Chapter 400 Facing the Storm
After Gorton uttered his outrageous remarks, the entire Mind Network fell silent.
Even the usually calm and collected Iron Dragon Sorog couldn't help but say, "Isn't it possible that all of this is just you overthinking things because you're bored?"
He spoke slowly, choosing his words carefully, trying to awaken his brother and pull him back to reality.
This dragon brother, having been adopted by the human royal court and grown up in a pampered environment, perhaps the biggest setback and hardship he has experienced is how to fight against his overly plump physique and try to lose weight.
Although he has indeed put in the effort, his now relatively more imposing physique is proof of that.
But compared to his other blood relatives who struggled to survive and grew up step by step in a wild land full of dangers and scarce resources, his experience still seemed too naive and smooth.
The innate pride and arrogance inherent in dragons are still particularly evident in him.
In fact, they became even more arrogant due to a lack of sufficient real-world experience.
Gorton is now very convinced of his theory and believes himself to be the chosen dragon, unmoved by Sorog's arguments.
"Impossible, absolutely impossible!"
His consciousness waved its claws in the mental network and said this.
In fact, from a certain perspective, Gorton's idea is precisely a common reflection of the mentality of many proud dragons.
The heritage records too much about the glory and power of the dragon race.
From the moment they hatch, most dragons subconsciously believe that the world should revolve around them.
This kind of understanding often requires a harsh blow from reality before one gradually awakens, as if being doused with ice water.
Sorog and Samantha, including Garros who had to fight for survival even as a baby dragon, all went through similar, more or less self-centered cognitive stages.
The biggest difference between it and Gorton is that...
Having weathered many storms and witnessed the vastness and cruelty of the world, they have come to a clear understanding of reality.
The world does not easily change according to the will of an individual.
To realize one's grand vision and ambition, one must devote a tremendous amount of blood, sweat, and effort.
Even if they may not ultimately reach their desired destination, they still choose to move forward.
The journey itself is the meaning of their existence.
At this moment, Samantha the Red Dragon let out an undisguised sneer, breaking the brief silence.
“Gorton, if that’s the case, you can just turn back into that fat pig you used to be.”
Her face was cold, and her tone was sharp as a knife: "Since you are so convinced that you are the chosen one, then naturally there is no need for any more arduous training and tedious drills. Just eat and sleep, sleep and eat, and enjoy yourself to the fullest. Let your so-called 'destiny' bring you all the 'amazing' achievements!"
Samantha keenly sensed that Gorton was looking for a plausible excuse for his laziness.
Samantha had thought that his physique had changed before, and that the dragon brother had finally grown up, but now it seems that his essential nature as a useless dragon has not changed at all.
She couldn't help but feel frustrated and disappointed in her good-for-nothing brother.
However, what Samantha never expected was...
Iron Dragon Gorton did not go along with her as she had expected; instead, he firmly shook his thick neck.
“You’re wrong, Samantha.”
He replied solemnly, "Exercise and training, these rigorous practices, not only cannot be stopped, but are absolutely necessary."
He paused, then continued, "I believe that destiny is not a fixed, unchanging, or once-and-for-all blessing."
“I am now indeed the dragon destined by heaven, but precisely because of this, I must strive to live up to this favor from heaven and must never become complacent or arrogant because of it.”
"Otherwise, this precious blessing from heaven will eventually be transferred elsewhere, or... disappear completely."
Upon hearing these unexpected remarks, Samantha was taken aback, a look of surprise flashing across her enormous dragon face.
Then, she grinned, seemingly about to make her usual sarcastic remark, but the smile vanished instantly, replaced by a more vicious tone: "Idiot! What contradictory nonsense are you spouting? When we meet again, I'll smash your stupid head in and make you see what harsh reality really is!"
Samantha said in a harsh voice.
Gorton, naturally unwilling to back down, immediately retorted, "Come on! Who's afraid of who! What I've eaten all these years hasn't been for nothing! It's long since been converted into power!"
The two sides, like a powder keg that had been lit, began to argue fiercely.
Their words were sharp and confrontational, neither willing to back down.
Galos was already used to this familiar scene and felt no emotion whatsoever.
Even in their early stages as fledglings, because they hatched at very close times, these two dragons were always bickering and neither would give in to the other.
"Natalie and Alberto, the golden dragon siblings, are currently in the wilderness. What have they been up to lately?"
Garros ignored the two noisy dragons beside him and threw the question to the iron dragon Sorog.
“Alberto has been traveling around the various territories of our Ironforge tribe, observing and recording.”
Sorog replied meticulously, "According to him, he wanted to 'observe and reference' our tribe's operating model and management system."
"I granted his request and, on that condition, allowed him to occasionally make public appearances in important gathering places like Riverwood Territory, saying some lines we had prepared in advance. This was a way of using his reputation and image as the Golden Dragon to endorse our tribe."
"As for that Golden Dragon Nasha, she has absolutely no interest in managing territories or affairs."
At this point, Sorog felt a bit of a headache.
"This golden dragon... is too warlike. After arriving in the wilderness, it has completely let itself go."
"Under the guise of martial arts exchange, she challenged and 'exchanged' almost all the well-known members of our dragon clan, as well as Dominic's blue dragon and powerful familiar leaders like Karu."
"She's either fighting or on her way to fight every day."
Sorog went on to add further explanation.
When engaging in combat with members of the dragon pack and their leaders, Natasha typically does not wear her signature ornate armor.
When facing opponents whose life level is significantly lower than her own, she will deliberately suppress her own strength and speed in an effort to achieve a fair contest. Even so, the powerful combat skills and physical attributes of the Martial Golden Dragon are far beyond what ordinary dragons or their companions can match.
Communicating with her rarely ends well.
"However, the situation has improved slightly recently."
Sorog changed the subject, a hint of relief in his voice: "She's been getting to know a few other lords in the wilderness lately, and now she goes to them for combat exchanges whenever she has free time, which reduces the harassment of our dragons."
He paused for a moment, then said in a low voice, "Although they have solved a lot of trouble for the tribe, the golden dragon siblings seem to be acting rather strangely."
That goes without saying.
Can a normal golden dragon mingle with a pack of evil dragons, and not even want to return to the Dragon Realm?
Garus thought to himself.
Just then, Gordon, who had just finished arguing with Samantha, suddenly seemed to remember something and interrupted.
"By the way, it seems someone just asked me how my relationship with Princess Crystal is going?"
His thoughts instantly filled with smugness: "I can tell you definitively that the relationship is progressing very smoothly!"
"I'm sure it won't be long."
"I, the chosen one, Gorton, will finally have a noble princess of my own!"
Who asked you?
Galos and Sorog carefully recalled their previous conversation and were both quite certain that neither of them had asked about this issue.
At that moment, Samantha, the red dragon, seemed to hear the funniest joke in the world.
She couldn't help but burst into laughter: "Crystal Princess? Hahaha!"
“Gorton, don’t you realize that, considering that human woman’s actual age, among the short-lived human race, she could already be respectfully called ‘Crystal Grandma’!”
"Does receiving a crystal grandma make you so happy and proud?"
She continued her sarcasm without holding back: "Those truly powerful and evil dragons abduct princesses who are all young and beautiful, like maidens just beginning to bloom."
Upon hearing this, Gordon immediately snorted coldly.
He retorted righteously, "What do you know? You're superficial!"
"A true beauty is like a fine wine aged in a cellar; only through the sedimentation and fermentation of time will she exude an increasingly rich and mellow fragrance and charm!"
As they talked, the two dragons started arguing fiercely again about aesthetics and princesses.
Red Iron Dragon immediately shifted his gaze, no longer paying attention to the endless arguments, and looked at Sorog, asking about the important matter: "During the twenty-nine years I was asleep, did the tribe and the other two regional kings, the Mountain King and the Fungus King, always live in peace, or did they occasionally have conflicts?"
Iron Dragon Sorog immediately composed himself and focused on responding.
"Overall, the situation has remained largely peaceful."
"Both the Mountain King and the Fungus King are content to defend their existing territories and have not shown any intention to expand outwards."
"The only exception was during the period when the abyssal rifts suddenly appeared in the northeast region. The giants under the command of the Mountain King seemed to be making some unusual movements and showed signs of expansion."
"As the abyssal rift was suppressed, the giants quickly returned to their usual peaceful state and ceased their transgressions."
Given that one's own resources are still sufficient, rashly starting a war with other powerful regional kings would undoubtedly be an extremely foolish decision.
A relentless pursuit of war will only hinder one's own development and accumulation.
Whether it's the Mountain King or the Fungus King, they are clearly beings with advanced intelligence. After obtaining the territory and resources they desired, choosing to develop peacefully and digest the fruits of their labor is a perfectly normal and rational behavior.
At this point, the conflict between Samantha and Gordon over the princess gradually subsided.
Adhering to the pure ideal of exhilarating combat, Samantha set her sights on the Red Iron Dragon.
"Garos, now that you have awakened and undergone such a long period of dormant evolution, you must be much stronger than before. Why don't we take this opportunity to officially declare war on the other two regional kings!"
"Those who know what's good for them will submit to the rule of our Ironforge tribe; if they dare to resist fiercely, then we'll crush them cleanly! We'll turn them, along with their ambitions, into ashes and dust in the wilderness!"
Samantha shook her head excitedly.
"Crush them, and take over all areas of the Sel Wilderness in one fell swoop! At that time, we dragons will be the sole rulers of this vast land!"
"By then, I will truly be worthy of the title of Red Dragon Queen."
"And you, my dear brother, will be crowned the undisputed King of the Wilderness. All creatures of the entire Wilderness of Sel, regardless of race or strength, will kneel beneath your wings and offer you their loyalty and reverence!"
She raised her head high, as if she could already see the scene of victory.
These bold words about the future were indeed quite impressive. Even Garus felt a surge of excitement upon hearing them, as if he could see himself ruling the wilderness.
However, he quickly suppressed the thought and calmly shook his head.
“Now is not the right time to start a full-scale war with the other regional kings,” Red Iron Dragon said calmly.
Samantha Long looked puzzled: "Why? I think the timing is perfect. The tribe has been dormant for so long and needs a great battle to restore its prestige. And you have just awakened and also need a glorious victory to announce your return and awe the world!"
Hong Tielong said, "The enemy we need to be most careful about right now is not in the wilderness."
He paused, then continued, his tone grave: "The decades-long civil war among the southern nations ended with the dissolution of the Lorthern Federation, which is by no means a good thing for us."
"Without the cover of war, the wilderness will inevitably come back into the sights of the nations."
"At that time, we will no longer be facing a few regional kings, but those legendary kingdoms that once held sway over the natives of the wilderness like a sword of Damocles."
Three years have passed since the end of the civil war that swept through the South.
This period of time, neither long nor short, was enough for those kingdoms that had suffered losses in the war to catch their breath and refocus some of their attention on the outside world.
Galos estimated that it wouldn't be long before some duchies, or even more powerful kingdoms, would notice them, these regional kings who had occupied large swathes of the wilderness and its rich resources.
It's even quite possible that the other party has already noticed.
It is only because of the cumbersome decision-making processes in those human-made countries, and because there are other things to deal with, that large-scale action has not been taken for the time being.
When he awoke this time, the tribe was spared the imminent danger and trouble.
The timing was pretty good.
At least it gave him time to prepare for the coming storm.
If it had been a few years later, faced with organized cleanup operations by various countries, the leaderless and uncoordinated Iron Smelting Tribe might have been forced to abandon its vast territory in the wilderness and retreat to the border areas or even the more remote tundra.
“Other regional kings, as long as they are not fools, must understand this principle as well.”
Iron Dragon Sorog chimed in, his thoughts coinciding with Garros's.
"That's why we've been able to maintain basic peace and live in harmony with each other all these years."
"The real enemy we need to rack our brains to deal with has never been each other, but the southern countries."
After hearing what the two said, Samantha realized the crux of the problem and recognized the potential for a huge crisis.
She quickly suppressed her burning desire for war and became cautious.
“The southern kingdoms… In our expansion over the years, we have destroyed and occupied many of their strongholds in the wilderness.”
"It would be terrible if all the duchies and kingdoms saw us as a thorn in their side and ganged up on us."
"Fortunately, Khriam has already been sent to the tundra to expand our territory."
"In case something goes wrong in the wilderness, at least there will be a place to migrate to and temporarily avoid the brunt of the attack."
At this point, Samantha couldn't help but sigh, swishing her tail irritably, and said with resentment, "But the thought of giving up the vast empire I've built up over so many years in the wilderness... it truly makes me unwilling!"
Red Dragon's intelligence and strategic vision are actually quite high.
While things may seem calm now, according to Garros, the tribe is actually at a critical juncture. Facing a powerful kingdom, whether the tribe fights or retreats, it will be a decision that will have a significant impact on its future development.
At this moment, Garos, the lord of the dragons, slowly spoke.
"I will not abandon the wilderness unless absolutely necessary."
He said, "Now that the Lorthern Federation has been dissolved, the nominal rule of the various countries over the wilderness no longer exists. This is a free land, and whoever can take it will have to rely on their own abilities."
"The war had only ended three years ago, and most of them were too busy taking care of themselves."
"Moreover, for the southern countries with their vast territories and deeply intertwined interests, the development and conquest of the wilderness is only one of many aspects they need to pay attention to, and not the current focus."
“Ordinary duchies are nothing to fear.”
"If a kingdom has its eye on us, there is no need to be too nervous. The kingdoms are no longer a monolithic entity, and there is plenty of room for maneuver."
Sensing Galos's unwavering composure, the slight unease and anxiety among the blood relatives gradually subsided.
As long as this King of Iron, this Lord of the Dragons, remains, they will dare to face any storm.
"But all of this is predicated on my ability to defeat a legend."
Galos did not utter these last words in the mental network; they only echoed silently in the depths of his heart.
If something is completely incomparable to a legend, it's nothing more than a roadside obstacle to those kingdoms. If it can't compare to a legend, it doesn't even have the right to negotiate. Want to maneuver between nations? At the very least, it needs to have some capital.
(End of this chapter)
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