CHAPTER 544: CHAPTER 320: THE THIRD OFFSPRING, THE FROST CALAMITY

"Returning to a familiar place, it’s as if it were yesterday!"

Noah gazed down at the swirling fog of the Cloud Sea Secret Realm before him and let out a sigh.

The many Cloud Islands, appearing and disappearing amidst the sea of clouds like inverted mountain peaks, compelled admiration for the power of nature and the mysteries of creation.

However, for Noah, such scenery was nothing extraordinary; he merely recalled his first visit to this place in the past.

Back then, he had come here with his foster father, Casius, who sought enough Cloud Giant servants for him, leading to an unpleasant encounter with the Spirit of Nature guarding this place.

Today, Noah came back here not to reminisce with the Spirit of Nature but simply because he fancied this Cloud Sea Secret Realm.

With hundreds of Dragon Lords collectively petitioning, as a Great Lord, he naturally couldn’t refuse. Although some Dragon Lords claimed they didn’t worry about their children needing to stay in a very comfortable environment, words are one thing, but practical matters still need consideration.

A place accommodating the different living habits of all Dragon Species, aside from this Cloud Sea Secret Realm, Noah couldn’t think of anywhere else.

These Cloud Islands, despite not being suitable for all Dragon Species to dwell on, could be modified. The most remarkable feature is that the ecology on these Cloud Islands influences each other yet remains independent, serving as distinct ecosystems, sufficient for any race and habit of Dragon Species to live and grow.

Thus, when considering the site for the Dragon Academy, Noah immediately settled on this location. However, the only problem was that the Cloud Sea Secret Realm already had an owner.

Fortunately, the sovereign of the Cloud Sea was a sleep-loving Spirit of Nature. Noah, who had encountered the entity once before, thought the giant snake likely to be quite amenable, so he came to visit and negotiate.

When the one hundred and twenty-meter-long Ancestral Golden Dragon charged into the Secret Realm without disguise, stirring the vast sea of clouds into turbulent waves, the Spirit of Nature guarding the realm was awakened, opening a pair of faintly golden vertical pupils.

At that moment, time seemed to stand still, all things were immobilized, and the surging sea of clouds ceased its tumult as millions of living beings on the Cloud Islands prostrated under the divine-like majesty.

However, only the intruder was unaffected, curiously observing the colossal snake awakening from the expansive Cloud Island and raising its head, being the first to speak,

"Do you remember me?"

The familiar tone brought a hint of bewilderment to the snake’s eyes, but when the Spirit of Nature imbued with primordial divinity earnestly scrutinized the Golden Dragon soaring in the sky, the bewilderment in its eyes increased,

"I have a vague impression of you; I believe I saw you once upon awakening before. Back then, you were very weak, not nearly as powerful as you are now, making me feel threatened. How long has it been? Could it be that I have slept for another millennium?"

"Ah, I apologize for disturbing your sleep. However, this nap of yours wasn’t exactly a short one. It’s been over a hundred years. This time, I come to visit, interrupting your slumber, with a favor to ask of you."

Noah could sense the profound aura of time and heritage emanating from the Spirit of Nature before him. Toward such natural elders, Noah, or rather, the Golden Dragon Clan has always shown respect.

"What is it?"

"I would like to establish a Dragon Clan Academy on your domain."

"Dragon Clan? Academy?"

Upon hearing Noah’s request, the bewilderment in the snake’s eyes deepened. It shook its head, looking around, somewhat skeptical if it was still groggy from sleep or perhaps hadn’t fully woken up, still dreaming. Otherwise, how could it hear such an absurd thing,

"Does the Dragon Clan need an academy now?"

"Yes, my subordinate Dragon Lords unanimously requested that I establish a Dragon Academy to accommodate and educate their children. I had to agree to their request, and when choosing the location for the academy, I thought of this place."

"Alright."

"Hmm?"

Noah looked at the somewhat dazed and confused giant snake in surprise,

"You agreed?"

"Yes, as long as you don’t destroy this place, you can do whatever you wish here."

The request from the snake, or perhaps its bottom line, was quite low,

"Also, it’s best not to be too noisy and disturb my sleep."

"I can designate the island where you slumber as a restricted area, prohibiting any young dragons from entering."

"Hmm, then go ahead and establish your academy; I want to continue sleeping."

Though finding it astonishing that the Dragon Clan would establish an academy, this curiosity couldn’t resist the perpetual drowsiness. The snake quickly laid its head back atop the mountain peak amid Noah’s issuance, and under the cloud and mist, the snake’s silhouette vanished once more.

"What a lethargic creature!"

Seeing how the Spirit of Nature seemed so laissez-faire or carefree, Noah couldn’t help but comment, yet felt quite pleased as the progress of this matter went smoother than he had anticipated.

Having obtained the consent of the local sovereign, Noah promptly summoned a group of Cloud Giants, preparing to modify the numerous Cloud Islands within this Cloud Sea Secret Realm.

Among this group of giants, most were Cloud Giants who relocated out of this Secret Realm in the past, though many more were their offspring.