The disposal of the undead nest and the advancement of the Dragon-Forged Transformation Ritual were officially handed over to Black Dragon Serafina.
Green Dragon Ludwig would also participate as an important figure.
After respectfully receiving the leader's instructions in Coniferous Valley, the Black Dragon did not stay long, quickly flapping her wings and soaring gracefully into the sky, turning into a black shadow sweeping toward the distance to execute her new mission.
Garros patrolled the warm valley for a while, finally finding a large, smooth stone slab scorched hot by the sun.
He lay down steadily upon it.
With a satisfied low roar, the Red-Iron Dragon stretched his massive body, enjoying the warm afternoon sun.
At the same time, his huge dragon claws picked up gems and precious metals with an alluring luster, and together with the viscous, hot black oil, he ate them mouthful by mouthful, as if chewing through Ore; the crunching sound of hard matter shattering under his dragon teeth was clearly audible.
He was slowly recovering his body, which had been depleted and weakened by the Crimson Lotus State and the lich's curse.
While closing his eyes for a nap and seemingly lazing in the sun, Garros initiated a mental communication with Iron Dragon Sorog on the other side through the invisible bond deep within their Bloodlines.
"Are you there?"
"I am."
Almost instantly, Solrog's concise and steady response came from the other side.
Upon receiving the response, Garros asked directly with his thoughts: "Solrog, have you established a stable Bloodline Connection with Mother?"
The Iron Dragon on the other end nodded slightly, and a confirmation message came through the fluctuation of consciousness.
"It has been established, the connection is stable, and we can communicate at any time."
After saying this, his mental fluctuations became a bit more solemn as he continued: "Following your previous words, I tried to establish a Bloodline Connection with our biological father, Red Dragon Gorthax, hoping to perceive his state."
"But the result... was just as you expected, just as you thought."
"My threads of psychic energy had just touched the edge of his mind through Bloodline resonance when they were instantly incinerated by a powerful spirit—mad, chaotic, indescribable, as if composed of pure, tyrannical flames."
"That mental power, which felt like a tangible raging fire, was extremely abnormal and felt very dangerous to me."
"If I hadn't reacted quickly and forcibly severed the connection immediately, I fear that the bizarre fire would have backlashed along the psychic link and set me ablaze."
Garros, who had been dozing, suddenly opened his eyes, and a look of deep thought appeared in his slit-pupiled eyes.
"Could this be the [Frenzied Flame] that Mother once mentioned?"
During their last conversation at the Sinkhole Territory with Iron Dragon Mother Leticia, Garros had heard her talk about some past events regarding their Red Dragon father, Gorthax.
According to Iron Dragon Mother's description:
Gorthax's world-renowned madness and chaos were not entirely Innate.
Initially, although he was a Chromatic Dragon leaning toward the chaotic alignment at his core, he also understood how to weigh pros and cons and understood the way of advancement and retreat. It was precisely by relying on his powerful strength and the quick wit he displayed when strength could not solve a problem that he was able to build a fierce reputation in the dangerous Serel Wilderness and occupy a place for himself.
However, later on, something happened that completely changed him.
Since then, Gorthax had gradually, and seemingly irreversibly, become increasingly chaotic and frenzied, gradually becoming unrecognizable to his own kin. Later on, he would even often lash out at his partner, Iron Dragon Leticia, and became increasingly difficult to communicate with.
The cause of that incident was:
One day, a huge meteorite burning with flames, coming from beyond the sky, descended upon a certain area of the Serel Wilderness, accompanied by a loud noise that tore through the sky and blinding firelight.
The crash site was not far from Gorthax's lair.
Having discovered this earth-shaking commotion at the first moment, Gorthax was the first to fly over to investigate.
Relying on his powerful strength, he approached the extraterrestrial meteorite that radiated an ominous aura and even touched its hot surface with his dragon claws.
And with his contact, an astonishing change occurred.
The strange flames burning on the meteorite, as if having found higher-quality fuel, all detached from the meteorite and entered his body.
Gorthax felt incomparably excited and happy because of this.
Because the power level of that flame exceeded his Red Dragon fire; it was more violent, hotter, and more destructive than his Red Dragon fire.
Afterward, under the continuous tempering and Fusion of the meteorite flames, his body strength and flame power advanced by leaps and bounds, far exceeding the limits of a normal Red Dragon.
Subsequently, what made him even more ecstatic was that he awakened his precious ancestral Bloodline, and the thrill of skyrocketing power overwhelmed him.
However, it was also during this process of rapid power improvement that his mental madness and chaos deepened in sync, becoming increasingly uncontrollable.
There was no record of such bizarre flames in the memories of the dragon heritage.
Iron Dragon Leticia, based on Gorthax's astonishing changes, named it—Frenzied Flame.
When she realized that the root of Gorthax's increasingly irritable and irrational state was very likely the Frenzied Flame, she had repeatedly tried to persuade Gorthax to find a way to restrain or even expel the Frenzied Flame within him, attempting to regain his sanity.
However, she was flatly rejected by Gorthax.
The Red Dragon, who had chased and revered absolute power all his life, completely accepted the changes brought by the Frenzied Flame.
He was aware of his changes, but he enjoyed them, and even more actively and fanatically embraced them, without the slightest resistance.
After that, Leticia completely gave up on Gorthax.
Due to his increasingly crazy actions, Gorthax also provoked the encirclement and suppression by the Lothern Federation, and after being severely injured, he had to leave the Serel Wilderness.
The two officially parted ways from then on.
Leticia later returned to the place where the meteorite fell to investigate carefully, but was surprised to find that the huge meteorite had disappeared without a trace, as if it had never existed.
The place where that mysterious meteorite fell was exactly the Sinkhole Territory where she currently resides.
More accurately, that huge sinkhole was formed by the impact of the meteorite carrying the Frenzied Flame on the earth back then.
On one hand, out of practical considerations, Leticia wanted to eradicate Gorthax, this hidden danger that could bring endless trouble.
On the other hand, she was also brooding over the drastic changes Gorthax underwent because of the Frenzied Flame, so she chose to reside directly in the Sinkhole Territory, hoping to find some clues from it.
But after an incomparably long time, she had always gained nothing.
The key to the problem was not the deep pit smashed by the meteorite, but the meteorite itself, which had mysteriously disappeared.
"The Frenzied Flame that drove Gorthax mad, and the mysteriously disappeared extraterrestrial meteorite."
"These two are likely not ordinary things."
"Without Legendary-level strength, one might not even have the qualifications to investigate the truth; it is best not to delve into it."
Garros reined in his wandering thoughts, temporarily suppressing this curiosity in his heart, and slowly closed his eyes again.
As for whether there was a tiny possibility, such as exhausting the power of the entire Molten Iron Tribe to search for the disappeared meteorite at any cost.
Or finding other ways to change the current Red Dragon Gorthax, reverse the influence of the Frenzied Flame, and make him communicable and capable of harmonious coexistence again.
This possibility existed in theory.
However, the probability of it being realized was negligible.
Garros was really not familiar with Red Dragon Gorthax; they hadn't even met.
There was no father-son affection to speak of between the two.
To have him invest a large amount of time, resources, and energy into doing something with an expected return so slim it was almost invisible was, in the eyes of someone who had inherited the Iron Dragon's pragmatic nature, extremely uneconomical.
Besides.
Even if there really was a way to make Gorthax return to normal, judging by what Iron Dragon Mother said, he might be extremely unwilling himself.
Gorthax was not forced to change; he willingly embraced the Frenzied Flame and eventually became what he is now.
This was his own choice.
Strength and madness were the paths he took on his own initiative.
"Solrog, open the Bloodline Connection network."
Garros stopped thinking about this, and instead said: "The matter of Mother forming a formal alliance with us hasn't been explained to other members in detail yet; let's take this opportunity to have a conversation within our Ignas Family."
He was not worried that Iron Dragon Mother Leticia would take the opportunity to seize the right to speak.
The social rules of Dragonkin were never based on age or seniority; only absolute strength was the sole criterion that determined everything.
"Okay."
Solrog gave a concise response.
Immediately, using his own Mental Energy as a hub, he connected to the consciousness of his other kin one by one, constructing an invisible psychic network.
Within this unique psychic world, every Dragon could clearly see the projections of the other members' consciousnesses.
It was a projection of their image on a psychic level, fundamentally identical to their true physical forms.
Soon.
Four Dragons—Garros, Solrog, Samantha, and Leticia—had their consciousnesses gather in this psychic space first.
As for Gorton, located in the distant Kingdom of Lothern to the south, he needed a bit more time to establish and stabilize this ultra-long-distance psychic link.
"Solrog, Samantha."
Leticia's consciousness turned its gaze toward her other two offspring, keenly sensing the tenacity and strength contained within their spirits.
That was definitely not the foundation possessed by ordinary Young Adult Dragons; it was even enough to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with many adult Dragons.
This was indeed the case.
Both Solrog and Samantha had reached Life Level 15.
Under normal circumstances, this was a level that only adult Iron Dragons or adult Red Dragons could reach.
Following by the side of their special kin, Garros, their growth speed, while incomparable to that monster Garros, had long since far exceeded the average level of their kind.
"Mother."
The Iron Dragon Sorog's consciousness replied with his usual conciseness.
"Mother, long time no see."
The Red Dragon Samantha's consciousness curled the corners of her mouth, revealing a bellicose smile, and then said: "Next time we meet in the real world, I hope to spar with you, Mother, and personally measure just how much of a gap still exists between myself and a Late Stage adult Dragon."
"Very well."
Leticia agreed readily: "I am also very curious to know what level you have reached now."
She turned her gaze to the Iron Dragon Sorog again: "Are you interested in trying as well when the time comes?"
"Meaningless sparring, a waste of energy; I am not interested."
Solrog's consciousness remained completely impassive.
Just by observing the mental refinement projected by the Iron Dragon Mother Leticia's consciousness, he had already calmly analyzed the result.
If facing a Rank 17 White Dragon, there might be room to maneuver.
But against a Rank 17 Iron Dragon?
The chance of victory was zero.
"I'm here!"
Just then, a dull, heavy roar that seemed to carry an echo rang out in the psychic network.
Then, an exceptionally stout and imposing consciousness figure condensed and appeared.
Leticia looked over subconsciously, and immediately, her huge Dragon eyes widened involuntarily.
What did she see?
It was an Iron Dragon whose entire body of thick scales seemed to have stretched their silhouette!
In terms of body width, he was completely not inferior to Garros, but he was not the muscular, hulking type; rather, his whole body was covered in an exceptionally thick, layered layer of fat, making him look extraordinarily massive.
However, if one observed carefully, one could also discover:
Beneath the appearance of that fortress-like thick layer of fat, hidden deep inside, there were faintly protruding, hard, and powerful muscle contours.
Within that seemingly clumsy body, there was clearly a terrifying, extraordinary foundation of power hidden.
Young Adult Iron Dragon Gorton, Life Level 16.
Second only to Garros and Leticia, ranking third among those present.
"You are… Gorton?"
Leticia's psychic fluctuations carried obvious hesitation and disbelief.
In her impression, Gorton was the one among all her offspring who was relatively the most slender, and the one who least looked like he had any special talent.
But the consciousness projection before her was quite different.
If she hadn't known beforehand that this was an internal gathering limited to kin, she almost wouldn't have dared to recognize him.
"It's me!"
Gorton's consciousness sent a proud response, then noticed Leticia.
"Mother? Long time no see! You have finally joined our Ignas Dragon Flight? Following Big Brother Garros is definitely the wisest choice!"
Gorton said cheerfully, his tone incredibly natural.
As the true eldest in terms of age, Solrog did not refute this.
Gorton wasn't wrong, either.
In terms of strength, Garros was the unquestionable big brother; in terms of age order, he, Solrog, was the big brother.
Both were separate matters, so this didn't conflict.
Leticia still couldn't help asking: "Gorton… you, how did you become like this?"
She was a bit confused.
Immediately, Gorton briefly explained his special situation in the Lothern Royal Court.
Although he was nominally a member of The Dragon Flight, he was actually far away in the center of power of the southern human kingdom.
"Mother, take a look, take a good look!"
Gorton's consciousness puffed out his chest, displaying the contours hidden beneath that thick layer of fat: "Look at this body of mine, full of power and a heavy aesthetic! Doesn't it make you feel incredibly proud too?"
The Iron Dragon Leticia took a few seconds to calm her surprised mood, then slowly replied: "Hmm… yes, it is indeed very unique."
Her tone was somewhat complicated.
Her offspring seemed to each have their own differences and unique skills.
Hearing this, Gorton nodded his huge head in satisfaction, shaking it back and forth.
Having chosen the path of the Hundred-Battle Dragon, he had consumed a large amount of fat reserves during his previous slumber period.
Afterward, he was still completely unrestrained in his eating, and he consumed only the top-tier resources provided by the Royal Court.
But more importantly, deeply influenced and encouraged by Garros, he had also started high-intensity training, to the point that he had gradually transformed into this current appearance of muscles wrapped in fat, extremely stout and imposing.
Now, Gorton was still worlds apart from ordinary Dragons in appearance.
However, he no longer gave people a sense of comicality; instead, because of that exceptionally broad and stout, fortress-like physique, he formed an alternative, immense sense of oppression.
In terms of size alone, he was currently even the closest to Garros, though he was still lacking a bit in terms of a fierce aura.
"Iron piglet, your current round appearance is finally a bit easier on the eyes, at least not like a puddle of mud as before."
Samantha let out an unceremonious sneer and said: "But the power and heaviness you brag about? You must be joking; at best, you just look more like a huge, fatty, juicy steak, making you taste better to enemies, that's all."
Gorton did not fly into a rage this time as he did when mocked in his youth.
As the saying goes, the truth is the sharpest blade.
To this baseless sarcasm from Samantha, he only responded cheerfully: "Samantha, my foolish sister, your vision is still so shallow. I know you are saying one thing while meaning another; it is naked jealousy."
"Admit it, you are just envious of my perfect and powerful physique now."
"Besides, my power now has truly and solidly surpassed yours."
Samantha bared her sharp fangs: "Sooner or later, I will fly to the south, pin you to the ground, and beat you up severely to make you wake up."
"Then come on, I'm waiting for you."
Gorton did not show any weakness, even looking forward to it: "It will be just right for you to personally experience what absolute power is."
Listening to the familiar, tit-for-tat conversation between the siblings, Garros spoke slowly, asking: "Mother, Solrog, what do you think? If Samantha and Gorton were to really fight now, who would have a better chance of winning?"
Leticia thought carefully and, based on her cognition, judged: "I think it would be Samantha."
Life Level cannot represent everything.
According to Gorton's own description, although he had received training in the Royal Court, he lacked the cruel experience of real life-or-death battles; compared to Samantha, who had struggled and crawled in the wilderness and had richer combat experience, he had a clear disadvantage.
Moreover, purely in terms of combat ferocity and aggressiveness, Red Dragons were Innately superior to Iron Dragons.
Solrog's calm internal analysis result also concluded that Samantha had a better chance of winning.
But he did not speak his true thoughts; instead, with an impassive tone, he silently stoked the fire: "I think it is Gorton."