Pillar of Yita

Miss Fairy explained that this was because the War Lizard People believed that anyone who could naturally speak Dragon Language was seen as a blessed child chosen by the Dragon’s Spirit, Valaric himself. And since the Lizardmen are oviparous creatures without parental ties, a group of Lizardmen that grow up from the same hatching pool often refer to each other as brothers and sisters.

This was the origin of Tainaric’s nickname for him.

Fang Hong was somewhat puzzled; he knew that Valaric was an ancient Giant Dragon, not just the ancestor of the Giant Dragons, but also the common progenitor of the Hydra Lizard, Sea Serpent, Storm Dragon, and Lizardmen— one of the three Giant Dragons. But to say that speaking Dragon Language meant one was a Guardian of Valaric? Wasn’t that a bit hasty? Couldn’t it be learned later on?

However, he had made a common mistake, as Tata told him. Dragon Language was not an acquired language; it had been born when Eteliria existed; it was in fact the language of magic power—when Ether Magic Power changed, the language also changed correspondingly, possessing endless variations, and each word did not have a fixed meaning.

It actually conveyed the Giant Dragons’ sensing of magic power, more like a type of spiritual ability.

Then Miss Fairy said that what she had spoken earlier was merely a simple greeting, one of the most common blessings in the dense jungles of the Far South Continent: ”The winds above the Shining Sea are caressing both you and me.”

”But Tata, how can you speak Dragon Language?” Fang Hong couldn’t help asking.

Miss Fairy blinked her eyes calmly, as if pondering whether she should bother to answer this question: ”I am Dragon Soul, Mr. Knight.”

Fang Hong suddenly realized.

Tainaric nodded, ”No problem, my human brother.”

Well, at least it did away with the ’esteemed’ part.

Fang Hong shrugged it off as an acknowledgement of the other’s statement, ”Alright then, even if this trial is the one you speak of, do you know its rules?”

”Rules?”

A hint of curiosity flickered through Tainaric’s elongated pupils, ”We follow the ancient laws in the jungle. I’ve heard the Ritualists at the Holy Tower say that the human world also has many similar rules. Are the so-called rules the same as your laws?”

Fang Hong thought he might be referring to human laws, but that was not the same thing at all. He wasn’t sure how to explain, but decided to first put that headache aside and responded, ”Sort of, to put it simply, not everyone can participate in the trial.”

”I understand what you mean, my human brother. You’re referring to those below Level 5. Rest assured, I have just completed the Hunting Ritual in the Andasok Wild Beast Jungle, so my level couldn’t possibly exceed 5.”

Fang Hong’s following words were stuck in his mouth. There was no Rookie area for Chosen on the Far South Continent, and while the other party did not understand much about other aspects of the human world, he was surprisingly clear about this.

He mentally asked Miss Fairy what the Hunting Ritual was, and only then Tata answered him saying it was akin to the War Lizard People’s coming-of-age ceremony, where one must go alone deep into the jungle to kill a dinosaur.

Fang Hong couldn’t help but ask, ”Tainaric, you’ve just come of age?”

”It has been over a year,” Tainaric replied, lifting its head proudly and hissing, ”Ssss, I left Andasok to travel to various places, and only then did I make my way here.”

Fang Hong couldn’t help but glance at the other’s height; he knew that the biological age of War Lizard People was not much different from humans, but they matured much earlier, usually undergoing the coming-of-age ceremony at fourteen. This meant the towering, bulkier Lizardman Prince standing before him might be a year younger than himself.

Speechless, he decided not to say anything at all.

This also indirectly indicated that the other party’s level wouldn’t be too high. Although Tainaric claimed it was the strongest warrior of the White Skull Clan, age divisions existed among warriors, and it was likely referring to its title among the younger generation.

”Alright,” he finally resigned, spreading his hands, ”No issues on my part, Tainaric. I do indeed plan to participate in that trial, for some special reasons. And we do happen to be short on hands. You’re more than welcome to join us, but I still want to ask, why did you choose us?”

Tainaric blinked.

Just like many reptiles, there was a translucent inner membrane beneath its eyelids, adding to its Cold-Blooded Breed traits. It answered without hesitation: ”Ssss, I had heard that humans would be taking part in this trial, and after assessing my own strength, I was not completely confident in facing it alone, so I decided to look for some teammates.”

”I have been waiting here for a day and a night, and you are the first humans I’ve seen.”

Fang Hong was rendered speechless.

He had expected perhaps an answer steeped in destiny, some ancient prophecy, or an edict from the Great Elder Er Ata, something mysterious and legendary in feeling.

But surprisingly, the answer was so straightforward.

Because his impatiently waiting Lizardman Prince acquaintance had encountered them first, so he had simply made his choice— it seemed reasonable enough.

But wait a minute, Fang Hong couldn’t help but wonder, isn’t this the so-called pilgrimage path, is it alright to decide so impulsively? And in fact, he didn’t just think this, he asked it:

”But Tainaric, how did you decide that we are the teammates you need?”