Chapter 53: A Seed Named Hope

"Ever since the red dragon learned that our clan possessed the Earth Spirit Pearl, a long and agonizing trial began."

"For five years, in order for our race to survive and eke out a meager existence, we offered up the souls of our ancestors time and time again, and dashed the hopes of our descendants over and over again."

"As the number of Earth Spirit Pearls dwindled, we suffered the retribution we deserved. Our clan, once thriving and gradually prospering, regressed to the barren days of long ago."

"Not only is the bloodline of the newly hatched dragon whelps thin, but their numbers are also dwindling. If this continues, whether we can survive at all remains a question."

"To preserve the clan, I kept thinking that once the red dragon was satisfied this time, perhaps it would relent and demand no tribute the next."

"Yet, in the end, this was merely my wishful thinking..."

At this point, the old chieftain could no longer hold back his tears, which streamed endlessly from his eyes.

With both claws cup-holding the Earth Spirit Pearl, he could only let the tears slowly slide down.

This land had been the homeland of the Burrowing Dragon clan for thousands of years. Generation after generation of their ancestors had lived here, and their attachment to this place was beyond ordinary.

Even in death, they were unwilling to forsake this land.

"Perhaps a dragon's fate is sealed the moment it is born."

"Perhaps the weak are meant to be exploited and bullied by the strong; that is simply how the world works."

"Perhaps the efforts of generations, of dozens of generations of dragons, still cannot lift us from the dust. Sacrifice is so powerless in the face of violence."

"But, Linde..."

The old chieftain extended the Earth Spirit Pearl in his hands toward him.

"I wish to ask you to remember that at least our Burrowing Dragon clan once fought back."

"We refused to let our bloodline shackle our ultimate potential. We had ambition, and we believed the descendants of us drakes are not necessarily inferior to pure-blooded dragons."

"This generation has been ruined in my hands; I compromised and retreated for the sake of the clan's survival. But our original ideals—those I can no longer surrender to the red dragon."

"Before you appeared, we had actually made our resolution: to bury the primordial Earth Spirit Pearl deep underground and have the entire clan prepared to make a final stand against the red dragon."

"We did not go to this tribute presentation, simply waiting for the tribute day to end so the red dragon would come to settle accounts with us."

"Never did any of us imagine that you would actually manage to shoot it down. You probably cannot understand how we feel..."

"Hah..."

"If being weak is a sin from birth, I implore you to accept this tiny spark of hope. It represents our tenacious, resilient life force, enduring like the grass."

"Even though wild flames rage and scorch our bodies, when the spring breeze blows again next year, we will still emerge from the soil and grow anew."

"At the same time, I also beg you to become a benevolent king in the days to come..."

Listening to the old chieftain's heartfelt words, Linde felt as though something was lodged in his throat.

His eyes grew somewhat moist as well.

The refusal he had already prepared turned over and over in his mind, but in the end, it remained unsaid.

This was neither a gift nor a bestowal from the Burrowing Dragon clan to him, nor was it payment for him to defeat the red dragon.

This was a clan, driven to utter helplessness, entrusting him to carry on their hope.

It was proof of the generations of effort made by the Burrowing Dragons.

Linde swallowed hard and, with utmost reverence, received the seed of hope with both hands.

At the same time, he made a promise:

"No matter the outcome, I will carry your hope forward."

"I will record the story of your Burrowing Dragon clan in the World Book, so that it may be passed down forever."

[Continuation of the Tribe: When reputation points drop below one-tenth of the maximum limit, one reputation point will be added every second until it recovers to one-tenth of the maximum limit.]

[Having accepted the hope of all the dragons, you must bear the determination to carry that hope.]

The system's prompt echoed in Linde's mind.

His current reputation limit was 3,000 points, which meant that once his reputation fell below 300, he would trigger the Continuation of the Tribe.

This was also his current fallback safety net for reputation points.

Continuation—just as the name suggested, it could grant him a glimmer of survival even in desperate straits.

The Earth Spirit Pearl in his hand felt heavy, as if he were cupping dense, rich soil.

"Our clan is quite sensitive to things related to the ley lines, and we are adept at tunneling and excavating subterranean passages."

"If you, Linde, ever have any need for the Burrowing Dragon clan, please do not hesitate to ask."

"Understood."

Linde slowly nodded.

Regarding the demand for various minerals, he could consult the Burrowing Dragons here later on.

If they could find diamonds, then crafting a diamond sword could practically be considered a certainty.

Once he possessed a high-attack weapon like a diamond sword, he would gain a certain degree of the initiative.

At the very least, he would no longer rely entirely on the mirror to bounce back the red dragon's attacks, reduced to passive beatings.

At a critical moment, he could even fuse it into his own body, greatly enhancing his physical constitution.

Furthermore, when it came to road construction, having the assistance of the Burrowing Dragon clan would be like adding wings to a tiger.

Linde lowered his gaze to the Earth Spirit Pearl in his hand, recalling whether any similar item was among the treasures he had brought out a few days ago.

Regrettably, there was no earthy-yellow orb in his memory.

It seemed the red dragon had not kept it in the treasure vault, but rather hidden it in its personal bedchamber.

He sighed inwardly.

Seeing that Linde had accepted the Earth Spirit Pearl, a look of gratification surfaced in the old chieftain's eyes, and he spoke up:

"Lord Linde, I invite you to sample our clan's signature delicacy, Earth-Baked Chicken, after you head outside."