Chapter 368: The Low‑Humor Copper‑Red Dragon

This giant dragon's body length has already reached twenty meters, its build is robust, its scales are far larger than those of ordinary dragons, resembling brown‑red copper plates; at first glance its color is similar to a red dragon's, but it has a metallic sheen.

Its appearance differs greatly from a red dragon, muscles bulge all over, blocky and distinct, its wings like a pair of ship sails, each bone spike supports the wing membrane, the wing tips on both sides sweep backward to the end of its stout tail, making its wingspan relatively narrow, yet it appears stronger and more majestic.

Two long dragon horns protrude above its eyes, extending backward and overlapping to form a series of segmented long horns; the rear‑swept cheek ridge and folds on the lower jaw make it look as if it is pondering.

The huge dragon eyes standing upright contain no trace of ferocity, but are filled with wisdom.

Anyone with a bit of insight can recognize that this is a copper‑red dragon.

Copper‑red dragons may be the most easy‑going of all giant dragons; they enjoy communicating with intelligent beings, are mostly kind‑hearted, and like to dwell atop peaks formed of rock.

Lei En looked with his soul eye, and this male copper‑red dragon showed no hostility.

The dragon's age is already close to two hundred years; in a few more years it may enter adulthood, reaching the level of Mid‑stage legend.

Just from its massive size one can judge that its strength is clearly greater than Xin Dala's.

Ai Mi Li Si did not know this, and watched the copper‑red dragon warily as it descended from the sky amid a swirl of flying sand and stones.

His gaze immediately locked onto Ai Mi Li Si, who was holding the Dragon Summon.

"Um……"

A deep voice came from the dragon's mouth, eyes full of curiosity, saying: "Dragon Summon, the dragon‑descendant of the Zhuogeng Fortress family, I thought all dragon‑descendants were extinct; I didn't expect to see one. Truly a blessing of the Dragon God, but for me it is too unfortunate…"

He spoke of misfortune, yet showed no sign of anger, only a hint of displeasure.

Ai Mi Li Si, well aware of the copper‑red dragon's temperament, steadied herself and loudly said: "Sir, I am Ai Mi Li Si*Zhuogeng Fortress, wishing to sign a Dragon Oath with you."

The copper‑red dragon gave no answer, continuing to stare at Ai Mi Li Si.

Suddenly, it lunged forward, opened its dragon mouth, and launched an attack without any warning.

Ai Mi Li Si was startled, not expecting the usually talkative copper‑red dragon to become so volatile, harder to deal with than Xin Dala; she raised her hand to cast a counter‑spell.

The human‑shaped Xin Dala was also frightened; she could not interfere with the signing of the Dragon Oath, fearing the dragon's breath would affect her, and hurriedly fled to a distance.

Only Lei En remained motionless, as if stunned.

The copper‑red dragon instantly surged to the front, its massive maw already gaping, with faint dragon‑breath energy seeping from its mouth corners.

"Hahaha…"

A triumphant laugh rang from the dragon's mouth; its mouth corners lifted, the anthropomorphized dragon face showing a mischievous grin, its wings joyfully spread as if about to take flight.

Ai Mi Li Si quickly halted her casting; only then did she realize this was the copper‑red dragon's joke.

"Human, aren't you afraid?"

The copper‑red dragon noticed Lei En before it, seemingly not frightened at all by its own scare, and asked in surprise.

Lei En truly wasn't scared; even if bitten twice by the dragon, his own defense would make it no danger, and his soul eye saw everything clearly; the copper‑red dragon had no intention to attack.

He smiled calmly and replied: "I think you, Sir Copper‑red Dragon, are a rational sage, a master of humor, merely wanting to play a joke on us."

"Your eyesight is excellent, human. I'm a bit fond of you." The copper‑red dragon's eyes narrowed, its soul color turning green, indicating a good mood, and in an appreciative tone said: "What is your name? Perhaps we could become friends."

"Ryan Augustus, pleased to meet Sir Copper‑red Dragon." Lei En introduced himself politely.

The copper‑red dragon squatted down, scratched its chin with a forelimb, kept appraising Lei En, and with great interest said: "I have heard of your name, the Earl of Glamorgan of the Oruen Empire, student of Title: Master Anxi."

"It is my honor." Lei En was also surprised that his name could reach the ears of a reclusive giant dragon.

"Lei En, you may call me Jialadeluoshi." The copper‑red dragon gave its name, its demeanor very gentle, not at all like a lofty true dragon, placing itself on equal footing with humans, as if truly treating Lei En as a friend.

Even though Lei En had long heard that copper‑red dragons are extremely easy to get along with, he was still amazed; this was just too talkative!

He couldn't help but glance back at Xin Dala, another giant dragon, wondering why the gap was so large.

Xin Dala sensed Lei En's gaze, scowled with a cold face and hummed.

"Sir Jialadeluoshi," Ai Mi Li Si stepped forward a few steps, somewhat nervous, and asked: "I am very grateful that you responded to the Dragon Summon; may I ask if you are willing to sign the oath?"

"If I say I'm unwilling, will you give up?" the copper‑red dragon retorted, displeased.

"This…" Ai Mi Li Si could not answer.

Jialadeluoshi curled his lip and said: "Dragon Summon, all of us dragons have heard of it; it is the Dragon God's blessing to your dragon‑descendant families, but no true dragon wishes to hear its horn, for it means losing three hundred years of freedom and risking battle with mortals. Do you think I would agree?"

"Given Kangjiatuo's current situation, I don't think you can restore the old order."

"Even with the aid of that frost sea dragon and another true dragon, it would be hard to threaten the rule of the Loberdir family; I advise you to abandon it early."

"I have personally witnessed King Xi Rui Ya's madness; for a dragon‑descendant family to endure three thousand years is already a miracle, but the time to end it has arrived."

The copper‑red dragon spoke at length, showing his familiarity with human realms.

Lei En listened, silently marveling; the copper‑red dragon truly was different, avoiding signing an oath with Ai Mi Li Si by expounding grand principles, striking at the root of her motives. If one closed eyes and heard only the voice, one would think a scholarly teacher were speaking.

He had never seen a dragon speak so much before.

Ai Mi Li Si sighed, the copper‑red dragon's words seemed to evoke her helplessness.

"Reviving the dragon‑descendant, ruling Kangjiatuo, that is my mission; I was born for this goal!" Ai Mi Li Si's expression was complex; she glanced at Lei En and said firmly: "Sorry, Sir Jialadeluoshi, you cannot refuse my summons."

The copper‑red dragon noticed her slight movement, eyes understanding.

"You received assistance from Fu Kong Cheng of Weizelan?" Jialadeluoshi asked in surprise; after Ai Mi Li Si confirmed, he sighed, shaking his head and said: "Dragon‑descendant families truly seem fated not to perish; is this also the Dragon God's will?"

His gaze swept between Lei En and Ai Mi Li Si, "What is your relationship? Husband, or lover?"

Lei En didn't know how to answer.

Ai Mi Li Si was silent for a moment, then said calmly: "Lover."

"Very well, it seems you will help me battle them." Jialadeluoshi's dragon mouth twitched, he looked at the frost sea dragon Xin Dala, then suddenly asked: "Lady, do you think I am their opponent? What odds do I have?"

Lei En was at a loss for words; this copper‑red dragon was probing enemy intel right in front of everyone.

Xin Dala couldn't help but look at Lei En; the battle a few days ago still fresh in her memory, she had given her all yet could not harm this human.

She knew herself; if Lei En did not hold back, she might be crushed by a single hammer.

Jialadeluoshi is also in his youth, even though he will soon enter adulthood, his strength will not increase much, clearly unable to defeat Lei En.

Xin Dala despises Lei En, yet must admit his power is terrifying, so strong it hardly seems human.

"You have no chance of winning." she replied reluctantly.

The Copper Dragon's expression froze for a moment.

He keenly sensed that this True Dragon was faintly afraid of Lei En; although he had heard of Lei En's reputation, he only caught a rumor that was half true, half false, and did not delve deeper.

A student of the Holy Soul Wizard, the chairman of Weizelan, is surely not merely a name without substance.

After pondering for a few seconds, Jia La De Luo Si made a decision, lowered his massive carriage‑room‑sized head, the scorching breath nearly spraying Lei En and Ai Mi Li Si's faces, and said, "I don't like fighting. If you can tell me a few jokes or interesting riddles, I'll agree to sign the Dragon Oath."

"If I don't find it funny but you solve the riddle, you'll forgo the summoning. How about that?" the Copper Dragon proposed with a smiling face.

Ai Mi Li Si was taken aback, "Jokes and riddles?"

Lei En had never heard of such a request, but it seemed not difficult.

He opened the phone library, found a book titled *Joke Compendium*, which he had brought over from a previous life's library; the Copper Dragon certainly hadn't heard of it.

"I agree," Lei En nodded.

The Copper Dragon's eyes lit up, "Go ahead."

"Give me a moment," Lei En opened the book on his phone, flipped through it swiftly, and quickly selected a suitable joke, saying, "A wicked dragon came to the city; no one could match it. The dragon demanded a virgin over fourteen each day. Soon a hero arrived, determined to slay the dragon and save the people."

The Copper Dragon listened earnestly; the dragon's tale gave him a certain sense of immersion.

Lei En spoke calmly, continuing, "But the hero thought the dragon too powerful, so he resorted to wit; in the end, the dragon starved to death!"

Jia La De Luo Si was stunned for a few seconds, then grasped the punchline, yet not a hint of a smile appeared on his face.

"Somewhat interesting," he said lightly.

Lei En's Soul Eye saw that the great dragon's soul had turned an extreme green, interspersed with swaths of orange, shifting constantly—signs of delight and excitement—but it forced itself not to laugh.

The Copper Dragon's sense of humor is low… If it doesn't laugh, I'll stump it with a riddle…

Feeling confident, Lei En proceeded with a second joke: "In the Sa Lie Fu Empire's Judicial Prison, three people were locked up, each talking about why they were imprisoned.

The first said: I was imprisoned for opposing Elector Vi Sa Li O.

The second said: I was imprisoned for supporting Vi Sa Li O.

The third said: I am Vi Sa Li O."

Sa Lie Fu is one of the three great human Empires, situated in the north‑west of the Old Continent, bordering orc tribes. Its territory is comparable in size to the Ao Rui En Empire; all its subjects worship the war god "Ao Deng," and the populace is fierce, blood‑thirsty, and constantly at war with the eastern orcs.

The Sa Lie Fu Empire values strength, selecting the twelve highest‑ranked individuals in the War God Church as Electors.

Then these Electors fight each other, and the strongest ascends the imperial throne.

The war god Ao Deng himself is a highly suspicious deity who encourages his followers to maintain competition and combat, so the Sa Lie Fu Empire's emperor is often unseated by coups.

Reigning emperors never relax vigilance over the Electors; thus they established a Judicial Court to purge dissenters. For centuries each emperor has done so, making the whole empire live in constant fear—a near tradition of the Sa Lie Fu Empire.

Lei En slightly altered the joke from his past life so the Copper Dragon could understand.

"Pfft… cough, cough…

Jia La De Luo Si hadn't laughed yet; the usually stoic Xindala suddenly burst, quickly covering his mouth, only to choke himself.

Ai Mi Li Si kept laughing continuously.

The Copper Dragon's cheek muscles twitched imperceptibly, its soul fluctuated violently, and after more than ten seconds it finally held back the laughter.

Lei En pressed on, adding, "Once there was a eunuch…"

Then he pretended to be profound and stopped.

The joke was as hackneyed on Diqiu as could be, yet no one from Ai Lun E Si had ever told it. Jia La De Luo Si waited a few seconds, heard no continuation from Lei En, and couldn't help asking, "What's after that?"

"That's all," Lei En replied in Dragon Tongue.

In Dragon Tongue, "after" and "below" are the same word.

Jia La De Luo Si froze briefly, then recovered; his mouth twitched nonstop, he even pressed his fore‑paws over his mouth, yet laughter burst uncontrollably from his throat, growing louder until a hearty guffaw erupted: "Hahaha! That's so funny, hahaha…"

The great dragon's laughter was so intense it was deafening, echoing endlessly among the mountains.

It wasn't until several minutes later that Jia La De Luo Si's laughter finally ceased.

"Lei En, where did you find those three jokes?" the great dragon's eyes shone as it looked at Lei En, as if seeing the world's most precious treasure.

"I made them up myself," Lei En shrugged shamelessly. "If you like, I have more jokes and can tell you later."

"Great!" the Copper Dragon excitedly rubbed its two claws.

His eyes shifted, and suddenly he asked, "Lei En, would you become a Dragon Knight?"

Lei En and Ai Mi Li Si instantly understood the Copper Dragon's intention; it wanted to sign a Soul Covenant with Lei En, so he wouldn't have to answer the Dragon Summoning.

Obviously, Jia La De Luo Si favored Lei En over Ai Mi Li Si.

"I'm sorry, I'm already a Dragon Knight," Lei En shook his head, refusing.

A Soul Covenant has three rules: first, both parties cannot be of the same race—human with human, dragon with dragon—both are prohibited; the parties must be of different races. Second, one cannot repeatedly sign with different races; after becoming a Dragon Knight, one cannot sign another Soul Covenant with a second dragon. Third, the Soul Element can be shared only once; Lei En shared his Truth Willpower with Ao Xi Li Ya, so he cannot share it with anyone else.

"You're a Dragon Knight?" Jia La De Luo Si was skeptical. "Where's your True Dragon companion?"

Lei En answered truthfully, "It didn't come along."

"Fine, that's a pity," Jia La De Luo Si lamented, turning to Ai Mi Li Si and saying, "Let's begin; I hope you'll stay with Lei En often from now on."

"Sir, I will never leave Lei En in this life," Ai Mi Li Si quickly declared.

She walked over, placed her hand on the Copper Dragon's fore‑claw, raised the Dragon Summoning, sounded the horn, and soon completed the Dragon Oath.

After the oath was completed, the souls of the human and the dragon both surged upward.

Within a few minutes, Ai Mi Li Si leveled up again; as a Dragon‑Born Apostle she needed no Soul Transformation, directly reaching level thirteen and entering Legendary Mid-stage.

Jia La De Luo Si's power also increased greatly.

He transformed into a robust young man, about half a head taller than Lei En, nearly two meters tall, with long red hair, skin shimmering like metal, wearing half‑body leather armor that exposed two thick arms; his features were ordinary, but a gentle smile on his face instantly inspired an inexplicable goodwill.

"Lei En, come tell me a few more jokes," the Copper Dragon crowded in front of Lei En, his face full of anticipation.

(End of Chapter)