Galos stretched his wings, standing amidst the howling wind and snow.
The biting cold wind, mixed with ice crystals, lashed against his formidable and strong Dragon body, but it failed to shake him in the slightest.
The Dragon group's previous siege was not without results.
Many shallow and deep scars and dents were clearly etched on his outer layer of tough Cold Burst Scales.
Because Galos had deliberately activated his Excited State during the battle to stimulate his potential, large areas of his Cold Burst Scales had now cracked and shattered, almost completely peeling off.
Beneath the broken Cold Burst Scales, there were no newly grown tender scales.
Instead, there was a tougher inner layer of primary scales, covered with countless deep, battle-hardened patterns.
However, this layer of hard base scales, which should have presented a deep black-red color, now glowed with a scorching crimson like a branding iron just pulled from a furnace, extremely dazzling.
Chii chii chii—!
The crystal-clear snowflakes had not yet truly touched the scale surface; they were instantly vaporized by the invisible high temperature when they were still an inch away, disappearing without a trace.
Galos's Dragon scales were clearly emitting extremely terrifying heat.
But, strangely, centered around him, there were no surging, spreading hot air currents, nor was the surrounding air distorted by high temperatures; visually, there was almost no abnormality.
If observed only with the naked eye, it would be extremely difficult to immediately judge the terrifying heat contained within that massive Dragon body.
This was completely different from the situation during his adolescent period.
At that time, when Galos's Cold Burst Scales were on the verge of shattering and the accumulated heat in his body was full, there would be very violent, visibly outward energy overflow, causing significant impact on the surrounding environment.
But now, all energy fluctuations were contained and restrained.
Galos extended a claw, gently stroking his solid right chest, feeling the steadily pulsating dragon jade within.
"The dragon jade's energy storage effect and stability have achieved a qualitative leap; the temporarily absorbed and converted heat is no longer so easily out of control and dissipated, and there's no longer an urgent need to release it all immediately."
He carefully perceived the subtle changes within his body, understanding in his heart.
At its root, the source of all changes lay in this evolution.
In the past.
The dragon jade, which had only a vague prototype, performed exceptionally well in absorbing energy and efficiently converting it into heat, but the converted heat was like water in a sieve, dissipating at an astonishing rate.
Therefore, he was forced to release it in the form of Destruction Dragon Breath the moment the heat accumulation was complete, otherwise it would be a huge waste and a burden on his body.
But now.
While the dragon jade's efficiency in converting energy may not have dramatically improved, its ability to preserve and restrain heat has made a qualitative leap.
It still cannot completely and permanently store all heat.
But the rate at which heat is lost and dissipated has become ten to a hundred times slower.
"I can still use heat to strengthen Dragon Breath, unleashing a more powerful Destruction Dragon Breath, as before."
"But now, I have an additional option: I can temporarily retain this heat to continuously strengthen my body's state during battle, rather than just using it as fuel for a one-time breath, or even using a portion to strengthen my breath and a portion to strengthen my body."
Thump thump thump! Thump thump thump!
The heavy, drum-like heartbeat did not cease.
Galos was still maintaining the Blood Burst State, which significantly boosted his body's attributes.
He pondered for a moment, then tentatively and actively guided the release of the heat absorbed and converted by the dragon jade.
In an instant, pure and majestic heat reacted in a wonderful way with his Dragon blood, which was already boiling and surging due to the Blood Burst State!
The Red Iron Dragon's scales all trembled slightly, emitting a low and dense hum.
Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!
Clusters of dark red flames, condensed like substance, ignited without warning from the crimson scales on his body.
These flames did not surge and spread chaotically; instead, like living liquid, they rapidly spread, flowed, and outlined along the battle-hardened patterns on his body and the vivid bloodline network highlighted by the Blood Burst State, as if countless scorching lines of fire covered his entire body.
Countless lines of fire crisscrossed, weaving into a network of flames covering his entire body.
Finally.
The blazing lines of fire and deep red patterns perfectly intertwined, as if countless vivid, continuously swaying and burning Crimson Lotuses of flame bloomed brilliantly upon his massive, formidable, dark Red Dragon body, both magnificent and deadly.
His aura also surged upwards again with this change.
The air within his surrounding area finally began to violently twist and blur, and terrifying heat waves formed substantial shockwaves spreading outwards, instantly evaporating and vaporizing all accumulated snow in a large area around him.
The ground became scorched and cracked, and even the air ignited, spontaneously erupting in raging flames, forming a domain of destruction where only flames burned.
The Red Iron Dragon, standing in the center of this domain, now looked like a mobile natural disaster spreading destruction.
Galos clenched his claws slightly, feeling a power surge and roar within him that was even greater than the pure Blood Burst State.
Evidently, the heat absorbed and converted by the dragon jade could indeed provide a deeper level of enhancement on top of the Blood Burst State.
However, with each heavy, drum-like beat of his heart, and with every passing second.
Galos also simultaneously felt an extremely heavy sense of burden, as if he had returned to the difficulty and pain of his first forced activation of the Blood Burst State.
This long-lost feeling was something he hadn't experienced in a long time.
As he continuously adapted and evolved, the burden of the conventional Excited State was now extremely low; for him, it was like the most ordinary aerobic exercise, which could be sustained for a very long time.
The Blood Burst State was similar to high-intensity anaerobic exercise.
Although intense, with his powerful physique and will, he could sustain it for a considerable period.
As for this new state, formed by infusing heat into the Blood Burst State.
He felt that every inch of his muscles and every bone was bearing an immense burden.
The tough Dragon scales covering his entire body continuously trembled violently under the impact of the energy, and even in subtle places, they emitted cracking sounds of being unable to bear the strain!
This was akin to burning himself at all costs to achieve ultimate power.
"This state is more dangerous than any previous form."
Galos clearly perceived his own condition.
Burning life was not just a metaphor; he truly felt his Dragon blood boiling, roaring, and intensely burning within him.
"If the timing isn't right, and I fail to end it promptly or can't defeat the enemy, this state will put me in an extremely dangerous, irrecoverable situation."
"However—"
He then thought, and his mindset immediately relaxed quite a bit: "—I still have the dragon jade's stored second life as a final safeguard."
"Hmm, then it's fine; I can use it with confidence."
Galos thought, this powerful form was likely also a result of this evolution, rather than a mere coincidence, which is why it was so compatible with him, allowing for a further step beyond the Blood Burst State.
"To distinguish it from the conventional Blood Burst State."
"This extreme state, which further integrates heat and is used for a desperate struggle, shall be called — [Crimson Lotus State]. It will become my ultimate trump card when I hold nothing back and am determined to fight to the death."
Whoosh—!
Galos took a deep breath, as if to inhale all the burning air around him into his lungs, then raised his Dragon head and suddenly opened his mouth towards the empty sky.
The Destruction Dragon Breath instantly pierced through and evaporated the swirling wind, snow, and dark clouds.
Galos also used this to prematurely vent and consume the restless heat within his body, actively stopping the Crimson Lotus State.
And with the expulsion of the Destruction Dragon Breath, the fiery Crimson Lotus patterns that entwined his entire body, like living things, quickly dimmed and extinguished, and the heavy, thunderous heartbeat gradually calmed and weakened.
The scorching crimson scales covering his entire body, like a cooling branding iron, slowly settled in color, returning to their deep black-red original hue.
Galos's aura finally returned to calm.
After doing all this, he looked at Gold Dragon Alberto.
"You seem to have woken up very early."
Galos asked, "When the Dragon group besieged me just now, why didn't you participate in the battle? If you had joined in, the Dragon group might have had a certain chance of winning."
Nonsense! Pure nonsense!
Alberto had now deeply realized in his heart that he absolutely could not believe Galos's lies.
This guy could not be measured or guessed by any common sense, otherwise, he himself would be the one completely fleeced in the end.
At this moment, most of the Dragons who participated in the siege were still in a truly unconscious state.
But considering that the Crimson-Silver Dragon Deborah, Fairy Dragon Vera, and some younger Dragons who had not yet reached adolescence were still circling in the sky, not having participated in the battle, serving as an audience.
"Well, mainly, lying on the ground just now felt particularly comfortable."
The Gold Dragon's voice sounded quite sincere: "So I just wanted to lie there a bit longer."
"I originally planned to make a grand entrance at the critical moment of the battle, at the very last crucial juncture, to turn the tide."
"But who would have thought—"
He pointed at the Dragons lying haphazardly on the ground and said, "—they all lay down so quickly?"
"As a result, I didn't even get a chance to make my entrance, so you can't blame me, can you?"
He shook his head, looking very regretful.
"So that's how it is. However, your appearance now is not too late."
Galos said, "Considering the heavy debts you carry, those sparkling gems and gold coins, those rare magic materials, which you have to use for repayment every time you manage to acquire them."
"I feel a bit sorry for you, so I'm giving you a special opportunity."
"From now on, for every successful wound you inflict on me, I will reduce a certain amount of your debt based on the depth of the wound. Conversely, if you fail, as a small incentive, you only need to pay half the value of the wager as additional debt."
"How about it? Isn't it a great deal?"
Hearing these words, Gold Dragon Alberto instinctively felt a little anticipation.
He carefully scrutinized the Red Iron Dragon, keenly noticing that the other party seemed to have conducted some extremely dangerous experiment just now, resulting in his entire body being covered in tiny cracks, and even the aura he emitted seemed somewhat outwardly strong but inwardly weak, very feeble, far less unfathomable than before.
It was as if he could be defeated very easily.
Not to mention just leaving a few scars on him.
"Good—"
Alberto almost unconsciously agreed, his Dragon mouth already open.
But at the same instant, the countless past experiences of being full of confidence, only to lose miserably and end up heavily indebted, instantly drowned his impulse, making him suddenly wake up.
"No!"
He forcefully stopped the agreement that was almost out of his mouth, sharply changing his tone.
"Thank you for your kindness! But I've rested too long, and my oath is urging me to start today's training immediately! Other matters can be discussed later!"
Alberto said righteously, while already stepping in place and doing warm-up exercises, as if he genuinely couldn't wait to fulfill his oath.
Hearing this, a hint of regret flashed in Galos's eyes.
This Gold Dragon, having suffered so many losses, was indeed not as easy to deceive as before.
Like the Ignas Dragon Group, he too was constantly growing through one lesson after another, becoming different from before.
Over the years, due to the existence of that strict oath, Alberto had to be down-to-earth, diligently training himself day after day. His temperament had gradually shed much of its impulsiveness, becoming much more stable than before. Even those prejudiced, narrow-minded thoughts had improved a lot, and his resistance to being swayed had also progressed by leaps and bounds; he wasn't so easily hot-headed anymore.
The contents of the Oath of Conquest and the Oath of the Crown had not changed.
But Alberto no longer blindly trusted himself and looked down on everything as he used to; his understanding of his own strength had also become clearer.
"However, it's not entirely without opportunity."
Galos observed the Gold Dragon, who, despite refusing, still had a flickering gaze, and pondered internally.
"Alberto's current age should be over seventy, not far from the hibernation of his youth. Once he passes that hibernation, his life level will inevitably have a huge leap. According to a Gold Dragon's nature, his self-confidence will surely swell unprecedentedly, reaching a new peak."
"At that time, it's almost a certainty that he will challenge me."
"Then I'll place a big bet."
"Before that, if he can pay off his existing debts, I'll let him relax for a while and won't think of other methods. After all, I'm not a devil."
Thinking this, a smile appeared on the Red Iron Dragon's face.
Across from him.
Alberto was also quickly calculating in his mind.
"Thanks to the arduous tempering I've been forced into by the oath these past years, my current life level is 16, already comparable to an ordinary adult Gold Dragon."
"Once I pass through hibernation and enter adulthood, my life level will most likely directly increase to 18, or even close to 19! That's close to the level of a late-adult Gold Dragon."
"At that time, it will be my best chance to wipe away past humiliation and completely turn the tables."
"I can issue a formal challenge to Galos and win back all the costs I paid and all the treasures I lost, principal and interest, in one go."
Thinking of that beautiful and glorious future, Alberto couldn't help but grin, revealing a smile full of anticipation and longing.
For a moment, the two Dragons looked at each other across the distance, both with satisfied smiles of different meanings.
The atmosphere seemed very harmonious.
However, this was only temporary; in the end, only one Dragon was destined to smile more happily.
Immediately, to conceal his inner calculations, Alberto actively flapped his massive wings, flew into the sky, and then, using the Earth-Sun training method he learned from Galos, began his vigorous self-tempering on the spot.
Soon after, the Dragons stunned by Galos gradually regained consciousness.
Although they had already anticipated the failure of their encirclement, being so swiftly and irresistibly crushed made them more deeply realize the vast gap between themselves and Lord of Smelting Iron, and their awe for Galos deepened even further in their hearts.
At the same time.
Alberto, who had just completed a set of Earth-Sun training and was still dizzy from his self-inflicted falls, climbed out of the huge crater he had created. He shook his still-dizzy head, his expression becoming more serious, and said, "Galos, I'm preparing to return to the Serre Wilderness."
"Since the full-scale outbreak of the Federal Civil War, the situation there has become more chaotic and exciting day by day."
"Almost every so often, some powerful creatures that were originally dormant in the depths of the wilderness take advantage of the situation to rise, show their fangs, and try to seize territory and resources."
"The battles and killings between Monsters have almost never stopped, and the ducal and royal forces, each standing on different sides, are constantly sending elites to attack each other's strongholds and supply lines. Occasionally, some Monster Clans or tribes of considerable size also interfere, taking advantage of the chaos."
"The Serre Wilderness now is practically a boiling pot of porridge, utterly chaotic, yet full of opportunities and excitement."
Alberto said expectantly, "I can't wait to soar over that land and fight alongside you."
As a challenger, he felt a heavy sense of oppression from Galos.
But as an ally fighting side by side, Galos's presence would be as reliable as an unshakeable mountain of steel, enough to make any companion feel incredibly secure.
After a brief exchange, Alberto no longer delayed. He flapped his wings, and his massive body soared, breaking through the perpetual wind, snow, and dark clouds of the Borderlands, turning into a brilliant golden streak, and sped towards the Serre Wilderness.
Watching the Gold Dragon depart, Galos's gaze slowly swept over the surrounding Dragons, who were now awake and in various states.
After some thought, he said in a deep voice, "The Molten Iron Tribe's banner has already been planted in every corner of the Borderlands, but this is just the beginning."
Galos's massive Dragon wings suddenly spread, pointing towards the Serre Wilderness.
"The broader wilderness, containing endless opportunities, is waiting for us to conquer, waiting for the iron wings of the Dragon Group to rule!"
"Once your conditions are fully recovered, the Molten Iron Tribe will officially march into the wilderness! Our claws will crush all obstacles that dare to stand in our way, and our roars will become the new law of that land."
All the Dragons present felt a surge of hot blood in their hearts.
They all instinctively raised their heads and let out deafening, excited, and passionate Dragon roars, boldly breaking through the howling wind and snow and piercing the sky.
Listening to the rising and falling Dragon roars, Galos's heart remained very calm.
The declaration just now was only to stir up the Dragons' enthusiasm. He himself knew that the wilderness was vast, and now was the best opportunity to snatch chestnuts from the fire, but there were also more challenges and dangers; he couldn't act recklessly and needed to proceed steadily.
"The Serre Wilderness will be a huge cake, and I am not enough to consume it completely now."
"The Blue Dragon Group, the Plague Dragon, and my Red Dragon father, whom Alberto mentioned earlier, are all very powerful adversaries, not to mention other powerful entities beyond Dragons."
"Exchanging benefits for some reliable allies can alleviate many burdens and troubles."
He pondered deeply, his thoughts gradually drifting to the Sinkhole Territory where he had resided when he was still weak.
"The Iron Dragon Mother should still be in the wilderness; perhaps I can win her over."
"Given her age and bloodline, her life level should be at least 16, and there's a high possibility of reaching level 17. Compared to my current self, she's not incredibly powerful, but she's not weak either."
Galos mused that it was time to meet the Iron Dragon Mother.
It was definitely not to show off his current strength, nor for a fleeting bit of vanity, but purely for serious business, for better development in the wilderness.