Chapter 17: The Shattered Fang Tribe

To Unlock Bonus Chapters:

Reach 30/40/50/100/200/400 Power Stones! 3 Extra Chapters!

Reach 800 Power Stones to activate NP!

Resets Weekly! [Monday]

—————————————————————————————————————————

Such a blessing?

Bolikri, the Kobold chieftain, was nearly moved to tears. The mighty Black Dragon not only granted him the bloodline of a true dragon but also rewarded his tribe with exquisite meat.

Look at this—his neck and chest were already sprouting pitch-black scales.

He felt himself growing stronger, and he believed that as his master grew in power, so would he.

Eating meat off the ground? So what?

They were used to eating carrion, let alone this rabbit meat, which exuded a rich aroma. Even if it was tainted with a bit of dirt, it was still a blessing for the Kobolds.

Watching the Kobolds eagerly devour the rabbit meat and bones with loud munching sounds, Su Nian nodded his dragon head in satisfaction.

He could clearly sense a faint connection forming between himself and Bolikri, the Kobold chieftain.

Creatures that spent prolonged periods around dragons would gradually absorb the dragon's aura, potentially undergoing a phenomenon known as Dragonification. Su Nian considered this bloodline ability akin to radiation.

This highlighted just how overwhelmingly invasive a dragon's bloodline could be.

No wonder dragons had no reproductive isolation with other species. Even merely staying in a dragon's presence, doing nothing at all, could eventually grant one a trace of dragon's bloodline.

There were many ways to transform subordinates. The first method was to keep them by your side. Over time, they would gradually take on your traits.

The second method was what Su Nian had just done—dripping a drop of heart's blood to accelerate the first process.

A dragon's heart's blood had potent corrosive properties and contained fragments of the dragon's inheritance.

This was why ancient warriors, after slaying a dragon, would bathe in its blood, but the dragon's heart was reserved for the true dragon slayer. After all, the heart was the key.

The third method was called the Dragon Ancestry Ceremony, a solemn transformation ritual typically reserved for powerful and loyal subordinates.

The Dragon Ancestry Ceremony required the dragon to pay a price, but the transformed subordinates were exceptionally perfect.

Su Nian did not yet know how to perform the Dragon Ancestry Ceremony, and Bolikri, the Kobold chieftain, was not worthy of it.

Since the Kobolds appeared, Anna had been acting like a curious child.

While observing the Kobolds, she nibbled on roasted rabbit meat, occasionally feeding pieces to the Black Dragon carrying her, thoroughly enjoying herself.

Anna had heard of Kobolds before but was seeing them for the first time.

In the Forest of Elves, all creatures appeared noble and beautiful. Even a bear would wear a flower crown and look endearingly clumsy, unlike these Kobolds, who exuded a primal, savage aura.

It was as if they were fleeing from something.

Anna tilted her head, pondering, and came up with this description. She couldn't help but feel an urge to learn more about these creatures from stories.

"Mr. Dragon, what did you just say to these Kobolds? They seem eager to become your subordinates," Anna asked.

Hearing this, Su Nian turned his neck to nuzzle Anna's cheek, nodding in affirmation.

He was growing increasingly fond of rubbing Anna's slightly chubby cheeks. The smooth and tender sensation was addictive to the dragon.

Unfortunately, he couldn't speak yet. As a young dragon, his vocal cords could only produce hissing and growling dragon sounds.

However, Su Nian noticed that he could modify his vocal cords, but it required 200 system points. He didn't have enough points at the moment.

He planned to hunt magical beasts after relocating to stockpile meat and accumulate enough system points to modify his vocal cords and gain the ability to speak freely.

"Ahh, Mr. Dragon..."

Anna giggled as Su Nian's nuzzling tickled her. She tried to push away the dragon's massive head, but with her tiny arms and legs, she couldn't budge it. In the end, she could only let the Black Dragon nuzzle her as he pleased.

Seeing that Bolikri and the other Kobolds had finished eating the rabbit meat and were now gazing at him expectantly, Su Nian knew they were awaiting his command.

Without hesitation, he turned and returned to his lair, gathering his meager belongings.

Carrying Anna on his back, he emerged from the cave.

"Now," Su Nian raised his dragon head, his crimson vertical pupils locking onto Bolikri, and commanded in a guttural dragon tongue, "Take me to your tribe. I no longer wish to live here. I need a new lair—spacious and dry!"

"Yes, Master. Please follow me."

Bolikri, ever the opportunist, changed his form of address and quickly scrambled to his feet. Barking orders to his Kobold subordinates, he led the way for Su Nian.

With Anna, a Half-Elf, and a group of magical creatures, they traversed low shrubs, waded through the creek where Su Nian had once quenched his thirst, circled around a cliff, and navigated winding mountain paths. Eventually, they followed Bolikri into a concealed cave hidden behind rocks.

"Master, please step carefully. The path to the tribe is filled with traps..."

Worried about being misunderstood, Bolikri hastily added, "Of course, these insignificant traps couldn't harm even a single scale of yours, but if triggered, it would still be an unforgivable offense to you."

Su Nian remained indifferent to the Kobold chieftain's words.

He merely lifted Anna off his back, cradling her in his retractable dragon claws, and wrapped her tightly in his wings, leaving only her adorable eyes and furry ears visible.

Anna, looking docile, held onto the Black Dragon's claw with her soft hands, resembling a meek little rabbit.

"I understand. Lead the way."

With Su Nian's approval, Bolikri led the way forward.

The cave started wide but grew increasingly narrow, forcing Su Nian to tuck his wings tightly against his back to squeeze through.

After countless twists and turns, just as Su Nian was beginning to feel dizzy, Bolikri's respectful voice finally came from ahead:

"Master, this is the Shattered Fang Tribe, the starting point of your kingdom."

The scene before them opened up. A space roughly the size of two basketball courts was neatly organized with various living necessities.

Cooking was done in one area, sleeping in another, and discarded food scraps were piled in yet another.

At the center, a massive bonfire roared, illuminating the entire cave.

Su Nian even spotted many human items—boots repurposed as containers, metal plates used as shields, and even underwear and skirts wrapped around Kobolds or used as bandages.

The appearance of Su Nian caused the dozens of Kobolds in the tribe to freeze momentarily before erupting into excited barks. Their cries of "woof woof woof" echoed endlessly.

To Su Nian's ears, their meaning was clear: joy and praise for the true dragon.

These Kobolds seemed to be living quite well...

Su Nian grinned, unbothered by the Kobolds' scavenging habits. It was simply their way of life—turning waste into treasure and making the most of everything.

Amid the admiring gazes of the Kobolds, Su Nian spread his wings and flew to a stone pillar on the side of the hall, holding Anna in his claws.

Clinging to the pillar, he looked down at the entire Kobold tribe and let out a thunderous roar in his lofty dragon tongue:

"From this day forth, I, Su Nian Wotru Parnax, shall be your one and only master."

"Swear your loyalty to me, and I shall grant you protection and stability!"