Chapter 281: Chapter 253: Dragon God’s Favor, the Iron Dragon and the Monastery

"I have deep prejudices against the Metal Dragon... speak carefully about it."

Galos didn’t argue with the evaluation of the Red Silver Dragon, instead, he leaned forward actively, indicating for the other party to continue explaining.

As a Red Iron Dragon who grew up in a harsh environment, he knew better than anyone the deadly consequences that misunderstandings could bring—if he could avoid this cognitive trap in advance, it would be all the better.

The Red Silver Dragon folded her wings, adjusting to a more comfortable position.

"First, you need to understand that among the Metal Dragon Race, those extremists who blindly shout for the killing of Evil Dragons are actually a tiny minority."

She lifted her claw while speaking: "The vast majority of Metal Dragons, when encountering Evil Dragons, try first to guide them to change their alignment, after all..."

Deborah lowered her voice, saying: "It’s the Chaotic Evil Dragons that are the truly dangerous scourge."

"Just like the species among the Five-Colored Dragons: the Red Dragon, Black Dragon, and White Dragon."

Her tone became serious as she continued: "They produce mindless lunatics who disregard consequences, even the relatively Lawful Green Dragons and Blue Dragons can have individuals who completely lose control... these Chaotic Evil Dragons not only harm other races, but our Dragon Race as well."

The wind and snow swirled between the two dragons.

The Red Silver Dragon paused for a moment, then said: "But alignment is never an unchangeable label."

"Especially for those young dragons who have been traumatized, if they remain long-term in abusive or exiled conditions, they’re even more likely to fall into the abyss of chaos."

"So if you can take in these abandoned young and juvenile dragons,"

Deborah’s eyes lit up, as if she thought of something interesting: "There’s no need to turn them into the Good Alignment—if you can just shift them from Chaos to Order, in the eyes of the rational Metal Dragons, that’s an admirable achievement."

Creatures of the Good Alignment, when tainted with chaos, can sometimes be even harder to deal with than Lawful Evil.

An Evil Alignment combined with a Chaotic Alignment is a mobile threat.

Galos lightly tapped the ground with his claw, seemingly deep in thought.

If it truly is as the Red Silver Dragon said, then his perspective was a bit narrow. In the eyes of Metal Dragons, the Chaotic Evil Dragons are the most dangerous, whereas, among similar evil beings, Lawful Evil is actually more acceptable compared to Chaotic Evil.

Lawful Evil Dragons are equally unwelcome.

But compared to those chaotic maniacs with no logic, at least they are predictable and negotiable beings.

"For example, my unknown Red Dragon Father."

Just from a few simple descriptions by Silver Dragon Adri, Galos could sense how dangerous the Red Dragon Father was as a dragon.

The Red Silver Dragon squinted her eyes slyly: "Imagine, if the number of Lawful Evil Dragons you raised was sufficient..." Her voice slightly rising in anticipation, she continued: "Perhaps even the Platinum Dragon God would cast a favorable glance."

This is something he would rather avoid... Galos cautiously flicked his tail.

There are no free gifts under the sun; he didn’t want to be involved with any Divine Spirits.

The disparity in levels between the two sides was too great.

If beings capable of deciding their destiny noticed him, Galos, who harbored a bit of paranoia, would feel extremely uneasy.

Who knows what consequences might arise from those supreme beings’ whims.

Calming himself, Galos took a deep breath of the frigid air: "Dragon Valley will not take in Evil Dragons without restraint; keeping the numbers within a reasonable range will suffice."

He calculated silently in his heart.

Even if he took in and raised tens or hundreds of Lawful Evil Dragons, it would be just a drop in the vast ocean of many planes, not enough to attract the special attention of a Divine Spirit.

Even if believers prayed to a god every day, unless they themselves reached a certain level, it would be difficult to attract attention or response from the divine, let alone non-believers.

Not to mention young dragons.

Adults, mature dragons, if they think they can attract divine favor... they certainly overestimate themselves.

"I need to start training."

The Red Iron Dragon composed himself and invited Deborah, "Together?"

The Red Silver Dragon curled her tail slightly, agreeing with delight.

The snow and wind continued as time flowed by unhurriedly.

Lothern Kingdom Capital City, the outskirts on the border, the newly built Starfire Monastery.

The morning fog still lingered, and in the dim light of dawn, nearly a hundred children were spaced apart in the Bluestone Plaza, forming a training formation.

Their bare skin steamed with heat, their faces tender yet their eyes exceptionally resolute, sweating like rain yet none complained or uttered a word of grievance.

These children.

Were taken in by the Gem Merchant Group and handed over to the Starfire Monastery as reserves of the Divine Dragon Sect.

They were all orphans and beggars without parents and underwent rigorous screening, even using magic to ensure each had a tenacious will, a heart of gratitude, and potential for cultivation.

At this moment, the children were undergoing basic training of the Divine Dragon Sect Pathway.

They maintained the Dragon Coiling Stance, standing on one leg as the Dragon Tail curled, with a heavy stone hanging from their ankles. Most of them swayed left and right, trembling constantly while gritting their teeth to lift their legs without letting the stone touch the ground.

The most outstanding performer was a ten-year-old boy.

His eyes were covered with a black cloth, yet his movements were meticulous, his body as stable as a boulder, without any tremble, standing out among the children.

His name was Aster; he had been blind since childhood, but his other senses were exceptionally sharp.

He could smell various scents in the air, feel the ripples of airflow brushed by the snowflakes, hear the most subtle sounds.

Perhaps because of his blindness, incapable of seeing the world’s splendor or ugly scenes, he had an extraordinarily focused attention during cultivation, progressing fastest, considered the ’senior disciple’ of Starfire Monastery.

"Spine rises like a dragon!"

The resonant voice of the Divine Dragon Martial Monk Bald boomed.

The sturdy martial monk, who is bare-chested in the snow with a Giant Dragon tattoo, poses in a manner resembling a dragon soaring, stretching his spine with a sound like frying beans.

The children simultaneously change their postures.

They are both boys and girls, most of their movements are quite awkward, yet they try their best to imitate the instructor’s actions.

As time goes by, they sometimes raise their heads like young dragons, sometimes stretch their arms like wings.... adopting one Dragon stance after another.

"Remember! The stance is just an appearance, just a carrier, the true core is ’Qi’!"

"Feel the circulation of your breath, capture that trace of Qi."

Bald traverses among the apprentice martial monks, speaking while correcting the posture of a boy with a stern face and fierce gaze.

This boy is named Seros, eight years old this year, and has many scars on his body.

He is also a beggar, but not as timid and self-abased as the others. When discovered by the Gem Merchant Group, he was beating a stray dog to death for a piece of bread, fighting over food.

Just at this moment.

The ground suddenly shakes, as if some enormous creature landed outside.

But, sensing the tremor of the ground, the children present can’t help but break into smiling faces.

"The great King of Steel is here, little crawlers, are you not going to welcome him fast!"

Iron Dragon Gordon strides in with uneven steps, ’squeezing’ into the monastery, followed by attendants who bring with them delicious foods that ordinary people have never even heard of.

Even if those foods are sealed in boxes.

Just a little scent leaking out is enough to make the children present drool.

"Bald sends his greetings to you."

The Divine Dragon Martial Monk in charge of Starfire Monastery bows in salute, somewhat timid in his movements, yet his gaze towards Iron Dragon is full of reverence and admiration.

He belongs to the Dragon Heart Society, a Dragon Seeker, who takes pride in being close to the Dragon Race and working for them.

"No need for courtesy, thank you for your hard work."

The Iron Dragon cheerfully retrieves a bottle of Palace Magic Potion from beneath his scales, casually handing it to the Divine Dragon Martial Monk: "A little gift, take it, drink it when you’re tired, it will replenish your energy."

Gift-giving upon meeting.

For those of high status, it gains their favor; for those of lower status, it wins them over.

This is a social skill Iron Dragon learned from interacting with the aristocrats, besides Princess Alina, he collects his shed scales or teeth, turning them into small gifts for other princes, princesses, and even kings.

Leaving aside the value.

To receive a small gift from a Dragon, the feeling is surely different.

Directly giving gold coins, Iron Dragon can’t bear yet the Palace Magic Potion, which is truly more valuable, though not made of gold or gemstones, he gives it away without feeling the slightest pain.

"Thank you for your generosity."

The Divine Dragon Martial Monk says with joy in his gaze, head bowed.

"Little crawlers, why haven’t I heard your cheers?"

Iron Dragon strides heavily into the plaza, intentionally putting on a stern face, speaking.

"Welcome the great King of Steel!"

The children cheer, very happy at Iron Dragon Gordon’s arrival, their unified voices echoing across the plaza.

This is Gordon’s third visit.

He went out with Princess Alina, during her charity activities, he guided her to Starfire Monastery and showed his favoritism and curiosity towards Divine Dragon Martial Monks, and naturally followed up by coming here, bringing high-grade food and his guidance to Starfire Monastery.

Honestly, it’s not really guidance.

Just like now.

"Little crawlers, come to experience a real Dragon!"

After the children receive permission, they end their training, one by one surrounding Iron Dragon Gordon, touching his scales closely, observing his appearance and posture, feeling his breath.

Though Iron Dragon’s body is huge, his plump appearance doesn’t seem particularly fierce.

Really not terrifying.

"You, little thing named Aisha, are you not afraid of me anymore?"

Iron Dragon reaches out a claw, gently taps the frail girl whose frame resembles a bean sprout.

Upon hearing the Iron Dragon’s inquiry, the girl who used to starve at the brink of death, hiding fearfully in a corner, now dares to say boldly: "Not afraid, you bring us tasty food, I like you!"

"Rest assured, with the great King of Steel around, you won’t starve again."

Iron Dragon flaps his wings, speaking boldly.

Not just for the task, he himself also enjoys the feeling of being fawned upon.

When mingled among the children like this, Iron Dragon Gordon feels omnipotent, treated as a ’Divine Spirit’, greatly satisfying his vanity.

Scattered snowflakes continue to fall.

Yet within Starfire Monastery, it’s not cold.

The ’King of Steel’ interacts very harmoniously with the future Divine Dragon Martial Monks, those children gazing up at Iron Dragon without any fear or dread of the alien Giant Dragon, rather being filled with reverence and admiration.

The seeds planted by the Ignatius Brothers here are quietly taking root, gradually sprouting.