The Rise of the Titan

Following Muria into the clouds, Claudia gazed at the gradually emerging Synapse, its massive scale unveiled as the cloaking array dissipated. Her voice was filled with undeniable awe at the spectacular sight. 

"Where did you get so many cloud islands?" she asked, unable to hide her astonishment.

"These cloud islands came to me on their own," Muria explained simply.

As Synapse approached, a red dragon, Cynthia, excitedly led a group of dragons towards Muria. However, as they neared him, they abruptly halted in mid-air. They sensed the powerful aura emanating from the white dragon beside Muria, a familiar and intimidating presence.

"Claudia?" Cynthia's eyes widened in disbelief as she looked at the Frost Queen. Despite being only at the Soul Intention third tier and still far from reaching legendary status, Claudia had already broken through to become a legend. How was this possible?

"Yes," Claudia responded coolly, her gaze sweeping over the twenty-four dragons before her. Though they had once lived and grown up together, it was clear now that she had surpassed them in every aspect—strength, influence, everything.

"How did you become so powerful?" Cynthia murmured, staring at the white dragon larger than herself. She felt deeply shaken. They had all grown up together, yet this dragon, with lesser bloodline and younger age, had now completely surpassed her. It was hard to accept.

Cynthia wasn't the only one in shock. The other five-colored dragons shared her disbelief. They had always considered themselves exceptional among their peers, but seeing Claudia today made them realize there were higher peaks and stronger dragons beyond their imagination.

"While you were sleeping, I was studying," Claudia responded with poise and grace, considering their shared history.

"Studying..." Cynthia's claws twitched as she recalled their time in the Titan's realm. Whether before she went to sleep or after she woke up, Claudia always seemed to have a book in her hand.

"Knowledge changes destiny," Claudia said, her eyes devoid of any emotional ripple as she looked at the stunned five-colored dragons before her. She had long known that she was different from these dragons who relied on their innate talents and were forced by Muria to study.

"Look at Claudia. She's already conquered four human nations and become a ruler dragon. Now look at yourselves," Muria seized the opportunity to educate the group. Since their bloodline advancement, they had grown even lazier, spending their days sleeping or scheming on how to... bring justice.

"A ruler dragon!" The dragons were even more dumbfounded upon learning of Claudia's achievements. Could this really be something a white dragon could accomplish, even a special one?

"Terrence!" Muria, ignoring the bewildered dragons, led Claudia to the central cloud island and sought out the storm giant commander stationed there with three hundred storm giants.

"Prince Muria!" The giant greeted Muria with unwavering respect, a constant in their interactions.

"I've recently gained the allegiance of fifteen thousand frost giants, but they don't meet my needs. I need some cloud giants to train them, at least to teach them how to fight."

The frost giants were not only lacking in skills beyond combat, but even their combat abilities were pitiful. They had no concept of formations and fought in chaotic mobs. The best they could muster was a rudimentary pack hunting strategy. This level of disorganization was unbearable for Muria.

"If it's only over ten thousand frost giants, we can transport them to Synapse with the floating ships. I can assist with their training as well."

"This is just the beginning. I plan to conquer more frost giants. Relying solely on you for training would be too slow and might cause unnecessary conflicts due to racial differences."

"I understand, Your Highness. So, we only need to train these fifteen thousand frost giants for now?"

"For the time being, yes," Muria replied. He intended to propel the frost giants' civilization forward in one giant leap, pushing them from their primitive state directly into the magical-industrial age. The effort and resources required for this transformation were unknown, but Muria knew the rewards would be immense and continuous. This was why he referred to himself as a sage this time; he was driven by the prospect of benefit, unlike a true sage who seeks no return.

...

The north wind howled, snowflakes swirled, and yet another blizzard was underway. However, such harsh weather did not hinder the daily activities of the frost giants. They continued their routines, their bodies long adapted to these extreme conditions.

*Thud!* *Thud!*... The ground trembled with heavy footsteps. In the Frostwolf Tribe, female frost giants paused their butchering of prey, and male giants preparing to hunt or returning from forays stopped in their tracks. Frost giants emerged from their ice huts, all turning their attention to the entrance of the tribe, lifting their eyes to the snow-filled sky.

Every frost giant in the Frostwolf Tribe sensed it—a mighty presence approaching, radiating an aura that stirred their blood and evoked a primal urge to kneel and worship.

*Thud!* *Thud!*... The footsteps grew louder. Soon, a colossal figure appeared in the giants' sight, striding through the blizzard towards their tribe. He wore armor inscribed with ancient runes, with only his head, crowned with flowing black hair, exposed. His golden eyes shone with an intimidating majesty that was impossible to look at directly.

Seeing this being, around whom the storm seemed to part, a frost giant armed with a bone spear dropped his weapon and knelt with a reverence he had never known, offering his respect to the towering figure.

"Greetings, Titan!"

The frost giant's voice was a soft murmur, laden with awe. Every giant had heard tales of the Titans, but none had ever dreamed of encountering one.

"Greetings, Titan!" One by one, like a domino effect, the frost giants knelt before Muria as he approached.

By the time Muria reached the entrance of the large Frostwolf Tribe, a community of fifty thousand frost giants, their leader emerged from the central, largest building, which served as their residence. He held a massive wolf-tooth club and did not kneel.

This chieftain was a fifty-meter-tall frost giant, a behemoth among a race whose adults typically reached only about ten meters. This was undoubtedly the leader of this large tribe.

In most cases, size was proportional to strength, but fifty meters was beyond the typical frost giant's limits. Normally, they couldn't grow this large.

"Divine power," Muria sensed the faint sacred aura emanating from the legendary frost giant chieftain.

"Mighty Titan, what brings you to our Frostwolf Tribe?" The chieftain asked, his face darkening as he looked at his prostrate tribesmen.

His expression grew even more grim as three elders of the tribe emerged behind him. After a moment's hesitation, they too knelt before Muria. The chieftain had never received such reverence.

"Will you follow me?" Muria asked the defiant legendary frost giant who showed no intention of kneeling. He already understood the giant's stance but asked nonetheless.

"I worship the great Wolf God," the legendary frost giant declared. His legendary status was entirely due to the gods' blessings, and he would never betray them.

"I see, so you refuse." Muria's hand materialized the Poleaxe.

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