Outwitting the Fire Dragon

Just as Sordil was about to give up, Grandiere, who had been watching from the sidelines all night, suddenly spoke up, "I do know one poison-type dragon. But I don't know a single lightning-type dragon."

Sordil suddenly looked up, his eyes shining as he stared at Grandiere, grabbed her hand, and said excitedly, "Sister Grandiere, is what you said true?"

Two blushes crept onto Grandiere's cheeks as he said, seemingly both shy and angry, "Of course it's true!"

"Could you take me to meet your friend?"

Grandiere did not answer Sordil's question immediately. She stared intently into Sordil's eyes and then asked in return, "Brother Sordil, could you tell me first why you are looking for her?"

Sordil nodded and then explained, "Actually, I was looking for poison and lightning dragons to use their power to help me complete a magical test, not to harm them. Grandiere, can you tell me where your friend lives now?"

"I can tell you my friend's address. However, my friend has a bad temper and generally doesn't like to see outsiders, so you shouldn't get your hopes up too high."

"It's alright, as long as you, Grandiere, tell me her address. As for whether I can meet this senior dragon, that depends on luck!"

Seeing the burning gaze in Sordil's eyes, Grandiere swallowed back the words of advice he had prepared to dissuade Sordil from wasting his time. Instead, he said, "Since you insist on seeing her, Brother Sordil, I'll accompany you. If she refuses to help you, I can try to persuade her."

"Grandiere!"

"When do we set off?"

Sordil thought for a moment and said, "I need to go back tonight to make some preparations, so I can't leave. Wait for me here tomorrow at this time, and we'll set off together to visit your friend."

"Okay, it's settled then!"

Upon hearing that Sordil and Ignir had agreed to search for the poison dragon, Igneel, who was sitting on the ground, objected.

"Brother Sordil, it's too dangerous for you and Grandiere to go out alone to find the Poison Dragon. Why don't I go with you? That way, we can ensure your safety and prevent you from being alone on the journey."

Seeing the eager Igneel, Sordil said, "Brother Igneel, although I would also like to visit Senior Poison Dragon with you, I have more important matters that I need you to handle, so this time we will have to split up."

Realizing he had something more important to do and wouldn't be alone in Fostadu, Igneel instantly forgot about searching for the poison dragon. Then, he eagerly asked, "Brother Sordil, what important thing do you need me to do?"

"I need you, Brother Igneel, to help me find a lightning-type dragon so that I can complete my magical experiments."

Upon hearing that his mission wasn't to fight, but to find a Thunder Dragon in the vast Ishgar, Igneel's passion instantly vanished. Seeing the change in Igneel's expression, Sordil could easily guess his thoughts. However, this was no challenge for the young master Sordil, who had been nurtured by thousands of years of China wisdom. After a moment of brainstorming, he quickly found the most suitable strategy for this situation.

Sordil patted Igneel on the shoulder, then sighed with feigned disappointment. Sordil then said to Grandiere, "Grandiere, since Brother Igneel can't handle this, I won't trouble him. But I'll need your help to contact Brother Metalicana. I believe that with Metalicana intelligence, he can certainly help me solve this problem."

Grandiere, understanding Sordil's intention, readily agreed, "Great! I also think that for such tricky problems, it's more reliable to contact Metalicana. I'll contact him for you right away, and maybe he can find someone for you by tomorrow night!"

Hearing their conversation, the raging fire within Igneel ignited within him. Just then, Diphiya poured oil into the fire, causing Igneel to burst into flames.

"Sordil, you should have done this a long time ago! Look, Brother Metalicana is handsome, capable, and gentle. He must be well-liked. If you leave this small matter to him, he'll definitely get it done in no time!"

Having been criticized in every way for being inferior to Metalicana, Igneel's entire body began to glow red, and orange-red flames ignited above his head. Igneel sprang to his feet and, with lightning speed, appeared before Sordil. Grabbing Sordil's hand, Igneel declared loudly, "Leave the search for the Thunder Dragon to me! I'll find it for you as quickly as possible. As for Metalicana, let him stay home and manage his household chores!"

"Huh? Brother Igneel, are you serious? You're not kidding?"

"No!"

"Alright! Since you're confident you can find Thunder Dragon, I'll entrust this task to you. I'll go and prepare fifty barrels of wine and enough food for you to take on the road."

Igneel, who had been filled with righteous indignation and raging anger, instantly beamed with joy upon hearing about the food and wine. He grabbed Sordil's hand and said, "Brother Sordil, I can take care of the food myself, but you'd better bring me a few extra barrels of wine, otherwise I'm afraid I won't have enough to drink!"

"Ha ha"

Upon seeing Igneel's drunken nature, Sordil and the other two burst into laughter. After laughing, Sordil said to Igneel, "Brother Igneel, after you help me find the Thunder Dragon and complete the magical experiment, you can drink as much as you want, okay?"

Igneel chuckled sheepishly, then clenched his right fist and lightly punched Sordil in the chest. He then laughed loudly and cursed, "Sordil, you're the one who understands me best!"

Having resolved his doubts and prepared all the necessary elements for his magical experiments, Sordil prepared to return to the Kingdom of Donagunov.

"Time is of the essence, and I can't go to see my five fathers. I can only trouble Sister Diphiya to give them my regards."

"Don't worry, Sordil, I will explain your difficulties to Father and the others. I believe they will understand you!"

Sordil nodded, then said to Grandiere and Igneel, "Grandiere, Brother Igneel, see you tomorrow!"

"Brother Sordil, if anyone bullies you over there, come back and tell me, and I'll definitely teach them a lesson!"

"Brother Sordil, take care on your journey."

Sordil waved to the two of them, then flew deeper into the Cuyis Tree Sea. Once Sordil's figure disappeared into the sky, Diphiya and the other two turned and descended the mountain to their respective rooms to rest. After recovering from his injuries, Sordil's speed had greatly increased; he returned to the cave in only half the time he had previously taken.

Sordil entered the cave and, with practiced ease, activated the Space Magic array hidden on the cave walls. Then, he began to pour Space Magic into the center of the Magic Array. Under the infusion of Space Magic, the originally chaotic lines connected to form a complex Magic Array diagram. The Magic Array then emitted a silvery light, which quickly enveloped the entire cave. Moments later, the light dissipated, and the cave returned to its original appearance. Sordil, who had been in the center of the cave, had vanished without a trace.