The setting sun slanted, the evening clouds converged, and the sunset melted into gold.
The Dragon Nest Mountains also seemed to be growing with the Red Dragon's growth; not only the Red Dragon's peak, but the entire mountain range was continuously rising and expanding, becoming wider and more massive, pulled by the Red Dragon's power and the surging energy from the earth's core.
Previously, the highest point of the mountain range was no more than a thousand meters, but now the highest peak of the mountain range has become the Red Dragon's nest, its height far exceeding one thousand eight hundred meters.
The other numerous peaks were also gradually rising, and although the Dragon Nest Mountains, which changed every day and night, were slow, that was only relative to the eternally existing rocks.
For the True Dragon Group's dependents living in the vicinity, frequent violent tremors of the mountain had long become a common occurrence.
The continuously spewing lava flows covered the highest peak of the entire mountain range, appearing exceptionally dark red under the golden-yellow evening light. Even with the swirling twilight mist, one could almost still feel the strong sulfurous scent, a scene like the end of the world.
The soaring, misty hot air and smoke gradually mixed with the twilight, like the world's gloomy dark side, shrouding the peak of the fiery molten flow.
Perennial frost covered the other two peaks, extending down to the mid-slopes. Under the evening light, threads of cold air seemed to even freeze the air above the mountain peaks.
The solidified ice transformed the upper half of the entire mountain into an uneven ice mirror, reflecting dazzling light. Occasionally, birds flying overhead would stop and hover in front of the huge ice mirror, admiring their magnificent feathers.
Two waterfalls cascaded down from the frost-covered peaks, reflecting the golden evening light like a suspended galaxy, crashing onto the mountain slopes, and finally flowing into the waterways in the forest.
On top of another peak covered by a green forest, an immense green canopy occupied the entire summit, with countless gigantic, twisted ancient trees forming the supporting pillars for the canopy.
Above the canopy was a palace, adorned with ancient vines, poisonous flowers, and thorny leaves, trailing down myriad points of vibrant life. On the cliffs, vegetation grew lush and green, with ancient trees, gnarled and robust, grasping against the wind. Often, hundreds of birds would build nests on the ancient trees of the cliffs, their figures appearing and disappearing among the clouds.
There were also two peaks often shrouded in dark clouds, with countless crackling lightning and thunder flashing between them, and storms lurking within the clouds, about to break.
The peaks themselves appeared as if eroded by the wind and sand of an endless desert, becoming a land covered by sandstorms. Between the mountain walls, some desert plants actually grew: spiny cacti, scaly saxaul trees, and tamarisks.
There were also dozens of types of leaf-shaped poplars growing on the cliffs, and tall artemisia. These seeds, brought by birds from unknown places, took root and sprouted here, forming their own kingdom.
The last unique peak was permeated with a foul-smelling, dense fog, blackening the twilight smoke. The entire peak was like a swamp that had accumulated for years.
Birds stopped here, and beasts vanished without a trace. Only when the weather was clear could a colossal, indistinct figure be seen moving through the thick black mist.
Among the peaks, either overlooking or guarding, stood a colossal fortress slowly rising. This castle discarded the superfluous structures of human castles, such as watchtowers and city walls, retaining only the main body of the castle.
This made the castle look more like a huge palace, which would be the future sanctuary for the Dragon clan, the future Fortress for the True Dragons.
Even looking up from the foot of the mountain, Red Copper Dragon Alfred and Bronze Dragon Alina could still imagine the grandeur and magnificence of the castle when it was completed.
The Nest of Dragons and Fortress, perched high on the mountain peak and surrounded by clouds, gave Red Copper Dragon Alfred and Bronze Dragon Alina an extremely strong sense of shock. This was not about power, but about presence.
Even the parents of Bronze Dragon Alina, two long lived-adult Bronze Dragons, had built a spacious enough nest in the sea, and the treasures accumulated by the two adult True Dragons made the nest appear resplendent with jewels. However, compared to this Dragon clan, it seemed particularly small.
Alina even felt that even owning a floating city as her nest would be far less impactful than the sensation the True Dragon gave her.
And the Red Copper Dragon Alfred felt his nest was just a dog kennel. Alfred was almost looking up as he walked, and he said to the Centaur Warrior leading the way, "A male True Dragon should be like this!"
The Bronze Dragon Alina said nothing, immersed in the process of hiking up the mountain.
As night fell, many Kobold and Green Goblin rode Dragon Beasts and gray wolves up the steps, their raised torches igniting the lights on both sides of the wide stone steps. Tall, blazing torches burned fiercely, spreading layer by layer up to the mountain peak.
Alfred and Alina, the two young True Dragons, turned back, sensing something. Above, the galaxy unfurled, and below, starlight filled the sky. Countless lights illuminated the orderly villages at the foot of the mountain, and the entire area around the Dragon Nest Mountains seemed to have transformed into a city that never slept.
And in the distance, the Goldsea City, even though it was too far away, could be seen with its soaring lights creating a pervasive halo. These halos dispelled the surrounding darkness, appearing to the True Dragon's eyes like striking, blooming flowers in the wilderness, like the gleam on gold coins, captivating the two True Dragons.
"What a beautiful sight," Bronze Dragon Alina sighed. The depths of the ocean held its own profound beauty, but the myriad lights of the land were a splendor the ocean could hardly match.
The distance of the stone steps from the foot of the mountain to the summit was not long for a True Dragon, but the Red Copper Dragon Alfred and the Bronze Dragon Alina, following the silent Centaur Warrior, felt as if they had walked a very long way.
Finally, when all the paths leading to the Dragon Nest were illuminated by lights, the Centaur Warrior Chiron stopped and turned to the two young True Dragon, saying, "I have already sent a message through a bird. The True Dragons are waiting at the peak. I cannot escort you two esteemed guests any further."
Alfred nodded, watching the Centaur Warrior walk away, then looked at the Bronze Dragon Alina. In the perception of the two True Dragons, the aura of the gathered Dragon on the mountaintop was already like a bright beacon, as if they were specifically waiting for distinguished guests who had come from afar.
The Bronze Dragon Alina took a deep breath, then stepped first onto the last two steps. The Red Copper Dragon Alfred followed closely, and then the two True Dragon finally saw the True Dragon.
At this time, the area around the mountaintop was already surrounded by blazing torches. The light from the tall torches illuminated the figures of the True Dragon, arrayed as if they were lords of a shadowy realm, lurking and observing.
Germott and Camid, Green Dragon Antagena, Black Dragon Rosani, four young True Dragon, were arrayed on the right side. Blue True Dragon Akzi and Dos, along with Red Dragon Klenaya' squatted on the left side.
The eyes of the True Dragons converged on the two True Dragons ascending to the summit, their scrutinizing gazes putting both young True Dragon under immense pressure.
And that Red Dragon, seated in the center of the Dragons, its immense and majestic body and imposing, ferocious face half-illuminated by the torchlight and half-hidden in shadow, its crimson pupils looking down from above at Alfred and Alina.
The eyes of the True Dragon glowed with a light more brilliant than gold, brighter than any torchlight.
Even though the Bronze Dragon Alina had seen many adult True Dragon and many elderly True Dragon, while those True Dragons were powerful, they were far less imposing than the pressure she felt from the True Dragon.
The scene before them, though simple, exuded an atmosphere of wildness and unrestraint.
The Red Copper Dragon Alfred was also like this; he even forgot that he had become friends with the King of the Dragons.
Under this unspoken pressure, the two young True Dragons involuntarily dispelled their shapeshifting spells, revealing their True Dragon forms.
Red Copper Dragon Alfred bowed slightly to the True Dragon and then spoke, "Greetings to all noble True Dragon, Kalon, King of the Dragons, I hope my arrival does not disturb you!"
"Greetings to all Dragon Lord, I, Bronze Dragon Alina, extend my sincere regards!" Bronze Dragon Alina also bowed slightly, instinctively setting aside the Bronze Dragon's prejudice and arrogance towards Color Dragons for the moment, and saluting the True Dragon.
The Red Dragon, seated in the center of the True Dragon, gazed at the two young True Dragon's respectful bows. After the two True Dragon had finished their greetings, he suddenly smiled broadly, revealing his long, thick, stark white fangs.
"Alfred, you don't need to be so formal. You are my friend. I said I welcome you to my territory, and my territory will shine because of your arrival!"
"As for you, beautiful Bronze Dragon Lady Alina, you are Alfred's friend and will also be a distinguished guest in the territory. Please do not feel constrained, otherwise it would be the fault of the Dragon clan!"
With the Red Dragon's smile and gentle words, the oppressive and stern atmosphere from the True Dragon's gaze melted away like ice and snow. Only then did the two young True Dragons feel the burden lifted from their hearts, allowing them to look directly at the True Dragon.
The Red Copper Dragon Alfred looked at the Red Dragon before him. At this moment, the Red Dragon's body length had already reached fifteen meters. In front of the Red Copper Dragon, which was sixteen meters long, it was impossible to tell that this was merely a young True Dragon.
Because the young Red Copper Dragon, in front of the Red Dragon, was more like a slender youth encountering a robust adult, the contrast was particularly striking given their similar body lengths.
And the Red Dragon was currently in the period when a True Dragon's scales are most dazzlingly colored. In Red Copper Dragon Alfred's opinion, with these scales, perhaps only the exceptionally beautiful Gold Dragon and the Silver Dragon, known for their beauty, could be companions to the Red Dragon. Those Chromatic Dragon were simply not worthy of the power and appearance of the Red Dragon before them.
Even for a proud True Dragon, Alfred couldn't help but feel a strange sense of self-abasement. He involuntarily said, "Kalon, you've become more beau… uh, more powerful!"
Kalon's increasingly majestic and ferocious head gently shook. The Red Dragon, who had been skilled at flattery since childhood, praised, "Alfred, your posture has also become more graceful and imposing."
"Ha," Red Copper Dragon Alfred's expression immediately brightened. He beamed with joy, and even the bat-like wings on his back trembled.
Alfred said happily, "Kalon, my insightful, beautiful, and powerful friend, the Nest of Dragons makes me yearn for it. I wonder if I am fortunate enough to join the True Dragon and occupy a nest on top of these mountains."
In Red Copper Dragon Alfred's opinion, his desolate territory was completely incomparable to the Dragon Clans Territory before him, not to mention his own Dragon Nest. He really wanted to join the Dragon clan, even if this Dragon clan was dominated by Chromatic Dragons.
The Red Copper Dragon and the Bronze Dragon are anomalies among the Metal Dragons. One is brainless, and the other is unhappy. Most of them are in a relatively chaotic state. They don't care about the alignment of good or evil True Dragon s at all, and act entirely according to their own preferences.
The Red Copper Dragon Alfred had now completely forgotten his purpose of accompanying Bronze Dragon Alina. This was the selfish nature of a True Dragon.
Under his own interests, let alone Alfred had not yet become a mate with Bronze Dragon Alina, even if he had already become a mate, Alfred would prioritize his own demands.
In Red Copper Dragon Alfred's expectant gaze, Kalon shook his head. This matter did not require a True Dragon clans resolution at all. He could give an answer immediately.
The Red Dragon solemnly said to the Red Copper Dragon, "Alfred, as a distinguished guest of the Dragon clan, you can stay and play in the mountains at will. I and the other True Dragons welcome your arrival."
"But if you want to join the Dragon clan and have your own Dragon Nest on top of the mountains, you must prove your ability and bring contribution and value to the Dragon clan. This is the only way for the True Dragon to accept you."
A light called 'bluffing' flickered in the Red Dragon's crimson eyes. He slowly opened his mouth and said, "Otherwise, even if I allow you to join the True Dragon directly, these True Dragon will not truly accept you."
The expectant light in the Red Copper Dragon Alfred's eyes dimmed, and he muttered, "Contribution and value, what contribution and value can I bring to the Dragon clan? Besides bragging and liking to tell stories, what else can I do? I'm not very good at fighting either. Alfred, quickly use your smart brain to think."
Kalon couldn't help but find the Red Copper Dragon's behavior amusing. He really liked this True Dragon's special temperament. Kalon had never seen a trace of prejudice in the Red Copper Dragon Alfred's eyes, as if that clear foolishness had occupied all of this Red Copper Dragon's eyes.
But as for Bronze Dragon Alina, Kalon went straight to the point and asked, "Beautiful Ms. Alina, I probably already know your intention. If you get the Dragon clan's approval, then I promise, the guys in the Dragon clan will definitely not exclude or target you because you are a Bronze Dragon."
Kalon's gaze swept over the True Dragon, seeing their reactions clearly.
Those young True Dragon were wagging their tails quickly. The Chromatic Dragon's prejudice against Metal Dragon was prejudice, but under a friendly meeting, the male True Dragon's instincts began to take over.
With a gradually developing and perfected sexual reproduction system, these young male True Dragon began to become agitated, and the beautiful Bronze Dragon in front of them, by True Dragon aesthetics, also became their object of fantasy.
The young Blue True Dragon Akzi even nodded repeatedly, losing his usual composure. He hurriedly said, "Ah, yes, yes, yes, everything Kalon said is right!"
Only the two female True Dragons, Female Red Dragon Klenaya and Green Dragon Antagena, didn't care. In fact, in the eyes of these True Dragon, most of the time, Kalon's decision was equal to the True Dragon's decision.
What Kalon said about the True Dragon's approval was merely Kalon himself wanting to test Bronze Dragon Alina's knowledge.
Bronze Dragon Alina nodded, then said, "I don't know if the Dragon clam just wants to be Dragon Lords ruling a territory or establish a normal kingdom ruled by True Dragons. If it's just choosing to be a Dragon Lord ruling a territory, then I can only give suggestions to the Dragon clan in some minor aspects."
"Hmm, just assume we want to establish a kingdom ruled by True Dragons," Kalon nodded, signaling Bronze Dragon Alina to continue.
"If we are to establish a kingdom, then first, the kingdom's system should be determined. Even if there is a severe shortage of personnel in the early stage, the framework of the kingdom's system should be built up, and then gradually filled and replaced later."
"This can also avoid certain chaotic operations of power in the early stage, which might create some unspoken rule zones. If this continues for a long time, these unspoken rules will become cancerous tumors and troubles."
The Bronze Dragon Alina spoke eloquently, "For example, the Goldsea City's government office manages all affairs of the Goldsea City, but without detailed responsibilities and relevant officials, it not only leads to extremely chaotic operations but will also become an obstacle in later power divisions."
"Moreover, for the established kingdom system, after referring to the situations of many kingdoms, I believe that the True Dragon's territory is more suitable for removing those inherent lord classes. Although these lords can help the expanded territory develop rapidly in the early stage, they often become an obstacle to the kingdom in the later stage."
"The kingdom's orders cannot bypass the will of these lords. There is no need for such a state-within-a-state in the True Dragon's kingdom. It can be replaced by administrative and military officials appointed by the ruler to govern local cities. Those who perform well will be rewarded, and those who perform poorly will be dismissed and punished."
Kalon's expression was calm, but he agreed with the Bronze Dragon's statement in his heart. However, he also didn't expect Bronze Dragon Alina to propose such a system similar to feudal centralization. In the northern countries, the confederation, a composite national structure, was prevalent, while the unitary national structure proposed by the Bronze Dragon had little market.
Moreover, True Dragon often hoped to have a territory of their own. He originally thought that Bronze Dragon Alina's demand was also such.
However, Kalon continued to listen. Bronze Dragon Alina expressed her opinions on everything from the national system to the implementation of specific laws and policies.
"There is also the policy of reclaiming wasteland. According to the True Dragon's laws, all humans and other races who come to settle in this land will become freemen, and they will be provided with food, housing, and farm tools for a fixed period of time. They can also freely cultivate the land and enjoy a series of preferential policies."
The Bronze Dragon looked at the Red Dragon. She exhaled and said, "But I believe that only those who come to this land as freemen and voluntarily settle can enjoy these preferential conditions. Those who are sold as slaves should be regarded as serfs, subject to the True Dragon's jurisdiction and cultivate and reclaim land for the True Dragon."
"It is difficult to provide enough food in a short time by relying solely on the Dragon clan's dependents, and if excessively generous conditions are given, those people will not cherish them. A certain class should be divided, allowing these serfs to work for three years before they can obtain the status of freemen and have the rights that freemen possess."
"Moreover, not only do these serfs need to be divided into classes, but all members within the territory need to be divided into fixed classes. Only those who perform well can receive rewards and ascend to higher class levels."
"Among them, the True Dragons are the supreme rulers, never to be surpassed, and below that are the divisions of various classes."
Kalon looked at the Bronze Dragon Alina with some surprise. As a benevolent Bronze Dragon, she would not show her kindness when acting as the ruling class, and she also had the supremacy of True Dragons. However, a class division similar to the caste system was not the result he wanted.
Kalon interrupted Bronze Dragon Alina's speech. He solemnly said, "Alina, I greatly agree with and appreciate many of your ideas, but every person and every race below the True Dragon will have equality of personality, and the division of social status will replace the division of racial classes. That is enough."
"What I need is a kingdom under the rule of True Dragons, full of vitality and coexisting with all races, not a stagnant pool, a lifeless puppet kingdom with the True Dragons as the sole will."
The expression on Bronze Dragon Alina's face froze. She felt that perhaps this time she had failed again, and in order to cater to the Red Dragon's preferences and get the opportunity she wanted, she had even hardened her heart and changed some of her Claims.
A strong sense of frustration arose in Bronze Dragon Alina's heart. She was somewhat afraid of the judgment that would be pronounced from the Red Dragon's mouth.
"However, your suggestions in many aspects are very consistent with the True Dragon's will. I can give you an opportunity to become the person in charge of the newly reclaimed land, responsible for opening up and building new cities within the Dragon Clans Territory. You have great potential, Alina, and I look forward to your growth."
The Red Dragon expressed his affirmation and then extended his Dragon Claw towards Bronze Dragon Alina, who seemed to be in a daze.
The Bronze Dragon Alina suddenly came to her senses. She had not failed, but had received the Red Dragon's affirmation. A surprise, as if discovering treasure, surged into Bronze Dragon Alina's heart.
She happily lowered her head, grasped the Red Dragon's thick Dragon Claw, and kissed it, "Thank you for your trust, noble Dragon Lord, the King who controls the earth and flames, Master of metal power."
"Go, my trust in you will be like my trust in every True Dragon in the Dragon clan. Alina, repay the Dragon clan's trust in you with your performance." The Red Dragon withdrew his Dragon Claw, spread his wide wings, and flew to the highest peak in the mountains.
The rest of the True Dragons also nodded amicably to the two young True Dragon, then flapped their wings and flew back to their mountain peak nests. Soon, only Alfred and Alina, the two True Dragons, remained.
"Let's go, Alfred," the Bronze Dragon Alina walked down the mountain top, looked back at the Nest of Dragons in the mountains, turned her head and said to the Red Copper Dragon Alfred, "Alfred, I understand your intentions. If you want to become my mate, then it should be when you establish your Dragon Nest on top of the mountains."
The Red Copper Dragon Alfred nodded somewhat confusedly, then suddenly exclaimed, "It's over, Alina, Kalon hasn't said where we should stay tonight!"