The sun hung high in the sky, casting endless light and heat.
Under the clear and transparent sky, the azure sea intermingled with the pale golden sunlight. The waves and billows rose and fell, creating a stunning and picturesque scene.
A silver dragon soared through the sky, its wings tearing through the clouds.
Its reflection on the sea was fleeting.
Garon looked down, seeing the shadow he cast on the vast sea.
After a brief glance, Garon shifted his attention forward.
In his view, a massive island appeared.
It was nearly as large as several capitals of the Demos Empire combined.
Around the gigantic island, countless magical arrays were arranged, covering the sea and air space. Most were for concealment and breath-hiding, but there were also numerous lethal arrays.
Ordinary creatures had almost no chance of discovering this massive island.
Also, in Garon's perception, the aura of metal dragons mixed together, filling the island in his sight.
Gold dragons, silver dragons, brass dragons, bronze dragons, and copper dragons - the presence of all kinds of metal dragons could be found here.
This massive island, in the legends of many creatures, had its own name.
Dragon Island.
Or rather, Metal Dragon Island.
Garon's purpose for visiting Metal Dragon Island was simple: to find any legendary spellbooks it might hold.
He believed that the Metallic Dragon King of Dragon Island would not refuse this small request.
Garon had already met the Dragon King of the Metallic Dragon Island.
The ancient gold dragon, Rokved, was the current Metallic Dragon King of the Noah Continent, a gold dragon king.
In terms of power, Rokved was comparable to Nehemiah. In terms of age, both being ancient dragons, Nehemiah was slightly older than Rokved. However, among the metal dragons, the position of the gold dragon was unique, naturally considered the king of the metal dragons, ranking higher than silver dragons.
With similar strengths and seniority, a gold dragon would unhesitatingly assume the position of Dragon King of Dragon Island, commanding the metal dragon race.
Garon knew this, which is why he envied Gold Garon's start.
Being a variant of a gold dragon might be the most advantageous start among all Garons across timelines.
However, Garon did not indulge in self-pity.
The essence of a Time Dragon was what mattered most; everything else was trivial.
Steadying his mind, Garon looked towards Metal Dragon Island.
Meanwhile.
Garon's gaze sharpened, his dragon wings extending, his majestic dragon might erupting from him.
Not belonging to Metal Dragon Island, he decided to announce his arrival with his dragon might before entering, as a courtesy to the metal dragons inside.
Garon's dragon might reached Metal Dragon Island in an instant.
The chaotic dragon auras on the island paused momentarily, then became excited, intertwining like overlapping waves, pressing the surrounding air to almost solidify.
Soon, several dragons, seemingly made of metal, their scales glistening in the sunlight, flew up.
The sound of their wings covered the sound of the sea.
"Haha, I didn't expect the noble Time Dragon to come here."
"Metal Dragon Island welcomes you at any time."
Quickly, a group of metal dragons approached, led by the ancient gold dragon Rokved, who greeted Garon with a few hearty laughs.
These metal dragons, having participated in the battle against the avatar of the Desert God, recognized Garon and remembered his aura.
So, upon sensing Garon's dragon might, they immediately left the island to greet him.
The arrival of a legendary dragon on Metal Dragon Island, these metal dragons and Rokved, welcomed Garon warmly.
"So enthusiastic."
Garon blinked.
Although he remained calm on the surface, his heart couldn't help but feel a bit of joy.
Dragons, after all, enjoy a bit of vanity.
Garon was no exception.
"Hello, Elder Rokved."
Garon nodded, responding politely to the ancient gold dragon.
For such ancient dragon elders, Garon showed respect, not posing any airs. Ordinary true dragons becoming ancient dragons wasn't easy, and he had a request for them on this visit.
Then, Rokved noticed Garon's significantly increased size and aura.
From tip to tail, his forty-six-meter length surpassed all the true dragons present.
The ancient gold dragon showed a look of astonishment, scanning Garon carefully.
A few seconds later, Rokved recovered, took a deep breath, and his expression gradually steadied.
In his life of around a thousand years, Rokved had never seen any true dragon undergo such a drastic change in just three short years. Even favored by the metal dragon god, he couldn't match such a growth rate.
"Only three years."
"No wonder you're a Time Dragon, the favorite of time."
"Compared to you, our proud gold dragon physique seems unremarkable."
Rokved sighed lightly.
"It's only thanks to a gift from the God of Light and a bit of luck that I achieved such growth," Garon modestly replied.
Being a mature ancient gold dragon, Rokved quickly returned to his warm demeanor, saying, "Come, let me personally show you around Metal Dragon Island. This is where the metal dragon race of the Noah Continent originates. Young and old dragons mainly reside here."
The metal dragons on Metal Dragon Island were mainly the young and the elderly.
The younger ones received education here and would choose to leave when they wanted to establish their territories outside. The elderly dragons, tired of traveling in society, eventually chose to return to Metal Dragon Island to stay with their kin.
The metal dragons roaming outside were mainly those with a strong curiosity, mostly young to middle-aged.
Garon nodded, smiling, "Then, I'll trouble you."
He didn't directly state his purpose for visiting Metal Dragon Island, and Rokved didn't ask, simply leading Garon towards it. The other metal dragons who had come to see Garon were dispersed by Rokved.
Afterward, led by Rokved, Garon passed through a series of magical arrays surrounding Metal Dragon Island.
When passing through one of the arrays, the scenery changed drastically.
Metal dragons, large and small, lazily basked in the sun or chased each other energetically in aerial battles, displaying a vibrant scene.
Originally, the massive island was a lush, wild green, but now before Garon stood magnificent palace-like dragon nests, made entirely of precious metals.
Gold, silver, jade, crystal.
These luxurious nests glimmered under the sunlight.
Here, even the air seemed filled with the scent of treasures.
The younger dragons aside, the elderly ones were wealthy, amassing fortunes astronomical to ordinary people. Building such luxurious nests with such wealth was not difficult for metal dragons.
And the culture of competition was everywhere.
Some metal dragons worked hard to amass wealth in the outside world, just so they could return to Metal Dragon Island in their old age and build a grand nest that wouldn't seem poor in comparison.
"Garon, may I ask how old you are this year?" Rokved asked as they flew past a golden nest.
Garon thought for a moment, then candidly replied, "Eight."
"Eight years old?"
Rokved swayed slightly.
"Yes, eight years old."
"I thought you were at least a young dragon. I didn't expect you to be just a youngling."
Rokved was somewhat numb.
He looked at a forest on Dragon Island, where a young gold dragon and a young silver dragon were playfully chasing each other, their joyous roars resounding. Both were about five meters in length.
But they were several years older than Garon.
"Joyce, Edith!"
"What are you two doing? All you know is to play on Dragon Island, right? Go back and learn spells from the elders!"
Rokved's face hardened, shouting at the two young metal dragons.
However, the young metal dragons brightened up upon hearing Rokved's words and flew towards him and Garon.
The two curious young metal dragons looked at Garon.
They had never seen a dragon bigger than an ancient gold or silver dragon like Garon.
The young male silver dragon looked at Garon admiringly, asking, "Which elder of the silver dragon clan are you? You're even bigger than Grandfather Nehemiah. You must be very powerful, right? Are you stronger than Grandfather Rokved?"
This was the first time they saw a giant unfamiliar dragon, and it seemed to be a silver dragon, so they were excited.
Again mistaken for a silver dragon, Garon sighed internally.
His silver scales easily led others to think he was a silver dragon.
Of course, more experienced creatures could tell Garon wasn't a silver dragon, but most still mistook his species.
"Go on, go play, this is a guest of our Dragon Island, not here to play with you little dragons."
Rokved's face darkened.
As the lord of Dragon Island, Rokved was usually kind and gentle, but his stern face now naturally exuded a dignified aura.
The young metal dragons glanced at each other, shrunk back, and ran off.
"Rokved Grandfather, we'll play a bit more and then go back."
The young metal dragons disobeyed and continued to play after running off.
Seeing this, Rokved turned to Garon somewhat embarrassedly, "I've spoiled these younglings too much, making them unruly. I need to discipline them properly soon."
As he spoke, Rokved remembered Garon's age, who also counted as a 'youngling.'
But such an eight-year-old was larger than an ancient dragon.
Rokved could only internally marvel at the power of the Time Dragon.
At eight years old, he was still training under the watch of his elders against beasts on the island, while Garon had already participated in battles against enemies like avatars of the Desert God, not even in the same league.
"Where is Elder Nehemiah?"
"He's just a step away from becoming an ancient dragon. I wonder if he has succeeded."
Garon asked, reminded of Nehemiah by the young silver dragon.
Hearing this, Rokved smiled, "That old fellow Nehemiah is lucky. His advancement to an ancient dragon is a certainty, just a matter of time."
"He's sleeping in a safe place, accumulating potential power. He'll probably awaken in a year or two."
Pausing, Rokved added thoughtfully, "Becoming an ancient dragon means not worrying about lifespan for a long time."
He looked at Garon, "Time is merciless. Only a few truly withstand its effects and become immortal."
Following this, Rokved showed Garon around Metal Dragon Island.
Garon gradually became more familiar with this headquarters of the metal dragon race.
"If you wish, you can stay on Metal Dragon Island. You're always welcome here."
Garon smiled, "I'll remember that. When I want to live here, don't forget what you said today."
"Haha, of course, feel free to come anytime," Rokved laughed heartily, his dragon whiskers swaying.
After touring Metal Dragon Island, Garon expressed his purpose to Rokved.
"If Metal Dragon Island has legendary spellbooks, I'm willing to trade equivalent treasures."
"There are some, but not many," Rokved replied.
"As for trading treasures, you called upon an elder Time Dragon to revive many warriors of my metal dragon race. I'm grateful, how could I ask for treasures from you?"
"These legendary spellbooks are gifts from Metal Dragon Island to you."
Even the Metal Dragon God stated that the metal dragon race would be a powerful support for Garon. Naturally, Rokved wouldn't refuse his request.
Legendary dragons differed from ordinary true dragons, and their status was not inferior to that of dragon gods.
Now was a great opportunity to befriend the foremost legendary dragon species, the Time Dragon. Rokved wouldn't waste such a chance, hoping that if Metal Dragon Island ever faced trouble, Garon's intervention could easily save it.
After hearing Rokved's words, Garon accepted the offer without hesitation.
After obtaining the legendary spellbooks, Garon inquired about methods to seal half-planes.
Rokved, having lived for thousands of years, had a wealth of knowledge and gave Garon several good suggestions, though none were currently applicable.
Afterward, Garon stayed on Metal Dragon Island for about a day.
The next day, as the first light of dawn touched Dragon Island, he bid farewell to Rokved and left Metal Dragon Island.
Garon didn't immediately return to the Far Northern Ice Field.
He went straight to the Demos capital. After several years of development, the Demos capital was no longer lethargic, but its situation was not good, as other human duchies still jointly suppressed Demos' development, unwilling to see it regain its former glory.
Garon's visit to the Demos capital was unrelated to the Demos Kingdom.
The headquarters of the Church of Light was established there.
He visited the Grand Temple of the Church of Light and met with the Pope, also expressing his intention to exchange legendary spellbooks.
The Pope made the same decision as the ancient gold dragon, not accepting the treasures Garon offered for exchange, but giving them directly.
Having obtained what he wanted, Garon, fulfilled, returned to the Far Northern Ice Field.
"Exile and seal devils from hell according to the will of the user."
Garon, now in a smaller form, was browsing through a book of legendary spells.
The legendary ninth circle spell, Seal Devil.
This book, obtained from the Pope, had a very specific use, but was extremely targeted. If faced with a devil causing trouble in the prime material world, this legendary spell could make the devil hate him to the bone.
After his trips to Metal Dragon Island and the Church of Light, Garon hadn't left his lair for a month.
In this month, he had been diligently studying legendary spells.
However, legendary spells, in terms of effect and strength, were incomparable to other spells. And Garon, having obtained many legendary spellbooks at once, flitting from one book to another, meant he hadn't grasped even the basics of any in a month.
This was the disadvantage of studying multiple schools of magic at once.
Ninety-nine percent of creatures lacked the time and energy to delve into multiple magical schools. Just one school of magic was enough to consume a spellcaster's lifetime of effort.
But Garon wasn't in a hurry.
He was the remaining one percent.
He had enough time to learn.
Compared to his eager attitude when first encountering magic, Garon's mindset was now stable.
He was no longer eager to master a certain spell in a short time.
As long as he could gradually learn over time, he didn't need to be too obsessed. Whether sooner or later, he would master them all - it was just a matter of time, and for Garon, time was not an issue.
"Sigh."
After closing the Seal Devil spellbook, Garon exhaled deeply.
His platinum dragon eyes still sparkled.
In this month, because he hadn't genuinely sketched spell models or delved deeply into research, he wasn't tired. His spirit remained vigorous.
"Garon, don't you find it boring?"
Yuna, her dragon claw propping her chin, her tail swaying lightly, looked utterly bored.
Her pale purple dragon eyes stared at Garon.
In a flicker of light, Garon transformed from a young dragon to a giant, the silver scales shimmering with golden and silver hues in the air.
"Time is long; we always need something to do," Garon smiled and replied.
Yuna blinked, "Sleeping, counting coins, counting gems, daydreaming, all pass the time. That's what I do."
"I never study actively. Some things I don't know, I just learn by sleeping a few times. Why bother learning those tedious things?"
Garon eyed Yuna up and down.
You're so young; how can you sleep so much? Garon thought but didn't voice out loud.
He and Yuna had different personalities. He couldn't spend time sleeping and daydreaming in the lair. For Garon, doing nothing in the lair was more tedious.
Flapping his wings lightly, a breeze arose in the lair.
Garon stretched leisurely, looking around. The lair built inside the fortress was large but still somewhat restrictive.
"I've been in the lair for a month. I want to go out."
"Join me, Yuna?"
Yuna hadn't left since waking up.
But facing Garon's invitation, she remained unmoved.
Her head shook like a rattle, "No, no, no, you go. I'm going to keep sleeping."
If nothing unusual happened, Yuna, not needing food or drink, could sleep continuously until adulthood.
Garon nodded, knowing Yuna's nature, so he left the lair alone.
In an instant, the silver dragon appeared in the skies of the Far Northern Ice Field.
The Far Northern Ice Field was still in polar night, but this cycle was nearly over. Soon, the polar day would arrive, making the night brighter than before. The heavy stars and moonlight formed a galaxy overhead, stunningly beautiful.
Garon looked down.
His gaze swept over, the vast view encompassing the region enveloped by his Locked Territory.
Winter wolves, ogres, northern ice spirits, fierce frost tigers, and his other vassals freely roamed within the Locked Territory, making the air seem much livelier and fresher.
The Locked Territory not only suppressed creatures but also enhanced the comfort of those within.
Garon's vassals could exert stronger abilities than in the outside world.
If enemies invaded the Locked Territory, they would be suppressed and struggle to display their real strength.
"Alas, no other Moonlight Knights in the Far Northern Ice Field."
Garon scanned the horizon.
There were no figures galloping on steeds under the moonlight.
He shook his head slightly in disappointment.
When he visited Metal Dragon Island and the Church of Light, Garon had also inquired about the whereabouts of high elves from Rokved and the Pope, receiving the same answer: no high elves existed on the Noah Continent.
From the Pope, Garon also learned that the Pope had encountered Moonlight Knights.
But the one he met wasn't the same as Garon's encounter.
Moonlight Knights were a position in the elven kingdom. They traveled across planes under the moonlit cold night, spreading the doctrine of elven deities and slaying enemies of the elven kingdom.
Thanks to resurrection spells, Moonlight Knights often acted brazenly.
As long as the resurrection spell couldn't be broken, even those stronger than Moonlight Knights would be troubled by their relentless return. Spells that could break resurrection were few, and the Great Disjunction was one.
"I wonder if the elven deities know I killed a Moonlight Knight, or they know but haven't acted."
Garon's eyes narrowed.
After pondering for a few seconds, he dismissed the thought.
Just a matter of facing whatever comes.
Amidst the clouds, Garon sped back and forth in the high skies of the Far Northern Ice Field, enjoying the brisk wind across his scales.
Moments later, atop a towering ice peak, the silver dragon folded his wings and landed.
His claws gripped the rugged rocks as the power of time erupted.
Quickly, the surface of the River of Time glimmered, showing Garon future visions.
Since foreseeing the future could avoid many accidents, it was an important ability. Garon now often used it to check for future events requiring attention or early prevention.
However, since foreseeing the Moonlight Knight killing Urbis, his subsequent foretellings revealed no special, concerning future events.
This time, as usual, he expected the same.
But when the scene on the River of Time's surface caught his eyes, Garon's expression turned serious.
The thing he had been wary of two months ago had finally happened.
"Once discovered, places like the Lava Half-Plane are indeed irresistible to creatures or powers."
In the foresighted scene.
Several azure phase gates opened, hovering under the red sky of the Lava Half-Plane.
Then, twelve oddly beautiful magic warships emerged, each carrying hundreds of figures wrapped in elemental light, indicating everyone aboard was no ordinary being.
"Phase gates, magic ships."
"To build interplanar magic shipyards, at least an empire-level power is required."
No empire had ever arisen on the Noah Continent.
The strongest was Demos Kingdom a thousand years ago, which lacked the capability to build magic shipyards.
Alpha Tyria Empire had them, as did the Nastriel Empire Garon saw in "The Gallant Holy Knight."
Powerful magic empires could transport troops through magic ships, establishing connections with other worlds for cultural exchange, resource development, or invasion.
Foreseeing the future was highly random.
The scene Garon saw was fleeting, quickly replaced by unrelated future images.
But that fleeting moment had been firmly memorized by Garon.
As for when it would happen: in half a year.
Garon's expression tightened as he focused on the scene with the magic ships, observing closely.
These magic ships appeared advanced, entirely made of metal, with formidable magic cannons aboard, intricate magical circuits etched on their surfaces, and energy shields isolating the air of the Lava Half-Plane.
"Looks like very advanced magic ships."
One magic ship was as valuable as a legendary magical item.
For the invaders to deploy twelve at once, Garon was certain they had several legendary figures.
"From some prime material world, or another plane's magic empire?"
"Surely not as powerful as Alpha Tyria Empire."
"Even if they are, daring to covet my half-plane, I won't stand idly by."
Garon's eyes gleamed sharply.
Even for a magic empire, legendary beings were crucial and scarce. Garon wasn't afraid of them.
"Foreseeing the future lets me know their invasion time and location."
"That gives me absolute initiative."
Garon's smile widened.
The twelve magic ships arriving via phase gates at the Lava Half-Plane weren't there for sightseeing, which Garon was sure of.
Although he didn't see their subsequent actions, he already regarded them as enemies.
The Lava Half-Plane was his greatest source of wealth, not to be tampered with by others, not even coveted.
Their phase gates opened swiftly, almost a surprise invasion of the Lava Half-Plane. But they likely didn't anticipate a Time Dragon foreseeing their actions and knowing their yet undecided transport time and location.
"Let's assume, at most, one legendary per magic ship."
"Twelve legends, plus several thousand uncertainly powerful supernatural soldiers."
Garon speculated pessimistically.
Normally, there wouldn't be one legend per magic ship.
Legends weren't common cabbage, revered in every plane as powerful beings.
"Twelve legends, hmm, seems manageable."
Garon blinked.
Legends varied in strength. Those just entering legendhood, facing Garon now, were practically fodder, like the Moonlight Knight. Despite their legendary power, they stood no chance under the might of time.
Garon preferred not overusing Time Dragon Reversal.
He liked relying on his strength, self-reliance.
Strictly speaking, Time Dragon Reversal was also self-reliance, but Garon felt differently. He would avoid using it if possible.
So, while he felt twelve legends weren't a huge threat, he decided to be cautious.
"My higher-level combat forces here are... Balton, myself, Yuna."
"Yuna and I can each face multiple enemies. Balton, equipped with Winter's Fury, is slightly stretched but should handle two or three."
Winter's Fury was god-given gear, only slightly less precious than Garon's platinum dragon scales.
"As for mid to high-level forces, the elemental and flesh lives native to the Lava Half-Plane far outnumber the invaders."
Garon stroked his chin.
"But, the scene I saw might be just the first wave. There could be more magic ships arriving."
The silver dragon narrowed his eyes.
After some thought, Garon decided on a safe and effective plan to decisively defeat or capture the invaders.
"The elderly legendary dragons on Metal Dragon Island seem quite bored."
With the intention of enhancing the quality of life for the elderly dragons, Garon decided to provide them some entertainment.
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