SWNOVELXO Chapter 663: It seems like there have been huge changes here
Red Moon Valley, another exit.
Unlike Lumi gazing into the distance, Onyx and Dirtclaw were patrolling the city walls as a team.
"When Lord Orion descends, you'd best have him check your body."
Onyx turned his head, very concerned about Dirtclaw beside him.
In just a few months, Dirtclaw's strength had surged to Alpha peak, and his aura was becoming increasingly deep and powerful.
This abnormal growth made Onyx very worried.
"Hmm... Although I don't feel anything abnormal, I'll listen to you."
"If even you feel it's not normal, then there must be something wrong, it's just that I can't feel it."
Dirtclaw grunted in acknowledgment. He had recently been immersed in the joy of his strength increasing, somewhat unable to extricate himself.
Advancing from late Alpha-level to peak, although only a small step, was a level that stumped many.
"Those abnormal little spiders are also increasing in number. I hope Orion can descend soon."
Onyx looked up, gazing at the arrow towers built on the mountain peaks. Such an imposing fortress—he really didn't know what great cost it would take to breach it from the outside.
"Prophet, recently, more and more dark creatures have been braving the wind and snow to enter this territory. Should we be more proactive?"
Ice and snow continuously covering the Red Moon Valley area was, in itself, not normal.
As long as the surrounding lords weren't fools, they would surely realize something was happening here.
Lumi's proactive appearance, her aura, served as a deterrent to the surrounding neighbors.
Despite this, dark creatures still came to Red Moon Valley to gather intelligence.
"Lord Orion just told us to wait, so we wait."
"Those dark creatures that barge in—just kill them and use them as extra food for the little spiders."
Onyx stood on the city wall, gazing into the distance. Faint dark shapes could be seen crawling in the snow far away.
"Anyway, with the heavy snow blocking the roads, ordinary dark creature colonies are unlikely to attack."
"Even if some do barge in, we'll kill as many as come."
Dirtclaw's tone was slightly deep and cold; his teeth and eyes emitted a ferocious gleam at this moment.
...
Titanion Realm, Dragon Race territory.
After half a month of traveling day and night, Orion and Grand Elder Lireesa of the blood elf race arrived as a group at Whitecliff City.
The one who came out of the city to welcome Orion was Zephyros, a Legendary level powerhouse.
Orion had met him before. When the Sea Race attacked, Zephyros and a dragon beast had emerged from the Dragon Nest to assist Glacial Dragon Jorik in repelling the invasion.
Orion's face was expressionless, but his heart sank.
Among the dragon race, the one Orion was most familiar with was Glacial Dragon Jorik.
But this time, it wasn't him who came to welcome them.
Furthermore, within Orion's range of perception, Jorik's aura was absent.
"Mr. Orion, Lady Lireesa, welcome to Whitecliff!"
"Compared to last year, Whitecliff's scenery is even more pleasant, and it is also more hospitable."
Orion and Lireesa both saluted; they were acquaintances, without the restraint found between strangers.
"Long time no see, Mr. Zephyros!"
"I thought Jorik would be the one to welcome me out of the city."
After responding to Zephyros, Orion stealthily inquired about Jorik.
"Lord Orion, I'm afraid you'll be disappointed. Jorik has gone to the dragon race's ancestral land for further training."
Orion nodded, not minding, treating it as a very normal occurrence.
"This way, please. The Dragon Emperor is waiting for you both!"
As he spoke, Zephyros led Orion and Lireesa towards the inner city.
Compared to when Orion last came, Whitecliff City had greatly changed in appearance.
It was as if it had been repainted; the buildings in the city looked brand new, and there were more pavilions and houses along the roads.
Moreover, Whitecliff City no longer had that heavily guarded atmosphere of the past.
Various foreign races walking on the streets gave the city a touch more vitality.
"It seems like there have been huge changes here!"
Orion laughed, alluding to something.
However, Zephyros made no response, leading the way with a smile on his face.
Lireesa and Orion exchanged a glance; both could see the peculiarity in each other's eyes.
Just now, Zephyros had said the Dragon Emperor was waiting for them; the meaning of this sentence was somewhat different.
The three had no communication. Under the gazes of Whitecliff's numerous residents, the group slowly advanced and arrived before an ancient castle.
"Grand Elder Lireesa, last time we came to Whitecliff, it seems this ancient castle wasn't here, was it?"
Orion feigned surprise at the ancient castle before him.
"Indeed, it wasn't!"
Lireesa shook her head; her memory was very good.
"My lords, this is His Majesty the Dragon Emperor's residence, summoned back from underground not long ago."
Orion nodded, a look of amazement on his face.
That explained it!
Whitecliff was Arch Lord Frostsire's territory; having some miraculous buildings was perfectly normal.
"My lords, please!"
Maidservants came forward to lead the way. Zephyros stepped aside, yielding the path to Orion and Lireesa.
Neither Orion nor Lireesa spoke; they exchanged a glance and entered the ancient castle one after the other.
Orion could understand why the white dragon Frostsire didn't personally come out to greet them.
After all, Frostsire was an arch lord, a whole major level above them; putting on airs was inevitable.
Soon, the two arrived at the ancient castle's great hall, where merfolk were currently dancing.
However, just as Orion and Lireesa were about to step into the great hall, the dancing girls slowly retreated, and a deep, sonorous, and familiar voice sounded.
"Hahaha... Welcome, King of Giants and Grand Elder of the blood elf race, to my Ancient Castle!"
It was the white dragon Frostsire. His voice was very deep, carrying a sense of great age.
Orion had heard this voice in the Black Forest; it had left an extremely deep impression on him.
Simultaneously, a pressure belonging to an arch lord swept over, rushing directly towards Orion and Lireesa.
This pressure wasn't deliberately aimed at Orion and Lireesa, but its appearance was also a display of the arch lord's majesty.
In just that brief moment, Grand Elder Lireesa of the blood elf race suddenly became much more stooped; she was completely suppressed by the pressure.
Only at this moment was Orion certain that what resided in the Ancient Castle was not some will projection at all, but an avatar of the white dragon Frostsire.
And this avatar's strength was very formidable, likely at the peak Legendary level.
Orion sighed. He actually wanted to be low-key; Deputy Commander Edward's earlier reminder was still vivid in his mind.
However, sometimes, one couldn't choose to be low-key or to yield.
Orion straightened his chest, his own pressure emanating outwards, resisting that arch lord's pressure, and then walked into the ancient castle's great hall with a calm expression.
Behind him, Grand Elder Lireesa had a look of shock, staring at Orion's back in disbelief.