New Rules

The dragon hatchlings gradually departed, and the nest fell quiet, leaving only Ferrum and Valyria staring at each other in silence.

After this period of growth, Ferrum's Disaster Level was about to reach Level Four, yet compared with Valyria, he still had a vast difference in size, like a cub that had not fully grown.

"You once told me that by consuming metal, you could improve your potential."

After a moment of silence, Valyria took the initiative to speak. "Once every six months, right?"

"Yes."

"The first thing you consumed was ore with only trace amounts of iron. The second was Iron Grease enriched by the Mushroom People."

Valyria tilted her head. "How did they feel different?"

"The difference was significant."

Ferrum answered honestly. "Potential is hard to describe, but I can feel that my energy has become more abundant. After being injured and bleeding, my body also recovers much faster."

"Hidorivi broke your wing bone, while Kelaili corroded through your forelimb. The severity of those injuries was entirely different, yet both times you recovered in only a week."

Valyria glanced at Ferrum. "So the more precious the metal you consume, the better the effect?"

"That cannot be said for certain."

Ferrum considered it for a while. "By my estimate, expensive magical metals such as Vein Gold and Mithril would definitely produce the best effects when consumed. But powerful metals like osmium and uranium would not bring poor benefits either."

"They are equally rare, though."

Valyria showed a faintly thoughtful expression. "This is Nuenlongdun's ability. He was known as the Goldstar Forger, one of the strongest forces at the Supreme's side in those days. Legend says he could alter his life form by consuming metal. Could you do that as well?"

Ferrum did not indulge in fantasies. He merely swayed his tail and smiled. "Perhaps in the future."

"There is no need to speak of the future. Some time ago, the Tagoma Kingdom discovered a gigantic gold mine. Together with the giant treasures brought back by a group of adventurers, it sparked successive gold rushes and exploration frenzies, throwing the entire Red Earth Region into turmoil and sending prices soaring."

As Valyria spoke, she sighed softly. "In other words, the gold in our hands is losing value, while the cost of raising you is rapidly increasing. It is an extremely heavy burden, both for the family and for me. Once you enter the Dragon Hatchling stage, you must leave Ochre Valley."

Ferrum was slightly startled. He had not expected even a Giant Dragon family to be affected by mortal kingdoms. It made him even more curious about the world outside.

But there was something else he was even more curious about.

"Nurturer, what will the family arrange for us to do after we become Dragon Hatchlings?" Ferrum asked, seizing the opportunity.

At his words, Valyria lowered her head and studied Ferrum carefully for a while.

She still remembered what this Chrome Dragon had looked like just after hatching: his membranous wings limp, his limbs short, his head large and his belly round.

But in the blink of an eye, he had grown up—agile and robust, no longer looking like a hatchling. He bore something of the appearance of an Adolescent Dragon, even carrying a hint of heroic bearing.

That was how Great Dragons were. They wanted their descendants to be both fierce and obedient, mature and innocent, capable of anything yet willing to listen to every word. They always wanted hatchlings to grow up quickly, yet wished Adolescent Dragons could become small again.

Thinking this, Valyria could not help stretching out her claws and nudging the Chrome Dragon back and forth before her. She flipped him onto the ground, pinned him between her claws, and used one hooked toe to press against his lower jaw as she teased him for a while.

Even though they were both Iron Dragons, compared to those forceful and proud Iron Dragon descendants, Valyria still preferred Ferrum and Kelaili when they acted like little cubs.

"What does this mean?"

Ferrum was baffled. He bared his teeth and grimaced as he struggled and scratched beneath the Great Dragon's claws, though he did not use all his strength.

If he had used all his strength, he could probably have left a few bloody scratches... right?

"What Dragon Hatchlings can do depends on your own abilities."

Only after a while did Valyria release him. "The current plan is to send all Lesser Dragons to Red Fort. At that time, the family will hire a great spellcaster to teach the Lesser Dragons magic. At the same time, they will become the family's patrol hunters, traveling across the family's territory in the Lost Wilderness, strengthening the family's control over the various clans and consolidating the rule of the Giant Dragons."

"As for Heavy-Metal Dragons..."

Valyria paused before continuing, "The family's care and training are not free. You are the strongest military force in the hands of the Giant Dragon lords, and you will become pioneers, heading to the family's various borderlands."

"Expanding into wilderness and reclaiming lost territory will become your most important tasks, as well as responsibilities you cannot shirk."

"That sounds dangerous," Ferrum said.

"Not merely dangerous. It could be fatal."

"You will face foreign enemies: Fishfolk and pirates, mountain folk and Sandfolk, Ogres and giant tribes. That is why, although I greatly dislike hatchlings associating with followers, I do not mind you forming your own groups. On the day you leave Ochre Valley, you will all need companions who can fight at your side."

Valyria fell silent for a moment, then said, "In the end, you still need to grow strong as quickly as possible."

Ferrum also fell silent. Once more, the nest held only the crackling of the hanging furnace as it burned, releasing faint wisps of smoke.

He could also smell the scent of pine branches favored by Young Dragons, threading into his mind—gentle and tranquil.

"What will you consume in six months? Iron Grease again?" Valyria asked.

Ferrum shook his head, indicating that he had nothing on hand.

"Come with me."

Valyria abruptly turned around. Her strides were enormous, and in only four or five steps she entered the depths of the nest. She ducked into a side cavern and pushed aside the stone slab that concealed it.

With Valyria's low breathing, the candlelight inside the cave slowly brightened as well.

It was a hidden, deep cave. Skull trophies of unknown origin hung from the rock walls, each one exceedingly savage and fearsome. Dragons liked collecting the skulls of powerful monsters to display their own strength.

The low stone shelves beneath the walls held layers of animal pelts, all perfectly preserved and of superb quality, clearly valuable. Farther inside stood an oak barrel filled with gold coins. Beside it lay a long carpet, covered with irregular chunks of gold and silver in varying purity.

Ferrum's eyes brightened. He knew this was Valyria's treasure cave. The style of her treasury was just like her nest—simple and unadorned. Only because he was still weak and not considered a threat by a Young Dragon could he possibly be allowed to see a Young Dragon's treasure.

"From now on, work for me at the logging yard. In six months, I will pay you with a batch of refined iron ingots. Once you can defeat Jelierion, I will take out some gold from here for you to consume. If you can defeat Ladon..."

Valyria hesitated for a moment, then continued, "If you can defeat Ladon, then I will prepare a piece of magical metal for you as your reward."

After hearing this, Ferrum stood stunned for a long time before raising his head to gaze at the Young Dragon's imposing figure.

"Nurturer, are you and Xisilanwei good friends?" he asked quietly.

Valyria lowered her head. "Who is Xisilanwei?"

"That is the name of Moqi's mother and mine."

Ferrum said, "I feel that Nurturer treats me very well, and I like Nurturer too. But is there some special reason you value and cultivate me like this?"

After hearing him, Valyria did not answer. Instead, she brought up another matter. "You just experienced a complete meditation session. Did you gain any special insight or harvest?"

Ferrum shook his head. His talent had not reached that level.

"Since you had no special insight, I have no special reason either. I value and cultivate you because you can be cultivated. If other dragons can defeat Jelierion and Ladon, they will receive the same treatment."

"So do not think too much. Among dragons, the weak need a goal to strive toward, while the strong need opponents who can threaten them. Only then will they have greater fighting spirit."

Valyria said, "As for me, I treat all of you equally and have no favorites. I only hope you grow up quickly, so that I can fulfill my obligations to the family."

"I understand."

Ferrum nodded lightly. "I should be able to challenge Jelierion soon, but I still cannot see through Ladon's strength. I want to know just how powerful he is—or rather, how far apart we are."

"Go back."

Valyria shook her head without answering. She only said softly, "You will see soon enough."

Ferrum did not understand. He could only lower his head and leave Valyria's nest.

From then on, his days proceeded methodically. Alongside strengthening his body, he added meditation training and a job cutting timber.

Ferrum's daily life was extremely regular. During that time, he also received a small jar of honey sent by a Thorn Dragon and spent a pleasant, refreshing summer.

Until the north wind swept up the dust of Ochre Valley, the weather turned cold, and autumn arrived, the Nurturer suddenly announced startling news.

"From now on, food will no longer be distributed equally among the hatchlings. All flesh food may be taken by whichever dragons can claim it. From this day forward, the Feeding-Seizure Period and the Food-Sharing Period will alternate in cycles, each lasting one month."

When the announcement ended, Ladon stepped out from behind the Nurturer and stood atop the mountain-like pile of flesh food, looking coldly down upon the dragons as he claimed all the food for himself.