In the vast and dangerous depths of Borderlands, Dragon Valley stands majestically.
The biting cold wind and blizzard are unable to penetrate the towering and solid barriers of the valley. Only scattered snowflakes, like broken jade that has been sifted, fall rustlingly, dotting this dragon habitat.
White Dragon Tressie picked up Communication Artifact, which had dimmed, and stuffed it back into the warm and safe layer under the scales on his neck.
She raised her head slightly and looked at the howling wind and snow in the sky. She was in a very happy mood now, and she couldn't help but let out a low and contented purr from her throat.
"Garos has always been very important to those Black Oil Crystal."
White Dragon shook his tail slightly, his thoughts racing, secretly trying to figure out the deep meaning of the leader of the dragon group.
"For such a crucial and precious thing, I was specifically chosen to be responsible for escorting it. Doesn't this mean that in Garos's heart, my status and reliability have surpassed other dragons?"
"He must have seen my value and valued me more!"
From Tressie's point of view, although she does not participate in frontline tribal wars as frequently as other dragons, her education and training of the younger generation Dragon Race is also an arduous and important task.
She firmly believes that her contribution to the tribe and the future of the entire dragon group is indispensable.
Your own value is immeasurable!
"How could the young dragons of the tribe lose their immaturity so quickly and thrive without my careful teachings and strict encouragement, Tressie?"
"Without me, the dragons would be scattered."
"With Garos's wisdom, he must understand this."
White Dragon thought to himself.
Just like the current generation of Young Adult Dragons.
They are now so outstanding and can contribute to the Molten Iron Tribe in the wilderness war. In her opinion, it is completely inseparable from her Tressie's past efforts.
Maybe the way of giving may be different, but the results are more important.
On the other hand.
Thinking that the growing dragon group and the rapidly expanding tribe were closely related to his own contribution, White Dragon Tressie proudly puffed up his chest covered with thick White Scale.
Immediately afterwards.
In order to verify this, satisfy your own sense of accomplishment.
She turned her head and locked her eyes on a young boy White Dragon who was doing weight-bearing exercises not far away.
White Dragon Tressie holds his chest and head high, exuding the pressure of Mature Dragon, creating an atmosphere of calmness and authority.
She spoke in a calm but unquestionable tone, "Belquis, answer me, in your growth path so far, am I the most important and influential existence?"
The little White Dragon named Belquis was carrying a huge rock for exercise.
After hearing the familiar and heart-stopping voice of Mature Dragon, he did not dare to neglect at all, and quickly paused his movements and put the rock down.
The huge stone fell to the ground with a crash, throwing up a cloud of ice dust.
He lowered his head slightly, avoiding the oppressive sight, and responded in a low voice, "... Yes... Yes."
White Dragon is wild and untamed by nature. The teenage White Dragon should have been as unruly and rebellious as the untutored Beast.
Objectively speaking, Tressie's education did have a certain effect, so that this young boy White Dragon could react with such awe when facing her.
However, White Dragon Tressie is not satisfied with this too simple answer.
"Stupid idiot! Who allowed you to stop? Keep going! Don't be lazy!"
The tail of the adult White Dragon was like a whip, lashing out with a sound that broke through the air, and hit the little White Dragon's body.
Amidst the dull impact, the young boy White Dragon was staggered and hit hard against the cold rock wall next to him.
Tressie continued to scold, "Didn't I teach you? When facing beings with a higher ecological niche than yourself, you should use honorifics when you reply! Be full of awe! Answer again, and answer while practicing!"
Under the sudden attack and insult, little White Dragon Belquis subconsciously tensed up his muscles and let out a threatening growl from his throat.
The wild instinct belonging to White Dragon was aroused.
Even when facing the powerful Mature Dragon, the sharp fangs subconsciously bared out, flashing with cold light.
However, at the moment when his anger was about to break through the dam of reason, countless scenes of his resistance leading to crueler lessons flashed through his mind like lightning.
He forcefully suppressed the boiling anger and pushed back the instinct to fight back deep in his heart.
Little White Dragon silently carried the heavy rock again and continued the boring and painful exercise.
He lowered his head, avoided Tressie's gaze, swallowed his anger, and replied in the most respectful tone possible, "Great Pale Wings, you are the most important guide in my growth, and you are an irreplaceable existence."
"Your teachings are as profound as ice and snow, and I will always remember your kindness."
After hearing these words full of awe, Tressie finally nodded with satisfaction.
"Listen here, you weak, stupid, self-aware reptiles!"
She looked around and glanced at the nearby Adolescent Dragon and the younger Hatchling Dragon who were either exercising or watching, but did not dare to express their dignity. She raised her voice and preached her truth.
"Please remember your ecological position! Keep it firmly engraved in your bones!"
"Facing beings with a higher ecological niche than yours, unless it is a last resort and a desperate fight."
"You only have two choices."
"Or, choose wisely to stay away and avoid the center of the storm."
"Either you should have a better attitude, be more respectful, and show obedience and respect."
She raised the tail that she had just slapped White Dragon and said, "Otherwise, you will be like what you just did. You will be responsible for the consequences and bear the possible painful attacks! Pay the price in blood."
After completing the daily education of the little dragons, Tressie was greatly satisfied.
She no longer delayed, took Black Oil Crystal with her, then vibrated her wings, rolled up the snow and ice debris on the ground, took off into the air, flew away from Dragon Valley, and headed in the direction of Ser Wilderness.
The complex landform of undulating mountains and dense vegetation provides the vast Ser Wilderness with protection against the cold wave from the Far North.
Along the way, as White Dragon continued to fly south, getting farther and farther away from Dragon Valley, the heavy snow in the sky that made White Dragon feel physically and mentally happy gradually weakened and disappeared, and she gradually came under the wild sky.
It was the rainy season in the wilderness at this time.
Although there was no heavy snow, the rain pouring down from the thick dark clouds still made Tressie, as White Dragon, feel quite good, at least it was much more comfortable than the dry and hot environment.
Time passed quietly amidst the sound of wind and rain.
Her huge white figure shuttled through the rain, steadily approaching the target coordinates given by Garos.
Meanwhile, Ser Wilderness.
On a relatively flat wasteland not too far away from Conifer Valley, rainwater gathered into small streams that flowed through the pitted ground.
Four Young Adult Dragon figures stood in the rain, with water droplets rolling down their scales.
"Heriam, Kaxier."
Green Dragon Ludwig greeted the other two companions who arrived earlier than him.
His eyes swept across the scales covering the bodies of his two companions, paused for a moment, and said, "The sky has disappeared. It seems that the battle on the front line is quite fierce."
"So many new scars have been added to your bodies."
In Dragonkin's understanding, scar is not a derogatory term.
As he was injured again and again in battles, the dragon scales were torn, damaged, and repaired repeatedly.
Over time, those intertwined deep scars and scale growth marks that cannot be completely faded will eventually evolve into unique lines symbolizing glory, strength and rich combat experience - Battleworn Mark.
That is a powerful medal.
For example, the leader of their dragon group.
When Red Iron Dragon was in a fierce battle, the thick outer scales shattered and peeled off, revealing the inner layer of Battleworn Mark that spread all over the body, as complex and ferocious as a spider web.
That scene, even if they had witnessed it many times, still gave them a huge psychological impact every time.
"Humph."
The red dragon Kaxier blew out two streams of hot white air from her nose, mixed with scattered sparks. She grinned, revealing a wild and provocative smile.
"This is the glorious trace left by the war! It is the proof of strength!"
Her voice paused, her head held high, her eyes swept over Black Dragon and Green Dragon with slight contempt, and said, "You two weak guys who are not qualified to participate in a frontal war, the scales on your body are well maintained."
"It looks almost like those Metal Dragon who are pampered and have never experienced the baptism of blood and fire."
In fact, Black Dragon and Green Dragon also have many broken scales and old and new scars on their bodies.
That was the mark they left when they wiped out Undead Lair some time ago.
However, the red dragon Kaxier directly ignored this point, his expression was extremely proud, and his words were full of disdain.
However, neither Seraphina, who has a dark and vengeful personality, nor Ludwig, who is usually cautious and careful, did not refute or explain red dragon Kaxier's derogatory and provocative words.
"Kaxier is the red-skinned Wild Dragon. She has a bad temper by nature and will explode at the slightest sign. The key is that her combat effectiveness is really strong among dragons of the same age."
"There is no benefit in provoking her now. She will only get a beating in vain, which is meaningless."
"Avoid the edge for the time being. When our strength increases in the future and our ecological niche becomes higher than Kaxier, we will look for opportunities to retaliate and come back with profits!"
The two dragons looked at each other vaguely and reached a tacit consensus in their hearts.
After all, they have all been influenced by the ecological niche theory of Tressie.
Even though their level of understanding and practice may not reach the pinnacle level of Tressie, they will not be like those completely uneducated wild Evil Dragon who often do not consider the gap in strength and consequences, and will get angry at the slightest verbal provocation and insist on fighting to the death.
"Ludwig and Seraphina have their own responsibilities and tasks."
At this time, Blue Dragon Heriam shook his head slightly and said objectively, "You cannot run a huge tribe by relying only on war and conquest."
"Logistics, threat clearance, intelligence acquisition, resource exploration. Other tasks are also important."
He said seriously to Red Dragon: "Kaxier, your idea is too one-sided."
Among the four Young Adult Dragon of the new generation, the red dragon Kaxier is too irritable and bellicose and has direct thinking; Black Dragon Seraphina has a gloomy personality and is sometimes too vindictive; Green Dragon Ludwig is sometimes overly cautious and appears indecisive.
In comparison.
Blue Dragon Heriam is often more able to think more comprehensively and logically from the perspective of the overall interests of the tribe and the dragon group.
Therefore, he is currently the focus and training target of Iron Dragon Sorog.
"Hmph!"
The red dragon Kaxier blew out stronger flames and black smoke from its nose, expressing its dissatisfaction, but did not argue with Blue Dragon.
On the one hand, she can't compare to Heriam, who thinks clearly.
On the other hand, and more importantly, she couldn't beat him.
At similar ages, Wild Red Dragon should be stronger than Storm Blue Dragon.
But private discussions have proven time and time again that she is indeed no match for Heriam.
The individual talent of Heriam makes up for the racial value gap between different Dragonkin.
In addition, although it was forced, the red dragon Kaxier also received the teachings of ecological niche theory.
She still has a "comfortable fighting" character, but she also subtly understands some principles of seeking advantages and avoiding disadvantages.
She can insult and provoke Black Dragon and Green Dragon who she thinks have lower ecological niches than hers at will; but for Blue Dragon Heriam who are stronger than her and currently have a higher ecological niche... then she doesn't have the same understanding as him.
Later, when he becomes stronger and his ecological niche is reversed, he will trample him severely under his feet, insult him to his heart's content, and make him lick his paws!
Kaxier thought viciously in his heart.
"Speaking of which, do you know why the leader suddenly called all four of us together?" Green Dragon Ludwig shook the rain off his tail and asked in confusion.
His words broke the brief silence.
Since arriving in the wilderness, they have rarely been summoned at the same time to perform different tasks.
Blue Dragon Heriam shook the right dragon wing, shook off the rainwater accumulated on it, and replied, "When the leader notified me, he just said that we have performed well recently and wanted to reward us."
"However, the leader did not reveal the specific reward he would give."
For this unknown reward from the leader of the dragon group, several Young Adult Dragons were filled with expectations, temporarily forgetting the small friction between them.
"What could it be?"
"Heaps of gold coins? The shiny gems are some kind of powerful alchemical equipment? Or... allow us to lead an army alone?"
Young Adult Dragon We looked forward to it in the pouring rain, looking to the sky from time to time.
Soon after.
Woo--!
An extremely strong wind swept over first!
The continuous rain curtain deflected violently, almost turning into flying rain arrows.
The water on the ground was stirred up into fine waves by the strong wind.
Young Adult Dragon If they felt something, they all looked up.
I saw a meteor tearing through the gloomy rain curtain approaching at a terrifying speed, and the pressure it brought caused the surrounding rainwater to avoid it.
In the blink of an eye, the blurry figure became clear.
The towering and majestic dragon figure appeared in front of them and quickly fell down.
Boom!
The heavy landing made the ground seem to tremble. Invisible pressure spread.
"The great Molten Iron King, Heriam are here to extend their highest greetings to you."
Blue Dragon was the first to lower his head and said respectfully.
"Chief!"
"Salute to you, distinguished Lord of Crimson Wings!"
"."
The red dragons Kaxier, Green Dragon Ludwig, Black Dragon Seraphina followed closely behind, lowering their heads one after another, restraining their previous postures, and expressing their deepest awe and respect to the leader of the dragon group in their own way.
The cold rain flowed down their drooped necks.
"Heriam, Kaxier, you performed bravely in the war in the northwest region and had a good record."
Red Iron Dragon glanced at Blue Dragon and Red Dragon, and then turned to the other two. "Ludwig, Seraphina, your task of eradicating and transforming Undead Lair is also very important. It is related to the foundation and future development, and the completion is progressing well."
He did not shy away from his affirmation.
"In view of your recent performance..."
Red Iron Dragon paused slightly, and four Young Adult Dragon hearts suddenly rose to his throat.
"... I have called you here to give you the rewards you deserve."
Hearing this, several Young Adult Dragon's spirits suddenly perked up and their eyes seemed to light up.
Kaxier, the red dragon with the most impatient personality, couldn't help but step forward and asked impatiently, "Chief, what is the specific reward? Is it a gem? Or are we allowed to lead the legion alone?"
Red Iron Dragon did not answer directly, but slowly raised his huge head and looked at the cloudy sky.
He sat on the ground like a steel sculpture, maintaining a majestic posture and said, "Just in time, she has arrived."
"What is the reward... you can see for yourselves."
Young Adult Dragon followed the leader's gaze and looked with curiosity and expectation.
In the rain curtain, another snow-white figure gradually became clearer, flying quickly towards this side, reflected in their gradually widening vertical pupils.
It is White Dragon--Tressie who are in their prime.
Seeing her arrival, several Young Adult Dragons were startled at first, with astonished expressions on their faces, as if they didn't understand why she appeared here.
Immediately afterwards.
A spark of emotion that had been buried deeply for a long time but had never really been extinguished was instantly ignited.
In my mind, the past images of being repeatedly educated, insulted, and suppressed by this White Dragon in various ways, taking advantage of their age, emerged uncontrollably like a tide.
It's vivid and clear.
Several dragons grinned in unison almost at the same time.
The corners of their mouths stretched back, revealing a ferocious smile that mixed many emotions.
Even Blue Dragon Heriam, who is usually the calmest and most rational person, now has an uncontrollable look of excitement in his eyes, his breathing has become heavy unknowingly, and his muscles have become slightly tense.
They understood instantly.
The reward the leader is talking about is not gold coins, gems or magic items.
That is what they desire more than these physical objects. It is an opportunity to be honest and avenge their shame!