Garoth left Bernardo and arrived at the Serene Spirit Wilderness.

It was like passing through an invisible curtain. The fresh fragrance of plants and grass replaced the aura of the Material Plane. The sweet scent of nectar mingled with every breath. The sunlight here was more brilliant than outside, casting down to create dappled light and shadow on the ground carpeted with flowers and grass.

Garoth did not linger. He flew straight toward the depths of the Verdant Homeland.

A moment later, he landed on an open grassy field.

Surrounding trees formed a natural barrier. Sunlight filtered through gaps in the canopy, illuminating the wildflowers on the grass.

Several figures were already waiting here.

The brass-silver dragon Deborah lay resting in the shade of a nearby tree. Her rose-colored scales shimmered with a soft luster under the sunlight. She raised her head, her gaze falling upon Garoth, gentle and calm, not rushing to speak.

The Gold Dragon Nasha was coiled beside Deborah.

Her form was a size larger than Deborah's. Her golden scales shone brilliantly, like solidified sunlight. Seeing the red iron dragon arrive, her eyes lit up. Ignoring the other dragons' looks, she directly pounced over.

"Come, let me feel you."

The Gold Dragon approached with a playful, cheeky grin, her sharp claws exploring the red iron dragon's body, feeling his scales, squeezing his muscles.

"Let's see if your muscles are harder. Hmm... seems a bit firmer than last time we met. Here, yes, right here. Good training."

She clung and hugged for a while before finally separating, satisfied.

Another Gold Dragon, Alberto, lay lazily on the grass, wings spread out, head resting on his front claws, squinting his eyes to enjoy the sun, looking thoroughly content.

"There's something I need to tell you."

Garoth's gaze swept over the giant dragons present, his voice calm.

The Faerie Dragon Vira darted out from who knows where, flying to his face first thing. Her eyes were wide, wings flapping rapidly as she hovered before him.

"What is it? What is it? Is there another Great Demon to kill?"

Her tone was full of excitement. "I'm ready! Let me come too! The two of us together, you handle the frontal assault, I'll handle ambushes. We'll slaughter them all, guaranteed to make those demons cry for their mommies and daddies!"

Garoth looked at her.

"No. I'm going into slumber."

The excitement on Vira's face froze, then collapsed, like a flower struck by frost.

"Oh. So you're not calling me to fight."

She said, disappointed.

Deborah stood up from the shade and walked slowly to the red iron dragon.

"How long will you sleep?"

She asked.

Garoth said frankly, "Given my circumstances, a prime slumber might take around a hundred years. But this time is different. The Green Queen can shorten my slumber time."

"Thinking too much?"

Deborah looked at him, a trace of concern in her eyes. "The Bernardo dragon domains seem calm now, but the problems aren't truly resolved. For you to slumber at this time..."

"That's why I came to tell you."

Garoth said.

Deborah looked thoughtful, then suggested, "How about... you sleep in the Serene Spirit Wilderness?"

"This is a fey plane, relatively safe. Demons have difficulty infiltrating here. The conflicts of the Material Plane also can't affect this place. If you slumber here, no matter what happens on Bernardo, it won't affect you."

Vira became excited again, flapping her wings.

"Yes, yes, yes! Sleep here! I can take care of you!"

"While you're asleep, I'll tell you stories every day! Sing you lullabies, guarantee you sleep soundly! And I promise, I won't draw graffiti on you, or play other pranks on you."

Garoth shook his head. "No."

Vira flew around him rapidly, puffing out her cheeks. "Why why why?"

"Because of Cerora."

Garoth explained. "Her talent can shorten my slumber time, at least cutting it in half. But she's not strong enough to ignore planar barriers. The prerequisite is, we must be on the same plane."

"She cannot pull me into dreams here."

Sleeping in the Serene Spirit Wilderness would indeed be safer.

If not for Cerora, Garoth would choose to slumber here. But now, slumbering in the Serene Spirit Wilderness would mean giving up most of the slumber time reduction, abandoning the chance to wake early.

"Have her come to the Serene Spirit Wilderness then."

Vira tilted her head. "She probably wouldn't refuse you, right? If you ask, could she really say no?"

Garoth shook his head slightly.

"I've already asked. And she explicitly refused."

Although Cerora was somewhat infatuated with him, that didn't mean she lacked her own thoughts.

On the contrary, she was very strong-willed. Otherwise, she couldn't have established her nation in the chaotic Arotala Continent.

Abandon everything she had, stay on an unfamiliar plane for decades? Her refusal was normal, and Garoth could understand it.

At this moment, Nasha spoke.

"If you don't want to slumber in the Material Plane, there's another option."

Garoth looked at her.

"The Vophal Dragon Domain."

Nasha said enthusiastically. "Contact my father, have him arrange it for you. The dragon domain is very safe. I almost always return to the dragon domain for my slumbers. There are ancient restrictions, protection by Metal Dragons, and the Mandate of Heaven Dragon King exists there. It's safer than anywhere in the Material Plane."

On the other side, Alberto opened his eyes and raised his head.

"The dragon domain? Are you joking?"

Nasha glared at him. "How is that a joke?"

"Garoth is the Red Emperor, ruler of a nation, master of Aola." Alberto stood up from the ground, shaking his body to dislodge grass blades stuck to his scales. "His status is right there."

"So what?"

Nasha retorted, saying, "Precisely because of his status, the dragon domain would value him even more."

"No." Alberto walked over, stopping before his sister. "Don't forget, the dragon domains have always been neutral, not interfering in continental conflicts. They allow dragons to enter, but do not allow any faction to bring conflicts inside."

He looked at Garoth, his gaze turning serious.

"If Garoth goes, it's equivalent to bringing Aola's problems in with him."

"Those old fossils would never agree."

"Even if Father is willing to help, he'd be overruled by the elders. You know the temper of those old guys. They'd rather break their own horns than violate their principles."

Compared to Nasha, Alberto understood better the importance Metal Dragons placed on certain rules.

He had caused more trouble and mischief, seen the stubbornness of those elders.

After listening, Nasha sighed.

"Alright."

She said somewhat reluctantly. "Though I hate to admit it, what you say makes a bit of sense."

Alberto chuckled and took a step closer.

"However, I have a better idea."

Garoth looked at him. "What?"

Alberto puffed out his chest, as if announcing some grand plan.

"When you become stronger than the Dragon King someday, go and take over the dragon domain. Change all those broken rules, scrap them all."

"Then you can sleep wherever you want. Who would dare stop you?"

He was a Gold Dragon, but when he said this, he looked completely roguish, nothing like a traditional Gold Dragon. If the rigid dragons of the dragon domain heard this, they'd probably faint from anger on the spot.

"I have no interest in dragon domain affairs."

Garoth said.

Alberto shrugged, not disappointed.

"Fine." He lay back on the grass. "Then, when the great Golden Emperor grows up, he will personally make the dragon domain change. At that time, don't you try to steal my thunder."

Garoth couldn't be bothered to respond to him.

Nasha glared at her brother. "Don't talk nonsense."

Alberto curled his lip and fell silent, continuing to squint and enjoy the sun.

At this moment, Garoth turned to his two mates.

His gaze swept over Deborah's face, then settled on Nasha.

"Slumber isn't the first time. No need to be so tense."

As he spoke, he looked at the Faerie Dragon again. "Vira, when I wake up, I'll come listen to your stories."

"Okay!"

Vira said. "I've saved up so many stories! New ones, old ones, long ones, short ones, and ones I made up myself! I'll tell them all to you then. I could talk for three days and three nights and still not finish!"

Some time later, Garoth returned to the dragon court.

He did not slumber immediately.

Over the next few days, he explained all matters that needed explaining.

For his blood relatives, Sorog and Samantha were the focus.

In a spacious hall, three giant dragons sat facing each other.

The red dragon Samantha was coiled on the left, her tail swishing from time to time, looking unable to sit still. The iron dragon Sorog was on the right, posture steady, gaze focused.

"How long will you slumber this time?"

Samantha spoke first.

Garoth thought for a moment, then said, "Probably around fifty years."

Samantha grinned. "Sorog and I always start slumbering after you, then wake up before you."

"But this time, you'll probably wake before us. By the time we wake up, you might have been awake for a long time."

Sorog leaned forward slightly, his gaze grave.

"There's something I need to remind you."

"What?"

"Be wary of human crown-levels, and the Lord of Thunder."

Sorog continued, "You are too dazzling now."

"Almost the entire Atlan is spreading your name. On the surface, people praise your strength and responsibility. But what those human crown-levels, and Lamorein, are truly thinking in their hearts, no one knows."

He paused, his gaze growing deeper.

"Especially now, when the winds are calm and the seas are peaceful, the demon threat seems to be fading. And when external enemies disappear, you will become a thorn in others' sides."

"Those who previously needed you to deal with demons might start thinking about how to deal with you."

The iron dragon's expression remained serious as he continued, "Before, when we slumbered, we never encountered attacks. But now it's different. They might strike while you are slumbering."

The red dragon bared her teeth, showing a disdainful expression.

"They dare?"

"Why wouldn't they dare?" the iron dragon retorted. "When dragons slumber, although they aren't much weaker than usual, their condition is ultimately a bit worse. If several crown-levels launch a surprise attack together, coupled with careful planning against an unprepared target, who can guarantee absolute safety?"

Samantha's tail stopped swishing, frozen mid-air.

"Then what do we do? We can't just not let him slumber, can we?"

The iron dragon looked at Garoth.

"You're right, it's a possibility."

Garoth's tone shifted slightly, saying, "However, I'm not worried."

He looked at his two blood relatives, grinning to reveal sharp teeth.

"My entire journey has always been dancing amidst danger. Surviving the wilderness, fighting my way out among the nations, step by step to reach today. Which step wasn't taken walking on a knife's edge?"

"Moreover, I won't sleep for too long this time."

"My slumber rhythm has changed drastically. Want to attack me? Fine. But what awaits them will be a one-way trip with no return. It'll also save me the trouble of hunting them down one by one later."

After listening, Samantha grinned.

"Now that sounds like you," she said.

Sorog also nodded, saying no more.

Several days later.

Beneath the Rhen Plateau, within a prepared space.

The surroundings were hard rock walls. Underfoot was a flat stone slab floor. No wind, no sound, only deep tranquility.

The red iron dragon coiled on the central stone dais, slowly closing his eyes.

Consciousness began to sink. The feeling of slumber was like a tide, surging from all sides, flooding over his body, over his consciousness, slowly submerging him.

Then, he opened his eyes and found himself standing on a grassy field.

The sunlight was warm, the breeze gentle. In the distance, a small stream babbled, its sound crisp and pleasant. Wildflowers covered the entire hillside, red, yellow, purple, like a carpet of colored fabric. The sky was pale purple, the clouds pink. Everything looked like it was painted with the softest pigments, beautiful to the point of unreality.

Cerora stood before him.

She maintained her human form, wearing that light green dress, long hair loose over her shoulders. Her emerald green eyes were looking at him.

"Ready?"

She asked softly.

Garoth nodded.

"Ready."

Cerora gave a shallow smile, then stepped forward.

With that step, her body began to change. Pale green light surged from her, enveloping her form, then rapidly expanded and transformed. When the light dissipated, she had already revealed her true dragon form.

The Green Dragon opened her forelimbs and embraced him.

Her body pressed against his chest, her arms encircled his neck, her face buried in the crook of his neck. Her tail entwined with his tail, so tightly there was almost no gap.

Scale pressed against scale, sensation transmitted through contact, like two warm currents merging.

Garoth was momentarily stunned.

"Does your talent require such close proximity to work?"

The Green Dragon raised her head, looking at him.

Her eyes were extremely close. His face was reflected in her emerald green pupils. Then, she revealed a sly smile.

"No need. It's just because I want to."

Garoth said nothing.

Silence lasted for several seconds. Then, he raised his arms and embraced her as well.

His arms encircled Cerora's waist, pulling her entire dragon form into his embrace. His tail tightened, entwining more closely with hers. His jaw rested on the top of her head, feeling the texture and warmth of her scales...

The Green Dragon's body stiffened slightly.

Then she relaxed, nestling into the powerful, imposing form of the red iron dragon, like a small animal that had found its den, letting out a satisfied, soft sigh.

"Sleep."

She whispered.

Garoth closed his eyes again.

The grassy field, the stream, the wildflowers, the purple sky, the pink clouds... everything gradually blurred, like a painting soaked in water, colors slowly bleeding, dispersing.

The dream transformed into gentle darkness, enveloping him, drawing him into deeper slumber.

Then, everything returned to silence.