Chapter 200: Chapter 189: The Beginning of Dragon Sleep

“The current Molten Iron Clan is like a beggar holding a golden bowl.”

Galos thought silently to himself.

Selling raw minerals in exchange for processed goods, the loss of value in between is immeasurable, but given the current state of the Molten Iron Clan, this is the only way to trade.

This is also the situation in areas like the Sel Wilderness, Border Area, and the Eternal Frost Tundra.

The alchemy industry is backward, forced to endure layers of exploitation, selling domestic resources at low prices to obtain expensive processed goods, while countries with developed alchemy industries can amass a wealth of basic resources through trade.

The nobles of the Lothern Federation like to call the Wilderness Clan beasts or barbarians.

This mentality is the disdain of developed areas towards backward regions.

“The current situation is difficult to change, so we can only hope for future development.”

After staying some more time at Sulfur Hills, Galos explained to Red Dragon Samantha the importance of the alchemical industry. Without developing a strong alchemical industry, their wealth would be depleted daily.

Just the thought of wealth slipping away every day.

The Red Dragon gritted her teeth, wishing she could double the hours in a day, investing all available time into the development of the alchemical industry.

This greatly motivated her.

Without incentives, a Dragon would surely slack off.

After leaving Sulfur Hills, Galos did not return directly to Dragon Valley.

He spends almost all of his time on training and evolution, but today he wanted to relax a bit, so he decided to inspect his territory.

After Sulfur Valley.

Galos passed by the Giant Ruins.

This place is still in ruins, but some of the previously decayed and cracked foundations have been replaced with new stone slabs.

The geographical location of the Giant Ruins is quite good. Iron Dragon Solrog intended to rely on the relatively intact foundations to renovate and rebuild a fortress suitable for giant beings to inhabit.

At the beginning.

He brought a group of followers to quarry stones and polish them for construction, but not long after starting, they discovered the stone mines were too small, ran out of sources, and the fortress construction halted.

Later.

The Iron Dragon personally searched but failed to find good stone mines, inadvertently discovering Gray Magnetic Iron Ore, leading to subsequent events. Afterward, Iron Dragon Solrog went into slumber, and the Giant Fortress remains in a suspended state.

“Let Solrog oversee when he awakens.”

Galos merely glanced over briefly.

Overseeing and urging followers to build the fortress should not be handled by him, the king of the Molten Iron Clan.

Soon after, Galos arrived at the Heavy Armor Rhino Ranch, seeing Ogres taming the armored rhinos.

Amidst the watchful eyes of many companions, an elite Ogre Warrior spat out a chewed bone, moving like a meat mountain towards the center of the pen.

An armored rhino clad in bone armor was agitatedly pawing the ground, with hooves the size of bowls kicking up dust with every step.

Its size was not much larger than the Ogre, still not fully grown, an ideal age for taming.

“Come on, beast!”

The Ogre stamped its feet into the ground, half of the calf sinking into the soil. Such an action was a provocation to the armored rhino, similar to how they threatened enemies by pawing the ground.

The armored rhino was enraged, lowering its head, charging at the Ogre’s abdomen with sturdy, sharp horns.

The Ogre roared, grabbing the base of the rhino’s horns with hands like fans, engaging in a brute strength contest.

With a bestial yell, the Ogre’s muscles bulged, with veins writhing like worms beneath the skin.

The armored rhino’s front legs began to tremble, its thick neck being slowly bent. The observing Ogres frantically beat their weapons, shaking the ground with their stomps.

Finally.

A few minutes later, the armored rhino was thrown down by the Ogre.

When the fierce beast got back on its feet, its gaze towards the Ogre carried a trace of fear.

The Ogre did not pursue the advantage but instead pulled out a salt block from its waist, squatting on the ground while gesturing for the armored rhino to come closer.

When the armored rhino finally bowed its head, licking the salt from the Ogre’s hand, the other observing Ogres cheered, celebrating the successful taming of the armored rhino.

It has been more than a year since the war with the Bloodhoof Clan.

Since taking over the Heavy Armor Rhino Ranch, the Hammer of Shattered Stars Warband has quickly added a new troop type—Heavy Knights, with their numbers steadily increasing over the past year.

Unlike the light cavalry of the Red Iron Riders, they lacked mobility, fully adopting the role of heavy cavalry.

As the heavy cavalry vanguard of the Hammer of Shattered Stars, when the knights and their beast mounts are fully armored, charging at the front in combat, they can tear apart and crush enemy lines like a beast.

“The tamed armored rhinos can serve as mounts, while the untamed ones are excellent sources of meat. However, their breeding and growth are not simple, and the ranch also requires more formal management.”

Galos did not descend, merely observing from above in the thick clouds.

The utilization of ranches like the armored rhino ranch by the Molten Iron Clan is currently very inefficient, and Galos felt there was significant room for development.

For example.

Selecting the strongest and most excellent individuals among the armored rhinos as stud rhinos.

Implementing artificial intervention to optimize breeding through generations, or capturing other rhinoceros-like beasts and magical creatures for hybrid breeding.

Also formulating ’milk powder’, discovering the optimal ratio of fodder and blood meals, shortening the growth cycle of young rhinos, and so forth.

Moreover, the eliminated individuals can do more than just serve as food.

Their horns, bones, iron armor, and even dung can be collected separately, each with its uses.

For ranch management like this, Galos has a rough idea, but implementing it specifically was troublesome, and he had no time to handle it, intending to delegate it to a clever, smart servant leader in the future.

Galos left the Heavy Armor Rhino Ranch, continuing to soar and inspect from the sky.

His wings flapped, and his shadow swept over various bases on the ground until nightfall when he returned to Dragon Valley.

Through this careful inspection.

Galos realized: the current scale of the Molten Iron Clan, although not small, are still in the nascent stage in many places, quite immature, with significant growth potential.

“I seem to still be in the initial accumulation stage.”

Galos glanced at the twin moons shining with soft light, thinking to himself.

The Red Iron Dragon did not feel anxious, his mindset remained calm, though at this time, a strong sense of drowsiness suddenly washed over him, like waves, making his eyelids increasingly heavy.

He was not surprised by the onset of sleepiness.

The youthful slumber of the Dragon Sleep Stage was approaching.

He had given orders in advance, that during this period, the Molten Iron Clan would retract their claws, quietly develop, and not reveal their edge until he wakes.

Afterward.

Galos called upon the Red Silver Dragon.

“Are you going to Dragon Sleep?”

Looking at the drowsy Red Iron Dragon, Deborah asked.

Galos nodded and said to the Red Silver Dragon: “Deborah, you are the only Metal Dragon in Dragon Valley, but compared to other Evil Dragons—”

Suddenly pressing a forepaw on the Red Silver Dragon’s shoulder armor, he said: “—I trust you more.”

“You are a reliable companion. I will rely on you completely for protection during my Dragon Sleep, ensuring no creatures come near or disturb me.”

His expression was serious and solemn.

The Red Silver Dragon felt appreciated for the first time.

She was initially stunned, then nodded vigorously, clenching her Dragon Claw: “Rest assured, I guarantee you will be safe through the Dragon Sleep Stage.”

Galos repeated similar words, modifying them based on each dragon’s personality, informing them one by one.

After advising the various servant leaders on precautions.

Galos headed deep into Dragon Valley.

Behind the Iron Dragon Solrog’s sleeping area, a newly excavated cave was present.

Galos entered, coiled his body with his wings wrapped around important areas like curtains, consciousness gradually fading.

“I don’t know how long this Dragon Sleep will last, but it will at least transition me to a juvenile dragon. I hope there won’t be many changes during this period,” he thought.

The childhood Dragon Sleep generally lasts three to five years, his having lasted six.

The youthful Dragon Sleep longer, approximately five to eight years.

Galos estimated his Dragon Sleep duration would most likely exceed eight years.

This duration is not considered long in a dragon’s time perception, but in the outside world, it can bring about numerous changes, introducing variables and surprises.

It’s something Galos dislikes but cannot control.

“Fortune, favor me once,”

Overwhelmed with drowsiness, Galos thought fuzzily, gradually falling asleep.

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