Burning Steel Fortress, fourth floor.
Under the bright and shining sunlight in the afternoon, Red Iron Dragon is standing quietly on the rough and solid edge of the observation deck.
He lowered his head slightly and looked down at the vast training ground inside Dragon Valley, which was covered with claw marks and scorched black marks.
There, a confrontation with great disparity in power is taking place.
White Dragon Tressie's body, as huge and cold as an ice hill, was using its absolute strength to suppress the two Adolescent Dragon, whose body shape was several times larger than that of its childhood, but still looked petite in front of her.
The completely black Seraphina and the dragon-scaled emerald Ludwig.
A fierce combat training is taking place under the watchful eyes of Red Iron Dragon.
In the training ground, energy surged and dragon shadows flew.
The biting ice blades and cold wind howled and sliced through the air, bringing up bursts of white frost.
Poisonous magic vines burst out of the ground like living creatures, twining and tearing with corrosive green light.
The invisible Curse of Weakness is like a tarsal maggot, trying to erode White Dragon's will and defense.
There is also the most primitive and direct Dragonkin fight - the claws shimmering with cold light tear fiercely, and the huge body covered with thick scales violently collides with the Peiran Colossal Strength, making a tooth-breaking metal friction and a heavy muffled sound.
All kinds of attack methods emerged in endlessly, attacking the motionless pale figure like a storm.
However.
This seemingly ferocious siege did not last long.
White Dragon Tressie let out a roar full of power. Relying on his age advantage over his opponent and the resulting huge gap in size and strength, he was able to withstand Black Dragon's curse erosion and Green Dragon's poisonous vines to strangle him.
Her giant claws covered with thick frost were swung out like a battering ram, violently tearing apart the seemingly tight defenses of the Adolescent Dragons with an unparalleled arrogance.
Eventually.
With a dull loud noise, she used the force of thunder to press one giant claw firmly on Green Dragon Ludwig's neck, and the other giant claw pressed down on Black Dragon Seraphina's back like a mountain.
The huge force combined with the biting cold air that was strong enough to freeze steel poured out from under the claws instantly eroded the muscles and joints of the Adolescent Dragons, pinning them to the cold and hard ground like crucified specimens, unable to move.
"The green-skinned kid and the black-scaled kid."
White Dragon Tressie raised his head, with the joy of a winner, and glanced at the two "little guys" who were completely subdued under his claws, his voice loud and full of ridicule.
"Too weak, you are simply too weak. Even though you have gone through the baptism of sleep, successfully entered the Adolescent Dragon stage, and have stronger power, your pitiful offensive still cannot make me, the noble Pale Wings, shed even an insignificant drop of blood."
Green Dragon Ludwig and Black Dragon Seraphina, these two are indeed no longer the little Hatchling Dragon they used to be.
After going through several years of slumber, like turning into cocoons and turning into butterflies, they are now over 16 years old, and have officially entered the teenage years when their vitality is more vigorous and their strength begins to increase significantly. Their bodies have also grown several times larger than before their slumber.
What a pity.
In front of White Dragon Tressie who is in his prime and not bad at talent, their growth seems insignificant and they still cannot close the gap.
As for the other two little dragons in the tribe.
Blue Dragon Heriam and the red dragon Kaxier, the two older and more powerful Adolescent Dragon, have just entered their critical dormant period to accumulate strength.
Next time when they wake up from the profound Dragon Sleep, their Life Level will undergo a leap... There is a high probability that they will be promoted to Young Adult Dragon with even greater strength and size.
White Dragon Tressie really enjoys the feeling of completely suppressing his opponent.
She playfully used her huge ice-covered paws to crush Black Dragon and Green Dragon who were unable to move.
It wasn't until she couldn't feel any resistance under her claws, and couldn't hear the unwilling roars of the Adolescent Dragons, and only the heavy and suppressed breathing was left... that she contentedly let go of the giant claws.
Without the unbearable pressure, the chests of young men Green Dragon and Black Dragon heaved violently like bellows, greedily breathing in the thin and cold air.
They struggled and slowly climbed up from the cold ground.
What they saw was shocking.
The dragon scales were broken and rolled over a large area, like metal tiles that had been ravaged by hail. Wisps of Dragon Blood, exuding a hot aura, were seeping out from the wounds, leaving dark red marks on the cold ground. The originally bright scales were stained with dirty soil, gravel and dust from the training ground, making them look miserable.
However, in stark contrast to this embarrassing appearance, was their performance at this moment.
Unexpectedly calm.
They did not lose their minds and roar angrily because they suffered a complete failure and White Dragon's unabashed humiliation... Instead, deep in their eyes, there was a kind of restraint and forbearance that was far beyond what ordinary Adolescent Dragon's age should have.
The reason... is actually very simple.
This is not the first time that similar scenes have happened in past trainings.
After being repeatedly crushed and insulted with harsh words more times than I can count...
Black Dragon, who is naturally good at forbearance and deep-thinking, and Green Dragon, who is more cunning and knows how to assess the situation... they have already learned how to suppress the boiling anger and strong sense of humiliation in their hearts through countless painful trials... and bury them deeply.
They gradually became accustomed to this kind of restraint and regarded it as a required course for survival and growth.
"Performing well."
White Dragon Tressie still maintained his condescending posture, with a hint of charity-like appreciation in his tone.
"It seems that after so many "cordial" exchanges, you two brats have fully understood your humble ecological niche in this valley and in front of the great Pale Wings."
Black Dragon Seraphina stretched out his dark red tongue and slowly licked the Dragon Blood that oozed from a deep visible wound on his arm.
She raised her dark dragon eyes and looked at White Dragon.
"When Heriam and Kaxier wake up from their slumber, their strength will increase further." The low and hoarse voice paused slightly, and then continued, "Noble Pale Wings, I hope you can still maintain this enthusiasm and come to the field in person to conduct actual combat training with us."
"I'm looking forward to watching you fight against our four dragons one-on-one at the same time, defeating and humiliating us."
She spoke the last two words very clearly.
The threats and challenges implicit in the words are self-evident
If the four Adolescent Dragons, who have all experienced deep sleep and whose strength has improved by an age, join forces, the situation will indeed be completely different.
There is the strong body of Wild Dragon (red dragon Kaxier) in front to bear the damage.
There are Natural Dragon (Green Dragon Ludwig) providing continuous treatment and life support at the rear.
There is Storm Dragon (Blue Dragon Heriam)'s violent thunder and hurricane that pours out devastating output.
There is also Necrotic Dragon (Black Dragon Seraphina)'s weird and unpredictable curse and soul control to contain and interrupt.
Under such cooperation and superposition of strength.
Even in his prime, White Dragon Tressie would never dare to say that he could win with certainty. Even if he could win in the end, the process would be difficult, and he would never be able to crush him as easily and with ease as he does now.
Obviously.
Tressie's seemingly rough but sharp nerves instantly captured the provocation in Black Dragon's words.
She let out a sneer full of disdain, and her cold breath condensed tiny ice crystals in the air.
"Huh, that's something we need to consider later."
"Now, Blackscale Cub, instead of worrying about the distant future..."
Her eyes pierced Black Dragon.
"... It's better to worry about your current situation."
The ecological niche of the four dragons will be greatly enhanced.
White Dragon Tressie Why don't you understand this simple truth?
There was no need for Black Dragon's "kind" reminder at this moment. She had already considered this possibility in her heart.
But---
She didn't care about it, and it could even be said that she already had a plan to deal with it.
Her response was simple.
In a one-on-one battle, even if they are promoted to Young Adult Dragon, for a long period of time, they will still not be able to defeat White Dragon alone.
When the time comes... she can rely on her absolute advantages to educate and clean up one by one.
As for the more distant future.
Is it possible that the dragons will completely surpass her in strength?
Of course she had thought about it.
And Tressie's way of responding to this... can be described as simple and crude to the extreme.
When the time comes, just lie down and admit defeat, beg for mercy and admit defeat.
Hit them as you like, scold them as you like, let them vent their insults and let them vent, and that's it.
In her opinion, this was just a few ups and downs in Longsheng's journey.
Tressie doesn't mind this at all.
After understanding the niche theory, she suddenly became enlightened, like an epiphany, and had an extremely "open-minded" view of dragon life.
Anyway.
No matter how powerful and arrogant those little dragons became in the future... they could not change an ironclad fact that had already been engraved in history - they had all been severely beaten by her Tressie.
And not just once.
This honor and record are enough for her to straighten her back at any time and continue to train other new dragons.
"Remember."
White Dragon Tressie's voice was like the cold winter wind, saying, "Don't try to play any self-righteous tricks in front of creatures with a higher ecological niche than you, otherwise..."
Her eyes swept over Black Dragon.
"... at your own risk!"
The final warning was loud and clear.
Green Dragon Ludwig's keen intuition has clearly smelled the strong malice permeating the air against Black Dragon.
He calmly and quietly took a few steps back.
"Just like now! Black Scale, it's time for you to pay the price!"
White Dragon Tressie The huge body filled with cold air suddenly took a step forward, causing the solid ground to tremble.
Accompanied by a dull roar that broke through the sky.
Her thick dragon tail covered with solid ice drew a fierce arc and hit Black Dragon Seraphina hard on the waist before he could fully react.
Bang!
With a loud noise, Black Dragon's heavy body flew off the ground uncontrollably like a stone bullet thrown by a trebuchet, rolled in the air, and landed heavily on the edge of the training ground dozens of meters away, stirring up smoke and dust in the sky.
"Black-scaled kid."
"It seems you haven't learned well yet. Let's... practice one-on-one."
White Dragon Tressie roared, and then pounced forward.
Before the other party has truly grown up, educate and insult them repeatedly.
Even if you have to pay it back later.
She Tressie will not suffer any loss in this transaction.
On the observation deck, Garos withdrew his gaze from looking down at the training ground.
He slowly raised his head and looked towards the vast expanse of Ser Wilderness in the south, full of opportunities and dangers.
His sight crossed the rolling hills of Borderlands, and finally settled on the endless, ever-changing wilderness sky.
Phew.
A strong air flow rolled up, with a slight sharp sound of metal friction.
Red-Silver Dragon Deborah's elegant figure hovered slightly above the observation deck, like a gliding falcon, then accurately and lightly folded its wings and landed next to Red Iron Dragon.
She adjusted her posture, sitting upright with an aristocratic elegance, her legs slightly together, and sat next to Red Iron Dragon.
"What are you looking at?"
Deborah's slender neck turned slightly and his eyes looked at Garos.
She carefully avoided the vicious thorns that protruded from Garos's body like swords, and gently poked Red Iron Dragon's broad and solid shoulders with the tip of her flexible and delicate tail.
"The future."
Red Iron Dragon's answer was extremely concise, and his eyes were still fixed on the southern skyline.
When Red-Silver Dragon Deborah heard this, he also subconsciously followed Garos's gaze and looked towards the wild sky in the far south.
But soon, she withdrew her gaze and refocused on Red Iron Dragon beside her.
"It seems you are ready to return to Ser Wilderness."
She knew Garos's past - he was forced by circumstances to retreat to this wild and barren Borderlands.
Although on this land, he gradually built a huge foundation and became a powerful King of the Borderlands.
But in Deborah's opinion.
Garos There is a fire deep in my heart that never goes out.
Whether it was to wash away the shame of being forced to leave and avenge the past; or for the resources and infinite possibilities in the wilderness that were far richer and more attractive than Borderlands... It was reasonable and imperative for him to want to return to his homeland.
Red-Silver Dragon tilted his head and asked curiously:
"So... what specific opportunity or event... made you finally decide to return to the wilderness at this point in time?"
She wanted to know the straw that prompted Garos to make the final decision.
Garos did not look back, but simply described the situation of contacting Crystal Princess Elina in a concise and concise manner.
"Lothern Federation?"
A trace of obvious surprise and worry flashed across Deborah's eyes for an instant.
"You want to get involved in the internal affairs of that behemoth? Garos, isn't that a little too risky?"
"That is a huge Federation that is composed of multiple powerful kingdoms and has profound heritage and power. The water inside it is deep enough to drown a dragon. Even a dragon in the Legendary Realm realm cannot solve troubles of the level of the Lothern Kingdom."
Garos shook his head.
"Deborah, you made a mistake."
He slowly turned his head, looked at Red-Silver Dragon, and corrected her misunderstanding.
"The potential partner for me, or for that matter our Molten Iron Tribe... was never Lothern Federation as a whole, or even Lothern Kingdom itself."
"The person I was talking to was just a princess named Elina."
The voice paused slightly, and Garos said, "Furthermore, because this princess was obsessed with magic research when she was young, she did not actively participate in the cruel power games within Royal Court... She does not occupy a position that can influence the kingdom's decision-making in the intricate power network of the Lothern Kingdom."
"But."
"The resources she holds in her hands - especially the rich magic crystal vein - are of value and size that are beyond the reach of ordinary noble lords. This is what we need most right now."
"More importantly."
"Until now, those kingdoms such as Lothern and Ribos that are truly at the pinnacle of power and represent the core of Federation... have no intention of going into battle in person."
"What is now igniting the flames of war and fighting on the border... are only the subordinate principalities under their respective command and playing games on behalf of their will, especially Haltai Duchy and Aber Duchy who are standing in front of the stage in a fierce confrontation."
"After reaching cooperation with Crystal Princess, what we can participate in and have the ability to exert influence... is probably limited to the "war stage at the principality level."
Garos's Iron Dragon Bloodline gave him an extraordinary strategic vision, allowing him to see the current situation very clearly.
Today, Lothern Federation has two major factions within it.
One group is the kingdoms and principalities that still regard themselves as orthodox, firmly believe that the big tree Lothern Kingdom will not fall easily, and choose to continue to support its leadership.
The other group is those countries that are not reconciled to the existing order, are dissatisfied with the distribution of resources and power, and are eager to reshuffle the cards. Among them, the strongest and most ambitious is Rybos Kingdom, whose comprehensive national power is second only to Lothern.
The two behemoths, Lothern and Ribos, the core of the two camps, are currently maintaining restraint, like two silent volcanoes, and do not end up fighting in person.
Other kingdoms are also rock solid.
They chose to let their principalities act as agents to fight on the battlefield on behalf of their will.
The significance of the victory or defeat of these principality wars lies not only in the success or failure of the principality itself, but also in the means, strength and determination of the kingdom it represents in this proxy war.
Its success or failure will, to a certain extent, affect the decisions of other small and medium-sized kingdoms and principalities that appear to be on the same side but are actually still wavering and waiting silently.
--Choose to continue to support the seemingly orthodox but already declining Lothern
--Still leaning toward Ribos, who is enterprising and full of ambition for change.
"That Crystal Princess Elina is by no means a dull person."
"She would never be so naive as to think that just by relying on our group of Evil Dragons rising in the wilderness, we can directly shake the intricate structure of Federation's top management and change the fundamental situation of the entire Federation."
"But-"
"Participating in and influencing the wars between lower-level principalities and exerting power at the level of proxy wars... This is entirely possible and has room for maneuver."
For Garos, if he wants to lead the dragons and Molten Iron Tribe into Ser Wilderness to seize the rich resources on that land... he will inevitably face off against the principalities that occupy the resources.
In the process, if he can get an additional sponsorship from Crystal Princess, whether it is the coveted treasure resources in her hands or the valuable intelligence support she can provide about the internal trends of Federation... it will undoubtedly be the icing on the cake and even more powerful for him.
Just when the two communicate.
Almost at the same time, he and Red-Silver Dragon caught a familiar aura, approaching from afar at an extremely fast speed.
The two of them turned their heads in unison, with sharp eyes like torches, and looked in the direction where the breath came from.
The distant skyline.
The dragon-shaped outline shining with pure golden light is rapidly enlarging in the field of vision.
Soon after, Alberto appeared in the sky above Dragon Valley, then folded its wings and landed on the valley cliff opposite Burning Steel Fortress.
"Garos! I challenge you."
For some reason, Alberto seemed a little impatient. As soon as he landed, he said in a deep voice, with an unconcealable urgency in his tone.
Garos did not answer immediately. His vertical pupils narrowed slightly and his eyes were firmly locked on Gold Dragon's body that had undergone significant changes.
It's different from how it was a few years ago.
Alberto's body has changed from the original vigorous dragon body to a strong and burly one. The muscle outlines are slightly bulging under the golden scales. The scales on the body have become denser and thicker, and the claws seem to be sharper.
His strength has become somewhat similar to that of a red dragon of the same body length, and Dragon Might's aura has also increased significantly.
However.
Alberto's eyes have some bloodshot eyes that shouldn't be there, and his tail is constantly swinging from side to side. He seems to be a little irritable, which is inconsistent with the majesty and calmness of Gold Dragon, as if he hasn't rested for a long time.
"You seem to be in a hurry, but don't worry yet."
Garos After thinking for a while, he said, "I'm not interested in challenges that are unprovoked and meaningless."
"As a challenger, what are you willing to pay?"
"In other words, what kind of lottery are you willing to offer to match the value of this challenge and make me interested in accepting it."