Black oil everywhere, no one cares; the music continues, the dance continues.

Chapter 525 Black oil everywhere, no one cares; the music continues, the dance continues.

Fairy Wilderness, Sorrowful Woodland

The ancient tree's branches were twisted and gnarled, like ghostly claws, reaching towards the gray sky. The bark was covered with black moss that looked like tear stains, and the ground was muddy and slippery, exuding the smell of decaying plants.

There was almost no light in the forest.

Dark and gloomy.

Only a few clusters of fungi emitting a pale phosphorescence, or some twisted, dark flowers, provided negligible illumination.

Grief, anger, hunger, fear...

As Hong Tielong walked through this woodland, he could clearly sense the emotional fluctuations within it.

This is similar to when I was in the verdant countryside, only now it's on a completely different opposite side.

Moreover, it is not a strong psychological attack, but more like a subtle and gradual influence, seeping into consciousness silently like a drizzle, gradually casting a shadow over the heart.

Garros possesses the 'heart of iron' trait, and the presence of Madfire also weakens most of his mental attacks.

Even he couldn't help but feel a vague sense of irritation.

The feeling was like fine sand getting into dragon scales—it didn't hurt or itch, but it constantly rubbed and affected him.

He noticed that his breathing was slightly heavier than usual, and his claws would unconsciously exert more force when they landed, making an overly crisp sound when he broke rotten branches.

"However, while the impact here is unavoidable, it cannot affect my judgment."

Galos confirmed this in his mind.

Throughout his life, he had spent so much time battling his instincts and rages that the emotional disturbances from this woodland were merely background noise.

He walked along, observing his surroundings.

Behind the twisted trees, one can occasionally glimpse a shadow quickly disappearing.

Those are evil spirits or other dark creatures that live in this place.

They peered at the uninvited guest, but dared not approach easily.

"If I were to ignite a frenzy here, the effect would be far more intense."

he thought.

How will the madness resonate with the negative emotions on this land? If the two meet, they might trigger unpredictable reactions.

"Perhaps, I can train specifically for the madness in a similar place."

This idea gave Galos a jolt of energy.

For reasons that cannot be fully determined, his manic fire was gradually becoming uncontrollable in the material world, and that violent power seemed to have a self-awareness and was stirring restlessly.

However, the evolution of Galus often requires time to accumulate and cannot be achieved overnight.

However, in the Immortal Wilderness, in such an environment rich in emotional energy, it seems not impossible to regain control of the Mad Fire in a short period of time.

Red Iron Dragon pondered deeply as he gradually ventured deeper into the Woods of Sorrow.

He did not come alone.

Beside him at this moment was the little flower fairy Viv, who was not very brave but had a lot of curiosity.

The fairy dragon Vera flew to other fairy settlements to spread the message of 'cooperation and win-win'.

"It's so dark here..."

The flower fairy clung tightly to the edge of the dragon scales on the red iron dragon's shoulder blade, her wings curled up.

Looking at the eerie and terrifying scene around her, she couldn't help but shiver and whispered, "Your Majesty... Ignas, this place is so scary... Aren't you... Aren't you afraid? Should we slow down and be more careful?"

Hong Tielong paused slightly and remained silent for a few seconds.

He seemed to be thinking about this problem seriously.

Then, the huge, rugged head slowly turned, its vertical pupils sweeping across the surrounding dark woodland.

As far as the eye could see, all the evil creatures lurking in the shadows held their breath, trembling, and dared not make a sound, lest they attract the attention of this giant red iron dragon.

In this forest that should belong to darkness, it is self-evident who the most dangerous and terrifying being is.

Galos withdrew his gaze and looked at the little one on his shoulder.

"Yes, I'm new here too, and I feel a little uneasy."

"However, the best way to overcome fear is to face it. The slower you go and the longer you stay, the more the fear will take root."

The flower fairy blinked, seemingly lost in thought.

She looked down at her slightly trembling little hands, then looked up at Galus's stern face, and made up her mind.

"Don't be afraid, don't be afraid, I will overcome my fear..."

She whispered a pep talk to herself, then mustered her courage and flew off the red iron dragon's shoulder.

However, just as she left the protection of the dragon scales, she caught a glimpse of a witch hiding among the branches of a twisted ancient tree on her left.

The creature was hideous, its skin like cracked tree bark, and its eyes gleaming with a malevolent light in the dim light.

The flower fairy's body instantly stiffened, and she opened her mouth to scream.

But before she could speak, the witch spoke first.

It hurriedly shrank back, trying to cover its body with its few remaining branches. It didn't look like a ferocious and sinister evil creature, but rather like a frightened little animal, afraid of being noticed.

"what?"

Viv's scream caught in her throat; she froze.

"It seems scared?"

Seeing this, the flower fairy gradually straightened her posture.

Since you're afraid of me, then I won't be afraid of you anymore!
This simple logic gave her a surge of courage.

She danced in front of the red iron dragon, and wherever she passed, the evil creatures hiding around, whether they were goblins crouching at the tree roots or shadow bats hanging on the vines, all retreated and showed fear.

"Aha, Your Majesty Ignas, please let the flower fairy Viv clear the way for you!"

Viv's voice regained its usual lightness.

She waved her little fist and said with a grin, "With me here, these evil creatures won't dare come near you!"

She knew exactly what the evil creatures feared.

Behind her, the slowly advancing red iron dragon was the source of their fear.

However, she also enjoyed the feeling of being in a powerful position, which made her feel safe even in this gloomy woodland.

"Okay, then it's up to you."

The red iron dragon moved forward at a leisurely pace.

Besides observing the environment and considering the possibility of cultivating the Mad Fire, he came here primarily to see if there were any noteworthy resources in the place inhabited by evil spirits.

Soon after, Galus stopped in front of an orchard.

The orchards here are completely different from those in the lush green countryside.

The trees were twisted and stunted, as if bent over by invisible pain, their leaves withered and yellowed with black spots, like they were rusted.

The fruits that grow on them are mostly dull in color and strange in shape. Some look like shriveled hearts, some like distorted faces, and some are covered with sharp thorns.

Galos could clearly sense that these fruits emanated strong negative emotional energy.

Viv cautiously peeked out and began to explain the fruits.

“This one is pitch black, eating it will make you sad all day; that one is grayish, one bite will give you nightmares; and those are fiery hot…” She pointed to a dark red fruit that looked like a chili pepper.

"Eating this will make you uncontrollably angry."

“There’s a guy in our village who accidentally tasted a little bit of mushrooms and got so angry that he smashed up his favorite mushroom house.”

As Galos listened to the Flower Fairy's introduction, his gaze shifted and finally settled on the Fruit of Wrath.

It resembles a chili pepper, with a surface covered with fine, uneven textures.

It resembles a solidified flame, or the veins of a blood vessel.

The red iron dragon stretched out its claws and plucked a Fruit of Wrath.

He leaned closer and took a sniff; a pungent, spicy smell rushed into his nostrils, bringing with it a strange sense of irritation.

He examined it closely for a few seconds, but didn't eat it.

If he were to eat this fruit rashly, it might cause him to lose control if it reacted violently with the maniacal fire. At the very least, he should make some preparations before trying, just in case.

"It smells awful, it smells awful."

Viv covered her nose with her little hands, her face scrunched up.

"They must taste even worse than I imagined, Your Majesty! Please don't try them!"

Galos did not respond, but instead carefully observed the orchard.

He noticed that although these fruits were ugly in appearance, they were generally plump and large, hanging heavily on the branches.

"These fruits look very plump."

He said thoughtfully.

"Yes, that means they taste worse."

Viv answered matter-of-factly, “The wicked creatures that live here are always either afraid, angry, or crazy. Their bad moods burrow into the soil, and the fruit they grow is ugly and unpalatable, unlike us, whose fruit, grown with joy and love, is fragrant and sweet!”

Galos's heart stirred.

Wait a minute, the fullness of these fruits seems to be caused by the evil spirits' fear of him?

As he stepped into the Woods of Sorrow, the creatures scattered and fled, and fear filled the air.

And these emotions are precisely the nourishment for the growth of this land.

Doesn't this mean that attacking and oppressing evil spirits is like protecting and treating normal spirits well, and can actually make the corresponding fruits better?

"I have made the perfect choice. I'm just as good as I am."

Galos nodded in satisfaction.

By standing on the side of the normal essence, one can maximize the effects of both kinds of fruits, killing two birds with one stone.

"However, the resources of the Immortal Wilderness are definitely not limited to these Emotion Fruits."

He thought to himself, "There is still so much more to explore here."

Galos was very patient and continued his search through the Mourning Woods.

He walked across a depression covered with dark moss, bypassed several strange trees that kept oozing slime, and crossed a stream flowing with gray-black water.

The atmosphere in the forest was always oppressive, but Galus's steps were steady, and the gloomy environment had no effect on him.

After some time, he paused slightly, and his large nostrils twitched gently.

"This taste..."

A familiar yet unfamiliar scent filled the air, giving Galos a jolt.

Black oil, he smelled something like black oil!

Black oil played a crucial role in Galus's growth.

This liquid, after being refined, can generate enormous energy.

Even now, he often eats black oil crystals to stimulate his body and improve his exercise efficiency.

It is not food.

Even when dieting to exercise the digestive system, black oil crystals can still be effective.

However, the concentration and refining of black oil crystals consume a huge amount of resources.

Galus consumes astronomical amounts of black oil almost every day.

With the current reserves of black oil in the Kingdom of Aura, he can squander it, but the formation of this stuff requires a long time to accumulate, and it is not infinite after all; every little bit used is a little less.

Galos never felt he had too many black oil fields.

"Black oil is also found in the Immortal Wilderness? This is good news."

Red Iron Dragon's eyes lit up, and it followed the scent forward.

A few minutes later, Red Iron Dragon arrived at a pool.

The pool water was as black as ink, lifeless, without a ripple, like thick asphalt.

Judging from its appearance and texture, it is exactly the black oil that Garus needs most.

But they are not exactly the same.

Galos could clearly sense that these black oils also contained rich emotional energy, and that they were two-sided, encompassing almost all emotions.

There is the heaviness of sorrow, the heat of anger, the coldness of fear, and even some indescribable, twisted desires.

The red iron dragon squatted by the dark pool.

After a moment's thought, he stretched out his claws, preparing to dip them into the black oil in the pool for careful study.

"Huh? This... Ah! Your Majesty, be careful, you can't touch it!"

Galos stopped what he was doing and looked at the flower fairy who had exclaimed in surprise.

Viv flew to the side of the red iron dragon's claws, her little face showing obvious fear and apprehension, her wings flapping rapidly, creating a small gust of air.

"This is 'sticky'."

The Flower Fairy's voice trembled slightly, "Underground in our Verdant Country Garden, there are many places with similar things, but... the sticky stuff is terrifying, extremely dangerous, and you absolutely must not touch it!"

Galos retracted his claws and asked, "What's so scary about this sticky stuff in your mouth?"

Viv flapped her wings and flew to the Red Iron Dragon's side, her little face tense, trying to make her voice sound serious: "I'll tell you a story, and then you'll understand."

"It is said that a long, long time ago, there was a very naughty Pixie named Poppy."

"He has a very strong sense of curiosity and always likes to explore places that his elders forbid him from going."

"One day, despite his elders' advice, he secretly slipped away to play near the sticky spot. There wasn't much to do there, just some ordinary stones and dead branches. Bobby got bored, so he took out his favorite bouncy ball, which was made of moon mushrooms and colorful tree fibers. It was very pretty and had good elasticity. He played with it in the open space."

"He got so engrossed in playing that he ended up playing too much."

"Without warning, the bouncy ball bounced high into the air, arced through the air, and fell straight into the sticky mess."

"Bobby ran over quickly, but the ball was too sticky and had sunk to the bottom. He couldn't get it out no matter what he did."

"Bobby was heartbroken. He sat by the pool and cried for the entire afternoon. His eyes were swollen from crying. It was his favorite toy."

"After dark, he cried until he was exhausted and could only run home sobbing. He didn't even eat dinner. He just lay on the bed and continued to cry. He cried and cried until he fell asleep without realizing it."

"Then, he had a dream."

"He dreamed that his bouncy ball was back, still so beautiful and bouncy, sparkling in the moonlight. The bouncy ball accompanied him as he played in the garden, bouncing and jumping. He was so happy... But in the middle of the night, Bobby suddenly felt uncomfortable, as if he was holding something wet and sticky in his arms."

"When he groggily opened his eyes..."

Viv lowered her voice even further as she said this: "He saw the bouncy ball covered in sticky goo lying in his arms! The ball was still trembling slightly, as if it were alive! And his bed, his hands, his face were all covered in sticky goo... Ah, how horrible!"

The story was over. The flower fairy flew behind the red iron dragon and shrank her head, as if that would help her escape the terrible imagination.

Galos seemed to be deep in thought.

The story sounded like a ghost story used by spirits to scare children, but he keenly sensed some key information within it.

The bouncy ball "came back" on its own, and "it seemed to have a life of its own."

Considering the complex emotional energy contained in this type of black oil, a hypothesis is emerging.

"The emotional energy in the black oil can bring inanimate objects to 'life'?" Galos muttered to himself. "Or more accurately, can it imbue inanimate objects with emotions?"

If this is true, then the value of this black oil is even higher.

"If it is used to concentrate into crystals, after I consume it, in addition to physical stimulation, my mind will also be stimulated, and the efficiency of training in both aspects can be improved at the same time."

Galos was thinking quickly.

"On the other hand, if this kind of black oil is used as an energy source to power alchemical creations or constructs..."

The alchemical golems on the planet Bernardo, especially the more advanced ones, possess a certain degree of intelligence. However, this intelligence is more like a set of pre-defined instructions and reaction patterns than true intelligence.

They are powerful, precise, and loyal, but lack a true 'soul'.

But what if we use this black oil, which is full of complex emotional energy, as an energy source?
Is it possible for alchemical creations to awaken a true 'machine soul'?
Even if it's just a prototype or a fragment, it will still be a revolutionary breakthrough.

Just imagine:
When the engine of an alchemical golem was destroyed and it was about to shut down, it suddenly uttered a deep, mechanical voice saying "For the Red Emperor!" and then, defying alchemy, it stood up and continued to fight bravely...

Previously, apart from black oil refining, the alchemy industry of the Kingdom of Aura was developing very slowly compared to its warriors.

Those constructs and alchemical golems are not advanced enough, and are not as well-trained as the bodies of the Aura warriors. They cannot be used to fight enemies and can only be used for simple tasks such as carrying and patrolling.

However, after winning the Battle of the Lion Plateau and acquiring a great deal of technological knowledge from various countries, the alchemy industry of the Kingdom of Aura is developing rapidly, truly rapidly, but it still lacks its own unique characteristics and is more like a hodgepodge of technologies from various countries.

Now, Garros seems to have discovered a unique industrial path for Ora.

"Vivi, in your memory, is there a lot of black oil... sticky stuff?"

Red Iron Dragon asked.

The flower fairy peeked out from behind the dragon scales, tilted her little head, and thought for a moment.

"I'm not sure. I haven't thought about it specifically, but I've heard that there's a sticky substance in many underground areas. Some places have more, some have less, but many places have it."

She paused, then asked in confusion, "Your Majesty, why are you asking this?"

"Whether it's us or those evil spirits, we all basically hate sticky things. It seems to have no other effect besides being dangerous, and everyone stays far away from it, afraid of getting it on them."

Red Iron Dragon grinned, revealing a row of sharp teeth.

"It won't be long before you stop being afraid of 'sticky,' and you'll even treat it like a treasure."

"Garos said."

The flower fairy shook her little head in confusion, not quite understanding. How could something so sticky and awful become a treasure? But since it was His Majesty Ignas who said it, perhaps… perhaps it's true?

She decided not to think about the problem too deeply, since the great Red Emperor wouldn't lie to her anyway.

Galos did not explain further.

He spent another half a day wandering around the woodland, observing several other unique plants and minerals, noting their locations and characteristics, before returning to Green Country Garden with the Flower Fairy.

Along the way, the evil creatures remained far away, only daring to peek from the shadows.

Back in the verdant countryside, the warm sunshine and cheerful atmosphere made Viv breathe a sigh of relief. She flapped her wings and flew among the flowers.

Galos continued to wander through the verdant countryside.

He had realized that many things that spirits take for granted are treasures in the material world.

These things need to be discovered by oneself; they cannot be learned by asking, because the spirits do not value them; they are simply a part of life.

Time passed by slowly but surely.

Several days later, a familiar voice came from the edge of the verdant countryside.

"The great Lady Vera is back!"

As soon as the fairy dragon's shout rang out, many fairies flew over and surrounded her like a colorful cloud, cheering and welcoming her home.

Vera performed several beautiful somersaults in the air, drawing gasps and applause.

But soon, the spirits discovered that besides Lady Vera, there was another person who had followed them.

It was a human man, wearing a robe woven from magical vines and some kind of supple tree bark, simple yet exuding a natural aura.

He looked to be around forty years old, with a thin face and fine wrinkles at the corners of his eyes, but his eyes were bright and clear, as if they could see through appearances to the essence, and his whole person exuded a calm temperament that had been accumulated over the years.

"This is Hollis, the guardian of the lush jungle."

Vera introduced the creatures around her.

The Fairy Wilderness is mainly inhabited by spirit-like life forms, but humans are not uncommon.

Some were travelers who stumbled upon this place by chance, some were hermits who came seeking peace, and others, like Hollis, had settled here for many years and become part of the spirit community. The spirits did not harbor much hostility towards humans.

As long as the other party respects their habits, they can coexist peacefully.

"Nice to meet you, here are some small gifts for you."

Hollis said gently.

Then, as if by magic, he took out many beautiful garlands or exquisite ornaments from the pocket of his robe and distributed them to the spirits around him.

Seeing their happy expressions after receiving the gifts, the spellcaster couldn't help but smile.

However, when he felt the undeniable heat emanating from the verdant countryside, his smile faded and his heart grew heavy.

The news brought by the fairy dragon sounded too good to be true.

A dragon emperor from the material world helps solve the demons and ghosts that have been troubling the spirits for a long time, and even wants to engage in mutually beneficial cooperation with the spirits.

This sounds like the standard opening line a dragon uses to lure innocent creatures.

Hollis knows more about dragons than most spirits.

Those creatures are inherently greedy, arrogant, and violent; they see the weak as prey and use deception as a tool.

They may disguise themselves temporarily, but their ultimate goal is often plunder and conquest.

A red and iron dragon came from another dimension and easily killed a powerful demon. Was it really just the work of the so-called "clone" of the fairy dragon?
No, it's just a story.

Hollis is more inclined to believe that the so-called Red Emperor used some means to deceive the naive fairy dragon, and now he wants to deceive even more fairies.

He instinctively felt wary and disgusted.

He has been protecting the lush forest for many years and has long regarded the simple-minded spirits as his responsibility and family.

He witnessed too many outsiders trying to exploit the kindness and naivety of the spirits. Some succeeded, causing harm to the spirits; others were stopped, but the process was often full of twists and turns.

He will not tolerate any outsider who takes advantage of the purity of the spirits to harm them.

Just then, a slight tremor came from beneath my feet.

The spirits quieted down and made way for them.

A figure more than ten meters long slowly walked over, its scales gleaming with a metallic sheen in the sunlight, and the earth seemed to tremble slightly with each step it took.

Is this the Red Emperor?

Hollis looked at the red iron dragon, initially ignoring its small size.

It's obvious that Red Iron Dragon used Transformation.

Hollis's gaze swept quickly across the dense battle-worn patterns on the dragon's scales, the crisscrossing scars telling tales of countless battles; then, he noticed the dragon's unique body structure and its incredibly strong muscles.

The humans' expressions turned serious, and their apprehension deepened.

Even so, he did not back down.

He took a deep breath, stepped forward, and blocked the path of the spirits that were joyfully surging towards the Red Emperor.

These little creatures have come to regard Red Iron Dragon as a hero and protector, which makes him even more worried.

"Your Majesty... Ignas."

Hollis began politely, his voice clear and steady, before introducing himself, "I am Hollis, the guardian of the Green Forest. First of all, thank you for removing the threat of demons from Green Country."

“That monster has been troubling this place for a long time. It is truly something to be grateful for that you were able to get rid of it.”

Upon hearing this, Hong Tielong's eyes narrowed slightly.

Hollis's words appeared to be praise, but there was a hint of hostility in his tone.

At the same time, the spirits, with their keen senses, noticed the subtle change in the atmosphere.

They stopped cheering and quietly retreated, keeping their distance but unwilling to leave completely. They just peeked out, curiously watching the conversation unfold.

Hollisten paused, his gaze sharpening.

"However, please allow me to speak frankly."

He bluntly stated, "The spirits of the Immortal Wilderness are pure-hearted and love peace and beauty. They may trust and worship you because of the power you have shown and your previous stories."

"But I must remind you."

"Please do not treat these innocent creatures as objects that can be easily fooled or exploited."

"Their ability to thrive and multiply in this vast and complex plane, establishing so many homes and becoming the dominant race in this plane is not simply due to luck or kindness."

Hollis could feel the power of the Red Iron Dragon; it was an almost tangible sense of oppression.

His deeds, the battle marks on his body, his exaggeratedly strong physique... all testify to his power.

But Hollis was not afraid of the dragon's might.

Having lived in the Fairy Wilderness for many years, he has developed a deep connection with this land.

Moreover, in the Immortal Wilderness, although legendary figures are powerful, they are not powerful enough to do whatever they want.

A dragon that doesn't belong to the Immortal Wilderness will not have a good end if it dares to act recklessly.

Across from them, the red iron dragon listened quietly.

He heard the warning, even the threat, from the human guardians, but showed no anger at being offended or arrogant contempt.

On the contrary, he seemed more relaxed, as if he had expected this conversation.

The giant dragon head tilted slightly, its gaze falling on the human, scrutinizing him carefully.

"Hollis...a human being who finds belonging and responsibility in a foreign land."

Galos said slowly, his voice low, "I've seen plenty of people like you."

"Leave your homeland, take root in unfamiliar lands or worlds, protect the beliefs and ethnic groups you identify with, and be wary of outsiders, especially those who appear powerful and whose motives are unclear."

"This is the necessary caution, and it is also the duty of a guardian."

There was even a hint of approval in his tone, which was completely unexpected by Hollis.

Is this dragon... acknowledging itself?
Hollis paused for a moment, his prepared follow-up remarks stuck in his throat.

He originally thought the other party would be angry, disdainful, and would use their dragon might to intimidate him, but he did not expect this reaction.

Hong Tielong continued, his voice calm and measured: "I understand your concerns."

"A powerful dragon, crossing dimensions, wants to cooperate with weak spirits... It certainly sounds like the beginning of a bad fairy tale, or a carefully planned conspiracy."

"In most stories, dragons are either villains who plunder treasure or scourges that destroy kingdoms."

He shook his head slightly and said, "But not all dragons are driven by greed and conquest, nor must all cooperation be based on deception and exploitation."

“I control a growing kingdom, and I understand the value of order, sustainability, and mutual benefit.”

"Short-term plunder may bring temporary wealth, but long-term cooperation is what creates true prosperity."

"The Immortal Wilderness has what I need: unique resources, a friendly environment, and life forms that are willing to treat outsiders with kindness. The spirits can also obtain what they need or like from their interactions with the material world, as well as a more stable environment to avoid the intrusion of dangers like demons and ghosts."

Red Iron Dragon spoke calmly and logically, without the arrogance or tyranny often found in dragons.

He even took the initiative to put himself in Hollis's shoes to understand the other party's vigilance and acknowledge the rationality of such concerns.

This approachable and understanding nature, appearing in such a majestic and powerful dragon, especially a dragon king, creates a strong contrast, yet it is all the more endearing.

Hollis's expression relaxed a little, and his tightly gripped cane drooped slightly.

The opponent doesn't seem to be a traditional evil dragon.

Hollis knew that individuals should not be judged solely on ethnic stereotypes.

Dragons are long-lived and intelligent creatures, each with its own unique personality and pursuits. At the very least, this Red Emperor doesn't seem like a tyrant who only knows how to plunder.

"Spirits are simple, yet extremely sensitive to thoughts."

Hollis pondered to himself, "If he harbors malice, the spirits may not be able to rationally perceive it, but they will definitely not support or like him... But judging from the way these little guys look, they really like this dragon."

"Your...insights surprised me."

Hollis looked at the dragon, his voice less tense than before, "Perhaps you are not the kind of... typical dragon ruler I imagined."

"typical?"

Red Iron Dragon chuckled softly, "Perhaps."

“Every ruler has his own choices, and my choice is to bring together different wisdom and strength to move towards a broader future.”

The atmosphere eased considerably.

Although the spirits didn't quite understand what serious topics they were discussing, they could sense that the tension was fading, and they began to whisper among themselves again, their voices light and cheerful.

Hong Tielong gave a barely perceptible smile.

Humans may be born with a rebellious mentality when facing a stronger superior, but as long as the superior is willing to show a kind and approachable attitude, many subordinates will feel flattered and close to them.

—The art of managing people.

After chatting about the Fairy Wilderness for a while, Red Iron Dragon seemed to have developed an interest in Hollis himself.

He suddenly asked, "Before becoming a guardian, which material world did you come from? Judging from your speech and knowledge, you must have come from a place with a very high level of civilization."

Hollis was taken aback, not expecting the other person to ask such a personal question.

He thought for a moment and decided there was nothing to hide, so he replied, "I come from a continent called Faerûn, from the Netheril Magic Empire."

"Our... magical civilization was once incredibly glorious, reaching heights unimaginable to mortals."

A magical empire?

Magical empires, primarily composed of spellcasters, are often given this type of title.

In Bernardo, none of the empires and kingdoms revered spellcasters; instead, there were more professionals like warriors and knights.

The spellcasters are powerful, but there are too few of them, and it is even more difficult for them to reach the Grand rank or above.

Bernardo's magical industry was also underdeveloped, with alchemy being the main industry.

Upon hearing about the events in different material realms, Galos became interested.

He adjusted his posture to make himself more comfortable lying on the ground, adopting a listening stance.

“In my world, there are also several powerful empires, whose people often take pride in their empires.”

"As a legendary mage, you should enjoy a high status. Why did you choose to leave that civilization and settle in the Immortal Wilderness?"

Hollis was silent for a few seconds, as if recalling the past.

His gaze drifted into the distance, returning to the hometown he both missed and resisted.

Then, he spoke slowly, his voice filled with complex emotions: "In Netheril, spellcasters live in cities that float in the air, completely detached from the ground."

"We possess arcane magic that is beyond the imagination of mortals, and we look down upon all living beings with a godlike gaze."

“Those cities…magnificent, exquisite, full of magical wonders, but also…cold and distant.”

This... is somewhat like the Holden Empire.

But it sounds like he's stronger than Holden.

Galos pondered in his heart.

The number of floating cities in the Holden Empire was originally small, only a few. However, since the development of the Abyss, the number of floating cities has increased dramatically, with one after another rising into the air. Moreover, there are still quite a few Holden cities on the ground.

According to Hollis's description, the spellcasters of Netheril seem to have completely abandoned the ground.

Perhaps it had been too long since he had talked about the material world, or perhaps the Red Iron Dragon's attentive attitude made him feel at ease, Hollis started talking.

"Living in the clouds, far from the earth, sounds wonderful."

He whispered, “There is no dirt of the earth, no noise of the world, only pure magical research and the pursuit of knowledge. However, spellcasters have become... arrogant, even indifferent as a result.”

"In our empire, magical talent is the sole criterion for ranking."

His expression grew serious: "Those who cannot cast spells are not considered 'human' in the imperial system."

They are called 'geomorphs,' which means 'creatures on the ground.'

"Among some magical nobles, there are even interests such as 'hunters' and 'cannibals' that are popular. This is not a metaphor; it is actual hunting and eating."

“The spellcasters treat humans without talent as livestock that look similar to them, rather than as their own kind.”

At this point, Hollis showed an expression of deep resentment, yet also helplessness.

“I was born into a family of mages and have considerable talent, so I was a privileged person. I could have enjoyed all of this with a clear conscience, living in a high floating city, looking down on the people below and regarding them as ants.”

He paused, his voice lowering further: "But I was born...maybe I'm just too good at empathy."

"I cannot agree with the idea that talent trumps everything."

"I often wonder, if I didn't have magical talent, would I end up on another spellcaster's dinner table? Or be killed by another spellcaster for their amusement?"

"To be disqualified from being human simply because of a lack of a talent... that's unreasonable."

Hollis sighed wearily and continued, "The Imperial system is vast and deeply entrenched. Even though I am a legend, I can't change anything."

"I have proposed reforms."

“I tried to establish laws to protect ‘geographical’ interests, and I tried to teach students empathy in colleges… but each time it ended in failure.”

“I feel like I’m doing the right thing, but I’m the odd one out.”

“My family and relatives are gradually distancing themselves from me, treating me as a freak who needs to be corrected.”

“So, I finally chose to escape.” His voice calmed down as he said, “I crossed the dimensional portal and came to the Immortal Wilderness, where… I felt peace and reality.”

“The spirits will not worship me because of my magical talent, nor will they reject me because I am human.”

"They only look at your heart, at your actions. Here, I can finally breathe."

Galos listened quietly, nodding slightly.

"The pursuit of inner peace and conviction... a choice worthy of respect."

Red Iron Dragon slowly said, "In my world, there is also a similar empire. Their floating city is already high in the clouds. Although they have not yet reached the level of Netheril, the trend is... somewhat similar."

Upon hearing this, Hollis's expression turned serious.

He looked at the red iron dragon and said earnestly, "Your Majesty Ignas, if you may, please remind them for me."

"Don't live in the sky."

“If this continues, the people in heaven will no longer be ‘people,’ or they will no longer regard others as ‘people.’”

"Distance creates barriers, barriers create arrogance, arrogance breeds cruelty, and when you look at the people on the ground as if they were ants, you are no longer one of them."

Hearing this, Hong Tielong chuckled softly.

"One day, when the conditions are right, I will try my best to get them back to the earth."

He said that, but did not explain exactly what he would do.

Hollis failed to grasp the dragon's underlying message.

He nodded: "Then I'll leave it to you. I can't bear to see other countries repeat the same mistakes. It's a path to darkness that will eventually devour everyone, including spellcasters who think they're safe."

Immediately, Red Iron Dragon asked again:
"Is the Netheril Empire, or any other empire in your world, interested in the Fairy Wilderness? Now that you've come here, does it mean that your world is very familiar with this plane?"

Hollis pondered for a moment, then shook his head.

"To my knowledge, no empire currently has a large-scale interest in the Fairy Wilderness."

“The spellcasters of Netheril are more interested in exploring the astral plane, seeking out the mysteries of the grand or the essential.”

"The Immortal Wilderness... is too emotional and irrational for them, and it doesn't fit their way of understanding the world."

"Of course, it cannot be ruled out that individual spellcasters or small groups may set up secret observation points or research stations here, but this is completely different from imperial-level development."

Astral Plane… Garus chewed on the word.

That is a much more vast plane, a realm of thought, an ocean of spirit.

Developing different dimensions and seizing resources is a common choice for many powerful nations.

Netheril stared at the Astral Plane. The Holden Empire was digging into the Abyss, and other material empires were probably exploring other planes as well... And he was now standing in the Fairy Wasteland.

Although the Fairy Wilderness cannot be compared with planes like the Star Realm or the Abyss, it is a good start.

The key point is that it's much safer than them.

At the same time, Galos realized another potential risk.

The Faerûn Empire showed little interest in this place, but that doesn't mean other material realms were uninvolved.

Developing resources across dimensions requires not only considering the existence of local life forms, but also the possibility of encountering powerful nations from other material realms, potentially leading to competition or even conflict.

"Thank you for your candor, Lord Hollis."

Galos said, "Your experience and insights have been very helpful to me."

"This not only helped me understand the Fairy Wilderness better, but also made me more certain that cooperating with guardians like you and the spirits who truly love this land is the right path."

He paused, then slowly rose to his feet, casting a shadow.

"Well then, let's get down to business."

"Since Green Jungle is willing to join the cooperation, we can start with some specific and cautious projects. For example, after we have established enough trust and understanding, we can then talk about deeper cooperation possibilities."

Hollis looked at the powerful dragon before him, and his initial hostility almost completely dissipated.

He had to admit that this dragon was completely different from the evil dragons he had imagined.

The other party is wise, patient, willing to listen, and willing to understand.

He felt as if he were talking to an ancient and wise being.

This being might be an ancient dragon in the material world, and a powerful being that has completely overcome its innate instincts.

"...You can give it a try."

He concluded by saying, "Green Jungle is willing to join your and Green Country's cooperation framework, but we still need to carefully negotiate the specific details to ensure that it is fair to both parties and will not harm the interests of the spirits."

This person's attitude is actually quite important.

Galos learned from Vera that most of the guardians of other spirit settlements were taking a wait-and-see approach.

They wanted to cooperate, but were worried about being scammed, so they chose to let Hollis, who had the most experience, investigate the situation before making a decision.

Hollis's approval was tantamount to stamping the deal with the collaboration.

"I came with sincerity, and the negotiations were straightforward."

Hong Tielong smiled slightly and said, "Before that, let's have a small celebration for our upcoming cooperation."

"The Fairy Wilderness loves joy, doesn't it?"

Before Hollis could refuse, he raised his head and shouted, "My minions, play the music and dance!"

"Bring out your most delicious fruits and sweetest honeydew! We will hold a feast to enjoy joy and happiness, and to celebrate new friendships and cooperation!"

"Great!"

"A banquet! A banquet! We want a banquet!"

"Go get my tambourine!"

"I want to learn the new butterfly dance!"

The spirits cheered and echoed, and the entire verdant countryside instantly came to life, filled with vitality and laughter.

the other side.

Hollis stared in astonishment at the red iron dragon surrounded by countless spirits.

This legendary Red Emperor, despite having only been here a short time, seems to have completely adapted to the environment of the Immortal Wilderness and integrated into the place, almost like a native creature.

Hollis's last shred of doubt gradually dissipated.

He picked up his cane, a genuinely relaxed smile spreading across his face, and headed toward the banquet hall, which was already beginning to bustle with activity.

(End of this chapter)