"Karta, Xia'er is here again!"
When Rebecca's voice reached Karta's ears, he felt like the sky was about to fall once more.
No way.
How did she return so quickly this time?
Xia'er's last visit was only a few days ago, why was she back already?
The scales on Karta's body hadn't even fully regrown yet.
Maybe he should pretend to be asleep.
Thinking this, Karta, who was on the highlands, immediately closed his eyes and feigned sleep, pretending he hadn't heard anything and had no idea Xia'er had arrived.
After whispering a brief reminder to Karta, Rebecca and Otto didn't persist. Instead, they hid inside their cave, not daring to venture out casually.
After all, to them, Xia'er was somewhat too terrifying. They also feared becoming like Karta, having their scales ripped off.
Xia'er's emerald form shot past the highlands inhabited by the Blue Dragons like a streak of light, not even glancing toward Karta's location.
Curled up beneath a cliff face, Karta kept his eyes tightly shut. Only when the overwhelmingly oppressive draconic aura completely vanished in the direction of the palace did he dare to cautiously crack open a single eyelid.
"Phew."
Karta sprang up abruptly, deliberately shaking his tail with an air of authority, scattering a cloud of dust.
He glared toward Rebecca and Otto, who were hiding in the cave, a low growl rumbling in his throat. "Where is that bastard Xia'er?! I just finished gathering my strength and was about to let him taste the burn of my breath!"
Having said that, Karta deliberately raised his head, putting on a domineering front. "He escaped quickly this time! Otherwise, I would have torn his wings to shreds and made him taste the pain of having his scales ripped off too!"
You were clearly pretending to be asleep just now...
Rebecca thought to herself, but didn't voice it out loud.
After all, Rebecca, this little female dragon, wasn't stupid. Saying it now would definitely earn her a beating from Karta, so better to let it go.
However, even though Rebecca didn't speak, Karta could still sense a trace of contempt in her gaze.
This left Karta feeling somewhat lost and dejected, and he couldn't help but think to himself.
"Maybe... I should also go out to hunt personally, to train a bit?"
...
"Oh, Xia'er, my most capable Prime Minister, my princess's right hand, I truly did not misjudge you!"
Upon the throne, Valentina's eyes lit up the moment she saw the gold coins Xia'er presented. She eagerly gathered all the coins together, showering Xia'er with praise.
Xia'er was just too capable!
Valentina admitted she had been prejudiced against Green Dragons before.
But now, Valentina just wanted to say that Green Dragons were the second-best dragons in the whole world.
Second only to Blue Dragons!
She absolutely loved them!
Xia'er humbly lowered her head and spoke. "Bringing you joy is my supreme honor, Your Highness, the noble Princess Valentina. Please believe this is merely the beginning. The trade route with humans has been established. As long as it is properly maintained, in the future, gold coins, gemstones, and even more rare treasures will surely pour into your hoard like an endless tide, adorning your supreme glory and making the fame of Underwood shine even brighter under the radiance of wealth."
Hearing this, Valentina's massive tail excitedly thumped the base of the throne once, producing a dull thud. The anticipation for the future in her eyes almost seemed to materialize into beams of golden light. "Excellent! Xia'er, you always bring the best news! However..."
Her huge draconic eyes shifted slightly, looking at the still respectfully bowing Green Dragon with a hint of curiosity and an expression that said 'I'm very clever, you can't hide anything from me'. "You came in person this time. Besides presenting this delightful gift, you must have other matters, right?"
"Your Highness sees everything with clarity."
Xia'er's voice remained respectful but carried a trace of barely noticeable gravity. "I have indeed come for another important matter, humbly requesting Your Highness's grace and protection."
"Protection?" Valentina tilted her head slightly, her massive horns almost touching the palace dome. "Speak, dear Prime Minister. In these highlands, the prestige of my Underwood is the best protection."
Xia'er raised her head, her emerald draconic pupils looking directly at the Blue Dragon on the throne, her gaze sincere. "Your Highness, from deep within my draconic bloodline, I am receiving the ancient, familiar call. I can clearly feel my life essence gathering strength, about to undergo an important transformation. In the coming months, I will inevitably enter a period of dragon sleep."
"Dragon sleep?!"
Valentina's surprise was evident, her draconic pupils involuntarily widening. "So soon?! Xia'er, you just finished your last dragon sleep not long ago, right? I remember Karta and the others hatched around the same time as you. They've only just begun to feel the stagnation of growth and are still far from their next sleep!"
She looked Xia'er's streamlined, powerful jade-green body up and down, her tone filled with disbelief. "Your growth rate... it's simply unheard of! Even the most powerful-blooded Red Dragons don't have such frequent dragon sleep during their wyrmling stage!"
"Perhaps the battles and trials in the Star Mist Archipelago have accelerated this process, or perhaps it is fate's guidance."
Xia'er vaguely explained, not delving deeper into the reasons for her abnormal growth, and quickly steered the conversation back to the main point. "Dragon sleep is an inevitable path in a dragon's growth. However, Your Highness is also aware that the Star Mist Archipelago under my rule is not entirely peaceful."
"The Fishman King's Court in the eastern deep sea watches with covetous eyes, the shadow of the Frost Giants on the northern icy plains has never truly receded, and even the recently subjugated lizardmen cannot be guaranteed not to harbor rebellious thoughts while I sleep. The islands are remote and fraught with danger. A sleeping dragon is at its most vulnerable. If a powerful enemy attacks, the consequences would be unthinkable."
Xia'er's voice carried a hint of perfectly measured concern as she deeply bowed her head once more. "Therefore, I humbly request Your Highness to allow me to undergo this dragon sleep under the protection of your great wings, here in the safe Karugu Highlands. Only within your territory, under the glory of Underwood, can I peacefully sink into the dream and complete this leap in life. As your most loyal subject, I beseech this favor."
"Hmm..."
Valentina pondered for a moment, then replied without hesitation. "Alright, Xia'er. Your concerns are not unfounded. I grant your request. You may find a quiet cave near my Royal Court for your dragon sleep. I, Valentina, hereby promise that during your slumber, the Karugu Highlands will be your shield. Any fool who dares disturb your sleep will face the wrath of a Blue Dragon!"
"Boundless gratitude, Your Highness! Your mercy and strength will be the most solid support during my sleep!"
Xia'er's voice was filled with genuine gratitude.
But Valentina immediately thought of another crucial issue and asked with some concern. "However, Xia'er, how long will you sleep this time? The trade you just mentioned... and those shiny gold coins and gemstones... who will be responsible for trading with the humans?"
Trade!
Gold coins! Gemstones!
Nothing must go wrong with this!
"Your Highness, please rest assured. I have made comprehensive arrangements."
Xia'er answered immediately. "I have ordered the Black Dragon Saga to handle all dealings with the human merchant caravans during my sleep. He has a steady temperament. Although his strength is slightly inferior, he is cautious enough and well-versed in my trading rules. I have already given him the various collected dragon scales and explicitly instructed the focus of the trade—to exchange for more gold coins and gemstones."
"Saga will strictly follow my instructions to ensure the trade continues. As for Tyrone and Disos, they each have their own duties and will not interfere with trade matters."
"Hahaha, good! Very good! Xia'er, I trust you completely! You've even arranged things so properly before your sleep! Go, prepare your cave, and have a good, peaceful sleep! When you wake, I look forward to seeing you even stronger, bringing back more... ahem, I mean, serving me and the Underwood Dragon Flight even better!"
Valentina's eyes sparkled.
"As you command, great Princess Valentina. May the glory of Underwood shine forever."
Xia'er once again bowed her head respectfully in salute and slowly withdrew.
Meanwhile, Valentina hummed contentedly, her massive claws continuing to fiddle with the gold coins, producing a pleasant symphony. She had already begun calculating how many gold coins and gemstones she might receive next time.
Xia'er quietly exited the palace, preparing to find a hidden, safe cave in the highlands.
After Xia'er slowly withdrew from the Royal Court, she casually glanced toward the dragon lair and was somewhat surprised.
Karta was actually not in the lair.
This was truly a strange thing.
However, Xia'er didn't dwell on it. She immediately carved out a cave in the mountainside right next to Valentina's palace, preparing for her dragon sleep.