A biting cold wind swept like blades across the dim sea at the edge of the Karugu Highlands, whipping up fine spray that slapped against the sparse floating ice drifting upon it.
Deep within this icy, lifeless water, a massive silver-gray figure swam silently.
It was a giant salmon over four meters long, its scales shimmering faintly in the gloomy seawater.
Seemingly attracted by a strange reflection of light refracted from a piece of floating ice, it cautiously swam upward, its massive tail fin churning the frigid water.
"Whoosh!"
Just as its snout was about to touch the edge of the ice, a piercing shriek that tore through the air suddenly descended from high above!
Every scale on the giant salmon's body stood on end. A primal sense of crisis from its bloodline made it instantly abandon the temptation right before its eyes.
It violently twisted its robust body, its enormous tail fin erupting with astonishing force, plunging toward the dark depths like an arrow shot from a bow!
Water splashed everywhere, its only thought to escape that terrifying presence from the sky.
However, fast as it was, the hunter diving from above was faster!
Diving down was a massive figure as emerald green as jade!
It was Xia'er!
Xia'er fixed her gaze on the huge silver shadow fleeing in panic below, folding her wings tightly at the last moment to convert her diving momentum into a sharp angle of entry into the water.
"Splash!"
Icy, bone-chilling seawater instantly enveloped Xia'er.
Her tough Green Dragon scales provided an excellent streamlined shape and brief watertightness.
In the turbid, cold water, Xia'er's sharp draconic pupils instantly locked onto the patch of white foam churned up ahead by the creature's rapid dive.
That's it!
Xia'er's powerful hind legs kicked out vigorously, her forelimbs coordinating with the sway of her body as she shot forward like a true sea serpent!
Her gaping maw opened wide in the water, ignoring the salty, briny seawater flooding her mouth and nostrils, biting with pinpoint accuracy toward the midsection of the massive fish!
"Crunch!"
The hard fish scales were fragile before dragon teeth. Warm blood instantly bloomed into a cloud of crimson in the icy seawater.
The giant salmon thrashed violently without a sound, but the bite force of the dragon's jaws clamped onto it like iron tongs.
Just then, more shadows began to stir in the surrounding murky water. The scent of blood had attracted the attention of covetous onlookers.
Xia'er showed no desire to linger. Clenching her captured prey tightly in her jaws, her powerful neck muscles and strong hind legs exerted force simultaneously, and her wings spread wide in the water, sweeping upward!
"Splash!"
A huge spray erupted once more as the emerald figure broke the surface, trailing a curtain of silvery water.
With the giant salmon clamped in her jaws, Xia'er's cold scales were beaded with water droplets that rapidly crystallized into tiny ice particles in the biting wind.
Xia'er beat her wings fiercely against the damp, heavy air. Not bothering to shake off the seawater clinging to her, she used the momentum from breaking the surface to soar, albeit unsteadily yet resolutely, toward the shore.
"Thud!"
With a loud crash, Xia'er landed on the cold rocks of the shore. She shook her wet wings, then eagerly began tearing into the giant salmon.
Her powerful dragon jaws easily crushed the fish bones. Warm fish flesh with a briny odor was swallowed in large mouthfuls, its abundant energy rapidly suffusing her entire body.
After the entire fish disappeared into her gaping maw, Xia'er let out a long, satisfied belch. A panel materialized before her.
[Slaughtered a Desolate Bone Salmon. Reward gained: 'Defense' Experience +1, 'Magic Affinity' Experience +1.]
[Slaughter Quest: 6/10.]
"Finally killed another fish with a Challenge Rating above 3."
Savoring the taste of fresh fish in her mouth, Xia'er felt a wave of emotion.
A full five years had passed since she hatched from her dragon egg.
Xia'er had now completed her torpor and become a young dragon.
The wyrmling stage generally lasted five years. When Chromatic Dragons reached five years old, they could undergo metamorphosis through torpor, entering the young dragon stage.
The young dragon stage would then last until they were fifteen years old.
When a true dragon reached fifteen, they could enter the juvenile dragon stage through slumber.
Of course, that was the standard, by-the-book progression.
Some true dragons that trained diligently, or special types of Chromatic Dragons, would undergo metamorphosis earlier.
For example, Xia'er had entered torpor at four years old, not adhering to the five-year principle.
Xia'er now measured a full six meters in length, comparable to a Red Dragon in the young dragon stage.
However, Green Dragons weren't particularly large to begin with, being among the smaller of the four-colored dragons. That Xia'er could possess such a robust physique now was thanks to the Evolution Game's quests and the 'contributions' of the Red Dragon Tyrone and several other hatched Chromatic Dragons.
Xia'er had fought her way through the dragon nest 'kindergarten,' grinding those Chromatic Dragons into the dirt, extracting a steady daily supply of basic attributes. Her growth was naturally rapid.
Over these five years, Xia'er had thoroughly investigated the situation inside and outside the Karugu Highlands. After learning the current state of affairs, she could only say her vision went dark.
The Karugu Highlands were... not very safe.
To the north of the highlands lived a tribe of Frost Giants. Giants and dragons had always been at odds. Dragons took pleasure in hunting giants, while giants considered slaying great dragons a badge of honor. The two races were locked in a near-eternal feud.
To the west of the highlands stretched a vast, seemingly endless plain where tribes of centaurs, large and small, lived, making their living through herding.
To the south of the highlands lay the human duchy, the Duchy of Shao Yi.
And within the highlands themselves, there were creatures like giant eagles, griffons, and a series of other races, plus a dwarven kingdom occupying several mountain mines.
It could be described as fraught with peril everywhere.
Especially a year ago, a patrol of dwarven pony cavalry had appeared near the dragon nest. Fortunately, they hadn't discovered the nest's location.
She had to prepare for trouble before it arose.
Over these years, Xia'er hadn't been idle either. After learning to fly, she often sneaked out to hunt for extra meals.
Venturing deep inland was too dangerous, so Xia'er frequently traveled between the dragon nest and the nearby coastal areas, transforming into a fishing prodigy. She caught salmon, bass, flounder, and other fish that frequented the coastal waters, supplementing her nutrition and enhancing her strength.
Among the Chromatic Dragons, Green Dragons and Black Dragons could breathe freely underwater. Their combat effectiveness didn't diminish upon entering the water, making them the only two of the four-colored dragons capable of living underwater—something Red Dragons and Blue Dragons couldn't do.
Xia'er fully leveraged this advantage, going to sea daily to catch fish, secretly supplementing her protein intake and boosting her strength.
Her current level had already reached 5, placing her at the top among young dragons.
Those White Dragons and Black Dragons that had just grown into the juvenile stage might not even be her match.
However, over the years, although she had caught hundreds of fish, large and small, only six, including the one just now, had a level above 3.
"Developing through fishing is still a bit too slow."
After devouring every last bit of the four-meter-plus salmon, Xia'er let out a long sigh. Then, flapping her wings and timing it right, she sped back toward the dragon nest.
It was getting late. By the schedule, Valentina should have returned from her hunt by now.
That earlier meal was just a snack. The main course was coming up next.