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.
228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo6PR60Iqxx
It simply sat quietly atop the high platform.
228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIPgWdVSRB3
Its wings and limbs were not fully extended; its massive physique was in a retracted state.
228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0a75JlzB4u
But even so,
228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnPJFYxpRWJ
an overwhelming sense of pressure still came rushing toward him.
228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHPDB21Ter2
The destruction and ruin such a dragon would cause when enraged was bone-chilling just to think about.
228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdP7LQoS10f
The dragon was watching Garros with black dragon pupils, identical to those of Garros.
228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKVyV1JqoUS
This was Garros's mother—the Iron Dragon Mother, Leticia.
228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZY5MByDA5D
"Mother."
228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzZGhLvIuiS
The Young Dragon lowered its head, greeting the dragon on the high platform.
228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR7ZKIxFt0i
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.
228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw3vZeQTZX7
In her eyes, even her offspring could not overstep their bounds.
228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPQWYYqKvFN
They had to follow her rules and show her respect and awe.
228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAmuWEx0GBl
"Garros, my child, the crystallization of flame and steel."
228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbuCp6jQnXf
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."
228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEVAbCkfJjA
Her voice sounded like sandpaper rubbing against a steel ingot, every syllable making the metal particles in the air hum in resonance.
228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDbqTzZt4nN
Garros nodded, thinking to himself that things were looking bad.
228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpIA8GEAQi8
Based on age, Dragonkin are divided into many age categories.
228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYg17qhj9Cc
For example, ages 1-5 are Hatchlings. During this period, a Hatchling receives protection from its mother, including food, safety, shelter, and so on.
228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc8bYJCrIR5
Further up, ages 6-12 are the Young Dragon stage.
228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBjjtmvySEf
Evil Dragons have rather indifferent familial affection and little interest in raising offspring.
228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4zwTYJW8BQ
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.
228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKJrC2uXj2Q
Garros had an older dragon brother who had been driven out two years ago; his current fate was unknown.
228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIraXOz5NRn
As for himself, Garros had long anticipated this day's arrival, though he hadn't expected it to come so soon.
228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSOO0YjNr5F
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.
228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjqnMmS2AlQ
Dragons of adult age and above were fine; they possessed powerful strength and could protect themselves.
228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2abqkKBwU6
But a Young Dragon?
228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMmQiiaxr4P
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.
228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGos90cSXRD
The mortality rate for the offspring of Evil Dragons before reaching adulthood was extremely high.
228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4pVTIYL5ez
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.
228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ04H1LFBpeu
Moreover,
228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFxHw80zDyO
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.
228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0eDfWQ7bTx
"When I was your age, my claws and fangs were not as sharp as yours,"
228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq6KVZRRsPx
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."
228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhRbtsSW96A
When mentioning her own territory, her eyes flickered, and her tone lacked confidence.
228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQy9jsBIwvv
That so-called 'territory' was actually just a stinking ditch.
228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfBy3ec6G9E
The Iron Dragon Mother's face was covered in steel-like fine scales; she was thick-skinned and her expression remained normal.
228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqg7iCNvI5I
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."
228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz84GQPLLJ3
"Before tomorrow's dawn, your scales should no longer touch the dust of this place."
228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxlJwcvTJrN
As expected, she wants to drive me out.
228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEhnb821gzg
This is a damn bad habit. You can't just tear up someone else's umbrella because you got rained on, Dragon Mother!
228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnPbLHVLJAc
Hearing the Iron Dragon Mother's words, Garros felt a chill in his heart.
228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc6ADGdU2YG
At the same time, two irrepressible low chuckles came from behind.
228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6UJvfDwVSN
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.
228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTg9kWGa9du
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.
228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOQbk9mOSRj
They both very much hoped Garros would be driven out.
228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb5GBhIR2C9
"Two idiots. Haven't they realized that I am what they will be in a year?"
228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxCh7PnmjPT
Garros shook his head slightly, too lazy to argue with fools.
228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE5yBouk8uh
These two Hatchlings only cared about the present and hadn't thought about the future at all.
228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwIAZuiSI4D
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."
228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbqMSx9Qrhm
The Iron Dragon Mother spread one of her wings, and shadow instantly swallowed half the nest.
228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡALMr4KyLj6
She refused categorically: "No."
228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0S3Ui4g1iq
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."
228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOPvBeKL1fL
As his voice fell, Garros shook his head and turned to leave.
228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT3lxIw3bHQ
Treasures?
228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf4DDvf5CYf
The Iron Dragon Mother's pupils instantly narrowed into slits.
228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhzVBmxpIj9
"My dear Garros, wait!"
228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN1KJFjmt03
Normal Dragonkin cannot refuse treasures.
228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoN4LapPysP
Garros knew this well—treasures were the weakness of almost all dragons, and the Iron Dragon Mother was no exception.
228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvODPhBxYOK
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.
228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzxi3714BHa
Her cold, hard expression softened considerably.
228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz7GVPWdM0Y
The Iron Dragon Mother asked pleasantly, "Where did you get treasures, and how much are you willing to exchange for food and protection?"
228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtL31oT16E0
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."
228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGKPJkcgxo1
"I can guarantee you at least three pieces of precious metal Ore weighing over ten pounds each month."
228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8ZVZUgSnoT
"And you will need to provide me with protection, as well as the same high-quality bloody food as before."
228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPNl7CEasiC
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.
228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3K9yVJghvY
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.
228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGaO5pVStOv
Hearing Garros's words, the Iron Dragon Mother nodded slightly.
228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAwqx7RzL1a
Reasonable.
228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4FX4ukoOAl
Iron Dragons do have a natural talent for sensitivity to metal Ores, though this talent rarely appears in Young Dragons.
228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhM6Rx1R62F
"You are willing to go mining?"
228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQCxgIb6y08
Dragons are naturally proud. Mining is something for servants and slaves; dragons generally disdain doing it personally.
228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4XyYkaYizT
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."
228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvktyzMrtWb
Rank refers to Biological Rank.
228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5KZlp4yTGc
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.
228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvSNmkiDDV5
Under normal circumstances, both Red Dragons and Iron Dragons are weaker than Gold Dragons at the same age.
228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpWa4bZcXD2
Compared to a White Dragon among the Chromatic Dragons, the average Biological Rank at age six is only around Rank 3.
228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUlpxqlEHvh
"No need. I have two Mine Slaves I can command, and with me personally spurring them on, their mining efficiency shouldn't be low."
228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO8BDptEDVB
Garros rejected the Iron Dragon Mother's suggestion.
228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNH92JEHaHS
Two Mine Slaves? Red Dragon Sister and Iron Dragon Brother looked surprised.
228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡblRuD0vlM7
"When did Garros get two Mine Slaves?"
228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡupV3J0kEtD
Red Dragon Sister lowered her voice and asked the Iron Dragon Brother beside her.
228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG1IIG5TC1I
"I don't know either."
228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmjtZfHStFX
Iron Dragon Brother shook his head, his eyes clear and clueless.
228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwqqVPEalMe
The two Hatchlings looked at each other, racking their brains, unable to imagine where Garros had found two Mine Slaves.228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡST3AsBXEIz
and then Add to home screen.