"Even without accumulating thermal energy to its Peak, releasing it midway can still unleash considerable power."
The Red-Iron Dragon landed on the summit of Sword Cliff, his sharp claws piercing into the rugged rock. While overlooking the surrounding territory, he carefully recalled the sensations from earlier.
"However—"
He turned his head to look at his Frostburn Scales, which were almost entirely cracked and unable to withstand much more damage, and thought to himself:
"—releasing thermal energy midway will damage my Frostburn Scales, and I won't be able to accumulate much more thermal energy afterward. Unless the situation is special, this strike is best used when the Frostburn Scales have been completely destroyed and the thermal energy has accumulated to its absolute Peak."
Garros had no doubt about this.
This strike could instantly obliterate the mountain beneath his feet.
His most powerful offensive method right now was this breath attack, enhanced and amplified by Peak thermal energy, which seemed capable of destroying everything.
To distinguish it from his standard Flame Dragon Breath, Garros named it Destruction Dragon Breath.
"The adult Silver Dragon [Frosttrace] residing in The Borderlands."
"If a conflict were to arise, would I have a chance to win by relying on Destruction Dragon Breath?"
Garros set the adult Silver Dragon as a hypothetical enemy and envisioned the outcome of a battle between them.
A few seconds later, he shook his head slightly, not allowing the arrogance of an Evil Dragon to cloud his rationality.
He was very confident that he could not win.
It wasn't that the chances were slim; it was that there was absolutely no chance at all.
The gap was too large. The opponent was a Silver Dragon, not a White Dragon; they were inherently powerful beings capable of fighting across their Rank, and they certainly possessed class levels as well.
"Why am I thinking about fighting above my Rank for no reason?"
"Attacking from a position of superiority and bullying the weak is the true way."
"When facing an existence far stronger than oneself, one should either stay far away early on or find a way to turn them into a background support."
Garros thought to himself.
Regarding the adult Silver Dragon residing in The Borderlands, he was more inclined toward the second idea, and the key lay with the Red-Silver Dragon Deborah. Unfortunately, because he had been dominated by desire when he first woke from his slumber, he had scared off the Red-Silver Dragon, and she had not returned yet.
"Should I press the advantage and go eradicate other Wild Monster Lords?"
The Red-Iron Dragon turned his head to look at his Frostburn Scales, which were covered in deep cracks, and felt the stamina and Dragon Qi he had expended. He shook his head slightly and abandoned the idea.
If he were to fight continuously.
It wasn't impossible for him to wipe out all the Wild Monster Lords in one go, but his own depletion would certainly be severe. By then, he would lack the confidence to deal with unexpected events, unnecessarily increasing the risk.
Moreover, he didn't need to be in such a hurry.
After the previous slaughter by the Molten Iron Tribe, there weren't many Wild Monster Lords left in the southwest.
After eliminating the Chimera, there were three more, all of whom were relatively powerful existences.
One cannot only remain cautious when feeling danger; otherwise, it would be too late if one were to be ambushed or something similar. Garros felt it was better to be steady and hunt when his condition was fully restored, to prevent capsizing in the gutter.
Garros flapped his dragon wings, shot into the sky, and returned to Dragon Valley.
The next day, when the morning light first rose, a group of Molten Iron Tribe kin arrived at Sword Cliff to take over this fertile land.
Among them were two adult Wyverns, who built nests on the top of the towering Sword Cliff, developing this base into an outpost.
Another piece of the Ignas Dragon Flight's territory puzzle in the southwest had been filled.
Garros adjusted his condition within Dragon Valley.
He engaged in light-intensity training while summarizing the sensations from his previous battle with the Chimera.
Especially his insights into the Frostburn Scales, as well as the use of his blade-tail, Dragon Qi, and spear-wings, and so on.
Meanwhile.
The Estonia Great River.
The scorching noon sun baked the river surface, creating misty water vapor. Three merchant ships with deep drafts were sailing along the riverbank.
The merchant group's emblem on the bow flickered slightly in the shimmering waves; the pattern resembled a shield.
They belonged to the Iron Shield Merchant Group.
This was a small merchant group.
They used the Estonia Great River to purchase various Ores and biological resources like Vicious Beast claws, teeth, and furs at low prices from the Serel Wilderness and The Borderlands, then sold them at high prices after taking them to the Federation in the south to make a profit.
The merchant ship manager was named Hammer.
He was a middle-aged man with simple clothing who looked honest and sincere, but his eyes occasionally flashed with shrewd light. He was an experienced merchant whom one should not judge by appearances, and he held a certain position within the Iron Shield Merchant Group.
"Manager, why didn't we dock when we passed the Insect-Eating Clan earlier?"
An apprentice of the Iron Shield Merchant Group asked in a low voice, saying:
"We have established trade with the Insect-Eating Clan. Those Gnolls are Great Masters at dissection and dismantling. The furs, claws, and teeth of Vicious Beasts and monsters—they always dismantle them very well."
The Insect-Eating Clan.
Belonging to a Gnoll clan in the Serel Wilderness, they had traded with the Iron Shield Merchant Group many times.
But this time, the fleet did not stop for even a moment when passing the river section where the Insect-Eating Clan was located.
Hammer shook his head slightly and said:
"The value of various commodities is not immutable; a qualified merchant must know how to adapt according to market fluctuations."
He didn't mind saying a bit more to the apprentice, enjoying the latter's look of admiration.
His voice paused, and Hammer looked to the south, saying: "The various countries of the Lothern Federation have recently seen a sharp increase in demand for various metal Ores and magical Ores, and are purchasing them at high prices."
After the funeral bell of the Holy Kingdom ceased.
The Lothern Federation was calm on the surface, but the undercurrents were becoming increasingly turbulent.
Various Ores capable of forging weapons, armor, War Golems, and alchemical weapons were being purchased extensively at prices higher than the market rate, making them in short supply. Many alchemical factories had received massive orders, and furnaces and production lines had begun to operate without stopping.
Merchants had a keen sense of smell.
Although there was no news circulating on the surface and the various countries were still getting along harmoniously, they smelled the scent of danger and felt a sense of unease.
A storm was coming.
However, all merchants who made their fortune on the water understood one principle.
—The rougher the waves, the more valuable the fish!
Now was a great opportunity to cross social classes.
"Our goal now is to return fully loaded with high-value Ore and make a fortune."
Hammer reined in his wandering thoughts and said to the apprentice with a chuckle.
"Bring me a bottle of wine from the cabin."
Hammer instructed the apprentice.
Their destination for this trip was the southeast of The Borderlands.
Although the Goblins of the Golden Tooth Tribe were greedy, shameless, full of lies, and petty, Hammer was very good at dealing with them and had almost established a fixed trade route with the Golden Tooth Tribe.
"If everything goes smoothly, I can make a few more trips during this period and return fully loaded."
"I will be able to accumulate several lifetimes' worth of wealth in a short period."
Hammer thought to himself, taking out a gold coin engraved with intricate patterns. Besides the exquisite patterns, a sentence was also engraved on it in tiny letters.
[The essence of wealth is flow; stagnant gold coins are merely metal]
—This was the doctrine of the Goddess of Wealth.
Hammer gently kissed the gold coin and prayed in his heart to the Goddess of Wealth, hoping that this voyage would return fully loaded and safe.
Deep down in his heart, he did not believe in gods, but that did not prevent him from praying to them.
×=×
Look like I overestimated myself. Here are the new goals:
15PS = 1 Extra Chapter.
30PS = 2 Extra Chapters.
50Ps= 3 Extra Chapters.
75PS = 4 Extra Chapters.
100Ps = 5 Extra Chapters.