novelraw Chapter 170: The First Meeting Between the White Dragon and the Red Dragon
Chapter 170: The First Meeting Between the White Dragon and the Red Dragon
Borderlands, Dragon Valley.
Sunlight streamed down along the jagged and steep mountain cliffs, shining onto the oasis-like valley territory.
A flock of flying dragons soared through the sky, patrolling, casting shadows on the ground below. Gnolls and other alert followers guarded the outer posts, vigilant against the slightest disturbance.
Garoth brought White Dragon Trixie into the valley.
“Dragon Lord, you have returned.”
Tasha, the flying dragon leader, landed before Garoth, bowing her head low to show her respect.
This scar-faced, robust flying dragon noticed the white dragon accompanying Garoth and immediately tensed the muscles beneath her scales.
“White Dragon Trixie now follows me and pledges loyalty to me.”
Garoth declared.
The flying dragon leader spoke quietly to the white dragon: “Honorable White Dragon, Tasha greets you.”This adult white dragon’s imposing presence was second only to Garoth among dragons.
Among dragons, white dragons were considered the lowest tier, often timid before Garoth, but after all, dragons were still dragons. In the eyes of other creatures, white dragons remained fierce and powerful top-tier magical beasts.
When the young dragon greeted her, the white dragon only snorted coldly, exhaling a chilling breath from her nostrils.
She did not respond, lifting her head high with an expression of proud disdain.
— Only in front of young dragons could white dragons feel their superiority as dragons.
“Tasha, continue patrolling.”
Garoth ordered.
The flying dragon did not immediately spread her wings to fly but said hoarsely, “My lord, the flying dragon flock discovered yesterday that a group of minotaur cavalry attempted to approach Dragon Valley. They wore battle helmets with iron-studded horns and lingered around the perimeter. Realizing they were exposed, they did not advance further and retreated.”
“Minotaurs, are they the Bloodhoof Clan spoken of by the centaurs?”
The red iron dragon pondered.
The centaurs were a nomadic people; before the White Mane Clan was subdued by Garoth, they mainly roamed throughout the borderlands and thus had a good understanding of the territory.
Through the centaur leader and the elder sorcerer’s accounts,
Garoth knew of the minotaurs’ existence.
The Bloodhoof Clan—large in scale—was several times stronger than the centaur clans. Though not overlords in the borderlands, they had risen beyond mere survival struggles.
They had their own pastures, mineral veins, numerous warriors, sorcerers, and shamans.
They traded via the great river, possessing excellent weapons and armor.
Many years ago, the Bloodhoof Clan was far weaker than the White Mane Clan, precariously surviving in the borderlands like weeds, always on the verge of extinction.
Until the birth of Bal Bloodhoof.
He was born different, with a pair of pitch-black, pure eyes without any whites.
His fur was unlike ordinary minotaurs’ brown or tan but a jet-black as dark as the darkest night.
His growth speed left ordinary minotaurs far behind.
At twelve, Bal killed the old chieftain in a challenge and became the ruler of the Bloodhoof Clan, rapidly rising to lead the clan in conquering other minotaur tribes and destroying enemies blocking their path, making the Bloodhoof Clan stronger and stronger.
The former leader of the White Mane Clan had met Bal.
— He was like a demon from the abyss.
This was the White Mane leader’s evaluation of Bal. The brave centaurs who dared hunt adult white dragons warned their people not to provoke the Bloodhoof Clan, and never to make enemies of Bal.
The red iron dragon remained silent.
Just arrived, barely established foothold in the borderlands, and soon to enter dragon sleep, Garoth did not want to cause trouble or attract too much attention.
However, things did not go as planned.
The expanding Bloodhoof Clan had set their sights on Dragon Valley. Those retreating minotaur cavalry might return someday with a large force.
The choices before Garoth were limited.
One, abandon the territory again, find a new place to lie low, and return after dragon sleep.
Two, eliminate the Bloodhoof Clan threat before dragon sleep.
Garoth leaned toward the second.
He had already escaped twice and abandoned two territories; unless necessary, he did not want a third time.
Moreover, the monster clans in the borderlands were certainly less dangerous than the military in the wilderness.
“The centaur descriptions are not comprehensive enough.”
“First confirm the general situation of the Bloodhoof Clan before making a final decision.”
Garoth pondered, his gaze flickering. “The real question is whether our presence has been exposed.”
This was crucial.
If not exposed, the young dragon hidden in the shadows would hold the initiative and could use stratagems. But if exposed, the situation would become complicated—or simpler—because both sides would be out in the open, where power speaks.
The Bloodhoof Clan had many sorcerers and shamans.
Minotaur shamans were famously powerful; their race and profession were highly compatible. Plus, the Bloodhoof chieftain at the helm had a prestigious reputation and was not to be underestimated.
This meant
It would be unwise for a single dragon to take down the entire Bloodhoof Clan alone. A war might be necessary to resolve the Bloodhoof Clan threat more securely.
Garoth already had many followers.
He did not need to risk everything personally or storm the Bloodhoof Clan alone.
“Tasha, take the adult flying dragons and gather intelligence on the Bloodhoof Clan.”
“Remember, your mission is reconnaissance, not combat. Avoid exposure and conflicts if possible.”
Garoth immediately gave the order to the flying dragon leader.
The Bloodhoof Clan was not an obscure minor tribe in the borderlands; the flying dragons knew their territory’s location.
As for why he did not send the magic-using White Dragon Trixie, the reason was simple: he did not trust the white dragon’s intelligence. In contrast, the two-hundred-year-old flying dragon Tasha was more reliable.
Garoth currently saw the white dragon as a fighter and sparring partner.
Other duties like managing pastures or supervising mining were not meant for the white dragon.
“As you command.”
Tasha took several adult flying dragons and gradually disappeared into the distance.
Meanwhile, Garoth brought White Dragon Trixie to his usual training ground.
“Use your ice magic on me; attack to your heart’s content.”
The red iron dragon stretched his body, sparks flying from the spikes on his scales. “No need to hold back. I will not fight back.”
“Really?”
The white dragon eyed him suspiciously, then tentatively cast Ice Creation, forming several ice blades that scraped across the red iron dragon’s spine with a sharp metallic screech.
Seeing he remained motionless, the white dragon’s mouth curved into a dangerously sharp grin and began conjuring more powerful spells.
With a roar from the dragon,
The cold wind howled, ice crystals formed on the ground, and the air thickened with chill.
Garoth stood at the center of the icy wind, feeling waves of cold.
His scales absorbed kinetic energy from the fierce cold wind’s friction, heating up and glowing, then colliding with the cold air, sizzling and producing white smoke, before the overheated scales gradually cooled.
Heating, cooling.
The explosive scales cycled continuously in the ice wind, enduring training without reaching the overload explosion threshold.
“Very good. This will improve my ice resistance and benefit the explosive scales as well.”
Garoth crouched within the ice wind, cold all over but his mood blazing hot.
“With this new white dragon sparring partner, my explosive scales should adapt faster and no longer explode uselessly.”
Suddenly, an angry dragon roar came from the horizon.
“Despicable White Scales! How dare you attack Dragon Valley!”
Scorching fiery dragon breath fell like lava from the sky.
Focused on casting spells, Trixie did not notice the red dragon’s arrival and was caught off guard. While dodging, the dragon breath grazed her back, leaving a charred burn.
Ha!
The white dragon bared her teeth, cold air surging from her mouth, her scales slightly bristling as she assumed an aggressive stance toward the red dragon. Samantha was not intimidated by the white dragon’s size or age; she glared at the white dragon with hostility, eyes fixed fiercely.
The two were on the brink of battle.
However, the fight did not start.
Garoth stopped them.
“Samantha, White Dragon Trixie is now a member of Dragon Valley, not an enemy.”
Under the red dragon’s puzzled gaze, Garoth briefly explained Trixie’s origin.
“I see.”
The red dragon Samantha folded her wings and arrogantly approached the white dragon.
She did not hide her contempt, saying, “White Scales, it is your honor to serve the Ignas brothers and stand among true dragons.”
The white dragon snarled angrily, “Young dragon! Apologize to me. When facing dragons stronger than yourself, you should show respect.”
The red dragon snorted lightly, flames puffing from her nostrils.
She did not respond further, raising her head high with an expression of proud disdain.