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"The Crimson Scale costs 9,800 contribution points. After spending that, I still have 20,000 left—not bad."

Mantou was a bit stunned: "Isn't it 10,780? Why is yours so much cheaper than mine?"

Singo said blandly, "The price is related to favorability. For every point your favor decreases, the price increases by 1%. So..."

Mantou: ...

Singo said to Cassius, "Lord Cassius, I also want to purchase the 【Crimson Scale】."

Mantou followed closely, "Me too."

Cassius gazed at them with his golden eyes and slowly said, "This is the sharpest blade in my arsenal. Becoming a Crimson Scaled Conqueror means you have no other choice—you can only fight for me."

"Are you—truly prepared?"

Mantou's eyes were resolute.

"I am ready!"

The memories of his 18 days of hardship replayed in his mind like a revolving lantern, strengthening his determination to become a Crimson Scaled Conqueror.

Cassius took out two crimson scales.

"Then go prove your capabilities to me!"

"I hope you can survive until then."

As Cassius finished speaking, information refreshed on their interfaces.

[Advanced Quest: 【Crimson Scaled Conqueror】 has been activated.]

[Crimson Scaled Conquerors are a special group of knights loyal to the master of the Ember Nest—the red dragon Cassius. They patrol the vast territories of the red dragon as rangers, scouting for enemies that may come at any time—perhaps the kingdom's armies or adventurers seeking to slay the dragon. When war comes, they become terrifying conquerors.

When the dragon's roar echoes from afar, the Crimson Scaled Conquerors ride massive and ferocious draconic creatures, descending from the skies to bring endless flames and utter destruction to their enemies.]

[Quest 1: Go to Dragon Valley and find 【Crimson Scaled Conqueror Instructor—Alger. 】]

"Alger? Another unknown NPC."

"And we have to go to Dragon Valley. Did you read that post by Charlotte, the leader of the Magic Coin guild?"

"Yeah."

"Let's go straight through the gate under the city wall later, so we don't get wiped out like they did."

The four left the mysterious cavern and temporarily parted ways. Born Battle Maniac and Summer Night Autumn Rain only needed to wait for the Draconic Blood Blessing, while Mantou and Singo needed to complete a series of advanced quests.

The two of them followed the path built by the minions and arrived at the Rock Fortress.

Hobgoblin guards stood atop the city wall, aiming their crossbows at them, and questioned, "Who are you?"

Facing the aggressive interrogation, Singo remained unfazed: "We are minions from Baator City, here to find Instructor Alger."

Hearing this, the hobgoblins opened the gate to let them in, but their expressions were rather mocking as they chatted among themselves.

"Think these two will make it?"

"Wanna bet? I'll put down a hundred copper coins."

"Bet my foot! Alger's Crimson Scaled Legion has been going for years, and he's still the only member. Do I look stupid?"

"Haha, the last unlucky guy who went for the test ended up smashed flat, even had a bite taken out of him by an ogre. No one dares to go now, let alone these two humans."

Singo and Mantou encountered various monsters in the valley—lizardfolk, hobgoblins, kobolds, and even satyrs. Asking for directions as they went, they finally found Alger's dwelling.

But for some reason, when these creatures heard they were looking for Alger, a look of schadenfreude appeared on their faces.

"That's the place, right?"

Mantou pointed to a simple cave.

"Something's off. A class instructor should at least be a big shot—why is he living in such poor conditions?"

"Never mind, let's go in and take a look first."

The two rashly entered the cave.

They saw a warrior sitting on a stone bench sharpening his sword—but he didn't appear human.

The figure before them was over two meters tall, with a muscular and sturdy build. His skin was covered with dense crimson scales, and his head wasn't humanoid but resembled a fierce dragon's head. His golden, reptilian vertical pupils were particularly striking.

Behind his head, a crown-like structure made of keratinous scales resembled a messy tuft of hair. His hands gripping the longsword weren't purely human hands but more like dragon claws, yet even more agile.

"Who are you?"

He looked up, his golden vertical pupils fixing on the newcomers, his gaze filled with a chilling sense of danger.

【Crimson Scaled Conqueror—Alger】

Faction: 【Ember Nest】

Basic Abilities: ?

Challenge Level: ?

"This is the fourth unknown NPC!"

Mantou whispered in surprise.

Singo calmly took out his token—the crimson scale.

"We are here under Lord Cassius's orders to undertake the Crimson Scaled Conqueror advanced quest."

A fleeting look of surprise flashed in Alger's golden eyes.

He had thought they were just more overconfident trial seekers; he'd seen many over the years. But these two carried tokens—they must be the "gifted ones" the master mentioned. This made him take them a bit more seriously.

Alger also wanted to see what kind of talent could make them become flying knights in such a short time.

However, his golden eyes scanned the two from head to toe but didn't find anything extraordinary. In terms of strength, they were even inferior to some of the monsters.

"Very well. I hope you can survive."

"Follow me."

The two players obediently followed behind Alger.

Mantou whispered, "Why did he say he hopes we can survive? Could this expensive advanced quest actually be dangerous?"

Singo said disdainfully, "Don't worry; you'll find out soon enough."

They gradually ventured deeper into the valley, passing several forks.

"Roar—"

Before they even entered, they heard chaotic and continuous roars echoing inside.

They finally arrived at a valley filled with fire and heat. Only then did they see its true nature.

On the towering cliff walls were numerous pits and caves of various sizes, where many wyverns resided. They flapped their wings, swung their long tails, and opened their foul-smelling, gaping jaws.

Some wyverns perched on the cliffs resting, others hovered in mid-air, and a few were even wrestling with each other, emitting noisy roars.

Alger crossed his arms and said coldly, "This is Wyvern Valley, where wyverns raise their young. I need you to find your own mounts here."

Upon seeing newcomers, the glowing vertical pupils in the shadows immediately focused on them.

The red dragon bloodline in Alger was far nobler than that of the wyverns, so they held him in high regard.

But towards Mantou and Singo, the wyverns were unceremonious. Some even drooled thick saliva from the corners of their mouths, eager to make these two tender-skinned humans their dessert.

Mantou looked up at the numerous wyverns, utterly stunned.

"Oh... my... gosh..."

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