The dragon's scales were thick and layered, a deep iron-black color. Their surfaces were covered in fine serrated textures, resembling forged metal blanks, as if cast from steel and iron. At its joints were exoskeleton-like metallic protrusions, and a layer of heavy, shark-fin-like spines ran down its back.
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeBdBWGyfrC
It simply sat quietly atop the high platform.
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzVSO5FNTzo
Its wings and limbs were not fully extended; its massive physique was in a retracted state.
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNBlwWjFyLS
But even so,
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5gLTAodV4S
an overwhelming sense of pressure still came rushing toward him.
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbHCnTIvPwP
The destruction and ruin such a dragon would cause when enraged was bone-chilling just to think about.
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmAyfbQFmsn
The dragon was watching Garros with black dragon pupils, identical to those of Garros.
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBrT1b8gjNA
This was Garros's mother—the Iron Dragon Mother, Leticia.
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoolzFUdanL
"Mother."
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiQozs0tywS
The Young Dragon lowered its head, greeting the dragon on the high platform.
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOVj74eluq4
The Iron Dragon Mother was a very traditional Iron Dragon. She believed in no dragon gods, was Lawful Evil, held efficiency and pragmatism as her highest principles, followed a strictly hierarchical lifestyle, and desired to build a world dominated by Dragonkin and ruled by Iron Dragons. She possessed a very strong sense of class consciousness.
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDXk7Ay2HpH
In her eyes, even her offspring could not overstep their bounds.
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUvYAL1hZJJ
They had to follow her rules and show her respect and awe.
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXkSlaCnSmI
"Garros, my child, the crystallization of flame and steel."
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6RHVai9036
The Iron Dragon Mother looked down at Garros, her eyes lowered, and spoke in a cold, magnetic voice: "Six lunar cycles have been enough for a Hatchling to shed its soft scales. Now, your armor is as hard as iron."
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBv7CChU0rm
Her voice sounded like sandpaper rubbing against a steel ingot, every syllable making the metal particles in the air hum in resonance.
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwyJzgp4tEL
Garros nodded, thinking to himself that things were looking bad.
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx5FwojF6zk
Based on age, Dragonkin are divided into many age categories.
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxy03vaL5pg
For example, ages 1-5 are Hatchlings. During this period, a Hatchling receives protection from its mother, including food, safety, shelter, and so on.
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ19OIa4uK4O
Further up, ages 6-12 are the Young Dragon stage.
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWZTjq5bb3j
Evil Dragons have rather indifferent familial affection and little interest in raising offspring.
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ2KhYf6l3K
When their offspring reach the Young Dragon stage, Evil Dragons often choose to drive them out, forcing them to leave their territory and live on their own.
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaQ1CIDijFR
Garros had an older dragon brother who had been driven out two years ago; his current fate was unknown.
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3x2OQqJI1c
As for himself, Garros had long anticipated this day's arrival, though he hadn't expected it to come so soon.
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgwLpVuDOOy
This magical world was not safe. Supernatural creatures weren't limited to Dragonkin, and magical power was not exclusive to them either. Furthermore, because every part of a dragon's body was a top-tier Material, they were highly coveted.
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHVxPcTIjMw
Dragons of adult age and above were fine; they possessed powerful strength and could protect themselves.
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdAJXBtPmQO
But a Young Dragon?
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEnOmYtsVIH
Comparing them to humans, a Young Dragon was equivalent to a toddler who could barely stand and walked unsteadily. For a Young Dragon alone in the world without protection, danger was everywhere, and survival was incredibly difficult.
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCLE1qfl0uB
The mortality rate for the offspring of Evil Dragons before reaching adulthood was extremely high.
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzwclvLbMj3
Garros felt it was completely unreasonable to drive out offspring during the Young Dragon stage to live alone; no wonder the Dragon Clan was gradually declining.
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMwHQZ64qWN
Moreover,
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXcYINIirfL
he suspected that it was precisely because of these harsh survival experiences in childhood that Evil Dragons developed such violent and cruel personalities upon reaching adulthood.
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡToqqEcozGA
"When I was your age, my claws and fangs were not as sharp as yours,"
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG9BsNLsGJ5
the Iron Dragon Mother continued, "and my armor was not as sturdy as yours, yet I had already left my mother's protection and possessed a territory of my own."
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0CfNvn7ehA
When mentioning her own territory, her eyes flickered, and her tone lacked confidence.
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcjZTMAMxoB
That so-called 'territory' was actually just a stinking ditch.
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRiT3Xj2h3q
The Iron Dragon Mother's face was covered in steel-like fine scales; she was thick-skinned and her expression remained normal.
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFwcHNZxNJS
She leaned her massive body back slightly and said, "Garros, it is time for you to leave this place and begin a life of your own."
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCW7EzqcY4i
"Before tomorrow's dawn, your scales should no longer touch the dust of this place."
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4J6CXwZgrd
As expected, she wants to drive me out.
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXGHXjt69EU
This is a damn bad habit. You can't just tear up someone else's umbrella because you got rained on, Dragon Mother!
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUYDWEBN5Xf
Hearing the Iron Dragon Mother's words, Garros felt a chill in his heart.
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmeawmQygp1
At the same time, two irrepressible low chuckles came from behind.
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUHLtrwtn1z
Red Dragon Sister and the newly arrived Iron Dragon Brother, two five-year-old Hatchlings, both looked at Garros with gloating eyes, their tails swishing behind them, clearly in a very pleasant mood.
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeEgjicHyXs
Due to their nature as Evil Dragons, the two of them frequently provoked Garros on a daily basis, only to be beaten up by him time and again.
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ0jRzUpOY4
They both very much hoped Garros would be driven out.
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbAQMdWaXOA
"Two idiots. Haven't they realized that I am what they will be in a year?"
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvlEQlzrmet
Garros shook his head slightly, too lazy to argue with fools.
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1yKRTwDBFm
These two Hatchlings only cared about the present and hadn't thought about the future at all.
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBuWNeJWeF1
Raising his lowered head, Garros looked at the Iron Dragon Mother and said, "Mother, I hope to stay in your territory for a while longer. I am not yet prepared."
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqJdVLR3MQd
The Iron Dragon Mother spread one of her wings, and shadow instantly swallowed half the nest.
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtb3yonWuqY
She refused categorically: "No."
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzxN3bSRlJ5
Garros had anticipated today's situation, so he sighed and said, "I originally intended to trade treasures for food and protection. Since Mother's mind is so set, then let's forget it."
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWpXB0u8yBF
As his voice fell, Garros shook his head and turned to leave.
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOQH4x8N0pZ
Treasures?
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRLZrJKsnXp
The Iron Dragon Mother's pupils instantly narrowed into slits.
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBrnvxB2HuV
"My dear Garros, wait!"
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUuUBWjZlFP
Normal Dragonkin cannot refuse treasures.
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCxvcpanykr
Garros knew this well—treasures were the weakness of almost all dragons, and the Iron Dragon Mother was no exception.
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxEPGBt5C6K
She had a rigid and traditional personality, believing a six-year-old Young Dragon should live alone, but well, there are exceptions to everything. The Iron Dragon Mother was also a standard pragmatist; if Garros could bring her treasures, she wouldn't mind continuing to house this offspring.
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnM3C64JT17
Her cold, hard expression softened considerably.
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIjO6jpPfdf
The Iron Dragon Mother asked pleasantly, "Where did you get treasures, and how much are you willing to exchange for food and protection?"
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHjbsf7fBnZ
Garros brought his four limbs together and sat on the ground, looking up at the massive Iron Dragon. He said unhurriedly, "I have a keen perception of minerals, especially precious metal Ores. My perception of them is quite clear."
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAsEiaqEOKZ
"I can guarantee you at least three pieces of precious metal Ore weighing over ten pounds each month."
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNMplJOe5ZE
"And you will need to provide me with protection, as well as the same high-quality bloody food as before."
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyHQfdWAbPA
The bloody food the Iron Dragon Mother could provide consisted of high-Rank magical beasts, which Garros would have difficulty obtaining on his own at present.
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxNMADrbI01
Garros needed high-quality bloody food very much; his Adaptive Evolution talent did not create things out of thin air and required sufficient energy during the evolution process.
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnriiIvMvLA
Hearing Garros's words, the Iron Dragon Mother nodded slightly.
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIJS8LC8Srr
Reasonable.
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxfGgQMJZ6g
Iron Dragons do have a natural talent for sensitivity to metal Ores, though this talent rarely appears in Young Dragons.
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrYonUhcsRx
"You are willing to go mining?"
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnV8ymjWdBG
Dragons are naturally proud. Mining is something for servants and slaves; dragons generally disdain doing it personally.
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPt63eMQMu1
When it came to treasures, the Iron Dragon Mother adopted a calculating expression and said, "If you want to use my servants to mine for you, that will cost extra. The specific amount will be discussed based on the Rank of the servants you wish to use."
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS7s90wWl64
Rank refers to Biological Rank.
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLvhuUjybOT
This is the most direct reference for distinguishing individual strength levels. For example, Garros's current Biological Rank is 7. At this level, among Young Dragons of the same age, he is on par with a Gold Dragon, or even superior to an average one.
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv1I7qeO2qt
Under normal circumstances, both Red Dragons and Iron Dragons are weaker than Gold Dragons at the same age.
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSC1oXTJp0E
Compared to a White Dragon among the Chromatic Dragons, the average Biological Rank at age six is only around Rank 3.
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ7QIiNJjCn
"No need. I have two Mine Slaves I can command, and with me personally spurring them on, their mining efficiency shouldn't be low."
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5jGOgAOyip
Garros rejected the Iron Dragon Mother's suggestion.
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWHNpvOIhvy
Two Mine Slaves? Red Dragon Sister and Iron Dragon Brother looked surprised.
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn8C9tDhNSm
"When did Garros get two Mine Slaves?"
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu9ctklmV4p
Red Dragon Sister lowered her voice and asked the Iron Dragon Brother beside her.
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJNfIXmPszz
"I don't know either."
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgPtjIdjine
Iron Dragon Brother shook his head, his eyes clear and clueless.
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ1TqFOE4WV
The two Hatchlings looked at each other, racking their brains, unable to imagine where Garros had found two Mine Slaves.96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtoUOvUzPvB
→ Request update
and then Add to home screen.