Puchi! Puchi!

The muffled sound of blades piercing flesh intertwined with the agonized roars of the beasts, as crimson blood quickly spread through the river water, its strong fishy scent permeating the night breeze.

The Estonian River system is vast and boundless, its channels crisscrossing.

The fierce water beasts lurking in the deep waters often attack merchant ships that pass by, including those navigating the river routes currently governed by the Molten Iron Tribe, which are critical trade paths.

Therefore, the organized hunts regularly conducted by the Molten Iron Followers stationed at various riverbank outposts to clear these river beasts became an essential task.

Not only does it ensure the safety of river navigation and maintain the tribe’s trade lifeline, but it also allows them to hunt and harvest a large amount of energy-rich beast meat to supply the tribe’s consumption, making it a win-win situation.

Swoosh—!

Another arrow infused with strong force whistled through the air, aimed straight at a giant fish-like beast that had just leaped to its highest point, attempting to leap over the iron net.

Just as the arrow was about to hit its scale-covered, tough body.

Suddenly, there was a change.

"Ao——!!!"

A deep, majestic, and oppressive dragon’s roar unexpectedly erupted from the mouth of the seemingly ordinary fish-like beast!

Under the gaze of shocked and wary centaurs, ogres, and even goblin servants.

The beast’s body rapidly swelled, twisted, and transformed as if inflated, and the ordinary fish scales covering it were instantly replaced by dazzling, liquid-gold-like Metal Dragon Scales! Its thick dragon neck proudly raised, fierce dragon horns pierced the night sky, and its broad Dragon Wings suddenly spread open, blocking out the stars and moon.

A massive, majestic giant beast, shimmering with golden light and exuding pure, powerful Dragon Wei, had replaced the original fish-shaped beast, hovering above the waves.

A Metal Dragon! And at the pinnacle of Metal Dragons—a Golden Dragon!

"Before unnecessary bloodshed breaks out, I prefer to have a... civilized conversation first."

Alberto Aurelius’s molten-gold-like Dragon Eyes slowly swept over the stunned or highly vigilant monster followers on the shore, his deep voice rolling like thunder, echoing over the river: "Wanton slaughter of innocent river beasts, attacking a noble Dragon Race member who was... ’peacefully playing’ with them..."

His enormous Dragon’s Kiss slightly cracked open, speaking slowly: "Monsters, you need to prove to me that your actions are not born of pure evil."

Silver-maned Zakli took a deep breath of the cold night wind, forcing himself to snap out of the paralyzing awe of the Dragon Wei.

Damn it! How did it turn out to be a Golden Dragon?! This is trouble!

Regardless, the urgent task was to stabilize this obviously unfriendly and overwhelmingly powerful Golden Dragon, one they couldn’t possibly resist.

"Honored Golden Dragon!"

Silver-maned Zakli suppressed the tremor in his voice, trying to maintain a respectful posture, responding loudly: "Please understand! These river beasts are not innocent! They frequently attack passing merchant ships, causing casualties and cargo loss, which is a threat we must eliminate."

He bowed slightly, lowering his posture even further: "As for the offense to you... this is a huge misunderstanding, we absolutely meant no disrespect! It was entirely due to failing to see through your noble disguise."

The centaur leader, well-versed in Dragon Race temperament, spoke rapidly while swiftly gesturing with his arm to those behind him, lowering his voice to urgently command: "Bring the finest box of Gold Coins from the warehouse."

A few trembling, nearly collapsed goblins scrambled to the warehouse, soon bringing out a heavy metal chest with combined effort.

Silver-maned Zakli personally stepped forward to present the treasure, adopting an extremely humble posture: "This is the Molten Iron Tribe’s deepest respect and awe for your esteemed position! A humble gift, we implore you to accept it to make amends for our ignorant offense!"

However.

The giant golden dragon hovering in the air did not react as expected, softening its stance due to the treasure.

"Gift?"

Alberto’s voice suddenly turned cold.

"What do you take me for? A robber blocking the road? Or a greedy thief?!"

The terrifying Dragon Wei surged down like a tangible tide, making the followers on shore weak-kneed, nearly suffocating.

Silver-maned Zakli’s cold sweat instantly soaked his mane; he quickly humbled himself even more, almost prostrating on the ground: "No such thing, mighty Golden Dragon, you misunderstood, this is not a ransom or bribe, it is merely... merely out of genuine awe and the utmost respect for your majesty, we implore you to accept it!"

Almost shouting, he urged the goblins to bring out all the valuable goods they could find from looting and trade at the outpost, piling them by the riverbank to form a small "mountain of respect" glittering before the Golden Dragon.

The massive golden dragon hovered quietly, its gaze like a substantial probe, lingering on the centaur leader’s forced calm face for several seconds, creating an oppressive atmosphere like solid lead.

Suddenly.

"Hahaha!"

Alberto burst into a hearty, almost dispelling-the-night laugh, Dragon visage jubilant.

"Awe? Respect? Not bad! I like that word!"

His massive dragon head nodded, voice brimming with "magnanimous" pleasure: "Since it is a gift out of ’respect’... then this time, I will mercifully forgive your ignorant offense."

The broad Dragon Wings swept casually.

Whoosh—! All the Gold Coins, gemstones, and valuable items piled by the riverbank seemed to be swept up by an invisible tornado, disappearing beneath those iridescent wings in an instant.

"Remember, this is an exception!"

Leaving this authoritative warning, the vast golden dragon’s body abruptly surged its wings.

Bang! The burst of air pressure pushed the river water into a large depression, and the shining figure of the Golden Dragon transformed into a golden flare tearing through the night sky, disappearing among the starry, deep night in the blink of an eye.

However...

The matter did not end there.

Not long after.

At another riverbank outpost belonging to the Molten Iron Tribe on the Estonian River, almost the exact same scenario played out again.

The Golden Dragon’s behavior starkly contrasted with the legendary noble and benevolent image, more akin to an Evil Dragon cloaked in Golden Scales, systematically and greedily extorting and robbing the Molten Iron Tribe’s wealth.

Meanwhile.

A gust of wind carrying the chill from the depths of the Sel Wilderness whistled over the rugged rocks of Dragon Valley.

The actions of the Golden Dragon Alberto, like the cold message carried by the wind, swiftly spread.

In the valley, Galos finished training, a hint of seriousness flashing in his eyes, slightly raising his head, and transmitted an invisible mental pulse through bloodline connections to Iron Dragon Solrog.

"Golden Dragon..."

"His actions seem not merely for wealth plunder; it’s more like an... intentional provocation or probing for something."

The Red Iron Dragon’s pupils slightly contracted, pondering.

"Solrog."

After contemplating for a few seconds, the Red Iron Dragon gave an order: "Notify Red Dragon Samantha and Nurturer Trish, the three of you, proceed first and meet this... unwelcome visitor with ill intentions."

He himself would not be idly waiting in Dragon Valley for developments.

Following secretly, he planned to first let Solrog and the others have a look at the Golden Dragon’s true motives, while he assessed the situation to act accordingly, also bringing Deborah along to ensure nothing goes amiss.