Ashen Dragon

Cassius stood high above, looking down at his retainers and noticed a new face watching from the corner. Ramp had previously reported to him that it should be the so-called "Black Tooth" Lizardfolk tribe.

The Red Dragon saw that these Lizardfolk were quite robust, at least more suitable for the army than the current goblins and kobolds, so he said:

"Why are you here?"

The retainers consciously made way.

The Lizardfolk Chieftain, Acker Longtooth, anxiously walked forward, with the Old Shaman calmly following behind.

Acker knelt on the ground, took a deep breath, and then said, "We left our homeland due to the monsters in the cave and fled to this place. Your immense power has impressed us."

"The Black Tooth tribe is willing to submit under your mighty wings, becoming the most loyal retainers of the great Red Dragon."

"This represents the utmost sincerity of our tribe."

"We present all these to you."

The Lizardfolk Old Shaman pointed behind him with his wooden staff, and several strong Lizardfolk brought forward heavy treasure chests.

The chests were opened, revealing gleaming gold.

The surrounding retainers could not help but widen their eyes at the sight, but quickly averted their gaze.

—For this would be the treasure solely belonging to the Red Dragon, and anyone daring to covet it would face the wrath of the Red Dragon.

Even the ever-greedy Chimera turned its avaricious dragon head away, deliberately not looking directly, only sneaking peeks out of the corner of its eye.

Cassius, standing high above, remained expressionless, the gleam of gold reflecting in his vertical pupils.

But what he first noticed was not the gold, but the Old Shaman behind the Lizardfolk Chieftain.

[Based on your own strength and the opponent's status as "submissive," you can observe the following information]

[Lizardfolk Shaman]

Medium humanoid (Lizardfolk), absolutely neutral

Name: Koda Blackscale

AC: 13 (natural armor)

Speed: 30 feet, swim 30 feet

Strength—15

Agility—10

Constitution—13

Intelligence—12

Perception—15

Charisma—9

Skills: Perception +4, Stealth +4, Survival +6

Senses: Dark Vision 30 feet, Passive Perception 14

Language: Draconic

Actions: Multi-Attack, Biting, Claw attack

Special Abilities:

Hold Breath: The Lizardfolk can hold its breath for 15 minutes.

Shape Change: Can transform into a crocodile using magic and maintain that form for 1 hour.

Occupational Level: Druid 5

Casting (Lizardfolk form only):

As a 5th-level spellcaster, the Lizardfolk Shaman has prepared the following druid spells:

Cantrips: Druid Tricks, Fire Ignition Spell, Thorn Whip

1st level: Entangle, Cloud Mist Technique

2nd level: Scorching Metal, Spike Growth

3rd level: Summon Animals (Reptiles only), Plant Growth

Challenge Level: 5 (1800 xp)

Assessment: "The Lizardfolk Shaman is the most special existence in the entire tribe. They are often wise and powerful, leading the entire tribe."

"An actively presenting Druid?"

"Interesting."

Cassius thought.

"That Shaman, are you a spellcaster?"

The Lizardfolk Old Shaman took a step forward, slightly nodded, and calmly replied, "Great Red Dragon, your power and wisdom amaze me."

"I have merely taken a shallow step on the Way of Nature, learning some minor tricks."

Then he raised his withered wooden staff and pointed to an empty space.

"Entangle."

The power of nature responded to the Old Shaman's call, and the Magic Web rippled subtly as vines and weeds instantly grew tangled on that patch of ground.

Unlike the Arcane Magic of Magicians and Mages, druid spells were classified as Divine Magic. These spellcasters relied on divine power from nature to invoke the Magic Web.n/ô/vel/b//jn dot c//om

Facing a spellcaster who came to him voluntarily, Cassius immediately said, "A good spell, the gates of Ashen Nest will be open to you."

"I hope you will prove your loyalty to me."

"Praise to you, great master."

The Lizardfolk quietly withdrew and returned to their dark corner, never to partake in any disputes over the other retainers' positions.

Cassius liked such sensible subordinates.

The Lizardfolk were absolutely neutral cold-blooded animals, lacking desires, viewing good and evil as foreign concepts, acting only for survival, which fit Cassius's principles.

Such qualities made them excellent choices for managing human cities, or even players, in the future. At least they could maintain basic order without being swayed by personal desires.

"Simple and useful tools."

This was Cassius's high evaluation of them.

But subduing the Lizardfolk was just a minor episode; the main event of the ritual was next.

Bloodline Gift.

As he gazed down at the expectant, puzzled, or anxious eyes of his retainers, Cassius finally opened his mouth slowly under the watchful gaze of everyone:

"I once told you that my retainers should never be content with being weak. I shall bestow upon you great power and long life."

"And today, it is time to fulfill that promise."

"I will grant the outstanding among you—the Dragon Vein!"

Instantly, the retainers clamored, astonished if they had even a bit of intelligence.

Ogre Lamp's eyes were filled with tears, moved by this gift. The kobolds, distantly related to dragons, were shocked; even the Lizardfolk, once worshippers of dragons, were incredulous and in awe.

"This, how can this be!"

"That is the Dragon Bloodline!"

"The master's generosity amazes me."

It's known that dragon bloodlines are extremely precious throughout Erezer.

Aside from reproduction, granting a true dragon vein normally required the True Blood of dragons, whose every drop in their main blood vessels was a potent source of magical power. Even a True Dragon granting it willingly would leave them weak and drained for days.

Therefore, no one could imagine a stingy True Dragon making such a generous gift.

But they didn't know, Cassius needed only ordinary blood as a ritual lead, with the rest of the "Bloodline Gift" being a special skill he had earned from an achievement.

This was almost a cost-free deal.

And the "Bloodline Gift" was divided into significant active gifts and more subtle passive ones. The former Cassius planned to bestow only on the best retainers, while the latter would be conducted within the entire Ashen Nest.

In the center of the valley stood a more than three-meter-high giant stone, with a flat and spacious top.

The middle of the stone had a shallow pit.

Cassius had informed Ramp in advance to issue the order prohibiting anyone from approaching this stone.

The retainers had believed it was where Cassius landed, so no one dared to approach. But now, they looked at the stone with eager eyes, recognizing it as the "Promised Land of Blessings."

Whether they were goblins, kobolds, or even wyverns, their breaths quickened.