"Try using your magic to attack me."
Among the mountains, Galos said to the White Dragon Beskar.
This Ancient White Dragon, like most white dragons, had stepped onto the path of ice magic. However, besides being an ice mage, White Dragon Beskar was also a Dragon Warrior, though his Rank wasn't very high since he hadn't been particularly diligent before.
"Alright!"
Beskar agreed immediately, then raised his head with a dragon roar and began to construct a Spell.
The dragon language was low and penetrating. He spread his broad dragon wings slightly, and wisps of cold air seeped from the gaps between his scales.
In an instant, dense elemental energy gathered around him and quickly solidified, turning into fist-sized, sharp-edged magic ice crystals. Inside them was freezing air compressed to the extreme.
Beskar gave a powerful forward swing of his wings.
These extraordinarily powerful magic ice crystals let out air-piercing shrieks, sweeping toward the Red Iron Dragon and carving dangerous trajectories through the air.
Seeing this, Galos did not use his Domain to block them.
He focused his gaze on the rapidly approaching magic ice crystals.
Immediately after, he expanded his Flame Domain to its limit.
With a thought, all the fire elemental energy within the Domain was stimulated to its most active state.
The flames seemed to come to life, no longer a quietly burning barrier but transforming into countless wildly dancing fire snakes and spinning fire vortexes, surging, colliding, and burning wantonly.
Buzz, buzz, buzz!
The air distorted violently under the high temperature, emitting a low hum.
The fire elemental energy was so thick it almost overflowed from the Domain.
After Beskar's magic ice crystals entered the Domain, before they could even fly within twenty meters of Galos, they made fine cracking sounds and completely collapsed into a cloud of cold mist, which was then evaporated without a trace by the high temperature.
Following that, Beskar did not stop. He continued to raise his head and chant, constructing more complex Spells.
Ice Spear, Frost Nova, Arctic Wind... various forms of Spells were poured out by him, either piercing in straight lines, covering areas, or continuously eroding, attacking the Red Iron Dragon from all angles.
Galos, as always, did not directly use his Domain for defense.
He was increasing the concentration and activity of the fire elements within the Domain through combustion, using this to squeeze out, expel, and weaken other types of elemental energy.
In a nearly pure fire elemental environment, the Foundation of other Spell effects was severely shaken, and their power naturally plummeted.
As for the effect, it was obvious.
The essence of a Spell is a process where the Caster uses their own Magical Power and will as a guide to lead and reorganize various external energies, thereby forming a specific effect.
When fire elements dominated Galos's Domain and other elements were expelled...
Spells that relied on other elements would have their stability and power suppressed to the limit.
As for fire Spells... among Galos's own extremely high resistances, fire resistance was already second to none.
And this was precisely the deep development direction for the Flame Domain that Galos was currently conceptualizing.
Suppression—the focus lay in suppressing the Spell effects, rather than suppressing the Caster themselves.
Galos's thoughts returned more than once to that fierce battle in the Cui Luan Mountain Range.
Although Percival's strike, which concentrated all his power, had directly taken one of his lives, in that battle, the ones who truly caused him the most trouble and the greatest restraint were always those two Legendary Casters, the Shapeshifter and the Spellcaster.
Their Spells did not seek a killing blow in one hit, but they were endless, treacherous, and ever-changing.
The Casters greatly restricted him, consumed his strength, and created the conditions for Percival's fatal blow.
This made him deeply realize that in battles at the Legendary Realm or even higher levels, Casters were still very difficult opponents.
Their bodies were indeed fragile.
However, as long as there was a reliable front line responsible for distraction and protection, allowing them to construct complete high-circle Spells...
Then even a Legendary Caster of a slightly lower Rank could play a role surpassing that of an Advanced Legendary warrior.
Therefore, Galos decided to target Casters.
He was making adaptive changes and reinforcements to his Flame Domain.
The direction he was now envisioning was to abandon the Domain's conventional effects of buffing allies or weakening enemies, and instead move toward extreme reinforcement.
When the Flame Domain unfolded, it would push all concepts of combustion within the Domain to the extreme.
This could expel or destroy other types of energy within the Domain's range besides fire elements to the greatest extent, creating a Spell desert and thereby suppressing Spell effects.
However, this was currently only a preliminary concept and practical direction.
Although Galos was already trying and had achieved some results, the specific implementation was far from simple.
The energy composition of the material plane was complex and diverse. Besides the four basic elemental energies, there were also light, dark, positive, negative, and even more peculiar energy forms like space-time.
The channels and mediums for casting Spells also varied greatly.
If he truly wanted to realize his vision and transform the Flame Domain into an anti-magic zone, then the flames in his Domain would have to undergo some deeper level of evolution or qualitative change.
At this stage, his Domain fire was far from reaching that level.
It could only weaken Spell effects to a certain extent, not completely suppress them.
But for Galos, this wasn't a big problem.
He had time, he had patience, and he had talent.
As long as he persevered and was willing to invest energy and time in this area, he believed he would eventually achieve a substantial Breakthrough on this path.
As for the other Steel Domain...
He hadn't decided on a specific development direction for it yet.
Next, the Red Iron Dragon continued practicing with Beskar, focusing on the training and fine-tuning of the Flame Domain's suppression characteristics.
The White Dragon worked very hard, constantly trying to attack with different Spell combinations.
Time slipped away quietly during the focused cultivation. The light in the sky gradually softened, and orange-red sunset clouds began to dye the western horizon as the twilight deepened.
The mountains cast long shadows, and the wind in the valleys brought a chill.
Suddenly, Galos stopped all movement, the craggy scales on his brow furrowing slightly.
Almost at the same moment, Amethyst Dragon Iselamas's telepathic message abruptly rang in his heart.
"Galos, watch out. A Legendary kin is approaching at high speed. The target seems to be the royal city. The energy reaction is strong, carrying the aura of the ocean and storms."
Galos did not respond.
He simply raised his dragon head and gazed at the sky.
At first, there was only a smudge of unnatural dark gray on the horizon.
But soon, that gray spread and thickened rapidly, turning into a layer of rolling, dense dark clouds. The edges were unnaturally sharp, and inside, countless silver snake-like electric arcs flickered faintly.
The dark clouds were crossing the sky at a speed far exceeding nature, heading straight toward the Crimson Flame Royal City.
The Red Iron Dragon's expression remained unchanged.
A majestic dragon pressure soared into the sky from his body.
The thunderclouds paused slightly, then changed direction. No longer heading toward the royal city, they carved an arc and approached the mountain area where Galos was located in a straight line.
The speed was extremely fast.
In just a few breaths, that patch of lightning-flickering dark clouds had already appeared directly above Galos's head.
The cloud layer hung very low, obscuring the sunset's glow and casting a huge shadow, shrouding the mountains below in darkness. The thunderlight in the clouds was no longer a faint flicker but had become clearly visible, with arcs of electricity connecting into a net.
Following that, within the low-hanging clouds...
A massive deep blue figure slowly squeezed out from the rolling dark clouds, revealing its form.
It was a Blue Dragon.
His size was a notch smaller than Galos's, but he was more massive and robust than the Ancient White Dragon Beskar.
His entire body was covered in azure scales with edges as sharp as blades, glinting with a cold luster. On the scales were far more numerous, fine, and deep battle-worn patterns than those on White Dragon Beskar and Amethyst Dragon Iselamas, recording traces of countless battles.
He had powerful limbs and a streamlined body.
Electric arcs jumped along the edges of his massive dragon wings, and the patterns on the wing membranes were like condensed thunderstorms. Majestic dragon horns extended from his snout, with electricity swirling at the tips.
The Blue Dragon fully revealed himself.
His gaze instantly focused on the heavy and powerful Red Iron Dragon.
Whoosh! The Blue Dragon folded his wings and descended toward the ground. The clouds behind him also slowly dissipated, revealing the brilliant sunset.
He landed on the ground, a hundred meters away from the Red Iron Dragon, and looked closely at him.
The Red Iron Dragon didn't say much either, just quietly sizing up this kin.
After a silent confrontation lasting several breaths, only the low sound of breathing could be heard.
Finally, the Blue Dragon was the first to speak.
"The heaviness of the earth, the blazing intensity of fire, and... a cold, hard, pure majesty like steel. An incredible form, with a sense of oppression far exceeding the rumors."
He paused slightly, accurately reciting that long string of titles.
"Are you the Emperor of this rising nation, the Aura Kingdom, the crimson flame fiend, the indestructible dragon, the Conqueror and Dominator of the Wilderness, His Majesty Garos Ignis?"
His gaze still did not look at the White Dragon Beskar beside him; all his attention was focused on the Red Iron Dragon.
Garros narrowed his eyes, his expression unreadable.
"An uninvited guest should announce their own name and purpose before questioning the host."
The Ancient Blue Dragon grinned, revealing teeth between which tiny arcs of electricity constantly leaped.
"My name is Kaelthrog Helmod, an Ancient Dragon from the Boiling Sea in the depths of the Endless Ocean."
He announced his name and origin, his tone becoming more solemn.
"This trip is by the joint command of the three Ancient Dragons, the current leaders of the Helmod Dragon Clan. I have crossed ten thousand miles of surging waves specifically to visit the Red Iron Dragon lord who has risen so rapidly in recent years."
The Blue Dragon named Kaelthrog spread his broad wings and then slightly bowed his formidable dragon head toward Garros.
This was an etiquette representing respect among the Dragon Clan.
"Garos Ignis, His Majesty the Emperor of the Aura Kingdom."
"The Helmod Dragon Clan of the Boiling Sea, in the name of the deep sea's raging waves and thunder, extends its most sincere greetings and warmest congratulations to you and the kingdom you have established!"
"Congratulations?"
Garros said.
"Of course!"
Kaelthrog looked up, his voice carrying unfeigned excitement and admiration.
"Rising from the wild lands, gathering tribes, establishing a nation and its Systems, setting order and law, and then crushing a well-equipped human kingdom with the force of a thunderbolt... such a great undertaking, such spirit."
The tips of his wings gently flapped against the air, creating tiny electrical sparks.
"Even in the eyes of us in the Helmod Dragon Clan, who are used to storms and warfare, it is a feat that cannot be underestimated and deserves the most heartfelt congratulations."
"Therefore," the Ancient Blue Dragon paused, looking directly at the Red Iron Dragon.
"I have come from afar on behalf of the Helmod Dragon Clan. Besides expressing our congratulations and respect, I have brought... the friendship of the Helmod Dragon Clan, and an invitation for us to join in a grand event together."
Garros listened quietly to the Blue Dragon's words, his eyes showing no ripple of emotion.
The Helmod Dragon Clan... he was no stranger to this name.
Back when he was still a hatchling, while browsing through the knowledge of dragon power distributions around the world in the dragons legacy, there were records of this powerful Evil Dragon Group.
They were powerful and notoriously infamous, predatory by nature, and extremely vengeful.
The Helmod Dragon Clan was also a major threat to the Raging Waves Dragon Domain. The father of the Bronze Dragon Xiano had died in a campaign against the Helmod Dragon Clan.
And this was also the fuse that caused his personality to gradually become extreme, leaning toward the Purification Faction.
When the Blue Dragon Kaelthrog's words came to a close, Garros also reined in his surging thoughts and spoke slowly.
"The Aura Kingdom has received the congratulations of the Helmod Dragon Clan, and I also express my gratitude on behalf of the kingdom."
He paused slightly, looking directly into the Blue Dragon's eyes.
"So, Messenger Kaelthrog, what specifically does the 'grand event' you just mentioned refer to?"
"The Helmod Dragon Clan has lived deep in the Boiling Sea for nearly a thousand years. Surely you wouldn't send a powerful Ancient Dragon like yourself across the ocean just to offer congratulations."
Garros said.
Kaelthrog's massive wings flapped once more, bringing a scent of the sea.
"Your Majesty is sharp." He nodded and began to elaborate, "We, the Helmod Dragon Clan, have galloped across the Boiling Sea, accumulating a prestigious name that makes many coastal kingdoms tremble. However..."
"Though the deep sea is vast and resources are abundant, it is ultimately not as colorful as the sun-drenched land."
"The ocean trenches are dark with countless undercurrents. As far as the eye can see, there is nothing but water."
"We are tired of being forever accompanied by coral and shipwrecks, tired of only being able to briefly touch the edges of the land during the storm season."
As he spoke, Kaelthrog's voice gradually grew louder.
"The land is a place favored by the gods, a true world center where nations compete, races meet, and wealth and culture flow. That is the stage that can fully carry the ambition and glory of us dragons. The gaze of the Helmod Dragon Clan is no longer limited to beneath the waves of the Boiling Sea; we are looking inland."
He paused and looked at Garros with burning eyes.
"Coincidentally, just as we were seriously planning our landing..."
"News of you and the Aura Kingdom reached our ears."
"A powerful kingdom established and ruled by a dragon, achieving such brilliant success in a short time... this is undoubtedly an excellent example and has greatly inspired those kin who yearn for change."
So, they were influenced by my success in establishing a nation, which stirred their ambition to land and build a country?
Garros realized in his heart.
But in the end, it was for long-term interests.
The Helmod Dragon Clan occupied the Boiling Sea. Although they could obtain wealth by plundering coastal routes and extorting coastal city-states, this method was ultimately unstable, inefficient, and difficult to establish solid rule and continuous output.
Establishing a kingdom of one's own, with vast territory, numerous subjects, a systematic tax System, and resource development.
That was the royal road to accumulating wealth and power.
However, I was able to establish a nation because I had the support of the Dragon Domain and allies like Lothorn.
Being powerful alone isn't enough; it's not easy to establish a nation with the status of an Evil Dragon.
What about the Helmod Dragon Clan?
What can they rely on?
This Dragon Group is notoriously famous for its predatory nature and has deep-seated grudges with coastal nations and even the Raging Waves Dragon Domain.
Once they land with great fanfare and try to establish a dragon kingdom, it's almost certain that it will immediately invite panic and fierce resistance from surrounding kingdoms, likely forming a multi-national coalition to suppress them.
The Raging Waves Dragon Domain would also never sit idly by and let them gain a foothold on land.
The obstacles they face will be far greater than what he faced initially.
Garros's thoughts spun rapidly, but he remained calm on the surface, merely asking along with the other's words: "So, the Helmod Dragon Clan has decided to leave the Boiling Sea and officially land?"
"Exactly."
Kaelthrog nodded heavily, "However, we are well aware that this is by no means a simple or easy task that can be achieved overnight."
He clearly also knew what the clan would face in establishing a nation, and his tone became a bit more serious.
"The human nations, especially those coastal kingdoms that have had friction with us, will never sit by and watch a powerful and aggressive Blue Dragon tribe land and settle near their coastlines."
"War will be inevitable from the moment we step onto land."
"Although our clan is powerful and unafraid of going to war with any single human kingdom, the worst-case scenario is that it might lead to a joint suppression by many who unite out of fear. That would be a long and exhausting struggle."
He changed the subject, his gaze locking onto Garros.
"But if on this continent, we can have a firm and powerful ally, a land-based dragon nation also led by dragons that has already proven its strength with brilliant victories to act as support and coordination."
"Then, the situation will be completely different."
Kaelthrog's dragon body took a small step forward. Although he still maintained a safe distance, this movement made his proposal seem more impactful.
"The existence of the Aura Kingdom has already proven that an Evil Dragon establishing a nation is not a delusion."
"Moreover, we Blue Dragons are not chaotic beings; we know how to deal with other races."
"Therefore, the three leaders of the Helmod Dragon Clan, after careful deliberation, decided to send me as an official envoy."
"We hope to forge a mutually beneficial Offensive and Defensive Alliance Treaty with the Aura Kingdom and with you, the powerful Red Emperor, the indestructible dragon."
"Together, we can open a new era for the Dragon Clan on this continent."
"Your Majesty Ignis, what do you think?"