Many lords chose a similar path.

Rewards awaited those who vanquished local factions.

While local powers also gained advantages from eliminating foreign entities, yet amidst such temptations, they managed to restrain their inner urges for slaughter.

Being wise races, they understood the art of maximizing their benefits.

Although the Bayin Mountain Range presents a rugged terrain, it pales in comparison to the formidable flying specters known as stone gargoyles and wraiths who are bound to reveal themselves in due time.

In Marshall State, amidst the backdrop of a lava volcano, Lin Jan, who had just moments ago been anxious about the return of the lava dragon, now beheld a colossal silhouette soaring through the distant skies.

It was indeed the lava dragon.

At this moment, the lava dragon exuded a ferocious aura, its body bearing numerous wounds, suggesting it had returned from a fierce encounter.

The inherently tempestuous temperament of the fire element dragon was exacerbated by its injuries.

Previously, Lyn Jan had enjoyed the protection of novice status, which had rendered the lava dragon indifferent to him.

However, the situation had dramatically changed, having lost his novice protection.

Lyn Jan faced the imminent threat of being obliterated by the enraged lava dragon.

Lynhun could not afford to take that gamble.

Stone Yao had long since extended an invitation to him.

And without hesitation, Lyn Jan confirmed his acceptance.

As Lyn Jan's castle began to tremble, and magical patterns enveloped it.

A wave of anxiety surged within him.

Meanwhile, the lava dragon soaring in the sky noticed the tremors emanating from Lyn Jan's castle.

Teleportation magic.

Did this human ant dare to flee? The lava dragon opened its maw, gathering a fiery red energy within with a thunderous roar.

A cataclysmic pillar of molten fire surged toward Lyn Jan's castle.

At that moment, Lynhan sart raced.

The lava dragon had indeed launched an assault against him.

The searing heat laden with immense energy bore down upon him, confronting Linhan with the spectre of death for the first time.

Just as the dragon's breath was about to engulf Lyn Jan's castle, the teleportation array completed its activation.

And in an instant, Lyn Jan's castle vanished from sight.

A tremendous explosion reverberated as the volcano housing Lynhen's castle was reduced to rubble by the dragon's fiery breath.

With torrents of magma cascading from either side, the lava dragon, realizing it had missed its target, paid no heed as it soared back to its lair.

Much like a human indifferent to the fate of an ant that had narrowly escaped into its burrow.

Meanwhile, upon the desolate plains, an elite reconnaissance team from the Gata Empire, consisting of 12 commanding officers clad in armor and mounted on swift steeds, advanced toward the frigid snowcapped mountains.

Their mission was to investigate the massacre of villages within their territory, suspecting that the ferocious beast from the icy peaks might be responsible.

Although Yelang<unk>s castle was situated at the junction of the snowcapped mountains and the barren plains deeper within the plains, several other lords from the elemental alliance had gathered.

The sudden appearance of Lyn Jan's castle captured the attention of these allies, who discerned from the obsidian and flowing magma that the newly arrived lord was none other than Lyn Jan, the lord of the spirit of flames.

At this juncture, Lyn Jan's level one town had fallen to a level eight castle.

Yet he remained unperturbed by this loss.

An undercurrent of trepidation lingered within him as the formidable presence of a lava dragon instilled a sense of despair.

The lava dragon through its actions conveys that the volcano is no place for a weakling like him.

Fortunately, Lyn Jan had taken precautions early on and he is grateful that the system allows for relocation.

Otherwise, he might have already met his demise.

The trio, Shir Yao and the others, had anticipated that the Lord of Wrath of the Winds would be the first to relocate, but to their surprise, it was Lyn Jan who arrived beforehand.

The three approached Lin Jan s cast Castle warmly welcoming their newly arrived ally.

Welcome, esteemed leader, to our ranks, exalted Lia and Lu Yao.

While Shir Yao smiled on the side, Lyn Jan, seemingly influenced by their enthusiasm, smiled in return for the first time, realizing that forming alliances might indeed be a commendable choice.

Chapter 109.

The first battle of the scapegoats.

This may very well be the most loquacious moment for Lyn Jon in his entire life.

As he recounted his crisis to his three allies after hearing his tale, they could not help but exclaim in astonishment.

"No wonder he was a leader of the first echelon, for his birthplace was a 100 times more perilous than theirs.

" "How thrilling indeed! I have yet to encounter a dragon," remarked Lu Yao, who was still expressing her amazement.

Cole Jia was also stirred by a flicker of recollection.

On that fateful day at top the snowcapped mountains, witnessing the clash of two top tier powerhouses left him with lingering trepidation.

Being within the snowy expanse, he felt the tremors acutely.

Had it not been for the novice protection, he surmised that the vibrations alone could have toppled his castle.

Since cold jet as fortress lay at a lower elevation, surrounded by towering mountains, he was uncertain about the identity of the creatures engaged in battle.

Although he could not ascertain what they were.

Surely they could not be more formidable than dragons, he mused.

After a moment of contemplation, he chose to remain silent.

There was no point in adding to his worries.

And he could already envision Lu Yao<unk>s next inquiry.

H with such dangers lurking, why haven't you ascended to the first tier? If Lu Yao were to voice such a question, Kia would likely find himself metaphorically clawing at the walls of his villa.

Meanwhile, on the other side, the reconnaissance team was taking a brief respit, tending to their war horses.

A member responsible for scouting ahead returned, dismounting swiftly to approach Captain Moss.

Captain Moss, we have discovered four alien fortresses ahead.

O, it must be those despicable aliens who have slain his majesty subjects.

Come, let's set forth and eradicate this wretched horde.

Moss, astute as ever, commanded his troops, all of whom were at the commanding level.

Initially a small elite guard unit within the empire.

They had been dispatched to this desolate region to investigate the demise of a humble village.

Enduring the hardships of travel, they found it increasingly intolerable.

Having previously enjoyed a life of luxury, now with the emergence of the aliens, the fate of the village became trivial.

All that mattered was to slay them, pinning the blame on them to fulfill their mission and return to the Empire.

Moss felt a surge of delight at the unexpected scapegoats, though he maintained a facade of seriousness as he ordered his comrades.

The group mounted their steeds, galloping towards the location of the alien fortresses.

At that moment, the lords remained blissfully unaware, engrossed in conversation within Lyn Jan's castle.

It was only when a commotion erupted outside that a fire spirit burst into the castle, prompting them to realize something was a miss.

Upon stepping outside, they were met with the sight of a fierce battle between human soldiers and elemental beings.

Native humans? Lyn Jan queried, perplexed.

This was his first encounter with the indigenous populace.

They must be soldiers of the Gata Empire.

surmise Shri Yao, who was relatively familiar with his surroundings, naturally aware that his castle lay within the territory of the Gata Empire.

Kolia, meanwhile, was quickly assessing the battlefield.

Though their adversaries numbered only 12, each was of commanding rank.

Now that these native humans had discovered their presence, they could not afford to let them return with news.

Although total annihilation might arouse suspicion, it would at least buy them some time.

They were unaware of how the soldiers of the human race had managed to find this place.

Yet regardless of the reason, they could not remain idle.

Brother Shir, brother Lynn, you two were the strongest here.

Circumvent to the rear and cut off their escape route.

Lu Yao and I will lead the troops to hold them off from the front.

Cole Jia articulated a point that was not without merit.

These humans must be utterly annihilated.

Lyn Jan immediately transformed his troops into a blazing inferno that soared into the sky.

While Shir Yao melted into the earth to make his departure, each of the four lords possessed two or three commanding level troops within their fortresses.

Their adversaries numbered merely 12, and thus they felt no fear.

At that moment, Mos was still engaged in combat with his teammates against these creatures.

As time passed, Mo began to realize that these beings seemed impervious to death, enormous stone golems, immortal beings engulfed in flames, tree fo composed entirely of wooden vines, an aven creatures soaring through the sky.

Elemental beings.

Although Mo had only heard of elemental beings, he had once been fortunate enough to witness an earth creature.

Despite some differences from Shir Yao's earth creature, the elemental composition and immortality of these beings confirmed Moses suspicions.

This was troublesome.