Gazing at Xiaoka’s yearning expression, Chen Yu gave a satisfied nod. With a thought, the Gel Ball slowly floated before it.
In truth, in the world of Zeyarira, there is a relatively clear distinction between Dragon Beasts, Sub-Dragons, and true dragons.
Magical beasts with a Level 1 dragon bloodline, also known as Dragon Beasts, begin to show a clear trend of gigantism. They start to develop certain draconic features, such as scales, horns, and wing membranes. At the same time, their strength, defense, and vitality far exceed those of their own kind.
However, due to their diluted bloodline and inability to effectively control this power, they tend to be short-tempered and irritable, lacking intelligence. Their behavior is much like that of wild beasts driven by raw power.
As for magical beasts with a Level 2 dragon bloodline, their appearance is already very close to that of a true dragon. Their scales are more uniform, their horns become prominent, and their wings are mostly formed, allowing them to fly for a certain distance.
More importantly, they begin to emit a faint draconic aura that intimidates lesser creatures. These beings are typically known as "Sub-Dragons."
Their intelligence shows some improvement, making them capable of simple thought and of obeying commands. However, their potential is typically capped around the Silver rank, still a final step away from true dragons with their complete heritage and potential.
Among these, the Dragon-man race of Kobolds are an exception. They typically possess a dragon bloodline of around Level 1. While gaining the power and some features of a dragon, they have miraculously retained an upright, bipedal humanoid form and developed unique social structures and the beginnings of a civilization.
A few powerful, mutated Kobolds might even possess a Level 2 dragon bloodline, becoming a Shaman or Chief within their tribe.
Speaking of which, this line of swamp-dwelling Lizardmen is said to be an offshoot of a powerful Kobold clan. During a long process of migration and adaptation to the swamp environment, their already-diluted dragon bloodline completely atrophied, causing them to lose most of their draconic features. To differentiate themselves from those "relatives," they readopted the more ancient, generic term "Lizardman."
In fact, Kobolds look more like an "advanced version" of Lizardmen. They are taller and larger, with a more ferocious and rugged appearance, and often wield the power of Flame Magic.
In contrast, Lizardmen like the Rot Moss Tribe, who live at the swamp’s edge, generally appear more "wide-eyed and simple." They are relatively small and slender, looking quite harmless—like a "chibi version" of Kobolds. They are far less threatening than their distant relatives.
But when a dragon bloodline reaches Level 3 or higher, it marks a complete metamorphosis of the creature’s very essence.
A creature with this level of bloodline can already be called a true dragon—be it a Chromatic Dragon, a Metal Dragon, a Gemstone Dragon, or another, rarer type.
They possess a complete draconic heritage, are almost guaranteed to reach the Gold rank upon reaching adulthood, and have long lifespans, powerful Magic Resistance, fearsome physical prowess, and their signature Dragon Breath.
However, the bloodline power contained within the Petrifying Black Dragon from Split Stone Pass clearly far surpassed that of an ordinary adult dragon. Merely devouring its heart had raised Chen Yu’s "Dragon Bloodline" talent to Level 6.
’It was probably an old dragon that emerged from some forgotten corner of the world, or perhaps even an ancient one.’
’To live for ages, accumulating unimaginable power and knowledge, only for your corpse to be mysteriously petrified and displayed like a trophy in a goblin fortress... What a truly pathetic end.’
Although the Gel Ball he had created was only Level 3, it was enough for Xiaoka to complete its metamorphosis and become a true dragon.
Dragons have growth stages. A Level 6 ancient dragon bloodline sounded impressive, but given Chen Yu’s current life form and accumulated power, the dragon form he could mimic would, at best, be a Black Dragon still in its Juvenile Dragon Stage.
’Unleashing the bloodline’s full potential would still require centuries of natural growth.’
Creating a Level 3 Talent Ball only caused his "Dragon Bloodline" talent to drop from Level 6 to Level 5. The impact on his main body was negligible, yet it would open the door for Xiaoka to walk the path of a true dragon.
Xiaoka drew near and carefully took the springy Gel Ball in its mouth. As if it had made a firm decision, it squeezed its eyes shut, tilted its head back, and swallowed the Talent Ball.
GULP...
The Gel Ball slid down its esophagus. Xiaoka opened its eyes, feeling a mix of apprehension and anticipation as it focused on the changes within its body.
Soon, a strange sensation welled up from deep within its body. The metamorphosis was even more intense than Chen Yu had anticipated.
CRACK... CRACKLE... Xiaoka shook its body uncomfortably, a suppressed whine rumbling in its throat.
The deep green scales covering its body visibly turned red-hot, as if molten lava were flowing beneath them. Wisps of searing white smoke billowed from between the scales, and small flames even shot out with a FWOOSH.
Its once-small body began to expand and stretch at a visible rate, as if being inflated. Muscle fibers tore and re-knit themselves, growing thicker and more powerful.
The last of its crocodilian features rapidly receded, replaced by the sleek, flowing, and powerful silhouette of a dragon.
The pair of green-scaled, bat-like wings on its back burst into roaring flames. Within the fire, the wing membranes grew wider and tougher. The bulges on its head split open, and a pair of jet-black horns slowly emerged.
Its body was transforming, but its eyes remained as clear and endearingly innocent as before, now holding a hint of bewilderment at its newfound power.