninth Ring, I can comprehend it thoroughly and develop a prototype of my own Tenth Ring Chaos spell."
Levi's path to becoming a Legend is now very clear: the Chaos Dominator.
To wield Aether and dominate Chaos! Throughout history, many have attempted this path.
Some have achieved considerable success, such as the Chaos Ancient Serpent and the Lord of Seven-Colored Scales, but the strongest at present is undoubtedly the Lord of Chaos in the Star Realm.
In the future, he will inevitably clash with this top-tier god.
In addition, regarding Rune Words.
His Judgment Rune and Empress Rune have both been grinded to level eight. The damage bonus to faith creatures and the soul strength bonus have reached 70%.
Temporarily ending his seclusion, Levi came to the Supreme Council.
Eamon asked, "How is it going?"
Levi said, "To advance to level ten, it may still take about two hundred years."
What he is closest to reaching level ten with is the Crimson Emperor Dragon Breathing Technique, which has already reached the ninth level of the Holy Domain. Mastering the tenth level is the limit, and then he can break through.
He asked, "Great Council Speaker, how is the situation on the front lines?"
Eamon said, "Not good. The Nightmare is determined to destroy us. This time, it's not a small skirmish. A level ten from the Void Sanctuary has already fallen. On the other hand, the Nightmare has not suffered any casualties."
Levi's heart sank.
"How about I go to the front lines?"
Eamon said, "According to intelligence, the Nightmare Lords on the front lines probably don't have what you need to refine Chaos Wonders. You should focus on improving yourself and not get involved for now.
We can still hold on."
Levi said, "Alright, but if there's a need, I can take action at any time. With my current strength, ordinary mid-level tens should not be my opponents.
I can even contend with late-stage tens."
Eamon said, "As far as I know, the Abyss is also restless and may take advantage of our great war with the Nightmare, when we are unable to spare any attention, to invade Nora.
If the war situation on the front lines further deteriorates, I may send more Legendary Wizards to support them. At that time, Nora will still need you to guard it."
Levi said, "Alright, is the Commander-in-Chief of the Abyss still Pazuzu this time?"
Eamon closed his eyes and shook his head, "No, it's the Succubus Queen from the 660th layer of the Abyss."
Levi's eyes narrowed.
"It's actually her. That woman is troublesome."
At the beginning of Nora's third millennium, it is about to encounter the most difficult situation in history. If he can successfully reach level ten, it should alleviate the situation somewhat.
If not.
Nora's myriad realms and billions of living beings will all rest on the shoulders of the Great Council Speaker. Even if the Little Cabinet Elder, the runner-up in weightlifting from the Great Ming Dynasty, came, he would be desperate.
Five years later.
Nora Calendar 2017, Bloody Battle 1905.
Fifth floor of the Dark Ancient Tower, Land of Kane.
Standing in front of Levi was a burly, blond Wizard. He was bare-chested, with handsome features and nine dragon tattoos on his back.
Truly a "Nine-Tattooed Dragon Shi Jin" from another world.
"Master, I've found out. He is indeed the reincarnation of the Nine Dragons Emperor. How did you see it?" Lyon's voice sounded in Levi's mind.
"Intuition."
Levi suddenly asked, "What's your name?"
"Steve!"
"At only a hundred years old, you have become a Fourth Ring Body Refinement and spell dual-cultivation Wizard. Your talent is not bad, and you have the potential to become a Legend," Levi said with a smile.
"Senior is too kind. I'm just lucky."
"Let's go, I'll arrange a good teacher for you outside."
Levi thought for a moment, he should go out and tell Louise about Steve's past identity. Although it wasn't the same person, it could be a little comfort.
The next few floors held nothing special.
Levi, with Yellow on his left and Mouse on his right, wandered around the ninth floor for a month, collecting 234 Truth Wonders, including two Sun Flares, components of the Water God and Golden God Sequence, as well as one Ninth Ring Exotic Treasure and 23 other Exotic Treasures.
Other gains were too numerous to mention.
The Ninth Ring Exotic Treasure was called [Golden Peak Divine Sword], its power was decent, but it couldn't be called a masterpiece, nor was it Sauron's easter egg. Levi gave it to Jinx after leaving the ancient tower.
Now that the Seven-Colored Scale Race had gained a firm foothold, with the support of the council's policies, their development was very Swift, and they were expected to return to the glorious era of the Seven Calamity Ancient Races.
The strongest of the seven races were the Golden Scale Race and the Green Scale Race. Jinx and Star Ripper were both in the late stage of the Ninth Ring, and reaching the peak of the Ninth Ring wouldn't be a problem.
But wanting to reach the Tenth Ring might require the efforts of the next generation.
Not long after returning from the ancient tower.
On this day, Levi suddenly received a message from Eamon.
He had a bad feeling.
Supreme Council.
Endless Thunder Strength permeated the air, and the void crackled.
Thunder Lady sat with her eyes closed, her brow furrowed.
Eamon walked in and said:
"Mr. Silver has fallen..."
Levi's heart tightened, and he immediately asked:
"Had Mr. Silver used his chance to reincarnate and cultivate again?"
Eamon shook his head.
"Not yet, it was his first Legendary... but if the Starry Sky Sword Saint hadn't taken action to protect his True Spirit, I'm afraid he wouldn't even have had the chance to reincarnate."
Levi breathed a slight sigh of relief.
At this critical moment, losing a Legendary was truly adding insult to injury.
Moreover, after reincarnation, for Thunder Lady, even if the reincarnated person had Mr. Silver's memories, continuing to be a partner seemed a little strange.
What if Mr. Silver reincarnated as a woman...
Eamon said: "However, before Mr. Silver fell, he also took away a Nightmare Lord with his life. Next, I will contact the Netherworld to let Mr. Silver reincarnate as soon as possible."
Levi said: "Okay, if there is a need, he can reincarnate in Ancient Dragon Continent. I will provide him with Shelter. From now on, Ancient Dragon Continent will be a Shelter for Legendary reincarnators."
Eamon said: "Well, okay... By the way, next, Thunder Lady will lead a team to the Shadow World. Wind Empress, Whale Emperor, and others will go to support. The defense on Nora's side may be weaker, so next, you and I may need to keep an eye on it together.
Of course, you can continue your normal cultivation in seclusion.
If there is a battle, I will call you.
If you are at a critical moment of breakthrough, in closed-door cultivation, then we will, no matter what, ensure that you advance first, and prevent those people from hindering your tribulation!"
Levi said: "Great Council Speaker, let me go to the Shadow World too. I'll go kill a few Nightmare Lords to reduce the pressure on the front lines."
Eamon thought for a moment and said, "It's useless. Let me tell you the truth... Levi, your Legendary opportunity is not in the Shadow World, but in Nora."
"What do you mean?"
"Among the legions of demons dispatched this time, there happens to be a Demon Lord that you need. Also, you may not know... the Succubus Queen is one of us."
Levi showed a look of surprise.
"One of us?"
"Yes, otherwise, why would she send those mythical creature subordinates to Nora... We were able to capture the Rainbow Dragon alive, and the Queen secretly played a part in it. Otherwise, in the group battle at that time, it would have been difficult for me to catch it.
Only four people know about this: me, you, Sauron, and the Succubus Queen.
The Queen is a hidden pawn that Sauron left in the Abyss. In order not to be suspected, the Succubus Queen has bullied our Nora a lot and created difficulties for us."
Actually, it was all just acting.
It has brought you all the demon lords you need this time, and will find a suitable opportunity to attack Nora. You stay here and prove your Legendary status!
After that, you can go wherever you want. I believe that with your strength, unless an Eleventh-level being takes action, you are truly invincible in the Multiverse.
Of course, if an Eleventh-level being does take action, I will not sit idly by.
In fact, I have been promoted to Eleventh-level for some time, but my realm is unstable and I cannot freely control this Supreme Strength.
Before I completely control this Strength, I cannot unlock my full power, otherwise I may transform into Truth itself, becoming Knowledge itself, with the risk of losing myself.
Have you ever wondered why even the Supreme Will creates various Eleventh-level incarnations? Because they also encounter my situation, and even more severely.
The Abyss, the Nightmare World, Star Ancestor, Mother River, they can hardly directly take action.
Unless there is a major civilizational upheaval or they encounter a crisis themselves.
Most of the time, they are asleep.
And beings like Nether Ancestor, Chaos Attendant, and Lord of Terror, although their strength is much weaker, have correspondingly fewer restrictions and can suppress the heroes on their behalf.
In fact, there are still some Eleventh-level combatants existing in the Multiverse. They are just wary of behemoths, hiding and waiting for the opportunity."
Levi had previously guessed that Eamon might already be Eleventh-level.
Now that it has been confirmed by the person himself, he is shocked.
But from Eamon's words, being Eleventh-level is not all good.
Thinking of his previous conversation with the Time Dragon, becoming Supreme likely comes with some price, different for different systems.
Levi said, "I will not go into secluded cultivation for a hundred years. If there is a war, I will come when summoned."
Three years later.
Twilight Temple.
Silver Dragon Knight's mansion.
"Wah."
Accompanied by the cry of a baby, the Silver Dragon Knight had his third child, whom he named Helt. Little Helt had sparse silver hair.
He stopped crying as he looked at the Silver Dragon Knight holding him.
"My child, let me see if you have Wizard talent."
The Silver Dragon Knight muttered to himself, going to get the testing crystal.
Suddenly, an unskilled baby voice sounded: "No need to test. This body has the top talent of a Child of Thunder Element plus [Heart of Thunder]. I am Sir Silver Fairmont reincarnated. Please take me to see the Twilight Hall Master."
The Silver Dragon Knight stood there, then said, "Senior, I'm sorry, I didn't know you were reincarnated here."
Mr. Silver said:
"It doesn't matter."
Before long, Levi arrived.
He looked at the baby and asked, "Mr. Silver?"
"Yes, but I'm a little sleepy. The baby's mental strength is too weak, and it's hard to even speak. Thank you for taking me in, Levi.
I will need to trouble you in the years to come."
"No trouble at all."
"Of course, Silver Dragon Knight, you are still my father. This body has the Silver Mountain Dragon bloodline suitable for my Thunder Faction cultivation. I will use my Legendary foundation and Knowledge to strive to turn the Silver Mountain Family into a myth, even a Supreme Family! That is my promise!"
After the baby finished speaking, he fell asleep, drooling.
Nora Calendar 2020.
Mr. Silver fell, ending his Legendary life early. He reincarnated into the Silver Mountain Family, beginning to create a new myth! War is cruel.
This time, the Nightmare, having made thorough preparations, will certainly not be as easy to deal with as last time. More Tenth Rings will fall in the coming days.
This is the cruelty of the Year of Great Upheaval! Like the Dragon Flame Divine Wizard, the council has retained Mr. Silver's seat.
Waiting for the day of his return.
Years flew by, another 18 years passed.
Nora Calendar 2038, Bloody Battle 1926.
In the Ancient Banyan Immortal Realm, Levi, at the age of 2462, did not hold a grand birthday banquet. Under external pressure, he secluded himself day and night, seeking a breakthrough.
Summer Flower Tower.
Winds and clouds gathered, and the Ninth Ring Great Tribulation descended with a bang.
Flower Witch Elena was accompanied by spiritual objects, surrounded by the Wizard Tower, and with an unstoppable momentum, shattered the layers of tribulation clouds, finally entering the Ninth Ring realm.
In recent years, she had refined a new Sun Flare Wonder, the Heart of the Lake, increasing her mental strength by 1000 points, and her Gazing at the Sea talent had advanced further.
She also gave birth to a companion spirit that resembled both a dragon and a snake, capable of commanding the world's lakes and water systems, which Levi named the Spirit of Dongting.
According to Levi's research, the Heart of the River, Heart of the Ocean, Heart of the Lake, and Tide Spirit should be able to be synthesized into Legendary Wonders.
Therefore, he told Elena to stick to this path in the future and continue to collect other similar water-based Sun Flare Wonders through refining.
Eventually, she would become the Monarch of Ten Thousand Waters, ruling over rivers, lakes, and seas.
After reaching the Ninth Ring, Elena became the 205th Great Wizard of the Nora Council. In fact, if six Great Wizards hadn't fallen in the Nightmare War, there should be more than 210 Great Wizards by now.
After discussing with Levi, Elena decided to go to the front lines, honing her spells, Qi Sect, and Knightly arts in battle, and making contributions!
Levi also gave her some life-saving cards, scrolls, and exotic treasures, and upgraded Elena's Dragon's Protection ring to the Ninth Ring realm.
In this way, Elena's life could be guaranteed.
Ten years later.
Nora Calendar 2048, Bloody Battle 1936.
The latest battle report from the front lines reached Levi.
[The Thunder Lady and the Wind Empress annihilated the Lord of Ten Thousand Diseases in the early Tenth Ring stage. This monarch was also involved in the fall of Mr. Silver.]
[The Lord of Fallen Shadows of the Shadow World was besieged by the Lost Monarch and died in the maze. Zarathus fought fiercely with the Lost Monarch, and even with the geographical advantage in the Shadow World, he was still slightly inferior. The power of the Four Emperors is terrifying!]
[The Fire Bear Great Emperor was defeated by the Heaven Swallowing Demon Lord and relied on self-destruction to escape with serious injuries, whereabouts unknown. The treasure "Fire Aria" was intercepted.]
[...]
[Flower Witch Elena killed the Ghost Eye Overlord, rescuing the Void Sanctuary allied battle group. Entering the Ninth Ring for the first time, she achieved such a record, which is amazing!]
In just ten years, several Tenth Rings on both sides had fallen or been seriously injured, including the Fire Bear Great Emperor, who Nora had just recruited, and they had also lost a treasure.
Levi felt heavy after reading it.
The Juggernaut World, when serious, was too terrifying. The three-party alliance had prepared so thoroughly, but the loss of Tenth Rings was still so severe.
"But Elena has also grown up, so I don't need to worry about her anymore."
Levi continued to cultivate in seclusion, waiting for the Succubus Queen to arrange for a demon lord to come to Nora to deliver heads. Since knowing that they were his own people, he admired Sauron even more.
The fake Succubus Queen, the real male Succubus Sauron!
Time passed, thirty years later.
Nora Calendar 2078, Bloody Battle 1966.
In Hell, on the Bloody Battle battlefield, the demons retreated across the board.
After a hard and arduous war of resistance, Hell finally defended the ninth level. To date, more than one-third of the Seventy-Two Pillars have fallen.
A major reshuffle of Hell's forces.
The ordinary devils and undead that died in the first eight Heavens were countless.
In Black King City, the Demon Fox Matriarch and others who survived the disaster congratulated each other, and the Purgatory Demon Sword silently returned to the Ancient Dragon Continent to begin seclusion.
A hundred days later.
In the Sky Dome, a great calamity emerged.
A figure surrounded by wind, fire, and Black Flame tore through everything, stepping into the Ninth Ring with an invincible posture. His eyes were firm, and his gaze looked towards the distant Star Realm.
"Three thousand years, and I've finally entered the Ninth Ring! Slaughter Angel, you must live well. One day, I will enter the Star Realm with my big brother and paint it with blood until I am satisfied!"
Afterward, the Purgatory Demon Sword began to seclude himself again.
He is now only a Ninth Ring spell Wizard, which is not difficult for him. His real goal is to become a Ninth Ring Body Refinement Wizard like Gandalf!
Once his Dharma body is that of a Great Wizard, he will enter the Shadow Battlefield.
Once again, he will prove the Dao through killing, pursuing the path of Legend! ...
Thus.
Levi's three great avatars, his beloved relatives and friends, have all stepped into the realm of demigods, while he himself spends his days cultivating in seclusion within Destruction Heaven, making his final sprint.
Time flies like an arrow.
Twenty-two years later, Nora Calendar 2100, Bloody Battle 1988.
Levi no longer paid attention to the war on the front lines. Anyway, if Eamon didn't call him, he would bury himself in cultivation at home, waiting for the demons to deliver themselves to his door.
On this day.
The Ninth Heaven of Destruction.
On the throne, Levi stood up. The billions of divine palaces around him roared, and with all his strength, he shattered the barrier above his head with a punch, and vast Strength poured into his body.
He leaped up and came to the Tenth Heaven, where he could overlook the nine Heavens of Destruction. Further up, it was already another scene.
It was an ancient red-copper door lying across the top of his head, with a carved, clawing Red Emperor Dragon staring at him.
Red Emperor Dragon!