Deep within the vast and perilous The Borderlands, Dragon Valley stood majestically.
The biting cold wind and snow could not penetrate the valley's towering and sturdy walls; only scattered snowflakes, like shards of jade sifted down, fell softly, adorning this habitat of The Dragon Flight.
White Dragon Tereshi picked up the communication device that had dimmed and tucked it back into the warm and safe interlayer beneath the scales of her neck.
She slightly raised her head, looking at the howling wind and snow in the high sky. Her mood was currently very pleasant, and she couldn't help but let out a low, satisfied purr from her throat.
"Garros has always attached great importance to that batch of black oil crystal."
The White Dragon gently swayed her tail, her thoughts fluttering as she secretly pondered the deeper meaning of the leader of The Dragon Flight.
"To specifically choose me to be responsible for escorting such a critical and precious item, does this not indicate that in Garros's heart, my status and reliability have already surpassed other dragons?"
"He must have seen my value and values me more!"
In Tereshi's view, although she did not participate in the tribal wars on the front line as frequently as other dragons, her work in educating and cultivating the younger generation of the Dragon Clan was equally an arduous and important task.
She firmly believed that her contribution to the tribe and the future of the entire The Dragon Flight was indispensable.
Her value was immeasurable!
"If not for my, Tereshi's, careful guidance and strict discipline, how could the Young Dragon of the tribe shed their immaturity so quickly and grow up sturdily?"
"If not for me, The Dragon Flight would fall apart."
"With Garros's wisdom, he must understand this point."
The White Dragon thought to herself.
Take, for example, this new generation of Young Dragon currently before her.
That they could be so excellent now and contribute to the Molten Iron Tribe in the wilderness wars was, in her view, entirely inseparable from the efforts she, Tereshi, had put in in the past.
Perhaps the method of contribution was a bit unconventional, but the result was more important.
On the other hand.
Thinking of the growing The Dragon Flight and the rapidly expanding tribe, all of which were closely related to her own contributions, White Dragon Tereshi proudly puffed out her chest, which was covered in thick White Scales.
Immediately after.
To verify this and satisfy her own sense of accomplishment.
She turned her head and locked her gaze on a Young Dragon who was performing weight-bearing exercises not far away.
White Dragon Tereshi puffed out her chest and held her head high, emitting the aura of a Mature Adult Dragon, creating an atmosphere of awe-inspiring authority.
She spoke in a calm but unquestionable tone: "Bellquis, answer me, on your growth path so far, am I not the most important and influential existence?"
The little white dragon named Bellquis had been huffing and puffing while carrying a huge rock for exercise.
Upon hearing the familiar and heart-palpitating voice of the Mature Adult Dragon, he dared not be the slightest bit negligent and hurriedly paused his movements, setting the rock down.
The huge rock landed with a boom, splashing up a cloud of ice dust.
He lowered his head slightly, avoiding that highly oppressive gaze, and responded in a low voice: "... Yes... Yes, you are."
White dragons are naturally wild and untamable; a white dragon in its juvenile stage should be as difficult to manage and as rebellious as an uneducated beast.
Objectively speaking, Tereshi's education had indeed achieved a certain effect, which allowed this Young Dragon to have such an awe-filled reaction when facing her.
However, White Dragon Tereshi was not satisfied with this overly simple answer.
"You stupid fool! Who allowed you to stop? Continue for me! No slacking off!"
The Mature Adult white dragon's tail was like a whip, lashing out with a whistling sound, striking the little white dragon's body.
Amidst the dull sound of impact, the Young Dragon was knocked stumbling, crashing heavily into the cold rock wall nearby.
Tereshi continued to scold: "Have I not taught you? When facing an existence with a higher Niche Theory than your own, you must use honorifics when speaking! You must be full of awe! Answer again, and answer while exercising!"
Subjected to the sudden attack and insult, the little white dragon Bellquis subconsciously tensed his muscles, a threatening low growl emitting from his throat.
The wild instinct belonging to a white dragon was ignited.
Even when facing a powerful Mature Adult Dragon, those sharp fangs were bared subconsciously, flashing with cold light.
However, just at the moment when anger was about to break through the dam of reason, countless images of previous, crueler lessons earned from resistance flashed through his mind like lightning.
He forcibly suppressed that boiling rage and pressed his instinct to fight back deep into his heart.
The little white dragon silently picked up the heavy rock again, continuing his dull and painful exercise.
He lowered his head, avoiding Tereshi's gaze, and swallowed his anger, answering in as respectful a tone as possible: "Great Pale Wing, you are the most important guiding dragon on my growth path, an irreplaceable existence."
"Your teachings are as profound as ice and snow; I will always remember your kindness."
Hearing these words full of awe, Tereshi finally nodded with satisfaction.
"Listen to me, all of you weak, stupid, and self-unaware reptiles!"
She looked around, her gaze sweeping over the nearby Young Dragon and even younger Young Dragon who were either exercising or watching, afraid to breathe, and raised her voice to proclaim her truth.
"Remember your niche position! Carve it firmly into your bones!"
"When facing an existence with a higher Niche Theory than yours, unless it is a last resort and you must fight to the death."
"You only have two choices."
"Either, wisely choose to stay away and avoid the center of the storm."
"Or, put on a better attitude, be more respectful, and show submission and respect."
She raised the tail that had just whipped the white dragon and said: "Otherwise, it will be like just now; bear the consequences yourself, and endure the potentially painful attacks that may come! Pay the price in blood."
Having completed her daily education of the little dragons, Tereshi was greatly satisfied.
She no longer delayed, took the black oil crystal, then flapped her wings, kicking up a pile of accumulated snow and ice chips, soared into the air, flew away from Dragon Valley, and headed in the direction of the Serel Wilderness.
The complex terrain of rolling mountains and dense vegetation protected the vast Serel Wilderness from the cold waves from the extreme north.
Along the way, as the white dragon continued to fly south, further and further away from Dragon Valley, the heavy snow that made the white dragon feel physically and mentally pleasant gradually weakened and disappeared, and she gradually came under the sky of the wilderness.
It was currently the rainy season in the wilderness.
Although there was no heavy snow, the rain pouring down from the dense dark clouds still gave Tereshi, who was a white dragon, a quite good feeling; at least it was much more comfortable than a dry and hot environment.
Time passed quietly in the sound of wind and rain.
Her huge white figure shuttled through the curtain of rain, steadily approaching the target coordinates given by Garros.
Meanwhile, in the Serel Wilderness.
On a relatively flat wasteland not too far from Coniferous Valley, rainwater gathered into small streams, flowing on the uneven ground.
The figures of four Young Dragon stood in the rain, water droplets rolling off their scales.
"Heriam, Cahill."
Green Dragon Ludwig greeted the other two companions who had arrived earlier than him.
His gaze swept over the scale armor covering his two companions, paused for a moment, and said: "It's been a few days, it seems the war on the front line is quite intense."
"You have added so many new scars to your bodies."
In the cognition of Dragonkin, scars are not a derogatory term.
As they are injured in battle time and time again, the dragon scales are constantly torn and damaged, and then repaired repeatedly.
Over time, those deep scars and scale hyperplasia traces that cannot be completely faded and are intertwined eventually evolve into unique patterns symbolizing glory, strength, and rich combat experience—battle-scarred patterns.
That is a powerful medal.
For example, their leader of The Dragon Flight.
When the Red-Iron Dragon's thick outer scales shattered and fell off during intense battles, revealing the complex and ferocious battle-scarred patterns that covered his whole body like a spider web.
That scene, even though they had witnessed it many times, still brought them a huge spiritual shock every time.
"Hmph."
Red Dragon Cahill sprayed two streams of hot white gas from her nostrils, mixed with sporadic jumping sparks; she grinned, revealing a wild and provocative smile.
"These are the marks of glory left by war! They are the proof of strength!"
Her voice paused, she held her head high, her gaze sweeping over the Black Dragon and Green Dragon with slight contempt, and said: "You two weak guys who are not qualified to participate in the frontal war, the scales on your bodies are indeed maintained brightly and beautifully."
"They look almost like those pampered Metallic Dragons who haven't experienced the baptism of blood and fire."
In reality, the Black Dragon and Green Dragon also had many damaged scales and scars interwoven with old and new ones.
Those were the marks left behind when they cleared out the undead nests some time ago.
However, the Red Dragon Cahill completely ignored this, her demeanor incomparably arrogant, and her words filled with disdain.
However, whether it was the dark and vengeful Serafina, or the usually cautious and meticulous Ludwig, neither of them spoke up to refute or explain themselves in the face of the Red Dragon Cahill's belittling and provocative words.
"Cahill is a Red-skinned Wild Dragon, naturally hot-tempered and quick to explode; the key is that her combat power is indeed very strong among dragons of the same age."
"Provoking her now has no benefits; it would only result in a pointless beating."
"We should avoid her sharp edge for now. Wait until our strength improves and our Niche Theory status becomes higher than Cahill's, then we'll find an opportunity to pay her back with interest!"
The two dragons exchanged a subtle glance, reaching a tacit consensus in their hearts.
After all, they had both been influenced by Tereshi's Niche Theory.
Even if their own comprehension and level of practice might not reach the pinnacle achieved by Tereshi, they would not be like those completely uneducated wild Evil Dragons, who often ignored strength gaps and consequences, letting their blood boil at the slightest verbal provocation and insisting on fighting to the death.
"Ludwig and Serafina have their own responsibilities and tasks."
At this moment, the Blue Dragon Heriam on the side shook his head slightly and said objectively, "Relying solely on war and conquest cannot manage a large tribe well."
"Logistics, threat clearance, intelligence gathering, resource exploration—other tasks are equally important."
He said seriously to the Red Dragon, "Cahill, your thinking is too one-sided."
Among the four Young Dragons of the new generation, the Red Dragon Cahill was too irritable and bellicose, with a direct mindset; the Black Dragon Serafina had a gloomy personality and was sometimes overly vengeful; while the Green Dragon Ludwig was sometimes overly cautious, appearing indecisive.
By comparison.
The Blue Dragon Heriam was often better able to think from the perspective of the overall interests of the tribe and The Dragon Flight, conducting more comprehensive and logical reasoning.
He was therefore currently the main focus of attention and cultivation by the Iron Dragon Sorog.
"Hmph!"
The Red Dragon Cahill snorted more intense flames and black smoke from her nostrils, expressing her dissatisfaction, but she did not argue with the Blue Dragon.
On one hand, she could not out-argue the clear-thinking Heriam.
On the other hand, and more importantly, she could not beat him either.
Under circumstances of similar age, a Wild Red Dragon should be stronger than a Storm Blue Dragon.
But countless private sparring sessions had already proven that she was indeed no match for Heriam.
Heriam's individual talent made up for the racial stat gap between different types of dragons.
Additionally, although forced, the Red Dragon Cahill had also received instruction in Niche Theory.
She still possessed a 'battle-loving' personality, but she had also subconsciously learned some principles of avoiding harm and seeking advantages.
For the Black Dragon and Green Dragon, whom she considered to have a lower niche than herself, she could insult and provoke them at will; but as for the Blue Dragon Heriam, who was stronger than her and currently held a higher niche... well, she wouldn't lower herself to his level.
Once she became stronger and her niche was reversed, she would stomp him fiercely under her feet, insult him to her heart's content, and make him lick her claws!
Cahill thought viciously in her heart.
"Speaking of which, does anyone know why the leader has suddenly summoned all four of us together?" the Green Dragon Ludwig asked, shaking the rainwater off his tail in confusion.
His words broke the brief silence.
Since arriving in the wilderness, they rarely had been summoned together while executing different tasks.
The Blue Dragon Heriam shook his right wing, shedding the rainwater accumulated on it, and replied, "When the leader notified me, he only said that our recent performance has been good and that he wants to reward us."
"However, the leader did not disclose specifically what the reward would be."
Regarding this unknown reward from the leader of The Dragon Flight, the Young Dragons were full of anticipation, temporarily forgetting their small frictions with each other.
"What could it be?"
"A mountain of gold coins? Shiny gems? Some kind of powerful alchemical equipment? Or... allowing us to lead an army on our own?"
The Young Dragons waited expectantly in the drizzling rain, their gazes occasionally turning toward the sky.
Not long after.
"Woo—!"
An exceptionally violent gust of wind swept in first!
It blew the continuous curtain of rain into a sharp tilt, almost turning it into flying arrows of rain.
The accumulated water on the ground was whipped up into tiny splashes by the fierce wind.
The Young Dragons seemed to sense something and looked up in unison.
They saw a meteor tearing through the gloomy rain curtain, approaching at a terrifying speed, the pressure it brought causing the surrounding rain to shy away.
In the blink of an eye, the blurry figure became clear.
A towering and majestic dragon figure appeared before them and descended rapidly.
"Boom!"
The heavy impact of the landing made the earth seem to tremble. An invisible pressure spread out.
"Great King of Molten Iron, Heriam is here to offer you the highest greetings."
The Blue Dragon lowered his head first and said respectfully.
"Leader!"
"Salutations to you, noble Lord of the Crimson Wings!"
The Red Dragon Cahill, Green Dragon Ludwig, and Black Dragon Serafina followed suit, lowering their heads, restraining their previous postures, and expressing their deepest awe and respect to the leader of The Dragon Flight in their own ways.
Cold rainwater flowed down their lowered necks.
"Heriam, Cahill, you performed bravely in the war in the Northwest region and achieved remarkable results."
The Red-Iron Dragon's gaze swept over the Blue Dragon and Red Dragon, then turned to the other two: "Ludwig, Serafina, your mission of clearing and transforming the undead nests is equally important; it concerns our Foundation and future development, and you have made good progress."
He did not spare his affirmation.
"In view of your recent performance..."
The Red-Iron Dragon paused slightly, and the hearts of the four Young Dragons instantly jumped into their throats.
"...I have summoned you here precisely to give you the rewards you deserve."
Hearing this, the Young Dragons were instantly invigorated, their eyes seemingly lighting up.
The most impatient Red Dragon Cahill couldn't help but step forward half a step and asked impatiently, "Leader, may I ask what the specific reward is? Is it gems? Or are you allowing us to lead a legion on our own?"
The Red-Iron Dragon did not answer directly, but slowly raised his huge head and looked toward the overcast sky.
He sat on the ground like a steel sculpture, maintaining a majestic posture, and said, "As it happens, she has arrived."
"As for what the reward is... see for yourselves."
The Young Dragons followed the leader's gaze, looking over with curiosity and anticipation.
In the rain curtain, another gradually clearing snow-white figure was flying rapidly toward them, reflected in their widening slit pupils.
It was the Mature Adult Dragon — the White Dragon Tereshi.
Seeing her arrival, the Young Dragons were all stunned for a moment, expressions of astonishment appearing on their faces, as if they didn't understand why she would appear here.
Immediately after.
A spark of emotion, long buried but never truly extinguished, was instantly ignited.
In their minds, scenes of the past where this White Dragon used her age advantage to repeatedly educate, insult, and suppress them in various ways surged uncontrollably like a tide.
Vivid and incredibly clear.
The dragons, almost simultaneously and without prior agreement, grinned.
Their mouths stretched back, revealing a hideous smile mixed with many emotions.
Even the usually calm and rational Blue Dragon Heriam now had difficulty suppressing the look of excitement in his eyes; his breathing became heavy without him realizing it, and his muscles tensed slightly.
They understood instantly.
The reward the leader spoke of was not gold coins, gems, or magic items.
It was something they craved even more than these material things; it was an opportunity to wash away their shame in a fair and square fight!