The vast expanse of night is like a thick ink-colored velvet blanket, hanging low and covering the earth.
Under the guidance and protection of the dragons, Molten Iron Legion has crossed the vague boundary line and boldly set foot on the vast territory belonging to the lions.
The other side.
The pride of lions consists of all kinds of ferocious beasts and monsters. They do not have strict sentry towers like the human army in their vast territories.
However, this land is not defenseless.
Countless Lion-beast, who are as strong as the wind and as fast as lightning, have been given special missions.
Their mission is not to defend one place, but to act like active sentinels, roaming around the outer edges of their territory.
When the enemy's incoming shadow approaches, these sentinels will raise their necks to the sky and emit a deafening roar that penetrates the night sky, sending a warning signal of danger to the entire lion territory.
So.
Between this vast wilderness and rolling mountains, which is considered forbidden by the lions.
Roars full of fear or high alert came and went, spreading rapidly from near to far in circles, like a raging wave, endlessly echoing under the silent night, breaking the silence of the night.
Those members of the pride who were roaming leisurely or proudly patrolling their territory.
When they caught the Molten Iron Legion, which was as mighty as a torrent and shattered the night, their once arrogant and ferocious posture instantly collapsed.
They often only dare to stay at a relatively safe distance, instinctively baring their sharp white fangs and squeezing out a low gasp from the depths of their throats that is full of threats but cannot hide fear.
However, he dared not really get close to the target no matter what.
Especially when they noticed the dragon shadows hovering under the low night sky, the fear originating from the depths of their blood instantly overwhelmed their territorial awareness and ferocity, and they did not dare to face the dragons' sharp edges.
The lions retreated subconsciously, and the low roars in their throats also brought obvious flinching.
At this time, they are no longer as ferocious and arrogant as they were when they actively attacked Molten Iron Territory.
With the Molten Iron Legion's unswerving pace of advancement, the lions could only retreat step by step and helplessly towards the rear.
The helpless lions watched helplessly as Molten Iron Tribe and Iron Hoof trampled on their territory, but there was nothing they could do about it and they could only let out a low, fierce roar.
Molten Iron Legion moves forward an inch, and the lions are forced to retreat an inch.
Eventually.
As time passed slowly, the deep night was gradually replaced by a gray halo.
However, the sun that could dispel the haze did not arrive as expected.
The sky still took on an unnervingly dull gray tone.
Thick dark clouds gathered from all directions, pressing low in the sky. The humidity in the air increased significantly, carrying the smell of earth and dead grass, and the sticky feeling of an impending rain.
A heavy rain is quietly brewing between heaven and earth, and it seems that it will pour down at any time.
Climate change, and the fact that Borderlands has almost become part of the ice sheet, has also had an impact on Ser Wilderness, making the rainy season in this land, which was originally known for being dry and hot, more frequent and longer than before.
Just then.
Under the dark and oppressive sky, in the distance, a rift valley formed by a mountain that was split by the Deity giant axe, began to loom on the horizon, revealing its general outline.
The nest territory where Echo Rift and Lion King live.
Molten Iron Legion has a clear goal and is moving steadily towards the rift valley, gradually approaching this natural and dangerous pass.
Soon the steep walls of the rift valley became clearer.
Before the rift valley, on the relatively open impact plain, the scene is awe-inspiring.
Countless Lion-beasts of various types and tough appearance were lined up densely as if they were being inspected, ready to go.
They paved the ground anxiously, and their deep roars merged into a depressing Ocean.
Facing the large-scale enemy troops that had already reached the door, the previous guerrilla tactics of dispersion and harassment lost all meaning.
Therefore, in order to fight against the attacking Molten Iron Legion, the lions scattered throughout the territory were called by their leader and all gathered in front of Echo Rift, preparing for the final decisive battle with the Molten Iron Legion here.
At this moment.
The heavy breathing of the ferocious beast and the sharp roar of the monster were closely intertwined, like countless muffled thunder rolling, brewing, and spreading deep in the earth's surface! Forming a continuous sound wave oppression.
Roar--!
Suddenly, a huge roar far more majestic and louder than any previous roar, like thunder on the ground, suddenly exploded from the top of the highest cliff of Echo Rift.
It contained some kind of invisible but powerful coercion, passing through the entire pride of lions like mercury pouring down the ground.
In an instant, the turmoil, restlessness and uneasiness of the lions due to the pressing force of the powerful enemy disappeared almost at the same time. The mental state of all Lion-beast became stable and chilly at a speed visible to the naked eye, and the fierce light was rekindled in their eyes.
"Psionic Energy?"
Iron Dragon Sorog's pupils shrank slightly.
From that unique roar, he captured the power fluctuations that he was very familiar with.
Psionic Energy.
Moreover, it seems to surpass him in terms of condensation
Red Iron Dragon's expression didn't change much. He just lowered his eyes slightly and looked down at the source of the roar.
Under his gaze, a very oppressive giant lion figure slowly appeared from a giant eagle-beak rock at the highest point of the rift valley.
Its gaze was like two substantial lightning bolts, sharply piercing the dragons in the sky.
Its size is beyond imagination, even larger than an ordinary young red dragon, and its whole body exudes strong Magic Energy and Psionic Energy reactions.
The mane on its neck is extremely thick and majestic, growing around it like an emperor's cloak.
But that's not real hair.
It was a circle of blazing purple flames that was constantly beating. The purple flame mane was flying and dancing as if it were alive, adding a lot of power to the giant lion.
There are wings on both sides of its back, and its body surface is not just fur, there are many amethyst-like scales inlaid in key parts.
Starting from its forehead, along its back and all the way to its tail vertebra, there are thumb-sized purple crystals a few inches away from the body, floating out of thin air, following its breathing and heartbeat, slowly rising and falling as if they were alive.
The most important thing is.
Its eyes are deep and there is no obvious ferocity or violence. Instead, it gives people the feeling of belonging to an intelligent creature, filled with shining Psionic Energy light.
At this time, the characteristic appearance of this [Amethyst-Winged Lion King] creature was completely reflected in Garos's field of vision.
He twitched his nose slightly and caught an unusual Dragonkin breath in the air.
"This Lion King is a hybrid descendant born from the mating of Amethyst Dragon and some powerful beasts or monsters."
Garos stared at Lion King on the cliff, thoughtfully.
He quickly searched for his own Dragon Inheritance, but could not find any record of the biological race that completely corresponded to the Lion King in front of him. However, if its distinctive characteristics were singled out, he could find the corresponding biological description in the inheritance.
"Amethyst Dragon-kin. It's really unexpected. I didn't expect to meet the powerful Amethyst Dragon descendant here."
Iron Dragon Sorog next to him also had a look of surprise in his eyes. "Could it be that the real Amethyst Dragon is hidden deep in Ser Wilderness? I have never heard of this."
Amethyst Dragon, the crown jewel of the Gem Dragon family.
Chromatic Dragon, Metal Dragon, Gem Dragon. These three dragon species are often mentioned side by side by mortal species.
However, unlike Chromatic Dragon and Metal Dragon, which have many branches and are spread all over Prime Material Plane, the number of Gem Dragon in Material Plane is extremely rare, and most of them live in other strange planes.
All Gem Dragon are born Psionicist, possessing the powerful talent of manipulating spirits and Psionic Energy.
Amethyst Dragon, Gem Dragon are recognized as the leaders, and Gem Dragon is the first.
The status is roughly equivalent to the red dragon in Chromatic Dragon and Gold Dragon in Metal Dragon.
The iconic suspended amethyst on Lion King and the pure and powerful Psionic Energy fluctuations are highly consistent with the characteristics of Amethyst Dragon recorded in Dragon Inheritance.
Seeing the specific image of Lion King and feeling its aura, the dragons can determine its identity as Dragonkin.
"Garos, the possibility of absorbing this Dragonkin Lion King into our tribe is much higher than expected."
Sorog looked at Red Iron Dragon beside him and whispered his judgment.
Garos nodded slightly, having the same idea in his heart.
The wild Dragonkin is a creature with quite contradictory inner feelings.
On the one hand, when they encounter a pure-blood dragon whose life level is weaker than theirs.
In order to increase the concentration and purity of their own Dragonkin blood, the greedy instinct originating from the depths of the blood will be strongly stimulated, prompting them to have the terrifying thought of killing the dragon and devouring its flesh and blood essence.
On the other hand, when they face the pure blood True Dragon whose life level surpasses their own and whose power is enough to crush them.
The deep-rooted instinct in Dragonkin's bloodline to follow the stronger True Dragon will be activated again, resulting in an almost instinctive idea of "recognizing one's ancestors and returning to the clan", with a strong urge to seek shelter and recognition.
"Stop!"
The giant dragon issued a concise and majestic order, and the Molten Iron Legions that were advancing steadily stopped in unison. From a distance, they looked at the array of countless Lion-beasts in front of them.
The chilling atmosphere instantly reached its peak.
There was a suffocating silence between the two armies, with only the sound of the wind whimpering.
Red Iron Dragon is slowly hovering in the sky, and Amethyst Lion King is located on the top of the rift valley.
The eyes of the two met in the air, and the invisible auras fiercely collided between the two Map Kings, fighting each other.
"A giant lion with dragon blood flowing in its body."
Red Iron Dragon's deep voice was like rolling thunder, overpowering the wind and spreading throughout the battlefield. "Submit under my wings and pay the price of loyalty for your previous reckless provocation. In this way, I will forgive you and grant you the glory of surviving under the protection of dragon wings."
Amethyst-Winged Lion King Hearing this, he took a step forward.
Its giant claws covered with crystal scales stepped on a sharp protruding rock and stared up at Red Iron Dragon hovering in the sky.
It did not speak immediately, but just let out a deep lion roar containing Psionic Energy.
When this roar reached Garos's ears, the meaning contained in it was naturally understood.
[The dragon hovering in the sky, offer your loyalty and surrender to my sharp claws and purple flames! Swear allegiance to the roar of the lions. In this way, I will generously forgive your offense and ignorance at this moment.]
This is almost like returning Garos's words intact.
It was obvious that this Amethyst-Winged Lion King did not think that he was weaker than the circling dragons in front of him.
Rather than surrender directly, it has the pride of the dragon and the wild blood of the lion mixed in its body, and is more eager to challenge the authority of the dragon and prove who is the real king of this land.
Dragonkin people certainly have the instinct to "recognize their ancestors and return to their clan", but they also have the instinct to prove themselves by "killing their fathers".
After receiving this provocative response from Amethyst Lion King, Garos did not get angry because he was offended.
On the contrary, the corners of Red Iron Dragon's mouth opened slightly upward, pulling out a somewhat ferocious, yet pleasant smile.
A simple surrender of allegiance without shedding a drop of blood?
That would be too boring and too cheap.
Facing a powerful, arrogant and confident enemy, Garos hopes that through the most direct and fierce collision of scales and claws, through the confrontation of strength and body, he will finally completely conquer, crush and take him under his command.
Lion King appears more arrogant, confident and powerful at this moment.
When it is finally forced to hang its proud head and whimper in surrender, the pleasure of conquest and satisfaction that Garos can obtain will be as intense as the richest wine.
--This is one of Garos's few hobbies.
"Very good, I will enjoy your unruly attitude at this moment!"
Red Iron Dragon looked down at the earth and said to Amethyst Lion King.
As he finished speaking, he suddenly spread out his huge wings and issued an attack order that shook the sky towards the Molten Iron Legion, who was waiting in formation below.