Chapter 268: Chapter 242: Battle Scar Pattern, Return of the Red Dragon Father

At dawn, the scarred but spirited Galos returned to Dragon Valley.

"Such serious injuries? Who beat you up like this!"

Deborah, who was guarding Dragon Valley, gasped in shock at the sight and then grew furious, her scales slightly raised and a cold, intense aura emanated from her.

"It’s nothing."

Galos landed on the ground, a smile appearing on his face: "The enemy suffered more than I did; from now on, the Border Area belongs to me."

Noticing that the Red Iron Dragon seemed slightly depleted but was otherwise fine, Deborah’s anger gradually subsided.

She asked in confusion, "What happened last night?"

Galos recounted being ambushed and then almost annihilating the enemy’s elite in a calm and composed manner.

"These primitives, truly courting death."

"Luckily, you’re strong enough; otherwise, the consequences would have been unpredictable."

The Red Silver Dragon gazed at Galos’s robust and towering physique, her eyes lingering on those scars.

For the Dragon Race, scars are not remnants of ugliness but marks of achievements and glory. Dragons who have been through battles have scales that break and heal repeatedly, becoming thicker and harder, and subtle fissure-like visual marks, which are barely visible, appear on the surface, symbolizing extensive experience in battle, known as—Battle Scar Pattern.

Galos’s outer Cold Burst Scale exists for the purpose of shattering, hence lacks such marks.

But now, his underlying Black-Red Dragon Scale displays some Battle Scar Patterns.

The appearance of these marks signifies frequent and intense battles, generally not seen on young dragons, not even on mature dragons like Trish.

"Battle Scar Pattern... Galos, in the Boiling Sea Dragon Domain, I haven’t seen any young dragons with Battle Scar Patterns."

"Only adult, mature, or old dragons have them."

The Red Silver Dragon couldn’t help but step forward, reached out her talon, and gently stroked the new Battle Scar Pattern on Galos’s chest that still slightly oozed blood.

"Does it hurt?"

She asked softly.

"I’m used to it."

The Red Iron Dragon said nonchalantly, then retreated a few steps, looked down at the so-called Battle Scar Pattern, and said with delight: "The legacy mentions, once the Battle Scar Pattern spreads all over the body, it will form a special network, facilitating rapid energy flow, and has the same effect on my Dragon Qi; once fully developed, it will grant me an additional means."

The Battle Scar Pattern covering the whole body is often a trait found in Ancient Dragons.

If one remains reclusive for years and avoids conflicts, even Ancient Dragons might not develop a full Battle Scar Pattern.

At that time, its enhancement effect is not highly significant for Ancient Dragons, but its existence alone signifies strength, deterring provocations.

Across, the Red Silver Dragon had different thoughts.

"Such severe injuries, yet he remains calm and indifferent. If it were me, perhaps I would already be screaming in pain."

"Galos... he’s endured too much pain since he was young."

Deborah felt a wave of heartache and pity.

The fierce and strong Mixed-blood Dragon before her turned into a small beast needing care in her eyes.

Pitiful, weak, and helpless.

The Red Silver Dragon quickly fished out from her neck scales a vibrant red crystal-like item resembling a pill, bright and clear.

"This is a magic potion my father made with his own Dragon Blood, it can quickly heal injuries. Eat it."

Galos’s eyes lit up and he said, "Give it to me first, my injuries aren’t severe at the moment, I can save it for later." His injuries would heal slowly on their own.

Such a precious magic potion is better used in battle.

"Eat it now, or I won’t give it to you."

The Red Silver Dragon guessed Galos’s thoughts and directly pushed the magic potion into his mouth.

Feeling the body instinctively crave this magic potion, combined with the Red Silver Dragon’s insistence, Galos lightly bit the Red Silver Dragon’s talon, his tongue wrapping around the potion, and decisively swallowed it whole.

Upon reaching his stomach, it melted instantly.

Like transforming into a stream of cool water, gently sweeping through Galos’s body, bringing comfort wherever it flowed; the ruptured blood vessels and injured organs felt much better immediately, even the scales on his surface transmitted a sensation akin to ants gently biting, accelerating regrowth and recovery.

"This is truly good stuff."

Galos stretched his body, discovering all his pains had vanished, feeling a bit unsatisfied.

"Let me give you another one."

The Red Silver Dragon produced another magic potion made from the essence blood of a mature Silver Dragon, handed it to Galos, and said, "Galos, save it for later."

"How many do you have?"

Galos asked.

"Plenty." To prevent Galos from doubting, the Red Silver Dragon emphasized: "Don’t forget, I am a Metal Dragon, and there are plenty of similar things."

The Red Iron Dragon nodded, then extended his talon.

"Then give me a few more."

He shamelessly requested directly.

"What a beautiful thought! Greedy Evil Dragon."

The Red Silver Dragon snorted lightly, turning her head away as if annoyed.

After waiting a while, she didn’t hear any follow-up sounds from the Red Iron Dragon. She looked back in displeasure, only to find that the Red Iron Dragon had already curled up on the ground, closed his eyes, and fallen asleep, exhaling hot and even breaths.

The Silver Dragon’s magic potion could only relieve pain and heal wounds, with limited recovery effects on stamina and spirit.

After the intense battle, the Red Iron Dragon relaxed mentally and could not resist the drowsiness after taking the magic potion, eventually falling asleep.

Not long after.

As the news spread that the upper heads of the Dawn Tribe and the Ironblood Tribe had almost all died in the battle at the Raging River, the morale of the Molten Iron Tribe skyrocketed.

Being ambushed yet able to completely counter-kill the enemy made the Master of Red Wings appear even more invincible.

In stark contrast to the Molten Iron Tribe, the two tribes were enveloped in a gloomy cloud, their morale completely shattered. Humans and Beastmen no longer put up stubborn resistance, nor did they surrender. Instead, they scattered into many small groups, fleeing deeper into the snowy, frostbitten Eternal Frost Tundra.

After this.

The Affiliated Legion of the Molten Iron Tribe was unstoppable, inch by inch crushing northward, seizing control of the strongholds that originally belonged to the Dawn and Ironblood Tribes.

Unlike the previous Golden Tooth Tribe.

Because these two tribes valued honor and battle, even though their leaders were dead, when their fleeing tribesmen were caught up, resistance was particularly fierce. Those who couldn’t escape fought to the death, and only a very few individuals chose to surrender.

Time slowly trickled away.

About a month later.

By the end of New Calendar year 249, while the intelligent creatures of the Southern Federation were preparing for the upcoming New Year festival, the Border Area had already welcomed its uncrowned king.

At that time, the Border Area was almost entirely filled with the flags of the Molten Iron Tribe.

Except for the Poison Tail Tribe, all other lands and resources now belonged to the Ignas Dragon Group, belonging to Galos.

"The finishing work is basically completed."

"In the Border Area, only the Poison Tail Tribe and us remain. Should we wait for them to come and submit on their own, or should I go to recruit them?"

Solrog’s inquiry came from within his mind.

The Red Iron Dragon paused his polishing and training of his Dragon Wings, narrowed his eyes slightly, and said slowly, "The Snakefolk are standing by, wanting to grab the greatest benefit. Even now, they want to get a high price. Hah, they’re too naive."

After a brief thought.

Galos said, "Forget about them for now. I’ll see when they’re willing to come and swear allegiance."

Five days later.

The Poison Tail Tribe, unable to wait for the Giant Dragons to come and recruit them, finally couldn’t sit still and sent envoys to Dragon Valley, expressing their desire to swear allegiance and submit.

However, Galos refused.

"Solrog, gather the legion and head to the Poison Tail Tribe, crush the outposts along the way, and surround the Ten Thousand Snake Swamp."

"We’ll decide based on their attitude afterward. If there’s more resistance and cunning, flatten the Ten Thousand Snake Swamp too, kill all the resisters, and turn the surrenderers into slaves."

At its zenith, the Molten Iron Legion bared its fangs once again, snapping at the poisonous snake entrenched in the northeast.

Such a vacillating fence-sitter, if the entire tribe is incorporated without damage, Galos would find it hard to feel at ease. Such killing might waste some future followers or slaves, but it’s a necessary action.

Meanwhile.

As the King of the Borderland issued orders to punish the cunning poison-tailed Snakefolk.

The evening edge of the Sel Wilderness was dyed blood-red.

In the ruins of a broken duchy outpost, the last wisps of black smoke twisted upwards toward the sky.

A Giant Dragon slowly folded his wings that had blocked out the sun, his massive body measuring twenty-eight meters long casting a terrifying shadow on the ground, while battle scar patterns covered his blood-red scale armor like countless burning wounds.

This was an adult Red Dragon.

The Red Dragon playfully pressed down on the last struggling guard with its forepaw, savoring the sensation of human bones gradually breaking underfoot.

The guard’s shrill wails were like the most beautiful melody in his ears, and that dragon’s maw filled with sharp teeth gradually spread into a blissful smile.

"Such a wonderful sensation, such a sweet sound..."

His cruel, deep muttering echoed through the ruins, and the tips of his claws deliberately slowed down the crushing of the chest cavity, prolonging the death symphony.

And as time passed.

When the last scream faded into the evening breeze, Gorsas inhaled deeply in satisfaction.

Years of exile had made the air of his homeland even sweeter, a fragrance mixed with fear, blood, and burnt odors. 𝓯𝙧𝓮𝓮𝒘𝓮𝙗𝙣𝒐𝒗𝒆𝓵.𝓬𝓸𝒎

Sniffing the scent in the wild air, the muscles under his scale armor trembled in excitement; the accumulated years of hatred and brutality finally found an outlet.

Then, he spread his wings that blocked out the sky and earth and raised his head to emit a roar that shook heaven and earth.

Invisible and scorching Dragon Qi swept over the ruins like a tidal wave.

"Now, it’s time for the Sel Wilderness to reacquaint itself with its master!"

"Vermin, prepare to tremble in the Dragon Flame and turn to ashes!"

The spines on the Red Dragon’s back stood erect, and his fiery breath ignited the nearby crumbling walls. Then, as countless fiery flames thronged around him, he beat his wings and soared into the sky, disappearing into the horizon before the Federation’s powerful reinforcements could arrive.