"The four Map Kings of the northwestern wilderness... aside from that Beholder, the others are somewhat similar to the wild monster lords I subdued back in the Borderlands."
Garros Ignatius sorted through the information in his mind.
From the perspective of biological species and their classification as Vicious Beasts or magical creatures, the Map Kings seemed no different from the wild monster lords under his command.
But that was only on the surface.
In reality, those Map Kings were, without exception, powerful existences possessing high intelligence.
They also gathered sizable, disciplined legions under their command; they were by no means solitary wolves.
Their individual strength, as well as the collective power they could mobilize, far exceeded those wild monster lords in the Borderlands who occupied territory based solely on instinct.
However, possessing intelligence also meant the possibility of communication and negotiation.
This meant there was an opportunity to conquer them and convert them into his own Dependents.
"In the Borderlands, I killed over a dozen wild monster lords, and in the end, only three chose to submit."
"The situation with these Map Kings in the northwest might be different."
"The probability of successfully bringing them under my command should, theoretically, be higher."
Garros analyzed silently in his heart.
The Molten Iron Tribe's development in the Borderlands had long since hit a ceiling, reaching its limit. But after migrating to the broader stage of the Serre Wilderness, the situation was completely different.
Given the tribe's current size...
Let alone controlling the entire wilderness, even just wanting to fully control the northwest region seemed beyond their capabilities.
With the continuous conquest and expansion to follow, the core Dependent forces that could truly be mobilized at any time would actually be constantly thinned out.
When the time came, it might not be difficult to seize territory with the Dragon Group's formidable military force, but how to effectively manage the vast captured lands would become an extremely thorny problem.
For instance, after the Molten Iron Tribe took over the entire Borderlands, though their scale expanded rapidly, they still had to disperse a portion of their precious power to stay behind and maintain basic order when they decided to march into the wilderness on a large scale; they couldn't just leave it completely unattended.
By the same token...
As the Dragon banners were planted on one new piece of land after another, more outposts, sentries, and strongholds would need to be established. Strategic locations like the Quenching Highlands would also require troops to be stationed... The tribe's already finite strength would be further dispersed and diluted.
"In the process of expansion, absorbing and subduing new, powerful forces as Dependents is a strategy that must be adopted."
The Red Iron Dragon's long, thick tail flicked lightly, slapping the ground as he pondered.
"Otherwise, the strength of the Dragon Group and the tribe will only be gradually consumed by one war after another, dragged down by an increasingly massive territory. The losses would outweigh the gains."
His ultimate goal was to possess the power to sweep across the world with the strength of a single Dragon, to one day truly be unscrupulous and do as he pleased.
But at this stage, the importance of territory and Dependents remained self-evident.
On a purely martial level, Galos didn't actually need them that much; on the contrary, they needed to rely on Galos's protection to survive and grow.
However, the various Materials and resources Galos needed for rapid growth could not be collected and supplied without a massive territory and system of Dependents.
Without them, Galos would have to handle all trivial matters personally, which would waste his infinite time and energy, preventing him from focusing on his own training and strength.
"These Map Kings are potential dangerous enemies, but they are also ready-made targets for recruitment as Dependents."
The Red Iron Dragon pondered for a moment, already having a clear first target in mind.
The Map King closest to Creekwood Territory was the Lion King, who was entrenched in the Echo Rift Valley.
This Lion King had claimed the Echo Rift Valley and its vast surrounding areas as his territory, ruling over a massive and diverse population of lion-type Vicious Beasts and magical creatures, establishing a strictly hierarchical kingdom of prides.
According to scout reports, this Lion King's power was still expanding.
He was not satisfied with his existing territory and intended to turn an even larger area into the prides' hunting grounds.
Next, the Red Iron Dragon slowly closed his massive eyes, beginning to rest and recover his body.
Once his own state returned to its Peak and the tribal army had finished a brief rest, he would personally lead the Dragon Group and the elite Dependent legions to march on the Echo Rift Valley and attack the Lion King's territory.
On one hand, it was to truly gauge the actual level of the other Map Kings;
On the other hand, it was an attempt to subdue the entire pride, adding a powerful new force to the Molten Iron Tribe.
As for why he was making such a big deal of it, bringing the Dragon Group and Dependents instead of choosing to go alone for a duel...
The reason was simple: caution.
As of now, Galos himself was only a newly risen Map King, ranked alongside the others in reputation with no clear distinction of who was superior.
For powerful creatures qualified to be ranked alongside him, Galos believed it was necessary to give them due respect.
In case the opponent was a hidden powerhouse with many trump cards, charging in alone and then being caught in a pincer attack by the opponent's army could lead to an unexpected failure.
Galos didn't want to charge in aggressively only to return in defeat.
The sky gradually darkened during his contemplation.
Coiled in Needleleaf Valley, Galos's physical strength and the body state consumed by the Crimson Lotus State and curses were recovering at a rate visible to the naked eye.
Afterward, time flowed by at a steady pace.
The smell of gunpowder in the Serre Wilderness grew increasingly thick. One Map King after another revealed their claws and sharp edges; beacons of war were rising everywhere, and conflicts were constant.
The bases of those human duchies and kingdoms were also being continuously attacked by various wilderness forces or powerful creatures.
However, let alone executing past missions to sweep and clear wilderness creatures, the garrisons of these outposts were now struggling to even protect themselves due to the drastic weakening of the Federation's control. Most had adopted a conservative strategy of hunkering down for defense.
During this period.
Many small and medium-sized wilderness monster clans, in order to survive in these chaotic times, chose to proactively seek refuge with those famous and rising new powers.
The Molten Iron Tribe was naturally one of the targets for many clans.
Almost every day, wilderness clans from different races would travel across mountains and rivers to Creekwood Territory or other Molten Iron Tribe outposts, expressing their willingness to swear fealty to the Dragon Group in exchange for protection.
Some time later.
In the deepest part of the underground Undead Lair.
Black Dragon Seraphina and Green Dragon Ludwig stood in stark contrast, one radiating a profound Aura of death and the other a vigorous natural vitality.
Their chests were heaving violently, their breathing rapid and heavy.
Their once-lustrous scales were now covered in various injuries—deep claw marks, corrosive imprints, and even some wounds so deep that bone was visible, with Dragon blood slowly seeping out.
It was clear that in order to clear and suppress this lair left behind by a Lich, the two Dragons had just undergone an intense and perilous battle, paying a significant price.
Around them were the shattered remains of Undead creatures that had once again lost their mobility, along with some elite Dependents belonging to the Molten Iron Tribe who, though injured, still stood tall.
"These Undead... are finally cleaned out."
Green Dragon Ludwig bared his teeth, the numerous wounds on his body constantly sending jolts of sharp pain as if being corroded by negative energy.
He sniffed hard at the thick Aura of death in the air that made him feel uncomfortable all over, finally unable to resist turning his head toward the equally scarred Black Dragon beside him.
"Seraphina, tell me... why did the leader specifically send me to help you deal with this hellhole?"
He said, "This dense negative energy is practically my natural nemesis. Logically speaking, I'm better suited to managing some vibrant jungle or river valley outpost."
Green Dragons were naturally inclined toward stealth and strategy, accustomed to hiding behind the scenes rather than charging at the front.
He rarely showed off in front of the leader.
Therefore, he felt very surprised by the task the leader had assigned him.
He scrutinized the Black Dragon, heavily suspecting that Seraphina had recommended him to the leader behind his back.
Under the Green Dragon's scrutinizing gaze, Black Dragon Seraphina nodded calmly and admitted it directly.
"I was the one who suggested it to the leader."
She met the Green Dragon's suddenly widened eyes, her tone frank and carrying a hint of smugness as she said, "I told the leader that the dense negative energy environment of this lair is an excellent form of training and tempering for you, helping you better understand the other side of life."
"Furthermore, the subsequent transformation of this place into a Dragon-forging ritual site will also require your help."
Green Dragon Ludwig: "..."
For a moment, he didn't know what to say.
"Everything I said is the truth."
The Black Dragon flicked her tail, even using the tip to lightly pat the Green Dragon's shoulder blade, baring her teeth as she said, "The leader's ability to entrust you with such a heavy responsibility has a lot to do with my suggestion. However, we are companions; you don't need to thank me too much."
The Green Dragon rolled his eyes massively and slapped away the Black Dragon's tail.
"Oh, I really can't thank you enough!"
He squeezed those words through his teeth, gritting them.
"Well, as I just said, there's no need for thanks."
The Black Dragon seemed to completely miss the sarcasm in his words. Instead, she nodded solemnly, a few crisp and pleasant low chuckles escaping her throat. "But if you insist on expressing your gratitude, I can only reluctantly accept it."
Her nature leaned toward the gloomy and dark, but every time she saw the Green Dragon looking frustrated and helpless, it always made her feel inexplicably refreshed.
"Hmph, how can verbal thanks be as good as actual action?"
A flash of cunning crossed Green Dragon Ludwig's eyes. He suddenly extended a front claw and slammed it down near a wound on Black Dragon Seraphina's back!
In the next second, emerald-green natural magic energy brimming with exuberant life poured into the Black Dragon's body.
Sizzle—!!!
The moment the life-filled energy touched the Black Dragon's scales and flesh soaked in negative energy, a violent conflict reaction immediately occurred, as if cold water had been poured into a pot of boiling oil. It let out a piercing searing sound and even emitted wisps of white smoke.
"Damn it, Ludwig! That hurts! What are you doing?!"
Black Dragon Seraphina jolted from the pain, her scales standing on end. She quickly retreated a few steps to put distance between her and the Green Dragon, baring her teeth and growling at him.
"Oh, my apologies."
Green Dragon Ludwig slowly retracted his claw, bobbing his head with an apology that lacked any hint of sincerity.
"I almost forgot, our energy attributes are naturally antithetical."
"Just as I feel uncomfortable staying in this wretched place, my natural Magical Power, which is full of life, is more painful for you than a sword strike."
The Black Dragon Seraphina glared fiercely at the Green Dragon, baring her teeth and growling, but ultimately did not press the matter further.
She set aside her playful demeanor, her expression gradually becoming serious and focused as she stepped into the center of the area littered with Undead remains.
Taking a deep breath of the air filled with the scent of death and decay, she began to pace around the base of the altar.
At the same time, the Black Dragon's flexible tail tip dipped into the dragon blood that had yet to congeal in her wounds, beginning to sketch complex and ancient runes on the ground, constructing a massive magic circle.
Time passed bit by bit in the silence.
Enduring the pain, the Black Dragon plucked several of her sharpest dragon scales, tore off small pieces of flesh containing dark energy, and even forcibly extracted several ribs to use as top-quality Materials for casting, placing them at several key nodes of the magic circle.
Finally, the Black Dragon stood at the center of the magic circle constructed from her own flesh, scales, and bones.
With great solemnity, she took out a crystal box—a Phylactery.
This was a key item the leader had temporarily lent her to control the Undead Lair.
She raised a front claw, thick negative energy coiling around the dragon claw, and then slowly pressed it onto the core rune of the magic circle.
Simultaneously, she used her other claw to slowly lift the lid of the Phylactery.
In an instant.
Centered on the Black Dragon Seraphina, a pure and majestic torrent of negative energy surged out like a tsunami, then spread wildly in a ring towards every corner of the entire underground cavern.
Crackle, crackle, crackle... Following a dense sound of bone grinding and flesh squirming that made one's scalp tingle, the originally fragmented and lifeless Undead remains on the ground began to tremble and squirm violently.
Their bones automatically joined and pieced together as if possessed of life; the fragmented pieces of flesh fused and regenerated.
Before long, those dead Undead creatures actually struggled to climb up from the ground once more, their movements gradually becoming agile.
However, what was completely different from before was:
Deep within the Soul Fire reignited in their eye sockets, a trace of Black Dragon Seraphina's mental imprint was branded.
"With this Undead Lair as my Foundation and careful management... in time, I might have the chance to surpass those two fellows, Heliam and Kahir."
The Black Dragon felt both physical and mental exhaustion, yet she couldn't help but curl her lips into a somewhat hideous smile.
However, she had not forgotten her other tasks.
Quickly reining in her wandering thoughts, Black Dragon Seraphina began to manipulate the Undead through a mental link.
She commanded them to use the obsidian altar, where the Phylactery had originally been kept, as the core to begin a drastic transformation of this area, striving to turn it as quickly as possible into a site for the Dragon Forging Transformation Ritual.
The Undead were tireless and did not fear death.
The transformation project here was expected to be completed in not too long.
Meanwhile, on the outskirts of the Molten Iron Tribe's territory, in the border zone adjacent to the Lion King's territory.
A cool breeze, carrying the dust and scent of blood unique to the wilderness, blew past the sentries and guards on patrol.
This was merely a small border outpost established by the Molten Iron Tribe, with the stationed sentries being primarily Kobolds and Gnolls, supplemented by Ogre and Werewolf guards, as well as several alchemical golems.
The overall defensive force was relatively weak, its primary role being for surveillance and warning.
"The tribe just won a great victory and subdued the Quenching Highlands; I heard we'll continue to expand outward soon."
A Gnoll sentry leaned against the rough stone fence, looking out at the distant wilderness, his tone filled with yearning.
"It's truly blood-boiling... I also want to go to battle for the tribe, kill enemies, earn merits, and exchange them for higher status and rewards! Instead of staying in this remote little place all day as an ordinary sentry who can only watch the scenery."
Hearing this, another Kobold sentry beside him shook his head cautiously.
He lowered his voice and said, "Forget it, with your small frame, if you actually went to a meat-grinder of a battlefield like that, you probably wouldn't even survive a single charge before turning into a pile of minced meat."
After decades of development and standardization, all aspects of the Molten Iron Tribe have gradually moved onto the right track.
Even the largest Iron Will Legion has its personnel screened and trained; not all Dependents can meet the standard.
"Hmph! I'll definitely live a few days longer than you, at least."
The Gnoll sentry retorted.
The Kobold sentry was about to argue back, but suddenly, his slender ears twitched violently, and his pupils contracted sharply.
"Shh... be quiet!"
He lowered his body, his voice solemn. "I think... I smell something wrong."
Almost the instant the words fell.
Crack.
An extremely faint, crisp sound drifted over.
At this moment, the sky presented a strange grayish-blue; dawn was approaching but had not yet arrived, and the sound of the wind still wailed across the wilderness.
But a dangerous Aura belonging to a powerful predator was slowly seeping into the air like an invisible tide, making all the more perceptive sentries instantly feel like thorns were at their backs and a chill down their spines.
"Alert!"
"Something's happening! Everyone, on alert!"
The lookout on the watchtower was the first to sound a sharp alarm.
Below, the Ogre and Werewolf guards immediately gripped their weapons, muscles tensing as they looked warily in the direction from which danger might strike.
Boom—!!!
However, almost at the same time, the ground beneath their feet shook violently.
A massive, swift dark shadow suddenly lunged forth, accompanied by a dull roar like the beating of a giant drum, and with an incredibly arrogant posture, it directly smashed through the granite-built outer wall of the outpost.
"Roar—!!!!!!"
A deafening lion's roar, filled with wildness and power, suddenly exploded, tearing through the pre-dawn silence like a thunderclap!
It was a Demonized Lion Beast with a physique as sturdy as a giant bear! Its forest-white, dagger-like fangs reflected a chilling cold light in the sparse morning glow, but most strikingly, the mane on its neck was not the usual brownish-yellow, but like condensed night mist, appearing in a deep, dark black that seemed to absorb light.
Magic creature—Shadowmane Lion.
Its speed was beyond imagination, like a bolt of black lightning racing across the ground, instantly reaching the base of a watchtower.
Immediately after, using its body as a weapon, it slammed into the watchtower with extreme brutality.
Bang! Crack!
The bottom of the watchtower groaned under the strain, shaking violently!
The Gnoll sentry on the tower screamed in terror as he fell; while still in mid-air, the Shadowmane Lion's sharp claws swept across.
Rip—!
The Gnoll sentry was instantly dismembered in the air, torn to pieces, his blood splashing onto the wreckage of the watchtower and the ground.
Buzz, buzz, buzz—!!!
An alchemical golem started its chest engine, wielding a heavy weapon that spun at high speed like a chainsaw sword, and slashed fiercely at the Shadowmane Lion from behind.
But the black lion seemed to have anticipated it; its body merely sank slightly, merging into the shadows and instantly vanishing from the spot.
A second later, it emerged from the shadows behind the golem's side and lunged forward, pinning the heavy golem to the ground with terrifying strength, its claws frantically tearing at the golem's metal body, producing an ear-piercing screech.
"Damned thing! Get off!"
A burly Ogre guard, wielding a giant spiked club, roared and charged toward the Shadowmane Lion with heavy steps.
However, whoosh—!
Another fierce wind suddenly struck from the side.
Another Tusker Lion, with exaggerated forest-white tusks and a slightly smaller but more agile and ferocious build, slammed into the Ogre guard's waist like a cannonball.
The Ogre guard's massive body was actually knocked back, stumbling and losing balance until he fell to the ground.
Before he could get back up, the Tusker Lion had already pounced fiercely, its terrifying teeth—strong enough to crush steel—accurately and cruelly biting through the Ogre's relatively fragile throat.
This was only the beginning.
Flame Lions, Swiftshadow Lions, Steelback Lions... more different types of lion-like Vicious Beasts and magic creatures emerged from the shadows where the grey dawn and the lingering night intertwined.
Their numbers might not have been overwhelming, but every individual emitted a fierce and violent Aura.
They were not disorganized beasts; some were responsible for frontal assaults, some for flanking maneuvers, and some specialized in picking off isolated sentries, demonstrating a basic level of coordinated combat awareness.
Within a short minute, the small border outpost, unable to wait for reinforcements, was turned into a pile of burning ruins and wreckage under the swift and brutal attack of the lion pride.
Similar events occurred at almost the same time at more than one peripheral outpost bordering the lion pride's territory.
As low, deep roars echoed across the wilderness, more members of the lion pride stepped over the corpses of sentries and the ruins of outposts, continuing their advance into the depths of the Molten Iron Tribe's territory.
Clearly, with the desire to expand their own territory, the lion pride had cast their dangerous gaze upon their neighbor's domain.
Upon receiving the emergency message sent by the forward sentries with their final breaths, the Molten Iron Tribe reacted immediately.
True elite legions quickly assembled from various strongholds, rushing to converge on the border areas adjacent to the lion pride's territory.
Not long after.
When the first ray of true dawn finally broke free from the shackles of the horizon and spilled over the Needleleaf Valley.
The Red Iron Dragon entrenched within slowly opened his eyes, the laziness in them instantly dissipating, replaced by a sharp edge.
"The lion pride... was the first to show their claws and fangs to me."
"But it doesn't matter; my condition has returned to its Peak. It's the perfect time to go and gauge just what level that Map King, whose reputation is on par with mine, actually is."
Galos had already received information about multiple attacks on the tribe's territory through the mental link.
He raised his massive, sturdy body, crushing the scattered morning light into countless fine specks, then flapped his wings and soared into the sky, flying toward the regions where the flames of war had been ignited.