**
Lu Ming stood atop his command tower, looking out over the vast territory that stretched out beneath his feet. The improvements made to his territory were evident, but a growing unease kept him on his toes. He felt something approaching, something that would require more than power and strategy to overcome.
Suddenly, the air around him thickened and an ancient presence manifested before him. It was the spirit of his dragon ancestor, an imposing figure that radiated power and wisdom.
"Lu Ming," the ancestor's voice said, deep and resonant, "the future I foresee is not favorable. Your enemies, the elves and dwarves, have made a pact with darkness. In this pact, they have sacrificed part of their soul to acquire devastating power. If you do not prepare, everything you have built will be razed."
Lu Ming watched a vision projected by his ancestor. In it, his army was fighting valiantly, but the enemy forces, bolstered by dark magic, were advancing relentlessly. His once prosperous territory was now engulfed in flames and destruction. The vision ended abruptly, leaving Lu Ming with renewed resolve.
**"I will not allow that to happen."**
Lu Ming immediately summoned his Draconic Priest and his new Draconic General. As they gathered in the war room, he laid out the vision and strategies necessary to secure victory.
"We must strengthen our defenses against dark magic," the Draconic Priest said, his staff glowing with mystical energy. "I suggest erecting new, far more powerful magical barriers. In addition, we will build watchtowers along the borders to detect any enemy movement."
The Draconic General, a being of impressive size and strength, stepped in. "We need to train our soldiers in guerrilla tactics. We can use the mountainous terrain to our advantage, slowing down and splitting up the enemy army before it reaches our main defenses."
Lu Ming nodded. The suggestions were sound, but he still felt that they needed something more. Remembering his ancestor's words, he decided that it was time to summon a second Abyssal Dragon. Although it required a large amount of his gold reserves, he was certain that it would be crucial in defending his territory.
Using 5,000 gold coins, Lu Ming performed the summoning. The new Abyssal Dragon, smaller than the first but equally imposing, emerged from a vortex of dark energy. This dragon, although 30 meters long, possessed unique abilities that made it essential in defense. Lu Ming made sure that both dragons were trained to work in tandem with the draconic soldiers, creating an unstoppable team on the battlefield.
As Lu Ming strengthened his territory, tensions began to rise in the enemy camp. The elves and dwarves, though united in their hatred of Lu Ming, were beginning to show signs of mutual distrust. Doubts about the true nature of their alliance with the dark wizard caused arguments among the soldiers, temporarily weakening the morale of the troops.
The Elven King and the Dwarf King, aware of these tensions, tried to keep the alliance together, but the shadow of the decision they had to make regarding the dwarven relic haunted them. This relic, an ancient artifact of incalculable power, could decide the fate of the war, but its use required a sacrifice that both kings feared.
Back in Lu Ming's territory, the Draconian General was ordered to eliminate any enemy spies. In a swift and precise operation, the infiltrated spies were discovered and neutralized, eliminating any risk of information about Lu Ming's preparations reaching the enemy.
The chapter concludes with Lu Ming, in his 50-meter-tall draconic form, looking out over the horizon from his tower. His eyes gleamed with determination. He knew the storm was coming, but he was ready. With his army prepared, defenses strengthened, and morale high, he was determined to face any threat that came his way.
However, the uncertainty about the sacrifice the elves and dwarves were willing to make to defeat him still lingered in his mind, creating a palpable tension that foreshadowed the impending battle.
---