Chapter 342: The Central Continent
Many people saw the white light rising from the slums.
That white light pierced through the magical barrier in the sky.
---
In the labyrinth city of "Aukladeo," within the Water Dragon Magic Tower.
The Water Dragon Magic Tower was an asset of the Water Dragon Knights, built to showcase their prestige.
In an upper-level room, a graceful figure in a water-blue gown sat by the windowsill.
Her long, water-blue hair flowed down to her hips, and her flawless face bore a trace of curiosity as she gazed at the sky.
A massive hole had appeared in the magical barrier above.
Streams of magical energy poured out from more than a dozen magic towers, channeling into the barrier.
As the energy flowed in, the hole in the barrier began to mend and fade away.
"Teacher, what was that?"
Behind her stood a small figure clad in a water-blue dress, looking petite and adorable.
Her water-blue hair and the dragon horns on her head clearly marked her identity.
Monica gazed curiously at the distant sky.
Both master and disciple had witnessed the scene just now—a white light soaring from the slums, piercing the magical barrier.
Helena gently shook her head and turned to her young disciple.
Monica had been sent to her by the revered Silver Mask, with the request that Helena teach Monica magic during her years of service.
"Monica, do you want to go home? I could take you back to the Water Dragon Kingdom."
If she petitioned Silver Mask to grant Monica her freedom, he likely wouldn't refuse.
Monica shook her head and curtsied gracefully to Helena.
"Teacher, the boss once told me that I'm free. So my relationship with him isn't what you think it is. For as long as I can remember, the labyrinth city of 'Aukladeo' has been my home. Maybe I'll visit the Water Dragon Kingdom when I grow up, but it isn't my home. My home is here, with the boss and the Brotherhood."
The boss?
Hearing her disciple address the revered Silver Mask as "boss" made Helena smile.
It seemed the members of the Brotherhood really did call him that.
How crude—a term typically used by thieves to refer to their leader.
Yet when Monica said "boss," it somehow sounded endearing.
"Do as you wish. If you're truly free, then I'm relieved as your teacher."
The Water Dragon people were scattered across all continents.
Many settled on other lands, and those raised outside the Water Dragon Kingdom rarely considered it home.
Having lived for centuries, Helena wasn't the kind of person to impose such narrow ideas.
"Monica, starting tomorrow, I'll teach you water magic. Be prepared—when it comes to teaching magic, I'm very strict. That's not just a scare tactic."
Monica lowered her head slightly.
"I don't want to be someone useless in the boss's eyes. I'll grow stronger."
Her response brought a smile to Helena's face.
Without the will to grow stronger, one couldn't learn magic well.
Studying magic required patience and determination.
Only the desire for strength could sustain someone through the tedious path of practice.
---
In the Coral Sea, Eastern Ocean.
The weather was perfect today—clear skies without a cloud in sight.
The deep blue sea merged with the sky, creating a breathtaking view.
Amid this stunning scenery, a streak of white light suddenly appeared in the sky at an altitude of 10,000 meters.
It sped westward at an astonishing pace.
"Ah, the sea is beautiful—damn it, I forgot my poetry."
Admiring the sea below, Li Meng had intended to recite a poem.
But he realized he couldn't recall one that suited the moment.
The thrill of soaring through the sky filled him with delight.
He hadn't expected flying to be such an exhilarating experience.
Although it consumed a lot of magical energy, he currently had magic to spare.
The rate at which he restored magic far outpaced its consumption.
The light slimes of Sky City were ancient relics, providing incredibly high magical bonuses.
Though fewer in number than the water slimes of Goblin Forest, their magic amplification was several times greater.
His magical attributes were now nearing ten million.
"Xiao Bai, are dragons rare?"
Since arriving in this world, Li Meng had never encountered a dragon.
The Calamity Dragon Kings weren't exactly part of the dragon race.
No—saying they weren't related wasn't quite accurate.
The Calamity Dragon Kings were considered dragon deities, not born from faith but ancient dragons that had existed since antiquity.
Their immense power had elevated them to divine status within the dragon race.
"Not really. Outside of Dragon Island, there are about two hundred wandering dragons."
Two hundred?
That wasn't rare?
Considering the immense size of the Augus Continent, the odds of encountering one were one in a million.
Unless someone actively sought them out, even living for a million years might not guarantee a meeting with a dragon.
"Master, why the sudden interest in dragons?"
"Nothing much. I've just never eaten dragon meat before."
Dragons lived long lives; their meat was probably tough.
But whether it was or not, he wouldn't know until he tried it.
Xiao Bai was speechless.
Her master's appetite for meat was as insatiable as ever.
The stronger the creature, the more he craved it.
"I do know where a few dragons hide. When you're free, I'll take you to hunt them."
Dragons were indeed incredibly powerful—even a juvenile had the strength of an emperor-level being.
But before her master, they'd likely have no chance.
After serving her master for so many years, Xiao Bai knew all too well how terrifyingly strong he was.
"Good. Once I have some free time, let's hunt dragons."
Li Meng grinned, unleashing an even brighter holy radiance.
The streak of light in the sky grew more dazzling and accelerated abruptly, vanishing into the western horizon in the blink of an eye.
---
On the Central Continent.
In the Earth Dragon Kingdom, Saint Helier Territory.
Saint Helier was one of the border provinces of the Earth Dragon Kingdom.
Because it bordered the Undead Nation, it had a formidable defensive force.
Among the many border fortresses, the city of "Tarafa" was the most prosperous.
Tarafa was situated in a canyon of the Kanain Mountains.
The canyon stretched hundreds of kilometers, cutting through the entire mountain range.
Tarafa City was like a massive barrier blocking the eastern advance of the Undead Nation.
As the gateway to the western frontier of the Earth Dragon Kingdom, Tarafa was a critical military stronghold.
It had a permanent population of 500,000 and a garrison of 100,000 troops.
Under the corruption of dark magic, the land was barren and desolate.
The Kanain Mountains and even the territories further east of Tarafa City were tainted with blackened soil.
The field of death continued to spread across the land—a process that had been ongoing for countless years.