Chapter 320: Return to Astat

Lei En did not hesitate to let the flame dragons expend their stamina, flying at the fastest speed, and finally, before night fell, flew out of the Death Forest Sea.

He did not slack off because of that; he only landed to rest for half an hour and then continued on, flying through the night, and by dawn had entered the interior region of the Sain Plateau, where he finally found an uninhabited canyon to set up camp.

Several flame dragons had been flying for half a day and night, almost exhausted, collapsing on the ground panting heavily, hungry to the point they had no strength to take off.

"Boss, I'll go hunt some prey for them," Keronu said with concern.

"No need."

Lei En stopped him, took out a silver‑silk sack, released the green dragon's corpse, and said, "Cut some dragon meat for them to eat as a reward."

Everyone was a bit surprised.

Dragon meat is probably the least valuable part of a dragon; this green dragon was only in its youth, about fifteen meters long, weighing close to one hundred thousand pounds, with over seventy percent of its weight being meat, most of which is extremely tough, the muscle fibers as hard as iron wire, impossible to chew without good teeth, and even then hard to swallow.

Only a very small portion of the meat can be cooked into something tasty.

Even so, dragon meat fetches a decent price on the market, and because it's abundant, countless people want to taste it; even if it's terrible, they'll buy a piece to try.

For ordinary people and cultivators, eating dragon meat does little, but for dragonborn it's different.

Dragon meat can stimulate the dragon‑blood lineage within a dragonborn; the more they eat, the more their strength may increase, along with other benefits.

As soon as the green dragon's corpse was taken out, several flame dragons turned their heads, eyes full of longing, drooling hot saliva.

Lei En drew the Azure Sky Song, his sharpest weapon.

After some deliberation, he cut open the green dragon's hind leg; the dragon scales lost their magical protection after death and were no longer that hard, so the Azure Sky Song in Lei En's hand was like a scalpel, easily slicing the hide, then tearing along the opening, lifting a whole intact piece of hide.

Lei En cut off more than half of the dragon's hind leg; the blood‑soaked meat was divided into six portions, each weighing several hundred pounds and tossed away.

The flame dragons immediately devoured it, eating with great pleasure.

The Soul Eye saw that the dragon meat entered their bellies; the flame dragons' souls reacted at once, as if nourished, rapidly growing stronger.

As the dragon meat was digested, their bloodlines also strengthened.

Lei En casually cut a few tender pieces from the dragon's jaw, gave them to the Extreme Warriors to cook, then re‑packed the green dragon into the corpse‑bag, and sat down with everyone to rest.

He glanced at the members of the Soul‑Hunting Team.

After half a day and night of travel, their spirits were a bit wan, though most wounds had largely healed, this mission left injuries, especially Lao Rui Na and Sang Ya, who would need at least ten days to half a month to fully recover combat ability.

However, the hunters' morale remained stable.

At least they were alive and returned, and not empty‑handed.

"Where are you heading next?" Lei En asked; he needed to return to Astat, rebuild the teleport array and the Jin Gang Fort base, but he couldn't take the Soul‑Hunting Team along.

They exchanged glances, and finally their eyes fell on team leader Shi Weifute, leaving the decision to him.

Shi Weifute's expression was complex.

This dragon‑slaying plan had many twists and could be called a total failure; the silver lining was that they and their teammates survived and looted the green dragon's treasure.

Earlier on the dragon's back, he did a quick inventory and appraisal; these valuables were worth about twenty‑to‑thirty thousand Gold Shields, plus the ten thousand Gold Shields sold to Lei En's long‑spear giant beetle, and half of the cyclops demon soul, bringing the total haul to over fifty thousand Gold Shields—a huge profit.

As for the green dragon's dragon soul and corpse, those were Lei En's spoils; they had no right to share.

Moreover, Lei En saved everyone's lives, and he still didn't know how to repay that kindness.

"We'll return to Thus: Thus: Shengangcheng, dispose of these spoils, and then the Soul‑Hunting Team will disband," Shi Weifute said. "This adventure yielded a lot, enough for us to purchase a large quantity of demonic elixirs and some gear, boosting our power."

Lei En nodded.

This is the norm for most cultivators: earn money by any means, then exchange it for demonic pills to aid cultivation, digest these resources to increase strength, allowing them to hunt stronger monsters, earn more money, and repeat until an accident occurs or they reach the pinnacle of the cultivator's path.

Shi Weifute rose, solemnly bowed, "If it weren't for Your Excellency, the Earl, we would now be slaves of the green dragon, a tragic end."

"Thank you, Your Excellency, for saving our lives!"

The other hunters also wore grateful faces, stood up and bowed to Lei En in thanks.

Lei En accepted calmly, waved his hand and laughed, "You are citizens of the Empire; I am an Empire councilor, rescuing you is my duty."

Everyone was stunned for a moment, then recalled that the Earl of Glamorgan was also a member of the Empire Council.

When the Empire Council was first established, it stipulated:

Each councilor, when encountering Empire citizens in danger, has a duty to intervene, though few councilors take it seriously.

Many councilors enjoy the privileges of the title but do not shoulder the corresponding obligations.

"Lord," Lao Rui Na bit her lip, finally unable to hold back, asked softly, "Are you returning to Mo Du?"

Sang Ya, hearing her, couldn't help but regret not asking first.

Lei En looked at the two women, clearly reading their thoughts, and replied, "Not for now; I still have matters to settle on the Sain Plateau."

Shi Weifute immediately said, "If you need anything, feel free to ask."

"No need to trouble you; I can handle it myself." Lei En declined the offer; the Jin Gang Fort base must stay secret, and he thought better, smiling, "Soon I may go to Thus: Thus: Shengangcheng to buy a batch of slaves."

"Shi Weifute, you know Thus: Thus: Shengangcheng better than I do; I'll trouble you then."

"It's my honor to assist Your Excellency, the Earl."

Shi Weifute showed no hesitation, "I'll be waiting in Thus: Thus: Shengangcheng for Your Excellency's arrival."

The two female cultivators exchanged a glance, silently noting Lei En's words, thinking that when they returned to Thus: Thus: Shengangcheng they must keep in touch with the team leader, and when the lord arrives they'll look for another chance to get close.

After eating dragon meat and resting a few hours, the flame dragons took off again.

Lei En left the Soul‑Hunting Team at a trade route, one of the relatively safe roads on the plateau that leads to Zhubiler Mountain; with the team's strength, leaving the plateau was no problem.

Then the flame dragons turned around, after half a day of flight, finally returned to Astat.

"Boss!"

Lei En had just landed on the platform outside the Astat Temple, when a group of Extreme Warriors rushed forward.

Leading them were the legendary warriors Xi Ka Liu Si, Ao Tuo and Tai Li En; they had escorted the airship to the Empire, had been back in Astat for over half a month, training all day, aware of Lei En's safe status but growing anxious from his prolonged absence and lack of news.

"Hmm, thanks for your effort," Lei En said with a smile.

Dwarf Bu Lai Mi Te stepped down from the flame dragon's back, and at a glance saw dozens of Extreme Warriors blocking his view like a wall, startling him greatly.

Ma Ha Er was above, so many Extreme Warriors!

Bulaimit was horrified.

He and Lei En, during this time, clearly understood the greatness of the Extreme Warrior: any at least high‑rank warrior equipped with enchanted armor and the Lambo spear had terrifying combat power. In the Green Dragon Nest, four Extreme Warriors suppressed hundreds of Jackal Werewolves and Harpies; if there had been a dozen Extreme Warriors, not a single enemy could have escaped.

"How did this guy cultivate Extreme Warriors?"

Bulaimit muttered to himself.

Lei En ignored the dwarf's thoughts; he went to see Malius once, then saw the bored Yisu, and without wasting time immediately began moving the materials for constructing the teleportation array.

Currently there are nine Flame Dragons in total, which can be transported in one go.

He could also bring along twenty‑or‑thirty Extreme Warriors; the remaining people would need the Flame Dragons to make another flight to deliver everyone to the canyon where the Jin Gang Fort base lies.

Lei En did not hide any of this from Bulaimit.

He has already decided to cooperate with the dwarf, but not by telling him how to forge the Lambo spear; instead they will jointly research a brand‑new Soul Gun to replace the Lambo spear.

The Flame Dragons departed from Astat and, in less than two hours, flew to the foot of Jin Gang Peak, entering the hidden canyon.

Boxes of materials were set down on the ground, and the Extreme Warriors jumped down as well.

Xikalius led a few Flame Dragons back to Astat, preparing to bring the other Extreme Warriors to the canyon.

"From now on this will be our base."

Lei En shouted.

The Extreme Warriors curiously looked at the canyon scenery, immediately began clearing weeds and shrubs together. Lei En selected a spot on the sheer rock wall inside the canyon, hammered a several‑meter‑high cave with his War Hammer, leveled the ground, then took out the boxed materials and started setting up the Teleportation Array.

(End of chapter)