The Elven Cultivator

The Elder Council’s orders were quickly issued.

Ever since the development of the Dark Nether Realm’s mines got on track and the Great Derivation Cyan Profound Array was completed, the Clan had not seen such a large-scale mobilization in a long time.

Suddenly, vast numbers of Elves and Lizard-man slaves surged into the Dark Nether Realm, arriving at the city-state that was once considered a forbidden zone.

The strange, twisted buildings collapsed with a crash under the force of Magic.

Flesh-textured walls were uprooted, sharp-pointed arches were shattered and dragged away, and thick stone walls were dismantled section by section.

The petrified Mind Flayer and servant statues were also carried out of the city-state one by one to be disposed of elsewhere.

The Lizard-man slaves were responsible for hauling away rubble and debris, while the Elf artisans focused on paving the ground, polishing the walls, and installing lighting and ventilation systems.

The entire city-state turned into a bustling construction site.

The cleanup, demolition, and renovation work proceeded simultaneously, chaotic yet orderly.

Meanwhile, Anton also began to work on the overall plan for his residence.

He set up a temporary office directly in the city-state’s central cavern.

While using the Spirit Vein for his cultivation, he also devoted a great deal of time and energy each day to planning the blueprints, occasionally needing to conduct on-site inspections.

Every detail had to be repeatedly scrutinized; no mistakes could be afforded.

The preliminary work for the residence’s construction was in full swing.

Time gradually passed in this busy and fulfilling manner.

However, a sudden piece of news shattered these peaceful days.

The Radiant Ash Dragon, Isaac, who had vanished after leaving the Eldron Plain over sixty years ago, suddenly reappeared yesterday in the gravelly hills of the western plain, brazenly attacking the Stone Fist Tribe that lived there.

The Stone Fist Tribe was a medium-sized Beastman tribe with a population of nearly twenty thousand. It possessed five Golden Tier combatants, and its Chief was a Golden Peak expert who had awakened the Power of Law. They were considered a significant force on the Eldron Plain.

Yet in that battle, the entire Stone Fist Tribe was annihilated. From the Chief to the women and children, not a single person was left alive.

Just as the entire Eldron Plain was reeling in shock from Isaac’s actions, terrible news arrived again three days later.

The Radiant Ash Dragon appeared in Grayfin Fishing Town on the southeastern coast of the plain, attacking the Sea Race who lived there.

Over five thousand members of the Sea Race were turned to ash by Dragon Breath, and the entire Grayfin Fishing Town was consumed by a sea of fire.

By the time nearby factions sent people to investigate, Grayfin Fishing Town had already been reduced to a scorched ruin.

After the news spread, the entire Eldron Plain plunged into an unprecedented state of panic.

Those factions that had grown restless due to the collapse of Dragon City’s prestige now felt as if they’d been doused with ice water. They all ceased their activities and retreated into their shells.

But Isaac did not stop there.

Five days later, the Radiant Ash Dragon’s figure appeared in Windmill Valley in the heart of the plain.

Dragon Breath fell, and flames soared to the heavens.

In a single day, Windmill Valley was also reduced to scorched earth.

The Stone Fist Tribe, Grayfin Fishing Town, and Windmill Valley—the one thing these three factions had in common was that they had all refused to continue sending tributes to Kresol Dragon City.

At this point, Isaac’s intentions were laid bare.

He was taking revenge, and he was establishing his dominance.

He was using the bloodiest, most direct method to show all the factions on the Eldron Plain who the true master of this land was.

The final fate for any faction that dared to offend the majesty of Dragon City was destruction.

Instantly, a sense of panic swept across the Eldron Plain. Everyone felt themselves to be in danger.

Even those factions that had only secretly reduced their tributes were now trembling with fear.

They were terrified that Isaac would one day set his sights on them, and they would follow in the footsteps of the Stone Fist Tribe, Grayfin Fishing Town, and Windmill Valley.

The fear of being dominated by the Dragon Race, cultivated over thousands of years, surged back into everyone’s hearts like a tide.

...

「Silver Moon Forest, Eternal Hall.」

People filled the seats around the long, circular table.

All the upper echelons of the Clan had gathered, and every face was etched with gravity and worry.

Cedric was relaying the latest intelligence.

”...What we can confirm now is that the factions destroyed by Isaac were all ones that had explicitly refused to continue sending tributes to Kresol Dragon City.”

”They are also the only three factions that refused to send tributes.”

”It has been seven days since the destruction of Windmill Valley, and Isaac has shown no signs of his next move.”

Elena frowned. ”So, does that mean that as long as a faction didn’t explicitly refuse the tributes, they won’t be one of Isaac’s targets?”

”Not necessarily.” Cedric shook his head. ”No one can fathom the thoughts of a Giant Dragon.”

Silence fell over the hall.

The Dragon Race had never been a reasonable people.

They operated by a single principle—submit and live, or resist and die.

And although the Silver Moon Race had never explicitly refused to send tributes, they had certainly skimmed resources over the years.

Even if Isaac wasn’t crazy enough to attack every single faction—after all, there was hardly a faction on the Eldron Plain that hadn’t pulled some trick in secret—who could guarantee they wouldn’t be the one made into an example?

”What’s the Fallen Dragon Association’s reaction?”

The Great Elder asked, glancing inconspicuously at Anton as he spoke.

Cedric replied gravely, ”On the same day Isaac attacked the Stone Fist Tribe, the Fallen Dragon Association’s personnel stationed in multiple towns were attacked. Torchbearer Bullock was killed by the Regent, and Leader Sieg was severely wounded in a clash with Aurion before escaping. After that, the Fallen Dragon Association quickly pulled back its forces and went into hiding again.”

The Clan’s upper echelons were secretly astonished to hear this.

Since entering the Eldron Plain, the Fallen Dragon Association had lost many members, but they had never suffered a casualty at the Torchbearer level.

Bullock was a Golden Peak expert, a top-tier master even within the Fallen Dragon Association.

His death was undoubtedly a heavy blow to the Eldron branch.

Not to mention the large number of personnel lost in various places.

Kresol Dragon City’s counterattack this time could be described as fierce and swift.

Anton’s expression was calm, his eyes betraying no emotion.

He had known the news about the Fallen Dragon Association even before Cedric.

On the day of the attack, Summers had contacted him to report that Isaac and Kresol Dragon City had launched a counterattack.

He had also specifically instructed Anton to lie low and not to make any appearances for the time being.

After all, everyone on the Eldron Plain knew that the person Kresol Dragon City hated most was Canglan.

If Canglan were to appear, he would surely face a frenzied assault from Kresol Dragon City.

With the Radiant Ash Dragon Isaac taking action personally, even Canglan would have absolutely no chance of survival.

The Fallen Dragon Association had already lost Bullock; they absolutely could not afford to lose another Torchbearer.

”For the next few days, tell our people to avoid leaving the forest as much as possible.”

The Great Elder pondered for a moment before making his decision.

”In the Dark Nether Realm, pull back most of the personnel. Just leave enough to keep the mines operating at a minimal level.”

Cedric nodded.

The Great Elder then looked at Anton. ”The construction of your residence may have to be paused for a while.”

”I understand.” Anton nodded, his face calm.

Even if the Great Elder hadn’t said it, he would have proposed it himself.

Isaac’s sudden return had been beyond everyone’s expectations. At this critical juncture, it was best to be cautious.

The rest of the meeting yielded no more concrete response plans.

Facing a Legend like the Radiant Ash Dragon, the Silver Moon Race simply had no good countermeasures. They could only wait passively.

The group discussed a few other daily matters before dismissing.

Walking out of the Eternal Hall, Anton headed straight back to his treehouse, his thoughts churning along the way.

’The Radiant Ash Dragon is back... what about the guardian Giant Dragons of the other Dragon Cities?’

’Have they returned as well?’

’If so, does that mean the reason for their departure has been resolved, or at least temporarily subsided?’

When the guardian Giant Dragons of the various regions had left without reason, Anton had guessed it was likely due to a major upheaval in the Dragon Court.

Such as the fall of the Dragon God.

But over the years, no news of any upheaval in the Dragon Court had reached the outside world.

The Dragon Race’s lockdown on this matter was as tight as an iron drum.

Even an organization like the Fallen Dragon Association had been unable to dig up the slightest bit of information.

’If Isaac and the other Giant Dragons returned because the upheaval in the Dragon Court has temporarily subsided, does that mean the Dragon God, Ayo, hasn’t truly fallen yet?’

’Or is it the opposite? The Dragon God has completely fallen, and to prevent the outside world from noticing anything amiss, the Dragon Court ordered the Giant Dragons to return to their respective Dragon Cities to maintain an appearance of normalcy?’

’That would also explain why Isaac has been so brutal since his return, annihilating three factions in a row.’

’His actions are more like bluster.’

’While he’s declaring ”I am still strong” to everyone, he’s also concealing some kind of unease.’

Of course, this was all just speculation.

Anton had no evidence, and no way to verify it.

The two possibilities pointed to completely different futures.

If it was the former, the Dragon Race’s rule would continue for several more centuries, until the day the Dragon God truly fell.

If it was the latter, then it was certain that the Dragon Race had lost the protection of the Dragon God, but the news was still tightly sealed and had not reached the outside world. Once it leaked, the entire Dawn Continent would be thrown into turmoil.

And for the current Anton, both possibilities held different meanings.

When he learned of Isaac’s return, a thought had involuntarily surfaced in his mind.

’Should I take this opportunity to collect some Dragon Breath?’

Normally, even if the Radiant Ash Dragon was on the Eldron Plain, he would remain in seclusion within Kresol Dragon City.

A Legendary Tier Giant Dragon was already extremely difficult to deal with. Attacking one in its own heavily guarded lair, Kresol Dragon City, was no different from seeking death.

But if Isaac were to leave Kresol Dragon City, the challenge level would drop by an entire tier.

However, the premise of this plan was that the Dragon Race had already lost the protection of the Dragon God’s power.

A Giant Dragon with the protection of the Dragon God’s power and one without were on two completely different levels of combat strength.

Anton hadn’t yet figured out a way to verify this.

But no matter what, it was always right to prepare in advance.

The most effective method he could think of at present was to refine as much Dark Heavy Water as possible.

Neither his Cultivation Level nor the quality of his Sword Pill could be rapidly improved in a short period.

Only Dark Heavy Water could provide an immediate boost to his combat power.

Especially after acquiring a Spirit Vein, Anton had directly set up a Spirit Gathering Array. This not only greatly improved his cultivation efficiency but also significantly reduced the time needed to refine Dark Heavy Water.

The location of the city-state was already very suitable for refining Dark Heavy Water. With the added support of the Spirit Vein and the Spirit Gathering Array, Anton could now refine one drop of Dark Heavy Water in just four to five days—a speed far greater than before.

In just over a year, he could accumulate a hundred drops of Dark Heavy Water.

By then, he should have also strengthened his True Essence to the point of filling his Qi Sea.

’With a perfected Foundation Establishment Cultivation Level, plus a series of trump cards, a fight against the Radiant Ash Dragon might not be impossible.’