Lesser Dragons are those within the vast dragon race that exist outside the mainstream dragon species.
They look like dragons and possess dragon blood within their bodies.
However, unlike mainstream dragons such as Chromatic Dragons, Metallic Dragons, and Gem Dragons, Lesser Dragons do not have the Dragon Inheritance passed down through their bloodline. They must rely on their own exploration to understand everything about this world.
During the era when dragon lords ruled, Lesser Dragons were even slaves in chains, looked down upon by the noble mainstream dragon races.
And Sea-Dwelling Dragons are one type of Lesser Dragon.
As for Ocean Dragons, they are one of the Progenitor Dragons.
Due to their living environments, adventurers rarely see Progenitor Dragons. Most Progenitor Dragons come from the elemental planes and the Shadowfell, including Shadow Dragons, Ocean Dragons, Cloud Dragons, Crystal Dragons, and Magma Dragons.
Essentially, they are the Chromatic Dragons of the elemental planes and the Shadowfell: Magma Dragons correspond to Red Dragons, Ocean Dragons correspond to Blue Dragons, Shadow Dragons correspond to Black Dragons, Cloud Dragons correspond to White Dragons, and Crystal Dragons correspond to Green Dragons.
They are all evil-aligned existences, but unlike Lesser Dragons, they are still recognized by mainstream dragons as members of the great dragon race.
However, in the normal world, Progenitor Dragon species are very rare.
Tina seemed to want to continue pouring out her grievances about being exiled by her father and the hardships of her wandering life. Her dragon mouth slightly opened, emitting a low whimper.
"Enough."
Xia'er's low voice cut her off. Her deep emerald dragon eyes swept over the sea surface churning with fishman filth and blood, then warily looked into the distance. "This place is quite far from my territory and very close to the Fishman King's Court. It's not a safe place to talk, and we could attract more trouble at any moment. Follow me, to my territory."
Xia'er commanded with unquestionable authority, then immediately beat her wings, turning and accelerating towards the direction of White Pearl Island.
Tina was stunned for a moment. She looked at Xia'er's massive back, glanced at the blood-stained seawater below, and finally suppressed her unfinished words. Beating her injured wings with difficulty, she struggled to follow behind Xia'er and Rebecca.
Xia'er spread her wings, silently calculating the new spell she had just obtained: Acid Splash.
Unlike the illuminating Light spell and the Hypnosis spell that's useless against powerful creatures, this Acid Splash actually gave Xia'er a pleasant surprise. She could combine this spell with her Winged Breath.
After Acid Splash is activated, her venom will be sprayed in a precise pattern onto the surroundings.
Previously, when her Winged Breath sprayed venom, although there was some splash, the direction of the splash was chaotic. Enemies not directly hit could easily dodge it.
But with this spell enhancing it, the splashing venom will accurately land on other enemies nearby.
For this, Xia'er had only one evaluation.
Luden's Echo, or Echo Staff.
On the way to White Pearl Island, the self-proclaimed Sea-Dwelling Dragon, Tina, recounted what had happened.
A few years ago, when she was still in her Young Dragon stage, she was driven out by her father. She then wandered aimlessly through the ocean. After a journey lasting several years, she finally arrived at the Sea of Frost from another sea area and encountered these fishmen.
There's a reason Ocean Dragons are called the Blue Dragons among the Progenitor Dragons. Ocean Dragons also love to build empires and emphasize order.
Although Ocean Dragons are not inherently evil dragons, they are not merciful or benevolent good-aligned dragons either. As they age, they become increasingly stubborn and more obsessed with power and authority.
An Ocean Dragon who fails to gather and rule over some lower beings, such as humans, Nagas, Locathah, or Sahuagin as minions, is considered a failure.
Although Tina was stripped of her surname by her Ocean Dragon father and could only call herself a Sea-Dwelling Dragon, to be honest, Tina's physical characteristics clearly lean more towards Ocean Dragons, and her nature is naturally the same. Therefore, after encountering these fishmen, she instantly became possessed by an Ocean Dragon's drive, wanting to conquer these fishmen to prove to her father that she, too, was capable.
And then...
And then there was no 'and then.' She was chased and hunted by the fishmen.
The biting sea wind was split apart by the three dragons. The familiar outline of White Pearl Island appeared in Xia'er's vision.
Five years had not changed this island much. The bitter cold remained, with thin snow covering the rocky shores and sparse vegetation.
However, when Xia'er's massive, emerald-green form with its oppressive majesty, accompanied by Rebecca's indigo-blue figure and the somewhat disheveled Sea-Dwelling Dragon Tina, began to descend in preparation for landing, it instantly raised alarm on the island.
A squad of kobold warriors responsible for patrolling the coastline were startled by the terrifying shadow rapidly enlarging in the sky. They scattered with trained efficiency, warily looking up at the three dragon silhouettes.
But just as these kobolds grew alert, they suddenly saw the uniquely emerald-colored scales in the area. They froze for a moment, then slammed their refined iron spears hard into the ground, simultaneously kneeling heavily, deeply lowering their heads until their foreheads almost touched the icy snow. "Dragon Lord!"
The other kobold warriors behind also knelt, shouting "Dragon Lord" in unison.
All the kobold warriors, near and far, knelt on one knee in unison, like a field of wheat being flattened by the wind.
They no longer wore the tattered rags and crude bone spears from the landing years ago. Instead, they wore carefully tanned, tough leather armor with polished iron plates embedded at key points.
If they put on their helmets, one could almost mistake these kobolds for soldiers from a human legion in the south, ignoring their tails.
"Why were you on alert upon seeing dragons?"
Xia'er slowly descended, looking at the lead kobold, who seemed to be called Valentine, her gaze cool.
There are no hostile dragons in this sea area.
What is the reason for these kobolds' instinctive reaction?
Could it be that some rebellious thoughts have arisen?
Upon hearing Xia'er's question, Valentine answered without hesitation, "Dragon Lord, Lord Saga ordered us to be vigilant against the Blue Dragon from the land, our former master Princess Valentina."
Although Valentina was their former master, under Princess Valentina they couldn't eat their fill, but under Lord Xia'er they can eat well and even reproduce.
Kobolds may worship dragons, but they aren't stupid. When it comes to dragons, they are naturally fiercely loyal to Xia'er.
After speaking, Valentine couldn't help but glance at Rebecca behind Xia'er.
That was a Blue Dragon.
And Rebecca was absolutely furious!
If Xia'er weren't present, she would have pounced over and slaughtered these kobolds clean.
"Was it Saga's order?"
Xia'er pondered briefly and quickly understood the reason.
After all, before entering dragon sleep, she had put Saga in charge of handling affairs. During the time she was asleep, Valentina had clashed with the Dwarven Kingdom to the south and would certainly have demanded Saga send minions to reinforce her.
And Saga, who in his heart does not regard Valentina as his lord, obviously didn't take Valentina's orders very seriously.
Valentina might not have taken direct action, but Saga, preparing for the worst, issued strategic orders in advance, vowing to defend Xia'er's assets to the death.
Thinking of this, Xia'er nodded slightly and immediately issued a command in an unquestionable tone, "At the fastest speed, dispatch Bullywug messengers to summon Disos from the north, Saga from the south, and Tyrone from the coastline. I am convening a Dragon Gathering!"