The Natural Empire of the Oceanic Dragon

Ending the call with the bear-man, Atilan casually surveyed the battlefield, well aware that these gnolls posed little threat to his carefully selected ten thousand soldiers.

Moreover, with the White Wolf King dead, unable to unite the gnolls, the gnolls on the battlefield were all glancing around, seeking an opportunity to leave others to die while they escaped!

Atilan watched from above as the gnolls' formation deteriorated from somewhat orderly to utterly chaotic. Could he not see through the gnolls' intentions?

Their loose formation indicated their desire to flee. Atilan emitted a loud dragon roar to signal Lista, who immediately swung his axe, sending a nearby gnoll flying.

"Everyone, gather around me! Horns, sound the assembly!"

Continuing to fight the gnolls would offer them no chance of survival. Their final burst of energy would undoubtedly take down many unlucky souls. Now was the time to give the gnolls a chance to flee.

Exhaust their stamina, pursue relentlessly, and entrust the task of completely eliminating the remaining gnolls to the second team led by the fish-man, Fisher.

Atilan circled above the battlefield, shouting with a playful tone:

"Gnolls, I have killed your king! Now, I am in a good mood. I have decided to give you ten minutes to escape. Run towards the desert with all your might!"

"If you can escape the pursuit of my dragon legion, you will live. I hope you can escape spectacularly, so I won't be bored."

"Only ten minutes! My legion will readjust and attack again. Run! Ahahaha ~"

Atilan wasn't a pervert, naturally uninterested in such a grand escape plot. He adopted this tactic to completely eliminate the gnolls' will to fight, planting the seeds of escape deep within their hearts.

As expected, upon hearing Atilan's words, the gnolls decisively turned and fled, even grabbing bone spears to strike their former companions, using them as shields.

Gnolls are gnolls, their nature forever base. Yet, compared to demons, these gnolls felt more like… devils to Atilan!

Compared to demons, devils, while also full of betrayal and scheming, were at least of the lawful alignment. To cultivate beast-men similar to devils, the Natural Council could use high-pressure tactics similar to those of a devil lord to rule over the beast-men.

Ahem, besides a few elite minotaurs wearing iron armor who could keep up with the gnolls, most people were panting, trailing at the end of the pack. The centaurs, however, if Atilan hadn't repeatedly suppressed Windchaser before the battle.

He would still be leading the centaurs to charge into the gnoll ranks for a round of slaughter.

Now, the gnolls had scattered across a vast area. The centaurs' mission wasn't to hunt down gnolls, but to restrain them, preventing them from escaping outside the designated route.

The subsequent events unfolded as Atilan had envisioned. Except for a small group of gnolls who escaped the encirclement and fled into the northern mountains, which seemed to be a tunnel they had prepared long ago.

It was probably a tunnel used to ambush halflings or dwarves, but now it was being used by the gnolls to escape. Life is sometimes so unpredictable.

Atilan didn't plan to pursue this small group of escaped gnolls. They should be helpful for Atilan's next plan.

Beyond the north was the prosperous halfling town. Even though Atilan's territory was already self-sufficient, he still traded the halflings' scarce but much-loved nuts and honey for the wheat and black beans grown by the halflings.

Especially soy sauce and silky silk, which were crazily sought after by the hedonistic halflings. Previously, a halfling family would only cultivate fifty acres of land.

Now, the average halfling family cultivates over a hundred acres. The halflings work hard to grow all kinds of grains, fruits, and vegetables, all so they can enjoy delicious food.

Now, by cultivating just twice as much land, the halflings can turn the delicacies they once only enjoyed during festivals into once a week, or even gradually make them a daily occurrence.

Such as white bread!

The halfling town, which once lacked milling power, didn't enjoy finely ground flour. Since the minotaurs came to open a mill, ten minotaurs could provide enough snow-white flour to meet the needs of half the town's population.

Now, Forest Town can't live without the Black Bull Mill. The combat skills taught by the Serpent instructors were also much more brilliant than the mediocre wanderers who boasted about their past adventures and achievements.

After all, the Serpent people were elite warriors and wanderers who had survived hundreds of battles. At the same time, their handsome faces were very popular with the halflings. Of course, there weren't any female halflings who wanted to give birth to monkey babies for the Serpent people yet.

Seeing plumes of smoke rising in the distance, Atilan knew that Fisher was burning the gnolls' remaining bodies. Although most gnolls didn't carry germs due to the transformation of natural power.

There were also a few gnolls whose mutated demonic power, under the catalysis of natural power, had instead caused the gnolls to carry even more powerful germs.

Fire and lightning were the best ways to purify germs. The corpses of tens of thousands of gnolls, stretching for twenty or thirty kilometers, Atilan wouldn't run to each pile of corpses to purify them one by one.

The familiars would be burned first, and then Atilan would go for a deep purification.

What troubled him more now was how to purify such a large area of grassland. The White Wolf King had the corpse of the demon lord Yeenoghu behind him providing energy to transform the grassland, but who would provide Atilan with energy to purify the grassland?

No one!

Purifying the grassland could only rely on Atilan's own power. Connecting the forest's magic network to the grassland would in turn pollute the forest's magic network.

Although the White Wolf King was dead, there was a unique vitality in the grassland's magic network. If Gai'er Gai hadn't captured his soul, Atilan could be sure that he would have absorbed the grassland's natural magic and transformed into a powerful natural spirit.

He might even have a chance to be resurrected. Of course, the resurrected White Wolf King would definitely not be who he originally was.

Atilan planned to purify the White Wolf King and then reincarnate him as a white wolf.

The White Wolf King, resurrected as a natural spirit, would definitely not be able to transform back into a human. More likely, he would still be a white wolf!

Lista, Fisher, and Windchaser, covered in blood and dust, returned to the White Wolf's demon city to report the battle situation to Atilan.

"Dragon Lord, according to the statistics this time, we killed a total of 10,358 gnolls, with our own losses being less than a hundred people. It can be said to be a great victory. This iron armor played a big role!"

Lista excitedly patted the iron armor on his body. Originally, as a barbarian, he didn't really want to wear iron armor, believing that barbarians should be brave and fearless, not caring about injury and death, only focused on attacking.

But after he fought against ordinary minotaurs wearing iron armor and carrying iron shields, he realized that without the defense of iron armor, it would be very difficult for him to defeat these minotaurs whom he once completely disregarded.

He used to be able to avoid the enemy's attacks with his powerful steps and kill them with one axe, but now he couldn't even break through their iron shields.

Instead, the opponent could withstand his attacks, not worry about getting hurt, and just swing their axes at him.

Through actual combat, Lista realized the superior effect of protective gear and quickly became a fanatical enthusiast of iron armor. Now he was just a tin can crazily swinging an axe.

You have to say, Lista successfully transformed into a gnoll killing machine in today's battle, single-handedly killing more than three hundred gnolls, the most of anyone on the field.

Windchaser was so envious, but he also knew very well that if he were given the opportunity to fight in close combat on the battlefield, he would not be able to achieve the same results as the minotaur Lista.

The difference was the completely different body structures of minotaurs and centaurs!

Lista could hold an axe and launch a whirlwind slash, but Windchaser couldn't. He relied more on high-speed impact to kill as many enemies as possible on a line.

Windchaser's attack surface was narrower, and centaurs were not suitable for stopping in close combat. Charging and shooting arrows were their choices, because horse legs were very fragile.

Compared to other bipedal races, centaurs found it difficult to take care of their hind legs. Moreover, speed was the centaurs' advantage, there was no need to give up their advantage and fight the enemy in their disadvantageous range.

"Windchaser, send a few people to Halfling Town to notify the town chief. Although we have eliminated most of the gnolls, some gnolls have still escaped."

"Now the gnolls are in the northern mountains, and they may launch a surprise attack on Halfling Town. Tell them to be extra careful, and it is best to arrange manpower to search the nearby mountains and forests for traces of the gnolls."

Windchaser nodded and asked:

"Understood, Dragon Lord, but those escaped gnolls, shouldn't we arrange some manpower to find them and kill them?"

Atilan glared at him unhappily.

"How many people do you think is appropriate? How many resources would it cost to arrange a pursuit? Can they threaten our towns and farmlands? How much value would the people invested in production create?"

Windchaser blankly scratched his mohawk.

"Ah?"

Fisher patted his arm.

"Go and get busy. There may still be gnolls lurking in the grassland, and centaurs are needed as the main force to clean up. In short, you only need to understand one thing."

"Letting that group of gnolls be active in the northern mountains is beneficial to us."

"Ah?"

After listening, Windchaser was even more stunned. How could the gnolls being alive be beneficial?

"I tell you not to just know how to wield a gun and stick. Look at the military academy I arranged for you. After a year of study, Lista has already statistically achieved complete results."

"The squad leaders below can accurately calculate the number of gnolls killed, but you still only know how to 'ah? ah? ah?' in front of me. Learn more from your grandfather when you have time."

Old Blindeye had been fighting for many years, and his vitality was now like a candle in the wind, not knowing when it would go out, but he and Old Fishman, one centaur and one fishman, were simply two treasures of the Atlantis Kingdom.

The Minotaur Lista, Black Bull, Fishman Fisher, Saar, Serpent Opeia, Centaur Windchaser, Dwarf Silverring, and other supervisors and stewards of various sizes were responsible for the kingdom's affairs.

Stewards are responsible for specific affairs such as agriculture, commerce, and animal husbandry.

The Half-goat is the Prime Minister, but his experience is not seasoned enough. Often, Old Blind Eye and Old Fishman help him decide on specific handling methods. The Half-goat often achieves good results by adopting their suggestions.

On the contrary, when he decides on his own, it's either brilliant or full of loopholes, requiring Attilan to clean up the mess.

"During this time, besides clearing out the Gnolls, you will delineate the territory of the grasslands and absorb the remaining desert races into the kingdom as much as possible, but you must not let them stay in the grasslands."

"Let them go to the wasteland to develop the hills in the latter half, level the land to cultivate farmland, and plant all kinds of trees, shrubs, berries, and pasture. More manpower is needed for all of this."

Fisher frowned.

"Dragon Lord, we already have enough manpower now. There's no need to recruit people from the desert. Compared to the White Wolf King, I think the Blue Dragon entrenched in the desert is more difficult to deal with."

"Now, we should continue to accumulate strength and should not prematurely arouse the Blue Dragon's vigilance. We also won't be able to recruit many people from the desert. On the contrary, spreading the news will let the Blue Dragon know."

"I believe we have already conquered all the rainforests in the east. Even if the rainforests still need to maintain their original appearance, the population inside can help us quickly develop the black cultivatable land."

Attilan picked up a wildflower and smelled it.

"Do you know that the rainforest is providing troops for the Swamp Wyvern? You tell me not to provoke the Blue Dragon, but instead tell me to provoke Cerberus?"

Fisher said with a firm gaze:

"Dragon Lord, according to the information I have collected, the Swamp Wyvern last recruited troops from the rainforest five years ago. In these five years, his envoy has only been to the rainforest once."

"The envoy even just circled the outer layer of the rainforest and went back. He probably didn't like the quality of the rainforest's soldiers, or rather, the Swamp Wyvern doesn't need the rainforest's soldiers."

"Although I don't know the full picture, the Swamp Wyvern seems to have achieved an unprecedented victory in the battle with the human and dwarf allied forces in the east, and has not lost too much strength due to the battle."

"Moreover, I believe that the difference in strength between us and the Swamp Wyvern is too great. He won't take us seriously. On the contrary, the Blue Dragon might, because our strength is similar to his."

"He is very likely to send troops to attack us, or at least burn down this grassland!"

Attilan nodded in satisfaction.

"I didn't expect that in just one year, Fisher, you have inquired so much information to the east and west. After returning, I must reward you!"

Fisher humbly lowered his head and said respectfully:

"It's still because of the Dragon Lord's cultivation. Otherwise, the two little Fishmen couldn't have become excellent assassins. My son, Fizz, and the Fishman Anz, are honored to serve the Dragon Lord."

During this year, the two little Fishmen often followed the Half-goat and Trina. The Half-goat tried to awaken more of Trina's memories about the training camp by training them.

Indeed, they awakened a lot of skills, but they were all rogue combat and training skills. The two little Fishmen became the biggest winners and are now level 4 rogues.

The two cooperated in action and found out a lot of information about the rainforest in the east, while the desert in the west was handed over to the Snake People!

Although they have lived in the humid rainforest for hundreds of years, the Snake People quickly adapted to the environment when they returned to the dry desert where their ancestors lived.

Attilan squinted his eyes and looked at the desert.

"Is there a specific analysis report on the Blue Dragon's troop strength?"

"No, the Blue Dragon did not concentrate his dependents around him. He only has elite warriors and excellent attendants selected from various tribes around him."

"Because the Blue Dragon is in the center of the desert, a single oasis there cannot support too much population. The tribes must be scattered, and many tribes reject outsiders from entering their tribes."

"It is difficult for the Snake People to scout successfully, but according to rough estimates, the Blue Dragon can mobilize more than 5,000 warriors, including a core Blue Dragonborn tribe that has cultivated a unique lightning warrior."

"It is said that this Blue Dragonborn tribe came to this desert with the Blue Dragon."

An adult Blue Dragon bringing a Blue Dragonborn tribe clearly indicates a mission. The organization behind this Blue Dragon must be powerful, as befits the most organized of the chromatic dragons.

This adult Blue Dragon is just a vanguard. Attilan is worried that killing the Blue Dragon and occupying the center of the desert will provoke hostility from the forces behind the Blue Dragon. He must obtain the support of the Council of Nature.

Otherwise, relying solely on the strength of the Bearfolk Forest will not be able to compete with a Blue Dragon social group.

The appearance of a single dragon can gather the most elite professionals to slay the dragon, but if dragons appear in groups, who can stop their cooperation?

Originally, Attilan couldn't completely determine that the treasure in the desert underground city was the Purgatory Dragon Soul, but now he can be sure. Blue Dragons are also dragons, and the things they are looking for must be helpful to dragons.

But that is a fire-type treasure. Fire plus dragon, based on the memory inherited from the Ocean Wyvern, the most likely is the Purgatory Dragon Soul.

Although the chromatic dragons don't know the method of condensing and upgrading dragon pearls, they definitely know that eating dragon pearls will help their growth!

Attilan knew that he must purify the soul of the Prairie Grey Wolf King as soon as possible, let the Council of Nature see his potential, and choose to invest in him, investing in the future of the druids.

"I'll leave the grassland to you. I have to go back to the forest to do something big."

"Yes, Dragon Lord, what about recruiting people from the rainforest?"

"We have always been doing this, just not on a large scale. Now it's the same. We can do things, but don't be too high-profile. Making a fortune in silence is the right way."

He originally thought that solving a White Wolf King with the power of a Demon Lord behind him would make life a little quieter in the future, but look at the three forces forming a triangle around him.

The ancient Swamp Wyvern, the adult Blue Dragon with the Blue Dragon Assembly behind him, and the water elf kingdom with a systematic magic academy and magic industry, Attilan can't beat any of them!

It seems that developing eastward has become Attilan's only choice?

But the wetland is already a muddy mess, and the water content in the eastern region will only be higher, making it more troublesome to manage. But on the other hand, isn't an area with high water content the territory where the Ocean Wyvern should exert its abilities?

Attilan, you must cheer up!

He seemed to have received news from a certain Minotaur that there was a black dragon in the muddy area in the east.

Although the black dragon is not ambitious, it still controls a large area and can summon a lot of manpower.

Attilan completely ignored this black dragon without a background.

With Attilan's current strength, it would be a bit difficult to solo kill this suspected adult, or at least young, black dragon, but it's not impossible, he just needs to lure the black dragon out of its corrupted waters.

That's right, although black dragons cannot form a life field like ocean wyverns, their magic will still erode the environment they live in into a form suitable for them to live in, and provide some convenience to the black dragon in battle.

The older the black dragon, the stronger this ability becomes. This ability is mainly not used for combat, but it can corrode already cultivated land, causing serious crop yield reductions.

This is what makes black dragons so annoying. They are as disgusting and dirty as the swamps they live in, harboring a large number of germs and toxins.

Blue Dragon, Swamp Wyvern, Black Dragon, damn it, he seems to be surrounded by dragons!

This is not a world dominated by druids, how can there be so many dragons!

After Attilan returned to the forest, he asked the Bearfolk this question immediately.

The Bearfolk looked at him like an idiot.

"If this is really a world suitable for druids to live and develop in, do you think it would be my turn to be arranged here to carry out a mission?"

"Cough, cough, I thought the problem too simply. Master, you see, if we can clear out the Blue Dragon in the west and the Black Dragon in the east, then our natural magic network can form a very large and complete network."

The Bearfolk just glanced at him faintly.

"So what, you want me to take action to help you solve the Blue Dragon and the Black Dragon?"

"Of course not, I just hope Master can provide me with a little help."

Saying that, Attilan made a fingertip universe with his claws.

"What help?"

"I want to purify the grassland first. Compared to purifying the soul of the White Wolf King, the grassland is easier to toss around. Even if there are problems, it can be quickly adjusted and remedied, but once the soul of the White Wolf King is messed up, it can't be recovered."

"At the same time, the complete purification of the grassland can also prove my potential and value to the Council of Nature, and get their first investment, so I can develop stronger power."

"This can also be regarded as starting a positive cycle. In summary, managing the grassland is actually the most cost-effective solution at present. What do you think, Master?"

The Bearfolk just faintly injected natural magic power into the crystal ball.

"I don't think so. The reason I asked you to manage the White Wolf King first is because I think your current strength is not suitable for showing up in front of the Council of Nature. You must accumulate strength for a period of time."

"If you expose yourself now, you are very likely to fail to achieve your desired highest goal. Is your natural empire only this level?"

"A mere two dragons have made you feel retreated. Don't say you are my, Gehrig's, disciple in the future!"

Attilan shamelessly approached the Bearfolk, smiling and said:

"Master, you seem to have said long ago that I shouldn't report your name when I go out in the future, lest your reputation also become bad."

"Besides, there are dragons on three sides, and a water elf kingdom on one side, how can I develop!"

The Bearfolk just said faintly:

"It's not three sides, it's four sides. The water elf kingdom has reached an alliance contract with a bronze dragon."