Warriors roared, steel clanged, and clashes boomed, all harmonizing with the shouts on the training ground, forming a noisy and intense symphony.
Deniro, the Mist Dragon followed closely behind the Dragon King into this most mysterious legion to date, and the temperature in the air clearly rose by several degrees.
That was the boiling aura and blood of the warriors, mixed with sweat evaporating on the square, making a Dragons like Deniro, the Mist Dragon, who liked to stay in the slightly cold mist, feel it intensely.
Although the Dragon King, an Ancestral Red Dragon, in front of Deniro, the Mist Dragon, had energy more scorching than a volcano, Deniro, the Mist Dragon had only felt it once, because the Ancestral Red Dragon never wasted or leaked any of his aura in daily life.
Even the usual Red Dragon's favorite behavior of displaying his presence by a pervasive aura of sulfur and volcanoes in his daily activities had never appeared on this Dragon King.
But facing a camp with only a few hundred warriors, Deniro, the Mist Dragon felt as if he was facing a Red Dragon brazenly displaying his presence.
This caused Deniro, the Mist Dragon's inherent sense of danger as a Dragons to naturally erupt, and the scales, transmuted by his magical talent, instantly clung tightly to his skin, increasing the defense of his body surface.
"No need to be nervous, Deniro, here are warriors loyal to the Empire; they will be the template and pioneers for our Empire's future legionaries, and they are also the iron hooves with which we will conquer the world,"
Kalon turned his head and comforted the slightly bristling big cat.
Sahar had his back to Kalon, and since Kalon usually concealed his aura, he couldn't detect Kalon's arrival. But as, in a sense, a bloodline of the Red Dragon, Sahar was naturally exceptionally sensitive to the presence of an Ancestral Red Dragon.
Even if he couldn't physically or perceptually sense the Red Dragon's presence, there was always some touch and connection between their minds.
So Sahar strode across the training square, stood in the very center, and scanned all the warriors, his calm voice, at this moment, overpowering all the clamor and fervor on the field.
"That's enough, the Emperor has arrived," he said to all the warriors.
This Dragonborne Werewolf knelt on one knee, bowing his head low.
All the warriors on the field, at this moment, knelt simultaneously, offering their respect to the Emperor they served.
"Your Majesty! My Lord!" The warriors' voices were simply surging, reverberating throughout the entire square.
Towards his personal guard legionaries, Kalon's attitude was straightforward; he was never overly subtle.
His dark golden pupils scanned all the warriors, meeting each warrior's fervent gaze, and he slowly spoke.
"'Burning Hoof' is the name I personally gave you. When you first joined the legion, you should have known your true duty."
Although Kalon's common tongue was not as undulating as Dragon Language, his whispers resounded in every warrior's ear.
"You are all excellent warriors and will become my iron hooves, but I want to see if your swords are sharp enough, if your wisdom is sufficient, and if you can bear this mission!"
Bang,
Sahar silently pounded his fist against his chest, saying nothing, and one by one, the warriors eagerly pounded their sturdy chests, like beating a series of great drums.
The warriors looked up fanatically at the exceptionally tall Emperor; the Emperor, with his prominent horns and severe scales, at this moment only needed to give a command, and these warriors could raise their weapons and conquer all seas and mountains.
Kalon's mouth curved into a satisfied smile. He raised his claw, and the magical aura surged forth at this moment, a massive magical portal appearing before the many warriors.
The warriors looked up, and on the other side of the portal was the tall and magnificent Dragon kings Fortress, the location of the Golden Empire's Royal Court.
And on the square where the other end of the portal was located, teams of warriors were already equipped and waiting, and rows of Scholars were whispering to each other.
"Go, step through this portal and embrace your tempering. Steel forged in blood and fire can become the sharp blade in my hand that cuts through everything. There is a world waiting for you; go and claim it for me!"
"Highest King, Supreme Emperor, Revered Master," Sahar's voice was filled with excitement. This Dragonborn warewolf laughed loudly, "Under Your glorious favor, we shall surely hunt for whatever You require."
The Dragonborn werewolf stood up and commanded the warriors of the entire legion, "All troops, fall in, prepare to depart."
And on the other side of the portal, many soldiers on the square were already fully equipped, including five hundred strong and capable Orc warriors.
Every one of these Orc warriors showed excitement, because being able to participate in such a significant military operation meant that the Orc group had already integrated into the Golden Empire's system and become true members of the Empire.
Beside them were crates of military equipment and supplies, including custom-made armor for the 'Burning Hoof' legionaries, crafted by the Empire's master artisans.
Some commanding officers were addressing the soldiers, explaining the purpose and strategic intent of this expedition, because these warriors were carefully selected seeds. After this training, they would be returned to various legions to serve as mentors.
This was also the main strategy of the Imperial legions for training legionaries: leading by example.
There were also the Scholar Doctors assigning tasks to a group of Scholar Mages, as well as some unique Scholars who were entirely ordinary people but held some positions within the Empire's domain, such as Scholars in civilian affairs, economics, regulation, and planning.
"Your primary objective is to scout for mineral resources related to the construction of elemental pools and Mithril cores within this world. The seventy-three missing materials are the key focus of the investigation, as well as their alternative derivatives. If any are found, report immediately to the main team."
"The secondary objective is to investigate and discover various effective natural resources in this world that can be utilized by us, and to make detailed notes on each."
The leading Scholar, following the instructions on the report, explained the respective tasks to his team.
He turned to another team of Scholars and instructed, "Your task is to investigate and analyze this world's civilization system, structure, and development potential through your own methods, and to assess the value of this world."
"Provide references for the strategies the Empire will adopt, whether it be colonial rule, joint development, or genocidal plunder. The more detailed the information you provide, the better."
"And you," the Scholar turned to the team of spellcasters, smiling, "Your task is relatively easy: scavenge as much information and research results related to power systems as possible. I think you, as spellcasters, understand this better than I, a mortal, so I won't say more."
After the leading Scholar finished his instructions, he coughed twice and formally stated, "I believe I have explained everything. All of you here have voluntarily signed up, but I do not wish to hear any discussions of justice or injustice within my team during the process of exploring and developing this world."
The Scholar's expression grew serious. His somewhat dim pupils radiated a captivating light, and his aged voice carried a chilling warning, "You must remember, you are all part of the Golden Empire. Everything you do is for the Empire, for the Empire's citizens, for the True Dragons, and for the Supreme King!"
"Anyone who dares to disrupt my plans and actions, I will personally carry his head and nail him in the Forest of Sin."
All the Scholars present, even the spellcasters, changed their expressions, their eyelids twitching involuntarily.
The Forest of Sin, also known as the Forest of Sin, was originally a protective forest preserved dozens of miles outside the Kings Capital. But after the Orc War, the heads of those Orcs who dared to invade the Empire were all hung in that forest.
Countless white bones almost covered the outer areas of the forest. And from then on, the Golden Empire regarded it as a place for punishing evil.
If a criminal who violated Imperial law and whose guilt was sufficient for a death sentence, he could only be buried in that forest.
Now, that Forest of Sin was filled with graves and intertwined white bones. Even some brave adventurers dared to enter the outer reaches of that forest only at noon, when the sun was most intense and could penetrate the dense forest.
Although residents of the Empire rarely suffered harm from some strange creatures born within this forest, they still refused to go into it.
Despite the Lich sleeping in this forest being rewarded by the Empire's Emperor, making this forest the Lich's nurturing ground and research facility.
The Lich's duty, on the other hand, was to manage those strangely born creatures to prevent them from rushing out of the forest and causing destruction, as well as to protect the Empire's citizens.
But every official member of the Empire was filled with disgust for this forest.
Bartoli, the commander of the Wyvern Legion, looked towards the location of the majestic Royal Court's back garden. That tall World Tree was not hidden today, but truly revealed in the world.
However, although this World Tree had grown to thirty meters high, it still could not compare to the height of the Royal Court, not only because the Royal Court was exceptionally tall when it was first built.
It was also because of the growth of the Royal Court's master, the Emperor of the Empire, Kalon Kogmora. Even the entire massive mountain range grew with the Ancestral Red Dragon's growth.
What's more, a castle that, though magnificent, appeared so ordinary under the Red Dragon's power.
But in the Royal Court's back garden, under the branches that World Tree Ovo vaguely extended from the garden, stood an Elf whose masculinity and handsomeness were beyond description in words. His bone structure was peerless, his skin flawless, and even his posture was filled with a perfect harmony and integration with the real world.
It was as if he was the center of the world; anyone's gaze would be drawn to this Elf at first glance, and even the massive World Tree and the enormous Black True Dragon standing beside the Elf would be overshadowed by the Elf's brilliance.
Two Titanoboas slid down the tall World Tree, circling at the Elf's feet, trying to please him. Their plump heads flicked pink forked tongues, just like two little puppies, their fat tails still wagging.
Kalon, in his Elf incarnation, not only possessed unparalleled beauty, but also inherently carried the affinity for all things and events that Elves possess. This was a talent of High Elves, and now it was one of Kalon's facial talents.
Under this blessing, the charm of Kalon's true True Dragon form, while not inferior to his Elf incarnation, was too majestic, and his power seemed capable of crushing them with a casual flick, causing the two little snakes to prefer Kalon's current form instead.
"Dad, the big guy has already helped me pinpoint the exact coordinates of that world," the World Tree Ovo's voice sounded in Kalon's ear, but with a hint of displeasure.
Because a Black Dragon was looking at World Tree Ovo with a covetous gaze, seemingly eager to take a bite or two.
Rosani, this Black Dragons, would undertake the vanguard mission of opening up this world. Although he was the first Dragons in the Dragons to open up a world, he would not be the last.
Because the Dragons in the Dragons had to go through this process, to experience these challenges.
"However, although this world also has a concept of Dragons, those Dragons are too weak. Although they look very big, Dad might only need one claw to crush them,"
The World Tree Ovo asked somewhat puzzled, "Dad, do you want to taste them? Otherwise, there's nothing truly challenging for you in this world. Even those few beings similar to planar deities, who cannot descend in their true forms, cannot resist Dad's power."
Kalon smiled and shook his head. Kalon had great patience for the World Tree Ovo. This little guy was very well-behaved in Kalon's heart, making him very fond of him.
"Ovo, you must remember, no matter how powerful you become, there will always be something worth learning from even the smallest creature in the world."
Kalon gently patted the World Tree's trunk and said faintly, "In legends, whether it was Platinum Dragon God Bahamut or Tiamat the Chromatic Dragon Goddess, both wanted to create perfect beings, to create the most perfect Dragons in the world."
"But even the Creator Dragon God Ai didn't consider himself a perfect Dragons, let alone the creations of Bahamut and Tiamat."
"Tiamat, in the past, devoured the three-tailed Dragons Queen, not only to seize divine authority and position, but also to complete and enhance her own power and essence,"
Kalon laughed, "The path I want to take is much further than Tiamat's, because I don't have her inherent limitations. I am currently just a mortal. But an Ancient Dragon also originates from a weak Dragons egg."
"Ovo, you must remember to maintain your pride, but never be arrogant."
"I know, Dad, I'm ready,"
The World Tree Ovo shook its branches, and incredibly pure energy gathered on this World Tree. A massive interplanar portal opened in front of the square before the Royal Court.
"Dad, it's done. Now, those spellcasters just need to follow the gate I opened, build coordinate towers, and then maintain the portal themselves. I'm a bit tired and want to sleep for a while."
Kalon listened to the World Tree Ovo's tired voice, gently patting the World Tree's trunk. Opening the gate to a plane across an infinitely vast distance, even for World Tree Ovo, whose talent allowed it, seemed to consume a huge amount of energy before it grew to a sufficient height.
Kalon slightly crouched down, his slender fingers touching the foreheads of the two little snake cubs who had raised their heads to please him, and he softly said, "Go, young eagles must eventually leave the nest to soar high. Growth without tempering is merely bloated fat."
"I know you two have long yearned for the outside world; it's time for you to face it,"
Kalon watched the two snake cubs affectionately rub their plump heads against his fingers and couldn't help but laugh, "You two are clearly not the type to be well-behaved. Remember not to die out there. Sometimes, power doesn't determine everything."
"Don't worry, Dad, I'm very strong, it's just that I don't seem strong enough in front of the mighty Dad," Grenek said proudly, wagging his tail with a whooshing sound.
"Got it, Dad, I'll run away immediately if I see danger," Haninek also raised his head and said loudly, "I remember Dad's words: living is everything."
Kalon shook his head, somewhat amused by Haninek, the little snake cub.
Then he stood up and said to Rosani, "Rosani, you are already a mature Dragons. I am very confident in entrusting this task to you, but you must give me a guarantee."
Rosani's nonchalant expression immediately became serious. He lay on the ground, looking at Kalon's face, and said in a deep voice, "Kalon, speak. I will do my best to fulfill your request."
Kalon patted Rosani's head as he leaned in, and softly said, "Relax, Rosani, my request is very simple: do not be careless because of your power. Come back alive."
Rosani was silent for a moment, then revealed his gleaming fangs. He surveyed the entire garden, as if sweeping across the whole world, and then said with a smile, "Alright!"