Netherworld Retrograde

Chapter 710: Chapter 333: Hong Family

As they neared the Lava Mine City, the towering mountains within their sight became more numerous.

Compared to the other Giant Cities that Li Yelai had visited,

the region where Lava Mine City was located had a higher proportion of mountainous areas.

After all, before the Calamity, this region was known as “seven mountains, one river, two fields.”

If one was to take the trading route, a trip to the Lava Mine City would involve not only circumventing mountains but also traveling on a water route, which was quite troublesome.

However, those aboard the Netherworld Train need not worry about these obstacles.

The train had the formidable ability to carve out passageways; facing a large mountain, it would not swerve but instead charge straight through it, tunneling through the mountainside.

In passing, it would also create a tunnel, making the route more convenient for the caravans behind, at least saving them the detour around the mountain.

And when the train emerged from the mountain, Li Yelai saw a remarkable sight in the distance.

The red volcano emitted a faint red glow under the night sky, and at a distance lay the wealthiest of the Giant Cities, the Lava Mine City.

Compared to the other three Border Cities directly facing the Forbidden Zone, Lava Mine City was a rearguard Giant City.

Therefore, it had been heavily developed and possessed substantial industrial strength.

Moreover, with its unique energy technology, namely, the extraction of “rock marrow fuel,”

Lava Mine City’s rapid development had made it one of the most prosperous of the Giant Cities.

Consequently, its combat personnel, whether Processors or the military, were all very lavishly and well-equipped.

They had no small amount of experience with saturating the ground with hot melt bombs or plasma cannons.

Thus, they were jokingly referred to as “young masters” by their peers from other Giant Cities.

It stood within the current Giant City Circle much like the pre-Calamity Beijing, Shanghai, and Guangzhou, a Giant City many residents of other cities longed to migrate to.

It alone supplied the equipment needs of the other three Border Cities; more than forty percent of No.3 Border City’s weapons and equipment came from the military factories of Lava Mine City.

Not only that, but its rock marrow fuel was one of the most efficient energy sources available to humans at the time, with many Giant Cities coming from far away just to purchase rock marrow.

This made Lava Mine City’s economy extremely well-developed.

To ensure the smooth passage of trade routes, they had set up many watch stations in the wilderness.

In the Netherworld Train, Li Yelai was still sitting on the sofa, while the Doll leaned against him, asleep, after all, with more than ten hours of travel, stopping occasionally to adjust direction, which made her a bit sleepy after the laborious evening.

At the outset, she had just leaned against Li Yelai’s shoulder, but as she slept, she ended up lying on his lap, unwittingly enjoying a lap pillow.

This caused the officials in the same compartment to laugh softly, lowering their voices to discuss.

Meanwhile, Li Yelai gazed at the distant volcano and remarked, “Volcanoes, I don’t have a very good impression of them.”

“Me neither,” agreed the Little Mad King, sitting opposite him.

Both of them had been put through the wringer at the Church Headquarters by a volcano, very perilous.

Although… that volcano was caused by Li Yelai himself. Nonetheless, it certainly hadn’t left them with any good impressions.

The terrifying power unleashed at the moment of the volcano’s formation even spared not the Great Demon Projection. They had indeed suffered greatly.

“However, that volcano was man-made,” explained the Little Mad King. “The Heavenly Sound Supreme of Lava Mine City, while conquering Disaster Fog No. 38, tamed a sub-adult Molten Ancient Dragon and brought it here, forming a volcano. The magma it secretes is the core material for rock marrow fuel.”

The Little Mad King paused for a moment and said, “He is a Spiritual Ability User on the Path of Babbling, and he used Virtual Realm Beast Language to tame the Molten Ancient Dragon. You also have the Virtual Realm Beast Language; you could learn it as well.”

“This kind of opportunity is rare and can’t be forced; I’m afraid I still can’t command an Ancient Dragon, as this species has a high resistance to Spiritual Energy,” Li Yelai mumbled.

Some abilities of the Paths slightly overlap.

Like the Ravings of the Path of Babbling and Netherworld Path, and Corpse Control of the Divine Protection Path and Netherworld Path.

Both the Path of Babbling and the Wanxiang Path can yield Virtual Realm Beast Language.

The Virtual Realm Beast Language is of little use during a Low Awakening.

At most, it can control ordinary animals, use them to send messages – barely effective in combat. Even a basic Spiritual Barrier is enough to ward off beast attacks, so it has almost no combat function.

But as the user’s level gradually increases, this ability becomes stronger.

Spiritual Ability Users of sufficient ability even breed Extraordinary Creatures specifically for their command, such as the Eternal Chosen One, Mo Ya.

As long as the target’s level is beneath one’s own, they can almost make the subject obedient.

Just like the Heavenly Sound Supreme, even capable of taming a sub-adult Ancient Dragon.

It’s worth noting that upon reaching adulthood, Ancient Dragons may ascend to the Overlord Level.

This is equivalent to securing an Overlord Level enforcer who can also generate considerable value. It can even be passed down as a family heirloom.

After all, the lifetime of an Ancient Dragon is incredibly lengthy, taking over a thousand years to mature. Its maximum lifespan is nearly incalculable.

Based on understandings of Ancient Dragons within the Forbidden Zone, some have been active for over five thousand years.

Considering this, Li Yelai asked, “Is this Molten Ancient Dragon nearing adulthood?”

A captain from the neighboring compartment responded, “I heard it’ll be another eighty years until it reaches adulthood.”

“Only? Eighty years?” Li Yelai couldn’t help but find it amusing. But considering the dragon’s long lifespan, eighty years indeed seemed short to an Ancient Dragon.

“Eighty years isn’t long; Ancient Dragons can accelerate growth by consuming certain high-energy substances. If Lava Mine City is willing to expend materials, they could bring the Molten Ancient Dragon to adulthood in ten years,” the captain explained.