The Borderlands, Dragon Valley.
The fishing competition, which relied purely on skill, still ended in the Red-Iron Dragon's victory, successfully snatching several potions from the wealthy Metallic Dragon lady.
Similar potions.
Through playing, guessing games, betting, and training guidance, Garros had managed to get quite a lot from the Red-Silver Dragon.
There were roughly nine types of potions, including Wyvern potions that increased agility and speed, Mage Dragon potions that increased elemental sensitivity, and Tyrant Dragon potions that increased temporary resistance. These were all rare potions with strong effects even on Dragonkin, and were high-quality products concocted and crafted by a Level 19 Mature Adult Silver Dragon.
"Potion Master. Should I also learn a similar auxiliary career path?"
This thought sprouted in Garros's mind.
But very quickly, he cast it to the back of his mind, discarding and vetoing it.
"I should let my subordinates or other Dragonkin learn these types of career paths; for example, Red Dragon Samantha has taken up the job of Alchemist."
"This way, I can enjoy the benefits without having to split my time."
Garros pondered in his heart.
In the future, when taking in other Dragonkin, while Dragon Valley would provide them with shelter, there must also be corresponding requirements.
For example.
They must be made to learn and delve into a career path beneficial to Dragon Valley and the development of the tribe as soon as possible, and not be lazy like Gorton, wasting their Dragonkin talents.
Meanwhile.
In the biting cold wind, the Red-Iron Dragon looked up and gazed into the distance.
He saw that the blizzard was pouring down like silver sand onto the cliffs on both sides of Dragon Valley, blocked outside the valley, so that only sporadic light snow was falling inside.
Outside the valley where the snowstorm raged, strong Wyverns flapped their wings, using iron chains to drag various square bricks, which had been mined from the quarry and refined, as they climbed against the wind.
And besides the Wyverns.
There were also many Barbarian and Minotaur slaves, under the urge of the Gnoll overseers' whips and whistles, carrying heavy iron and steel ingots on their bodies, climbing toward the top of the cliffs.
Occasionally, a slave who was frozen stiff or exhausted would fall.
But soon new slaves would be driven to fill the vacancy.
On the platform at the top of the cliff.
Alchemists were operating some older model industrial construction golems that still had good effects; they were originally the accumulation of the Golden Tooth Tribe, but now they were the wealth belonging to the Molten Iron Tribe.
Some had shock devices installed on their soles, their steps falling continuously, tamping the foundation until it was as solid as steel.
Some had fire-element gems embedded in their chests, burning black oil as fuel, using their palms to spray high-temperature flames to soften metal ingots for easier connection.
Some were crane-type constructs responsible for stacking the stone Materials transported by the Wyverns into the prototype of a wall as huge as a city wall.
The Lizardfolk 'craftsmen' with the most architectural talent gathered together, holding things like blueprints, gesturing and constantly directing various subordinates to do work.
The snow fell with a rustling sound, and the fortress standing on the cliff top already had a prototype.
Watching the busy subordinates and slaves, as well as the fortress that was gradually taking shape, a satisfied smile appeared on the Red-Iron Dragon's face.
"Finally, there will be a place to shelter from the wind and rain."
He thought to himself.
For a long time, Garros had either rested casually in dark caves or lived in the open.
But this was not his true wish.
Dragonkin are not beasts; they have certain requirements for their dwellings.
A magnificent, towering, and impregnable powerful fortress is a style of architecture favored by Dragonkin, and it is also what Garros likes.
However.
A fortress capable of accommodating giant creatures is not the same concept as a fortress for human nobles.
To adapt to the size of Dragonkin, the lowest walls of the fortress would appear as towering as city walls in the eyes of other species.
The walls, pillars, and domes all required massive amounts of Materials, and the texture had to be Advanced; ordinary bricks and stones could not be used. It needed to be dominated by sturdy metal, and when necessary, Alchemists had to engrave runes on every square brick for reinforcement, otherwise, for Dragonkin, it would be as fragile as tofu dregs that would shatter at a touch.
Garros had the idea of building a fortress a long time ago, but due to various reasons, it had never been implemented.
It was only until now, with the Molten Iron Tribe controlling The Borderlands, having no external threats, and focusing on development in the short term without rashly starting wars, that the situation had stabilized, leaving room to build the fortress.
The existence of a fortress like this is also a watershed.
Only a Lord Dragon with a huge scale of subordinates, deep foundations, and stable rule can build a Dragon fortress.
The Iron Dragon Mother in the Serel Wilderness does not have a fortress in her territory; she mainly rests in modified caves because the wilderness is fraught with crises, there are many strong individuals, subordinates need to patrol and guard, and the resource points under her command are limited, so the Iron Dragon Mother has no time to build a fortress.
"Deborah, do your parents have a fortress in Red Maple Valley?"
Garros asked the Red-Silver Dragon.
"No. They prefer to live in human form, so they didn't build a fortress."
Deborah blinked her eyes and also looked up at the prototype of the fortress being built bit by bit in the howling wind and snow. A trace of envy flashed in her eyes as she said: "Garros, you can have your own fortress while only a juvenile; any Metallic Dragon of your age who knows this will be envious and jealous."
It is not simple for Metallic Dragons to build fortresses either.
There are fewer Lord Dragons among them, and if they want to build a fortress, most of them do so through wealth and dragon veins, hiring other races, such as human and dwarf intelligent creature craftsmen, to help build it.
Besides the cost of Materials, there are labor costs, design fees, and so on. It is difficult to count.
The intermediate expenses would make even a Mature Adult Metallic Dragon feel heartache.
The Silver Dragon couple did not build a fortress, probably not because they didn't like it, but because they couldn't bear the expense, so they settled for the next best thing and built a residence in human form.
Also worth mentioning.
As they grow older, the wealth of Metallic Dragons will actually be gradually surpassed by Evil Dragons, because Evil Dragons burn, kill, and plunder, collecting all the wealth they can get like a whale swallowing water, without moral burdens, and their efficiency in accumulating wealth and resources is higher than that of Metallic Dragons.
And the biggest source of wealth for Metallic Dragons is 'punishing the wicked and eliminating evil,' which is plundering the wealth of Evil Dragons.
But Evil Dragon lords are not so easy to rob.
If there are no Evil Dragons to rob.
Then they would be like the Silver Dragon Adrie, choosing careers like Alchemist or Potion Master, and selling the things they manufacture to make a profit.
"This fortress is designed according to the size of a Mature Adult Dragon, and it will also serve as a gathering and meeting place for Dragon Valley."
"After it is completed, the space will be very ample."
The Red-Iron Dragon grinned and said to the Red-Silver Dragon: "At that time, if you like, you can also move in; I can save a room for you."
He is actually willing to share his fortress.
Garros is really not an Evil Dragon!
The Red-Silver Dragon nodded happily, but then suddenly said vigilantly: "You won't ask me for rent, will you? Unless it's free, otherwise I won't live there."
The Red-Iron Dragon said sternly: "What are you saying? With our friendship, of course it's free."
The free things are the most expensive. Garros added in his heart.
Only by firmly tying the Red-Silver Dragon to his war chariot could he conveniently use the Metallic Dragon's prestige, or even hug the thigh of the old Silver Dragon father to burst his potions.
"However, there is still one key question now."
Garros shook the snow off his wing membranes, looked at the Red-Silver Dragon, and then asked solemnly: "Deborah, if I take in many young Evil Dragons here, after the news is exposed, will I be targeted by Metallic Dragons?"
This was the point he was most worried about.
Evil Dragons gathering in large numbers in one place.
When the Federation is in civil strife, they might not be able to manage it, but there might be Metallic Dragons descending from the sky, treating Dragon Valley as a gathering place for evil Dragonkin, and attacking this place.
Although he had already gained a foothold in The Borderlands, Garros always maintained a sober understanding.
The prosperity of the Molten Iron Tribe today is more the result of seizing the situation, rather than a manifestation of absolute strength. This nascent force is still fragile and cannot withstand the blow of top-tier forces.
After hearing Garros's words.
"Garros" The Red-Silver Dragon shook her head gently, her gaze sweeping over the Red-Iron Dragon's rugged and fierce body, and then she said seriously: "Metallic Dragons will have a natural prejudice against you, but, isn't your prejudice against Metallic Dragons just as deep?"