On the dragon’s back, a group of people were exchanging ideas.
Aaliyah was informing Ying about what had happened to the team after Ying left.
Ying was listening silently.
Gauss began attempting to impart knowledge about the Dragon Language to the dragon beast Hephaestus.
If there was a person in this world most suited to be Hephaestus’ Dragon Language teacher, even extending to all species, Gauss might be the most suitable now.
Even if a true dragon came, it wouldn’t compete with him.
The reason for this confidence is first because his own Dragon Language level is not low, having reached the intermediate level, and visibly, he will become a Dragon Language Master in the future.
Secondly, he also possesses the bloodline of the Dragon Race, which makes the dragon beast instinctively close to him.
Moreover, and most critically, he and Hephaestus share a mysterious telepathic effect, with the help of the white egg.
As long as he makes physical contact with it, it can roughly understand the meaning he conveys.
So, even if Hephaestus doesn’t understand Dragon Language, he can completely convey the same meaning through this telepathy, as long as he persists in repetition. Even with its thick head, it should be able to grasp some Dragon Language knowledge, right?
As for whether it can truly perform casting after mastering some Dragon Language, that is the next step of the plan.
Gauss thinks he has been raising Hephaestus quite well; its head and body have started developing during this period.
As long as he and Hephaestus both strive to become stronger, it has the hope of advancing from a dragon beast to becoming a true Giant Dragon.
Ying, while communicating with Aaliyah, watched Gauss absorbedly "gibbering" with Hephaestus, unable to help feeling nostalgic.
"Oh right, Ying. Could you show us your ability changes after your upgrade later?"
Seemingly sensing Ying’s gaze on himself, Gauss spoke without turning around.
"Sure."
Ying nodded.
She had indeed gained much from this breakthrough.
...
"Whew—"
Due to receiving tutoring from Gauss, the dragon beast Hephaestus didn’t fly at full speed.
When it reached the destination, it slowed the flapping of its wings and descended slowly.
At the moment when Hephaestus’ feet touched the ground, it let out a long breath.
Its spirit seemed to be somewhat wilted, shaking its large head continuously, appearing dizzy and dazed.
Before it could relax more, Gauss’ voice came from above its head.
"We will continue after the battle is over."
"Roar~~~"
Hephaestus collapsed entirely.
This knowledge learning was far more exhausting for it than fighting.
Exhausted both physically and mentally.
Its head was not considered bright, and the Dragon Language itself was profoundly complex, bearing a great burden on its brain.
Think about how even Gauss, strong in intelligence, almost had his brain crash when initially receiving basic Dragon Language knowledge?
Though the amount of knowledge Gauss received back then was also incomparable, the mental gap between him and Hephaestus was similarly vast.
Seeing its dejected look, Gauss patted its head and said earnestly.
"Underperformers need to work harder, you know? You’re already behind at the starting line, Hephaestus."
"Roar~~"
Aspiring for a dragon child Gauss.JPG
...
"The smell is really strong!"
"Cough, cough."
The area near the Kobold’s dwelling indeed did not smell good.
When Gauss and the others arrived at the mountain range where the Kobold tribe was located, they quickly smelled a lingering stench in the air.
"These lizard whelps..."
Gauss looked at Ying.
Ying nodded.
The air around her suddenly rippled.
In a moment that even Gauss’ sight could barely catch, Ying’s body flickered, and two more humanoid shadows split from her side.
They stood alongside her.
"What is this..."
"A kind of shadow clone."
"They can also perform reconnaissance and combat tasks."
"Currently, I can split into only two, and when there is one, it is stronger than splitting into two."
!!!
That strong?
Upon hearing her introduction, everyone present was a bit astonished.
This was a complete qualitative change.
Previously, only her true self could turn into a shadow.
And now, it’s as if she has two more helpers.
Although it wasn’t clear how much of her true power they possessed, even if not much, having them act as a distraction would entirely change the situation.
Moreover, Ying’s role was never front-line combat.
She herself, due to her shadow ability, was uniquely strong in reconnaissance, unaffected by terrain, with full stealth characteristics, and quick roaming...
Now these reconnaissance advantages are all to be tripled.
At Ying’s command.
The shadows beside her rapidly merged into the ground and then darted away into the distance.
In the blink of an eye, they disappeared from sight.
So fast...
"How much of your power do they possess?" Gauss asked curiously.
"Well..." Ying touched her chin, pondering.
The question evidently caught her.
Power is challenging to quantify into numbers.
"30-60%? They become more fragile when there are two." She said uncertainly. "After being shattered, they will return along the way to my body."
She could only give a rather vague range in the end.
She had just finished her cultivation and came directly to find Gauss, with only slight practice along the way, not having tested her abilities in detail herself.
"Not bad, it’s already excellent." Gauss nodded.
A bit similar to his Clay Magic, but stronger and more flexible.