novelraw Chapter 44 – The cornerstone of Agriculture and Animal Husbandry
Chapter 44 – The cornerstone of Agriculture and Animal Husbandry
Mesent lay on his bed, a satisfied expression on his face. He had no idea that the woman he had just been with was now easily entangled with a Grand Knight. Even more, he was unaware that his death omen was already flickering.
...
Morning, Dragon Nest.
At six o'clock sharp, Su Nian awoke. The biological clock of a dragon was ruthless, precise to the second, provided the dragon didn't wish to continue sleeping.
Anna was still in her dreams, her small pink lips slightly parted, exhaling warm breath with a milky scent. Her petite, soft body was curled up in Su Nian's embrace, her little hands gently wrapped around his neck. Her delicate face was a soft pink, her eyelashes fluttering. Her expression was serene, a smile playing at her lips, forming two charming dimples. Her adorable appearance made Su Nian's fingers itch, and he couldn't help but steal a couple of kisses.
"Mmm~"
Seemingly sensing Su Nian's mischievous actions, Anna shifted her body, turning her cute little face to the other side. But how could Su Nian give up so easily? His flexible neck followed, turning along with his little darling's face.
After twenty kisses, seeing that Anna was beginning to murmur and her brows were slightly furrowed as if about to wake, Su Nian licked his dragon lips and finally stopped.
Ever since Anna's affection level reached sixty, the increase had slowed down. No matter how much Su Nian tried, the affection level barely rose, sometimes only by one or two points, or not at all.
However, he wasn't in a hurry. After all, love was something to be taken slowly. If it progressed too quickly, he wouldn't be able to handle it for now, not to mention he couldn't transform into a human yet.
After kissing his little darling's face, Su Nian felt immensely pleased. He carefully wrapped Anna in animal skin and gently placed her on a fur mat before shaking his dragon body and standing up from the rock platform.
The plan for the day begins in the morning. While the ugly Black Dragon was still sleeping soundly, the handsome dragon was already off to patrol his territory.
Su Nian climbed to the top of his Dragon Nest, overlooking his domain. All the magical beasts had already started running under Big Grey Wolf's lead.
Watching the panting magical beasts, Su Nian grinned with his menacing dragon mouth, blowing out two smoke rings, suddenly feeling like an old student watching new recruits in training.
Half an hour later, all the magical beasts gathered neatly below the Dragon Nest. Big Grey Wolf walked to the front of the line with a serious expression, standing at attention, chest out, lifting his wolf paw in salute, and then shouted loudly in Gnoll language:
"Report, Boss! All magical beasts should be 5789, present 5787, two beasts absent, awaiting instructions!"
"What happened to those two beasts?"
Su Nian raised his dragon head, curiously inquiring.
"Report, Boss! The two beasts are Banana Wolf and Melon Wolf, two Elite Gnolls. They went to collect Tyrant Stinkbug dung yesterday and ended up vomiting and exhausted, unable to get out of bed now!"
"I see, they're contributing to the organization, let them rest well, and don't skimp on their meals!"
Su Nian's face was serious, his dragon claws clenched, spreading his dragon wings to appear even more majestic and imposing. His gaze swept over each magical beast standing tall and muscular below, continuing:
"I've watched your growth, and you are gradually transforming from weak magical beasts into stronger beings. I'm very pleased!"
"I hope you don't waste your efforts, train diligently, and hold yourselves to high standards. Only then will we have the capital to reason with our enemies when we face them!"
"That's all for today's speech. Everyone, return to your positions and continue training. Polikri and Big Grey Wolf, stay behind. The rest, dismissed!"
With the Black Dragon's command, all the magical beasts roared enthusiastically and went off to complete their training goals for the day.
For magical beasts like the Blazing Rabbit, Cockatrice, and Spear Boar, which were at the bottom of the food chain, life had become increasingly better. Although there was a lot of training every day, they ate well and stayed warm.
Most importantly, they no longer had to worry about being suddenly attacked and eaten by a predator.
With militarized management and Su Nian constantly instilling his ideals into the magical beasts, they understood that the peaceful and stable life they now enjoyed was brought by him. Their increase in strength was also thanks to him.
As a result, the loyalty of these magical beasts grew higher and higher, easily solving the potential problem of rebellion.
Over time, even without the influence of the Dragon Vein, these magical beasts would gradually transform to resemble Su Nian.
"Big Grey Wolf, Polikri, I kept you here mainly to discuss matters regarding the construction of our territory."
Su Nian looked at his two followers. They were the most loyal among all the magical beasts, with Polikri's loyalty reaching 95 and Big Grey Wolf's at 93. It seemed that some of Su Nian's actions had gained their approval.
So even though Su Nian hadn't given Big Grey Wolf and Polikri any apparent benefits, their loyalty continued to increase slowly.
"Big Grey Wolf, do you know what our territory lacks the most right now?"
Faced with the Black Dragon's question, Big Grey Wolf was momentarily stunned, pondering for a long time before cautiously replying:
"Master, we, meat, not enough, and the territory, also, not safe, those humans, could come back at any time."
"Exactly!"
Su Nian nodded, agreeing with Big Grey Wolf's assessment.
"I've only provided a stable and peaceful life for the weaker magical beasts, but for those of you who enjoy eating meat, it hasn't been much help. On the contrary, you've had less meat."
"Simply hunting ordinary beasts isn't enough. We need to hunt in a planned manner, even domesticate those beasts. I call this agriculture and animal husbandry."
"Agriculture, animal husbandry?"
Big Grey Wolf and Polikri exchanged puzzled looks, unfamiliar with these new terms.
Seeing his two followers eager to learn, Su Nian nodded in satisfaction and explained:
"The Silvermoon Forest is vast and resource-rich. Previously, your lives were basically about hunting when hungry and digging around for edible roots."
"But if we drive the hunting targets together, pen them in a specific area, and plant edible plants in designated fields, we can take what we need when we want to eat. Isn't that more convenient?"
As leaders of their tribes, Polikri and Big Grey Wolf weren't fools. They followed Su Nian's hints to imagine such a scenario.
Take what you want, convenient, inexhaustible.
What wonderful words, agriculture and animal husbandry were simply miracles for developing a tribe.
Big Grey Wolf and Polikri's eyes shone with admiration as they looked at the imposing dragon before them.
In truth, the rules of agriculture and animal husbandry weren't difficult. The problem was they had never thought of it before, but now their master had easily proposed it.
Indeed, their master was truly great.
"Oh! Great Master, your wisdom is deeper than the ocean, broader than the starry sky. If anyone dares to doubt this, I'll take my sharpest, rustiest knife and fork and stab them in the butt!"
Polikri prostrated on the ground, his tail wagging rapidly. If the Black Dragon didn't mind, he would have rushed over to lick his master's toes right then.
Unfortunately, the last time he tried, he was almost kicked to death by his master.
Since then, Polikri never dared again.
Big Grey Wolf wasn't as eloquent, but the gleam in his wolf eyes clearly showed his feelings were similar to the Kobold leader's.
"So, tell me, according to my thoughts and ideas, what in the Silvermoon Forest could be used for animal husbandry and agriculture?"
"Master, we often hunt Rock Goats, tasty!"
Big Grey Wolf was the first to answer Su Nian's question.
His tribe was considered a relatively powerful force in the Deep Silvermoon Forest, so he knew best where to find easy-to-hunt and delicious prey.
"Rock Goats? Not bad."
Su Nian's eyes lit up at the mention, picturing a goat-like magical beast with rocky horns.
These magical beasts were different from Blazing Rabbits; they had limited potential and would remain the same throughout their lives. They couldn't breathe fire, had no offensive capabilities, and spent their days grazing.
When attacked, they would retreat to cliffs, their hard rocky horns serving as mere decorations.
The reason these magical beasts hadn't gone extinct was mainly due to their ability to move swiftly on steep cliffs, and the fact that there were no particularly fierce flying magical beasts in the Silvermoon Forest.
Of course, now there was him.
"Big Grey Wolf, you've made a very constructive suggestion."
"Rock Goats are not only easy to raise but also very prolific."
"Their wool can be made into winter clothing, their milk into food, their horns and bones can be crafted into weapons, and their... well, in short, they're very suitable as the cornerstone for developing our animal husbandry."
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Su Nian flew down from the Dragon Nest, landing beside Big Grey Wolf. In the Gnoll's surprised eyes, he placed a claw on its shoulder, then lifted another claw to touch Big Grey Wolf's forehead.
It was a drop of pure, precious heart's blood.
This was the reward Su Nian bestowed upon Big Grey Wolf.
However, such rewards couldn't be given too frequently. Although heart's blood could regenerate, losing too much in a short time would severely affect Su Nian's own condition.
The Kobold leader Polikri was almost driven mad with jealousy upon witnessing this. He couldn't help but crawl to the Black Dragon's feet, eagerly reporting:
"Great Master, I know of a plant, earth-yellow, resembling a tumor, with a particularly good taste. It keeps you full for a long time. I believe it could be the cornerstone for developing agriculture!"