Chapter 463

Chapter 463: The Worm’s Self-Defense Technique!

"Bloom!"

"Microscopic Dragon!"

With Sylvia’s resounding cry, the "Microscopic Dragon" lurking within the Ether Sea unveiled itself.

"Zzz—!"

Its hundred-meter-long body surged above the water, unleashing a provocative hiss toward the "Dreaming Shore Dragons."

Witnessing this colossal beast emerge suddenly from the Ether Sea nearby was truly staggering.

That pillar-like elongated form pierced straight into the heavens!

"Hah…"

"This is my reward from the ‘Emerald Shadow’!"

"A ‘Divine Body Puppet.’"

The so-called "Divine Body Puppet" is essentially a puppet fashioned from a physical form—akin to a controllable "zombie," except this entity remains biologically alive while stripped of its soul.

Judging by the technique’s appearance, this was clearly a deeply sinister craft.

It stood as a signature skill among Ether Dragons.

Titled Ether Dragons often originate as weaker deities. Before maturing into true "adult dragons," they endure numerous "lesser foes" and suffer repeated humiliations.

Should they survive, former tormentors—those "enemy deities"—would tremble in dread.

These fiercely vengeful Ether Dragons with impeccable memories hunt down old adversaries, torment them, and consume their Souls and divine ranks—yet often preserve the deities’ bodies intact, trivial as they may seem to dragons.

Such bodies become "soulless husks"; Ether Dragons then employ their innate "Dragon Might Secret Technique" to forcibly convert these husks into controllable "Divine Body Puppets."

To Ether Dragons, these puppets are cherished collectibles.

They serve as testaments to past hardships, reminding every titled dragon of their arduous journey to power!

Naturally, these puppets hold scant combat value, primarily displayed as ornaments or playthings within their lairs.

At most, mother dragons might use them as sparring partners for hatchlings—allowing young dragons to experience the universe’s harshness early while ensuring the training remains measured, never crossing into lethality.

But now, the "Divine Body Puppet" has gained new purpose: rewarding exceptional "mortal workers within Divine Bodies."

Bestowing such memory-laden gifts is profoundly solemn; only mortals earning an Ether Dragon’s utmost approval merit this honor.

Among the first "Damage Controllers" and "Immunizers" departing an Ether Dragon’s Divine Body, only Sylvia—through leadership and deeds—received such a prize!

This hundred-meter "Microscopic Dragon" was forged from a "bug-like sub-dragon" deity inhabiting the "Ancient God Fragments."

Its massive frame indeed qualified as a genuine divine body!

At least, it far surpassed beings like the "etheric worm."

Yet this "Divine Body" lacked legs or fins—forgivable, as similar deities reportedly existed elsewhere in the Chaos Swamp Realm. But its headless, bizarre form felt excessive!

Somewhat, this body recalled Trilobite’s first post-transmigration meal—an "Ancient Worm" he’d slurped like coarse noodles, recognized as the "All-Devouring Worm" Grak.

That "Grak" was merely the "son" of the lowest-ranked chaos legislator—a provocateur of chaos deities who never even secured a council seat.

Thus, the name "Microscopic Dragon" proved truly rather fitting.

Sylvia once asked the Emerald Shadow why it chose to make this inconspicuous fellow into a "Divine Body Puppet." It seemed he’d lacked the capability to offend even young Ether Dragons.

But the Emerald Shadow stayed silent.

Yet the "Microscopic Dragon"’s opponent was far from insignificant!

"Ha—Roar—!"

The "Dreaming Shore Dragon" facing her unleashed an earth-shaking bellow!

Violent sound waves made the Ether Sea buzz violently. Enormous water droplets leaped from the surface under the dragon’s might, as if cheering and bowing to the supreme Dragon King.

"Uh…"

"Tap…"

Sylvia retreated slightly.

Her long, full legs trembled endlessly.

But she didn’t kneel.

Though dragon might forced lower deities and creatures into mindless submission, Sylvia—steadfast in her faith for the Giant God, heart brimming with Holy Light—held firm!

"Dragon!"

"You! Can’t make me kneel!"

"Nor break my resistance!"

"Taste this!"

"The fangs of the weak!"

"Ethereal Poison Flower, bloom!"

With Sylvia’s shout…

"Hiss—!"

A large cluster of spine-covered, flower-like growths burst from the "Microscopic Dragon"’s "front opening."

The long shape resembled an orchid’s stamen.

But its fleshy texture and weight made it droop limply upon emerging—sanity-draining to behold.

Sylvia didn’t care.

Years beside the Giant God had hardened her to eldritch sights.

Besides, weren’t the "Divine Organs" inside Ether Dragons’ bodies worse?

She’d accept any reward from Him, tears or not!

"Roar?"

The Dreaming Shore Dragons were eternal shut-ins, confined too long in their "Dream Realm" to know the wider world.

Seeing prey suddenly spit something from its belly confused them; perhaps the thing’s grotesque shape startled them too.

But calm returned swiftly.

They were dragons, after all.

"Roar—!"

It let out a mocking roar, its massive skull diving from the sky, blood-red jaws wide open!

A huge shadow instantly covered the entire hull!

But right then!

"Corruption Breath!"

"Boom—!"

Suddenly, that lump of "flower petals" seemed to rise up like a sponge soaking in blood.

Then…

"Blegh—!"

"Pshhh—!"

"Fizz—!"

A stream of dark green, unhealthy-looking high-pressure liquid, steaming hot, erupted violently from the "petal" and shot straight into the mouth of the Dreaming Shore Dragons!

"Ugh—!"

"Roar—Roar—Roar—Roar—!"

The Dreaming Shore Dragons seemed to be "pierced" by this strike, its body violently arching back and crashing down against the thick, rough branches of the Holy Tree Themis with a loud thud.

It struggled and howled.

That liquid caused it immense pain.

Its colossal body thrashed around, its webbed claws flailing at the void as if trying to shred something.

But in extreme agony, it lost its judgment and could only lash out wildly at the empty space.

"Ha…"

Sylvia let out a long breath.

She began to understand why the Emerald Shadow made this fellow into its "Divine Body Puppet" and why it was reluctant to say what harm it had suffered from this creature.

"Tsk!"

"Now is not the time to think about these things."

"Hurry!"

"Now’s our chance!"

Sylvia leaped from the deck of the ether barge onto her "Microscopic Dragon."

"You all go from another direction!"

"Get everyone, get the children the First Living Saint wants, to the core area of the Holy Tree Themis, to the area I’m heading to!"

"And I…"

"Roar—!"

A thunderous roar erupted again.

It seemed the Dreaming Shore Dragons had regained its senses from the initial pain and fear.

Its roar was filled with extreme anger and heavy murderous intent!

"Now, that evil Dreaming Shore Dragons should be completely filled with hatred for me!"

"It will only chase after me and leave you all alone!"

"Go quickly! Take a detour!"

With that, Sylvia urged her "Microscopic Dragon" to swim rapidly through the Sea of Ether.

"Oh ah oh ah oh—!"

Sure enough, the Dreaming Shore Dragons let out a series of furious roars, chasing closely after her.

The enraged giant dragon was getting closer and closer!

"Roar—!"

Its massive head lunged down again, aiming to bite the tail of the "Microscopic Dragon!"