Chapter 626: Dormancy, Tear of the Immortal, New Era
Northern Borders of Atlan, Ser Wilderness.
Crimson dragon scales shimmered with a molten sheen under the sunlight, and the shadow cast by the enormous wing membranes swept across plains, forests, and rivers, clinging to the earth like a moving dark cloud as it flew.
The great dragon stretched its wings, gliding slowly.
It lowered its eyes, gazing down at the land below, taking in everything at a glance.
Over four hundred years.
He had gone from a young dragon groping his way through the wilderness to the Red Emperor now overlooking the earth.
Those mountains that once seemed impossibly distant were now mere folds beneath his wings; those beings he once had to look up to were now far behind him.
He still remembered his first time soaring over the wilderness.
Back then, his wingspan was barely over ten meters, he couldn't fly for long before needing rest, and he had to carefully avoid flocks of flying magical beasts.
Thinking back now.
Those dangers that once made him vigilant had become insignificant.
At the same time, the entire Ser Wilderness had undergone earth-shattering changes because of him.
When the educated Aolan dragons emerged from the northern ice fields, their average age was at the Young Adult stage. The Ser Wilderness was their first stop. Before reaching adulthood, Aolan dragons generally underwent training here.
Therefore, if one looked with legendary-level perception, traces of young dragons could be found almost everywhere.
The Ser Wilderness had almost become a domain exclusive to dragons.
Ancient White Dragons like Beskarl, who were gradually unable to keep up with Aola's development pace and couldn't influence the outcome of wars, took on the duty of guarding the Ser Wilderness, enjoying the awe of the young dragons.
Garoth squinted slightly, the wilderness reflected in his field of vision.
Time was truly a wonderful thing.
It flowed like an invisible river, carrying everything along without anyone noticing.
When he was young, he often felt time moved too slowly, wishing he could reach the pinnacle in one go.
He would lie on the rocks of the wilderness at night, staring at the stars and calculating how many more years he needed to break through to the next level; he would grow restless when progress fell short of expectations; and after every battle, he would repeatedly replay his performance in his mind, identifying his shortcomings.
But now, looking back, those hundreds of years seemed like the blink of an eye.
The scenes of struggling to survive in the wilderness back then were still vivid before his eyes.
Sunlight danced on his crimson scales, and from a distance, he looked like a burning flame streaking across the blue sky.
On the ground, subjects of Aola looked up and saw this.
"It's His Majesty!"
"The Emperor is inspecting his territory!"
"Long live His Majesty! Long live the land of Aola!"
Praises and cheers rose from the ground, one after another.
Garoth heard those voices, but he neither lowered his altitude nor responded.
He continued soaring through the sky.
The wind beneath his wings howled past as always, and the sun shone on his scales as always.
The feeling of the wind and sun was the same as over four hundred years ago.
And yet, everything seemed different.
Garoth knew he still had much to do. Everything lay ahead, and he was flying toward it.
He didn't linger long in the Ser Wilderness.
When the sun slanted westward, Garoth, bathed in the fiery sunset, returned to the Red Emperor Capital and coiled up on the dragon court high platform.
"That Mandate Domain, once so unattainable, should now be only one dormancy away from me," the great dragon thought to himself, then examined his own being.
In Year 550 of the New Calendar, he had awakened from his last dormancy and broken through to the crown-level.
Now, time had arrived at New Calendar Year 643.
Over ninety years, without relying on dormancy, Garoth's life level had risen from thirty to thirty-three.
The number itself sounded simple.
But progress after crown-level was more difficult than before; every level increase meant a long period of daily accumulation.
His body size had also grown noticeably.
From fifty-six meters in his normal state to about sixty meters.
It seemed like only an increase of four meters, but because the size change was three-dimensional, he was now a whole size larger than before, and his tonnage had gone from around six thousand tons to at least eight thousand tons.
"At this crown-level stage, my growth rate has actually accelerated compared to before," Garoth thought to himself.
Under normal circumstances, before a dormancy, his life level could usually increase by about two levels.
Thinking carefully...
Garoth felt that the main reason for this faster growth, besides his own talent and diligence, was the external factor of mutation.
When the mutation form existed, even if he did nothing, it still stimulated his body.
This accelerated the increase in life level.
Moreover, even though Garoth had used up the remaining meteorites and was constantly consuming his accumulated mutation value, he still couldn't resist his own body's adaptation and correction.
Now, he had returned to his normal state, balanced in all aspects.
The Super Flash Overlord State had disappeared.
But there was nothing to regret.
The fact that Garoth's life level had reached thirty-three was largely due to the stimulating pull between mutation and adaptation.
And this life level gave him greater confidence to break through to the Mandate of Heaven directly through a single dormancy.
In fact, for the vast majority of dragons, as they grew stronger, the increase in life level didn't speed up at all—it was already difficult just to maintain the original pace.
A dragon's growth followed a curve that gradually slowed down.
The higher one climbed, the greater the accumulation needed for each step.
From crown-level to Mandate, it often required at least two or more dormancies. The first dormancy completed the accumulation at the crown-level stage, and only the second dormancy could be used to charge at that threshold.
Some dragons even needed three.
Breaking through a level in a single dormancy was something many dragons had never even dreamed of.
"My next dormancy will probably arrive within ten years. It's close at hand."
Garoth already felt a slight drowsiness.
Even after resting, he still lacked energy.
For a great dragon, this was a sign that dormancy was approaching.
Additionally, dragons his age didn't have to wait until the dormancy period fully arrived.
Young dragons could only wait, but older dragons could, based on the situation, choose to relax in a quiet environment ahead of time, thereby shortening the time and entering dormancy earlier.
Garoth was thinking.
Whether to wait ten years before sleeping, or to prepare for it immediately.
The former meant he could ensure everything was running normally before closing his eyes; the latter would allow him to enter dormancy faster, falling asleep three to five years earlier, but correspondingly, the timing would be more rushed.
At that moment, the sound of wing membranes cutting through the air came from afar.
Soon after, three figures landed in turn beside the red-iron dragon, their gazes simultaneously falling on their emperor.
Garoth had summoned his blood kin.
"Is your dormancy period coming soon?"
The Iron Dragon Sorog asked as soon as he landed.
The last rays of sunset were slowly sinking below the horizon.
Garoth watched this scene and nodded slightly: "At the latest, within ten years, I will enter my dormancy period. And I am very certain that I will be able to break through to the Mandate after waking up."
One dormancy, from crown-level to Mandate.
Only he could say such a thing with such certainty and be believed.
If any other crown-level dragon said this, they would be considered exaggerating, but coming from Garoth's mouth, none of the three blood kin present showed even a trace of doubt.
They knew this blood kin well and knew he never said anything without confidence.
"Excellent!" The Red Dragon Samantha's voice was filled with undisguised excitement. "Garoth, once you become Mandate, our Aola will truly become a Dragon Empire!"
Given Aola's current scale and reputation, calling it a kingdom was no longer sufficient.
In recent years, more and more voices had started calling it an empire.
However, Aola had no Immortal.
One of the major criteria for an empire was the existence of an Immortal.
This was an unwritten rule on the continent.
No matter how vast a faction's territory or how strong its army, without an Immortal-level powerhouse sitting at the top, it could not be called a true empire.
In the face of an Immortal, mundane armies and city walls became meaningless.
But Samantha had no doubt that her brother, after becoming Mandate, would be comparable to an Immortal.
By then, the Aola Kingdom would also transform into a Dragon Empire, becoming one of the true hegemons of this world.
Garoth nodded slightly:
"I was thinking, whether to wait for the dormancy period to arrive naturally, or to prepare ahead of time and go to sleep as soon as possible."
The Iron Dragon Gordon immediately chimed in: "Definitely sleep early! While Atlan is still relatively calm and Aola isn't facing any trouble, prepare for dormancy in advance. Sleep early, wake early—that's better than anything."
"That's right!"
Samantha interjected. "My dear brother, rest assured and go to sleep. As long as we are here, anyone who dares to disturb your dormancy will be burned to ashes."
The red-iron dragon did not answer, his eyes deep in thought.
Beside him, the Iron Dragon Sorog's expression turned serious.
He took two steps forward, his gaze fixed on the gradually darkening horizon in the distance.
"Last time you slept, you were targeted," Sorog said slowly. "Because of the Green Queen's presence, they misjudged your awakening time and suffered a crushing defeat."
He turned his head, staring at the red-iron dragon's profile.
"But, Garoth, my brother, this dormancy of yours will most likely be targeted again. And our enemies will plan more thoroughly this time; they won't miscalculate your sleeping period again."
Hearing his words, the Red Dragon Samantha's excitement subsided somewhat, but she wasn't discouraged.
"Sorog, you're right," Samantha lifted her head. "But then again, Garoth is just sleeping, not dead. He can wake up if necessary."
The Iron Dragon Sorog shook his head slightly, retorting:
"Having your dormancy interrupted is a big problem. Even if you wake up and destroy all enemies, if the dormancy is broken, breaking through to Mandate will be delayed by at least a hundred years—and that's the most optimistic estimate."
On the Arotala Continent, even an orc Saint personally striking couldn't kill Garoth directly.
For this emperor, known as the Undying Dragon, people knew exactly how difficult he was to kill.
But as long as his dormancy was interrupted and he remained stuck at the crown-level, he posed no real threat to the empires. A crown-level Red Emperor facing an Immortal, while not instantly killed, could only barely hold on to his life.
The dragons fell silent.
The sunset had completely sunk below the horizon. The sky displayed a color between deep blue and inky black. The first star had appeared on the horizon, its faint light falling upon the four great dragons.
The Iron Dragon Sorog suddenly said:
"Have you thought about going to the Vophal Dragon Domain?"
"Negotiate with the Silver Dragon King. She might allow you to sleep in the Vophal Dragon Domain. That way, the safety of this dormancy would be guaranteed."
The red-iron dragon's expression was calm as he said, "I haven't asked about this, and I don't plan to."
It was true that he had a good relationship with the Silver Dragon King. They had exchanged many times in the past, and a certain level of trust had been established between them.
But some things went without saying.
Previously, when Garoth was weak, he visited the Vophal Dragon Domain for a short time, and that was fine.
But spending his entire dormancy period there was a different matter.
Nereus was responsible for the entire Vophal Dragon Domain.
Her duty as a Dragon Lord was to protect the Metal Dragons, not to bring danger to her subjects.
Nereus knew Garoth was about to enter dormancy, but she had never mentioned him coming to the Vophal Dragon Domain. She had to consider not only her friendship with Garoth but also the safety of the entire Vophal Dragon Domain—a responsibility she could not shirk as a Dragon King.
However, Nereus had made it clear to him.
When necessary, she herself could briefly leave the Vophal Dragon Domain.
Garoth gazed at the mountain silhouettes in the night.
Finally, he spoke: "I've made up my mind. I'll sleep early, and just like last time, it will be within Aola's territory, on the Rhen Plateau."
Danger?
It couldn't be avoided.
And Garoth never feared danger, because he himself represented danger.
He was used to seeing danger as the norm. Those enemies who wanted to kill him often ended up becoming stepping stones on his path of growth.
This time would be no exception.
Besides, while he was still young compared to Ancient Dragons, he had experienced more and faced more troubles than most Ancient Dragons.
Storms, frost, rain, snow.
The more fiercely they came, the more unbreakable they made his scales.
The night grew deeper, and the dragons dispersed.
Sorog, Samantha, Gordon—all three remained in an awake state.
With their presence, even if Garoth slept, the Aola Kingdom could function perfectly.
Not long after, Garoth went to the Serene Spirit Wilderness to inform them of his decision to sleep early.
He also made a trip to the Vophal Dragon Domain, telling the Silver Dragon King that he probably wouldn't be visiting the Vophal Dragon Domain for a long time.
Returning to the kingdom, he feasted heartily, adjusting all aspects of his condition to their peak.
With everything in place.
The red-iron dragon entered an underground Dragon Nest that had long been prepared on the Rhen Plateau.
His wings were tucked close to his body, his tail coiled around him.
He settled into the most comfortable posture, then took out a teardrop-shaped substance.
It hovered above the great dragon's claws, crystal clear, radiating a soft and profound light, as if it had condensed some indescribable power. Just by looking at it, one could feel the weight and depth contained within.
"Tear of the Immortal..." Garoth murmured softly.
This Tear of the Immortal was one of the main reasons he had been targeted by legends led by Varta during his last dormancy.
For those stuck at a bottleneck, the Tear of the Immortal was a treasured dream come true.
Moreover, not every Mandate could condense a Tear of the Immortal. More than one Mandate had died under Garoth's claws, but the only one to produce a Tear was the Slaughter Great Demon.
Its value went without saying.
Most importantly, the power contained in this Tear of the Immortal gave Garoth a chance to acquire traits related to form transformation.
He valued this greatly as well.
"Those previous mutation forms have all disappeared now."
"But I believe my body hasn't completely forgotten them."
Adaptation, evolution—let me see your limits!
The red-iron dragon swallowed the Tear of the Immortal.
The crystalline substance slid down his throat and into his body, then transformed into a warm energy, slowly seeping into his limbs, scales, and bones.
Like a seed being planted, waiting to take root and sprout during sleep.
He felt the faint drowsiness and slowly closed his eyes.
His consciousness gradually sank.
But what awaited Garoth was not darkness and oblivion.
A dream world, blooming with flowers, came into his sight.
The sky was a soft honey color. The sea of flowers undulated in the breeze, petals brushing against each other, making a faint rustling sound.
Across from him, Cerora stood gracefully in the center of the flower sea.
As always, like many Metal Dragons, she preferred to show her humanoid form.
She wore a light green long dress, the hem spreading across the flower sea, blending with the surrounding blossoms until it was hard to tell which were the folds of her skirt and which were petals.
Cerora looked at him with a smile, her pupils as emerald green as the most tender spring buds, as if they had been crushed and embedded there.
"You're here?"
The red-iron dragon smiled faintly, approaching Cerora and coiling up beside her.
In this dream world, he maintained his massive normal form, but it didn't seem out of place in the flower sea.
"Mm, I chose to sleep early," Garoth said.
Cerora nodded, no surprise on her face: "The right choice."
"The flames of war between Nausil and Kantum continue to burn. Halden is tearing its hair out over demons. Your Aola Kingdom has no external troubles. On the entire planet Bernardo, there's no better time for you to close your eyes than now."
Garoth lifted his head, looking around, his gaze passing over the flower sea undulating in the breeze, the faintly visible forests and mountains.
"Your dream world is becoming more and more realistic," he said.
Cerora raised her chin slightly, a hint of pride in her voice: "Of course. I'm already a Mandate after all. If my dream construction were still the same as before, wouldn't that mean I became a Mandate for nothing?"
After a pause, she tilted her head to look at the great dragon:
"Once you get through this dormancy, you'll become a Mandate too. Any thoughts? Excited?"
The red-iron dragon shook his head slightly.
He said, "Before, I felt the Mandate was almost unreachable. But now that I'm truly close to it, I feel it's only a beginning."
Having said that, Garoth looked at Cerora and changed the subject, asking:
"Are you going to sleep with me?"
Cerora thought for a moment and said, "The me in the dream world will sleep with you. We'll sink together into a deeper layer of dreams and sleep more efficiently. But the me in the real world will stay awake."
"And..." Cerora took two steps forward, her skirt dragging a shallow trail through the flower sea. "The real me is on her way to Atlan."
Garoth asked, "What are you coming to Atlan for?"
Cerora stopped, put her hands behind her back, leaned forward slightly, and tilted her head to look at him.
"Don't you know?" she asked back, then said with a smile, "To guard you, of course. During your days of sleep, I'll stand outside your Dragon Nest and keep away those unwelcome guests who want to disturb your beautiful dream."
The red-iron dragon lowered his head to gaze at Cerora.
A breeze blew by.
The flower sea undulated between them, petals flying up and falling down in a flurry.
The red-iron dragon said, "You sleep in the dream world and go to Atlan in the real world. What about your Greenwild Kingdom?"
Cerora brushed the hair from her forehead and smiled: "Between a kingdom and a beauty, I choose the latter."
Having said that, her tone shifted slightly as she continued: "However, even from a perspective of interest, after you become Mandate, the Greenwild Kingdom will receive much more in return. I help you, you help me—mutual benefit."
"It's a rational and correct choice, isn't it?"
Her tone was light, but Garoth knew she was serious.
Among Garoth's several partners, each had her own different personality and pursuits.
Deborah and Nasha were Metal Dragons. They didn't care about kingdom conquests and such; they were more focused on their own power growth and a peaceful daily life.
Anqiya only cared about her own beauty and had little interest in other matters.
The Blue Dragon Zoraya had some ambition, but she lacked the power to realize it, and could only be an appendage at Garoth's side, obtaining what she wanted through his strength.
Cerora, however, was very ambitious.
She had come this far, built her own kingdom, and reached the top as a Mandate, every step taken with determination and planning.
She wouldn't give up choices beneficial to herself because of emotion, nor would she completely disregard emotion for the sake of interest alone. Between the two, she had found her own balance.
And moreover.
Cerora was a genuinely special power, one that even Garoth had to rely on.
The red-iron dragon was silent for a few seconds, then said calmly, "When I awaken, I will personally change this era."
Cerora looked up at the great dragon.
If it were any other dragon, Cerora would have thought they were just talking big.
But Garoth was an exception. Cerora believed he could fulfill his words.
She whispered softly: "For that, I hold the utmost anticipation."
The wind gradually died down.
The flower sea grew calm. Sunlight spilled down from the honey-colored sky, warm and soft.
At this point, Garoth's dormancy period had not yet truly arrived.
Cerora transformed back into her dragon form, her body covered in emerald-green scales.
She nestled together with the red-iron giant dragon, her head resting against the side of his neck. The red-iron dragon's wings spread slightly, covering part of her body. The two of them quietly enjoyed a time of ease and tranquility in the dream world.
Until four years later.
Even within the dream, Garoth felt a deep, profound drowsiness.
He did not resist. He slowly closed his eyes.
His consciousness gradually sank into darkness, but this darkness was not a void.
It was warm, deep, filled with the power of gestation.
In his subconscious, Garoth could feel his body undergoing a profound transformation during sleep.
Life level, scales, bones, bloodline, soul...
Every layer was changing.
The power of the Tear of the Immortal was also quietly merging into his body during the dormancy.
At the same time, the gears of time continued to turn, never stopping for anyone's slumber. In every corner of the world, countless events were unfolding.
And as for all of this...
For now, Garoth neither knew nor cared to think about it.
Just as he had said to Cerora.