As the development of mechas and battle armor advanced rapidly, soul beasts could no longer resist. At that point, the upper ranks of the Spirit Pagoda reignited their interest in exploring that underground region.
Using high-end soul-guide detection equipment, they were able to construct a 3D model of the underground terrain. The researchers were stunned when they discovered an enormous dragon skeleton lying beneath the earth—a giant, monolithic structure, shaped almost like a rectangular stele.
At the same time, thermal imaging technology was advancing, and it revealed something shocking. Wrapped around that dragon skeleton, coiled up like an enormous wreath, was a near-thousand-meter-long serpent, its body glowing red-hot.
This discovery quickly caught the attention of the ruling families within the Spirit Pagoda. A dragon skeleton like that was undoubtedly something extraordinary...
A team was assembled—six Titled Douluo, including one Four-Word Battle Armor Master. After negotiating with the powerful soul beasts of Star Dou Forest, they were granted permission to explore the underground world.
What followed was an immense project that the Spirit Pagoda internally named "Digging the Heavens". This initiative later contributed greatly to underground resource development.
During this period, researchers developed the Grade 8 Drilling Machine and the Underground Soul Island Elevator—two major breakthroughs. Continued innovations led to the Grade 9 Drilling Machine, capable of reaching depths of 20,000 meters. These technological advances played an irreplaceable role in the exploration of underground worlds, minerals, and research facilities.
Eventually, these technologies were even shared with the Sun-Moon Federation, without any conditions attached.
At a depth of 2,000 meters, the underground space opened up. The total underground area spanned nearly 2,000 square kilometers.
The six Titled Douluo moved forward cautiously under heavy defense. When they were just 300 meters away from the dragon skeleton, they all froze in shock.
What they saw was beyond belief.
A thousand-meter-long Mandala Snake, its body emanating golden light, was absorbing the energy from the dragon skeleton.
And yet, the snake did not attack them.
This was an unprecedented anomaly. Normally, Mandala Snakes were extremely aggressive—if an intruder stepped into their territory, they would immediately strike. Even if the intruder managed to flee, the Mandala Snake would chase them down until the threat was gone.
But this snake remained calm.
It did not resist at all when the Spirit Pagoda's forces moved in to capture it. As they took it away, it simply watched them with its jewel-like eyes, as if deep in thought.
Further analysis confirmed that this Mandala Snake had somehow surpassed its natural limits—it was close to reaching the legendary 100,000-year level.
How was that possible?
Mandala Snakes were dangerous, but they weren't top-tier soul beasts. Their natural potential capped out at the 10,000-year level. There was no way they should be able to break into the realm of 100,000-year soul beasts.
All signs pointed to the dragon skeleton.
After extensive research, scientists discovered that the dragon bones continuously emitted a unique energy, capable of mutating and evolving nearby soul beasts. This Mandala Snake had absorbed that energy for countless years, refining its very bloodline.
It was no longer a Mandala Snake.
It was now a Mandala Dragon.
However, this newly discovered soul beast species was never officially recognized by the Federation's Soul Beast Records, because the Spirit Pagoda kept it a secret.
The dragon skeleton was eventually sealed away, never to be revealed to the public. Even so, it had already nurtured numerous high-quality soul beasts—especially dragon-type soul spirits, reinforcing the Spirit Pagoda's reputation as the premier supplier of top-tier soul spirits.
This was the truth behind the Mandala Snake's transformation—or rather, the birth of the Mandala Dragon.
Leng Yaozhu silently watched the scene unfolding on the monitor.
No matter how well-hidden a secret was, someday, somehow…
It would come to light.
(End of Chapter)