Chapter 178: Planting a Seed Casually

Dragon's might dominated the scene. The charging cavalry and the fleeing crowd were all immobilized under the dragon's might, like insects trapped in amber, unable to move.

Though immobile, everyone enveloped by the dragon's might, both humans and horses, trembled in fear, a primal reaction to the presence of a higher being, uncontrollable.

"You..." The High Priest, who had been kneeling, sat down abruptly under the sweep of the dragon's might, his divine light shining to resist the pressure.

"Roar!" Those covered by the dragon's might, whether human or beast, felt their consciousness blur under the overwhelming presence, as if seeing a radiant golden dragon roaring towards the sky.

The High Priest, sitting on the ground, also saw the dragon manifest in his mind. Surprised at first, he then pointed at Muria, realizing, "So, you're a golden dragon!"

Muria didn't respond, quickly retracting the dragon's might he had released.

"Thump!" "Thump!" "Thump!" The previously fleeing onlookers all kneeled, some even prostrating, trembling uncontrollably.

The four cavalry units charging towards the temple were thrown into disarray, the momentum of their charge dissipated under the dragon's might.

Such is the nature of dragons. Ordinary beings lack the courage to face a dragon's might head-on. They can only cower and tremble, unable to harbor any thoughts of attack.

Thus, attempting to use sheer numbers to kill a (mature) dragon with ordinary soldiers is impossible. A dragon need not act; merely displaying its might is enough to dissolve the fighting will of a regular army.

"Wait!" The High Priest, having just pegged Muria as a golden dragon, reconsidered the gold he had pocketed, feeling something was amiss.

Had he really just demanded gold from a golden dragon? By the Dawn God, what was he doing? Yet, unbelievably, the dragon had actually given him gold! Could it be a fake dragon?

"Are you really a golden dragon?" The High Priest began to doubt Muria's identity again, standing before him.

"I'm a half-blood golden dragon!" Muria looked at the High Priest, not bothering to hide the truth.

"Oh!" The High Priest had an epiphany, "So, you're a sorcerer with a strong golden dragon bloodline, capable of unleashing might akin to a true dragon."

"Why couldn't I be a real dragon?" Muria looked puzzled at the High Priest, who had conjured up a sorcerer identity for him based on wild guesses.

"Although I've never seen a real dragon, I've never heard of dragon's might like yours." The High Priest stood up, adjusting his robe. "So, you're not a real dragon, am I right?"

Muria smirked, "You guessed right. I'm not exactly a real dragon."

"I knew it!" The High Priest turned to look at the temple guards and priests Muria had knocked out, "How could a golden dragon act so rashly against a temple?"

"Ha!" Muria, uninterested in responding, then checked on the girl who had been healed and was struggling to sit up, and Zolong, who was excitedly watching his sister.

"The outcome isn't too bad!"

"Just caused a bit of a commotion."

Muria looked around at the people kneeling everywhere, shaking his head with a hint of helplessness, then approached the giant wolf he had subdued, "Well, it's time to leave this city and gather information elsewhere."

"Sir!" Seeing Muria about to leave, Zolong quickly approached, kneeling before him, "My life is yours, sir. You can claim it anytime after ten years."

"What do I need your life for?" Muria waved his hand dismissively.

"Then why did you...?"

"It was a test for you," Muria turned, facing the kneeling young man.

Then, his gaze shifted to the girl, Avril, who had just recovered, radiating a sense of frailty, "Girl, you're indeed fortunate to have a brother willing to sacrifice everything for you.

Dignity, money, even life.

He's willing to forsake all for you.

Cherish your brother well!"

"Brother!" Hearing Muria's words, tears streamed down the girl's face, having heard her brother's willingness to sacrifice his life for her.

"Sir, your kindness is too great." Zolong's eyes reddened, touched by someone's generosity for the first time, willing to demolish a temple for them, "How can I repay you?"

"Live well with your sister; that's the best repayment," Muria responded. "Also, don't resort to thievery for wealth. Use your blade to rightfully slay monsters for coins."

"Sir, since I was twelve, I've stopped stealing from anyone, always earning gold by hunting monsters outside the city," Zolong looked up, his expression earnest, "Moreover, over the years, I've been returning double the money to those I once stole from."

"Well done." Muria smiled, knowing without casting a spell that the young man was speaking the truth.

So, Muria approached Zolong, "Since that's the case, you owe no one. Stand up."

"Sir, I owe you my life and 1,500 gold coins."

"I'll make a few requests. If you abide by them, we'll call it even."

"What are they? I'll comply."

"Don't cry in front of others. If you feel wronged and wish to cry, hide away and cry alone, letting no one see.

From today onwards, never kneel to anyone.

Because you are a man."

Muria lifted the young man from the ground by his shoulders, unnoticed by anyone else, a light silently transferred from his palm into the young man's body.

"Sir!" Overwhelmed by Muria's demands, Zolong's emotions nearly broke again, tears blurring his vision.

"Hold it in. Find somewhere to cry alone later." Muria patted Zolong's shoulder before turning to leave.

"Leaving just like that after smashing the temple?" A voice called out from behind him.

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