Defeating the World with the Power of One Dragon!

"There really are more good liches in the world after all."

Night hung low and the stars dimmed. Garoth rocked his rugged dragon head and sighed inwardly.

Capturing the phylactery was his top priority, and the generous blessing the lich offered before death was a wholly unexpected delight.

He was almost certain that if he broke through to Level 18 before falling asleep, that deed would be splashed in bold on his ledger—credited to the lich necromancer.

"I wish the Ser Wilderness had a few more good liches like that. Or... a few strong serpent dragons wouldn't hurt either."

He mused privately, a glint of anticipation flickering in his dragon pupils.

"Master Shire, the deep caverns where the lich nested should still harbor a fair number of undead creatures."

Shire spoke up at the right moment and reminded him, "Now that the lich is fully dead, those undead have lost unified control. Given that there are several high-level undead among them, in time they could spontaneously give rise to a new lich lord, becoming a potential hazard."

He asked, "Do you want me to lead a team and clear them out completely?"

Undead function this way: though the old lord perished, many undead remain in the lair. In the ensuing chaos, negative energy and lingering instincts can spontaneously spawn a new ruler.

The red iron dragon pondered for a few seconds, then tilted his massive head slightly.

"I have arrangements for this." 𝙛𝒓𝓮𝙚𝔀𝒆𝒃𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝓵.𝙘𝒐𝒎

The lich's lair had been cultivated for centuries; its negative energy must be dense and refined. It would be wasteful to simply raze and violently cleanse it.

To Garoth, that place was a ready-made, excellent research site.

It would be perfect for conducting numerous experiments related to the Dragon-Forge Modification ritual.

As for the leftover undead, he had already planned a destination—the black dragon Seraphina.

Black dragons loved dark, damp places by nature, and Seraphina herself had taken up necromancy. That underground cavern would be a perfect nest and laboratory for her.

If managed well, it could develop into something promising. Before long, under the Molten Iron Tribe, there might emerge an undead legion that could continually regenerate and not fear depletion.

Since Garoth had decided, the Lord Flower said no more.

"This matter is temporarily settled. Let us return."

Garoth stretched his body and could feel the persistent weakness, prickling pain, and faint numbness coursing through him.

These were the strange reactions produced by the lich's curse continuing to take effect and his own adaptive responses clashing and interweaving.

He could hardly wait to return and drink a barrel of black oil, and then throw himself into a new round of training while still in this peculiar negative state.

The next moment, the red iron dragon suddenly unfurled his sky-shadowing wings. His enormous body launched into the air like a tearing meteor that ripped the night, slicing across the heavens at astonishing speed, and in an instant vanished at the horizon, leaving only a fading roar.

Shire looked up toward the direction the great dragon had flown and couldn't help showing a hint of envy in his eyes.

He was fast, but compared to the incomparable flight ability of a red iron dragon, there was still a gulf between them.

Humans, unless they used special tools or had certain skills, could hardly truly venture into the sky.

Only by stepping into the realm of Legendary beings and relying on the power of a Domain could one realize the dream of free flight.

Even so, when facing a legendary creature born to rule the skies, humans would still be at a natural disadvantage in aerial combat.

"Legendary... seems so close to me, but in truth it's still a long way off. I wonder how long it will take before I can touch the Level 20 peak and break through that heavenly chasm."

Shire gazed at the empty night sky and murmured softly.

This world never lacked talent; or rather, any human whose life level reached above Level 15 had to be born with considerable talent among their kind.

Relying on sweat alone, even breaking through Level 10 could be nearly impossible, and many couldn't even perceive the true existence of magical energy.

Shire had always been well aware that his aptitude was exceptional.

But even so, breaking into the Legendary tier was no easy feat.

Talent, luck, hard work... all were indispensable.

Humans did not grow stronger as they aged like dragons did. If one failed to complete a breakthrough at their physical peak, as years passed and life faded, the chances afterwards would only grow more remote.

"The Ser Wilderness is chaotic enough now. It never lacks battle and hides countless opportunities."

"Here, I may be able to touch the threshold of Legendary faster than if I remained in the lands of order."

Shire collected his thoughts, suppressed distractions, then set off with swift strides, his figure a gust of wind as he sped toward the Ximu Domain.

Several days later, on a sunny, gentle-breezed morning,

the Molten Iron Tribe's main subordinate army at last arrived at the outskirts of the Ximu Domain in a vast, magnificent procession.

At a glance, a huge, diverse tide of warriors flooded the area.

A large foundational array of kobolds, gnolls, and lizardfolk; fewer in number but individually imposing were werewolves, ogres, and centaur warriors; plodding alchemical golems shimmered with metallic luster; and many senior subordinate leaders, who simply by standing radiated powerful auras, swept their sharp gazes across the surroundings.

............

This massive legion set up camp on the broad area the Molten Iron Tribe had prepared on the outskirts. Before long, many Ximu Domain residents who had come to see were struck by an unprecedented shock and disbelief. They edged closer, pointing and whispering among themselves.

Previously, they had assumed the local garrison forces were sufficient to keep the domain safe.

Only after seeing this army arriving from the convergence lands did they realize that the Molten Iron Tribe had only now truly shown its sharp fangs to the outside.

Their prior state had been nothing but feigned sleep while a ferocious beast lay in ambush.

Judged merely by the scale of this stationed army, logistics, alchemical weapon stores, and average soldier level, the Molten Iron Tribe's overall military strength might still lag slightly behind some long-established human principalities, but it was already enough to square off against many powerful principalities and fight brutal, head-to-head wars.

Given that nearly all the elite forces of the human principalities were tied down on the southern frontlines, locked in fierce combat, only partial garrison forces remained in the Ser Wilderness.

If the Molten Iron Tribe started a war in the wasteland at such a time, they would be almost unbeatable.

Even when confronting strong kingdom outposts in the waste, if one disregarded the later mad reprisals and reckoning, the tribe had the confidence to challenge them directly.

Returning to the main point.

Beyond the dazzling, wildly varied alien races, what shocked and almost suffocated the Ximu Domain residents most were several giant dragons circling low above the legion.

They displayed starkly different colors and body types; the shadows cast by their wings could veil the rising sun.

Their simultaneous flight made these powerful, rare great dragons seem, in this moment, almost common.

"Aah!!"

The red dragon Kahir howled into the sky with a few excited cries, venting her exhilaration and agitation.

She opened her massive maw, revealing dagger-like fangs, and snarled at her companions, "I desperately hope some braindead fool comes looking for trouble. My talons are thirsty for blood, and my dragonbreath longs to sear an enemy."

Beside her, the blue dragon Heriam beat wings streaked with natural lightning patterns.

"This kind of opportunity won't be scarce from now on."

His voice was calm, but the occasional arcs of electricity flickering around him betrayed that he was equally excited. "The tribe has mobilized its main force to the wilderness; they're definitely here to do something earth-shattering."

These adolescent dragons of the tribe had all pledged allegiance after the tribe consolidated the convergence lands.

They had experienced far fewer wars than their leader Garoth; most of their time had been spent under the training and tempering of mature dragons.

When they grew into adolescent dragons and yearned to prove themselves, the tribe was in a strategic dormancy, giving them few chances to show their worth.

Now, the tribe was set to begin expansion.

Their claws had shed childishness and become razor-sharp; their scales had been forged into dense armor; they craved real wars of iron and blood, hoping to further temper themselves in flame and slaughter.

Soon after,

the massive subordinate army finished parking their forces in the prearranged camps around Ximu Domain.

After brief rest, they would be assigned to nearby outposts and strongholds: some would remain in Ximu Domain as garrisons, others would continue drilling in the outer camps, ready at any moment to be thrown into upcoming battles.

The three adolescent dragons circled low for a moment.

After flaunting their power and satisfying their vanity, they descended one by one into the central plaza of Ximu Domain.

They raised their long necks and broadened their chests, openly enjoying the mixed gazes of awe, curiosity, and even dread from the gathered townsfolk.

Being looked upon by all, being admired by the weak—this feeling was intoxicating to these proud Five-colored Dragons.

At that moment,

several dragons seemed to sense something simultaneously. Their massive pupils narrowed, and they all fixed their gaze toward a seemingly empty stretch ahead.

Under their scrutiny, the air there shimmered faintly like ripples on water.

A tall, upright human figure dressed in adventurer-like attire stepped out and walked forward with composed elegance.

"Good day, noble dragons."

The handsome face of Lord Flower wore a smile as he greeted the mighty beasts.

Once the dragons recognized his features, their previously taut posture relaxed slightly. They cast glances at him and inclined their heads in small nods in response.

They knew this human lord.

Five-colored Dragons generally looked down on short-lived, tiny humans, but they also respected true strength—especially humans like Shire, whose power was formidable and who, among the Molten Iron Tribe, ranked just below the leader Garoth.

"Hey! Shire! Long time no see!"

The green dragon Ludwig was the first to speak.

He leaned his lithe, long neck closer and examined the human lord with a familiar tone. "You look more mature and steady than when we were at the convergence lands. Hmm... I like that little stubble on your chin. Very tasteful."

Shire reflexively reached up and stroked the neatly trimmed short beard on his chin.

He smiled and returned the compliment, his gaze sweeping over Ludwig's increasingly massive body. "Ludwig, so are you. You've grown remarkably. Your frame is much larger, and your scales are greener and more radiant—very eye-catching in the sun."

Their interaction felt natural and well-acquainted.

Before Garoth officially appointed Shire as the lord of Ximu Domain, Ludwig had been the dragon responsible for managing the region.

After Shire’s appointment, they spent some time handling the handover and transition of affairs.

During that period, one of them was a seasoned adventuring Hero adept at dealing with many races; the other was the Five-colored Dragon most skilled in diplomacy—so they got along well and built mutual affection.

The green dragon was in a good mood.

He moved forward and even draped his flexible, long tail tip casually across Shire's shoulder in a familiar gesture. With a grin he said, "Since we're old friends and hardly meet like this, can't you show some hospitality?"

"For example... give me a few shiny, adorable gems as a welcome gift? Or at least treat me to the best tavern here so I can gorge on fine wine and delicacies."

"Gems won't work."

Shire laughed and patted the dragon tail resting on his shoulder with an easy tone. "However, the finest wine and richest dishes in Ximu Domain are more than enough—I will provide—but I have one other small matter first."

His gaze swept over the adolescent dragons and finally settled on the red dragon Kahir.

"What are you looking at, human?"

Kahir immediately sensed his stare.

Though she knew the human before her was strong, being stared at so openly still irritated her. She snorted two sparks from her nostrils and emitted a low, grinding roar.

"Forgive my boldness."

Shire's smile did not change; he explained sincerely, "It's just that your build is so powerful and nimble, your scales gleam like undying blazing fire. The strength you exude compelled me to praise you and take another look."

Hearing that frank praise, Kahir's impatience and anger eased considerably. She lifted her head a little, thinking this human was more pleasing to the eye than before.

She snorted and, with a proud expression, said, "You have good taste. You should know half of our dragon group’s leader's bloodline is red dragon."

Then she asked, "You said you had another matter? What is it?"

Shire looked at her with steady eyes and said plainly, "I would like some of your dragon blood."

Red dragons among the Five-colored Dragons were known for strong desires. Brewing a secret wine using fresh red dragon blood as the main ingredient could greatly enhance fertility. This would increase his chances of successfully siring offspring with that serpentfolk partner.

Kahir froze as if she had heard wrong.

Then her huge pupils widened instantly; from her nostrils came not sparks but two streams of scorching smoke!

"You want my dragon blood?! Impossible!!"

Asking for her blood was, to her, a massive affront.

Yet just as she was about to erupt, Shire silently drew a small cloth pouch from his storage items.

When he loosened the pouch, inside lay five or six magical gems the size of pigeon eggs, perfectly cut, seeming to hold flowing liquid embers within, flashing an enticing red glow.

Over the years of ruling Ximu Domain and dealing with countless affairs, he had accumulated many precious spoils.

According to his original agreement with Garoth, the leader would not interfere with or seize his personal gains.

"These gems are the earnest."

Shire said, "If you're willing to provide dragon blood, we can establish a steady trade. In future, there will be even better things as thanks."

Kahir's roar stuck in her throat.

She had wanted to refuse and command the audacious human to pack up his gems and leave disappointed.

But... but...

Her gaze glued to those beautiful gems; the words of refusal could not find their way out.

There was no helping it—the offer was simply too generous.

She had no rational reason to refuse.

As for forcibly seizing the gems: putting aside Garoth's reaction, she weighed their relative strength and quickly abandoned that unrealistic idea.

"Actually... my dragon blood is pretty good too."

The green dragon Ludwig wagged his tail and sidled over trying to get a share. "Give me those gems. I can bleed for you right now. Plenty to go around."

Shire smiled and politely but firmly declined.

"Thanks for the offer, Ludwig, but sorry—I need red dragon blood."

Kahir watched the green dragon's posturing with smug snorts and flicked her thick tail, kicking up a little dust.

"Hmph, human, you do have an eye. You know that our red dragons are the strongest among the Five-colored Dragons; our dragon blood is the best."

She tried to keep her voice haughty, but the tone had softened. "And you have shown enough sincerity."

"Very well—on account of those gems, I'll make an exception and agree to your request."

Thus a mutually beneficial trade was struck.

Both sides were satisfied: the red dragon who got the gems and the human who would soon obtain precious dragon blood.

Shire handed over the pouch of gems and casually asked, "By the way, I remember there's also a young black dragon in the tribe. She didn't come with you this time, did she?"

The green dragon looked at Kahir taking the gems with envy, and said, "You mean Seraphina?"

"We had only just stepped into the Ser Wilderness when she received a direct order from the leader and left the group to go meet him alone."