Lying on a bed formed from a large collection of Karla Crystals, Garon's eyes were slightly closed.
He could distinctly feel the psionic energy emanating from the assembled Karla Crystals intertwining and continuously sweeping over his mental will, like tangible breezes.
His mental power was slowly strengthening.
Though slow, the change was definitely occurring.
"A sufficient number of Karla Crystals, when gathered, can form a strange psionic field, sharpening the mental will of creatures within it."
The Silver Dragon opened his eyes.
Initially, if the kobolds who first discovered the Karla Crystals could resist their psionic influence, their mental strength could also be honed and enhanced.
Apart from gathering Karla Crystals, Garon had also attempted to ingest them. Unfortunately, the digested Karla Crystals brought no benefit to him.
"Spending enough time within a Karla Crystal's psionic field might awaken psionic abilities."
This was all Garon understood about Karla Crystals at the moment.
Nevertheless, even if this was their only effect, they remained an extremely precious mineral resource.
Garon's gaze narrowed as he silently savored the sensation brought by the Karla Crystals.
With his legendary mental strength, awakening psionics would grant him formidable power. Unlike spells, psionics are more like mental realm superpowers; with enough talent and foundation, one can unleash powerful abilities without systematic learning.
While in the psionic field, Garon noticed his mental world seemed to be constantly rippled with subtle waves.
His mind was imbued with a strange power.
However, given Garon's already strong mental power, awakening psionics under these circumstances required far more Karla Crystals. If Garon's mental world were an ocean, the effect of the Karla Crystals was like a few drops of ink.
Initially visible, but soon purified and restored by the vastness of the ocean.
"It will be difficult for me to awaken psionics."
"However, I can let my minions try. Their weaker mental strength might be stained by the Karla Crystals over time. With some luck, they might awaken psionic powers."
"As for those less fortunate..."
Garon shook his head slightly.
Psionics are not a harmless force.
Creatures with insufficient mental strength, when eroded by psionics for an extended period, might awaken psionic abilities, but they are more likely to suffer mental breakdowns, turning into mindless idiots.
Garon decided to give his minions a choice.
If psionics were explored to their limits, they could be a power rivaling magic. His power-hungry minions, despite the risk of death, would likely choose to gamble for the chance to gain tremendous strength.
Having made a decision, Garon summoned the leader of the Winter Wolves and delegated this task while also instructing them to protect the kobolds mining for more Karla Crystals, ensuring no mishaps. Garon hoped to acquire more crystals, making mining crucial.
"My Lord, our Alpha Tribe has many spellcasters, but there are still some among us without magical talents."
Upon learning about the effects of Karla Crystals, Anya sought an audience with Garon.
"They yearn for extraordinary powers."
"If these individuals have the chance to become psychic spellcasters, they will forever remember your grace and dedicate their modest strength to you."
Garon remained expressionless.
He calmly stated, "Once we return to the Magma Demiplane, you may take some Karla Crystals with you."
"Or bring the members of the Alpha Tribe to Planet Karla."
Anya expressed her gratitude, "I thank you on their behalf."
"The Alpha Tribe will always be your most powerful minions."
Garon nodded slightly.
He didn't let Anya leave immediately.
After a few seconds of thought, Garon handed her some Karla Crystals, musing, "Take some Alpha Tribe spellcasters to continue researching these crystals. They may have other effects."
Anya nodded, then took her leave.
Soon after, Garon also left his lair.
Soaring high in the sky, he surveyed his now much-stabilized domain.
Compared to the previously desolate landscape, his territory now bore many green traces, thanks to the Ancient Green Dragon's dense forests adorning the land, adding a touch of vividness.
These small green forests provided edible fruits and root vegetables.
However, they were far from sufficient to meet the consumption of Garon's tens of thousands of minions.
It would take more visits from the Ancient Green Dragon to create enough forested areas.
For now, the primary food source for Garon's minions was still the low-level beast summoning arrays set up by Kretchin.
As for the guardian beasts of the Beastlands...
They remained unseen.
Amidst the clouds, Garon's gaze swept over his domain on Planet Karla, nodding imperceptibly.
With time, conditions here would only improve.
The only issue was the vast size of his domain.
The minions Garon brought couldn't cover the entire area.
But this was a problem faced by all True Dragons.
Planet Karla was large, and there were too few dragons. Other dragons' domains, even if not as extensive as Garon's, were difficult to manage.
"Apart from increasing the number of minions, there are no better solutions."
No True Dragon would willingly give up their domain, even if they couldn't manage it.
"There are no sources of minions on Planet Karla, so we can only acquire more minion tribes from other material worlds to manage this place."
"Or accelerate the breeding rate of the existing minions."
An idea sparked in Garon's eyes.
He wanted to try creating a stable area where time flowed faster using his current power. This would significantly increase the breeding and growth efficiency of minion creatures.
Garon always acted quickly on his ideas.
After conceiving this plan, he immediately returned and landed, finding a suitable vacant area to attempt creating an acceleration field.
The ability to accelerate was the first Garon had awakened.
Initially, it was only applicable to himself and didn't increase time significantly. However, as Garon aged and his strength grew, along with a deeper connection to the River of Time, the effects of the acceleration ability steadily enhanced.
Even before using the divine power crystal, he could already apply acceleration to other beings.
Garon was exceedingly proficient in this ability.
Using the power of time as a tool, he extended his dragon claw, inscribing complex and obscure magical and mechanical runes on the ground. Over time, a giant magic circle with a diameter of a kilometer gradually took shape on the earth.
The circle was ring-shaped.
It was filled with runes and circuitry, emanating the strange power of time.
Finally, under the setting sun, Garon's face turned solemn as he completed the magic circle with a gentle stroke of his claw.
Hum!
As the magic circle formed, ripples of time spread from its center. Everything touched by these ripples sped up, as if a fast-forward button had been pressed.
The time power Garon infused into the circle burst forth at its formation, scattering in all directions.
Garon's face, however, bore no joy.
He shook his head slightly.
"Failed. It's still somewhat challenging to succeed at once."
With a thought, Garon halted the dispersing time power.
Then, like a receding tide, it flowed back into his body.
Objects that had been accelerated now returned to normal.
Garon flew high, overlooking the magic circle he had drawn, observing its flaws and errors, his gaze slowly scanning each rune and circuitry loop.
After several minutes of thought, Garon descended, modifying the construction of the runes within the circle.
However, he hadn't worked long before his gaze shifted, looking towards the horizon.
Ripples of spatial disturbance appeared.
A portal slowly opened.
A familiar aura emerged.
The great figure of the Ancient Gold Dragon, Lockvield, flew out.
"Hey, what are you doing?"
Approaching Garon, Lockvield inquired upon seeing the magic circle beneath him.
"Just some simple research," Garon replied casually.
Lockvield didn't press further.
The Ancient Gold Dragon, with a serious look, got straight to the point: "I've come all the way from the southern hemisphere for an important matter to discuss with you."
Garon looked at Lockvield, waiting for more.
He had Lockvield's communication crystal; Lockvield could have easily contacted Garon through it. Instead, he chose to travel such a distance in person, indicating the matter was significant.
Even for an Ancient Gold Dragon, such a long-distance space teleportation wasn't trivial.
Lockvield's aura was visibly unstable and weary.
Yet, undeterred by his condition, he said, "On Planet Karla, thanks to the aberrant creatures as a common enemy, our dragon kind has entered a temporary period of peace."
He smiled at Garon, "You must have seen it. In battling powerful aberrant creatures, Chromatic Dragons and Metallic Dragons have repeatedly united against the enemy, setting aside their mutual animosity and prejudices."
Garon nodded, "Indeed, it's a rare sight."
Hearing Garon's response, Lockvield sighed, "Yes, but I don't know how long this situation will last."
"The aberrant creatures on Planet Karla no longer pose a threat."
"Without the common enemy of aberrant creatures, given our dragon nature, different dragon types gathered on a material world with no other enemy species will soon result in numerous internal conflicts."
"If we want to establish a true dragon nation on Planet Karla, endless internal strife would render its existence meaningless."
In the future, the rulers of Planet Karla would be dragons alone.
Without other enemy species, internal conflicts among dragons could potentially escalate uncontrollably.
Garon's eyes flickered thoughtfully, "What exactly is the important matter you're referring to?"
Lockvield looked at Garon, slowly saying, "To prevent the escalation of dragon infighting, under the guidance of the Dragon God, we've decided to establish an organization composed of legendary dragons. Planet Karla is an initial trial."
"The sole aim of this organization is to use the authority and power of legendary dragons to restrain other true dragons."
"Before internal conflicts intensify, legendary dragons will step in to mediate and resolve them."
Garon appeared thoughtful, pondering before responding, "Dragons have always respected their powerful kin. If legendary dragons of all types are willing to form such an organization, it could indeed influence other true dragons."
He paused, then shook his head, "However, such an organization cannot be composed of dragons from just one type."
"Legendary dragons are much more rational compared to others, but the deep-rooted conflicts between different types still exist, even among legendary dragons."
This type of organization had appeared in dragon history before.
Unfortunately, they all inevitably disintegrated.
Over time, no dragon was willing to attempt what seemed like a doomed endeavor.
"Therefore, we need a being independent of all dragon types, without racial conflicts, yet commanding respect from all dragons."
"Such beings are extremely rare."
"Fortunately, we've now encountered one."
Lockvield's pupils reflected the image of the Silver Dragon, smiling broadly.
Garon was momentarily taken aback.
With the conversation at this point, he would be foolish not to understand Lockvield's implication.
However, Garon wondered if this was Lockvield's idea or the Dragon God's decision. From Lockvield's words, it seemed like he was following the Dragon God's guidance, and the establishment of a dragon nation on Planet Karla was also a decision by the Dragon Gods.
"Do you want me and Yuna to lead this organization?"
Lockvield shook his head.
The ancient Gold Dragon gazed at Garon, "The Dragon of Power is too aloof and dangerous. We only need you."
Aloof Garon blinked.
Yuna aloof and dangerous?
He hadn't felt that way.
But thinking about it, it seemed to align with Lockvield's words.
Yuna hardly interacted or communicated with other dragons. So far, she only spoke to Garon; apart from Dragon Gods, she hadn't even looked at other dragons, be it Gold or Red.
In that sense, Yuna's aloofness wasn't ordinary.
It was almost celestial.
As for the danger Lockvield mentioned, it existed too.
Yuna once told Garon that attention from other beings always triggered an urge to breathe dragon fire and annihilate them.
True Dragons are keenly aware of danger.
Yuna's impulse made them sense danger around her, which was only natural.
Back to the main point, facing Lockvield's hopeful gaze, Garon didn't immediately agree.
He frowned slightly.
After a few seconds, Garon seriously said to Lockvield, "I don't avoid communication with my kin, but I also dislike trouble."
"Yet, leading such an organization means endless trouble."
This was like taking on the responsibility of reconciling dragon conflicts—a burden Garon had the capability for but was unwilling to bear.
Garon never possessed a spirit of selfless dedication.
Receiving Garon's response, Lockvield didn't show disappointment. He smiled, "I haven't spent much time with you, but I understand your character. I knew you would most likely refuse this."
He paused, then continued, "Leading such an organization inevitably brings certain responsibilities."
"But the benefits are self-evident."
"An organization composed of legendary dragons, and if it develops well on Planet Karla, it won't be limited to this material world. As the leader of this organization, think of the immense benefits you'll gain."
"Additionally, I know you dislike trouble."
"But please consider, what kind of situations require a leader's personal intervention?"
"Your presence adds prestige and influence to the organization, rather than actually dealing with affairs. Leave the troublesome matters to us. You only need to maintain an absolutely neutral stance towards different dragon types."
Lockvield earnestly said, "Garon, I know deep down you also hope for the resurgence of dragonkind. As a legendary dragon, your status is revered. The strength of the dragon race equates to your strength. So please consider it carefully."
Garon didn't outright refuse.
Lockvield sincerely sought him out, and as Lockvield said, it was indeed a win-win situation for Garon. By agreeing, his power would expand unimaginably. Moreover, Garon felt this likely had the Dragon Gods' backing.
After a moment of thought, Garon looked up, "I will consider it."
"Before that, what is the name of this organization?"
Lockvield's face lit up.
With solemn reverence, he enunciated each word in Draconic.
"Dragon Court!"
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