"The power of my wing slash at full speed is very strong; even with my own defense, I'm afraid I couldn't withstand it."
Galos thought silently in his heart.
The armor on the Earth Bear, although its texture is like rock, its hardness surpasses normal metal steel. The armor on its arms is the thickest; its fur, flesh, and bones are not fragile either.
But even so, it was still sliced off by Galos' Dragon Wings in an instant.
Throughout the short process, he barely felt any resistance or hindrance.
The body traced an arc in low altitude; Galos' sharp claws left long cracks in the ground, and then he steadied himself at the other end and then in the next second, slightly crouched his limbs, the muscle fibers beneath the Dragon Scale twisted like steel wires, bursting with formidable strength.
Dragon Wings flapped to accelerate.
Galos sped across the ground, each step shattering the earth's surface, the Dragon Wing Blade cleaving the trees along the way, creating momentum unlike a young Dragon, heading again for the Earth Bear.
This battle was mainly to test the strength of the current Dragon Wings.
As for reckless impact skills like the Desolation Dragon's Smash, Galos was already well-versed in them.
Pain came intensely from the severed limb, facing the overpowering, seemingly unstoppable Dragon Race. The Earth Bear's innate ferocity vanished, and instead of roaring or howling, it whimpered.
Then.
As Galos sprinted at full speed trying to split the Earth Bear in two with the Dragon Wings, he stopped stunned, seeing the Earth Bear before him whimper once, then decisively and neatly dropped to the ground, its posture submissive, raising its rear, lowering its head, nearly digging entirely into the soil.
Whoosh!
Almost about to crash into the Earth Bear, the young Dragon suddenly rose just before impact.
Galos ascended straight up, shifted direction midair, and landed steadily without choosing to strike down the Earth Bear.
Feeling the cessation of fierce wind and Dragon's power fade away.
The Earth Bear quietly lifted its head to gaze at the young Dragon stepping toward it step by step.
"Oowah, oowah!"
It whimpered, eyes showing human-like flattery and fear.
Magical creatures have high intelligence, and such creatures like the Earth Bear possess intellect no less than humans, qualifying as sentient beings, naturally able to speak some Giant language.
Giants are enemies of the Dragon Race.
They say, your enemy understands you the best.
In the Dragon's Legacy, there contains the Giant language, and Galos could understand it.
Oh noble Giant Dragon, please spare me — this was roughly what the Earth Bear was saying just now.
"The legacy describes Earth Bears as unyielding to death, daring to attack fiercely even against Dragon Race. I don't know about others, but this Earth Bear doesn't align with those records; it seems that the Dragon's Legacy is not entirely reliable."
Galos looked at the Earth Bear, contemplating.
"But the battle was too brief; I'm not yet completely sure of my Dragon Wing's strength."
With narrowed eyes, Galos' Dragon Eyes revealed a dangerous glint.
The Earth Bear keenly sensed it, immediately shoving its head into the earth again, ostrich-like, body trembling, as if saying, do as you please, I won't resist or look.
Such behavior dissipated Galos' desire to kill.
He did not yet have followers to serve him, perhaps this Earth Bear could be subdued.
Stepping forward.
Galos extended his claw and lightly patted the Earth Bear's head.
The creature first trembled in fright, then lifted its head again, seeing Galos' calm and unwavering gaze.
"Submit, and I can give you a chance to survive."
Galos said in somewhat awkward Giant language.
"It is my honor."
The Earth Bear nodded like a pecking chick, agreeing decisively.
Galos' might had awed it.
Earth Bears capable of living alone in the wilderness are not ignorant. Although unable to determine what kind of Dragon Race the opponent belonged to, from Galos' size, it could deduce that Galos was just a young Dragon, hence initially displayed great courage without a hint of fear, yet upon contact, lost a bear's arm in an instant. Another few rounds, it felt it was doomed.
After brief communication, Galos learned the Earth Bear's name — Möbel, a male Earth Bear.
The Earth Bear, preserving its life, picked up its severed limb and pressed it against the wound.
Earth-colored energy swirled on it, temporarily adhering and reattaching it.
The Earth Bear's regeneration is not weak; with some recuperation, this bear arm can be used again.
"Is there a nearby magical creature that is at your level or slightly stronger? I'm not satisfied yet."
Galos asked the Earth Bear.
The Earth Bear nodded and pointed its paw towards the south.
"In this direction, there's a Red Phosphorus Python entrenched. I've fought it many times, and we're evenly matched."
As it spoke, a gleam flashed in its eyes, and its expression was gleefully malevolent.
Red Phosphorus Python was its archenemy. They had fought many times over territory and resources, and many of the Earth Bear's old scars were left by the Red-Scaled Python.
"Lead the way."
Galos took to the sky directly.
The Earth Bear started running on the ground, striding towards the south, and under its guidance, Galos soon found the Red-Scaled Python's nest.
It was coiled on a giant cedar, its body almost as thick as the tree itself, with fiery red scales.
Its biological level was also level 8, the same as the Earth Bear.
The difference was, the Red-Scaled Python was a ferocious beast with little intelligence.
Locking onto the target, the young dragon in the sky, a hundred meters high, tensed its muscles and spread its razor-like wings, diving towards the Red-Scaled Python.
Within less than a minute.
As the dragon wings swept by, the massive Red Phosphorus Python's head soared skyward, a rain of blood splattered, adding a streak of ferocity to Galos.
"Even an 8th-level ferocious magic beast can't withstand long in front of me."
Galos flicked his dragon wings, shaking off the blood on them.
Although overcoming a higher-level opponent so easily, he didn't feel arrogantly proud, knowing that Dragons were top-tier magical creatures, capable of such feats by nature.
Life levels are only a reference, not a true measure of combat power.
Galos kept in mind that arrogance and conceit were the primary sins that killed Dragons, and he should not lose himself because of temporary strength.
Besides, he wasn't considered strong; in this wilderness, he had only certain means of self-defense, far from acting recklessly without restraint.
Not to mention that the Iron Dragon Lady could crush him with a few slaps.
And even a mature Giant Dragon like the Iron Dragon Lady wasn't considered a dominant force in the Sel Wilderness.
Soon after, having the Earth Bear remain in the area, Galos left it behind and returned alone to the Celestial Pit Territory.
The reason was simple.
With the Iron Dragon Lady's temperament, she wouldn't allow an uncontrolled Earth Bear in her territory and would forcibly enslave it, given that Galos hadn't used Dragon Vein Transformation on it.
Dragon Vein Transformation—the Dragons bestow their own essence blood upon other creatures, transforming them into Dragon Vein Creatures inherently and loyally bound to them.
Compared to followers, Galos valued himself more. As a young dragon still in rapid growth, giving away his essence blood would slow down his development, and he wouldn't burden himself for a single follower.
The Earth Bear, without undergoing Dragon Vein Transformation.
Its verbal submission was unreliable and could defy Galos' orders and flee directly.
However.
Survival in the wilderness is harsh, fraught with danger, and even he had to be careful. Magical beasts like the Earth Bear won't leave their familiar area unless forced.
If it truly fled, it wouldn't matter.
For Galos, subduing followers was a casual endeavor, something he paid no mind to. At most, he'd kill it if encountered again; otherwise, he wouldn't keep it in his thoughts.
Besides.
Facing the peril-strewn wilderness and a life of escape versus a strong, potentially powerful Dragon ally.
With the Earth Bear's intelligence, it knew how to choose.
Returning to the Celestial Pit Territory when the sky was still bright, with the sun as always emitting high heat.
"Galos, mother wants us to go to her Dragon's Nest together."
Just landing at the cliff, two dragon hatchlings came over to speak to Galos, or more accurately, two young dragons.
A year had passed, and the bodies of the Red Dragon Sister and Tie Longdi had grown larger, reaching the young dragon stage.
"Gathering the three of us, it's been a while since such a thing happened. I wonder what mother has to announce."
The Red Dragon Sister blinked, somewhat curious.
"Hehe, maybe mother prepared delicious blood meals for us to enjoy together."
Tie Longdi tilted its head, guessing cheerfully.
Two fools, have they forgotten what happened to me a year ago?
Galos shook his head slightly.
He remained silent and flew towards the Iron Dragon Lady's Dragon Nest, with the two young dragons enthusiastically following behind.