Ashen Dragon

[You have completed the advanced task [Red Scale Path]]

[You have advanced to the Warrior's Ashen Nest faction subclass [Red Scale Conqueror]! When the Dragon's Roar is heard from afar, the Red Scale Conquerors will ride the fierce and vast Dragon Vein Creatures from the sky, bringing endless flames and utter destruction to their enemies.]

[You have gained traits: [Born to Ride][Dragon's Roar Charge]]

Mantou slowly opened his eyes, feeling that his body had become much stronger, and his senses like vision and hearing had become sharper.

"I am so damn strong—"

Mantou looked down at his hands, covered in scales and tipped with sharp claws, and marveled to himself.

Looking to his side, he saw a familiar-looking "Dragonfolk," whose head had fully transformed into a dragon's shape, but hints of his former self could still be seen in his brow and eyes.

"Xin Dog, you look kind of ugly like this."

Xin Dog, while shaking his new body and adapting to the change, snorted disdainfully and said, "And you don't look like a freak yourself."

He paused, raising his horned eyebrows slightly.

"By the way, I suggest you check your attribute panel. You might be in for a surprise."

Mantou retorted in displeasure, "Even in dragon form, nothing can hide my soul's innate handsomeness."

Though he said this, he obediently opened his panel.

[I'm Going to Eat Mantou]

Strength—14

Agility—12

Constitution—13

Intelligence—12

Perception—10

Charisma—11

Initially, he looked at those significantly improved stats with pride, until he noticed the charisma column.

"Why has my charisma increased even though I look like this?!"

Mantou let out a heartfelt wail.

He couldn't believe it. This ugly, scale-covered dragon face was rated higher by the system than his originally handsome and charming one. He couldn't accept it!

Xin Dog cast a gloating glance at him before explaining, "Actually, charisma isn't just about appearance. Do you really think those magicians cast spells with their looks?"

"According to our intelligence group, charisma is more about things like aura and influence. The most charismatic individuals can even bend reality with their will."

Mantou breathed a sigh of relief, "I thought it was just my…"

But before he could finish, Xin Dog mercilessly continued, "In the ordinary human stage system scan, looks probably play a big part."

Mantou: "..."

Xin Dog then struck another blow: "As an extra note, my initial charisma was 12, Autumn Rain's was 14, and even War Maniac Bro had 11. You didn't have less than 10, did you?

"No way, no way."
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Mantou just wanted to calm down and not continue this topic.

"Noodle, although you can't talk, at least you don't mock me."

He patted "Noodle" on the neck, his expression sorrowful, seeking some solace.

Since the ceremony, Mantou had unlocked the [Born to Ride] trait, feeling a deep bond with this Bipedal Wyvern, who also felt a bloodline connection from this once-disliked human. The relationship between man and dragon had become much closer.

This Bipedal Wyvern had grown to nearly five meters long. While its neck was still as slender as a noodle, its muscles had become much more robust, covered in tough scarlet scales, and it could even breathe fire, resembling a miniature Red Dragon.

"Tsk tsk, it's so cool, way better than any Ferrari or Lamborghini."

Mantou marveled at the sensation of the scales.

Noodle, excited by his newfound strength, couldn't help but swing his hefty tail, even breathing a spurt of fire.

"Boom!"

It seemed he couldn't control this power well yet.

Mantou's dragon face was blackened by the flames. Though the Red Dragon bloodline made him immune to such fire, he fell into complete silence.

Noodle slightly retracted his neck, lowered his body, and looked at Mantou with innocent eyes.

Mantou: "..."

Xin Dog couldn't help but say, "Stop wasting time here. Autumn Rain and War Maniac Bro are waiting for us to gather."

Before he finished speaking, Xin Dog effortlessly mounted his wyvern and took off. The seamless coordination made it look like they had been fighting partners for years.

"Got it, got it."

Mantou also mounted his wyvern and followed closely.

Shrill cries of excitement resounded through the sky as the two Wyvern Knights headed for Barto City.

...

Barto City, Central Plaza.

Two Bipedal Wyverns circled in the sky, slowly descending.

"Damn, you guys see that?"

"It's just two Bipedal Wyverns. What's the big deal?"

"You must be a newbie. I've seen a ten-meter-long wyvern before."

"No, look at their backs."

"Is that…people?"

The two wyverns circled a few times, letting out a series of screeches, descending to seven or eight meters above the ground, then landing with a crash, dust rising in the plaza.

Mantou and Xin Dog took a moment to strike a cool pose, one wyvern roaring at the sky and the other spreading its wings, and then they dismounted proudly.

"They have player names!"

"Damn! It's Mantou and Xin Dog. They've advanced successfully! Red Scale Conquerors!"

"Why do they look like Dragonkin?"

"So cool!"

"Damn, seeing their success hurts more than my own failure."

Summer Night Autumn Rain and Natural War Maniac had waited long and came up to congratulate them.

Natural War Maniac chuckled, "You guys look so badass."

Having bought the Semi-Dragon Form boon with his contributions, he too had taken on a semi-dragon shape. Though his head was covered in scales, it still appeared smooth. However, touching his bald head often left scratches from his claws.

Summer Night Autumn Rain said with relief, "Good thing I didn't choose Semi-Dragon Form, or I'd look just as ugly as you guys."

She was satisfied with her result. As she advanced to the Dragon Vein Sorcerer subclass, she gained the magical powers of a Red Dragon. As a result, she only had faint scale marks on her cheeks, developed delicate little horns on her forehead, and her pupils turned into golden slits. Her refined features hadn't changed much, these alterations adding to her noble aura.

Xin Dog said seriously, "Let's tally up our gains. I'll go back to refining the strategy, Mantou, make the video."

The remaining three nodded, "Got it."

That night, a guide post titled "How to Become a Qualified Dragon Knight?" sparked a hot discussion on the player forum.

It specifically mentioned buying Xin Dog's exclusive "Wyvern Lasso" and "Sedative Hormones" as keys to success, though the price was a bit steep.

The second issue of "Elzegai Diary" was also released smoothly.

Fans eagerly clicked it, the first thing they saw was a fierce dragon face.

"First!"

"The missing person returns."

"What's this? A monster?"

The dragon face's opening lines came from a familiar, humorous voice: "Welcome to the second issue of Elzegai Diary, I'm Mantou."

"Whoa, it's Mantou!"

"How did he turn into a Dragonfolk? It has a kind of intense beauty."

"Mantou looks more handsome now!"

...