"Young Red Iron Dragon, what's your decision? I have high hopes for you and admire you greatly."
With a warm smile on his face, Orvis asked again.
Garos was not moved by the scene described by the Old Gold Dragon.
He gazed at Old Gold Dragon and slowly said, "Your proposal does sound quite appealing."
"Being able to spar and learn from the best of the younger generation carefully nurtured in the Metal Dragon Realm does indeed have some benefits for me."
At this point, Garos changed the subject.
He tilted his head slightly, a look of doubt on his face, and asked, "However, besides that, I also have some curiosity in my heart, and I hope to get your clarification."
"The competition held between the Five Great Dragon Realms should focus more on exchanges, learning, and mutual encouragement within the Dragon Realm, in order to promote the growth of young dragons."
"You are so eager for me, a 'wild dragon' not from the Dragon Realm, to participate, even going so far as to bestow extra treasures upon me... Is this merely out of admiration for me, or an idea to encourage young Dragonkin?"
Across from him, the smile on Old Gold Dragon's face froze for a moment.
But soon, he let out a loud and hearty laugh.
"Haha! You're really perceptive; being able to notice these subtle details is a good thing!"
"Excellent, excellent!"
"Besides my admiration for you and my desire to spur on the increasingly arrogant younger generation of Metal Dragon, I also have a little selfish motive."
He was trying to come up with a more noble-sounding excuse when Alberto, standing nearby, couldn't help but scoff.
He didn't hold back in exposing his own father's past misdeeds.
"Come on, old man."
"Stop pretending! What do you mean by 'spurring on our own kind'? I know you perfectly well."
Alberto shook his head, still sporting the fake horns, his eyes filled with disdain, and said, "You must have made another bet with those old rivals from the other Dragon Realm!"
"And I bet the stakes this time are incredibly high, priceless!"
"You're afraid that the young dragons in the Wave-Subduing Dragon Realm won't live up to your expectations and will lose the treasures you've bet on, so you've been scheming to find a powerful outsider to help you secure victory, protect your resources, and win you even more treasures, right?"
Nasha, standing beside her, shook her head helplessly.
She added from the side, "Yes, Father."
"Every time you win a bet, you flaunt your prize to us for ages, wanting the whole Dragon Realm to know about it; but if you accidentally lose, you'll sigh and complain for days on end, or sulk by yourself. We're all too familiar with this."
"Tell me, what priceless treasure did you gamble on this time? What makes you so interested?"
I see... That explains all the doubts.
A look of understanding flashed in Garos's eyes, and he suddenly realized what was going on.
Furthermore, those born with extraordinary abilities are ultimately a minority. The fact that their father was able to raise descendants like Alberto and Nasha, whose ways of thinking are so different from ordinary Gold Dragon, suggests that there must be some issues with him as well.
He was humiliated on the spot by his own children, especially in front of the foreign aid player he valued highly.
Orvis was starting to lose face.
He widened his majestic golden dragon eyes and let out a deep, rebuking voice. "You two unfilial sons! What nonsense are you spouting here! Your father is not the kind of person who would... would..."
However, he had only spoken halfway when he saw the relieved look in Red Iron Dragon's eyes and the disbelieving expressions on his children's faces. His voice gradually lowered and disappeared from his throat.
Finally, the Old Gold Dragon flicked its tail somewhat dejectedly.
"Okay, okay!"
Orvis finally abandoned his pointless pretense and muttered under his breath, "I admit, I did make a small bet with a few old guys, even wagering my ' Heaven-Illuminating Blazing Sun Dragon-Pattern Shield,' along with some other Legendary Equipment."
After saying this, the Old Gold Dragon turned his gaze back to Garos, his expression becoming much more candid.
He laid it all out on the table. "That's the situation."
"The young dragons that have emerged in our Wave-Subduing Dragon Realm in recent generations... well, to be honest, there's a lack of successors."
"While the most outstanding among them are indeed exceptionally talented, and would be considered excellent and powerful dragons in the outside world, it is extremely difficult for them to consistently defeat the others in the joint competition of the Five Great Dragon Realms."
"I... didn't really have high hopes for them."
His tone turned fervent, his gaze fixed on Garos, his eyes gleaming with the excitement of a gambler spotting a winning trump card. "But you're different!"
"As long as you participate, I can say with absolute certainty that the championship is yours! There's no doubt about it!"
"As long as you're willing to represent our Wave-Subduing Dragon Realm and help me win this crucial bet, besides all the rewards offered by the competition itself, you'll be yours! I can also use my special authority as an elder to secure a spot for you, allowing you to enter the ' Between the Primordial Tides '."
Orvis stared intently at the Red Iron Dragon, awaiting a reply.
Garos's mind was now crystal clear.
As expected, there's no such thing as a free lunch. The reason this Legendary Realm Gold Dragon Elder extended such a warm invitation was ultimately because it involved his own significant interests.
The so-called appreciation and encouragement are mostly just nice words to embellish what is already good.
That's normal; people only pay so much attention when their own interests are involved.
" The Eternal Tide..."
Instead of immediately agreeing or refusing, Garos seized upon this crucial information and asked, "Where exactly is it? What special effects does it have?"
This is a term that he never mentioned in detail in the knowledge he passed down.
Seeing Garos's interest, the Old Gold Dragon perked up and explained in detail, "Just as its name suggests, it is a place where magical tides converge since ancient times, even involving the realm of time."
"Any dragon that enters it will receive an unimaginable boost."
"Its effect is roughly equivalent to experiencing a deep sleep in a very short period of time."
"That's one of the most important and well-established areas in the Wave-Subduing Dragon Realm; this opportunity is extremely rare."
Orvis emphasized its rarity.
That's amazing?
The effect is equivalent to an extra sleep?
Doesn't this mean I might reach the Legendary Realm in a short time?
Garos felt a slight tremor in his heart, a few ripples stirring within him.
Although he defeated and killed a level 21 Legendary Sword Saint, he knew deep down that maintaining the Molten Iron Tribe's foundation in the upcoming Wilderness Conflict was still fraught with uncertainty.
Those human kingdoms possess profound foundations and have far more than just one Legendary Realm powerhouse.
Moreover, there must be even higher-level Legendary Realm among them.
If he could break through to the Legendary Realm realm in a short time Between the Primordial Tides," that would be ideal for him, giving him even more confidence.
He's currently stuck at level 20, the Mortal Peak, and all he's missing is an opportunity.
While it's possible to break through in a life-or-death situation, Garos prefers a more cautious approach.
Nasha, standing nearby, chimed in at the opportune moment, " Garos, say yes. This is indeed a rare opportunity."
"My father, as one of the elders of the Dragon Realm, has made many contributions to the Dragon Realm over the years, which is why he has some special privileges. But even so, apart from his direct descendants, if he wants other dragons to enter the ' Between the Primordial Tides,' he has to pay a painful price to persuade the other elders to agree."
Upon hearing this, Red Iron Dragon hesitated for a moment, but still did not nod immediately.
He looked at Orvis and asked seriously, "If I agree to represent the Wave-Subduing Dragon Realm in the battle, does that mean I will need to abide by the complex rules within the Dragon Realm and be subject to certain constraints?"
"Or, besides that, is there any other hidden cost I need to pay?"
Upon hearing this question, Orvis shook his massive head slightly and replied with certainty, "You can rest assured about that."
"Our Five Great Dragon Realms have always upheld the principles of inclusiveness and openness, welcoming all lawful and powerful Dragonkin to visit, exchange ideas, and even settle down. There are indeed some basic rules that need to be followed, but as long as you don't deliberately cause trouble within the Dragon Realm or harm other dragons without cause, there won't be too many restrictions."
He paused, then gave a more specific guarantee.
"Once the competition is over, regardless of the outcome, whether you wish to continue as a guest in the Dragon Realm or leave immediately to return to your own territory is entirely up to you. We will not force you to do so!"
" The Gold Dragon Clan has always valued promises and reputation; you can rest assured about that."
"As for any other costs? None. This is a fair trade: you help me win the bet; I pay you what you deserve, including the opportunity to enter the ' Between the Primordial Tides.' It's that simple."
To be fair, the terms offered by Orvis were indeed extremely generous, and they granted a great deal of freedom.
Garos quickly weighed the pros and cons in his mind.
Establishing a connection with the Metal Dragon Realm, which has a profound foundation, is not a bad thing for him.
This not only provides access to scarce resources and valuable insights, broadening one's horizons, but also... allows for a deeper understanding of potential, future adversaries or allies.
At this moment, the Old Gold Dragon looked at Garos and said, "Well then, it seems you find this a bit troublesome."
"For you, competing round after round is just a waste of time. I know how strong you are; there's no need for those unnecessary elimination rounds."
He paused slightly, then continued, "I will personally persuade the elders of the other Dragon Realm to make a small, reasonable adjustment to the competition format."
"Let the young dragons from the other Dragon Realm, according to the original competition schedule, first determine the universally recognized strongest one."
"Then, this dragon that has emerged victorious will issue the final challenge to you."
Alberto, standing nearby, widened his eyes in astonishment upon hearing the plan. "This... this actually works?"
He couldn't help but imagine the scene in his mind.
The young dragons of the Five Great Dragon Realms fought fiercely on the field, but in the end, the strongest one who emerged after round after round of battles, symbolizing the highest level of the younger generation of the Dragon Realm, only gained the qualification to challenge Garos... Just thinking about that scene made Alberto feel a strange excitement and trembling.
He desperately wanted to replace Garos and become the center of attention.
Old Gold Dragon Orvis glanced at his rebellious son, whose face was full of longing, and said, "If you can also independently fight back and kill a Legendary Realm, proving that you have the power to crush your peers, then you can also receive this special treatment."
"And by then, I promise I will never interfere with any of your thoughts or actions again, and will even give you my full support."
After saying that, Old Gold Dragon turned his gaze back to Red Iron Dragon.
He asked solemnly, "So, Garos, what do you think?"
No need for complicated competitions, the championship is merely the threshold to meeting me... Red Iron Dragon finally stopped hesitating, slowly nodded, and said, "Since you value it so much and have offered such generous and convenient conditions, it would be too rude of me to continue refusing, and I would also be letting down your kindness."
Upon hearing this, Orvis was immediately delighted.
He could almost see those betting treasures beckoning to him, and he let out a loud and hearty laugh.
"Good! Excellent! Hahaha! Now let's see how arrogant those old guys can be! Their treasures, hidden away for so many years, are all going to be mine!"
In a great mood, he looked at the Red Iron Dragon again and found it more and more pleasing to the eye.
"Then it's settled! There are still a few years to prepare before the next Five Dragon Realms United Tournament officially begins. I will have Nasha or Alberto inform you in advance, and they will take you to the Wave-Subduing Dragon Realm."
At this point, Old Gold Dragon's gaze swept over Garos's body covered in wounds.
"Before that, let me treat these injuries on your body."
As he spoke, he raised his dragon claw.
Buzz--!
One after another, Holy Oath Runes, like ignited stars, lit up on the gauntlet of his forearm, densely packed and interwoven into a dazzling and majestic pattern of light.
Clearly, he is a Legendary Realm Gold Dragon from the Holy Dragon Path.
" Healing All Spirits Holy Healing!"
Old Gold Dragon Orvis's expression turned solemn. He called out the skill name in a low and majestic voice, and made a gesture of grasping his dragon claw at the Red Iron Dragon.
In an instant, white light enveloped the Red Iron Dragon from the outside in.
It's like warm sunshine, and like a gentle, Flowing Water Dragon Realm.
In a moment of comfort, the residual sword light in his wound was instantly dispelled, and at the same time, his wound healed rapidly at a speed visible to the naked eye.
Garos's condition is improving rapidly.
This means that he no longer needs to spend a long period of sleep to recover from his injury, and can recover to his peak condition more quickly to deal with any possible changes.
As Garos's injuries healed rapidly, the Battleworn Mark that had been hidden by the rolled-up flesh became clearly visible.
Orvis's eyes lit up again, a hint of amazement flashing across them.
"Hiss, he has more Battleworn Mark than me. Just how many injuries has he suffered? We've got him, we've got him!"
His last trace of uncertainty vanished, and the smile on his face grew even more content.
After healing Garos to about 70-80% of his injuries, the Old Gold Dragon ended the Holy Healing.
"I look forward to seeing you again in the Dragon Realm, Garos. I believe you will bring even greater surprises to all the dragons then."
Old Gold Dragon said with a smile.
Then, he turned his gaze to Nasha and Alberto, who had been standing to the side. The warm smile on his face vanished instantly, and his gaze turned cold and imposing.
Old Gold Dragon asked in a deep voice, "What are your plans now, you two?"
"Do you want to stay in this wilderness and experience life, or... obediently come back to the Dragon Realm with me?"
Nasha immediately used her natural advantage as a daughter, wriggling her body and saying in a coquettish tone, "My dear father, please don't be angry. I just couldn't help being a little playful."
"Besides, I'm not just playing around. I'm level 18 now, which is an improvement over before."
"And think about it, if it weren't for this, where would you find Garos?"
"I've made amends for my past mistakes; no, I should say I've performed a great service."
Old Gold Dragon's expression softened slightly as he listened to his daughter's words.
Clearly, this explanation worked quite well for him.
However, when it was Alberto's turn, the style changed drastically.
He stood tall and proud, striking an unyielding pose, and declared righteously, "Old man! Put away your act! Let me tell you, you can force my body for a while, but you can never control my soul's pursuit of freedom and greatness for a lifetime!"
"I am the dragon destined to build the Golden Order and illuminate a wider sky."
"The small pond of the Dragon Realm cannot contain me."
Old Gold Dragon Orvis listened to his rebellious son's boastful words, his eyes twitched slightly, and his eyes seemed to be bloodshot as he could not suppress his anger.
He stopped wasting words and slowly said, "Good, very good."
" Nasha can stay outside and play a little longer, I won't force her. But Alberto— "
The Old Gold Dragon said without room for argument, "You must, immediately, return to the Dragon Realm with me!"
Upon hearing this, Nasha secretly winked at the Red Iron Dragon Garos and revealed a joyful and victorious smile.
Alberto, like a cat whose tail had been stepped on, protested indignantly. "No, I belong to a wider world! I absolutely refuse to go back..."
Bang!
With a crisp, muffled thud, Alberto's Bloodburst speech came to an abrupt end.
Orvis had appeared beside him without him noticing, and his dragon claw gently stroked the back of his head.
Then, Alberto rolled his eyes, his massive body swayed, and then his head lolled to the side as he decisively passed out, and the world instantly became quiet.
Orvis disdainfully stretched out his claws and plucked off all the fake dragon horns on Alberto's head, which he found extremely annoying, and threw them away. Then he picked up the Gold Dragon, who had completely passed out.
"You flatter me. I'm not usually such a volatile dragon."
Old Gold Dragon spoke slowly.
Garos: "I understand. If it were me, I would have been even more ruthless."
Immediately, the Old Gold Dragon nodded to Garos, then gave Nasha a few instructions, and finally led Alberto back towards the Wave-Subduing Dragon Realm.
By then, night had quietly fallen.
High in the sky, the stars, some real and some illusory, and the twin moons shimmered with a faint light, taking in all these scenes.