When Austin first met Vini and the others, they looked like a group of refugees.
The cultivation and battle techniques that can systematically enhance one's own strength are not something an average person can possess. According to Austin's estimation, even among the numerous scattered Beastman tribe bases in the Kawa Great Forest, only the medium-to-large tribes with a population exceeding a thousand truly possess them.
Thus, the Blue Young Dragon did not place much hope in Vini, merely seeking some information from him.
"Cultivation and Battle Techniques?"
As expected, upon hearing this, Vini pondered quietly for a moment before shaking his head.
"I'm sorry, Your Highness Austin. When we fled, we were merely low-level members in that Beastman tribe, not familiar with the details. But I did hear within the tribe that the tribal leader, Bear-Paw Leader, was already High Tier Bronze. If it's that tribe, they should have cultivation and battle techniques and such."
High Tier Bronze corresponds to a combat power of at least third-level magic beast strength, even the current Austin is no match. Of course, it's impossible for that leader to capture Austin.
However, such a truly extraordinary ability user is not someone ordinary people can deal with. Perhaps it would take a thousand or two thousand people to exhaust its strength to kill it.
Yet, if the tribe Vini mentioned truly possesses cultivation and battle techniques and such, then the tribe would not have only the leader as an extraordinary. Other extraordinary elites must exist besides him, plus the numerous ordinary Beastmen within the tribe—this kind of power is not something Austin can provoke at present.
"However, one day there shall be a battle!"
Though aware of the disparity in strength, Austin still couldn't forget it. Though now there seems to be little conflict between the two, as things develop, the Great Tribe where the kobolds once stayed is bound to become a roadblock.
To prepare for the future, the Blue Young Dragon asked the kobold about the situation of the Beastman tribe.
Yet the Blue Young Dragon still overestimated this group of kobolds.
As one of the lowest races on the continent, the kobolds were also at the bottom tier within that Great Tribe, struggling hard along the line of life and death daily. Their impression of the tribe was limited to being very smelly, very dirty, very large... As for how many extraordinary professionals were inside, Vini didn't know. The size of the tribe and its population were unclear to Vini, but he knew there was a lot.
The inquiry results were almost fruitless—not completely without gain.
At least Austin knew there was a strong neighbor to the north, which was over a hundred kilometers away.
This was inferred from Vini's words. According to him, they were expelled by the Beastman tribe and traveled south for almost two months, amounting to at least hundreds of kilometers.
This could be considered a rare piece of good news—a considerable distance separating them, less concern about conflicts before growing stronger.
Moreover, that large Beastman tribe serves as a barrier, resisting those Adventurers from the Central Earth Civilization Continent and various bankrupt peasant wanderers seeking gold within the Kawa Great Forest, providing Austin with a certain degree of safe space for growth.
"However, although the large Beastman tribe in front provides safety, it also limits development here... It seems I'll have to find a time to explore nearby and see if any smaller tribes can be annexed."
Though the Beastman tribe ahead repels much danger, it also blocks the influx of fresh blood.
Relying on the seven adult kobolds under Austin, even if kobolds have considerable reproduction ability, forming a thousand-strong army would still take at least ten to twenty years, which Austin can't accept.
Fortunately, within the Kawa Great Forest, tribes are numerous, countless Beastmen live here forming various large and small tribes. So as long as Austin expends some effort, he won't lack enough population for development.
"Alright, go about your business."
Thinking of this, Austin casually gave an order, then spread his wings and soared into the sky, the airflow sweeping up numerous snowflakes.
"Yes, Lord Austin."
After respectfully seeing the Blue Young Dragon off, Vini, finding nothing happening around, also began to join in the work of building the home.
...
High above, the cold wind howled.
The lingering cold air from the cold front swept through the heavens and earth, and carelessly plunging into that dispersing cold current might instantly freeze one into an ice statue.
But the robust body of the Dragon Race afforded Austin the benefit of ignoring such dangers; at most, encountering the chill would make him shiver, but his life wouldn't truly be at risk.
The Blue Young Dragon was flapping its wings at several hundred meters altitude, its large eyes staring at the snow-covered earth below.
To increase his clan's population and expand influence, Austin personally set out today. During a heavy snow, he went out searching for traces of small Beastman tribes around his territory to gather them under his banner.
Many people make strong power. Utilizing the kobolds he trained as the core, then training and reforming newly joined clanspeople, his power must inevitably soar quickly.
"Such a beautiful scene—only the first one or two months can wander freely."
Snow blanketed the earth like a thick quilt, the entire land covered in white, giant ancient trees adorned with crystal ice spikes, reflecting dazzling light.
It's the beginning of the cold winter season, due to the sudden chill, those fierce magic beast hunters are just fed and curling up in their dens unwilling to come out. It's the safest time of the year in the Kawa Great Forest.
A little later, those magic beasts will have consumed most of their fat reserves, and without sufficient preparation, the fierce wild beasts, driven by hunger, will leave their warm dens—either freezing to death in the icy world or fortunately encountering another living creature on the snowy land. Driven mad by hunger, they'll relentlessly attack and devour each other, at which point the Kawa Great Forest becomes most dangerous.
During his first cold winter after rebirth, Austin nearly perished in that frigid season.
"This snow is too thick. I hope to find other traces before that."
The Blue Young Dragon sighed inwardly, flying north about twenty miles but still failing to find any trace of tribes or villages.
Perhaps they're there, but the snow has covered up the tracks, leaving Austin without results.
"Though the initial cold winter season is safe, the snow makes it difficult to find traces of other beastman tribes... Let's fly another ten miles, if still no sign, forget it."
With determination set, the Blue Young Dragon flapped its wings quickly toward the distant sky.