Kalon was so scared he almost broke out in a cold sweat. According to the Old Magician, every Legendary could arbitrarily distort other people's perception and worldview if they weren't a Legendary themselves. And this was just one of the most basic abilities of a Legendary.
What is a perspective worldview? It sounds complicated, but it can be summarized in one simple sentence: it's the perception and view of all matter in the world.
In other words, a Legendary being could make opponents whose essence had not yet crossed into Legendary perceive up as down, left as right, and truth as falsehood. Only those Legendaries who had also constructed their own world perception system could face another Legendary.
This is the true meaning of a Legendary being the threshold to see me. If you're not a Legendary, you can't even see the opponent's true face in battle.
Actually, Kalon didn't need the Old Magician's reminder. After learning how terrifying a Legendary was, he had no intention of even glancing at one. He would definitely run as far as possible in the future, as long as he lacked the ability to contend with a Legendary.
"While stepping into the Legendary realm using this orthodox method is indeed powerful—even Legendary races born as Legendaries can only stand shoulder to shoulder with orthodoxly cultivated Legendaries through their bloodline talents—rumor has it that some exceptionally powerful Legendary Mages can even contend with a Time Dragon."
"But it's extremely difficult to step into the Legendary realm using this method, so the Emperor of this Empire chose another path."
"The Empire is the path to the Legendary realm that he chose. His ambition doesn't stop there; he even wants to use this to enter the Domain, become a Demigod, and then transform his Empire into his own terrestrial Divine Kingdom."
The Old Magician's expression relaxed again, smiling so widely that there was no hint of worry about the Emperor's terrifying ambition.
"Then does that mean it will be very difficult for me and the Dragon Clan to escape the Emperor's control?" Kalon was a bit depressed. This news was not good for him. He didn't want to emulate someone who couldn't bear to be under others for long.
Given his current growth rate and the amount of energy accumulated in his psychic vortex, it would take a very long time to successfully escape the Empire with the Dragon Clan.
Perhaps by then, the Emperor would have crossed the threshold of the Legendary, and then the opportunity would be even more distant.
The Old Magician saw through Kalon's worry. He put away his smile and said faintly, "Don't look at how prosperous the Empire is now; this is the limit for a nation allowed to be born in this remote corner of the Northern Continent by many human kingdoms."
"If it weren't for the Catha Empire to resist the threat from the monster lands, this Empire would not have been allowed to be established a long time ago."
"Although the Emperor understands this, it is his path to the Legendary, and he cannot abandon it. Moreover, his lifespan is not much longer. Crossing from a mid-level Transcendent to the peak of the Saint Realm in just twenty years, he has also paid a heavy price."
"The Emperor is diligently preparing his army, provisions, and weapons. You just need to wait a few years, and you will have the opportunity for freedom. He is destined to fail."
The fine scales between Kalon's brows furrowed slightly. The Old Magician's words contained an immense amount of information, and all of it was extremely valuable. Why was the Old Magician going this? The Red Dragon did not hesitate but asked directly.
The Old Magician chuckled, "Because you are a smart and very talented Dragon Clan. I want to determine if you have the potential for me to invest in you. Currently, it seems you are not like those foolish, impulsive, and difficult-to-communicate members of your race, so I have decided to invest something in you."
The Old Magician stood up from the swaying recliner. He looked at the Red Dragon with a serious gaze,
"The Gods have not responded to their followers in this world for nearly two hundred years. Perhaps you understand Tiamat, the Goddess of Evil Dragon, better than I do, but as far as I know, neither Tiamat nor Bahamut, the Platinum Dragon King, have responded to the true Dragons they favor and bless for a long time."
"This Plane, no, the entire world, might be undergoing some drastic changes that I cannot comprehend, while those mediocre nobles are still fighting over a bit of power.
But smart Mages have a longer vision, so I chose you. Of course, you are not the only one who has benefited from me."
A flash of insight sparked in Kalon's mind. Combining it with what the gladiators in the arena prison had said, it seemed that some drastic changes were indeed occurring beneath the seemingly calm world.
Not only were the Gods affected, but even those powerful Demigods were impacted, which gave his already restless heart a sense of urgency.
However, even the Saint Realm Old Magician in front of him did not want to directly confront the current Emperor, and Kalon was not worth such a huge sacrifice from the Old Magician at the moment.
The Red Dragon lowered his head, "So, will your investment in me still require a contract?"
"Hehe," the Old Magician lightly shook his head, "I have ten thousand ways to bypass the restrictions of such magical contracts. These things can only restrict mediocre people. I don't trust them. As for True God contracts, hehe, no True God is responding to their followers now."
"Moreover, foolish people cannot become Mages, and short-sighted people cannot become Legendaries. I'd rather believe that you are not a short-sighted True Dragon."
Kalon remained silent, thinking for a long time. A thought flashed in his crimson vertical pupils, "What if we could accelerate the Emperor's preparations for war?"
"You mean?" A hint of interest appeared on the Old Magician's face, and he looked at the Red Dragon with some anticipation.
"Although the Dragon Clan's territory is very far from here, only a few round trips a year, it is fertile and rich, possessing countless ores and resources.
As long as it is effectively developed and utilized, the profits generated within the territory are enormous, and these profits can quickly satisfy the Emperor's appetite."
The Old Magician's eyes lit up. No one doubted that the land where the Dragon Clan resided contained abundant resources, but because it was too far away and a gathering place for many monster tribes, no human could safely occupy it.
Just to deal with the almost endless monsters and beasts would require a large amount of manpower. Not only would strong military protection be needed, but also a large population of laborers, making the resources consumed disproportionate to the benefits.
But if the Dragon Clan's dependents maintained the security within the territory, it would be different. With only enough laborers and craftsmen dispatched, the endless resources located there could be utilized. This was a shining golden path to success.
The Old Magician's narrowed eyes seemed to emit a brighter light than a True Dragon's pupils. He smiled and said, "If you can still control the Dragon Clan's territory, this matter can be handled by our Mage Association. Hmm, this matter will require a magical contract."
?
"Didn't you say you don't trust magical contracts?" If Kalon had a mirror in front of him, he might have seen a big question mark above his head.
"Cough, cough," the Old Magician coughed twice, "For matters of gold coins, a magical contract is necessary. Don't worry, I have specifically researched over a thousand restrictive clauses for this kind of magical contract, ensuring that neither party can exploit loopholes."
"Huh?"
"Huh what?" The Old Magician said earnestly, "Also, my name is Lapers!"