novelraw Chapter 153: Iron Dragonkin, Magnetite, Centaur
Chapter 153: Iron Dragonkin, Magnetite, Centaur
Garoth said, “The process of dragon vein transformation is intense and painful.”
“Russell, with your current severe injuries, undergoing the transformation will be a matter of life and death, a waste of dragon blood.”
He paused, then continued, “However, I will still give you this chance. You can make your own choice.”
Because of old loyalties from years past and to set an example for other vassals, Garoth decided to give the werewolf the opportunity for dragon vein transformation regardless of the outcome.
Russell now faced two choices.
One was to drag his broken body along and barely survive.
The other was to risk his life undergoing the dragon vein transformation to seek survival.
As a warrior and former clan leader who had struggled to survive in the wilderness, Russell did not hesitate. His gaze was firm as he said, “Dragon Lord, please grant me your dragon blood. I want to become stronger and continue to serve you.”
The key to dragon vein transformation is willpower.
It only requires a strong will to live and an even stronger will to grow stronger. Even if the body is completely destroyed, there is still a high chance of successful transformation.Garoth saw the unyielding will in the werewolf’s eyes and said, “As you wish.”
Then, he ordered his vassals to bring the previously collected dragon blood and performed the transformation ritual on the werewolf.
During the process, many vassal leaders came to watch.
Blood spheres that looked like molten iron or magma were thrown into the werewolf’s mouth.
The moment the dragon blood entered his throat, Russell’s gray-white fur stood on end strand by strand.
His originally weak body suddenly stiffened, muscles swelling like they were inflating, bones cracking with a sickening sound, and it appeared to be improving.
But this power came too violently.
The werewolf’s skin suddenly cracked, revealing new black scales beneath. The old skin peeled off like dried tree bark, but the new scales could not keep up with the damage.
His body quickly transformed into a terrifying half-scaled, half-flesh form. His spine elongated and deformed, and the tail vertebrae pierced through the flesh, extending into a more than two-meter-long bony tail.
The most painful part was the skull reconstruction. His wolf muzzle was torn apart and healed repeatedly, and dragon horns gradually grew from his head.
Frostfang watched her father rolling on the ground, the trenches dug by his claws filled with a mixture of blood and scales. She clenched her paws tightly and silently prayed to the ancestors that her father would survive the ordeal.
“Remember who you fight for.”
“When your body is on the brink of collapse, let your will lead you through the deadly siege.”
The voice of the Red Iron Dragon exploded directly into Russell’s nearly collapsing consciousness.
In a daze,
Russell recalled the old Shaman’s instructions from years ago to lead the werewolves to glory, he thought of the hungry werewolf pups, of the hard times past, and of the broader future after following Garoth.
He unleashed an unprecedented survival instinct.
“I... cannot... fall...”
Russell’s bony tail suddenly smashed the ground, and a trapped beast’s roar erupted from his mouth. Inch by inch, his body stood upright, and as he rose, the new dragon scales grew and formed into armor.
When he finally stood, his body was twice as tall as before, transformed into a brand-new form.
His wolf head remained, but with added draconic features. His fangs were as sharp as daggers, and beneath his thick fur, a layer of black steel-like scales was clearly visible. On his back sprouted a pair of wings.
Garoth gazed at the dragonkin werewolf and smiled slightly. “You have won a new life for yourself.”
To be honest, he did not expect Russell to succeed.
Dragon vein transformation is actually easier for purer creatures, like the always-hungry Karu.
Intelligent werewolves like Russell, who even enjoy reading and gaining knowledge, tend to hesitate due to their rationality. However, this werewolf’s will was exceptionally strong and tenacious, better than Garoth expected.
That willpower allowed him to be reborn through blood and pain.
Unlike Karu, Russell’s body was covered in black iron-forged scales and bore characteristics of the Iron Dragon, clearly inheriting the power of the Iron Dragon bloodline.
“Karu is reckless and close to the Red Dragon, so he inherited the Red Dragon bloodline.”
“Russell is more rational and intelligent, his personality leaning toward the Iron Dragon, so he inherited the Iron Dragon bloodline.”
“Could it be that the dragon bloodline inherited depends on which dragon nature the personality is closer to?”
Garoth pondered.
Since there were few hybrid dragons, his legacy had no records about this, so now he was speculating.
Meanwhile, Russell was panting heavily, chest heaving violently as he knelt before the Red Iron Dragon.
His voice was resolute as he said, “My strength, my life, my soul, all burn for you!”
From then on, Garoth gained a new dragon vein vassal.
Previously, Warlord Bloodfang, now the warhost lord of the Iron Will Warhost, the gnoll Hodge knelt before Garoth with a fawning smile. “Noble, invincible, great Dragon Lord, Hodge also wants to become stronger and serve you better.”
Garoth was straightforward. “You will die 100%.”
The Iron Will Warhost had a grand name but was composed of the most ordinary warriors from various races; it was essentially a cannon fodder unit.
Hodge lacked the courage to face death for life.
He shrank his head and smiled awkwardly, “Please pretend I never said anything and give the opportunity to someone more qualified.”
He was still middle-aged and not yet desperate for dragon vein transformation to extend his life. The painful struggle Russell just endured was vivid in his mind, filling him with dread and fear, and he lacked confidence.
Garoth now had no intention to continue transforming other vassals.
The remaining dragon blood was sealed and preserved.
He ordered his vassals to disperse and build the territory while he continued various trainings. During his exercises, the magical energy and life force in his body gradually intertwined and transformed into Dragon Qi.
The way to advance in the early stages of the Battle Dragon rank was straightforward.
Only through harsh self-discipline or fierce battle could Dragon Qi be converted.
Each time the total amount of Dragon Qi increased by one-tenth, the rank would increase by one level. When rank ten was reached, Garoth’s life energy and magical energy would be completely transformed into thicker, tougher Dragon Qi.
In the following days, Garoth’s life in Dragon Valley became fulfilling again.
Dragon Qi, explosive scales, dragon heart, and occasional polishing of his wings and tail... He immersed himself in various trainings and self-improvement.
Meanwhile,
As time passed day by day,
Samantha grew tired of the cold weather and took her vassals along with some lizardfolk to the Sulfur Hills to rebuild the alchemy workshop.
Under the command and management of the Iron Dragon Sorog, the vassals also built up the territory, such as setting up defenses outside the valley, arrow towers, sentry posts, and constructing strongholds at key points and high grounds.
He mainly stationed at the former giant’s ruined fortress, occasionally visiting Dragon Valley.
The Iron Dragon was the busiest. Besides commanding vassals, he never rested, using his innate metal perception talent to meticulously search for mineral veins hidden beneath the earth.
Only the faerie dragon Vira had the sole task of collecting her scale powder for Garoth; other than that, she played and lived a leisurely life.
In this way, a month passed in the blink of an eye.
The Clan of Molten Iron gradually took root in Dragon Valley and the borderlands.
The sun cast an uncomfortably cool light. The Iron Dragon Sorog took a deep breath, then excitedly stood slowly from a pit, clutching a piece of black-gray stone in his claws.
“Finally discovered a valuable mineral vein!”
At that moment, beneath his feet, he sensed the presence of a metal vein.
After excavation, it was confirmed to be gray magnetite.
Gray magnetite was not a magical metal but still held decent value, and Sorog felt this vein was not small in scale — a resource point that could be mined continuously.
A pleased expression appeared on the dragon’s face.
The Iron Dragon noted the location, flapped his wings, soared into the air, and flew toward Dragon Valley to deliver the good news to Garoth.
However, the Iron Dragon did not notice.
Several agile centaur scouts lifted their heads from the cold pine forest more than ten miles away, their eyes fixed on the Iron Dragon’s figure disappearing into the sky.
The borderlands were the territory of monster clans and powerful ferocious magical beasts.
Young Dragons were more active in the borderlands without stationed armies than in the wilderness.
At this moment, the natives and monster clans of the borderlands also noticed the arrival of the Young Dragons.