Chapter 331 – The Mockery of Mental Projection

Just as Punk was about to completely obliterate Huai’en’s consciousness and turn the “new” Huai’en into a traitor and puppet, a thunderous roar echoed through the mind. A solid barrier, spanning the entirety of Huai’en’s psyche, firmly protected his soul, while Punk’s spell energy was repelled in unison.

Within the mental space where soul energy burst into colorful specks of light, a dragon-head mark at the center of Huai’en’s soul began to slowly radiate a golden glow. A massive dragon head gradually lifted, crossing the mark to appear deep within Huai’en’s consciousness.

“Mage, you are meddling in affairs you should not be involved in. The peace of the Dragon Roar Kingdom is not something you can violate!”

On the enormous dragon head, dark golden pupils shone as brightly as the sun. The dragon’s majestic gaze swept contemptuously over Punk, its terrifying voice as deep and vast as ocean waves.

“Master-Level Mind Spell—Mental Projection!”

Punk recognized the spell at first glance. Under such circumstances, the black dragon capable of using a Master-Level spell could only be Ovakain Acidmaw. Just as Punk’s spell was about to succeed, this black dragon, who had always appeared restrained and yielding, finally could no longer hold back and took action.

Undoubtedly, Ovakain had placed a mental anchor deep within Huai’en’s consciousness. Now, as Punk’s spell sought to erase Huai’en’s mind, the mental anchor was activated, allowing Ovakain Acidmaw to use the “Mental Projection” spell to manifest a spiritual projection within Huai’en’s mental space.

Seeing the black dragon’s projection forcefully block the attack of the “Heart of Compliance” spell, Punk showed no anger or any emotional fluctuation. In fact, Ovakain’s arrival might hold more value for Punk than controlling Huai’en, as no method of gathering intelligence could be more efficient than face-to-face communication with the enemy.

Punk was also proficient in the “Mental Projection” spell. Without hesitation, he abandoned his erosion of Huai’en’s consciousness and, like Ovakain, projected a portion of his mental energy into Huai’en’s mental space.

Compared to the black dragon’s projection, which loomed like a small mountain in Huai’en’s mental space, Punk’s form was almost negligible. Yet, facing the pair of enormous golden eyes, Punk felt no fear. Mental projections could not reflect the true soul hierarchy of a being—who knew if this seemingly majestic black dragon was merely a facade of strength?

“Greetings, Ovakain Acidmaw, or perhaps… should I address you as Your Majesty the King of the Dragon Roar Kingdom?”

Punk was the first to speak, his words dripping with mockery.

Hearing Punk’s taunt, Ovakain unexpectedly showed no signs of anger or fury. Instead, he elegantly ignored the mockery and continued in a tone both solemn and authoritative:”Overestimating your abilities, mage. I only wish to peacefully develop my Kingdom. Avoiding conflict is solely to spare my subjects from disaster. However, this does not mean I fear you—whether it’s you, your companion, or that ignorant Joni Zordas. In my eyes, you are all insignificant insects. Heed my advice and turn back! Do not mistake my mercy for your license to run rampant. This is I, Ovakain Acidmaw—a benevolent black dragon’s final warning to evildoers!Ovakain’s voice was deep yet resonant, his powerful Common Tongue resembling a seemingly calm volcano that, upon eruption, would make all living beings tremble with fear.

However, faced with Ovakain’s righteous “warning,” Punk’s gaze grew increasingly icy and gloomy. Meeting him tit for tat, he stared directly into Ovakain’s pupils with eyes burning like azure ghost flames and replied:

“Respected ‘Your Majesty,’ I must remind you of three facts:

First, your Kingdom is nothing but a joke in my eyes!

Second, that fat old man Ben Lajie is not my companion.

Third, I won’t turn back until I’ve skinned you to make gloves!”

After speaking, Punk calmly spread his hands and continued provoking Ovakain:

“But if you’re truly afraid of fighting, I do have a solution. I’m only here dragon-slaying for wealth. Just tear off half your dragon scales, dragon bones, and soul for me—then my goal will be achieved. I’ll turn and leave immediately, letting you continue playing house with your little friend. How about that?”

Though delivered with almost no tonal variation, Punk’s expressionless mockery lost none of its infuriating impact. Never mind that he was facing a naturally furious chromatic dragon—even someone as good-natured as Ben Lajie would likely fly into a rage upon hearing such words.

Sure enough, after silently listening to Punk’s series of insulting conditions, the previously unruffled Ovakain began to show anger. His eyes filled with killing intent and fury. Under the dragon’s wrath, the entire mental space erupted with violent psionic storms, completely erasing the initially carefree aura about Ovakain.

“Mage, are you provoking?” If this is your goal, then without doubt, you have successfully enraged me!”

“Oh! Really? What will you do then, crawl out of your den? I’m right at the foot of Scoti Peak in the Hoth Mountains. Come find me if you dare.”

Punk felt no fear toward this destined enemy. In his view, if the opponent could lose rationality due to anger, his victory was practically assured.

But Ovakain truly lived up to being an extraordinary black dragon. In fact, his fury and killing intent lasted only seconds before vanishing. Having calmed down with unimaginable speed, the black dragon even disdainfully launched a counter-mockery at Punk:”Pathetic trickery! Rage and impulse only bring calamity, a truth I learned millennia ago… But since you dare ask if I’ll approach… allow me to pose a question in return—my dragon’s lair lies beneath the Dragon’s Roar Plaza in Dragon’s Roar City. Do you dare enter?”

Admittedly, such dry provocation was far too crude for two Master-Level powerhouses.

Yet encountering a black dragon was rare, and before battle commenced, it was crucial to extract as much information as possible. With this in mind, Punk subtly began constructing spell models while feigning nonchalance as he questioned Ovakain:

“It just occurred to me—I encountered a frenzied storm eagle on my journey. If I’m not mistaken, Monbay Windbeak’s madness is likely another masterpiece of yours, the ‘benevolent black dragon’?”

“Monbay Windbeak’s insanity was never my intention!”

At the mention of Monbay Windbeak, Ovakain’s expression flickered with regret:

“That creature had allowed his flock to harass the herdsmen of Dragon Roar Kingdom for far too long. I originally intended to patiently persuade him toward virtue, but then that fool Jiaoni began stirring up trouble again. Pressed for time, I had no choice but to… ‘assist’ Monbay’s moral realignment with magic! Alas, my improved spell remains imperfect—the spell damaged his soul, stripping him of reason. I’d hoped confinement to his nest might rekindle his inner warmth, but unexpectedly…”

Here, Ovakain’s gaze toward Punk sharpened into glacial intensity:

“Speaking of which, Monbay Windbeak resided within Dragon Roar Kingdom’s borders. For you to come to the Hoth Mountains and kill so freely… this account shall be settled when the opportunity arises!”

Their dialogue had reached an impasse. The thickening tension made it clear both Punk and Ovakain were ready to test each other’s mettle. With verbal probing concluded… what followed would be a measure of true capability through action.

(End of Chapter)