Chapter 334 A Necromancer Lord is Needed; the Legion Arrives
"There are still more good liches in the world after all."
As night fell and the stars dimmed, Galus shook his majestic dragon head, his heart filled with emotion.
Taking the Life Box was his primary objective, and the lich's generous blessing before his death was a completely unexpected surprise.
He was almost certain that if he broke through to level 18 before falling into slumber, the Lich Necromancer would be a prominent figure on his record of achievements.
"I really hope there will be more good liches like this in the Wilderness of Sel, or... a few more powerful serpent dragons would be nice too."
He pondered to himself, his dragon eyes gleaming with anticipation.
"My lord, there should still be a considerable number of undead creatures remaining deep within the underground cave where the lich dwells."
At the opportune moment, Sharl spoke up, reminding them, "Now that the lich is completely dead, the undead have lost unified control. Given that there are quite a few high-level undead among them, given time, it is very likely that a new undead lord will emerge on its own, becoming a potential threat."
He asked, "Do you need me to lead a team to clean them up completely?"
Such is the nature of undead creatures: although the old lords have perished, a considerable number of undead still exist in the lair. As a result, the chaotic negative energy and remaining instincts will spontaneously give rise to new rulers.
The red iron dragon pondered for a few seconds, then its massive head shook slightly.
"I have my own plans for this matter."
The lich's lair has been cultivated for hundreds of years, and the negative energy inside must be rich and pure. It would be too wasteful to directly and violently clean it up and destroy it.
In Galus's view, it was a ready-made, excellent research site.
This is perfect for conducting numerous experiments related to the dragon casting and transformation ritual.
As for the remaining undead, he had already decided on their fate—it would be most appropriate to entrust them to the management of the black dragon Serafina.
Black dragons naturally love dark and damp environments, and Serafina herself is a necromancer, so that underground cave is the perfect nest and laboratory for her.
If managed properly, it could achieve good development, and perhaps in the near future, the Ironforge tribe could add a regenerating undead legion that is not afraid of being consumed.
Since Galos had made his decision, the Flower Lord said no more.
"Let's leave this matter here for now and go back."
Galos stretched out his body, feeling a constant sensation of weakness, tingling, and subtle numbness within.
This is a strange reaction resulting from the continuous effect of the lich curse and the interplay between his own adaptability and its opposing forces.
He was somewhat impatient, wanting to immediately go back and drink a bucket of black oil, and then, in this strange negative state, throw himself into a new round of training.
The next moment, the Red Iron Dragon suddenly spread its enormous wings that blotted out the sky, and its huge body rose from the ground like a shooting star tearing through the night sky. It streaked across the sky at an astonishing speed and disappeared into the distant horizon in an instant, leaving only a fading whistling sound.
Charles looked up at the direction the dragon had gone, a hint of envy in his eyes.
Although he was fast, his speed was still worlds apart from Red Iron Dragon's unparalleled flying ability.
Unless humans use special tools or master certain skills, it is difficult for them to truly set foot in the sky.
Only by stepping into the legendary realm and relying on the power of that realm can one realize the dream of soaring freely.
Even so, if they encounter legendary creatures that are born to rule the skies, they will still be at an inherent disadvantage in aerial combat.
"Legend...it seems so close to me, but in reality, it's still a long way off. I wonder how much longer it will take me to reach the peak of level 20 and then break through that insurmountable barrier."
Charles gazed at the empty night sky and whispered softly.
The world is never short of geniuses, or rather, any human whose life level reaches 15 or above is a gifted individual and an outstanding member of their race.
Relying solely on sweat, even breaking through level 10 is incredibly difficult, and one cannot even perceive the true existence of magical energy.
Charles was always well aware that he was exceptionally gifted.
Even so, breaking through to the legendary level is by no means easy.
Talent, luck, hard work... all are indispensable.
Humans are not dragons that grow stronger with age. If they fail to achieve a breakthrough during their peak physical condition, their hopes will only become increasingly slim as they age and life declines.
"The wilderness of Sel is chaotic enough now, never lacking in battles, but also hiding countless opportunities."
“Here, I might be able to reach the threshold of legend faster than if I stayed in the Land of Order.”
Charles composed himself, suppressing his distracting thoughts, and then strode off like a gust of wind, speeding towards Riverwood Territory.
A few days later, on a sunny and breezy morning.
The main force of the Ironforge tribe finally arrived in a grand procession on the outskirts of Riverwood Territory.
At a glance, there was a vast torrent of warriors of various races.
The basic formation consisted of numerous kobolds, gnolls, and war lizardmen; there were also relatively fewer but individually imposing werewolves, ogres, centaur warriors, and alchemical golems with heavy steps and gleaming metallic sheen; and many high-ranking familiar leaders who exuded a powerful aura simply by standing there, their sharp eyes scanning the surroundings.
…………
This massive legion set up camp in a vast area that had been cleared out beforehand. Soon after, many residents of Riverwood Territory who had come to see what was happening were shocked and incredulous. They couldn't help but gather around, pointing and whispering among themselves.
Prior to this, they believed that the garrison forces stationed in Creekwood Territory were strong enough to ensure the safety of the territory.
It wasn't until they saw this newly arrived legion marching from the border region that they realized with a start that the Ironforge tribe was only now truly revealing its sharp fangs to the outside world.
The previous state was merely a false sleep, like a beast lying in wait.
In terms of the size of the legion stationed here, logistical support, reserves of alchemical weapons, and the average level of soldiers, the overall military strength of the Ironforge tribe may be slightly inferior to those human duchies that have been established for a long time, but it is already enough to confront some of the stronger duchies head-on and fight a few brutal wars.
Considering that almost all the elite forces of the human principalities are currently tied down on the southern front and are locked in fierce fighting, only a small garrison remains in the Sel Wilderness.
If the Ironforge were to wage war against a duchy in the wilderness at such a time, they would be virtually invincible.
Even when facing the strongholds of powerful kingdoms set up in the wilderness, if they disregard the subsequent furious retaliation and reckoning, the Ironforge tribe is fully capable of challenging them head-on.
Let's get back to the main topic.
Besides the dazzling array of alien creatures of various shapes and sizes, what shocked and even suffocated the residents of Riverwood the most were several giant dragons soaring and circling low above the legion.
They possess distinctly different colors and sizes, and the shadows cast by their dragon wings seem capable of obscuring the rising sun.
They soared and flew through the sky at the same time, making the powerful and rare dragon seem like a more common creature at this moment!
"Awoooooo—!!"
Red Dragon Cahill roared excitedly to the sky a few times, venting his inner joy and restlessness.
She opened her massive jaws, revealing fangs as sharp as daggers, and growled at her companion beside her, "I desperately hope some fool will come knocking on my door. My claws crave blood, and my dragon breath yearns to scorch my enemies."
Beside her, the blue dragon Heriam flapped its wings, which were adorned with natural lightning-like patterns.
"There will be many more opportunities like this in the future."
His voice was calm, but the occasional tiny arcs of electricity that flickered around him betrayed his equally excited heart: "The tribe has made a huge fuss this time, moving its main force to the wilderness. They must be planning to do something earth-shattering here."
These young dragons of the Ironforge tribe all submitted to the tribe after the unification of the border areas.
They had experienced far fewer wars compared to their leader, Garus; they spent most of their time being trained and tempered by the young dragons.
As they grow into teenage dragons, eager to prove themselves, the tribe is in a period of strategic dormancy, giving them few opportunities to make their mark.
Now, the tribe is about to embark on a path of expansion.
Meanwhile, their claws and teeth have shed their immaturity and become incomparably sharp; their dragon scales have been tempered and become hard and heavy; they yearn for a real war of iron and blood, and desire to undergo further tempering in flames and carnage.
Not long after.
The massive army of dependents has basically completed its encampment at the pre-established camps on the outskirts of Riverwood Territory.
After a short rest, they will be assigned to various outposts and strongholds in the surrounding area. Some will remain in Riverwood Territory as guards, while others will continue to train in the outer camps, ready to engage in the upcoming battle at any time.
Three teenage dragons hovered at low altitude for a moment.
After showing off their power and satisfying their vanity, they landed one after another in the central square of Riverwood Territory.
They raised their long necks and straightened their broad chests, openly enjoying the gazes of the gathered people around them, a mixture of awe, curiosity, and even fear.
This feeling of being the center of attention and admired by the weak was incredibly pleasing to these naturally proud five-colored dragons.
Just then.
Several giant dragons seemed to sense something at the same time. Their huge dragon eyes suddenly contracted, and they all stared at a certain empty area in front of them.
Under their gaze, the air there rippled like water.
A tall, slender human figure, dressed in what appeared to be an adventurer's attire, strolled gracefully out from within.
"Good day, noble dragons."
The Flower Lord greeted the giant beasts before him with a smile on his handsome face.
After the dragons saw his face clearly, their slightly tense posture relaxed a little, and they returned to normal. They all looked at him and nodded slightly in response.
They knew of this human lord.
The five-colored dragons generally look down on the insignificant and short-lived humans, but they also respect the truly strong—especially humans like Shar, who are powerful and almost second only to their leader Garos in the entire Ironforge tribe.
"Hey! Ciel! It's been a while!"
Ludwig the Green Dragon spoke first.
He leaned closer with his lithe, long neck, carefully examining the human lord, and said in a familiar tone, "You look more mature and composed than you did at the border. Hmm... I like the stubble you've grown on your chin; it's quite charming."
Upon hearing this, Charles subconsciously raised his hand and gently stroked his meticulously trimmed short beard.
He smiled, his gaze sweeping over the green dragon's increasingly massive body, and replied, "Ludwig, you too, your growth rate is astonishing. You've become much more robust, and the color of your scales is more vibrant and emerald green, making you very beautiful and dazzling in the sunlight."
The interaction between the two appeared quite natural and familiar.
Before Charr was officially appointed Lord of Riverwood by Garros, the area was managed by the green dragon Ludwig.
After Charles took office, the two spent some time handing over and transitioning their affairs.
During this time, one was a brave adventurer who was good at dealing with all kinds of races and had been adventuring for many years; the other was a green dragon who was the most good at communication and coordination among the five dragons. Therefore, they got along quite well and established a certain friendship.
The green dragon was in a good mood.
He strode forward, even extending his nimble, long tail tip to casually drape it over Charles's shoulder, and said with a grin, "Since we're old friends, and it's rare to meet again, aren't you going to do something?"
"For example... send me a few sparkly and lovely gems as a gift? Or at least take me to the best tavern here and let me enjoy a delicious meal and fine wine."
"Gemstones won't do."
Charles chuckled and patted the dragon tail draped over his shoulder, his tone relaxed: "However, the finest wines and most sumptuous delicacies of Riverwood Territory are more than enough, but before that, I have another little matter to attend to."
His gaze swept over the several teenage dragons before finally settling on the red dragon Cahill.
"Human, what are you looking at?"
Red Dragon Cahill immediately noticed his gaze.
Although she knew the human in front of her was powerful, she couldn't help but feel irritated by being stared at so intently. She snorted out two streams of sparks and bared her teeth, letting out a low growl.
Please forgive my intrusion.
Charles's smile remained unchanged as he explained sincerely, "It's just that your body is so strong and agile, with the shimmering luster of your dragon scales, like an inextinguishable burning flame, full of power, that I couldn't help but admire you and take a few more glances."
Hearing this undisguised praise, the impatience and anger on the red dragon Cahill's face indeed dissipated considerably. He raised his head slightly and found the human much more pleasing to the eye.
She snorted, a hint of pride on her dragon face, and said, "You have a good eye. You should know that our dragon lord also has half red dragon blood."
After saying that, she asked again, "You said there was something else? What is it?"
Charles looked intently at the red dragon and said frankly, "I hope to obtain some of your dragon blood from you."
The red dragon is known for its intense desires among the five dragons. A secret wine brewed primarily with fresh red dragon blood can greatly enhance fertility, thus increasing the success rate of conceiving offspring with its snake-person partner.
Cahill was taken aback for a moment, as if he doubted that he had heard correctly.
Immediately afterwards, her huge dragon eyes widened instantly, and instead of sparks, two plumes of scorching smoke spewed from her nostrils!
"Human, how dare you covet my dragon blood?! Absolutely not!!"
To her, taking her blood was a huge offense.
However, just as she was about to completely explode, Charles silently took out a small cloth bag from his storage items.
When he opened the bag, inside were five or six magical gems, each the size of a pigeon egg, perfectly cut, with liquid flames flowing inside, and shimmering with an alluring red light.
Over the years, he has been stationed in Ximu Territory, handling countless matters large and small, and has accumulated a considerable amount of valuable spoils.
According to the original contract with Garus, the leader would not interfere with or take away his personal gains.
"These gems are just a deposit."
Charles said, "As long as you are willing to provide dragon blood, we can establish a stable trading relationship, and there will be even better things as a reward afterward."
Cahill swallowed back the roar that was already on his lips.
She had intended to firmly refuse, hoping to make this audacious human immediately put away his gem and give up completely.
But...but...
Her gaze was fixed on those beautiful gems, and she couldn't bring herself to utter the words of refusal.
There was nothing I could do; the other party had given me far too much.
She had no reason to refuse.
As for forcibly seizing these gems, regardless of the leader's reaction, she weighed the difference in strength between the two sides and quickly abandoned this unrealistic idea.
"Actually... my dragon blood is pretty good too."
Ludwig, the green dragon beside him, flicked his tail and came over, trying to get a share: "Give me these gems, and I can bleed you right now, lots and lots."
Charles smiled, politely but firmly declining.
"Thank you for your kindness, Ludwig, but I'm sorry, what I need is the blood of the red dragon."
Seeing the green dragon's discomfiture, the red dragon Cahill snorted smugly, his thick, long tail unconsciously flicking slightly, raising a few specks of dust.
"Hmph, human, you have good taste, knowing that we red dragons are the most powerful of the five-colored dragons, and our dragon blood is the best."
She tried to keep her voice proud, but her tone had softened: "And you have indeed shown enough sincerity."
"In that case, for the sake of the gem, I will make an exception and grant your request."
A mutually beneficial deal was thus reached.
Both the red dragon that obtained its desired gem and the human who was about to obtain precious dragon blood felt very satisfied.
Sharl handed over the bag containing the gems and casually asked, "Speaking of which, I remember there should be a teenage black dragon in the tribe. Didn't she come with you this time?"
The green dragon watched enviously as Cahill accepted the gem and said, "You mean Serafina?"
"We had only been in the Ser Wilderness for a short time when she received a direct order from the chief and left the group to meet him."
(End of this chapter)
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