Kael and Aji did not rush straight toward the Ancient Tree to look for a nesting site.
Instead, they first rested on the outskirts, taking some time to recover their stamina.
Perhaps because Rathalos frequently appeared in this area, many of the small environmental creatures were extremely experienced. The moment they sensed a shadow overhead, they would skillfully dive into the undergrowth.
Small carnivores like Jagras quietly hid in the shadows of the forest, waiting for the Rathalos pair to finish hunting so they could scavenge leftovers.
High above, carrion birds circled, searching for their next meal.
Over the years, Kael's sensitivity to leyline energy had grown stronger and stronger.
The moment he landed, he was enveloped by the dense life energy in the air. If the timing had been right, he would have loved to test how efficient active absorption would be in such an environment.
From his long-term observations, he had also discovered that Aji could not actively absorb leyline energy.
She absorbed it unconsciously and passively.
The New World itself was the best place for Elder Dragon crossings.
When Elder Dragons died, the massive life energy within their bodies would be absorbed by the ley lines and then distributed throughout the continent.
Over countless years, this process made the New World's leyline energy incredibly rich.
Living in such an environment for long periods, monsters were constantly bathed in life energy, strengthening their bodies without realizing it.
Those with exceptional talent could even undergo changes.
The richer the leyline energy, the faster and stronger these changes became.
Aji belonged to the gifted type.
Kael, on the other hand, was basically a cheater who could actively absorb energy.
Yet even so, his absorption efficiency was only about the same as hers.
For a long time, Kael suspected that Aji was secretly cheating too.
Her passive absorption was nearly as strong as his active one.
If he hadn't failed when trying to teach her how to absorb energy consciously, her growth rate might have been even more terrifying.
While they were drinking water, a Kulu-Ya-Ku waddled out from nearby, cradling an egg in its arms.
The moment its eyes landed on Aji—
"Quack!"
It panicked, flailing wildly.
It didn't even care that the egg slipped from its hands and shattered.
Turning around, it bolted while screaming in terror.
'That egg isn't yours! I didn't steal your egg!'
Kael subconsciously filled in the meaning of its cries.
Well, maybe that wasn't exactly what it meant.
But judging by how it completely lost control at the sight of a Rathian, it had probably tried to steal eggs before—and had been "educated" more than once.
No wonder it reacted so violently.
Aji tilted her head in confusion at the bird's sudden disappearance.
Seeing Kael lost in thought, she leaned over and licked his neck.
Then she looked toward the towering Ancient Tree, her eyes burning with fighting spirit.
In the New World, unlike the Old World, male Rathalos were far fewer in number than females.
As a result, they no longer practiced strict monogamy.
Instead, it was more like a harem system.
However, among all a male Rathalos's mates, only one strongest "main wife" was allowed to live with him in the Ancient Forest.
The others could only leave after mating and return to the Wildspire Waste to live and raise offspring alone.
Therefore, Rathalos living on the Ancient Tree were either bonded couples or dragons that had not yet reached mating age.
If not for Kael—and if his strength had been insufficient—Aji would never have come here at this age.
She would have waited until she was older, like other Rathian in the Wildspire Waste, then flown over, chosen a suitable male, defeated her rivals, and stayed.
After resting, the two dragons exchanged glances.
With simultaneous, resounding roars, they shot into the sky like arrows released from a bow, beginning to circle the Ancient Tree.
This was both to choose a nesting site and to announce their arrival to the Rathalos already living there.
As if receiving a challenge letter, many male Rathalos left their nests and took to the air.
Pairs of cold, vertical pupils reflected Kael and Aji's figures.
Hierarchy among Rathalos was strict.
The closer one lived to the top of the Ancient Tree, the stronger one usually was.
Naturally, their mates were no weaklings either.
Kael didn't recklessly fly straight upward.
The Ancient Tree was enormous.
Even circling it once took a great deal of time.
With the other males actively taking flight, he could more easily assess potential opponents and suitable altitudes.
Soon, his sharp eyes locked onto a dark-red-scaled male.
It was slightly larger than average and looked extremely well-built.
Its position was in the upper-middle region of the tree.
Kael let out a call to Aji, then accelerated and flew over, hovering at a distance and roaring.
He took the initiative, issuing a challenge.
This battle would only end when one side was driven away—or killed.
Provoked, the male's gaze turned icy, fury surging.
It hadn't expected this newcomer, still juvenile, to dare choose it as an opponent.
It opened its fanged maw wide and lunged forward, relying on its size advantage.
At the same time, a green Rathian flew out.
Clearly, she was its mate.
She rushed toward Kael, only to be forcefully intercepted by Aji midway.
Like a falling meteor, Aji slammed into her.
The two Rathian grappled and bit at each other as they crashed onto the Ancient Tree, snapping branch after branch.
Compared to males, females were stronger on land.
The moment they landed, Aji adjusted her stance and launched a charging tackle.
The other Rathian was still somewhat shocked.
Although Aji had gained the initiative, she hadn't been able to dominate in their aerial clash despite having a size advantage.
Seeing Aji charge, she didn't back down.
"My body is much bigger than yours, and you dare charge first?"
Feeling humiliated, she immediately launched a counter-charge.
Then—
They collided.
The Rathian was sent flying.
Scales exploded at the point of impact, blood gushing out, many spikes snapping.
Yet in the clash of strength, she was overwhelmed and thrown away.
Fortunately, the damage was only superficial.
In midair, she flapped her wings to stabilize herself, eyes blazing red as she dove straight back at Aji.
From that moment on, fangs, claws, tearing bites, poison, and crimson blood became the main theme.
Rathian battles had nothing of a flying wyvern's elegance.
Instead, they carried the brutal savagery of brute wyverns.
Every collision, every bite, every scratch tore away flesh.
Scalding blood sprayed through the air.
Each impact between the titanic bodies produced dull, thunderous sounds.
Branches snapped unintentionally amid the chaos.
Exploding fireballs ravaged the surroundings with their shockwaves alone.
Their poison-laced tails, like massive hammers, could pierce hardened scales and strike internal organs.
Among Rathalos-kind conflicts, battles between Rathian were the bloodiest—
And had the highest death rate.