Bab 157: Chapter 157: The Advance of the Winter Wolves
In the far north ice fields, the polar night has dissipated, welcoming the return of the polar day.
The sun above the ice fields, though not as bright or warm as in the south, casts a pale light, gilding the snow-covered world with a golden edge.
Amidst the biting cold wind, thousands of meters high in the sky, three super-large true dragons with their wings spread soar swiftly, accompanied by a giant stone tomb serpent dragon over thirty meters long, and two high-ranking casters enveloped in magical radiance.
Leading the group is a silver dragon, whose scales shimmer under the sunlight, resembling precious metals.
The two red dragons fly side by side, with snowflakes evaporating into steam before even touching their scales, giving the appearance of flying amidst white smoke.
The extreme cold of the northern ice fields makes Roel and Gresha somewhat uncomfortable.
However, it's just discomfort without any significant negative impact.
Red dragons dislike cold regions, but they can survive in any harsh environment without considering their comfort.
Within the dense clouds, Garon overlooks the white world below, feeling a sense of tranquility.
Everything looks so familiar, and the lower temperatures invigorate him, with the cold wind bringing a refreshing sensation.
Having spent time in the south, the lush forests and changing skies offered a different landscape but couldn't make Garon feel at home.
After all, born in the northern ice fields and having survived his weakest moments here, Garon feels differently about this place, returning here feels like coming home.
Bringing the red dragons and the two magicians to the northern ice fields is because entering the lava semi-plane can be done in one go, which is much more convenient.
Transferring between planes consumes a lot of energy and can't be done anytime.
The Red Flame Staff, the key to the lava semi-plane, provides energy through the lava crystals to open the portal. However, according to Luna, each activation of the lava semi-plane requires at least two months of recovery and recharging.
Inside the semi-plane, two to three weeks might be enough since the lava crystals mainly need fire and earth elemental energy, which is abundant in the semi-plane but not so much in the primary material world.
As for the life gemstone Garon plans to use upon returning to his lair, purified of impurities, it contains vibrant life force, the essence of hundreds of thousands of lives. Although Harris has consumed a large part, the remaining essence is still astonishing.
Garon believes that using it along with Harris's soul crystal might directly elevate him to the level of a young dragon.
Though time hatchling dragons aren't considered true legends and have some inflated strength, reaching the young dragon stage without needing to reverse time would solidify his legendary status.
However, Harris's soul crystal contains remnants of evil spirit and magic.
To avoid being affected by Harris's will and magic, it's best to purge these elements completely, a tedious and intricate process.
Using their mental strength to thread into the soul crystal and gradually erase the residual will and magic, this process is energy-consuming and requires patience.
That's why Garon brought two high-ranking casters.
Saving their lives and making them swear loyalty to him, they should be put to use.
With their mental strength, they are capable of slowly purifying the soul crystal's impurities, but given the legendary caster's remnants, it will take a significant amount of time.
Now, the task of purifying Harris's soul crystal falls on the two high-ranking casters.
The northern ice fields are not suitable for ordinary human life, but high-ranking mages wouldn't be affected by such coldness.
The lava semi-plane also needs more manpower.
In the sky among the clouds, with everything underfoot, Garon breathes the cold air of the northern ice fields. On a whim, he folds his wings beside his body, spiraling through the sky, disturbing the clouds like ripples on water.
When gravity tilts his body downward, the sunlight-bathed silver dragon wings flapped powerfully, accompanied by a booming sound, rising once again.
Gravity has no hold on a flying giant dragon.
Following the map in his mind, with time silently passing, Garon and his followers gradually approach the ice cliff dragon lair.
Soon, the towering ice cliff thousands of meters high appears in Garon's vision.
Looking down, everything is as familiar as if he never left.
The dragon's wings cast large shadows on the ground of the ice cliff territory. The dragonkin, sensing their familiar master's presence, look up with surprise and excitement, their eyes filled with awe.
Simultaneously, two white figures emerge from the caves below the ice cliff.
The presence of unfamiliar true dragons startles Garon's two white dragon guards, who fly into the air, their eyes tinged with caution.
However, upon seeing the leading silver dragon, they relax, flapping their wings to greet him.
"Great Eternal Dragon, your lair guards salute you."
Garon nods slightly.
At that moment, the white dragons glance at the two red dragons, instinctively baring their teeth, revealing their fangs.
The red dragons' warm aura naturally repels the white dragons, who are surrounded by cold air, causing discomfort among the red dragons.
As part of the five chromatic dragons, red and white dragons don't get along. Typically, they don't encounter each other, and when they do, it's usually the white dragons who are at a disadvantage.
"Inferior white scales, Lord Garon, you should consider stronger lair guards, perhaps blue dragons, those who like to huddle together for warmth."
Roel, unable to suppress his pride and disdain for the weakest of the true dragons, openly scoffs at the two white dragons while suggesting to Garon.
"Arrogant red-scaled brutes, the northern ice fields are not for you to run wild."
The mature white dragon Holmes retorts sharply, his face darkening.
Red dragons, although leading among the chromatic dragons, can hardly make others willingly acknowledge their dominance.
However, the gap between red and white dragons is indeed significant.
Holmes is a mature white dragon, over two hundred years old, while Roel and Gresha are around a hundred, but in terms of size, these two red dragons, far from maturity, are already not weaker than a mature white dragon, even surpassing Holmes in muscular definition.
"Hmph, you disgrace of true dragons, dare to be so bold."
"This environment is your home field, and you can gang up. How about it, want to try the power of red dragons?"
Roel snorts disdainfully.
The young white dragon Greyhas hesitates, but the mature white dragon Holmes seems eager to try.
In terms of size, he appears slightly inferior to the red dragons.
However, Holmes is confident that with his over two hundred years of combat experience, he can match a mature red dragon.
"Lord, please allow me to teach this arrogant red-scaled a lesson, to know that in the northern ice fields, white dragons are the rulers, not to be insulted at will!"
Holmes turns to Garon, requesting permission.
Garon is momentarily at a loss for words.
Meeting and immediately wanting to fight, neither willing to back down, truly characteristic of the chromatic dragons.
However, even a mature white dragon is likely no match for a mature red dragon, even with the northern ice fields' environmental advantage.
The gap in bloodline is too vast.
Red dragons can enter legendhood in their old age, while white dragons... only ancient white dragons can barely touch the threshold of legend.
Seeing Holmes's eager eyes, Garon shakes his head, then glances at the red dragons, solemnly stating, "In my territory, meaningless infighting is not allowed. If you wish to fight, the northern ice fields are full of frost giant tribes."
The best way to divert internal conflict is to unite against a common enemy.
Under Garon's stern command, both the white and red dragons slightly retract their necks.
Then, Roel and Gresha's eyes brighten, "We've long wanted to taste giant flesh. Unfortunately, there are no giants in the south."
The red dragons reveal their fangs, "Hmph, those damned giants will all die by the claws of true dragons."
Seeing the tension dissipate, Garon points to the dragons and humans behind him, instructing the white dragon guards, "They are my loyal followers from the south. Take them to familiarize themselves with the ice cliff territory, then find a place nearby to settle them."
After giving instructions, he warns the red dragons and the stone tomb serpent dragon, "If you're hungry, you may hunt at will, but do not prey on the territory's kin, understood?"
The red dragons nod.
The stone tomb serpent dragon hesitates, flicking its bright red tongue, eager, "I faintly smell the scent of my kind, the male cold forest serpent dragon you mentioned."
It stayed in the primary material world and followed Garon to the northern ice fields for the purpose of reproduction.
The stone tomb serpent dragon and the cold forest serpent dragon, both belonging to the serpent dragon kind, can breed offspring.
Garon's gaze shifts, instructing Greyhas, "Take it to the snow mountain mine, find Ulbis, and tell him I've fulfilled my promise."
Then, Holmes leads the newcomers to familiarize themselves with the ice cliff territory, while Greyhas guides the stone tomb serpent dragon towards the snow mountain.
Garon looks down at the ground, diving towards the northern ice spirit tribe.
As he approaches the ground, he spreads his wings, slowing his descent, landing smoothly.
The northern ice spirits had already sensed Garon's presence. Roy Ice River steps out from the tribe, kneeling, with a joyous and sincere tone, "Great Eternal Dragon, your loyal kin welcome your return."
Garon nods slightly, calmly asking, "Have there been any issues here or at the snow mountain vein during my absence?"
Roy Ice River carefully chooses his words, slowly saying, "My lord, there have been no issues within the territory. The Wolfheart clan and your dragon lair guards are strong enough."
Pausing, he continues, "The Wolfheart clan has been waging wars in the northern ice fields in your name. With Lord Ulbis's assistance, the Wolfheart clan has now absorbed over twenty winter wolf clans, with nearly a hundred mature winter wolves and tens of thousands in their pack."
"Here's what happened."
"Now, all intelligent creature groups within a thousand miles of the snow mountains are loyal followers of the Eternal Dragon."
After the Wolfheart clan's winter wolves received dragon vein transformation, their strength surpassed that of ordinary winter wolves. With the assistance of Garon's other powerful kin, they easily absorbed small winter wolf tribes, expanding their clan's power like a snowball.
In the end, some winter wolf tribes, hearing of the Wolfheart clan's strength, even voluntarily joined.
As powerful magical creatures, a hundred winter wolves, along with their summoned packs, constitute a formidable force in the northern ice fields. Under this force, neighboring intelligent creatures either die, flee, or accept their rule.
Besides the rapid development of the Wolfheart clan, the cold forest serpent dragon also played a significant role.
Garon remains composed outwardly but is somewhat astonished internally, not expecting the Wolfheart clan to grow so rapidly.
Although he allowed Wolfheart's request for conquest before leaving the northern ice fields and had the cold forest serpent dragon assist them, Garon didn't anticipate such swift development.
In just over two months, the Wolfheart clan truly surprised him.
Garon doesn't have a strong desire for conquest.
However, stronger kin and forces are always better, at least improving his quality of life significantly.
Needing something, Garon only needs to command, and his kin will find ways to obtain it for him.
If he returns a few years later, he wonders if the entire northern ice fields will become his territory. Garon muses absurdly.
But it's not impossible.
Without strong opposing forces, the more powerful the force, the easier and faster it expands, naturally attracting smaller tribes and clans like a high-mass celestial body.
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