Ke Xiu Si looked down from above at his many dependents and noticed new faces watching from the corner. Langpu had reported to him earlier that they should be the so-called Black Tooth Lizardmen tribe.
The Red Dragon saw that these Lizardmen were quite strong, at least more suitable for an army than the current Goblins and Kobolds, so he said, “Why have you come?”
The dependents consciously made way.
The Lizardmen leader Ake. Longtooth nervously stepped forward, with the Old Shaman calmly following behind him.
Ake knelt on the ground, took a deep breath, and then said, “We left our homes due to the monsters in the cave and fled here, and your great power has subdued us.”
“The Black Tooth tribe is willing to submit beneath your vast wings and become the Great Red Dragon’s most loyal dependents.”
“And this is our tribe’s greatest sincerity.”
“Offer them all to you.”
The Lizardmen Old Shaman pointed behind him with the wooden staff in his hand, and several strong Lizardmen carried heavy treasure chests forward.
The treasure chests were opened, revealing gleaming gold.
The surrounding dependents couldn't help but widen their eyes at this sight, but instantly withdrew their gaze.
—Because this would be the Red Dragon's exclusive treasure, anyone who dared to covet it would bear the Red Dragon's wrath.
Even the always greedy Chimera turned its head, symbolizing greed, deliberately not looking directly, only peeking with its peripheral vision.
Ke Xiu Si, standing high above, remained expressionless, the golden glow reflecting in his vertical pupils.
But what he noticed first was not the gold, but the Old Shaman behind the Lizardmen chief.
【Based on your strength and the opponent's 'submission' status, you can observe the following information】
【Lizardmen Shaman】
Medium Humanoid (Lizardmen), True Neutral
Name: Koda. Black Scale
AC: 13 (Natural Armor)
Speed: 30 ft, Swim 30 ft
Strength - 15
Dexterity - 10
Constitution - 13
Intelligence - 12
Wisdom - 15
Charisma - 9
Skills: Perception +4, Stealth +4, Survival +6
Senses: Darkvision 30 ft, Passive Perception 14
Languages: dragon language
Actions: Multiattack, Bite, Claw
Special Abilities:
Hold Breath: The Lizardmen can hold their breath for 15 minutes.
Wild Shape: Magically transform into a crocodile and maintain this form for 1 hour.
Class Level: Druid 5
Spellcasting (Lizardmen form only):
The Lizardmen Shaman, as a 5th-level spellcaster, has prepared the following Druid spells:
Cantrips: Druidcraft, Produce Flame, Thorn Whip
1st Level: Entangle, Cloud Mist
2nd Level: Heat Metal, Spike Growth
3rd Level: Conjure Animals (reptiles only), Plant Growth
Challenge Rating: 5 (1800xp)
Evaluation: “Lizardmen Shamans are the most special beings in the entire tribe; they are often wise and powerful, leading the entire tribe.”
“It’s a Druid who actively came to surrender?”
“Interesting.”
Ke Xiu Si thought.
“That Shaman, are you a spellcaster?”
The Lizardmen Old Shaman took a step forward, nodded slightly, and calmly replied, “Lord Red Dragon, your power and wisdom amaze me.”
“I have only taken a shallow step on the path of nature, learning a few small tricks.”
With that, he raised the withered wooden staff in his hand and casually pointed to an empty space.
“Entangle.”
The power of nature responded to the Old Shaman’s call, and the Weave rippled imperceptibly, as entangled vines and weeds immediately grew in that empty space.
Unlike the arcane magic of warlocks and mages, Druid spells are classified as divine magic; these casters' connection to the Weave also relies on the divine power of nature, using nature to draw upon the Weave.
Facing such a spellcaster who came to him, Ke Xiu Si spoke directly, “A very good spell. The gates of Ember Nest will be open to you.”
“I hope you can prove your loyalty to me.”
“Praise be to you, Great Master.”
The Lizardmen silently retreated, returning to their dark corner, never participating in the territorial disputes of other dependents.
Ke Xiu Si liked such sensible subordinates.
Lizardmen are true neutral cold-blooded creatures, lacking in desires, believing good and evil are external concepts, and acting only for survival, which aligns well with Ke Xiu Si's principles.
Thus, when managing human cities and even players in the future, Lizardmen are an excellent choice. At least they can maintain basic order and not ruin things due to their own selfish desires.
“Simple and useful tools.”
This was Ke Xiu Si's high evaluation of them.
And subduing the Lizardmen was just a small interlude; the main event of the ceremony was next.
Bloodline Blessing.
Looking down at the expectant, puzzled, or uneasy gazes of his dependents below, Ke Xiu Si finally spoke slowly under the watchful eyes of all his dependents:
“I once told you that my dependents must never be content with weakness. I will bestow upon you great power and long life.”
“And today is the time to fulfill that promise.”
“I will bestow upon the excellent among you—Dragon Bloodline!”
Immediately, a commotion arose among the dependents; anyone with even a little wisdom felt it was incredible.
The Ogre Langpu's eyes welled up with tears, moved by this blessing. The Kobolds, who had some kinship with Dragons, were utterly shocked, and even the Lizardmen, who had once been Dragon worshipers, found it hard to believe and sighed with emotion.
“This, how is this possible!”
“That’s Dragon Bloodline!”
“The Master’s generosity amazes me.”
It should be known that Dragon Bloodline is exceptionally precious throughout Erezergai.
Aside from mating and reproduction, normal Dragon Bloodline bestowal must be done with the Dragon's true blood, but every drop of true blood in their basal vessels is a source of magic imbued with concentrated power. Even if a True Dragon actively bestows it, it would significantly deplete him and weaken him for several days.
Therefore, no one could have imagined that a stingy True Dragon would make such a generous gift.
However, they did not know that Ke Xiu Si only needed ordinary blood as a ritual component, and the remaining “Bloodline Blessing” was a special skill obtained from an achievement.
This was almost a cost-free transaction.
And “Bloodline Blessing” was divided into active blessings with significant effects and passive blessings that subtly influenced. Ke Xiu Si only planned to select excellent dependents for the former, while the latter would be implemented throughout the Ember Nest.
In the very center of the valley was a giant rock over three meters high, with a flat and spacious top.
There was a shallow pit in the middle of the giant rock.
Ke Xiu Si had informed Langpu in advance, instructing him to issue a command on his behalf, forbidding anyone from approaching this giant rock.
The dependents had initially thought it was Ke Xiu Si's landing spot, so no one dared to violate the prohibition and approach it. But now, their eyes looked at that giant rock with fervent anticipation; this was not some forbidden area, but clearly the “Promised Land of Blessing.”
Whether it was Goblins, Kobolds, or even Wyverns, their breathing couldn't help but quicken.