Dusk seeped across the sea surface, the silver-gray sky hung low, and mist slowly spread as a cold front arrived, condensing into a fine, dense water vapor.
This was a feature of the Star Mist Archipelago. Every night, vast mists would rise around the archipelago, only slowly dissipating after the sun rose.
Now it was near dusk, the time when the sun had not yet set and the moon had not yet appeared, so the water vapor naturally began to ascend.
On the beach, the Black Dragon Saga stood like a silent reef, quietly waiting to one side.
Meanwhile, the Bullywug Druid Benedict was filled with excitement. Over fifty or sixty other Bullywug warriors floated in the water, lying in ambush here, awaiting Xia'er's command.
The Black Dragon Saga, however, was lost in recollection, thinking back on everything that had happened in the two days since leaving Valentina's dragon nest.
Everything felt like a lifetime ago!
While in the dragon nest, Saga couldn't even eat his fill, only secretly gnawing on rocks and soil to stave off hunger, suffering from severe malnutrition.
But Saga had always endured hardship without complaint.
Therefore, Saga had originally thought he was under the protection of Valentina's large umbrella. Who would have thought that after leaving, he'd find it wasn't even raining outside.
Following Xia'er meant three days of nine meals.
Of course, Saga was also well aware that if he and Disos, the two dragons, had been driven out alone, things would definitely not be this easy.
After all, first, he wouldn't have been able to find White Pearl Island, and second, he couldn't have dealt with the Hydra on White Pearl Island.
He might even have fallen into the Bullywugs' trap and been killed by these creatures he completely looked down upon.
Unlike others of his Black Dragon kin, Saga was good at analyzing past lessons and summarizing his own experiences.
Striving to ensure he wouldn't make the same mistakes next time.
Just then, Xia'er's massive form cut through the thin mist. After a slight glide, she landed with a thud in front of Saga, folding her wings. "Saga."
Saga was immersed in the overwhelming feeling of how his circumstances had completely transformed after following Xia'er, his thoughts a whirlwind.
Upon seeing Xia'er, Saga slightly opened his mouth, seeming to want to say something, but suddenly, all words got stuck in his throat.
His gaze, as if drawn by a powerful magnet, was firmly nailed to the space in front of Xia'er.
There, under the dim light, manipulated by Mage Hand, floated a small pile of metal shimmering with an alluring luster!
Gold coins! Silver coins!
Those smooth curves, that cool yet warm glow, that metallic texture symbolizing wealth and power...
They seemed to possess magic, directly igniting the most primitive instinct belonging to Chromatic Dragons, flowing deep within Saga's veins!
"Huff..."
Saga's breathing suddenly became heavy and ragged. His emerald-green vertical pupils contracted into thin slits, tightly locked onto those floating coins.
His dragon claws unconsciously clenched and unclenched. His body swayed slightly, almost unable to control the impulse to pounce.
This was the bone-deep craving for shiny treasures ingrained in the dragon bloodline, far surpassing the imagination evoked earlier by merely hearing the words 'gold coins.'
Now, with the real objects right before his eyes, the impact was unparalleled.
Seeing this, Xia'er revealed a smile of understanding and gentleness, then said, "You have done very well. From White Pearl Island to Bright Scale Bay, your strength, loyalty, and wisdom were all indispensable. These are the rewards you deserve."
As soon as the words fell, under the control of Mage Hand, those seven or eight dazzling gold coins and over ten shimmering silver coins, like tamed sprites, slowly drifted toward Saga, finally hovering steadily and within easy reach before the Black Dragon.
"Take them," Xia'er said gently, her tone filled with recognition for her follower's merits. "This is the Jade Wing's reward for its meritorious servant. They belong to you now."
Saga stared blankly at the gold and silver floating before him. Immense surprise and disbelief instantly washed away his earlier loss of composure.
Carefully accepting this unprecedented generous reward, an unprecedented sense of satisfaction welled up in Saga's heart.
He solemnly gathered the treasure before him and deeply lowered his head. "Thank you for your bounty, great Jade Wing! Saga offers you eternal loyalty and strength!"
Xia'er nodded, then immediately turned to the Bullywug Druid prostrate on the damp, cold sand. Her majestic gaze pressed down like a physical weight. "Benedict."
"Yes! Great Jade Wing! Gua!"
Benedict trembled all over, excited yet fearful, burying his head even deeper.
"From this moment forth."
Xia'er's voice rumbled like thunder, resounding across the entire Bright Scale Bay beach. "You, Benedict, are no longer the lowly mud of White Pearl Island! I appoint you as the master of this island, to rule over all Bullywugs here!"
Benedict's bulging yellow eye-sacs instantly filled with unbelievable, wild joy. Trembling violently with excitement, he could barely speak, only emitting incoherent croaking sounds.
"And not only that!"
Xia'er's massive dragon claw pointed toward the hazy southern sea. "Your vision should not be limited to this island! Your authority shall ultimately cover all islands where Bullywugs dwell! I bestow upon you the title of 'Frog King'! The Bullywugs of the entire Star Mist Archipelago shall have only one Frog King. I want you to consolidate all Bullywug tribes for me, to bring all the croaks of the Bullywugs under the command of the 'Jade Wing'!"
"I obey! Supreme Dragon Lord! Benedict, no, your servant, shall offer absolute loyalty and strength! To rule the archipelago for you, to collect blood sacrifices and treasures! Gu!"
Benedict shouted his response with all his might. The immense joy had completely dispelled all fear, leaving only infinite awe and fervor toward the Green Dragon Xia'er's combination of grace and authority!
Originally, Benedict thought catastrophe was at hand.
Now it seemed that for the White Pearl Tribe, this might not be a bad thing at all.
A few imprudent old things died, exchanged for the entire tribe's bright and glorious future!
However, for the sake of caution, Benedict still respectfully inquired in a low voice, "Dragon Lord, if there are Bullywugs who do not obey you, how should they be dealt with? Gua~"
"Kill them."
Xia'er opened her mouth nonchalantly. "After consolidating all the Bullywugs here, Saga, you will lead them to continue sweeping southward, conquering every island. Whether their chieftains submit or not, exterminate them all! Under my command, there is only one Frog King, and that is Benedict!"
Hearing Xia'er's words, Benedict trembled all over, a surge of immense joy rushing to his head, his muddy yellow eyes even turning a brilliant gold.
"Begin your actions."
Xia'er flapped her dragon wings, rising into the air under the twilight. She looked toward the highlands, hesitated for a moment, then decided to take the remaining gold coins, separate another seven or eight of them, and offer them as tribute to the Blue Dragon Valentina.
Valentina's current level was 12, at the peak of the young adult dragon stage.
As a Blue Dragon, ranked second among the Chromatic Dragons, Valentina's racial talent was sufficient for her to contend with the surrounding lords whose challenge rating was 15.
Since she had now occupied these southern islands and was about to subdue all the Bullywugs,
she would inevitably clash with the fishmen in the future.
To prevent suffering a heavy attack, maintaining good relations with Valentina was important.
Chromatic Dragons had a natural, intense possessiveness toward treasure. Gold coins, as high-value currency, were a core component of a hoard.
But as for their function...
They served no real purpose; it was merely a greed originating from the bloodline.
If one had to insist on a purpose, some dragons might use gold coins for magical research or alchemical experiments, but that wasn't something a young dragon like Xia'er needed to consider.