Chapter 96: Chapter 96: The Dragon at Dusk, the Road to Immortality

Galos’ Dragon Wings whipped up a fierce wind, roaring in, as the clouds above Crescent Valley churned like boiling water.

As his shadow swept past the bonfire in the valley, the entire wolf pack erupted as if ignited oil.

“Dragon Lord! The Dragon Lord has returned!”

An old Werewolf with half an ear missing suddenly stood upright, his forepaws beating his chest with drum-like thuds.

This sound seemed to open a floodgate, and more and more Werewolves rushed out, some still clutching bones they hadn’t finished gnawing, some not even having the time to take off their claw guards used during sleep.

The Werewolf cubs that had been dozing in their dens were startled awake.

They didn’t understand why their elders all rushed out, howling at the sky with near whimpering sounds, and driven by curiosity, they followed suit.

Amid the howls of the wolves, Galos folded his wings and landed in the middle of an open space in the New Moon Clan.

He noticed several adolescent wolf cubs crowded at the front, their eyes wide open.

These little ones obviously had never seen him before, desperately tiptoeing to get a clear view of the legendary Dragon Lord’s appearance. One particularly bold one even tried to climb onto the roof, but was slapped back into the den by a Female Werewolf.

“Six years and four months!”

Russell’s voice rang out.

The Chieftain’s mane had turned somewhat gray, but his stride remained agile as he ran through the pack, being the first to appear before Galos, kneeling on the ground and saying, “I knew you would return, the Howling Moon Clan awaits your return.”

Meanwhile, the Elder Shaman, supported by Frost Fang, emerged from the stone house, walking over with faltering steps.

Galos gazed at the old Werewolf, whose fur was almost entirely gray, with only a few teeth remaining, momentarily stunned.

He remembered the first time he met the Elder Shaman; the Werewolf was old but steady in pace with a vigorous spirit, now a frail figure who might cease to breathe at any moment.

The past six years.

For the Dragon Race, it’s merely a fleeting moment, a single slumber.

Yet for a species with a lifespan of only fifty or sixty years, it’s already a long passage of time.

“You have grown stronger.”

The Elder Shaman respectfully said, “Someday, your Dragon Wings will cover the entire Sel Wilderness, becoming an unparalleled Giant Dragon.”

He broke free from Frost Fang’s support, his body quivering, movements slow, attempting to kneel to express his loyalty.

Galos lowered his gaze to the Elder Shaman, his massive Dragon Wings flexibly extended, supporting his body.

“There’s no need to kneel.”

He bluntly remarked, “You seem to be dying.”

“Thank you for your grace.” The Elder Shaman squinted his eyes and said, “The life of a Werewolf is brief, please understand.”

Pausing for a moment, he continued, “I cannot continue to serve you, but I have chosen a suitable successor, who is wise and will replace me to serve you with Shaman knowledge, and the Howling Moon Clan will follow you for generations.”

With the lifespan of the Dragon Race, unless they perish prematurely, or the Howling Moon Clan isn’t wiped out midway, they’ll continue to follow.

Under Galos’ Dragon Wings, they will renew many generations of clan members.

The young Shaman, female Werewolf Frost Fang, showed no fear on her face, but rather an abundance of curiosity and reverence towards the Giant Dragon.

She knelt in place of the elder.

Pressing her forehead deeply against Galos’ Dragon Claw, she expressed her loyalty and reverence.

“By the Ancestral Spirit, the Howling Moon Clan vows to be the claws and fangs beneath the Dragon Wings for generations, your enemies will be torn apart by us, your territory guarded until the last cub ceases to breathe.”

Galos gently nodded, “I accept your loyalty, rise.”

Frost Fang stood, carefully assisting the Elder Shaman again.

Seeing the Elder Shaman in this state, the thought suddenly came to Galos’ mind, even though the Dragon Race has longevity, it is not immortal; someday, they too reach the end of their lifespan.

Only by becoming powerful over millennia.

Lifespan transcends into immortal life to escape the shackle of death.

And this is one of Galos’ goals.

He doesn’t wish someday to become like the Elder Shaman.

Due to the unique physique of the Dragon Race, aging doesn’t make them weaker; but once they reach a particular age, they inevitably enter a state of ’twilight’.

Much like during a Dragon Sleep, dragons feel especially weary.

The twilight Giant Dragon also feels weariness from the soul, longing for nothing but slumber, and in such a state, if they truly fall asleep, they shall never wake again.

Eternal sleep is the natural death for a Dragon.

It’s worth mentioning, if an Ancient Dragon can resist the effects of the twilight phase, wage a ’battle’ against oneself, they continue to live until progressing further becoming an Ancient Dragon, transcending twilight period, evolving into immortal life, embarking on an immortal journey, shedding the limits of lifespan.

Every Ancient Dragon marks the pinnacle of the world.

Below the Divine Spirit, no creature is stronger than an Ancient Dragon.

Every Dragon aims to become an Ancient Dragon as the ultimate goal.

As for equaling the Dragon God……. it’s too distant a goal; no dragon, however arrogant, would set such an unreachable target.

Galos repressed his emotions, his gaze scanned the Werewolf pack.

Frost Fang’s oath resonated in the air, suddenly stirring a commotion among the pack.

Zong Fire pushed through the clan members blocking his path, striding boldly to the open space’s center, his red mane glaringly prominent in the night, like an unquenchable wildfire.

“Dragon Lord!”

Zong Fire’s voice rose sharply, “Since you’re back, why not witness for me—”

He abruptly turned to Russell, baring his fangs, “I challenge this old fellow for the Chieftain position!”

The commotion in the wolf pack intensified.

The Elder Shaman clutched the Bone Staff tightly, knuckles pale, Frost Fang’s ears perked with alertness, neck fur slightly on end.

Galos squinted his eyes, calmly observing the unfamiliar young Werewolf.

Zong Fire, although addressing himself as Dragon Lord, showed little reverence in his eyes.

He approached, before Galos, not directly kneeling respectfully but standing upright, tail high, exhibiting a posture full of self-confidence.

“In front of the Dragon Lord, one must not be disrespectful! Zong Fire, kneel!”

Russell, his gaze furious, spoke in a deep tone, then turned to Galos, respectfully saying, “Please forgive this reckless Werewolf; he’s young and crude, not knowing respect and reverence.”

Zong Fire grinned, directly speaking for Galos, “The Dragon Lord doesn’t mind such trivialities.”

“Russell, stop pretending, you don’t dare accept my challenge, are you afraid? Then just surrender the Chieftain position to me.”

He bared his cold-glinting fangs.

“Traditionally, challenges are set for the full moon night.”

Russell glanced at Galos; seeing Galos didn’t intervene, he then said.

“To hell with tradition!” Zong Fire interrupted roughly, “Don’t you always say the Dragon Lord’s will is above all?”

He turned to Galos, wearing an exaggerated grin, “Great Dragon Lord, surely you want to see who truly is the stronger one?”

Although he used an honorific for Galos, Galos still didn’t feel the reverence within.

Furthermore.

Directly presuming Galos’ thoughts, arrogantly speaking for him.

This made Galos displeased.

Have you ever been a Dragon? Thus presumptive.

Galos stared at the young Werewolf.

He slowly opened his mouth, speaking deliberately, “You mean to say, you are the true strong one?”

“Of course!”

Zong Fire straightened his chest, saying.

What arrogance indeed.

Strong one? Galos rarely considers himself strong, always seeing himself as a weakling; not being prideful or arrogant enables him to carefully respond to events, mitigating risks.

Now, a mere Werewolf calls himself strong in front of Galos.

This amused him, yet made him curious.

From where does its confidence arise? Lacking a Dragon’s gift, yet possessing a Dragon’s pride?

Perhaps there is something it relies on, a basis for its confidence.

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