Giant Dragon Lord: Starting from Daily Intelligence

Chapter 547: Chapter 418: Scorching Black Stone Territory

Night, like a vast black velvet curtain, slowly descended upon the Black Stone Territory.

But this night was different from any other.

An invisible, heart-pounding power permeated the air.

Even the most oblivious farmer could sense something unusual from the anxious, low growls coming from their dog’s kennel.

A crimson halo of light, like a stubborn will-o’-the-wisp on the horizon, burned without end.

The Blazing Phoenix.

It neither approached nor retreated.

As night fell, it chose to roost on a barren mountain several kilometers away.

But the Blazing Flame on its body showed no sign of abating. The light pierced the thick darkness, searing itself into the pupils of every Black Stone Knight.

It was a blatant provocation.

Raylo stood before his study window, also silently watching that distant Flame.

The Phoenix’s intentions were already clear.

It was waiting.

It was waiting for something to go wrong with Sun’s digestion of the Sun Crown Stone, or for a crack to appear in the Black Stone Territory’s defenses.

It was waiting for the moment its prey was weakest and most vulnerable.

’Charge out of the city for a decisive battle?’

Raylo immediately dismissed the thought.

His opponent was at the Domain Level Peak and held an absolute advantage.

It was also incredibly cunning. After suffering a loss at the volcano last time, it had refused to engage Raylo’s side in direct combat.

’I can’t be rash.’

Raylo warned himself.

’The more critical the situation, the calmer I must be.’

In a contest of patience, he would not lose to a Magical Beast, no matter how intelligent it was.

As long as they held their ground here until Sun awoke, the tide would turn.

"KNOCK, KNOCK, KNOCK."

The study door was knocked upon.

"Come in."

Ed pushed the door open and entered, a trace of exhaustion on his face.

"My lord, the temperature at the top of the castle is getting higher and higher. The stone near the Dragon’s Nest is already showing signs of turning red and softening. I’m afraid... if this continues, the castle’s main structure will be affected."

Raylo’s frown deepened.

In just a short time, the temperature in Black Stone Castle had already risen by several degrees.

He knew this was the result of the Sun Crown Stone’s energy gradually being released within Sun’s body.

Black Stone Castle was sturdy, but it hadn’t been designed to withstand the scorching heat of a "Little Sun."

"Have everyone temporarily evacuate the castle," Raylo said in a low voice.

"Have men prepare large amounts of sand and water to cool the castle at a moment’s notice. Tell everyone this is a normal phenomenon related to Sun’s advancement and not to panic."

"Yes, my lord."

Ed accepted his orders and left.

Quiet returned to the study once more.

Raylo rubbed his throbbing temples.

The enemy’s threat was external, but a new danger had now emerged from within.

"CREAK!"

The study door was gently pushed open a crack.

A furry, cat-like head poked inside.

It was Moonlight.

Its pale gold eyes glanced at Raylo, and then it leaped in, light-footed and silent. Following behind it were two smaller "cats," one black and one blue.

Coal Ball and Lightning.

Moonlight jumped onto the desk, padded over to Raylo, and gently rubbed its head against the back of his hand.

A cool stream of energy slowly flowed into Raylo’s body, calming his agitated mind considerably.

"I’m fine."

Raylo smiled and reached out to scratch under Moonlight’s chin.

Moonlight closed its eyes in pleasure, a purring sound rumbling in its throat.

Just then.

"SCREECH!"

A sharp, piercing cry from the Phoenix rang out from the distance without any warning!

The sound was filled with tyranny and fury, piercing the night sky like a red-hot steel needle stabbing into everyone’s eardrums.

Raylo’s expression changed in an instant. He shot to his feet and rushed to the window.

Outside the castle, Kado abruptly stood up, grabbing the Javelin at his side.

In the distance, the crimson halo of light suddenly swelled!

The Blazing Phoenix spread its sky-blotting wings and soared into the air!

’What is it doing?’

’Is it about to attack?’

Inside Black Stone Castle, everyone’s hearts leaped into their throats.

However, the Blazing Phoenix did not fly toward Black Stone Castle.

It circled once in the air, letting out a series of furious shrieks, then abruptly changed course and headed in another direction.

It sped off toward the depths of the Black Stone Mountain Range!

The crimson stream of light quickly vanished over the horizon.

"It... it’s gone?" a young Knight asked uncertainly from the top of the city wall.

"Shut up!" his captain barked in a low voice. "Stay alert!"

Raylo’s brow, however, did not relax in the slightest.

He didn’t believe the Blazing Phoenix would give up so easily.

There had to be a reason for its sudden departure.

’Did it finally lose patience? Or... has it found a new target?’

Whichever the answer was, it was by no means good news for the Black Stone Territory.

The unknown is often more dangerous than the known.

Raylo stood silently at the window, gazing at the sky that had once again been swallowed by darkness. The unease in his heart, contrary to what one might expect, grew even stronger.

Raylo dispatched nearly all of the territory’s Pegasus Knights to expand their patrol range.

The Giant Legion also continued to stand guard.

He would rather expend more resources to maintain this high state of alert than give that cunning Phoenix any opportunity to exploit.

However, while the external threat had temporarily faded, the internal trouble was beginning to escalate in a way that could no longer be ignored.