Two warm days of family time passed in the blink of an eye.
After calming down Alice, Nazra, and Leonis, and reaffirming that Astaire and the cabinet were responsible for the "care" of Weiss and the daily operations of Blackrock Territory, Lind was finally able to extricate himself.
He did not choose the most efficient, but also most misunderstood, method of spiritual projection to go to the Eternal Forest.
When facing the ancient and legendary "Old Man of Deep Roots" Valak, who is deeply connected with nature, it is a more prudent choice to visit him in his pure material form and with respect (at least on the surface).
Any instability or abnormal energy fluctuation of a spiritual entity could be amplified and interpreted as an invasion or provocation in that sensitive ancient forest.
Linde did not intend to cause any unnecessary misunderstandings.
Standing atop the highest takeoff and landing platform in Blackrock Fortress, the "Starry Sky Apostle" gleams with a deep blue and silver-gray luster under the sunlight. Its streamlined fuselage and immense power are in themselves a masterpiece that combines Zedo Technology with Linde's personal understanding.
It is not a purely mechanical creation, but rather an extension of Linde, a mobile miniature fortress.
Linde stepped into the cockpit, and the core crystal energy was silently activated. The complex psionic patterns lit up instantly, perfectly connecting with his mental energy.
"Destination: Northern part of the continent, the outskirts of the Eternal Silent Forest. Proceed."
Upon receiving the command, the "Starry Sky Apostle" spewed out a stream of dark blue particles from its tail thrusters, silently rising into the air and instantly breaking through the clouds, transforming into a shooting star that streaked across the sky as it sped northward.
With most of the control handed over to the "Starry Sky Apostle's" intelligent navigation system, Linde relaxed for once and leaned back in the driver's seat.
High in the sky, a sea of clouds spreads out beneath your feet, like an endless snowfield.
The sunlight shone down on the aircraft without any obstruction, and through the special crystallized canopy, it brought a warm but not scorching feeling.
Far from the hustle and bustle of the ground, the political affairs of the territory, and the pressure of research, there is only the endless sky and the howling wind (although completely isolated outside the cabin).
This feeling of speeding and soaring freely between heaven and earth reminded him of the novelty and joy he felt when he first gained control of his power and explored the world, as if all constraints had been temporarily left behind.
He closed his eyes slightly, enjoying this moment of peace and tranquility.
However, this tranquility did not last long.
The [Activation Aura], which always operates at low power, suddenly encountered an extremely large and intense life energy source, as hot as a small sun, within its unique life perception field of vision!
Its high energy intensity and surging life magnetic field moved Lin De, instantly pulling him back from his relaxed state.
"Um?"
Linde suddenly opened his eyes, a stream of data flashing in his purple pupils. The "Starry Sky Apostle" was extremely fast; in just a few breaths, the massive life source approached from the distant edge of perception into the visible range.
Through the panoramic porthole, on the distant horizon, a colossal figure glides with an elegance disproportionate to its size, intersecting the course of the "Starry Sky Apostle".
Its long, winding neck was covered with thick, shield-like dark gold scales that reflected a cold, metallic sheen in the sunlight.
Each flap of the enormous membrane wings created a deep, rumbling airflow that stirred up the clouds high in the sky.
A long tail, with a menacing bone spur at the end, swayed slowly behind it, maintaining its balance.
The skull has a majestic wedge shape, with jagged bony horns extending backward, revealing its ancient lineage.
Those enormous, vertical pupils, like molten gold, were now looking curiously (perhaps with a hint of scrutiny) at the rapidly approaching, never-before-seen "iron bird."
A giant dragon! A fully grown, and clearly in its prime, golden dragon! (Judging from the color of its scales and its sacred, rather than malevolent, life force.)
It had clearly also discovered the "Starry Sky Apostle" and had become very interested in this fast-moving, strangely shaped "metallic creation" that emitted energy that was neither magic net nor elemental energy.
The Starry Sky Apostle's AI system immediately issued a warning:
[Warning: High-energy biological reaction detected. Database comparison:]
It matches the characteristics of 'Legendary Creature - Dragon (Metal Dragon - Gold Dragon)'.
Energy level: Extremely high.
Recommendation: Increase shield power to avoid or prepare for contact.
Linde raised an eyebrow slightly.
Unexpectedly, we encountered a rare giant dragon high in the sky. Judging from its flight direction, it seemed to have flown in from the north.
Dragons are powerful, proud creatures that usually live far from the mundane world, but they are also known for their great curiosity (especially of shiny and strange things).
The golden dragon was clearly interested in the "Starry Sky Apostle".
It let out a deep and long dragon roar. This sound was not an attack, but more like a greeting with a questioning and warning meaning. It pierced through the clouds and clearly entered the cabin (Linde deliberately preserved the external sound recording).
At the same time, its massive body slightly adjusted its direction and its wingspan narrowed, as if it intended to move closer to observe.
Lind made a quick judgment.
Engaging in a conflict with a fully grown golden dragon high in the sky would not be a wise move, especially since the other party does not seem to have any malicious intent at the moment.
However, one should not appear timid or indifferent, as that could also provoke the dragon's unnecessary "playfulness" or arrogance.
"Reduce speed to cruise mode and maintain current altitude. Keep shields at standard power and deactivate weapon systems. Turn on external communication loudspeakers."
Linde calmly issued the instructions.
The speed of the "Starry Sky Apostle" suddenly decreased, transforming from a shooting star into a huge, dark blue crystal suspended high in the sky, appearing stable and composed.
Linde transmitted his voice calmly through the loudspeaker, using the common language of the continent, and adding a touch of telepathy to ensure the other party could understand:
"Greetings, King of the Sky. I am but a passing traveler and have no intention of offending your airspace."
The golden dragon indeed stopped, hovering in the air a few hundred meters away from the "Starry Sky Apostle," a distance that was quite close for the two of them.
Its enormous head tilted slightly, and its molten gold-like vertical pupils carefully examined the talking metal creation, as if assessing something.
A moment later, a deep, dignified voice, yet tinged with curiosity and good manners (directly relayed to Lind's mind via telepathy, a common communication method used by dragons), rang out:
"An interesting construct. You are not one of those buzzing iron boats of humans. I sense within you... the chill of the stars and a... peculiar 'emptiness'? Traveler, state your name and purpose. I am Kael'drak, the Winged of the North, the Guardian of the Skies."
It indeed began the dragon's classic "interrogation" phase.
Linde's mind raced. Could a golden dragon that called itself the "Guardian of the Sky" be an unexpected opportunity to obtain intelligence from the north, or even to get closer to the Eternal Silent Forest? Or at least, to avoid a troublesome situation.
“You may call me Lind.”
He chose to use his name rather than a regional title, saying, "As I said, I am just a traveler seeking knowledge and ancient wisdom, heading north to visit a hermit."
"Linde?"
A thoughtful glint flashed in Kael'thas's dragon eyes, then he seemed to remember something. "Wait... that human lord who, according to legend... annihilated the Ork Legion with a single blow on the southern border? And who supposedly possessed ancient relic technology... is that you?"
The dragon seems to be quite well-informed.
Linde paused slightly, not expecting that his reputation had already reached the ears of the Northern Dragon.
This might save a lot of trouble in explaining, but it could also bring new variables.
"If you're referring to the conflict that occurred near Blackrock Territory, then it was indeed me."
Lind calmly admitted it.
Kel'Thalas let out a low, enigmatic groan, and two tiny golden sparks flew from his nostrils.
"It came to us so easily, we need your help."
"?"
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