After Weathering Countless Calamities, the Golden Scales Remain

After an endless roar of thunder, Chen Du had endured fifty thousand lightning strikes while sitting cross-legged in midair. He had survived, his whole body charred black, with bright light blazing from his eyes like two beacons.

“Excellent! Now that I’ve made it through this tribulation, my Golden Scale Arm is finally complete!” Chen Du gazed at his arm, completely covered in tiny golden scales, overjoyed. Even though it was coated in a layer of char, the scales’ golden hue still shone through.

“Damn you, Chen Du! I’ve finally found where you’ve been hiding. Come out and face your death! It’s time to settle all our grudges!” Suddenly, a sound wave that seemed to tear through space rang out across the sky above Chen Du. A vast and overwhelming force was rapidly closing in on him.

“Just in time! My Golden Scale Arm is starving. I’ll feed it with you!” Chen Du looked up toward the source of the sound, clenched his Golden Scale Arm, and rose to his feet. His entire body suddenly transformed into a giant serpent as vast as a mountain range, its scales gleaming with golden light.

…

…

Though it weathered countless tribulations, its golden scales remained.

This is the story of a snake becoming a dragon.