Chapter 9: Deep Poison

The ogre saw a dozen or so hyena werewolves before him, scratched his head, and a thin stream of unknown fluid dribbled from his mouth.

"Delicious meat! Ogel likes it!"

He gripped the big wooden club in his hand, his eyes fixed straight on those hyena werewolves.

Naimi Xisi flew into the low sky and released Dragon Might to draw the ogre's attention.

The Dragon Might restrained the ogre for only a few seconds before he broke free, furrowing his brows and muttering, "My body is so heavy, why is my body so heavy."

He looked at the floating Naimi Xisi and a hint of fear flashed in his eyes.

"The dragon's mother said that when you see a dragon you must kneel, otherwise the dragon will eat Ogel's meat."

The true dragon is such a wondrous species; whether or not one has seen that kind before, once seen, any creature will recognize it as a true dragon.

Obviously, the ogre before them is a mentally disabled child who was harshly taught by his mother; in his eyes, the true dragon is the most terrifying creature in the world.

Naimi Xisi watched the kneeling ogre with some helplessness; he had originally intended to subdue the ogre, since these dim‑witted ones, once hurt and promised plenty of meat, will follow any powerful being, but this one's surrender was far too quick.

"Lift your head, ogre, are you called Ogel?" Juan Ce Long asked.

The big fellow timidly nodded, stole a glance at the true dragon hovering, and thought with a small hope, "Ogel won't be eaten, right?"

"Don't worry, I won't eat you." Seeing his inner thought, Naimi Xisi chuckled lightly and replied.

Ogel scratched his head in confusion, thinking he had accidentally spoken his thoughts aloud.

He had once done this, cursing his brother who stole his food in his mind, only to realize he had spoken it out loud, and was severely beaten by his brother.

Naimi Xisi raised his dragon eyebrows and asked, "Do you have a brother?"

Ogel was puzzled again, thinking he had spoken, but he answered honestly, "My brother went into the mountains."

Naimi Xisi used Mind Power to probe deeply, and saw the memories inside Ogel's mind.

His brother indeed went into the mountains; in the western forest lies a mountain range where an Elder Green Dragon is gathering a Monster Army to attack the human towns on the east, and his brother was singled out by the green dragon and joined the army.

Naimi Xisi had seen that terrifying green dragon; five years ago its dreadful silhouette flashed over the forest, its scales glittered with dangerous light in the sun, and its eyes were like deep green gems, exuding cold ambition.

The green dragon's roar echoed through the forest; she called herself Deep Poison—Ao Qi Wei Li Si, claiming the entire forest as her domain.

Strangely, though a green dragon that likes to dwell in forests, she instead lives in the mountains, rarely ever setting foot in the forest.

This is why Naimi Xisi has been very cautious these years; if a Five-colored Evil Dragon discovered his hatchling, it would force him to become its subordinate.

Even among dragons of different factions, few kill hatchlings, but as a law‑neutral Juan Ce Long, he naturally despises such purposelessly evil Five-colored Evil Dragons.

The Five-colored Evil Dragons rank in power from high to low as red, blue, green, black, white; an Elder Green Dragon that builds a Monster Army would spell doom for the human towns on the east.

And that Monster Army will inevitably march across from the western forest, leaving all creatures in its path with only two choices: become food for monsters or join the army.

"Something's not right," Naimi Xisi thought, as he had originally planned to explore the Underdark while still staying on the surface, since the Underdark is too dangerous.

But now the situation has changed; this forest will soon face an even greater threat.

The young Juan Ce Long followed his heart and decided to hide underground.

The forest will soon have nowhere to settle, and the human world offers no refuge for him, at least not before he evolves into an adolescent dragon and gains the Disguise Human Form talent.

The Dragon Slayer and those opportunists, the moment they see him, will greedily try to capture him or kill him, strip his scales and hide, and collect his flesh and bones.

The Yinbu Tu Kingdom lies near Sai Er, where magical culture also flourishes; as a mage, he knows well how eager spellcasters are for a young dragon like him.

"But before that, I will gather as many hyena werewolves as possible."

Naimi Xisi felt a sudden urgency, cleared his throat, and in a low voice said to the ogre, "Ogel, follow me and become a servant of the true dragon; you will gain greater glory than your brother."

The ogre stared blankly for a few seconds, seeming to parse the meaning, then asked dumbly, "What is glory? Ogel likes meat."

Naimi Xisi twitched his mouth; he forgot that this dimwit could not have any noble aspirations, so he said helplessly, "Follow me, meat will be enough."

The simple six words made the ogre's eyes sparkle; he jumped up happily, dancing, and stammered, "Ogel, I agree! Dragon, give meat, Ogel will obey the dragon!"

"Call me master." Naimi Xisi looked at him with disgust, feeling his own intelligence attribute drop just by being near the ogre.

"Master~!" the ogre obediently complied, then joined the hyena werewolf troops, and began to mess with those seemingly tasty creatures.

Naimi Xisi scolded him a few times, and after watching the ogre reluctantly cease, announced they would continue onward.

Time was short, but Juan Ce Long would eventually get what he wanted! — elsewhere, atop the mountain ridge at the forest's edge.

A massive, ferocious green dragon perched atop a huge rock, its claws gripping the edge as if ready to spread its wings at any moment.

Its broad wings beat in the wind, stirring gusts that made the trees sway, as if trembling with the foreboding of an imminent disaster.

Monsters stood one by one at the green dragon's feet, their faces twisted in smiles, eyes flashing with a yearning for combat.

In the forest at the mountain's base, birds and beasts had long fled, and rustling sounds came from between the trees as other monsters gathered, answering the green dragon's summons.

The air was thick with tension and excitement as they awaited the green dragon's command, ready to unleash destructive power upon the tranquil town.

The green dragon opened its massive maw and let out a thunderous roar.

"My slaves, come closer, closer still, and listen to my will."

The Monster Army became restless, gazing eagerly at their ruler.

"The time for plunder is at hand, but we must prepare more; tell the forest's creatures they must submit to the great Deep Poison's command. I want more armies, more slaves!"

(End of Chapter)