"Why change territories? Weren't we doing fine in Hemlock Hills?"
Samantha asked in confusion, not understanding the reason.
She hadn't considered at all that the appearance of the Earth-Rending Centipede was just the beginning, meaning it was highly likely to attract a larger-scale Black Rock Unit later.
Moreover, due to the inherent laziness of Dragonkin, she had adapted to life in Hemlock Hills and wasn't ready to move territories yet.
"Use your brain. Do you think the appearance of these Alchemy Golems was just a coincidence? Others will be coming soon,"
Garros said.
Samantha tilted her head and thought seriously, gradually understanding the reason.
Red Dragons were not actually stupid; on the contrary, their intelligence was quite high among Dragonkin. It was just that their logic was often 'my wisdom tells me to solve problems with strength.'
Only when violence couldn't solve a problem would a Red Dragon change their way of thinking.
"Oh, you're afraid an army will come to hunt us down, so you're planning to run away."
After a few seconds of thought, Samantha realized and said.
Slap!
Garros struck her head with his tail, his dragon face serious.
"This is a strategic retreat. Don't talk nonsense if you don't understand."
Samantha, having been hit by the tail, rubbed her head with her claws, baring her teeth. Instinctively, she wanted to strike back, but the moment she met Garros's gaze, she immediately became submissive.
"Dragon Lord, where are we going next?"
The Earth Storm Bear Mobel asked cautiously.
Hearing this, Garros fell into deep thought.
There was a proverb in Dragonkin culture.
—The dragon who sees the spring roses must also watch for the footprints of the winter giant.
It essentially meant being prepared for danger in times of peace and planning ahead.
And Garros had done this very well.
While staying in Hemlock Hills, knowing it was just a transitional place with limited resources, he hadn't forgotten to look for other suitable habitats.
After a period of investigation and weighing options,
he had three targets.
Greystone Ridge.
—The rock walls were full of natural caves where highly concealed dragon nests could be built. It was steep and easy to defend but hard to attack. Surrounded by lakes and forests, it was home to many creatures and rich in biological and water resources.
Silvermoss Plain.
—It once had a large mithril mine, and the soil still contained mithril particles. Many Silver-Bud Mosses grew there through mutation. Eating the soil and moss helped the development of Dragonkin scales, claws, and teeth. There were many packs of Vicious Beasts.
Coniferous Valley.
—A bowl-shaped valley surrounded by mountains on three sides. Hot springs steamed within, and the smell of sulfur could mask the scent of Dragonkin. A branch of a large river also meandered through it.
These three locations were all far richer in resources than Hemlock Hills.
Territories like these in the Serel Wilderness usually had masters.
After thinking for a short while, Garros finally chose Coniferous Valley.
The overlord of Greystone Ridge was a group of Great-Tailed Steel Scorpions.
These were a type of Vicious Beast with massive bodies and terrifying venom. Their toxins were enough to pose a life-threatening risk to young dragons.
Garros's poison resistance hadn't been specifically enhanced, and he wasn't sure if he could withstand the venom of the Great-Tailed Steel Scorpions.
There were no overlord-level groups or individuals on the Silvermoss Plain; instead, many Vicious Beast packs fought for survival. Garros had originally favored this place most, but he later discovered that armies would occasionally come here to collect samples of silvermoss and other mutated plants. The potential risk was actually the highest.
As for Coniferous Valley,
besides having the lowest inherent risk, it was neither too far nor too close to a branch of the Thousand Snake Scars, which meandered through the Serel Wilderness like Meridians. He could come into contact with trade caravans traveling along the Thousand Snake Scars or teams transporting minerals, black oil, and other resources.
The downside was that several intelligent tribes, such as Goblins and Gnolls, lived nearby.
"Coniferous Valley? Roar roar roar, that's great!"
Upon hearing Garros's decision, Mobel the Storm Bear widened his eyes and shouted excitedly.
The reason for his excitement was simple.
Coniferous Valley had a more formal name given by the surrounding intelligent tribes and clans.
—Storm Bear Ridge.
It was the habitat of the Earth Storm Bear pack Mobel originally belonged to. It was also the place Mobel had suggested to Garros, fueled by his "filial" desire to overthrow his father.
It was while investigating the Storm Bear pack that Garros had accidentally discovered the branch road of the Thousand Snake Scars.
"My noble Dragon Lord, I am willing to be your sharpest blade and take Coniferous Valley for you!"
Mobel knelt before Garros and spoke in a gruff voice.
The night wind blew through his fur, revealing many runes densely engraved on his skin. These were the masterpieces of the Red Dragon Alchemist Samantha over the past six months.
Through the enhancement of these Alchemy Rune, Mobel had also become much stronger.
However, he knew he still couldn't compare to the old bear, but his greatest reliance was not himself, but the Dragonkin before him.
"Heh heh, you damn old thing."
"I'm going to take back everything I lost, seize your territory, and take your she-bears for myself!"
Mobel thought happily to himself.
Garros had not forgotten his promise and patted the Storm Bear's shoulder.
"Once we've subjugated the bear pack, you will be the commander in charge of them. But don't forget, if anything goes wrong with the pack, I'll break your legs."
Soon after.
The Earth Storm Bear ran across the surface toward Coniferous Valley, carrying the mostly intact Earth-Rending Centipede and other necessary items.
Garros spread his wings and soared through the sky.
The outline of Hemlock Hills gradually blurred in the twilight.
He looked back at the territory where he had lived for nearly a year.
The hemlocks snapped by the Explosive Scales, the ruins of the crookedly built Alchemy Workshop, the winding tunnels dug by the Earth Spiders, and the collapsed cracks he had caused by his impacts.
Everything would return to the wilderness upon his departure.
As if remembering something.
Garros suddenly paused, then flew back to Hemlock Hills, telling Samantha to follow the Earth Storm Bear and continue toward Coniferous Valley first.
Samantha didn't know what Garros wanted to do but didn't ask.
After a while, as she flew through the sky, she looked back toward Hemlock Hills.
A flicker of fire suddenly lit up, then spread like a wildfire, growing more intense until it gradually ignited the entire Hemlock Hills, turning the vast hills into a blazing torch in the dark night. The light illuminated the night, and the heat waves caused the surrounding air to twist and rise continuously.
The brilliant flames were reflected on his scales.
The Red-Iron Young Dragon soared from the 'volcano' like a meteor, quickly catching up.
In this world, alchemy items and magic with strange effects appeared endlessly.
Although he felt a slight sense of attachment, for the sake of safety and to prevent further tracking, Garros decided to burn Hemlock Hills, purifying everything with fire to eliminate any traces of his existence there as much as possible.
He wasn't sure if it would be effective.
But at least it would give him some peace of mind.