Zong Shen did not head straight to the bedroom. Instead, he detoured into the study in the Lord's Fortress.
Communication crystals and record scrolls from across the territory were stored there.
The embers in the fireplace still glowed a dim red.
He waved a hand to activate the magic stone lamp on the desk, and a soft glow immediately spread across the long oak table.
Zong Shen sat behind the desk, tapping his fingers lightly against its surface.
The old green dragon in the Tranquil Forest had to be dealt with, but he did not necessarily have to do it alone.
This was the perfect opportunity to take Little Blackie along and broaden his horizons.
At that thought, Little Blackie's figure naturally surfaced in his mind.
He had sent the dragon out to become a dragon lord, and by now, Little Blackie's domain should have begun taking shape.
Some time had passed since Little Blackie left the territory.
With the information and resources Zong Shen had provided, Little Blackie's mid-Legendary Tier strength, and his elite half-dragon retainers as a foundation.
Little Blackie should have established a foothold in a suitable region by now, and might even have formally begun expanding.
"Time to see how that brat's been doing."
A faint smile curled Zong Shen's lips as he murmured to himself.
He reached into his storage grid and took out a specially made communication crystal.
This was the one provided to Little Blackie before their departure, capable of maintaining contact within a hundred thousand kilometers.
The crystal felt slightly cool in his hand, a faint sheen flowing across its surface.
He infused it with a trace of mana, and a speck of deep blue light appeared at its center, like an eye waking from sleep.
After a brief wait, somewhat noisy