Dialogue with the Feeder

Under the young dragon's gaze, Xilong stopped. Keeping some distance, he sat down where he was, obediently swished his tail, and said, "Feeder."

"What urgent matter brings you to my nest so late?"

Jiazhuosa furrowed the scales between her brows.

The little Chrome Dragon raised his head and studied her expression. Seemingly somewhat embarrassed, he said, "I thought that when you flicked me to the ground, Feeder, it was a hint for me to come here at one in the morning to learn magic."

"What?"

The scales on Jiazhuosa's brow creased even tighter.

"There is a story in my inheritance about a Stone Sprite that, in order to learn extraordinary secret arts, entered an ancient monastery hidden within the mist, seeking the greatest sage and arcane master in the world at the time."

Xilong said, "To learn secret arts from the master, the Stone Sprite endured trial after trial. Only after many years did the master tap its head three times, telling it to go to the central courtyard at three in the morning, where he taught it the Cloud-Rising Spell and the Seventy-Two Transformations."

"I've never heard that story."

After listening, Jiazhuosa shook her head. "There are plenty of stone spirits in Ochre Valley too—things the size of a Gray Dwarf's fist, with very low intelligence. Can they learn magic?"

Xilong thought for a moment before answering, "There are always some exceptionally gifted ones."

"This story does not belong to us. When we Iron Dragons speak, we are always candid and straightforward. There is no such thing as hints."

After thinking for a while, Jiazhuosa said, "And if a Lesser Dragon had said this, I might have believed it. But Heavy-Metal Dragons are born with their gifts gathered in their bodies. We have never excelled at magic, nor are we particularly passionate about it. Looking at the things you do every day, you do not seem like one seeking the path of a spellcaster."

"So..."

Jiazhuosa moved closer to Xilong. Her face was broader than the hatchling's body, and her fangs stood like rows of spears. "First, you made a wish to me tonight and tested my attitude. After getting your answer, you found an excuse and quietly came before me. What exactly is it that you want to say?"

"As expected, nothing escapes the Feeder's blazing gaze."

Xilong swished his tail. He did not look embarrassed, merely saying, "I wish to request your authorization to permit me to explore deep into the mineral veins."

"The reason?"

"While playing with Moqi before, I discovered some Mushroom People. I was quite interested in them. I want to enter the mineral veins, capture them, and take their Iron Grease."

"So that's how it is."

Jiazhuosa nodded slightly, then waved a claw. "Go back. I do not permit it."

Xilong froze. This was how Iron Dragons communicated: direct and frank. The Feeder's words were far too clear and blunt, leaving not the slightest room for maneuver. He wanted to argue for it, but first he had to consider how to phrase it.

Jiazhuosa returned to the hollow at the center of the nest. Glancing over, she found that the Chrome Dragon was still sitting where he was, looking as if he wanted to speak but hesitated.

Their earlier exchange about nature surfaced again. Recalling Xilong's conduct all this time, all kinds of images flashed through Jiazhuosa's mind, and something stirred faintly within her.

"The mineral veins are complex and connect to unknown underground spaces. They hold great allure for hatchlings. Before you, many hatchlings came to ask me for permission, including Ladon and the Ember Scar brothers, but without exception, I rejected them all."

Making an exception, she said a few more words. "You want to enter the mineral veins. What reason do you have that could persuade me?"

"The same reason as before."

After thinking for a while, Xilong still said, "I want Iron Grease because I believe it can strengthen my scales, claws, and fangs. I want to capture Mushroom People because there is some ambition in my heart. I want to experience what it feels like to subdue followers."

Jiazhuosa watched him for a while. Her original aura of steel gradually loosened. Curling herself down upon the ground, she nodded. "Come here."

The little Chrome Dragon obediently moved closer.

"Since your birth, you have displayed that you are different from the rest. Though you are not the most talented, you possess your own traits: cleverness, diligence, curiosity about the world, and a touch of solitude."

"Half a year ago, when I first had the hatchlings undergo tooth-grinding training, you completed the task just like an Iron Dragon. You did excellently—and chewed your own mouth bloody in the process."

"Then you spent roughly three or four days recovering from your injuries, and then..."

Jiazhuosa narrowed her eyes, scrutinizing the Chrome Dragon before her. "Then your scent changed. You began to work harder and harder, and your life became extraordinarily regular. You had always been a persevering child, but that sudden scent of confidence and drive had never been there before."

Jiazhuosa's expression remained unchanged, but her tone deepened. "I think that during those three or four days, something happened to you. It changed you and gave you firmer conviction and motivation. Am I right?"

"Yes."

After pondering for a moment, Xilong admitted, "After chewing ore for the first time, I suddenly discovered that I seemed able to absorb metal and strengthen my body's potential. After half a year of verification, I found that it was indeed true."

"It was indeed true? Then why didn't you say so just now?" Jiazhuosa asked coldly.

"I... I was somewhat uneasy."

Xilong showed the timidity a hatchling ought to have.

"You do not trust me."

Jiazhuosa said, "I watched you hatch from your shell, gave you your first piece of bloody meat, and raised you day by day. Nothing you have experienced has escaped my eyes. Now you come to my nest and speak of your desires, yet conceal things from me and trust me not at all. Do you think I should feel pleased, or angry?"

Xilong fell silent.

He suddenly recalled a small matter from the days after tooth-grinding training. At that time, he and Moqi had seen a zipline in the Ironwood Forest. Wanting to train, Xilong had stepped onto it and tried walking across, only to destroy the bridge and snap the rope, collapsing every wooden stake at both ends along with it.

Naturally, he had been strung up and beaten.

But when Xilong later went back to look, he discovered that the Gray Dwarves had already repaired the stakes, driving thick Ironleaf Wood deep into the ground. The formerly thin, fragile hemp rope had also been replaced with sinew cord used to make ballistas and catapults.

"I was overly cautious and suspicious, which is why I treaded so carefully."

Xilong said earnestly, "Before this, I simply did not know whom I could trust. That led me to put on false airs and hide my true thoughts. I recognize my mistake, and I hope the Feeder will not be angry anymore."

What was with that strange tone? He was clearly admitting fault and apologizing, yet why did it sound as though he were comforting her instead?

Looking at the little thing's solemn expression, Jiazhuosa somewhat wanted to laugh, but restrained herself.

Still maintaining the bearing of a Great Dragon, she said, "You heard those rumors and thought Iron Dragons were the masters of this Lineage, while other dragon breeds were merely vassals. Even Chrome Dragons, though likewise Higher Species, were only blades for Iron Dragons to wield. Is that right?"

Xilong hesitated for a while, then nodded. "A little."

"I will not tell you that Chrome Dragons can also become the masters of the Lineage. That is still too far away for you. What I will tell you is this: even if you are a blade, so what? Does being a blade mean you are not a member of the Lineage? Would Iron Dragons not wish for that blade's edge to become sharper?"

Jiazhuosa said, "Looking at it the other way, the little dragons of Ochre Valley are born with nothing. If you do not trust and rely on your own Lineage, whom else can you trust and rely on? Think carefully about the truth of that."

Xilong nodded again. "I... understand."

"I hope you truly understand. You are the finest Chrome Dragon in the Lineage. You should become an unrivaled sharp edge. Do not let these dull and foolish trifles make you hide your own light."

Jiazhuosa said, "I grant your request to explore the mines, but not because I favor you. It is because it will truly be useful to you. In exchange, from now on, you will look after those Nickel Dragons for me."

"Nickel Dragons?"

"Those Nickel Dragons know my bottom line and dare not violate my rules, yet they keep causing trouble within those rules, making the Lesser Dragons bear hatred toward them. I do not like it."

Jiazhuosa said, "But you frightened them. Perhaps that will make them lose their fighting spirit and become even more overly cautious, which is not good either. Whether Iron Dragons, Chrome Dragons, Nickel Dragons, or Lesser Dragons, all are worth cultivating in my eyes. Since Chrome Dragons are born able to suppress Nickel Dragons, you will help me temper them."

Xilong pondered for a while. He knew the Feeder's rule of equal exchange. Even Ladon, if he wanted more meat, had no choice but to crush stone in the quarry. In Ochre Valley, wishing to gain without labor was unrealistic.

"Alright," he agreed.

"Then the agreement is made. I do not want the other hatchlings to know the details of this matter. Let us treat it as a little secret between you and me."

Jiazhuosa nodded slightly.

"Lastly, there are two more requirements."

"First, the mineral veins are complex and connected to underground spaces. Though no large-scale disasters exist there, there may still be dangers. If you feel that the task exceeds your strength, do not force it. Since you are exceptionally gifted, you should protect yourself all the more. Do not lightly place yourself in danger."

"Second, no stealing. There are many ores excavated by the dwarves in the mineral veins. They are not yours. Though we Heavy-Metal Dragons cannot be called kind, we will never commit vile deeds. Chromatic Dragons and Exotic Dragons are what we despise. Do not become like them."

"No problem." Xilong nodded.

Jiazhuosa waved a claw. "Good. Then I will make arrangements and let you in tomorrow or the day after."

Xilong lowered his head in salute, then took his leave.

Jiazhuosa walked toward a side cavern within the nest and began sorting through various materials, murmuring, "Clear blood of the glacial blind salamander, cold-fragrance grass, hemp-rope flowers..."

Those were ingredients for brewing potions. Though not especially precious, they were rather difficult to find.

Jiazhuosa could not enter meditation and could not demonstrate instruction as Aitixiya did, but she had another method. She could use potions to let the hatchlings experience the feeling of meditation. Whether they could succeed afterward would depend on the hatchlings' own abilities.

"The ability to consume metal?"

Jiazhuosa pondered.

In Ochre Valley, the most exceptional was naturally the ancient breed Ladon. But Jelierion, Xilong, and Kelaili were also quite good, and some Tungsten Dragons had likewise displayed remarkable talent.

Back then, the Supreme Dragon had been confident in his strength, arrogant beyond compare. Yet in the final situation of certain death, he had voluntarily burned his blood oracle, Myriad Weight, using even his life and divinity as firewood in exchange for another blood oracle.

"Scattered Fire Sets the Plains Ablaze."

The Supreme's divine throne blazed fiercely, sharing his power, his might, and his love with every Heavy-Metal Dragon, without reaching any place too far.

From that point onward, the likelihood of "variants" appearing among Heavy-Metal Dragons greatly increased. Their potential and gifts could easily undergo transformation. In theory, nearly every Heavy-Metal Dragon had the possibility of becoming a Supreme in the future.

The Evil Dragon Mother and the Three-Tailed Dragon Queen had always launched divine-oracle hunts, pursuing and killing powerful Heavy-Metal Dragons across the worlds, for this very reason.

"Jialagedong, you arrogant, conceited madman—you have dragged us all into misery."

The young dragon slowly rolled the herbs between her claws. "Go in peace. Heavy-Metal Dragons will not go extinct. One day, a new Supreme will arise and seize the authority you burned away."