Saga and Tixil the Amethyst Dragon exchanged compliments for a while before Tixil’s tail tip lifted, curving slightly to point at the nearby Sapphire Dragon and introduced it to Saga:

“This is Aelok, a prime Sapphire Dragon who has now settled in the Gemstone Forest and is part of this community.”

Located in the Emerald Canyon, the Gemstone Forest, currently under the domain of the Amethyst Dragon, was named by her. Beyond the visible lush forest and rolling hills, there were many newly built nests in the central area, providing habitats for the Dragon Kind.

She planned to start here and create a Gemstone Dragon realm in the Emerald Canyon, a fact Saga was already aware of from his previous psychic communication with Tixil.

Next, the Amethyst Dragon turned to the Sapphire Dragon and said, “The Golden Dragon before you, you must already know who he is—the young ruler of the Near Seas, Saga Alzhus, who was once my competitor and companion in the Deep Sea Dragon City.”

The Sapphire Dragon nodded, looking at Saga and said:

“Your fame has long been thunderous.”

After a pause, the Sapphire Dragon sized up the Golden Dragon with a tone of awe and said, “But what I find hard to believe, even seeing with my own eyes, is that you are a younger dragon than both Tixil and Charlotte.”

Saga was now twenty years old but still in his youth.

Tixil the Amethyst Dragon was over twenty-five, reaching adolescence, and Charlotte the Gemstone Dragon was about the same age.

Being in adolescence and attaining a high rank, with combat power even stronger than some prime Gemstone Dragons, the Sapphire Dragon had been astonished by their talents when first meeting Tixil and Charlotte, finding it almost inconceivable.

But now.

Facing a young dragon who could become a ruler at such an age, with a Dragon Might so profound it was terrifying and an instinctual sense of an insurmountable presence, the Sapphire Dragon found it even more unbelievable.

To be comparable to a legend in one’s youth was something most ordinary Dragon Kind wouldn’t even dare to dream of.

Saga could sense the Sapphire Dragon’s shock and disbelief.

Accustomed to such reactions from surrounding creatures, Saga’s gaze shifted around.

During his conversation with Tixil, sensing the presence of unfamiliar Dragon Kind, more Gemstone Dragons had gathered.

Two youthful Crystal Dragons with dazzling crystal scales about ten meters long, an adult Jade Dragon with scales green as jade, and a teenage Topaz Dragon.

These Gemstone Dragons curiously watched the imposing Golden Dragon, finding his mighty presence, unique aura, and distinctive appearance fascinating.

Saga’s gaze also shifted, observing the Gemstone Dragons here.

Including the prime Sapphire Dragon and Tixil herself.

There were already six Gemstone Dragons visible in this forest.

Tixil’s dream was to build a Gemstone Dragon nation, and now, she was on the path to her ideal. Six gathered Gemstone Dragons wasn’t many, especially compared to the vast Deep Sea Dragon City, but it was a good start.

And after all, the beginning is always the hardest.

In the future, as more Gemstone Dragons gather here and the place gains greater fame, more will come of their own accord, growing rapidly like a snowball, similar to how the Near Seas nations boosted Saga’s reputation, leading to a horde of monstrous races following the King of the Near Seas, to the nations’ wariness.

His gaze sweeping over the Gemstone Dragons, Saga turned to Tixil and smiled, saying:

“Tixil, I see you’re taking concrete steps towards your dream. If you keep this up, in a few hundred years, a nation formed by Gemstone Dragons might indeed step onto the world stage.”

Gemstone Dragons are neutral.

They don’t resist living in groups like Chromatic Dragons, nor do they enjoy it as much as Metal Dragons, but if there’s a safe and comfortable large habitat for their kind, Saga guessed many Gemstone Dragons would be willing to settle.

And indeed, some like-minded Gemstone Dragons had already gathered here.

“Let’s hope so.”

Tixil’s facial armor revealed a smile, her eyes showing a hint of longing as she spoke.

“Where’s Charlotte?”

Not seeing the Gemstone Dragon around, Saga inquired.

Hearing Saga’s question, Tixil smacked her lips and said, “She’s busy primping herself, preparing for the upcoming beauty contest.”

After a pause, Tixil pointed in a direction of the forest and said:

“Let me take you there.”

“The Dragon Kind of the Gemstone Forest mainly reside over there.”

Saga nodded: “Alright.”

Then, led by Tixil, Saga flew towards the boundary of the Gemstone Forest near the Dusk Mountains. Along the way, he saw elk wandering through the forest, flocks of birds flying from the treetops, and little brown and flower sprites emerging from their floral homes, waving enthusiastically at the dragons in the sky.

“These sprites are the native inhabitants of the Gemstone Forest.”

Tixil, flapping her purple wings, said.

“I provide them shelter, and they ensure the forest thrives, maintaining the natural environment.”

Where sprites exist, natural resources are usually abundant.

“You seem to get along quite well.”

Saga remarked.

If it were him, the situation would definitely be different.

With Saga’s nature, he wouldn’t live in equal harmony with the creatures of his domain.

Rather than equality and tranquility, Saga preferred absolute supremacy, where equality and harmony could exist beneath him, but only if he was confirmed as the sole ruler of the land.

“Yes, these little ones are harmless and beneficial to the territory.”

Tixil nodded.

As a Gemstone Dragon, she didn’t share Saga’s domineering thoughts.

During the flight.

One of the youthful Crystal Dragons kept casting curious glances at Saga and finally couldn’t help but ask:

“What kind of dragon are you? You’re even more stunning than us Gemstone Dragons. Are you an Outsider Golden Dragon?”

“Many of your kind who have heard of you are guessing what Dragon Kind you belong to.”

Tixil answered for Saga, saying, “He says he’s a mix of Red Dragon and Golden Dragon, unbelievable, right? Such archenemies could give birth to an offspring, and such a powerful and unique one at that.”

Saga turned his head to look at the Crystal Dragon, shining like white crystal, and said:

“Tixil is right.”

After a pause, the Golden Dragon’s gaze deepened as he said:

“Being a hybrid and possessing abilities utterly different from both Golden and Red Dragons, I essentially don’t belong to any Dragon Kind.”

“But if I were to define my kind, you could consider me—a Power Essence Dragon.”

Power Essence Dragon?

The surrounding Gemstone Dragons were slightly taken aback.

“A Dragon Kind I’ve never heard of,” the Crystal Dragon muttered.

Tixil looked at Saga, pondering his displayed abilities, and said:

“That’s a Dragon Kind you named based on your own abilities, right?”

Saga nodded and said, “Yes, I am the first Power Essence Dragon, and the only one.”

Turning to Tixil, Saga continued, “However, if my offspring can inherit my abilities, then I will become the progenitor of the Power Essence Dragon Kind, spawning a lineage many times stronger than ordinary Dragon Kind.”

Imagining Saga’s strength and the possibility of thousands of dragons as powerful as him one day, Tixil exclaimed, “Outsider abilities are hard to pass down, but even just a fraction of yours would be enough to surpass ordinary Dragon Kind, akin to legend.”

At that moment.

Tixil, looking at the majestic and handsome Golden Dragon under the night sky, felt a warmth in her heart and then revealed a graceful smile, seriously saying:

“Saga, would you like to become my mate and witness the birth of the Power Essence Dragon race with me?”

Most Dragon Kind are straightforward in their actions, including courtship.

Once they find someone they like and deem suitable as a mate, they simply express their intentions. If agreed, great; if not, they won’t linger on it.

In dragon culture, love and affection aren’t considered very important.

Additionally, the maturity of dragons, both physically and psychologically, is more about actual growth than actual age.

Although Tixil had just entered adolescence and Saga was still a young dragon, both had physical growth that even surpassed many prime dragons, with corresponding strong desires and the time to seek a mate.

Across from her.

Faced with Tixil’s direct courtship, Saga was slightly taken aback, not expecting her to suddenly propose.

But on second thought, being courted for his charm seemed quite normal.

In dragon culture, it’s common for females to court males, and there’s no notion that males should initiate courtship.

Influenced a bit by the red-light district, the young dragon felt a stir in his heart. Looking at the serene and beautifully curved Tixil the Amethyst Dragon, he pondered for a moment before saying thoughtfully:

“Tixil, you are beautiful.”

“I would be delighted to have you as a mate.”

Saga was inclined to accept Tixil’s courtship.

If it were him courting Tixil, she would certainly agree.

Apart from mutual attraction, Dragon Kind respect the strong, and powerful dragons are welcomed everywhere, especially one like Saga, who not only is powerful now but clearly has boundless potential and stands out for his looks. Even if he were to court a female of his kind whom he met for the first time, there would be a ninety-nine percent chance of immediate success.

Conversely.

For dragons that are too ugly or weak, courtship is a dangerous act. If the object of their affection is stronger, they might anger them and invite a beating, regardless of gender.

At that time, the other party’s thoughts are often like this:

What level do you think you are, to be my mate?

Back to the point.

Looking at the smiling Tixil, the Golden Dragon exhaled and said seriously:

“However, I must declare to you that I will definitely have more than one mate in the future, and to be my mate, unless you can overpower me and make my will submit to yours, you can only have me as your partner.”

Dragon Kind have various mating cultures.

There’s monogamy.

There’s polygyny.

There’s polyandry.

And there’s the open type, not minding if their mate seeks other partners.

But regardless of the relationship model, it ultimately depends on the will of the more dominant party.

Nearby, after hearing Saga’s words, Tixil blinked and said:

“I know you well enough to understand that your irresistible charm will bring many mates to your side, but I had already considered all this when I proposed to be your mate.”

The first psychic energy spike on her head, crystal-like, floated up and moved towards Saga.

Giving away her first psychic crystal spike was a very serious courtship gesture in Amethyst Dragon culture.

Tixil said with a smile:

“I accept your terms, so, will you now be my mate?”

Saga lifted his chin, took the crystal spike offered by Tixil, and laughed:

“Seeing as you’re so sincere, I’ll reluctantly agree.”

Hearing Saga’s cheeky response, Tixil playfully rolled her eyes at him and said:

“Really, courting you is so difficult, and in the end, you only reluctantly agree.”

“I’ve changed my mind, give me back my spike.”

Her tail tip gestured for Saga to return the crystal spike.

Saga’s expression turned serious, and he tucked the spike into his scales, saying, “Once something is in my possession, unless you can take it by force, don’t expect to get it back.”

“Alright, then I guess I’ll just have to reluctantly continue being your mate.”

While she said it was reluctant, Tixil’s facial armor maintained a joyful smile, her mood visibly pleased.

At this point, after Saga and Tixil’s exchange ended, the other Gemstone Dragons around them spoke up again, congratulating Tixil and Saga on becoming mates.

These two exceptional dragons becoming mates was definitely supported by the other Gemstone Dragons.

As the lord of the Gemstone Forest, Tixil becoming the mate of the even more powerful and talented King of the Near Seas was also beneficial for the Gemstone Dragons living in the same forest.

Although these Gemstone Dragons shared Tixil’s vision, they were somewhat uncertain about the future here.

Having Saga, the ruler of the Near Seas, gave them more confidence.

Meanwhile.

The dragons had reached the vicinity of the Dusk Mountains, with massive cliffs standing tall, casting shadows over the nearby Gemstone Forest.

Saga looked up to see dozens of cave-like Dragon’s Nests on the silent cliffs.

This was where the Gemstone Dragons usually resided.

In addition to the six Gemstone Dragons that had appeared, as Saga and the others approached, a few more dragons peeked out from the edges of the nests, gazing at Saga.

Not only Gemstone Dragons were among them.

Saga also noticed a Black Dragon whelp, about three meters long, with a sturdy build unlike the typical skeletal Black Dragons.

“This little Black Dragon was found by me in the swamp.”

“He seems different from normal Black Dragons, very robust but not too bright. When I found him, he was gnawing on the mud by the swamp, and there were no adult Black Dragons around, probably abandoned.”

Tixil explained.

Saga nodded and said, “Being different from normal Dragon Kind is good. Like us, it may have some potential trait.”

Then, Tixil looked towards the numerous Dragon’s Nests on the cliffs and said:

“Many of these nests are empty, prepared for dragons who will join the Gemstone Forest in the future.”

“You can choose any you like.”

The Golden Dragon raised an eyebrow, moving closer to the graceful Tixil, and said, “Instead of choosing these new nests, how about living together with you, my mate? What do you think?”

Tixil’s spikes tensed, indicating she was a bit nervous.

“I, I think that’s possible too,” she said softly.