The Ser Wilderness lies at the border of the Atlantis Continent, connected to the [Permafrost Tundra] in the north and adjacent to the [Lothrian Federation] in the south, surrounded by the [Rust Mountains] and [Boiling Sea] on its eastern and western flanks respectively.
Dense forests, towering mountains, crystal-clear lakes.
All these can be found within the Ser Wilderness.
However.
In this perpetually scorching hot region, the most abundant features are sulfurous canyons, hills, and abandoned mines. The underground here is rich in veins of magical tals, which once sparked fierce conflicts among nations vying for these mineral resources.
Around eight hundred years ago.
Southern nations waged endless wars over the Ser Wilderness, bringing devastation and frequent natural disasters that made survival difficult for many intelligent races, filling the land with lantations.
Until the ergence of a human king proficient in strategy, magic, and statecraft.
Leading his legions, he swept through the southern nations, forcing them into peace treaties and establishing a [Federation] with his kingdom of [Lothrian] at its core. Though not as powerful as an empire, the Lothrian Federation far surpassed ordinary kingdoms in strength.
Thus, the battles over the Ser Wilderness finally ceased.
Under Lothrian's leadership, southern nations negotiated and partitioned the Ser Wilderness. After centuries of mining, its mineral resources have dwindled significantly compared to the past, with many veins exhausted and their importance greatly diminished in the eyes of nations.
However.
Even now, so untapped veins remain in the Ser Wilderness, often guarded by nations' outposts and garrisons.
"I must stay away from Lothrian Federation strongholds."
"If I go there, I'd just beco magical material for them—dismantled and crafted into artifacts or enslaved to live a miserable existence."
Amidst the drifting clouds above the wilderness, Garoth gazed westward—where a Lothrian Federation outpost occupied a large [Fire Marrow Stone deposit].
For years, the iron dragon mother had coveted these Fire Marrow Stones, longing for them intensely.
Iron dragons aren't pure fire dragons, but their affinity still leans toward fire. Consuming large quantities of Fire Marrow Stones could drastically accelerate their growth.
Yet even an adult dragon like the iron dragon mother.
Could only yearn helplessly, not daring to act rashly.
The Lothrian Federation teems with legendary powerhouses—any one of them could skin the iron dragon mother alive.
Legendary—this represents a lifeform surpassing level 20, a threshold separating mortals from legends.
Dragons inevitably beco legendary if they survive, the only question being how soon.
As for humans, legendary individuals are exceptionally rare, requiring extraordinary talent. Yet humanity's vast numbers still produce many legends.
On planet Bernardo, humans boast the highest number of legendary beings.
Dragons, giants, and elves all have fewer legends than humans. However, at equal levels, a human legend fighting one-on-one against these races' legends would be suicidal.
"Fire Marrow Stone deposits... there are many such veins across the Ser Wilderness."
Garoth pondered.
The ores within the iron dragon mother's sinkhole territory were scattered fragnts, far from constituting proper veins, and heavily impure.
Yet even so.
When consuming these ores, Garoth could clearly feel their rich energy, significantly enhancing his scales, claws, teeth, and bone developnt.
"Unfortunately, all known deposits—large or small—are claid."
"If even the iron dragon mother couldn't seize one, I can only fantasize for now. Best focus on the present—honing my combat skills first."
Centering on the sinkhole territory, Garoth circled the skies, searching for targets.
Ti passed gradually as the sun dipped westward, still blazing brightly and blanketing the Ser Wilderness in sweltering heat.
Amidst abandoned mines filled with deep pits and collapses.
Three gray hyenas moved cautiously along the edges, limbs stepping alternately, ears perked high as they warily scanned their surroundings.
Finding no other creatures nearby, the hyenas began licking salt crystals seeping from rock crevices.
These heat-resistant, spine-covered beasts were replenishing essential minerals.
Unbeknownst to them.
A cruel and cunning predator had marked them as prey.
Rockgrub worms—creatures inhabiting abandoned mines, typically feeding on slag and tals.
Resembling massive worms encased in black chitinous armor, nearly twenty ters long and barrel-thick, their spiral-ringed mouthparts could pulverize ore like a rock crusher, let alone tear flesh effortlessly.
Their shell patterns blended perfectly with surrounding rock fissures.
The rockgrub worm's armor scraped against stone, sending vibrations through the strata to detect movents within a kiloter radius—locating the hyenas.
Burrowing underground, it crept toward its targets.
Soil and stone parted like tofu before it, the ground above slightly bulging into a long trail.
One minute later.
The hyenas finished licking and prepared to leave.
The strongest hyena suddenly turned, noticing the rapidly approaching bulge—instinct screaming danger.
Arooo!
It barked a warning and leaped aside.
Too late.
The rockgrub worm's tail thrust violently, shattering bedrock and surface like crackers.
Its massive body erupted from the earth, shadow engulfing the ground as it struck like lightning.
Whirr!
The crusher-like maw clamped two hyenas, spiral teeth rotating to shred fur and bones instantly, swallowing them amid bloody mist.
The surviving hyena whimpered and fled without hesitation.
The worm reared up, spewing an umbrella-shaped acid net that dissolved the escapee's hide and flesh upon contact, hissing violently.
Slithering leisurely to its prey, the worm engulfed it into its abyssal maw.
Having devoured three hyenas.
The surfaced rockgrub worm didn't retreat underground, instead writhing onto a flat rock to bask lazily in sunlight.
Though primarily subterranean.
They occasionally surface to let sunlight stimulate their shells, shedding damaged sections to regrow tougher new armor.
Basking under sunlight, the worm rolled lazily.
Unaware.
An even crueler, more cunning predator had marked it as prey.
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