In the deep underground dungeon, Kalon, who originally didn't value precise time concepts, had already blurred his sense of time, but the timely feeding every day and the cheers from above the arena allowed him to grasp the passage of time.
Half a month had passed, and his sub-brain nodes had grown from one to six.
However, the later-conceived nodes required increasingly more time, and most of the accumulated psionic energy was consumed.
Kalon's body's nutrition also gradually couldn't keep up; there was no abundant food like in the Dragon Nest territory, only a fixed quota of three meals.
Now the Red Dragon's body had become a bit emaciated; although its frame was still huge, it was clear that he was so thin now that he was now looking like a wyvern compared to a normal Dragon.
However, the Dragon Clan race does not advocate thinness as beauty, and Kalon also liked himself to be more mighty and robust, which would be more intimidating and have a powerful aesthetic.
Fortunately, these six fully grown and developed sub-brain nodes had already connected to form a sub-brain cluster, which was barely enough to undertake the tasks Kalon assigned to his divided mind.
And the Pixie brought the Red Dragon another piece of good news.
"According to what you said, this Emperor is incredibly strong; even formal apprentices taken in by High Mages need to apply and report to the Empire's administrative departments. It's good to be strong."
The Red Dragon's vertical pupils flickered with agile flames in the shadow cast by its wings. It seemed this Emperor's desire for power was too strong; he wanted to suppress all forces within the Empire.
"Except for the direct nobles and Mages loyal to this Emperor, most other nobles and Mages belong to the neutral faction. This explains a lot of problems; no one wants an unshakeable iron curtain hanging over their heads," the Red Dragon looked at the small Pixie sitting in his palm.
No wonder that Mimi Eye Mage Hsiusir had once hinted that he could help Kalon. It seemed that Mimi Eye Mage was an eye planted by the neutral faction within the loyalist faction, not wanting the Emperor's power to grow further.
If the growing Dragon Clan were successfully absorbed by the Emperor, that would be an extremely terrifying increase in power. Looking at it this way, that bastard William Clarence and the family behind him should be loyal to the Emperor's faction.
The Red Dragon narrowed his eyes; many things and opportunities still needed to be seen after contacting Hsiusir. He said gently, "You've worked hard, Raven. Next, I'll have to trouble you to meet with that neutral Mage's senior apprentice. Tell him I need to meet him; perhaps there's a deal he'll be very interested in."
"But don't go to him yourself; just have someone else deliver this message."
"Okay, but I need to get a good night's sleep first," the petite Pixie lay in the Red Dragon's warm palm, let out a long yawn, and then gradually fell asleep.
The Red Dragon also habitually laid his broad palm flat on the ground, then chose a comfortable position for his head, resting it on his other claw, closing his eyes, and quietly falling asleep.
When Kalon chewed and swallowed the last bone of the whole pig delivered as breakfast today, the smiling Mage was already standing at the dungeon door, observing the Red Dragon's every move.
"Long time no see, Red Dragon. I knew you were a clever and smart true Dragon," Mimi Eye Mage had a feeling of having everything under control.
Kalon crouched down, his wings covered in fine scales folded at his sides, his crimson pupils looking at the Mage, whose face always held a mysterious smile, and suddenly said with some annoyance, "Hey, Mage, can you open your eyes when you speak?"
Mimi Eye Mage Hiusir was stunned for a moment, his eyes wide with surprise: "Am I am very dirty, are my eyes really that small?"
Kalon, however, did not answer the Mage's question. A hint of a smile flashed in his crimson vertical pupils, and then he seriously changed the topic, "Speak, Mage, what method do you have to help me?"
Phew, Hsiusir exhaled, then habitually narrowed his eyes again. He shook his head, "If you had agreed to cooperate before, perhaps we could have intercepted you earlier. As long as you voluntarily sign a contract with me, even the Emperor would acknowledge this fact."
"But now the Emperor has taken over the Dragon Clan's ownership. He intends to tame you and that Red Dragon, to use you as his most powerful war tools, the battle beasts guarding the royal family. Even if my teacher is a Saint Realm Great Mage, he cannot reclaim your ownership."
Kalon was well aware of the Mage's intentions. While he claimed to help him, he merely wanted to subdue him and then control the Dragon Clan's power through him.
But hearing the Emperor's decision, a surge of anger still couldn't help but well up in his heart. The Red Dragon exhaled a puff of Mars between his nostrils, and his low voice echoed in the empty passage, "So you've only come to mock me this time, Mage?"
Mimi Eye Mage shook his head, "For balance, the Emperor has allowed the nobles to freely choose the other Young Dragon after the defeat, except for you and that Red Dragon. As long as they can sign a contract with a Young Dragon, the Emperor will also acknowledge the Young Dragon's ownership."
"I came here this time hoping you could help me persuade that Blue Dragon and Green Dragonto sign a contract with our faction of Mages. We naturally respect the true Dragon's opinions and rights more than the Emperor, and the Young Dragons will also gain corresponding freedom. We are a better choice."
"Heh heh, you can't bring me help, yet you dare to ask me to help you?" The smog from the Red Dragon's nostrils grew more intense. He stood up, his ferocious head stretching towards the steel-forged iron door, looking directly at the Mage.
"Are you willing to be suppressed by the Emperor's authority like this forever? I heard that you noble Mage sirs even have to report to the Empire's relevant administrative departments to conduct a large-scale magic experiment."
Mimi Eye Mage had a smile on his face and spread his hands indifferently, "What can be done about it? The Emperor not only possesses supreme power himself, but he also has countless nobles and legion warriors supporting him."
"We Mages just like to study some magic, so whether we're suppressed or not doesn't matter. After all, we're not those nobles who value power more than life."
Kalon sneered inwardly. The resources required by every Mage were immeasurable. Not to mention the magical materials that could make people change color upon hearing them, just the magic potions and various magic power gems and crystals that aid a Mage's cultivation were something a smaller noble could hardly afford.
What's more, for these High-level Mages, behind every Mage there must stand one or more nobles to supply the Mage's consumption. The seemingly neutral Mages and seemingly neutral nobles might be a bit confused within the situation, but he, standing outside the situation, was not confused at all.
The demand for profit is something that nothing can change. The Red Dragon lowered his voice, his words carrying a seductive power, revealing the Dragon Clan's stark white fangs,
"If, and I mean if, one day the Dragon Clan unexpectedly escaped and unintentionally slaughtered all those nobles loyal to the Emperor, what kind of accident do you think that would be?"
The smile on Mimi Eye Mage's face finally disappeared. He took a cold breath, "Red Dragon, this might be an idea, but I can't make the decision on this matter. I have to go back, and perhaps when I come next time, I will bring you the news you are looking forward to."