Chapter 184 - 146 Old Axe Village_1

Chapter 184: Chapter 146 Old Axe Village_1Having realized this, Chester solemnly bowed again and said, "Rest assured, my Lord, I know what to do next. I will swiftly put Eagle Cliff Town in order and cultivate more professional talents, ready to serve at your command whenever needed." "Good, understanding is key," Gaven nodded with satisfaction, "off you go, Bark and Zack, the dragonization is near its end." Conversing with intelligent people was simple, just a hint and they knew what to do. Not many were needed; if the Dragon Oak Territory had just ten or eight such people, his future tasks would become much easier. The road ahead was long and arduous, indeed. The speed of dragonization far exceeded that of the Dragon Seeking Ritual Ceremony. This difference was caused by the ways they absorbed elemental energy. One was slow energy absorption, while the other was a massive surge of energy flooding in; naturally, the speeds were different. Now, Gaven was one hundred percent certain that dragonization was linked to the professional template. Only after the body had been transformed by the Magic Network and the professional template had been activated, could it withstand such a massive and rapid infusion of elemental energy for transformation. A normal flesh and blood body, suddenly subjected to such a large infusion of elemental power, would inevitably explode. Hou! Hou! With two low roars, Two newly dragonized Gnolls were ready. Although both had undergone dragonization, there was a considerable difference between the two. Firstly, let’s talk about Zack, whose condition was very similar to Susie’s. He too sprouted Dragon Wings and received an all-attribute +2; his body color turned to earthy yellow. Professional Level: Level 6 Magician Life Dice: 20 (6D4+6) Post-dragonization Attributes: Strength 9, Dexterity 18, Constitution 12, Intelligence 13, Perception 14, Charisma 18 His Dexterity and Charisma were remarkably impressive among his peers. It’s just that his health was on the lower side, but these were the attributes a typical Magician should have. It was Gaven’s that were exceptionally abnormal. Zack’s dragonization, after consuming Dragon Blood Potion, was not significantly different from Susie’s natural awakening. No simultaneous overlay of dragon blood and dragonization enhancement occurred. This was within Gaven’s expectations. Situations of identical internal attribute enhancement often do not stack; the weaker one is overshadowed by the stronger. Dragon Veins, Dragon Blood, Dragonization—these three enhancement modes all enhance bloodlines, typically passed down the line. The latter one can be considered an enhanced version of its predecessors. The prospect of all three concurrently providing stacked attributes was absent. Wait, Gaven was about to further verify this. It was simple, to have Susie, who had already initiated dragonization, drink a vial of Red Copper Dragon Blood Potion to see the outcome. Gaven could afford to waste a vial of Dragon Blood Potion. seaʀᴄh thё nôvel_Fire.ηet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. As various experiments continued, the relationship between the three enhancement modes became increasingly clear. Gaven would be able to make targeted decisions to create more powerful Gnolls. Now onto Bark, whose stature was originally larger. After dragonization, he grew taller and more robust, standing over one and a half meters with scales tending towards red, and a pair of leathery wings developing a bony structure, morphing into Dragon Wings. However, the shape of his Dragon Wings resembled those of a Red Dragon, while Zack and Susie’s were akin to those of a Red Copper Dragon. His attribute enhancement differed slightly: Strength +4, Constitution +4, Dexterity +2, Charisma +2. Professional Level: Level 7 Warrior Life Dice: 75 (7D10+21+14) Post-dragonization Attributes: Strength 16, Constitution 16, Dexterity 21, Intelligence 12, Perception 10, Charisma 15. In terms of the sum of attribute increases, Bark and Zack’s were no different, but Bark’s were undoubtedly more concentrated, leaning towards physical strength. Just looking at the physical attributes, he would be exceptional among human warriors, especially in Dexterity, having reached the Transcendent level, unlocking the Transcendent reward. The cause of this disparity could be due to Bark’s warrior profession, the Red Dragon Blood Potion effect, or a combination of both. This would require further verification. One certainty was that Dragon Blood Potions made from various Giant Dragon blood directly influenced the Gnolls’ bloodline attributes. Therefore, Gaven didn’t let Cangya, who was already of a high-level Dragon Vein, consume the Dragon Blood Potion because they only had Earth Attribute (Red Copper Dragon) and Fire Attribute (Red Dragon) Dragon Blood Potions at hand. "What abilities have you unlocked?" Gaven asked as he approached. Zack was the first to reply, "I have Spell Extension, which allows me to cast spells of the third circle or lower three times a day without raising my spell slots." The Supermagic Feat of Spell Extension could double the spell’s area of effect. Typically, enhancing by three spell slots—for example, taking a third circle Stone Shaping Spell to a sixth circle—required at least twelve levels in Magician for access to a sixth circle spell slot. "Very useful," Gaven nodded, "Your Stone Shaping Spell will be much more powerful now. Continue to explore; ability is static, but people are flexible. The same spell can vary in power depending on the caster, so make sure to fully unleash its potential." "Your teachings are well received, my Lord." "And you?" Gaven turned his gaze to Bark. "Fire Breath, usable three times a day," Bark answered. Gaven showed an expected expression, "Once you integrate this ability into combat, I believe your strength will undergo a qualitative leap." "Understood," Bark nodded. "That concludes today’s meeting," Gaven made his final statement, "Following the spirit of the meeting, begin implementation. If any issues arise, notify me promptly. I will remain in Blackwell for the near future." Although Eagle Cliff Town was now confirmed as the administrative center of Dragon Oak Territory, Gaven would still stay in Blackwell for a short while. It wasn’t that there was anything that needed relocating, but there was a Santarin Association eyeing them covetously, always poised to make a move. Instead of letting them find themselves unable to locate him and think up some underhanded tricks, it was better to present himself as bait, in the open. Until the Santarin Association was one hundred percent certain they couldn’t win him over, the likelihood of them employing underhanded tactics was much smaller, but it was still necessary to be on guard. Following Gaven’s adjustments, the higher-ups of the Dragon Oak Territory were filled with enthusiasm. The working passion of the gnolls below was further stimulated. Bark of Eagle Cliff Town, Zack of Blackwell Town, and Susie of Pitfall Town. These three Dragonized Gnolls were tangible examples placed in front of the gnolls of the three towns. Provided they worked hard enough, one day, they too could obtain the same powerful strength, a lifelong pursuit for all gnolls. The reconstruction speed of the Ancient Dragon Nest was the fastest, almost astonishingly so. To say it changed daily was not an exaggeration. Several factors contributed to this. Firstly, there was a large number of gnolls deployed; on the first day only a thousand were brought in, but from the second day onward, the number surpassed two thousand, with all living on the construction site. This leads to the second point: the elemental magic in the Ancient Dragon Nest was so intense that the gnolls could fulfill part of their energy needs by absorbing it, dramatically reducing their need for food to just one meal a day. This was also in line with the heritage of the Giant Dragons; when they hibernated, they maintained their bodily needs by absorbing elements. The gnolls, living and working on the construction site, did not feel hardship or exhaustion but rather considered it an honor, a pleasure, tirelessly remaining content. Thirdly, the spells or spell-like abilities cast by the gnolls were enhanced to varying degrees; what used to soften one square meter of material now affected one and a half or two square meters, naturally increasing efficiency dramatically. Within less than ten days, the Ancient Dragon Nest had changed beyond recognition, bearing no resemblance to its original form. Four main areas — the Hatching Zone, Dragon’s Nest Zone, Troop Stationing Zone, and Public Zone — were beginning to take shape. The entire Dragon Oak Territory was on the rise. ... Old Axe Village South of Skeleton Rock Town, there was a mountain peak that rose abruptly from the earth, named Old Axe Peak, and this village was situated at its base. The High Road that traversed the Rocklands ran not far from the village. This was a mining hamlet, or at least it used to be. Now, travelers and merchants passing on the High Road saw nothing but an empty, desolate ghost village. This human settlement, even under the protection of the Purple Dragon Knights and War Mages, had only managed a meager existence for a little over a decade in the Rocklands before being forced to abandon it. Most had relocated, leaving only a few villagers who had yet to leave, abandoning the above-ground buildings and, like gnolls, burrowed into the caves inside Old Axe Peak, constructing walls to survive with difficulty. A middle-aged woman dressed as a Martial Monk came down from the High Road and approached Old Axe Village, moving at a deceptively rapid pace. Before the sentries on the village wall could react, she dashed along the wall with a whoosh, covering three or four steps and flipping over the four- or five-meter-high stone wall. Two guards immediately panicked, one reaching for the alarm bell and the other reaching to draw his sword. The Martial Monk slapped the sword hilt, pushing the halfway-drawn sword back into its scabbard, turned, and grabbed the wrist of the other guard. This guard felt a numbness in his hand, and the bell hammer slipped from his grasp. Only then did the Martial Monk speak, "I bear no ill will; I am here to seek a meeting with the Lady Alasha Bradiir. Please have her come out to see me." The middle-aged woman’s voice allowed no room for refusal. Who are you? This question almost made it to the lips of the two guards before they forced it back down their throats. Asking such a question at this point was clearly unwise. The Old Axe Village guard with the sword nodded and said, "My lady, please wait a moment while we fetch Lady Alasha for you." Having said this, he exchanged a glance with the other guard, preparing to withdraw into the caves of Old Axe Village. "Who said both of you could go?" the middle-aged woman said, still holding the alarm ringer’s hand with no sign of letting go. "One person should suffice for delivering a message. You stay here and keep me company!" The captured guard felt his hand was gripped as if by an iron clamp, utterly unable to break free. Knowing his comrade had been taken hostage, the guard conceded with a nod, "My lady, please wait. I’ll go right now. I hope you won’t harm my comrade." "As soon as Lady Alasha comes out to see me, I will release your comrade," the middle-aged woman said with an expressionless face. The guard with the sword turned and ran toward the caves of Old Axe Village. A few minutes later, about a dozen Old Axe Village miners, wielding pickaxes, rushed out, led by a young woman. Despite the miner’s garb, her beauty, especially her dazzling red hair, shone in the sunlight, all aglow. The miners from Old Axe Village stopped about ten meters away. One of the more irate miners yelled, "Who are you? Coming here to stir up trouble in our Old Axe Village, if you don’t release our person right now, do you believe I can smash your head in with my pickaxe?" "I don’t believe you!" the middle-aged woman replied unflinchingly to the group of burly miners, "You don’t have the skill. Lady Alasha, I am not here to cause trouble; I just want to talk to you. If you don’t want your people to suffer unnecessary injuries, have them step back for now." Lady Alasha with fiery hair looked the middle-aged woman up and down and finally nodded, "Back off, all of you." "Leader..." "Village chief..." The miners, looking puzzled, wanted to say more.