Yug, the ambitious Gnoll Commander of the Dire Wolf Warband, rode a Batwing Wyvern down from the mountains, flying toward the city rising at the foot of the Nest of Dragons.
This city, established under the supervision of the Germot, was planned to encompass the settlements and villages of all races originally living at the foot of the Nest of Dragons. No fixed boundaries were set for its area, as in the eyes of the True Dragons, a city was obviously better the larger it was.
Therefore, the current outskirts of the city were simply enclosed with wooden fences, serving as a rudimentary city wall, primarily for ease of management.
As for defensiveness, these massive wooden fences were enough to deter ordinary beasts; as for extraordinary ones, they wouldn't dare attack a city located at the heart of the Dragon Clans Territory.
Since the city included all the races living in the area, they would become the first residents of this newly built city.
Thus, even though many freemen migrating to the Dragon Clan Territory and traded slaves or serfs were diverted to Bay Stream City, overseen by the Alina, the construction speed of this city established by the White True Dragon remained much faster than that of Alina's Bay Stream City.
However, many Goblins and Kobolds disliked living in the city, feeling that its rigid regulations were a constraint. They applied to officials of the Department of Urban Construction to relocate and settle in the more distant forests.
This was a beneficial change for the development and diversity of the territory. After listening to suggestions from relevant scholars, officials from the Department of Urban Constructionapproved the migration applications of these vassals.
These migrating vassal races would be assigned to undeveloped forests to establish villages.
However, the managers—the village chiefs—had to be appointed by territorial officials from among the migrating vassal races, and they were required to report on their duties to the relevant territorial officials every cycle.
This was the gradually maturing political management system within the Dragon Territory, constantly undergoing targeted changes, improvements, and adjustments as more and more subjects joined.
This was because such was the will of the territory's supreme ruler. The True Dragon s' conveyed will was that no system or decree could be eternally applicable; they could only suit a specific cycle of existence and development.
Except for fundamental governance policies and territorial systems that should not be altered, other details of the governance regulations could be continuously modified to adapt to the territory's development.
If you're going to do it, do it best!
Therefore, these officials, promoted based on their talents and skills regardless of race or origin, all wanted to perform well and achieve outstanding results.
It is well known that the early stages of a nation's founding are the easiest time to ascend social classes. Thus, these officials, considered clever among ordinary people, were all seizing their opportunities.
Since there was no need to worry about defensive construction, the starting point for building the city was individual buildings and residences. By following the blueprints provided by human architectural scholars, the entire city could be gradually completed.
The original Goblin camps, Centaur tribal camps and villages, Kobold camps, and the Elf and human villages diverted to this area all moved into the city. These residents served as the labor force for building the city.
Vassal monsters and residents of various races pushed carts loaded with felled timber in and out of the wide city gate gaps. Kobold cubs born two years ago were now qualified laborers.
Although these new-generation Kobolds were not yet adults, influenced by the True Dragon's aura, they were on average a head taller than the previous generation, comparable to a strong human youth.
The Centaur Warriors were much more straightforward. In these Centaur tribes, even the elderly, weak, women, and children remained a warrior race. Without hesitation, they harnessed themselves with trailer ropes across their chests and bellies, pulling carts of timber and stone to the construction sites.
Ogre slaves and slaves of other races like Trolls, who had performed well during the construction of the Dragon Fortress, were also rewarded with their freedom.
Under long-term strict discipline, these Ogres and Trolls had learned to obey the territory's laws; those who hadn't had already become fertilizer in the True Dragon's orchard.
As for the War Treants, the construction of the Dragon Fortress was largely complete, and their help was no longer needed for the remaining detailed repairs. Thus, after a brief rest, these Treants were put back to work on the city's construction.
Elf Druids stood atop the canopies of the War Treants, directing their activities.
Although Treants could learn the Common Tongue, some were not quite bright enough and had yet to communicate fluently with other residents.
The Tree of Life, originally protected by the Elves, would become a special landmark in the future massive city. Notably, every city within the Dragon Clan Territory was planted with a Tree of Life.
This was the True Dragon s' way of using the benefits of the Tree of Life to nurture the territory's residents. Over time, each generation of residents would be more outstanding than the last.
The Treants worked so tirelessly not only because of the True Dragon's power but also because they had been promised a choice. They could freely choose where to settle within the Dragon Clan Territory and receive the True Dragon's protection.
So, if residents noticed that the green areas next to the Tree of Life in the city had many fewer trees during the day, leaving only deep pits, they wouldn't be surprised, as these trees had to work during the day.
Many Treants sensed the birth of the World Tree and applied to the Imperial Guard to settle around the Dragon Fortress, but they were refused.
However, the Treants were given another option: they could serve as ornamental greenery along the Path of the High Mountain, though they were not allowed to reach the summit.
Even so, nearly half of the Treants chose this option. Being in close proximity to the aura of the World Tree was very beneficial for these magical plant-like beings, so they didn't mind existing as mere decorations.
As for the Elves who originally guarded the Tree of Life, they were dispersed and integrated into various cities and settlements. The Tree of Life was no longer the exclusive treasure of the Elves but the property of the territory.
The True Dragon s, these long-lived rulers, would also stand atop the mountain peaks, watching their territory gradually grow stronger. The time spent was perhaps no more than a short nap for the True Dragon.
Having calmed his emotions, Yug urged his wyvern to stop before the tall wooden fence and handed it over to the Kobold Guards who were maintaining order at the city gate gap.
Because within the cities of the Dragon Lord's territory, flying over was forbidden without permission. Even someone as privileged and powerful as the Gnoll Yug was no exception; only the True Dragon could fly over any part of the territory at will.
Yug walked through the crowded and noisy throng. This ever-changing city covered a vast area. Although it hadn't been officially named yet, it already had a name in the mouths of most subjects—Kings Capital.
In Kings Capital, in an area away from the center of what was destined to be the largest city in the Dragon Clan Territory, near the Nest of Dragons, clusters of tall buildings already stood, more complete and elaborate than those in the city center.
Yug's goal was the architectural complex in this area.
The entire vast architectural complex belonged to the Department of Magical Integration. Each building represented a sub-department under its jurisdiction, making it a key site in the Dragon Clan Territory.
Thus, the periphery of this complex was heavily guarded. High walls separated the complex from other buildings within the city, and two hundred Kobold Guards, armed with short crossbows and poisoned arrows, stood watch at every exit and corner of the walls.
A small squad of Imperial Guard also stood watch here, these warriors in full-body, enclosed heavy iron armor standing silently in place.
Each of these warriors, capable of performing flourishes with a heavy sword, rested their thick broadswords—considered light weapons for daily use—on the ground, hands gripping the hilts as they scanned every creature attempting to approach.
The officer in charge of the station was an Imperial Guard Centurion, a Mixed-color DragonbornTroll Warlord.
Even as a Commander and warband leader, the Gnoll Yug had to show respect to this Mixed-color Dragonborn, Troll Warlord, and Imperial Guard Centurion.
Not only because the other was an officer of the Imperial Guard, naturally holding a higher status than other Warband Commanders, but also because an Imperial Guard Centurion was vaguely on par with the Gnoll Yug.
But also because every Dragonborn brought from the arena by the True Dragon s was a formidable warrior. This Troll Warlord had shattered at least eight War Treants with his Heavy Blade on the battlefield of the Green Field Forest, making him a figure recognized by the territory's supreme ruler, Kalon.
Moreover, although all races in the Dragon Clan Territory were mixed and separated, the Dragonborn Troll Warlord had actually transcended the limitations of the Troll race to become a new Dragonborn race.
Yet his immense strength and powerful position still earned him the support of many Trolls within the territory, gathering significant power around him.
"Zuga, I didn't expect you to be the one guarding this place. It seems this area is quite important," Yug greeted him. These exceptionally brave warriors were acquainted with each other and had even shared a celebratory drink together after the war in the Green Field Forest plane ended.
"Stop right there, Yug. This place is off-limits. Even you cannot come within three steps without permission, or I will have no choice but to kill you!"
The voice of the Mixed-blood Dragonkin Troll Warlord was muffled and deep. This Imperial Guard Centurion wore custom-made heavy armor, and the blood-red cloak behind him looked just like the scales of a Red Dragon. His towering physique and heavy weaponry gave off an intense sense of pressure.
"We're old acquaintances who have shared drinks, yet you're being so strict," the Gnoll Yug said, somewhat speechless. He still remembered the scene of them drinking and carousing together at the victory banquet; the Troll Warlord was certainly not like this in private.
"I have a token bestowed by the King," Yug said without hesitation, handing the token over to him.
"The King's will is not to be transgressed, Yug. I'll find you for a drink another day and bring along a couple of Troll girls." The mixed-blood Dragonkin checked the token and nodded to the warriors behind him, signaling that everything was in order.
"Forget it, I'm not interested in Trolls, but drinking is fine, I'd welcome that," Yug said as he took back the token, hiding it in his chest before adding, "By the way, Zuga, how do I get to the Alchemy Section? I'm afraid the inside is just like the outside, and if I take a wrong turn, I'll lose my life."
"Heh, first door on the right," the Dragonkin Troll's low laughter echoed inside his thick faceplate. He chuckled, "There's no danger inside, just a group of mages who love research and some eccentric scholars!"
How long does it take to cultivate a top-tier scholar or research mage?
It is not much different from cultivating a top-tier scientist; it takes at least twenty years as a starting point.
By the time they have learned almost all existing knowledge, if they haven't created a new school of thought or broken through original shackles, they begin to be limited by their mind and body as they enter the decline of middle age.
The longer a world's civilization develops, the more knowledge there is to learn. However, the peak periods and lifespans of most people, including mages, do not increase. They are unable to achieve the brilliant successes they should because of the limitations of their lifespan and physical state.
Even though their minds still hold countless treasures of knowledge waiting to be unlocked, they are extinguished by a short lifespan. Thus, the civilizations of most worlds can only wait through long stretches of time for those geniuses who shine like meteors to achieve breakthroughs in a very short period.
Therefore, Kalon instructed Dos to have the Blue Dragon initiate a plan—the Kings of Knowledge.
Every talent who reached the pinnacle in any field of knowledge would be listed as a candidate by the Dragon Clans Territory. As long as they were willing to swear fealty to the True Dragons, the True Dragons would extend their lives and allow them to return to their peak.
The ancient Magic Empire had its Magic Kings, and Kalon's future empire would have its Kings of Knowledge.
Of course, although the fruit of the Tree of Life could achieve this effect, the Tree of Life's annual output was limited, and these treasures were also useful to the True Dragon s, making the plan originally difficult to implement.
The fundamental reason this plan could be realized lay with Tichi, the Magical Alchemist Kalonhad caught a glimpse of and then purchased from the Orc slaves.
The Magical Alchemist Tichi was only a low-level mage, but he had lived for two hundred years.
From head to toe, except for his own skeleton, skin, and head, almost all of his internal organs had been replaced by himself. This was why, despite looking like an old man in his sixties or seventies, the vitality inside his body was more vigorous than that of an eighteen-year-old youth.
However, because his internal organs came from different species, the long-term conflicts tortured this alchemy-modification madman to the point of wishing he were dead. His power as a low-level mage was also exhausted in maintaining the balance between these conflicting organs.
Consequently, this alchemy-modification madman turned his research in another direction: bloodline modification adaptation and ultimate bloodline evolution.
To this end, he secretly hunted many intelligent races to extract their bloodlines, and even fled to the island continent of the Orc Kingdom to trap the descendants of ancient Orcs and extract their bloodlines for research.
For humans, Orc bloodlines were actually more compatible, and Tichi quickly identified his target. Of course, the main reason was that Tichi's strength meant only Orcs were a viable choice for him; this required a large number of research samples, and other intelligent races were quite xenophobic, making them too difficult for him to handle.
Although he achieved some results, he was captured because he recruited a female Orc to test his newly replaced 'big bird' but failed to provide sufficient payment.
Kalon didn't know whether to laugh or cry when he learned the reason. One could only say that talented people might all have their own peculiar hobbies. Compared to some truly twisted fetishes, this alchemy-modification madman's hobby wasn't much.
After Kalon studied the results of this alchemy-modification madman, he finally finalized the plan.
Tichi would also use his research results to prove that the Dragon Blood Potions he created would gradually allow modified individuals to adapt to this power, increasing their endurance and granting some diluted enhancements, including strength and longevity.
If necessary, Kalon could also bestow dragon blood upon loyal warriors in the future, and the success rate would be greatly increased. It would no longer require extreme willpower and luck as it did before.
Thus, after Tichi swore fealty to the True Dragon and signed a contract of eternal loyalty, he received the first Life Fruit from Kalon. This healed the modification madman's body, mending the traumatic conflicts between his internal organs and restoring his youth.
The Gnoll Yug had no idea what kind of modification madman he was about to face. But when he was led into the laboratory by an apprentice as an assistant assigned by the Dragon clan, he couldn't help but feel a chill run down his spine.
The rejuvenated Tichi was buried behind complex magical instruments, concentrating on his work. However, Yug's gaze was not on him, but on the countless, swollen reproductive organs of various kinds soaking in laboratory chemicals.
Even though Yug was powerful enough to have once dared to challenge a Young Red Dragon, he couldn't help but feel a cold wind whistling between his legs.
The powerful warrior Yug looked somewhat helplessly at the apprentice who had quietly closed the door and left. He cleared his throat and greeted the scholar, who looked so serious about his research, with a bit of a stutter: "Is it... Master Tichi? I have come by order of my King. He has promised what you are to do!"
"Ho, the generous Dragon Lord finally remembered his loyal and impatient subordinate," the young Tichi looked up excitedly. A pair of crystal glasses rested on the bridge of his nose, flashing with a cold light that seemed particularly chilling to Yug.
"That's great news, Gnoll. You've brought me good luck. I've decided to grant you one request. I've heard that you Gnolls' dicks aren't very big. How about it? Do you want me to swap yours for a new one?"
Tichi's inquisitive gaze seemed even more invasive to Yug than a True Dragon's gaze, scanning Yug's entire body—especially his crotch—making him feel chilled to the bone.
"Let me tell you, I've tried dozens of types of dicks, and I've found that donkeys and horses have the best ones. Although they're just ordinary beasts, their structure is particularly wonderful."
Tichi rubbed his hands excitedly and then warmly grabbed Yug, whose legs were feeling a bit weak, laughing, "Let's do it now. That red beast won't be able to run away anyway. We'll finish your surgery first, and then it will still be in time for us to go."
The alchemy-modification madman prattled on, "In my opinion, that Young Red Dragon simply doesn't deserve to be of the same race as the noble King, Lord Kalon. He's like a simple beast that just happens to have a bit of intelligence."
"Last time, I just wanted to take a look at the structure of a True Dragon's dick, and he tried to eat me. Damn it, why can't he be as polite as Lord Kalon!"
Cold sweat poured down the Gnoll Yug's face. He felt that his coming here might have been a wrong choice, and he was very worried that the Young Red Dragon might kill him along with Tichi.
"Oh, you don't need to worry. I received permission from Lord Kalon to specifically research a potion for True Dragons. Once injected, even a Young Red Dragon's limbs will go soft, allowing me to touch it as I please—oh no, I mean, extract blood."
Tichi saw Yug's concern and continued to ramble, "The premise is that it has to be injected. That depends on you. Confuse him first, and then give him a sudden jab. Tsk tsk, what a wonderful idea."
Yug no longer wanted to stay in this laboratory because Tichi's hands were starting to get restless. He hurriedly ran out of the lab, shouting, "Forget it, Master Tichi... Master Tichi, let's complete the King's commission first!"
Tichi gave a mischievous laugh, hauled a large box out from the back, and chased after him with it on his shoulder.
A long while later, from within the mountain canyons, the soul-stirring cries of a True Dragon suddenly rang out.
"I want to see Kalon! I, Kadilos, am also a True Dragon! I, Kadilos, am also a Red Dragon! I, Kadilos, can also be loyal!"