After the war council concluded, the Molten Iron Tribe, which had been silent in the northwest region for some time, once again bared its fangs and claws.
Ogres, Centaurs, Snakemen, Werewolves, Kobolds, Lizardfolk, Gnolls...
...countless soldiers of the Molten Iron Legion, hailing from diverse races but sharing the same ferocity, were already fully armed and overflowing with Killing Intent.
Following that, through orders passed down from the Dragons to the various middle and lower-level vassal leaders, the vassals were rapidly reorganized and assembled, eventually converging into a war legion that seemed capable of trampling any obstacle in its path.
And that wasn't all.
Across the Lionheart Plains, from the Lightless Jungle, the Misty Swamp, and the Lush Woodlands...
...several Enfeoffed Lords also led their respective legions of Vicious Beasts and monsters—each with distinct styles but equal power—like hundreds of rivers flowing into the sea. They marched majestically out of their territories from different directions, gradually merging with the main legion of the Molten Iron Tribe.
The earth trembled slightly under their march, and the air became increasingly thick with the scent of war.
Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!
Massive Dragons with cold, grim scales circled and swooped beneath the low-hanging dark clouds, casting suffocating shadows. Among them, the most prominent was none other than the King of Molten Iron.
"Golden Dragon Alberto and Iron Dragon Leticia will also be coming to join the battle."
The Red-Iron Dragon's gaze was as sharp as a blade as he surveyed the massive military force taking shape.
"The objective of this battle is clear: crush the Dominic Dragon Flight in one fell swoop and give those Blue Dragons no chance to utilize their speed advantage."
He thought to himself.
The first battle will be the decisive one; one fight to determine the fate of the world!
This was the war strategy adopted by the Molten Iron Tribe this time.
Simple, direct, and brutal.
It also suited Garros's current state of mind.
As time passed, the anger bred within him by the Frenzied Flame had quietly accumulated quite a bit, and he needed a vent. The Dominic Dragon Flight would be an excellent target.
Not long after, a dazzling golden dragon shadow, like sunlight tearing through the gloom, sped toward them from the distant horizon.
The dusky sky beneath the dark clouds could not completely obscure his golden scales, which shimmered with a noble luster.
He approached quickly, revealing his full form.
It was the Golden Dragon, Alberto, whose muscles were bulging and whose strength surpassed that of a Red Dragon of the same size.
However, Alberto's majestic and cold dragon face was currently clouded by an obvious gloom; he was clearly in a foul mood.
Because they had just had a brief exchange, Garros was well aware of the reason for his bad mood.
The territory Alberto had painstakingly developed was located in the northeast region. However, not long ago, while he was out, the giants under the Mountain King launched a surprise attack, destroying the territory he had built with overwhelming force and rendering years of his hard work in vain.
"I am very angry right now."
Alberto hovered before the Red-Iron Dragon and said, "Garros, your news came at just the right time. I'm not yet a match for the Mountain King and can't take revenge directly, but I can use those reckless Blue Dragons to vent my frustration and personally destroy that sickening evil order of theirs!"
He made no secret of his intention to take out his anger on them.
"You could beg me to take revenge on the Mountain King for you,"
The Red-Iron Dragon said with a chuckle. "If the way you ask is sincere enough and satisfies me, I might consider agreeing. Those flightless giants, barring any accidents, would likely be easier to fight than the Blue Dragon flight."
Golden Dragon Alberto shook his head decisively.
"No, I will resolve this matter with my own strength."
His tone rose slightly as he said to the Red-Iron Dragon, "I have a strong premonition that my young adult stage hibernation is coming soon. Perhaps, after the stimulation of this battle, I will formally enter hibernation."
"When I wake up next time, I will be an adult. Moreover, with my talent and the sweat I've put in, my Life Level will likely jump directly to Level 18."
The average level of a newly adult Golden Dragon is usually around Level 16.
Alberto, currently still in his young adult stage, was already comparable to an ordinary adult dragon.
He was confident that through this hibernation transformation, he could reach Level 18 and surpass Garros in terms of Life Level.
"By then..."
Alberto's gaze refocused on Garros, carrying a rekindled fighting spirit: "I will challenge you again and wash away my previous disgrace!"
At the thought of his strength taking a qualitative leap and his Life Level increasing significantly after hibernation, the Golden Dragon's confidence swelled.
Only then did he belatedly notice that the Red-Iron Dragon's body seemed to be a size larger and more robust than their last meeting, and the life Aura radiating from him was becoming even more unfathomable, as if he had made a Breakthrough.
His heart skipped a beat, and he asked hesitantly, "By the way, what level are you now?"
The Life Level Detection could not see through beings of a higher level than oneself. Alberto knew Garros's level definitely surpassed his current self, but he surmised the gap wouldn't be too large.
At the very least, he would likely be able to overtake him after waking from hibernation.
"Only Level 18, nothing worth mentioning."
The Red-Iron Dragon's tone was casual.
Golden Dragon Alberto: "..."
He fell silent, as if an invisible hand were clutching his throat. His just-aroused fighting spirit instantly froze, leaving him speechless for a long moment.
"Why is your level rising so fast?!"
A few seconds later, Alberto couldn't help but question him.
The Red-Iron Dragon said unhurriedly, "It's all thanks to sweat."
The Golden Dragon fell silent again.
There was nothing he could do; the improbable had happened. There was no way around it; the other guy seemed to be using cheats.
"Just now, about the challenge... pretend I never said it."
He retracted his challenge request from a moment ago.
Challenging Garros at the same level? Forget it. He didn't even have a ten percent chance of winning. To defeat this monster, he would need to be at least one level higher to have a shot.
Having suffered repeated defeats, Alberto was already very clear about the gap between himself and Garros.
"Oh, and one more thing."
Alberto quickly changed the subject to hide his sense of frustration. "My territory was destroyed by the giants under the Mountain King and is a complete mess. During my hibernation, I hope to temporarily stay in Dragon Valley."
While a Dragon isn't exactly weak during hibernation, if they are disturbed and wake up halfway, the effects of the hibernation will be greatly diminished. Therefore, a safe and quiet place is crucial.
Garros nodded. "Sure, Dragon Valley isn't short of space for one more. I'll take you in."
Alberto's face darkened.
He stiffened his neck and said, "A noble Golden Dragon doesn't need charity! I will pay!"
Garros tilted his massive head and said, "Am I misremembering? It seems you haven't cleared those debts you owed me before."
The Golden Dragon's expression instantly froze. Having been poked in a sore spot, he irritably flicked his shimmering golden tail.
"I'm going to start warming up and exercising for the upcoming battle!"
He stiffly changed the subject: "As for the debts... we'll talk about that later, later!"
With that, he immediately flapped his broad golden wings, putting distance between himself and the Red-Iron Dragon, and began ordinary warm-up exercises like stretching and diving in the air nearby.
The Golden Dragon had once sworn an oath. Although he later discovered a clever way to circumvent it, the proud Alberto did not choose to do so all the time. Aside from occasionally giving himself a little rest, he still strictly adhered to the oath, honing himself through high-intensity exercise in hopes of catching up to Garros as much as possible.
Garros lowered his eyes, casting his gaze upon the Molten Iron Legion below.
Suddenly, he remembered something and summoned the Iron Dragon Sorog, who was nearby coordinating the legion's deployment.
Garros's thoughts returned to that life-and-death struggle with the Red Dragon Father, and he asked in a low voice, "How exactly was our father's corpse handled afterwards?"
"The Frenzied Flame on him can be transferred and spread through blood, making it extremely dangerous. But thinking about it the other way, if it could be controlled, it might become a strategic weapon."
Upon hearing this, Iron Dragon Sorog shook his head slightly.
"No, I conducted several cautious experiments later. His blood does not infect creatures that come into contact with it with the Frenzied Flame."
"Not just the blood; no trace of the Frenzied Flame's existence could be detected in any part of his remains. I tried various known methods of transmission, and no infection or transfer occurred."
Solrog looked at the Red-Iron Dragon solemnly.
"Garros, the way the Frenzied Flame you are afflicted with spreads is not through simple blood contact."
"It likely acted upon you directly through some more elusive means."
He said in a deep voice: "I firmly believe that you will eventually be able to completely control it, but the origin of this thing is mysterious and unpredictable; you must not take it lightly until you have figured it completely out."
The meteorite that disappeared inexplicably, the Frenzied Flame that transferred to his body through unknown means... Garros knew well its mystery and danger, but with limited information at hand, it was difficult to investigate the root cause, so he could only take it one step at a time.
"Let us first focus on the upcoming war."
The Red-Iron Dragon suppressed his surging thoughts, his gaze like a torch as he looked toward the dark and oppressive sky in the central region.
Solrog nodded, said no more, and turned to continue throwing himself into the work of commanding the final assembly and reorganization of the legion.
Some time later.
The beast legions of various styles under the command of several lords had fully converged with the main force of the Molten Iron Tribe.
A massive legion, composed of countless races yet exuding a unified will and cold, biting Killing Intent, was thus formed.
It was like a prehistoric behemoth awakening, beginning to advance forward unswervingly.
Trampling over dense jungles, rolling over undulating hills, crushing across rushing rivers... with an Aura that would destroy all obstacles, it marched mightily toward the central region where the Dominic Dragon Flight resided!
Meanwhile, in the central region of the wilderness, at the core of the Dominic Dragon Flight's territory.
"Zolaya, my dear daughter, I am genuinely happy that you were able to return safely from the King of Molten Iron's territory."
Heart of Thunder looked at the Blue Dragon Zolaya, who was standing respectfully before him, his voice steady.
However, he paused slightly, his dragon eyes containing lightning fixed on his offspring, and his tone shifted quietly.
"However, what surprises me slightly is that our negotiations with the Ignas Dragon Flight have broken down, and war is imminent; why did that King of Molten Iron not take action against you?"
His voice remained low, with no obvious joy or anger detectable, as if he were just asking casually, yet it also sounded like an interrogation.
This all depended on how the person being questioned thought about it.
Under the gaze of her father, which seemed to be able to see through her heart, Blue Dragon Zolaya raised her head, revealing a look of awe and obedience, exactly the same as usual, with no sign of abnormality or defiance.
"Father, the only reason I was able to return alive is because of the King of Molten Iron's extreme arrogance and conceit."
Zolaya began to explain: "He took a fancy to me, his words filled with profanity and insults, intending to turn me into his plaything."
She paused slightly and continued: "However, he seemed to lack real interest in a plaything that could be easily obtained."
"He arrogantly declared that he would personally lead his legion to completely crush our Dominic Dragon Flight."
"He wants to make all of us Dragons tremble and beg for mercy under his power! When the time comes, he will then, in the absolute posture of a victor, step on me, force me to kneel in submission, and fawn over him."
This rhetoric did indeed sound like something that the rumored strong and overbearing Red-Iron Dragon might do.
Heart of Thunder narrowed his eyes, carefully scrutinizing every subtle change in Zolaya's expression, listening to every detail in her words.
On the surface, he found nothing unusual.
"King of Molten Iron, heh, an arrogant guy who doesn't know the immensity of heaven and earth."
Perest shook his head slightly and said: "The victory of killing Gorthax has blinded his eyes, giving him the illusion that he can look down on all opponents."
"But that was just a Mad King who had lost his mind; as long as the strategy is appropriate, it is not too difficult to deal with him."
"Does he think that by luckily killing a Mad King, he can steadily defeat our Dominic Dragon Flight, which we have managed for hundreds of years?"
Zolaya breathed a sigh of relief inwardly.
What she feared most was that her father would see that she had already developed intentions of rebellion, but from the current situation, the disguise she had painstakingly maintained for a long time had effectively lowered her father's guard against her.
The next period was the critical time for the war with the Ignas Dragon Flight.
Based on her understanding of her Dragon Father's extremely selfish personality, as long as she still had value to be utilized, she did not need to worry about her Dragon Father killing her at this juncture.
She immediately echoed, her tone full of agreement: "Father, you are right!"
"Being so arrogant and conceited, he is bound to pay a painful price for his ignorance!"
Although she said this, deep in her heart, she was incomparably clear that judging from the King of Molten Iron's previous performance, he was by no means a reckless person.
If her father truly regarded him simply as an arrogant person, he would only end up reaping what he sowed.
And this was precisely the situation she was happy to see.
Perest stopped paying attention to his daughter and cast his gaze toward the distant horizon.
At this moment, dark clouds were obscuring the sky more and more heavily, streaks of silver snake-like lightning were darting wildly in the clouds, and dull thunder rumbled.
The rainy season in the wilderness had not yet ended.
In such weather conditions, as a Blue Dragon, which is a storm dragon, he would be able to exert even more powerful strength, which was undoubtedly a favorable condition.
However, Perest had not yet fully made up his mind whether to go to all-out war with the Ignas Dragon Flight, which could not be underestimated, just to execute a few insignificant young traitorous dragons.
Admittedly, the importance of maintaining the rules of the Dragon Clan was self-evident.
But if the price that needed to be paid for this was too heavy, or even shook the Foundation of the Dragon Clan, then in his opinion, it would be somewhat not worth the gain.
This Blue Dragon leader valued rules, but valued practical interests even more; he was weighing the pros and cons.
Go to war, or take a slight step back to exchange for an alliance?
The Blue Dragon leader pondered inwardly, a bit inclined toward the second option.
Just at this moment.
An adult Blue Dragon, with crackling arcs of electricity wrapped around its body, flapped its wings rapidly and flew over from a distance at high speed, landing hurriedly in front of the leader.
"Leader! Urgent military situation!"
The adult Blue Dragon reported urgently: "The Molten Iron Tribe has assembled an extremely large legion and is marching mightily toward the direction of our territory!"
The assembly and march of a large-scale legion caused a huge commotion, and ordinary hiding Spells could not completely cover it up.
Therefore, when the Molten Iron Legion trampled over the cordon set by the Dominic Dragon Flight at the border, they noticed this huge threat almost immediately.
Zzzzt—!
Zzzzt—!
Denser, more dazzling, eye-piercing electric arcs instantly burst and jumped from between Perest's dark blue scales.
The expression on his face turned gloomy at a speed visible to the naked eye.
He did not expect that while he was still weighing the pros and cons and had not yet made up his mind, the other side had actually come aggressively and mercilessly on their own initiative.
Moreover, the other side could assemble such a large legion in such a short time.
This could only mean that before they sent envoys to negotiate, the Ignas Dragon Flight had probably already been preparing for war in secret!
"Pass on my order!"
Perest suppressed the surging anger in his chest and said in a low voice: "Gather all the Dragons in the Dragon Clan capable of fighting! Notify all dependents, prepare for war!"
He raised his head, and his dragon roar spread across the cliff.
"Fight according to our established contingency plan! Let those ignorant rabble experience for themselves the thunder and storm fury of our Blue Dragon clan!"
The order was like a mountain.
In an instant, Blue Dragon shadows spread their wings in response and soared into the sky, mixed with a few Evil Dragons of other colors, their bodies either sturdy or agile, their ages either old or young, and they quickly galloped in different directions.
Zolaya did not hesitate either.
She immediately set off, flapping her wings and flying into the gloomy high sky, blending into the rapidly flying dragon shadows.
Rumble—!!!
In the sky, the thunder between the dark clouds seemed to be triggered by the Battle Intent of the Blue Dragon group, becoming unprecedentedly dense and violent, deafening thunderclaps exploded one after another, silver snakes danced wildly, as if a storm was brewing.
Heart of Thunder looked up at the battlefield weather that seemed to be tailor-made for him, his heavy breathing gradually becoming steady and long.
"Under such weather, to go to war with our storm dragons."
"Arrogant and ignorant Red-Iron Dragon, you will soon regret your decision!"
The adult Blue Dragon leader whispered in his mouth, while spreading his giant wings that grew with countless lightning textures, his body seemingly transformed into a Heaven-Defying thunderbolt, rushing straight into the sky at a speed difficult for the naked eye to capture, and in the blink of an eye, he disappeared into the churning, dense dark clouds.