The Golden Land, Harvest Plains.
This grassland boasts numerous salt lakes and open-pit mines within the Dragon Clans Territory, and the adjacent pastures contain the largest beast pastures in the entire territory.
This land is rich in resources, with lush water and grass, and is referred to by the herders within the territory as the Blessed Land of Harvest, hence its name, Harvest Plains.
In this extremely important location, the Empire stationed a large number of armed forces, but the former Kobold Guards legion has been replaced by Orcs.
The former Orc Alliance, the Atonement Legion gathered and surrendered by the Dragon clans warriors, had already earned their freedom with a great deal of blood and life in the past war. After the war, only more than 8,000 warriors remained from the more than 20,000 Orc Atonement Army.
These more than 8,000 Orc warriors were granted the promised freedom by the Dragon Lords, but after returning to their tribes on the grasslands, these Orc warriors brought their family members back into the True Dragon Group's territory.
They brought the remaining old, weak, women, and children, and re-swore allegiance to the Dragon clan, thus being incorporated into a legitimate legion, stationed and deployed on the grasslands, guarding the Dragon clan's important resource areas and controlling other movements on the grasslands.
Tents were arranged in rows in the strict military camp, and many Orcs in iron armor patrolled around. In the vast training ground within the military camp, many elite Orc warriors, shirtless and bare-backed, were sparring with each other.
Gular, who was granted the position of Orc Legion Battle Commander, was a burly Orc, whose inverted tusks looked particularly fierce, and whose robust body was covered with scars, displaying the glorious achievements of this warrior.
But a pair of calm eyes showed that this Orc did not control the entire Orc battle group solely by his powerful martial prowess.
In fact, it was this fellow who initially led the Orc warriors who returned to the grasslands to reassemble and then chose to return under the True Dragon Group's banner.
However, although the Golden Land gradually integrated under the rule of the True Dragon, these Orcs were still subject to some exclusion, making it difficult for them to truly integrate into the concept of the Golden People in a short period.
Orc Battle Commander Gular was well aware of this, so he proactively applied for a change of station, stationing the battle group on the grasslands.
In his heart, he felt that as time passed, the impact of the Orc Kingdom's invasion would also fade, and that would be the time for them, the Orcs, to take the initiative.
In the distant sky, a black dot rapidly flew towards the military camp where the Orcs were stationed. The exceptionally strong Gular could tell at a glance that it was not the eagles and vultures circling around, released by the spellcasters; it was a Batwing Wyvern.
Although in the mountains where the Dragon clan resided, the number of Batwing Wyverns had multiplied to nearly a thousand over the years, besides the warriors of the Wyvern Battle Group, only those with important positions throughout the territory could subdue a Wyvern as a mount.
Logically, as the Battle Commander of the Orc Legion, Gular also barely had this qualification, but Gular did not choose to subdue a Wyvern. Orcs, being new arrivals, should choose to keep a low profile.
Gular strode towards his large tent, then stopped in front of it, waiting silently.
Indeed, on the Wyvern's back was the magical power armor that all warriors in the territory envied. No, if according to the Scholars, what the Imperial Guard wore was more accurately called magical power armor.
The armor, forged from the hardest mountain steel in the Ekania World mixed with magic metal, looked exceptionally thick and sturdy, yet its total weight was only six hundred catties.
The overall magical power armor was almost completely enclosed, but its various structures were flexible enough to be freely assembled and disassembled.
The armor, dyed dark red, not only received sufficient power from a magical power core, but during combat, Imperial Guard could freely choose when to activate a magic shield based on their will, and it would also provide stronger strength amplification to the Imperial Guard.
The Red Dragon's Eye emblem on the chest of this tall armor, the loyalty of the Imperial Guardwas unquestioned, and the glory of the Sanctuary would also fall upon these warriors when they needed it.
And this Imperial Guard wore a Dragon -faced, horned helmet resembling a True Dragon's skull, with eyes in the Dragon -faced helmet carved from magic crystals, which could not only amplify the Imperial Guard's perception and vision.
When necessary, the core of the magical power armor could also inject magic power into these crystals through the runic channels inside the armor, activating the magic runes inscribed on the crystals, so that these Imperial Guard would not be obscured by ordinary darkness and mist, nor would their vision be interfered with by low-level spells.
There were also wrist cannons equipped near the elbow of the magical power armor's armguard, which could also be actively triggered by the Imperial Guard, instantly injecting a large amount of magic power to emit extremely dangerous and deadly magic energy cannons.
These luxurious provisions made Gular, the Battle Commander, drool over the Imperial Guard's equipment. These strongest Imperial Guard were always the first to be equipped with new products developed by the Scholars in the territory.
And the armor currently worn by the Orc warriors was the discarded product of the Imperial Guard from the past, and only the intact ones remaining after selection by the various legions could be given to these stepchild-like Orc warriors.
The Batwing Wyvern's massive body landed lightly on the ground, making only a faint stepping sound, which demonstrated the Batwing Wyvern's excellent body control.
But when this Imperial Guard jumped off the Wyvern's back, there was a thud.
This did not indicate how poor the Imperial Guard's quality was, but rather that among these Imperial Guard's ranks, a trend of competition had recently become popular.
These formidable warriors liked to simply bear the heavy magical power armor with their bare bodies to train their physical strength and quality.
Only during combat training would these Imperial Guard activate the magical power core.
But if you find an Imperial Guard suddenly activating their magical power armor anywhere in the territory other than in the mountains, remember not to ask them why or if they have discovered any danger.
And do not mock them for it, because these Imperial Guard will truly catch up to you and give you a severe beating.
"Commander Gular," the Imperial Guard nodded, and the energy armor emitted a mechanical turning sound, "My name is Gilinis, and I am here to inform you of something important."
Gular saw that the Imperial Guard did not reveal his true face and did not mind. These Imperial Guard were Dragon Emperor Karon Kogmora's most trusted pawns.
The bare-handed combat ability of every Imperial Guard, before joining the Imperial Guard, could at least rival Gular.
And Gular heard that these Imperial Guard, even after passing the test of loyalty, could not immediately join the ranks of the Imperial Guard.
They also needed to undergo various arduous trainings, injections of various potions for enhancement, and learning of various abilities before they could become a new recruit in the Imperial Guard.
Therefore, these Imperial Guard, even if they were just ordinary Imperial Guard, could not be regarded as ordinary beings.
It was rumored that some Imperial Guard not only injected dragon blood potions, but even demons from the abyss and devils from hell were made into bloodline potions and used as enhancements by these Imperial Guard with astonishing willpower.
So Gular nodded, saluted with a fist to his chest, and smiled: "I wonder what order you have brought from the Emperor, and whether I need to gather the soldiers of the battle group."
The Imperial Guard shook his head. The warrior in full magical power armor stood before the Orc Battle Commander Gular, who was two meters two tall, like a strong father looking down at his young child.
Whenever the Imperial Guard moved a little more, the heavy magical power armor would spontaneously adapt to the warrior's movements, emitting subtle adjustment sounds, which made Gular particularly envious.
"Not for now. After I inform you, I still need to rush to the First Legion's station," the Imperial Guard's voice came from within the mighty Dragon -faced helmet.
He said: "By the Emperor's decree, the Orc Legion is to select two hundred warriors, two hundred warriors with the strongest willpower, the strongest bodies, and the smartest minds. They will undergo tempering and trials, but this also comes with some risks."
Orc Battle Commander Gular knew that the lighthearted risks spoken of by the Imperial Guardmight be deadly dangers, but he still nodded without hesitation.
"Then, do I, Gular, Orc Battle Commander, also have the qualification to participate in this trial?" A look of anticipation appeared in Gular's calm eyes. He had his own guess.
"You certainly have this qualification, but," the Imperial Guard hesitated for a moment, but still reminded the Orc, whom he found somewhat pleasing to the eye, "The Emperor has recently allowed the Dragon Lords to establish their respective True Dragon -affiliated legions. I suggest you still seek a more noble and potentially more powerful strength."
"Then, what about the Emperor?" Orc Gular suddenly asked. This Orc's calm eyes flashed with brilliance, his ambition revealed without a doubt at this moment.
But this was not an offense to the Dragon Emperor. Almost everyone in the territory yearned for the Emperor's favor and grace, and also yearned for the Dragon Emperor to bestow ultimate strength and potential.
The Imperial Guard suddenly laughed. His muffled voice rang out, "Haha, every mortal longs for the favor of a god. The Emperor's glory, even we Imperial Guard, yearn to possess."
"But I admire your ambition, Orc Commander, Gular," the Imperial Guard reached out and patted this powerful Orc who was almost stepping over the threshold of the Saint rank, actually causing Orc Gular to take two steps back.
"Since you are on the grasslands, you certainly won't get the news quickly, so I'll tell you,"
"The Emperor has already declared to the entire territory, the entire Northern Realm, and even the entire world, that anyone who can achieve a thousand undefeated victories in the 'Proof of Glory' arena in the Kings Capital will be granted an audience with the Emperor, and the Emperorwill fulfill one of their requests."
"Even the Emperor's divine blood, the Emperor will grant it to the opponent."
The Imperial Guard laughed: "Recently, trials have been held in every legion to select the strongest warriors to meet this supreme glory. Only by defeating all the warriors in the legion can one step into the arena to face the final challenge."
"Only then can one achieve that supreme glory, the Emperor's Champion."
At this moment, even knowing that there were countless unconquerable opponents ahead, Gularstill couldn't help but feel his blood boil. There was no warrior who wasn't eager for battle, and no hero who didn't anticipate glory.
Moreover, such a grand event was destined to stir up the entire Golden Land, the entire Northern Realm, and even the entire world, because achieving the champion's crown was certainly not something that could be decided in a short time.
As the momentum built, countless individuals who yearned for Red Dragon's blood but dared not act through other means would also come flocking. Perhaps, this would be a grand gladiatorial event affecting countless people and even the entire world.
Watching the Imperial Guard ride on the Wyvern and gradually depart, Orc Gular strode towards the training ground, having the Orc herald beat the drums to gather the crowd.
...
West of the Golden Land, before the Bloodclaw Hills.
After most of the Golden Empire's populace migrated westward, developing most of the western regions, and then in subsequent talks, established friendly cooperative relations with the Vampirenations of the Western Continent, the Forest Kingdom.
Therefore, the territory has shifted its focus of expansion to the western regions, partly to open up land to provide ample space for future population growth, and incidentally to expand the influence of the Dragon clans Empire.
At the True Dragon's council, it had already been decided to gradually incorporate the entire Northern Realm into the scope of governance, because according to the Scholars' statistical surveys, during the upcoming rapid development phase, the Dragon Clan Territory's population would expand again, sufficient to achieve light-density control over most areas.
The other aspect was to open up the passage between the western forests and the Western Continent, and then establish a seaport on the western coast for trade and exchange with the Western Continent.
And Bloodclaw Hills, named after the Lizardman 'Bloodclaw Tribe' that dwelled there.
The population of the Bloodclaw Tribe's Lizardman was approximately eight thousand, most of whom were strong warriors, and a small portion were women, children, and elderly Lizardman, who were cruelly sacrificed to the 'Demon God' that ruled this Bloodclaw Tribe—a powerful serpentine variant.
In the past, the cave where this powerful serpentine variant resided was exceptionally quiet, with no creatures daring to approach this dangerous place. Even the Bloodclaw Tribe, who worshipped this Demon God, dared not easily set foot here without permission.
But now, this tranquility was broken by countless shouts. Lights shone in the pupils of the Kobold Warlock, who raised their hands and unleashed the burning dragon blood from their bodies, and the scorching fury engulfed the deformed Lizardman one by one.
The Kobold Warlock, meanwhile, flapped a pair of fleshy wings and soared into the sky.
The wind of curses stirred the glowing long hair of the Elf. The Elf spread his hands, his head tilted slightly back, and magic power surged through his body, erupting as a powerful spray of lightning.
The Goblin hiding behind a rock raised his hand and shot an ice shard, accurately hitting the charging Lizardman, then quickly retreated behind the rock, revealing a triumphant smile.
These diverse Warlock legions wielded innate magic. This magic came from supernatural bloodlines, and also from various mystical influences.
For example, the touch of a demon, the blessing of a dryad, the mysterious magic spring they drank from, or the grace of the God of Magic and the influence of elemental power and chaotic magic, all could be opportunities to gain magical power.
But in the Dragon clan's territory, there were only a few choices, and that was the influence of the True Dragons.
Troll Zuga stood on the hill, and beside him stood the chief of the Bloodclaw Tribe, the mighty Lizardman Ralei.
"It seems that monster has been affected by the drug and is now in a deep slumber, Ralei, you did very well. Your tribe will exist because of you, and it will be glorious because of you."
Zuga's tall stature, sharp and thick tusks, and body like cast iron looked exceptionally terrifying, but the Lizardman Ralei beside him did not lose in imposing presence.
"I just made the choice I had to. This damned serpentine variant, it also has a powerful treasure. If it weren't for this treasure, I would personally wring its neck."
Lizardman Ralei said coldly.
"Hehe, let others test the power of this serpentine variant's treasure for us." Zuga revealed a sinister smile, looking at the spellcaster legion surrounded by many warriors.
"...Sacrifice to you with the blood and souls of living beings,"
"Each year, countless souls and flesh are offered to you,"
"To implore the descent of your mighty power,"
"Great Demon Lord—Bartos!"