novelraw Chapter 430: Dual Domains, Twelve Characteristics
Chapter 430: Dual Domains, Twelve Characteristics
"I had thought this matter would be settled before you awoke."
Ovis said, "However, you awoke much earlier than I anticipated. Moreover, some pre-existing ideological contradictions within the dragon domains have been further intensified and sharpened because of this incident."
The old gold dragon did not press Garoth for specifics about which legendary traits he had awakened.
That involved privacy.
He pondered for a moment, then asked, "Garoth, are you in a hurry to return to the wilderness next?"
"If you are not, I suggest you'd better stay in the Vophal Dragon Domain for a while longer."
"Of course, if you wish to leave now, no one in the Vophal Dragon Domain will stop you. I could even personally escort you safely to the mainland. But..." Ovis's tone shifted, becoming grave, "You must know, although the wilderness is vast, it's not impossible for individuals blinded by hatred to follow your trail and seek you out. That would likely invite countless troubles."
The matter concerning Garoth had, in fact, already reached a conclusion with a clear inclination.
The vast majority of elders believed his actions constituted legitimate self-defense and should not incur any punishment.
The crux of the problem now lay with a small faction of extreme Purification Faction dragons within the dragon race, and individuals like the Silver Dragon Phiniel, who could not let go due to personal vendettas.They remained relentless and refused to let the matter drop.
The collective decision of the Elder Council was not enough to convince and satisfy these dragons driven by emotion or prejudice.
Unless a more authoritative order was explicitly issued, the turmoil sparked by this incident would be difficult to truly and completely subside, leaving lingering consequences.
Garoth understood this as well.
He thought for a moment and responded, "I am not in a hurry."
"I have not yet fully familiarized myself with or mastered the domain and numerous traits I have just acquired. Furthermore, I must say, the Stillness Spring is exceptionally effective, greatly benefiting my stabilization and improvement. Please allow me to stay a while longer."
His words were not an excuse.
In the wilderness, there was no treasure like the Stillness Spring. Before fully mastering his own domain and traits, he was quite willing to remain here.
As for the wilderness.
After awakening, he had already communicated with Sorog and the others through the Bloodline Connection and learned that the tribe was stable, with no urgent matters requiring his immediate attention.
"Speaking of which, my original plan was to rely on the Eternal Tide baptism to steadily break through the legendary barrier."
The red iron dragon changed the subject and inquired, "Now that I have entered the legendary realm by my own power, is the Eternal Tide still effective for me?"
Upon hearing this, Ovis shook his head slightly.
"The greatest effect of the Eternal Tide lies in assisting those dragons who have reached the limit of mundanity to impact the legendary realm."
"But for legendary dragons who have already successfully ascended, its effect becomes very limited, even less substantial than the nourishment from my Stillness Spring."
He looked at the red iron dragon before him, whose aura was now vastly different, and continued, "However, I will not break my original promise."
"You can still go to the Eternal Tide to experience it firsthand."
"Although its benefit to your improvement is minuscule, it can still be considered a rare experience."
A thoughtful look appeared in Garoth's eyes, and a new idea sprouted in his mind.
"This opportunity... could I designate it to be transferred to another dragon?"
He tentatively asked.
Ovis did not answer immediately. Instead, he cast his gaze towards the other Vophal Dragon Domain elders who had come together, clearly indicating this required collective approval.
"It is permissible."
A steady and authoritative voice sounded.
"Since this is your allocated spot, you naturally have the right to decide to bestow it upon another."
The speaker was another female gold dragon elder.
Her physique was more massive than Ovis's, her dragon scales presenting a deep golden hue as if tempered by time, covered in mottled ancient cracks and countless clearly visible Battle-Hardened Patterns. The aura emanating from her was more ancient and profound than Ovis's.
She was also the gold dragon elder who had stepped forward first earlier, sternly reprimanding the Raging Tides Dragon Domain side.
Garoth could not accurately determine the specific age category of this gold dragon elder.
But he was certain in his heart that this elder was at least a powerful existence who had stepped into the ancient dragon stage, possibly even an ancient dragon who had lived for over a thousand years.
Garoth's mind stirred slightly, and he asked further, "Your Excellency, is there a chance for me to obtain more spots?"
"If possible, what price would I need to pay?"
That deep-gold ancient dragon responded unhurriedly, "It is possible."
"Complete some important tasks for the Vophal Dragon Domain. For example, subjugating a powerful creature causing widespread harm, exploring an unknown and dangerous ancient secret realm, or... offering wealth and treasures of sufficient weight to the Vophal Dragon Domain's Treasure Vault."
Garoth committed these conditions to memory and responded politely, "Thank you for your clarification, Elder."
To support a prosperous nation, relying on him, a single legendary, was far from enough.
His original intention in founding a nation was to gather more resources, make his own life more comfortable and stable, and make himself stronger, not to become a kingdom guardian constantly rushing around putting out fires.
The future Molten Iron Tribe needed more legendary power as its foundation.
However, the threshold from the mundane limit of level 20 to the true legendary level was incredibly solid and not so easily crossed.
Now, the Eternal Tide was useless to him, but it could be reserved for other blood relatives to use.
This would be a true case of 'established legends fostering new legends'.
"First, return to the Stillness Spring to continue resting and consolidating." Ovis grinned, revealing a smile, and said, "Although a great battle between legendary dragons nearly erupted today, from another perspective, this is also good."
"The nature of the matter has gradually escalated from individual grievances to a conflict between dragon domains."
"Thus, the Dragon Kings can no longer remain silent."
"I estimate it won't be long before formal decrees representing the will of the Dragon Kings are officially issued."
"And aside from the Bronze Dragon King of the Raging Tides Dragon Domain, who has always been strict regarding evil dragon bloodlines, the other Dragon King Majesties are still reasonable. They will not tolerate this kind of behavior that corrupts the atmosphere of the dragon domains and undermines internal unity to continue fermenting. You need not worry excessively."
Garoth nodded and said, "I understand."
"Dragons like Siano, who were so paranoid as to not hesitate to ambush a junior of their own kind, are ultimately a minority within a minority. His actions will not affect my view of the vast majority of metal dragons who uphold justice and honor."
"I have always believed in the overall character of the metal dragon race, and in the wisdom and fairness of the various Dragon King Majesties."
If favorability could be presented in a visual form, then the several dragon elders present, upon hearing Garoth's dignified, reasonable, and fair words, would likely have many '+1 Favorability' symbols popping up above their heads in unison.
Not long after, the gathered dragon elders dispersed to their respective places.
Garoth submerged back into the lake water, returning to the warm, life-energy-filled Stillness Spring.
He took a deep breath, gradually focused and turned his spirit inward, slowly closed his enormous draconic eyes, and began silently sensing his own domain and traits.
Whoosh!
Centered on the red iron dragon's body, without any signs of incantation or energy channeling, clusters of blazing, leaping flames ignited out of thin air.
After a few breaths, these flames that appeared from nowhere vanished quietly like phantoms.
Immediately after, countless metallic substances began to materialize out of thin air, sometimes forming incomparably sharp blades, swords, and halberds, sometimes coalescing into thick, solid giant shields and barriers... And after an equally brief interval, flames surged forth from emptiness again, while the newly formed metal constructs dissipated as if erased by an invisible hand.
Thus, the cycle repeated.
Blazing flames and hard steel, these two utterly different substances, alternated in appearing within the Stillness Spring.
Several minutes later, the red iron dragon suddenly opened his eyes, gleaming with intensity. The bizarre, unnatural phenomena around him ceased abruptly, returning to calm.
"Flames and steel... my dual domains."
A contemplative look appeared in his gaze.
"Unfortunately, they currently seem unable to coexist, only appearing singularly. Moreover, switching from one domain to the other requires at least a few seconds of interval, preventing instantaneous conversion at will during the rapidly changing tides of battle."
Dragons often rely on their long lifespans to accumulate power, allowing their overall life level to reach the legendary tier first, unlike certain classes who cultivate a specific path level to legend.
Therefore, a dragon's legendary domain is usually closely related to their innate bloodline attributes.
For example, red dragons commonly awaken Flame Domains, blue dragons master Storm Domains, silver dragons possess Frost Domains... These are within the scope recorded in the Dragon Legacy and can be anticipated.
What the old gold dragon said earlier—that traits define a legendary dragon's essence more than their domain—was not without reason.
After all, the domains of great dragons are highly similar.
But what even Garoth himself had not anticipated was that he would awaken dual domains simultaneously.
Even among hybrid dragons like him, according to the dragon race's legacy records, awakening a single domain was common. A case like his, clearly possessing two independently manifestable domains, was truly rare.
However, for him, this was ultimately a good thing.
Although domains are powerful, they are not invincible.
Once shattered by powerful force, a domain cannot be re-coalesced in a short time; it requires time and effort to reshape.
Possessing dual domains changed the situation entirely.
When Garoth's Flame Domain was shattered by an enemy, he could almost seamlessly switch to deploying his Steel Domain to continue fighting.
"If in the future my mastery over domains further improves, and the domain's self-repair speed becomes sufficiently fast..."
"My Steel Domain is just shattered, and my Flame Domain has already repaired itself and can be deployed again; and when the enemy, with great difficulty, shatters my Flame Domain again, my Steel Domain has already been reshaped and completed..."
"Repeating this cycle, wouldn't that make me practically undefeatable?"
Garoth mused happily in his heart.
Simultaneously, many new questions and expectations arose within him.
For instance, with his future continuous growth, evolution, and deeper exploration of his domains, could these dual domains one day be deployed simultaneously?
Or even... fuse together, producing a qualitative change where one plus one is greater than two, forming a new, even more powerful domain?
These possibilities awaited his future exploration and discovery.
Immediately after, Garoth steadied his mind, gradually shifting his attention from his domains to his own traits.
The formation of traits has a relatively smaller direct correlation with bloodline.
Although these traits were shaped during his slumber, Garoth's perception was exceptionally clear.
He knew precisely the origin of each of his traits.
They stemmed from challenging his limits time and again in arduous training; from the sweat and effort expended over countless days and nights; from the persistent, never-ending tempering and forging he endured.
These tangible efforts were the true roots of his legendary traits.
For example, based on his repeated tempering of strength, he obtained the [Colossal Strength] trait. Or, due to his relentless pursuit of extreme speed and mobility, he mastered [Superspeed] and [Agility].
Beyond these, he had the [Heart Like Iron] trait in terms of mental fortitude.
On the defensive front, there were [Advanced Physical Immunity] and [Advanced Magic Immunity].
Also, the [Majestic Dragon Might] and [Transcendent Dragon Breath] that the vast majority of legendary dragons would shape.
If he only had the above, then the number of traits he possessed, although already far exceeding that of other dragons, wouldn't be too different from what the old gold dragon had mentioned.
However, the list above merely constituted the foundational part of his legendary traits, the traits naturally derived when his various attribute values reached extremely high thresholds.
Beyond these, he had also awakened some more unique, mechanism-based traits.
The ability of his body to break through limits and expand drastically during form transformations like Frenzied State, Bloodburst State, Crimson Lotus Form, and Wild State had evolved into [Colossus Stance].
Your size can undergo super-colossal enlargement during combat, simultaneously gaining massive increases in maximum health and various attributes.
Countless experiences of continuing to fight relentlessly even in severely wounded states, ultimately turning defeat into victory, condensed into [Unyielding Perseverance].
You can exchange 'injury' for '+damage'. Ordinary wounds almost have no negative impact on your actions; instead, they can ignite your ferocity when injured, increasing the damage you deal.
The cycle of transforming blood into vast Dragon Qi, and then feeding Dragon Qi back into life, shaped [Unending Regeneration].
As long as you are alive, you can constantly recover your own condition, endlessly, without cease.
Multiple instances of being infinitely close to death, yet always managing to regain vitality, ultimately crystallized into [Born from Death].
At the very instant you approach death infinitely, you can unleash power surpassing your own limits.
In summary, upon his initial ascension to legend, the red iron dragon had shaped a full twelve legendary traits in one go!
"Most creatures, upon first ascending to legend, typically only have two traits. Those with weak aptitude might even have only one, or none at all."
"The average standard for legendary dragons is to possess four traits."
"Excellent dragons can have five. Dragons who have six traits immediately upon becoming legend are already very rare."
"A being like me, directly shaping twelve legendary traits, has no clear precedent recorded in history."
"... As expected of me."
Recalling the descriptions about traits in the legacy knowledge, the red iron dragon proudly puffed out his chest.
After indulging in self-appreciation for a few seconds, he took a deep breath, quickly calmed his surging emotions, and then began to reorganize and review all the traits he possessed.
Colossal Strength, Superspeed, Agility, Heart Like Iron, Advanced Physical Immunity, Advanced Magic Immunity, Majestic Dragon Might, Transcendent Dragon Breath.
These eight fell within the relatively conventional category.
Other legendary dragons, developing a particular aspect to its extreme, might also shape similar traits.
However, under normal circumstances, a newly ascended legendary dragon of his same level would at most possess only a few of these, unlike him who had a full eight, covering almost all aspects without any weaknesses.
Colossus Stance, Unending Regeneration, Born from Death, Unyielding Perseverance.
These four were his unique traits, carrying corresponding mechanism effects.
They endowed him with combat methods surpassing the norm and powerful survival guarantees, allowing him to leverage his already outrageous physical attribute advantages to their fullest, to the utmost.
Mechanisms and numerical values achieved a perfect combination within him.
Garoth was quite satisfied with the system formed by these twelve legendary traits of his.
The only thing that caused him a slight sense of regret was that his innate Adaptive Evolution talent had not shaped a corresponding trait during this ascension.
However, Garoth was not disheartened by this.
Legendary traits were not immutable.
As his level continuously increased in the future, he would still have opportunities to shape more traits. The traits he possessed now also had the possibility of further enhancement, even mutual fusion and metamorphosis.
He had a strong intuition.
A trait based on the Adaptive Evolution talent was already in gestation. It was just that his current level was insufficient to support the formation of this trait.
Dual domains, twelve traits.
Together, they constructed Garoth's solid legendary foundation, thick and stable, difficult to shake.
"After ascending to level 21 legend, the power gap between each level, although not as dramatic as the qualitative leap in life level from 20 to 21, still far surpasses the level gap between different levels during the mundane stage."
Garoth thought coolly in his heart, "However, with my domains and traits, I should still possess the capital to challenge stronger opponents across some levels."
Of course, this assessment was based on rational judgment.
If unnecessary, he inherently disliked engaging in such cross-level battles, as they often entailed higher risks and uncertainty, contrary to his nature of pursuing steady development.
Within the Stillness Spring waters, the red iron dragon slowly closed his eyes.
He immersed his mind once more, pouring all his consciousness into exploring his own domain and into familiarizing and harmonizing with his twelve traits.
Time flowed quietly.
The news that several legendary dragons from the Raging Tides Dragon Domain had attempted to provoke conflict within the Vophal Dragon Domain, and that the red iron dragon had already awoken, spread like wildfire, as if given wings, rapidly circulating throughout the Five Great Dragon Domains, becoming known to more and more dragons.
The voices filled with prejudice and hostility thus became increasingly intense and shrill.
Simultaneously, the dissatisfaction of the vast majority of normal dragons who maintained neutral and fair attitudes towards the Purification Faction's actions—ignoring facts and obsessively fixating—was also increasing day by day, rising sharply.
The long-standing ideological contradiction between the Inclusion Faction and the Purification Faction within the dragon race was brought completely into the open by this incident.
Centered on the matter of the red iron dragon Garoth, the arguments and opposition between the two factions escalated daily, their rhetoric growing ever sharper.
Thus, the originally harmonious, peaceful atmosphere of the dragon domains, where all pursued power and wisdom together, was gradually polluted by this endless quarreling and attack, becoming somewhat foul and chaotic.
And against this backdrop of turmoil and confrontation.
Two months later, on a sunny noon.
The Everbright Dragon King, also known as the twenty-four-winged Gold Dragon King, issued a specific decree regarding this incident.
The Bronze Dragon Siano Sheffield, influenced by unknown factors, became paranoid and out of control, actively ambushing Garoth Ignas first, intending to murder a dragon domain champion.
The facts of this matter are clear, the evidence conclusive, and beyond doubt.
Garoth Ignas, in a desperate situation fighting for self-preservation, was forced to rise up and counterattack. He bears no fault whatsoever.
From this day forth, no dragon domain, no dragon, may use this incident as a reason to pursue Garoth Ignas's responsibility, or take any form of hostile action or retaliatory strike against him.
Violators will be regarded as challenging the authority of the Everbright Dragon Domain and defying the will of the Dragon King, and will inevitably bear corresponding consequences.
-The above is the general content of the Dragon King's decree.
Once this decree was formally promulgated, it instantly triggered a huge uproar within the Five Great Dragon Domains.
Prior to this, no dragon could have anticipated that the esteemed, transcendent Everbright Dragon King would personally pay attention to this matter; even fewer could have imagined that the Everbright Dragon King would issue an order regarding it.
And with the issuance of this decree, the matter of the red iron dragon was finally settled conclusively, the case closed.
The previously clamorous, sharp voices from the Purification Faction almost vanished overnight, collectively falling into silence.
The Gold Dragon King's majesty overwhelmed all discordant notes.
After this, anyone who still wished to harm the red iron dragon because of this incident would first have to carefully consider whether they could withstand the thunderous wrath of the Everbright Dragon Domain.
Simultaneously.
Upon learning of this final outcome, Garoth felt much more at ease. He made preparations to return to the wilderness and formally establish his nation with his legendary status, having already decided on the name for his kingdom in his heart.