Chapter 8: Underdark and Raising an Army

A Cold Iron Vein, and the magical protection the red‑robed mage originally left behind.

Naimi Xisi's dragon drool was about to spill, and it turned out that beneath the Mage Tower there is a passage leading to the Underdark, left by the red‑robed mage who once guarded this place.

There, a yet‑to‑be‑developed Cold Iron Vein awaits, a massive treasure worth hundreds of thousands, even millions of gold coins!

That red‑robed mage was an apprentice of a Necromancy mage; after learning of this information, he stole his master's Jackal Demon Ring and fled here to claim the treasure for himself.

"But it's probably dangerous; we must first raise a Hyena Werewolf army," Naimi Xisi recalled the inheritance's information about the Underdark, finding it rather tricky.

The Underdark is the term surface dwellers of the Feren World use for the realm beneath their feet; beneath this continent lies not solid soil but a vast hollow underground world!

Deformed, evil creatures live here to avoid sunlight. The area is filled with cities and nations of Kou Tao Fishmen, Dark Elves, Gray Dwarves and Mind Flayers.

It is a criminal's paradise, a sanctuary for those who defy Frelen, where intrigue and cruelty fill every corner—a place on the Feren Continent closest to the legendary demon homeland, the Bottomless Abyss!

But this so‑called "closeness" is not geographical; it refers to their terrifying similarity.

Resolute, Naimi Xisi swung his dragon claw and immediately set out to act.

Summoned by the Jackal Demon Ring, the Barbarian Soldier and the remaining three Hyena Werewolf Warriors walked before him and knelt.

Naimi Xisi looked at the Barbarian Soldier; his wound had already stopped bleeding, continuously twitching as it healed.

"Do you have a name?" Juan Ce Long asked.

The Barbarian Soldier flashed a flattering smile, already mentally prepared; compared to serving a weak, tasty human, a True Dragon is undoubtedly a better master for Hyena Werewolves. As power‑worshipping monsters, they naturally yearn to be ruled by a mighty True Dragon, the only difference being that the dragon before them is not the Five-colored Evil Dragon he is familiar with.

"No, master. I have existed for less than two days; any memory before that was merely living as a beast," the Barbarian Soldier said, a flash of disgust crossing his eyes before mentioning his past life, as the former Coyote Wolf form seemed to repel him greatly.

"Very well, from today you shall be called Tie Xiu," Juan Ce Long commanded authoritatively. The scent of flesh and blood was like rust; those born from flesh were covered in that smell.

"What a wonderful name, my great master—Tie Xiu shall now be your most loyal servant!" The Barbarian Soldier—no, Tie Xiu—knelt on the ground, expressing utmost loyalty to the True Dragon.

Hu Meng, at some point, scurried over, watching the filthy, blood‑scented monster warily; the opponent's practiced Flattery Technique gave him a hint of danger, even though that was originally his job!

Peng Peng muttered curses under his breath while glaring at Tie Xiu, then proudly said, "Of course, the boss is the greatest and wisest True Dragon; a filthy creature like you serving the boss is truly a favor of the Goddess of Luck!"

Tie Xiu glared at the little brat who relied on the dragon's power, grinding his teeth in anger; although he had indeed submitted to the True Dragon, that didn't mean a foolish beast could argue with him.

He bared sharp, meat‑striated fangs and let out a low roar. Peng Peng, startled by his appearance, quickly fled to the back of Naimi Xisi's dragon foot.

Then it shouted loudly, "You filthy thing, I arrived before you; don't you respect your senior? I'm the boss's most important subordinate, right, boss?"

Hu Meng lifted his fluffy little head, looking up at the Juan Ce Long above, trying to gain his support.

"Stop wasting time, Tie Xiu. Take me to find your former clan; I need as many Hyena Werewolves as possible, and I assure you, a servant loyal to me will not disappoint!" He then turned to Peng Peng and ordered, "And you, guard my lair with these three Hyena Werewolves. Anyone who dares to steal my treasure again, bury them for me!"

"Got it, boss, I'll complete the mission!" Hu Meng raised his hand in salute, marching proudly with the three Hyena Werewolf Warriors back to the High Tower. — In the deep forest, dense layers of trees stood like guardians of secrets, straddling the border between darkness and light.

Eighteen Hyena Werewolves, their steps heavy and mechanical, yellow halos emanating from their eyes like puppets under control, exuding a grim eeriness. Their fur was disheveled, radiating beastly scent, yet more so a sense of sorrow and helplessness.

In the sky, the silhouette of a Young Dragon flickered in and out, weaving among the clouds; the scales on its broad tail glimmered with radiant shine under the sun.

Its proud head periodically looked down at the Hyena Werewolves, seemingly supervising their actions to ensure they faithfully carried out its will.

And Tie Xiu, trailing behind the eighteen Hyena Werewolves, was now numb.

They had left the Mage Tower three days ago; during those three days, each day he captured six Coyote Wolves, and the Young Dragon in the sky used the terrifying Magic Ring's power to transform them.

But that's not the point; the point is that each transformed Hyena Werewolf was turned by that Young Dragon into a puppet‑like being.

Those controlled Hyena Werewolves possessed intelligence, could execute any command from that Young Dragon flawlessly, and were willing to sacrifice themselves for it.

Tie Xiu couldn't help but feel a bit relieved; at least the Young Dragon didn't use devil‑like methods to control him, as their condition was even worse under the Magic Ring's domination.

Originally, he still harbored a few thoughts, hoping that the sheer number of transforming Hyena Werewolves would overwhelm the Young Dragon's control, giving him a chance to make some small moves.

But now he is completely obedient; he only prays that the great Erui Si Nu will not let him fall into that dreadful state as well.

Suddenly, the Hyena Werewolves ahead halted; they heard a rumble.

A massive Ogre appeared on their path, its body as large as a small hill; its stout limbs struck the ground, each step shaking the forest trees.

Its eyes brimmed with ferocity and stupidity, and the massive club in its hand seemed capable of easily crushing rock. The Hyena Werewolves stopped, and the atmosphere instantly grew tense.

Naimi Xisi, up in the sky, also took notice; watching the huge Ogre, a glint of cunning flashed in his eyes.

"A fine subordinate; if I can subdue it, I'll obtain a warrior stronger than Tie Xiu."

He was extremely confident; facing this melee barbarian, as long as he could break its defenses, his control of the airspace would guarantee victory, and the Ogre before him clearly had not yet reached the level to physically resist Second Ring Shaping Energy System Spells.

"Mind, tell me its strength."

"The target's level is close to a Seventh-level Warrior, but it is alone; this forest no longer has any of its kind that it knows," a gentle female voice echoed in the Young Dragon's mind.

Naimi Xisi silently nodded; near a Seventh-level Warrior, the Ogre's Physical Strength was undeniably immense, and he had no doubt it could easily tear his dragon body apart with its bare hands.

But this made him even more eager; this Ogre would be a powerful guarantee for his advance into the Underdark.

(End of Chapter)