Chapter 48 Needle Valley
"Why change territories? Aren't we doing just fine in Hemlock Hills?"
Samantha was puzzled and asked in confusion.
It completely failed to consider that the appearance of the Earth-Splitting Centipede was just the beginning, which meant that it was highly likely to attract an even larger Black Rock Force later on.
Moreover, due to the laziness of dragons, it has adapted to life in the hemlock hills and is not yet ready to move its territory.
"Use your brain and think about it. Is the appearance of these alchemical golems just a coincidence? Others will be coming soon."
"Garos said."
Samantha tilted her head, thought about it seriously, and gradually understood the reason.
Red dragons are not actually stupid; on the contrary, their intelligence is relatively high among dragons. It's just that their thought process is often based on the idea that "my intelligence allows me to use strength to solve problems."
Red Dragon only changes its approach when violence fails to solve problems.
"Oh, so you're afraid the army will come and kill us, so you're planning to run away."
After a few seconds of thought, Samantha suddenly realized and said.
Snap!
Garus lashed its tail across its head, its dragon face serious.
"This is a strategic retreat; don't talk nonsense if you don't understand."
Samantha, who had been hit by Garus's tail, rubbed her head with her paws, baring her teeth and instinctively wanting to retaliate. However, when she met Garus's gaze, she immediately became timid and submissive.
"Dragon Lord, where are we going next?"
"The Earth Bear Mobel asked cautiously."
Upon hearing this, Galos fell into deep thought.
There is a proverb in dragon culture.
—The dragon that sees the roses of spring must also be wary of the footprints of the giants of winter.
It essentially means being prepared for unforeseen circumstances and taking precautions.
Galos did this very well.
While staying in the Hemlock Hills, knowing that it was only a transitional place with limited resources, he did not forget to carefully search for other suitable places to live.
After a period of investigation and deliberation.
He has three goals.
Greystone Ridge.
—The rock walls are covered with natural caves, which can be used to build highly concealed dragon nests. They are also towering and steep, easy to defend and difficult to attack. There are lakes and forests around, and many creatures live there. The area is rich in biological and water resources.
Silver Moss Plain.
—There was once a large mithril mine, and the soil still contains a certain amount of mithril particles. Many silver-bud mosses have mutated and grown. Eating soil and mosses can help the development of dragon scales and claws, and the number of ferocious beasts is extremely large.
Coniferous valley.
—A bowl-shaped valley surrounded by mountains on three sides, with hot springs steaming inside, the smell of sulfur masking the presence of dragons, and a large river tributary meandering through it.
These three locations are all far richer in resources than the Hemlock Hills.
Such territories are all owned lands in the Sel Wilderness.
After a brief moment of thought, Galos ultimately chose the Needle Valley.
The dominant species in the Greystone Ridge is a group of giant-tailed steel scorpions.
This is a type of ferocious beast that is enormous in size and possesses terrifying venom; its toxins can pose a life-threatening threat to young dragons.
Galos's poison resistance had not been specifically enhanced, and he was unsure whether he could withstand the venom of the Giant-tailed Steel Scorpion.
There are no dominant races or individuals on the Silvermoss Plain. This place is inhabited by many ferocious beasts, where the strong prey on the weak and fight each other. Galos originally liked this place the most, but he later discovered that armies would come here from time to time to collect samples of silvermoss and other mutated plants, which actually posed the highest potential risks.
As for the conifer valley.
Besides having the lowest risk, it is not too far from a branch line that winds through the Serpent's Lair like veins, allowing you to contact caravans or teams transporting resources such as minerals and black oil along the Serpent's Lair.
The downside is that it is inhabited by many tribes of intelligent creatures such as goblins and gnolls.
"Pine Valley? Hooray, that's great!"
Upon hearing Garus's decision, the bear Mobel's eyes widened, and he shouted excitedly.
The reason for its excitement is simple.
The place called Needle Valley also has a more formal name, which was established by some intelligent creature tribes and clans in the surrounding area.
—Bear Ridge.
It was the place where Mobel's original Earth Bear pack lived, and it was also the place that Mobel recommended to Garros, adhering to the idea of "the father parting and the son laughing".
It was during his initial exploration of the bear herd that Galos inadvertently discovered the branch road of the Thousand Serpents' Mark.
"My noble Dragon Lord, I am willing to be your sharpest blade, to conquer the Conifer Valley for you!"
Mobel knelt before Garros and spoke in a gruff voice.
The night wind ruffled its fur, revealing numerous runes etched onto its skin—the masterpiece of the red dragon alchemist Samantha over the past six months.
Through the enhancement of these alchemical runes, Mobel has become much stronger.
However, it knew it still couldn't compare to the old bear, but its greatest reliance wasn't itself, but the dragons in front of it.
"Hmph, you wretched old man."
"This bear will take back everything I've lost, seize your territory, and take over your mother bear!"
Mobel thought to himself with delight.
Galos did not forget his promise and patted the bear on the shoulder.
"Once you've subdued the bears, you'll be their leader, but don't forget, if anything happens to the bears, I'll break your legs."
Immediately.
The Earth Bear, carrying the relatively intact Centipede of Earth and some other necessities, ran across the ground towards the direction of the Conifer Valley.
Galus flapped his wings and soared through the sky.
The outline of the hemlock hills gradually blurred in the twilight.
He glanced back at the territory where he had lived for nearly a year.
The hemlocks broken by the blasting scales, the crooked ruins of the alchemy workshop, the winding tunnels dug by the earth spiders, and the collapses and cracks caused by his impact.
Everything will return to the wilderness after he leaves.
It seemed as if she had remembered something.
Galos suddenly paused, then turned back and flew back to Hemlock Hills, leaving Samantha to follow the Earth Bear and continue on to the Conifer Valley ahead of them.
Samantha didn't know what Garros wanted to do, but she didn't ask.
After a while, it flew in the sky and looked back towards the direction of the hemlock hills.
A cluster of fire suddenly lit up, and then spread like wildfire, gradually igniting the entire Hemlock Hills. The vast hills were transformed into torches burning fiercely in the night, their light illuminating the darkness and the heat waves causing the surrounding air to distort and rise continuously.
The dazzling flames were reflected on the scales.
The red iron dragon soared into the air from the 'volcano' like a shooting star, quickly giving chase.
Alchemical tools and magic with extraordinary effects are constantly emerging in this world.
Although he felt a little reluctant to leave, for safety reasons and to prevent being tracked further, Garus decided to burn down Hemlock Hills, using the flames to purify everything and eliminate any trace that could prove he had ever been there.
He wasn't sure if it would work.
But it at least makes me feel a little more at ease.
(End of this chapter)
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