A goldfinch stood on a slender branch, tilting its head as it preened its feathers. Every now and then, it would turn its eyes toward the gem-like lake up ahead.
Suddenly.
Ripples spread across the once-calm surface of the lake. In the blink of an eye, the ripples turned into waves, as if some massive creature was rolling over at the bottom.
Splash!
Countless water droplets burst into the air. The red iron dragon's form shot upward like an arrow, arriving in the sky in an instant. A single, effortless beat of its enormous wings stirred up a gale, sending the surrounding treetops swaying violently.
"I've basically recovered to my peak, and it didn't take long."
Garoth clenched his claws, assessing his body's condition.
Strength flowed through his muscles without obstruction. The previous weakness had vanished completely.
He lowered his gaze to the lake he had been resting in, thinking to himself, "This thing's restorative power is seriously strong. If I could move it into my little world, I wouldn't have to hold back during training. I could go all out with Radiant State."
Once Radiant State was activated, it couldn't be interrupted, and the aftereffects weighed heavily on Garoth.
That kind of all-out, overdrawn burst left fine cracks all over his body, from the gaps between his scales to the depths of his bones. It was everywhere.
Although this was also a form of training—each repair stimulating his body to become tougher—Garoth had to consider the risks. He couldn't act recklessly.
The higher you stood, the more targeting and scheming you faced.
If a powerful enemy caught him in his weakened state, there was a real risk of capsizing in a ditch.
Garoth also noticed that the lake's color had become much paler. It was probably related to his absorption.
At the same time, he observed that the water's hue was slowly recovering. Starting from the edges, it was deepening bit by bit at a steady pace.
It couldn't be used infinitely in a short period.
Even so, the fact that it could work on a dragon of Garoth's level was still worthy of being considered a miraculous holy site. One had to understand that with his current physical strength, ordinary healing methods couldn't even penetrate his scales, let alone repair deep injuries.
"The Silver Dragons are as easygoing as the rumors say. I can come to the Vophal Dragon Domain regularly from now on."
Garoth calculated, "Building some rapport with the Metal Dragons will also let me pry more secrets out of the Silver Dragon King."
He was craving the holy site here.
The main reason he hadn't come to the Vophal Dragon Domain before was that his application of the Spell-Extinguishing Claws wasn't skilled enough.
Back then, reaching this sea required a long journey, and he also had to pass through the territory of the Raging Tides Dragon Domain underwater. Now, that problem no longer existed.
"Wait... my mutated form seems to have reverted somewhat?"
Garoth carefully examined his body.
The structure of his scales was changing. From that sharp, lightweight state they had been in, they were gradually returning to the sturdy, heavy form he was familiar with. His spikes and tail were undergoing a similar transformation.
"The form I evolved into through a long period of gradual adaptation is the most perfect and balanced."
"If I don't actively maintain this mutated body, it'll be quickly corrected by my adaptation, reverting toward the previous balanced state."
As he felt the changes in his body, he pondered.
For other living beings, once they mutated, it was hard to return to normal. But for Garoth, mutation was like an allergic reaction—intense but unable to persist. His body would adapt and correct it, returning to a state of perfect balance.
This, in turn, created a problem.
"Do I ignite the Frenzied Flame, consume my accumulated mutation value, and maintain the Rift Form? Or do I let my body gradually correct and recover, then choose whether to mutate again?"
Garoth thought for a moment, leaning toward the latter.
"Hmm. The next mutated form might be better."
It was like rolling a die with no upper limit.
Garoth was definitely going to pursue a higher number.
Every mutation was an opportunity to test the boundaries of chaotic power and see what result the next roll would bring.
This first mutation into the Rift Form wasn't bad, but its strength didn't represent a qualitative leap. That wasn't enough to satisfy him.
"Most importantly, multiple mutations are the only way for me to adapt to 'mutation' itself, allowing me to gain a certain degree of control over the mutated form."
That was what he thought.
Not long after, the red iron dragon spread its wings.
In an instant, its figure vanished from its original position. The booming sonic boom followed a moment later. The shockwave radiated outward, pressing a circular depression into the lake's surface. It took several seconds for it to settle.
From between nearly imperceptible branches, the goldfinch withdrew its gaze and continued preening its feathers.
On the other side.
At a certain hilly location.
Gabriel was surrounded by seven or eight Metal Dragons.
These dragons included both Young Dragons and adults, ranging in age from a few decades to over a century. They were all fairly active individuals in the Vophal Dragon Domain.
They usually got along well with Gabriel.
Gabriel was a standout among the younger generation, having won the championship two years ago. He also loved being in the spotlight, so he had a considerable reputation in the Vophal Dragon Domain.
If an Evil Dragon saw Gabriel, they would keep their distance and try not to interact.
But Metal Dragons instinctively gravitated toward him.
Many times, when these dragons gathered, they were listening to Gabriel tell his stories—like how he had gone somewhere to eliminate a sea monster that was plaguing the area or saved a lost fleet.
Today's atmosphere, however, was a bit different.
The topic of discussion wasn't Gabriel, but his father.
The news of the Red Emperor's arrival had spread like wildfire across the entire dragon domain. Almost every dragon was talking about it. And as the Red Emperor's offspring, Gabriel naturally became the most authoritative source of inside information.
The curiosity and gossip about big shots applied to almost all intelligent races.
"Gabriel, is your father really only crown-level?"
A Brass Dragon spoke up, "How come I heard he took down an orc demigod from the Kantum Empire?"
"I heard that too."
A young Silver Dragon next to him chimed in, its wings slightly spread, looking a bit excited, "The outcome was decided in a single exchange. That orc demigod didn't even have a chance to fight back. All it could do was rage impotently."
Gabriel was perched on a flat rock, his tail swaying leisurely from side to side. His golden scales glittered in the sunlight.
He was enjoying this feeling of being the center of attention. His jaw lifted slightly as he answered in a deliberately modest tone, "I'm not entirely sure of my father's exact level. As for the demigod getting taken down..."
He flashed a meaningful smile and lowered his voice.
"Those who know, know. I'd rather not say too much. The level involved is just too high."
"What does that mean?" A Brass Dragon asked eagerly. "Did he win or lose?"
Gabriel said lightly, "Hard to say. It depends on how you look at it. You all know that battles at that level aren't something we can understand. The concept of winning and losing at that level might be completely different from what we imagine."
The surrounding dragons exchanged glances, reaching some unspoken agreement, and then let out bursts of amazed sighs.
"As expected of the Scarlet Emperor Cangxing."
A young Silver Dragon sighed, his eyes sparkling with admiration. "Even being able to defeat a demigod... doesn't that mean he's... already surpassed the realm of legendary? Even stronger than the Dragon Kings?"
"Don't make wild guesses."
Gabriel waved a claw, his expression serious. "I didn't say anything."
"If you go around spreading rumors, don't blame me if something goes wrong."
"Don't worry, don't worry," the Brass Dragon nodded repeatedly. "Our lips are sealed. But... Gabriel, you and your father both won championships. Maybe one day you'll catch up to him."
Hearing this, Gabriel's tail wagged even more happily.
But he remained humble, "My father is one of a kind. How could I possibly compare to him?"
"His achievements..."
He paused, his tone becoming more earnest, "Were built on countless battles and hardships. Even though I've won a championship too, I'm still far from his level."
As they talked, the topic gradually began to shift.
"I've heard..." The Brass Dragon suddenly leaned in closer, winking, his tone becoming suggestive. "Your father has quite a lot of females around him, doesn't he?"
Gabriel turned to look, frowning slightly. "What do you mean?"
"I mean exactly that," the Brass Dragon lowered his voice, almost whispering, "The Red Emperor is one of the most powerful rulers on Bernardo. There must be no shortage of excellent females around him, right?"
"I mean, from all kinds of races."
"Humans, Elves, dragons... don't they all have some? Think about it, such a large territory, so many vassal races. Plenty must come to him willingly."
As soon as this question came up, the young dragons around them perked up.
A few dragons that had been lying down straightened up. Those hovering in the air also descended. The light in their eyes shifted from reverence to curiosity. Even the two dragons that hadn't spoken much leaned in closer.
Dragon desire generally started to rise during youth.
Although it wasn't as intense as during prime, it was still enough to make them very interested in such matters. It was an unavoidable instinct brought on by their bloodline.
"That's right, that's right," a Silver Dragon chimed in, "A dragon like your father... I've heard his desires would be extremely strong. There must be a lot of females around him."
"Gabriel, how many have you seen? What did they look like? Were they all very beautiful?"
"I've heard that human females, while fragile, have many ideas," another Bronze Dragon added in a low voice. "Elves, on the other hand, live long enough to be companions for a long time, and their emotions are very delicate..."
"And dragons?"
The Silver Dragon pressed further. "Are they of the same race or other dragon species? Red dragons? Gold dragons?"
The corner of Gabriel's eye twitched. "Why are you all so interested in this?"
"Just curious," the Brass Dragon said matter-of-factly. "Who wouldn't want to know? Besides... learning from the experiences of a senior isn't a bad thing."
"Exactly, exactly," the other dragons nodded in agreement. "It's called learning! We're preparing for the future!"
Gabriel tried to steer the conversation back. "Don't you want to ask about my father's battle records? He's defeated many powerful enemies who were overlords in their own right. Those stories are much more interesting."
"We'll have plenty of opportunities to ask about those later," the Brass Dragon waved a claw dismissively. "This kind of news isn't something you can find out anytime. Come on, come on, what races are in your father's harem?"
"Are there Elves? I've heard that female Elves best fit our dragon aesthetic. Pointy ears, fair skin."
Gabriel shook his head, a little exasperated. "Can you guys be serious for once?"
"We are serious."
A Brass Dragon said with a straight face, his expression as grave as if they were discussing some major issue. "This concerns the matter of bloodline inheritance. It's a very important matter. A very, very serious matter."
Gabriel sighed helplessly.
But to be honest, he himself enjoyed being the center of attention.
He thought for a moment and said, "You've got it wrong. While my father's partners are not just one, compared to other rulers at his level, they are not numerous. In fact, they can even be considered few."
"Oh..."
The Brass Dragon dragged out the syllable, his eyes full of disbelief. "Really? We don't believe you."
"Don't 'oh' me," Gabriel said, a little displeased. "That's the truth."
"Do you think my father achieved everything he did through other means? It was all through sweat and hard work! He's more focused on his own strength. Other things don't matter to him. Power doesn't grow from a bed of comfort."
"And I will be just like him! Focused! Undistracted!"
He spoke with serious determination, his tail standing straight.
"Yeah, you're really focused," an adult dragon couldn't help but laugh. "Focused on chatting with us here."
"And focused on discussing your father's private life with us."
Another dragon added.
His companions mercilessly called him out, bursting into laughter.
Gabriel's expression didn't change. He said calmly, "Aren't I doing this to satisfy your curiosity? I've set my sights on becoming a Dragon King. Learning how to make the subjects of the domain happy and satisfied is also an important lesson for me."
"Understanding the needs of the people is essential to being a good ruler."
"It's called... being approachable!"
"Well said!" The Brass Dragon pressed on relentlessly. "So when are you going to satisfy our other curiosities? Like exactly how many there are? And what races they are?"
Gabriel shot him a glare. "That's enough."
The dragons around them laughed, and the air was filled with a lively atmosphere. The sun was just right, the wind was gentle. Gatherings like these were their most relaxing moments.
Just then, a Bronze Dragon who hadn't spoken much before suddenly spoke up.
"Wait, I have a question."
"I heard a rumor a long time ago, but I never knew if it was true. They say... the Red Emperor is the Gold Dragon King's illegitimate son?"
As soon as this was said, the attention of all the dragons was drawn to him.
The crowd that had been laughing and joking fell silent. Their eyes stared intently at the Bronze Dragon.
"What?" Gabriel was also stunned. "Where did you hear that?"
The Bronze Dragon recalled, "It doesn't matter exactly where I heard it. It's been circulating for a long time. Maybe I heard it from some elder when I was young."
"Think about it. Back then, when your father killed a legendary dragon, it caused quite a stir."
"At the time, the entire dragon race was discussing it. Many dragons from the Purification Faction said they wanted to demand an explanation. In the end, it was the Gold Dragon King himself who issued a decree, directly backing your father and forbidding any further pursuit of the matter."
"The Gold Dragon King never bothers with such trivial matters. Why would he specifically issue a decree for your father?"
"There must be something behind it."
"Wait," Gabriel shook his head. "My father is a red-iron dragon hybrid. Don't talk nonsense. The difference between a red iron dragon and a gold dragon is too great."
"You can't tell from the outside what kind of bloodline someone has," the Brass Dragon interjected, his eyes lighting up. "Think about it. After the Red Emperor established his kingdom, the order he set up is so much like how Metal Dragons behave! He values rules, establishes systems, and even guards the entire continent... If anyone calls him an Evil Dragon, I'll be the first to disagree."
"Those Evil Dragons only know destruction and plunder. They wouldn't bother with construction."
"This kind of conduct is definitely Metal Dragon at its core!"
Gabriel opened his mouth to argue, but the words got stuck in his throat.
He remembered the detail he had noticed about his father on the coastline earlier.
"Actually," he said hesitantly, his voice lowering, "when my father arrived, I noticed one detail."
"His dragon scales were initially golden. The light was dazzling, countless times more brilliant than my own scales. It was like the sun had been compressed onto each scale. But the color faded very quickly."
"I knew it!"
The Brass Dragon jumped up excitedly, nearly knocking over the dragon next to him.
"Golden scales! A sign of Gold Dragon bloodline awakening!"
"Whether or not he's related to the Dragon King, the Red Emperor definitely has Gold Dragon bloodline. He's one of us Metal Dragons!"
Another dragon shouted excitedly.
"No wonder he was able to establish order. It turns out he's a Metal Dragon at heart!"
"The Red Emperor has a heart of pure gold! His strength represents the strength of us Metal Dragons! Yes! The red iron dragon is just the appearance! Inside, it's definitely gold!"
The group of dragons erupted.
They grew more and more excited as they discussed it, pulling out Garoth's deeds from over the years one by one to support their claims.
Every time a deed was mentioned, a dragon would scramble to interpret it as a noble quality of the Metal Dragons.
"When we meet the Red Emperor, we'll ask him together. He must know whether he has Gold Dragon blood."
One dragon suggested.
"Yes! We have to ask."
The group of dragons chimed in, their voices rising and falling as if they had already reached a consensus.
Gabriel listened to all this, feeling a strange sensation inside.
He lowered his head and looked at his own golden scales. A thought suddenly crossed his mind.
Could it be that Father really does have Gold Dragon blood? If so... that would be even better. At the very least, it would mean that Father and I are even more alike.
He thought to himself.
Not long after, a figure suddenly swooped across the sky.
The shadow was huge, blocking the sunlight overhead, causing the light on the entire hilly slope to dim for a moment. The air temperature seemed to drop slightly as well.
Almost all the Metal Dragons felt it at the same time, and then looked up.
A massive red iron dragon was descending from the sky.
His wingspan was astonishingly wide, and the shadow he cast covered the entire hill. His gaze swept over the young dragons on the ground. There was no expression on his face, but the natural pressure made every dragon stop breathing for a beat.
Like birds and beasts scattering.
The Metal Dragons that had been clustered around Gabriel just moments ago vanished almost completely.
Some flapped their wings and flew off into the surrounding area. Others, too slow to fly, simply tumbled and rolled down the hillside, their claws gouging deep furrows into the grass. In the blink of an eye, only a few panicked backs remained, and even those disappeared behind the treetops soon after.
Only the Brass Dragon remained in place, its wings half-spread and half-folded.
"What's everyone running for?"
Gabriel stood up, looking a bit dissatisfied at the direction his companions had fled. "Didn't you all think my father had a Gold Dragon heart and wanted to ask him in person? You were all so excited about it just now. So why the fear when you see the real dragon?"
He shook his head, knowing these dragons still feared the majesty and appearance of the red iron dragon.
No matter what they said, when faced with the real thing, their bodies would react honestly.
Then, his heart suddenly leaped.
Wait... had his father heard that discussion just now?
All that gossip about partners, and the speculation about being an illegitimate son...
Gabriel felt a twinge of guilt, but he quickly puffed out his chest again.
It wasn't like he had done anything wrong.
...Okay, he had been discussing his father's private life, but that was started by the other dragons. He had only gone along with it a little.
And the part about the Gold Dragon bloodline was also an honest description of what he had seen. He hadn't made anything up.
He had only said what he saw. The other dragons had made their own conclusions.
It wasn't slander.
He forced himself to stay calm and asked, "Father, why did you suddenly come?"
Garoth landed and walked unhurriedly up the hill.
"I recall you wanted to ask for my guidance."
He looked at his offspring, his voice deep. There was no joy or anger in his eyes, as if he hadn't heard a single word of their discussion.
"Guidance?"
Gabriel felt a wave of relief. "Ah! Yes! Great! I've been waiting for this chance."
He paused, suddenly remembering something, and turned to look at the Brass Dragon who was still there.
"I used to think you talked too much, were unreliable, and had a smaller backbone than the other dragons."
"Every time we went hunting, you'd yell the loudest, hide the farthest behind, and be the first to call for a retreat when danger came." He walked over and seriously patted the Brass Dragon on the shoulder. "I take back everything I thought about you before. You're way stronger than all of them."
"At least you didn't run."
Gabriel's praise was sincere. He felt that this usually unremarkable companion had shown rare courage at a critical moment.
"..."
The Brass Dragon remained silent, the corner of his mouth twitching. The expression on his face was caught somewhere between crying and laughing.
"Why aren't you saying anything?" Gabriel asked curiously, tilting his head to look at his face.
"You're usually so talkative, aren't you?"
The Brass Dragon took a deep breath and finally found his voice. "I... my legs gave out. I didn't have time to run."
"What?"
"Nothing!" The Brass Dragon shook his head violently. His wings finally spread all the way. "Uh... Lord Garoth, Gabriel, I suddenly remembered I have something to do. I'm leaving now! My lair is on fire! Goodbye!"
He practically launched himself into the air. In the blink of an eye, he had vanished over the horizon.
