Section 0001: Snow on the Summit
Hmph! How detestable! I can't help but want to find those flies from the Tesi Empire and have another go at them, hehe! Little Morin, you better not die, or I will be very sad. The dragon tail, which had lost its perfect shape, seemed to possess a life of its own, with the damaged parts visibly twisting and growing at a rapid pace, reshaping its intricate structure and slowly returning to form. Although it could recover quickly, it would significantly affect its strength.
Wū ... ...
Once a dragon establishes a knight contract with a dragon rider through the dragon flute, it will gain an eternal resting space and the ability to respond to summons that tear through space. The dragon can recuperate within this space and can emerge from it when the flute sounds, or it can instantaneously traverse space from a distant location to reach the position of the dragon rider.
Becoming a Dragon Knight requires not only passing various trials and tests, but also possessing strength, perseverance, and, importantly, luck. Only those strong individuals who meet these conditions can qualify for the soul resonance before the Dragon God Covenant, thereby having the opportunity to obtain their own dragon partner and sign an equal partnership contract that shares glory. Sometimes, even powerful warriors may pass through numerous tests, yet if they cannot trigger soul resonance, they still cannot become Dragon Knights.
A black-armored figure, standing atop the snow-capped peak, is playing a peculiar short flute over seven inches long. As the sharp, biting cold wind sweeps across the black mystic armor that protects him from head to toe, the crimson cloak billowing behind him produces a rustling sound, akin to a battle flag fluttering in the breeze. Above him, the void ripples like water, and fierce dragon horns resembling a crown adorn his head. His body is covered in tightly packed, iron-like scales, and a monstrous beast with enormous wings bursts forth from the sky.
The sudden and bizarre phenomenon of suspension, along with the *picture* book effect, is a unique void magnetic field possessed solely by gold dragons. It can generate a form of anti-gravity effect that supports their heavy bodies, rivaling those of earth dragons. This skill is an innate talent of every gold dragon; otherwise, ordinary ground would be unable to bear the immense weight of a gold dragon. A single step would feel as if one were stepping into tofu, sinking into the earth as if caught in natural quicksand. This skill is an innate talent of every gold dragon; otherwise, ordinary ground would be unable to bear the immense weight of a gold dragon. A single step would feel as if one were stepping into tofu, sinking into the earth as if caught in natural quicksand.
The identity that once equated to the nobility has now caused the mages to lose their former elegance. Covered in dust and grime, they desperately cast spells and meditate. The once-precious magic crystals and cores are now continuously supplied from the rear, only to be extravagantly squandered. There is barely time to admire their beautiful and wondrous crystalline shapes or to marvel at the surging magical energy fluctuations before they are drained of their immense power, disintegrating into worthless dust. The entire rear of the battlefield is permeated with the unique scent of magical spices that enhance the success rate of spellcasting. Even without lavishly sprinkling these expensive spices, the air allows for free breathing, still providing the effects of aiding mental focus and stability. One can successfully cast spells merely through mechanical incantations.
This golden dragon, resembling a weapon with its body pierced by sharp implements, has wings that appear to be composed of countless blades. Its naturally formed metallic armor protects every part and joint of its body, a feat that even the most skilled human artisans could not replicate, let alone the intricate dark black patterns that crisscross its surface. The dragon's claws are as sharp as divine weapons, effortlessly crushing millennia-old ice that rivals fine steel beneath its grip. Its horns seem to harbor a latent power of thunder, occasionally flashing with electricity, while the bloody aura of slaughter surrounding it feels almost tangible. A pair of bowl-sized crimson vertical pupils fixate intensely on the knight before it, as if ready to pounce and tear the opponent to shreds at any moment.
There are those who, relying on their formidable strength, defeat dragons and force them to become their mounts. However, one must consider the future consequences of incurring the wrath of the dragon race and facing relentless pursuit. So far, there have been almost no individuals daring enough to commit such a grave transgression, and even if they do appear, they are swiftly eradicated. A forcibly acquired dragon mount does not gain any benefits from martial energy cultivation. This is the greatest advantage of a true dragon knight; given time to grow, a knight with a dragon can quickly become the most powerful being.
The dragon flute, in addition to being a witness to the contract, is also a magical treasure that serves as a spatial coordinate and a living storage space
"Gold coins! How is the recovery going?" A young man's voice emerged from beneath a helmet that covered his entire head, leaving only a pair of eyes visible and a thick white mist escaping through the narrow cross-shaped slit. He seemed completely unfazed by the giant dragon's unceremonious and even malicious actions towards him.
The high-ranking commanders of both countries had long grown weary of a war that had dragged on for five or six years without a clear outcome. Countless battles, large and small, had erupted, with a variety of tactics and strategies emerging in succession. Each legion took turns to engage, ultimately spiraling uncontrollably into the most direct and simplistic form of attrition warfare. The principles of offense and defense had completely lost their structure, as the command center mechanically issued charge orders every day. Without the need for enforcement teams wielding swords stained with dark red blood to drive them forward, soldiers would reflexively and hoarsely line up to charge towards the enemy camp. In the meat grinder of battle, pain and death rendered it impossible for anyone to feel that they were still alive; only when killed by the enemy could they finally attain complete liberation.
Ordinary people would find it a topic of conversation to boast about for a lifetime upon seeing it, and now, the Hailaer Central Mountain Range has almost become a duel arena for aerial warriors from both nations. Whenever one looks up, they can see the fierce and massive dragons roaring as they soar through the sky. Utilizing their advantage at high altitude, they unleash sharp breath attacks, creating a continuous cacophony of screams on the ground. They either collide violently with opposing dragons or other aerial forces, resulting in massive magical shockwaves erupting in the air, creating visible ripples in the atmosphere. Whenever one looks up, they can see the fierce and massive dragons roaring as they soar through the sky. Utilizing their advantage at high altitude, they unleash sharp breath attacks, creating a continuous cacophony of screams on the ground. They either collide violently with opposing dragons or other aerial forces, resulting in massive magical shockwaves erupting in the air, creating visible ripples in the atmosphere.
A few months ago, they entered the battlefield, and now they have become the last remaining veterans, transformed into true human killing machines. Without exception, their eyes gleam with a cold, merciless ferocity. After driving back the last enemy, they retreat from the front lines, collapsing to the ground in sleep before even reaching the barracks. Upon waking, they eat; once satiated, they await the sound of the horn to charge out and fight. Even in their final moments, they can still take down an enemy with them. Despite this, many veterans become so consumed by the battle that they forget everything, unable to retreat safely, and fall forever on the battlefield.
Ultimately, among a hundred thousand individuals, only one or two may be fortunate enough to attain the honor of becoming a Dragon Knight. Such stringent selection criteria have resulted in the number of Dragon Knights remaining consistently low. Once one becomes a Dragon Knight, their martial energy cultivation will progress by leaps and bounds due to the resonance with the aura of their dragon partner.
The protracted war between the Teshxi Hetushucomcom Empire and the Silan Empire has transformed the newly deployed soldiers of both nations from inexperienced recruits, who were weak at the sight of bloody, mangled limbs, into true warriors, utterly numb to life and death, within just a few days
A peak in the central mountain range of the Haila Mountains, situated above the snow line and covered in ice and snow for countless millennia, resonates with a strange, eerie, sharp, and prolonged sound.
Different dragon flutes each possess their unique sound, thus every dragon that has signed a knight's contract can only hear the distinct sound of the dragon flute held by its knight
The resounding roar, representing supreme majesty, erupted in the sky over one hundred meters from the peak.
The fall of the once formidable War God and Sword Saint, which could have caused quite a stir in the past, is not surprising here; the invincible reputation of the Dragon Knights has also faded. Almost every month, at least one Dragon Knight and their mount, the giant dragon, perish on the battlefield, either killed by equally powerful opponents or, unfortunately, wounded and captured by the enemy, where they are overwhelmed and killed by light infantry whom they had never regarded with any seriousness, at the cost of massive casualties. There are living examples of how ants can kill an elephant. Almost every month, at least one Dragon Knight and their mount, the giant dragon, perish on the battlefield, either killed by equally powerful opponents or, unfortunately, wounded and captured by the enemy, where they are overwhelmed and killed by light infantry whom they had never regarded with any seriousness, at the cost of massive casualties. There are living examples of how ants can kill an elephant.
The battlefield above is an exceptionally perilous place. As the pinnacle of military might for both empires, the aerial sovereigns, the dragon knights, who are rarely seen in ordinary times, seem to have become frequent visitors here
Here, the term "veteran" refers solely to soldiers who have survived for three months without being killed in action. Soldiers recruited from various provinces of the empire are continuously gathering towards the central mountain range of Hailar, charging forward one after another into this area filled with the intertwining of blades and death
The seven-inch-long dragon flute is a testament to the covenant of loyalty between dragon riders and their giant dragons. One hundred thousand years ago, wise individuals from both the dragon and human races reached an ancient alliance to combat extraterrestrial foes. By combining the power of dragons with the creativity of humans, they maximized both strength and wisdom. Each dragon flute is crafted by alchemists and artisans from both races, utilizing a wealth of precious materials and extraordinary techniques.
Among the approximately 105 dragon knights registered in the Slan Empire, 61 have concentrated on the battlefield in the Hailar Central Mountain Range, while the remaining 44 have stayed in the imperial city to guard the palace. In contrast to the Slan Empire, the Tesi Empire possesses only a handful of dragon knights, with the primary force capable of contending with the Slan Empire being over 600 griffon knights and thunder hawk knights. Although their individual combat strength is inferior to that of dragons, they excel in numbers and the coordination of intricate formations.
A substantial roar erupted, sending shockwaves through the air that spread outward like ripples on water, sweeping away the surrounding white cold mist that clung to the peak. The nearby mountains were stirred by this deafening roar, causing the millennia-old accumulated snow to shift and tumble down, expanding and amplifying into an even more earth-shattering avalanche
A young golden dragon, not yet a thousand years old, revealed its fierce form in the sky. Its body, over ten zhang long, displayed no clumsiness as it circled around the peak of the snow-covered mountain. Without showing any signs of slowing down, it folded its wings and swooped towards the summit. However, as it approached the layers of ice and snow that were as hard as steel, it let out a low dragon's roar and suddenly hovered in the air for a moment before crashing heavily onto the peak. Countless snowflakes and ice particles erupted from the summit, crashing against the ice blocks and exposed rocks with a loud crack, nearly causing the peak to collapse.