"The four map kings in the northwestern part of the wilderness... aside from that Beholder, the others are somewhat similar to the Wild Monster Lords I subdued back in The Borderlands."
Garros organized the information in his mind.
Judging solely by their biological species and their categorization as Vicious Beasts or monsters, the several map kings seemed no different from the Wild Monster Lords under his command.
But that was only on the surface.
In reality, those map kings were, without exception, powerful existences possessing high intelligence.
They likewise gathered legions of considerable scale and strict discipline under their command; they were by no means solitary wolves.
The strength of the individuals, as well as the collective power they could mobilize, far exceeded those Wild Monster Lords in The Borderlands who merely occupied territory based on instinct.
However, possessing intelligence also meant the possibility of communication and negotiation existed.
This, in turn, meant there was an opportunity to conquer them and transform them into his own Kinship.
"In The Borderlands, I killed over a dozen Wild Monster Lords, and in the end, only three chose to submit."
"The situation with these map kings in the northwest region might be different."
"The probability of successfully bringing them under my command should, theoretically, be higher."
Garros analyzed silently in his heart.
The Molten Iron Tribe's development in The Borderlands had long since hit a ceiling, reaching its limit, but after migrating to the vast stage of the Serel Wilderness, the situation was completely different.
With the tribe's current size...
Let alone controlling the entire wilderness, even just wanting to fully control the northwest region seemed beyond their capabilities.
With subsequent continuous conquests and expansion, the core Kinship military strength that could actually be mobilized at any time would be constantly thinned out.
When the time came, it might not be difficult to seize territory relying on the powerful martial force of the Dragon flock, but how to effectively manage the vast territory conquered would become an extremely thorny problem.
For example, after the Molten Iron Tribe took over the entire Borderlands, although its scale expanded rapidly, when they decided to march into the wilderness on a large scale, they were forced to disperse a portion of their precious power to stay behind to guard and manage the basic order of The Borderlands; they couldn't just leave it completely unattended.
By the same logic...
As the Dragon banners were planted on piece after piece of new land, more outposts, sentries, and strongholds would need to be established, and strategic locations like the Quenchfire Highlands would also need troops stationed to guard them...
The tribe's already limited power would be further dispersed and diluted.
"In the process of expansion, absorbing and subduing new, powerful forces as Kinship is a strategy that must be adopted."
The Red-Iron Dragon's thick, long tail flicked lightly, tapping the ground as he pondered.
"Otherwise, the power of the Dragon flock and the tribe will only be gradually consumed by one war after another, dragged down by the increasingly massive territory—the loss would outweigh the gain."
His ultimate goal was to possess the power to sweep across the world with the strength of a single Dragon, to one day be truly unscrupulous and do as he pleased.
But at this stage, the importance of territory and Kinship remained self-evident.
On a purely martial level, Garros didn't actually need them that much; quite the opposite, they needed to rely on Garros's protection to survive and grow strong.
However, the various resources Garros needed for rapid growth were inseparable from the collection and supply provided by a vast territory and Kinship system.
Without them, Garros would have to handle all trivial matters personally, which would waste his infinite time and energy, preventing him from focusing on his own training and strength.
"These map kings are potential dangerous enemies, but they are also ready-made targets for recruitment as Kinship."
The Red-Iron Dragon pondered for a moment, and already had a clear first target in mind.
The map king closest to Ximu Territory was the [Lion King] who occupied Echo Canyon.
This Lion King had designated Echo Canyon and its surrounding vast areas as his territory, ruling over a massive and diverse number of lion-type Vicious Beasts and monsters, establishing a strictly hierarchical kingdom of prides.
According to scout reports, this Lion King's influence was still continuously expanding.
He was not satisfied with his existing territory and intended to turn an even larger range of land into the hunting grounds of the prides.
Immediately after, the Red-Iron Dragon slowly closed his massive eyes and began to rest and recover his body.
Once his status reached its Peak and the tribal army had a brief respite, he would personally lead the Dragon flock and the elite Vassal Legion to march on Echo Canyon and attack the Lion King's territory.
On one hand, it was to truly gauge the actual level of the other map kings;
On the other hand, it was an attempt to subdue the entire pride, adding a powerful new force to the Molten Iron Tribe.
As for why he would make such a big fuss, bringing the Dragon flock and Kinship instead of choosing to go alone for a duel...
The reason was simple: caution.
As it stood, Garros himself was merely a newly risen map king, ranked alongside the others in reputation without any clear distinction of superiority.
For powerful creatures qualified to stand alongside him, Garros believed it was necessary to give them due respect.
In case the opponent was a hidden expert with many trump cards, if he rashly charged to their door alone and was then besieged by the opponent's army, the risk of failing unexpectedly was not non-existent.
Garros didn't want to charge over aggressively only to end up returning in defeat.
The sky gradually darkened during his contemplation.
Garros lay coiled in Coniferous Valley; his stamina and the state of his body, worn down by the Crimson Lotus State and curses, were recovering at a rate visible to the naked eye.
Afterward, time flowed by neither fast nor slow.
The smell of gunpowder in the Serel Wilderness grew increasingly thick as map kings revealed their claws and sharp edges; beacons of war rose everywhere, and conflicts were constant.
Even the bases of those human duchies and kingdoms were being continuously attacked by various wilderness forces or powerful creatures.
But let alone carrying out past missions to sweep and clear wilderness creatures, due to the rapid weakening of the Federation's control, the defenders of these outposts were now barely able to look after themselves, and most had adopted a conservative strategy of huddling in defense.
During this period...
Many small and medium-sized wilderness monster clans, in order to survive in these chaotic times, chose to take the initiative to seek refuge with those famous and rising new powers.
The Molten Iron Tribe was naturally one of the targets for many clans.
Almost every day, wilderness clans from different races would travel across mountains and rivers to reach Ximu Territory or other outposts of the Molten Iron Tribe, expressing their willingness to pledge loyalty to the Dragon flock in exchange for protection.
After a period of time.
In the deepest part of the underground undead lair.
Black Dragon Serafina and Green Dragon Ludwig were respectively overflowing with a profound Aura of death and a vigorous vitality of nature, forming a sharp contrast.
Both their chests were heaving violently, their breathing rapid and heavy.
On their originally lustrous scales, various wounds were now spread—deep claw marks, corrosive imprints, and some wounds were even deep enough to show bone, with Dragon blood slowly seeping out.
Clearly, in order to clear and suppress this lair left behind by a Lich, the two Dragons had just undergone an intense and dangerous battle, paying a significant price.
Around them lay the shattered remains of undead creatures that had once again lost their ability to move, as well as some elite Kinship belonging to the Molten Iron Tribe who, though wounded, still stood tall.
"These undead... are finally cleared out."
Green Dragon Ludwig bared his teeth in pain; the multiple wounds on his body constantly transmitted a sharp pain as if being corroded by negative energy.
He sniffed hard at the thick Aura of death in the air that made his whole body uncomfortable, and finally couldn't help but turn his head toward the equally scarred Black Dragon beside him.
"Serafina, tell me... why would the Leader specifically send me to help you deal with this hellhole?"
He said, "This dense negative energy is practically my natural nemesis. Logically speaking, I'm better suited to managing some vibrant jungle or river valley outpost."
Green Dragons were by nature inclined toward stealth and schemes, accustomed to hiding behind the scenes rather than charging at the front.
He rarely showed off in front of the Leader.
Therefore, he felt very surprised about the task the Leader had assigned him.
He scrutinized the Black Dragon, heavily suspecting that it was Serafina who had recommended him to the Leader behind his back.
Under the Green Dragon's scrutinizing gaze, Black Dragon Serafina nodded calmly and admitted it directly.
"I suggested it to the Leader."
She met the Green Dragon's suddenly widened eyes, her tone frank and carrying a hint of smugness as she said, "I told the Leader that the dense negative energy environment of this lair is an excellent form of exercise and tempering for you; it will help you better understand the other side of life."
"Furthermore, the subsequent transformation of this place into a Dragon-Forging Ritual site will also require your help."
Green Dragon Ludwig: "..."
For a moment, he didn't know what to say.
"Every word I said was the truth."
The Black Dragon flicked her tail, even using the tip to lightly pat the Green Dragon's shoulder blade, and grinned, saying, "The fact that the Leader could entrust you with such a heavy responsibility has a lot to do with my suggestion. However, we are companions; you don't need to thank me too much."
The Green Dragon rolled his eyes massively and swatted away the Black Dragon's tail.
"Oh, I really can't thank you enough!"
He squeezed these words out from between his teeth, gnashing them.
"Hmm, like I said just now, no need to thank me."
The Black Dragon seemed to completely miss the sarcasm in his words, instead nodding solemnly as a few crisp and pleasant low chuckles escaped her throat: "But if you insist on expressing your gratitude, I can only reluctantly accept it."
She was by nature inclined toward gloom and darkness, but every time she saw the Green Dragon looking frustrated and helpless like this, it always made her feel inexplicably refreshed.
"Hmph, how can verbal thanks be as good as actual action?"
A flash of cunning crossed Green Dragon Ludwig's eyes, and he suddenly extended a forepaw, slamming it down near a wound on Black Dragon Serafina's back!
In the next second, emerald-green natural Demonic Energy overflowing with vigorous life poured into the Black Dragon's body.
Ssss——!!!
The moment the life-filled energy touched the Black Dragon's scales and flesh soaked in negative energy, a violent conflict reaction immediately occurred, as if cold water had been poured into a pot of boiling oil, emitting a piercing scorching sound and even wisps of white smoke.
"Dammit, Ludwig! That hurts! What are you doing?!"
Black Dragon Serafina flinched violently from the pain, her scales standing on end as she quickly retreated a few steps to put distance between her and the Green Dragon, baring her teeth and growling at him.
"Oh, my apologies."
Green Dragon Ludwig slowly withdrew his paw, swaying his head with an apology that lacked any hint of remorse.
"I almost forgot, our energy attributes are naturally antithetical."
AI Model: gemini-3.1-flash-lite
"Just as I feel terrible staying in this damn place, my natural Demonic Energy, brimming with life, is even more unbearable for you than sword and blade attacks."
Black Dragon Serafina glared viciously at the Green Dragon, baring her teeth and growling, but ultimately chose not to press the issue further.
She reined in her playful demeanor, her expression gradually becoming serious and focused, as she stepped into the central area covered in scattered undead remains.
She took a deep breath of the air filled with the scent of death and decay, and began to pace around the altar pedestal.
At the same time, the tip of the Black Dragon's agile tail dipped into the uncoagulated dragon blood from her own wounds, beginning to trace complex and ancient runes on the ground to construct a massive magic circle.
Time ticked away in silence.
The Black Dragon endured the pain as she plucked several of the sharpest dragon scales from her body, tore off a few small pieces of flesh imbued with dark energy, and even forcibly dismantled several ribs, using them as the highest quality spellcasting Materials to place at the key nodes of the magic circle.
Finally, the Black Dragon stood at the very center of the magic circle constructed from her own flesh, scales, and bones.
She solemnly took out a crystal box—the phylactery.
This was a key item temporarily lent to her by the leader to control the undead lair.
She raised a foreclaw, rich negative energy swirling around it, and then slowly pressed it onto one of the core runes of the magic circle.
At the same time, she used her other claw to slowly lift the lid of the phylactery.
In an instant.
With Black Dragon Serafina as the center, a pure and majestic torrent of negative energy surged out like a tsunami, then spread and swept crazily in a ring towards every corner of the entire underground cavern.
Crack, crack, crack…
Following a dense, scalp-tingling sound of grinding bones and squirming flesh, the undead remains on the ground that had originally been shattered and lifeless began to tremble and squirm violently.
Their bones seemed to possess life as they automatically joined and pieced themselves together; the shattered pieces of flesh fused and regenerated.
Shortly after, those dead undead creatures actually struggled to climb up from the ground once more, trembling, and their movements gradually became agile.
Only, what was completely different from before was:
Deep within the soul fire that had reignited in their eye sockets, a trace of Black Dragon Serafina's mental imprint had been branded.
"Using this undead lair as a Foundation, and managing it with care… in time, I might have a chance to surpass those two guys, Heriam and Cahill."
The Black Dragon felt a double exhaustion of body and mind, yet she couldn't help but curl the corners of her mouth, revealing a somewhat ferocious smile.
However, she had not forgotten her other tasks.
After quickly reining in her wandering thoughts, Black Dragon Serafina began to manipulate the undead through a mental link.
She commanded them to use the obsidian altar where the phylactery had originally been stored as the core, beginning a drastic renovation of this area, striving to transform it as quickly as possible into a site capable of conducting the Dragon-Forging transformation ritual.
The undead knew no fatigue and feared no death.
The renovation project here was expected to be completed before too long.
Meanwhile, on the outskirts of the Molten Iron Tribe territory, in the border zone bordering the Lion King's territory.
A cool breeze, carrying the dust and scent of blood unique to the wilderness, blew past the sentries and guards patrolling the area.
This was just a small border outpost set up by the Molten Iron Tribe, where the stationed sentries were primarily Kobolds and Gnolls, supplemented by Ogre and werewolf guards, as well as several Alchemy Golems.
The overall defensive strength was relatively weak, with its main purpose being vigilance and warning.
"The tribe just won a great victory, conquering the Quenchfire Highlands, and I hear they will soon continue to expand outward."
A Gnoll sentry leaned against the rough stone fence, looking at the wilderness in the distance, his tone filled with yearning.
"It's truly blood-boiling… I also want to go into battle for the tribe, perform meritorious deeds, and earn a higher status and rewards! Instead of staying in this remote little place all the time, being an ordinary sentry who can only watch the scenery all day."
Another Kobold sentry beside him heard this and cautiously shook his head.
He lowered his voice and said, "Give it a rest. With your scrawny build, if you really went to that kind of meat-grinder battlefield, I'm afraid you wouldn't even last a single charge before turning into a pile of minced meat."
After decades of development and standardization, the Molten Iron Tribe was now gradually getting on the right track in all aspects.
Even for the largest Iron Will Legion, its soldiers had undergone certain screening and training, and not all kin could meet the standard.
"Hmph! At the very least, I'm sure I'll live longer than you."
The Gnoll sentry retorted.
The Kobold sentry was about to argue a few words, but suddenly, his slender ears twitched violently, and his pupils contracted sharply.
"Shh… be quiet!"
He lowered his body, his voice grave, "I think… I smell something wrong."
Almost the moment the words fell.
Crack.
An extremely faint crisp sound drifted over.
The sky at this moment presented an eerie grayish-blue; dawn was approaching but had not yet arrived, and the wind still wailed across the wilderness.
But a certain dangerous Aura belonging to a powerful predator was slowly seeping into the air like an invisible tide, causing all the sentries with keen perception to instantly feel as if needles were pricking their backs, their spines chilling.
"Alert!"
"Something's happening! All units, alert!"
The lookout on the watchtower was the first to sound a sharp alarm.
The Ogre and werewolf guards below immediately gripped their weapons, muscles tensed, warily looking in the direction from which the danger might strike.
Boom—!!!
However, almost at the same time, the ground beneath their feet trembled violently.
A huge, swift shadow suddenly erupted, accompanied by a dull roar like a giant drum beating, and with an incomparably savage posture, it directly smashed through the granite wall surrounding the outpost.
"Roar—!!!!!!"
A deafening lion's roar, filled with wildness and power, suddenly exploded, tearing through the silence before dawn like thunder!
It was a Magic-infused lion beast with a sturdy build comparable to a giant bear! Its bone-white, dagger-like fangs reflected a chilling cold light in the sparse morning glow, and most notably, the mane on its neck was not the usual brownish-yellow, but rather like condensed night mist, presenting a dark, pitch-black color that seemed to absorb light.
Monster—Shadow-Mane Lion.
Its speed was unimaginably fast, like a black lightning bolt streaking across the ground, instantly rushing to the base of a watchtower.
Immediately after, it used its body as a weapon, smashing into the watchtower with extreme savagery.
Bang! Crack!
The base of the watchtower groaned under the unbearable load and began to shake violently!
The Gnoll sentry on the tower screamed in terror as he fell, and while still in mid-air, the Shadow-Mane Lion's sharp claws swept across him.
Sla—sh!
The Gnoll sentry was instantly dismembered in mid-air, torn to pieces, his blood splattering onto the remains of the watchtower and the ground.
Vroom vroom vroom—!!!
An Alchemy Golem started its chest engine, wielding a heavy weapon that rotated at high speed like a chainsword, slashing fiercely at the Shadow-Mane Lion from behind.
But that black lion seemed to have anticipated it; its body just sank slightly, merging into the shadows, and it vanished from the spot instantly.
The next second, it emerged from the shadows to the side and rear of the golem, pounced fiercely, and with terrifying strength, forcibly pinned the heavy golem to the ground, its sharp claws crazily tearing at the golem's metal body, emitting a teeth-gritting screeching sound.
"Damn thing! Get off!"
An Ogre guard with a brawny build, wielding a giant mace, roared and took heavy strides toward the Shadow-Mane Lion.
However, whoosh—!
Another fierce wind suddenly struck from the side.
Another Saber-Tooth Lion, with exaggerated, bone-white protruding fangs, slightly smaller in size but more agile and ferocious, slammed into the side of the Ogre guard like a cannonball.
The Ogre guard's massive body was actually knocked staggering backward directly, losing balance and falling to the ground.
Before he could even climb back up, the Saber-Tooth Lion had already viciously pounced, its terrifying fangs, capable of chewing through steel, precisely and cruelly biting through the Ogre's relatively fragile throat.
This was just the beginning.
Flame Lions, Swift-Shadow Lions, Steel-Back Lions—more different types of lion-like Vicious Beasts and monsters emerged from the shadows where the gray morning light and the unscattered night darkness intertwined.
Their numbers might not have been overwhelming, but every single individual exuded a ferocious and violent Aura.
They were not disorganized beasts; some were responsible for frontal assaults, some for flanking attacks, and some specialized in pouncing on isolated sentries, displaying a basic consciousness of coordinated combat.
Within a mere minute, the small border outpost failed to wait for reinforcements to arrive and, under the swift and brutal attack of the lion pride, turned into a burning ruin and debris.
Similar events occurred at almost the same time at more than one peripheral outpost bordering the lion pride's territory.
As low, deep roars echoed across the wilderness, more members of the lion pride trod over the corpses of the sentries and the ruins of the outposts, continuing to advance deep into the Molten Iron Tribe's territory.
Clearly, with the desire for the expansion of their own territory, the lion pride had cast their dangerous gaze toward their neighbor's domain.
Having received the emergency message sent back by the sentries at the front with their lives, the Molten Iron Tribe also reacted immediately.
True elite legions quickly assembled from various strongholds and rushed to gather at the border region bordering the lion pride's territory.
Not long after.
When the first ray of true dawn finally broke free from the constraints of the horizon and shone onto Coniferous Valley.
The Red-Iron Dragon lurking within slowly opened his eyes, the laziness in the depths of his eyes instantly dissipating, replaced by a sharp edge.
"The lion pride… has bared its claws and fangs at me first."
"But that's fine; my state has recovered to the Peak, and it's just the right time to go and weigh exactly what level the 'map king' who shares my reputation is at."
Garros had already received information about attacks at multiple locations in the tribe's territory through the mental link.
He stood up his massive, sturdy body, crushing the scattered morning light into countless fine spots of light, and then flapped his wings to soar straight into the sky, flying toward the region where the flames of war had ignited.