Chapter 157: Chapter 149: Giant Fortress

The migrating caravan moved like a winding giant python, slowly advancing at the border between the tundra and the wilderness.

The sun in the sky silently cast its light, but seemed to have lost its warmth. The chill in the air became increasingly apparent, and one could see visible puffs of breath when exhaling.

Galos’ Dragon Wings cut through the biting air currents. From high above, the land appeared as if it had been violently torn apart by the gods.

The dry yellow of the wilderness fiercely clashed with the pale white of the tundra here.

The southern wilds still echoed with the remnants of the rainy season. From the moist soil sprouted tender green shoots. Newly born grass buds stubbornly emerged from the cracked ground, gently swaying in the breeze. The low bushes donned new attire, with deep green leaves still adorned with sparkling water droplets, glinting under the sunlight.

However, when one gazes into the distance, looking northward, the situation changes drastically.

All signs of life abruptly cease. The permafrost, like a cruel tyrant with pale fingers, strangles vitality. The terrain is predominantly plains, with occasional hills and jagged highlands rising and falling like the spine of a giant beast. Further away, the horizon gradually blurs and merges with the gray-white sky, making it impossible to discern the land’s end from the sky’s beginning.

“This is already the border area.”

Galos withdrew his gaze from the distance, lowering his eyes to scrutinize the ground below.

The speed of the monster’s migration slowed even further, not due to difficult paths, but to search for suitable habitats along the way.

Since crossing over the Estonian River to reach the northern bank.

Although there are still occasional attacks from fierce beasts and monsters, their frequency is far less than before. The density of life in the border area is low, much lower than in the Sel Wilderness.

This also means.

This place is more barren than the Sel Wilderness and harder to find a truly suitable habitat.

Galos, along with the Iron Dragon and the Red Dragon, were circling in the sky, leisurely flapping their wings, scanning the ground below for a suitable territory.

Because they decided to develop trade relying on the Estonian River.

They did not migrate far north but followed the upstream direction, keeping a certain distance from the main river channel.

During the journey, the migrating team discovered some decent spots as well.

Galos once paused at a sulfur hill with geothermal activity. The sulfur veins underground generated heat and temperature, allowing the growth of heat-resistant, high-temperature-tolerant mutated thorn berry shrubs and mutated fir trees within hundreds of meters. There were even several hot springs producing swirling mist columns.

Samantha strongly insisted on nesting here.

However, the pungent smell of sulfur deterred many creatures, and the excessive heat was unsuitable for the border wildlife, resulting in no traces of beast herds or suitable biological resources.

Thus, they had to temporarily give up.

Nonetheless, Galos remembered the location of the Sulfur Hills, thinking that when the main force settled down, they could establish a foothold here. The underground sulfur veins weren’t very precious, but the surrounding environment was ideal for the Red Dragon’s alchemy.

“Once the Clan is settled, I want to build a furnace in the Sulfur Hills and reestablish my Alchemy Workshop.”

Samantha couldn’t let go of the Sulfur Hills.

It flew to Galos’ side, reminding him not to forget, and after a pause, added, “You can live here with me and drink the freshest extracted black oil.”

Galos shook his head and gently refused, “A comfortable environment will dull my spirit.”

The Martial Dragon profession doesn’t require intense training like a Martial Monk, but Galos felt that the cold border area kept his mind sharper, while the warmth of the Sulfur Hills made him sleepy.

After an intense battle with the Dragon Hunters.

Though victorious, the process left Galos somewhat anxious, knowing it wasn’t yet the time to indulge.

“Actually, I’d prefer to have a large territory to myself! No disturbances, so I can do whatever I want!”

The Red Dragon pouted, snorting coldly, speaking insincerely.

Normally, Red Dragons indeed preferred solitary dwelling, but over the years, this one had grown accustomed to relying on Galos and wasn’t pleased at the thought of separation.

“Look, there’s a fortress ahead.”

The Iron Dragon’s roar interrupted their conversation.

Galos and Samantha followed the Iron Dragon’s gaze.

A somewhat dilapidated fortress came into view.

Its walls were towering, the structure grand. The scale was adequate for an adult dragon to reside and could completely accommodate a young dragon’s size. With some modifications, it could be a great home.

“It looks like an abandoned castle left by the Frost Giants.”

The northern border of the Estonian River, which was originally an icefield, slowly transformed into the present-day border area as temperatures rose, and ice and snow melted over time. This fortress likely belonged to a Frost Giant Tribe from long ago.

“There may be dangers inside. Let the Followers scout it first.”

“If it’s livable, we wouldn’t need to live in cave lairs like beasts anymore.”

After a brief exchange.

A team of perceptive Jackal-Wolf Folk and elite War Lizardfolk guarded the mage as they entered the old fortress. After some exploration, they reported back, finding no magic traps or threatening creatures.

The Red Dragon and Iron Dragon joyfully prepared to fly over.

“Don’t rush.”

“It looks very dilapidated; it may not be suitable for us to reside.”

Galos’ gaze swept over the cracks and mottled marks on the high walls as he spoke.

“As long as it’s livable! It’s a fortress, after all!”

A fortress suitable for dragon residence is not something an ordinary young dragon can afford.

The Iron Dragon and Red Dragon, both excited, ignored Galos’ caution and entered the fortress.

However, in less than ten seconds, with a subtle crash, the vast fortress began to crumble, collapse, and eventually turned into a pile of rubble and dust.

Spittoe!

The two young dragons spat out the stones from their mouths, shook off the dust on their bodies, and took flight from the ruins, looking disheveled.

“Damn it, I just accidentally hit a pillar with my tail, and it started collapsing.”

Samantha shook her head, saying angrily.

This fortress, weathered for who knows how many years, had long decayed internally.

Galos squinted slightly, looking at the intact foundation beneath the ruins, saying, “This place, if tidied up later, could also serve as one of the bases.”

The migrating team resumed their journey.

In search of the next suitable territory, while also familiarizing themselves with and adapting to the surrounding environment.

And three days later.

As dusk deepened, painting the sky in shades of gray-blue, Galos saw an enormous valley embraced by two towering mountains.

Viewed from high above, the narrow, bottleneck-like mouth of the valley belied the vast openness within.

The steep and rugged mountain cliffs shield against the wind and cold. The entrance, only wide enough for five Ogres to pass side by side, was easy to defend and hard to attack. Inside, there were unfrozen lakes, with iron-needle pines growing by their banks, creatures drinking from the water, and the vast interior space resembling an oasis haven.

Seeing this, Galos’ eyes lit up.

But he didn’t act rashly, instead ordering the Red Iron Cavalry Battle Group to dispatch a team of Giant Wolf Knights to investigate.

In the Sel Wilderness, resource-rich territories were either occupied by powerful beings or inherently dangerous or unsuitable.

The resources in the border area are even more barren.

A good territory with no owners is highly improbable.

However, the valley’s expansive space, shielded by towering cliffs, limited visibility, and while Galos hadn’t directly spotted signs of powerful creatures from the air, that didn’t mean there weren’t any. Therefore, it was best to have the Followers scout first.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep