Lathus gradually awoke from his slumber, the low, rhythmic rumble echoing in his ears—not the violent eruption of a true volcano, but the murmuring flow of magma deep within the earth's crust.

  The rolling va emitted a resonant hum, as if the earth itself were whispering secrets of eternity.

  Slowly opening his eyes, he surveyed his surroundings and found that outside the cave, everything remained unchanged from the day before.

  The residual warmth of the volcanic va cast a faint crimson glow, and the distant rock walls occasionally flickered with sparks of intense heat. Inside his warm home—the volcanic va cave—the familiar scene persisted.

  Within the cave, atop a priceless golden throne, the Dragon Mother y peacefully in slumber.

  With each breath, her immense aura seemed to envelop the entire cavern, instilling a sense of fear and reverence in Lathus, the still-maturing young dragon.

  Last night, he had been too satiated to sleep, but now it was different: dragons did not need to eat daily, but rather every few days.

  Lathus still had ample energy within him, so he did not need to fall into deep sleep or gorge himself to replenish his strength.

  Deciding to get up and explore the dawn outside, he slowly crawled out of the cave, only to be greeted by the radiant sunlight.

  The vast blue sky stretched endlessly in the morning light, and he couldn't help but gnce back into the cave—his brother Agnus and sister Catilia were still asleep there. After the hardships of the past few days, their once fragile bodies had transformed into robust, resilient forms.

  In the warm and expansive morning light, Lathus' gaze inadvertently fell upon Catilia.

  In that instant, the dawn seemed to bestow a magical aura, casting a shimmering glow over Catilia's fiery red scales.

  The scales, which had once appeared rough, now resembled meticulously crafted rubies, radiating a captivating brilliance and exuding an indescribable elegance and radiance.

  Lathus' heart trembled as if a stone had been dropped into a still ke.

  This tremor was not solely due to sheer admiration but more akin to an ancient, mysterious whisper resonating deep within him: "Is this... the 'beauty' that dragons perceive?"

  For a moment, he was utterly transfixed.

  His human identity, which he usually held onto, seemed to vanish into thin air, repced by an alien emotion.

  This emotion was a mix of awe at the rare beauty before him and a tender, inexplicable softness.

  It was as if, within the rugged va cave, he had caught a glimpse of a fragile yet exquisite illusion.

  However, just as quickly as it had come, Lathus snapped out of his reverie.

  He felt a sudden arm, a realization that he must not be swayed by the superficial allure of the red dragon or the manipution of the dragon's will.

  In that same moment, Lathus hesitated, driven by instinct to whisper to himself: "Is this... the beauty of creatures as seen by dragons? So... extraordinary."

  The profound shock and the accompanying inexplicable thrill momentarily made him forget his original identity.

  He pondered silently, is this truly my sister? Why, in this moment, do I feel such an unusual attraction? Is this feeling... a sign of danger?

  After a brief daze, he quickly regained his composure.

  As if trying to shake off some unknown enchantment, he blinked slowly and turned his gaze back to his sister.

  By then, the mystical glow of the dawn had faded, and Catilia returned to her familiar form.

  She was once again the red dragon wrapped in fiery scales, still the young, powerful, and slightly fierce-looking creature.

  As reality reasserted itself, the astonishment in his heart gradually subsided.

  Yet, as the waves of surprise ebbed, a sense of bewilderment and a faint, almost imperceptible disappointment began to spread within him.

  After a moment of confusion, though his heart still churned with lingering emotions, Lathus knew there were more pressing tasks at hand—tending to the fields.

  He shook his head, trying to dispel the strange feelings. After a full day of bor, he had already poured his heart and soul into the nd: clearing, watering, and setting up protective measures. Though he was covered in dust and grime, he had id the foundation for a future harvest.

  If the nd became too dry and cked water, the seeds would sprout only to wither, rendering all his efforts futile.

  Relying on his memory and the markers he had left along the way, Lathus began to make his way back to the fields.

  With each step, his cws brushed against fallen leaves and twigs, creating a soft rustling sound that startled the occasional bird perched in the trees and the nearby wandering beasts.

  He adopted a low crawling posture, moving swiftly and quietly to avoid drawing too much attention.

  Soon, he arrived at the edge of the carefully cultivated field.

  Seeing that the simple wooden fence he had constructed was still intact, Lathus breathed a sigh of relief.

  Relieved that the field remained undisturbed, he prepared to water it. However, as he recalled the details of yesterday's watering, he suddenly realized that the elemental watering can provided by the system had run out of water during the second round.

  Thinking of this, he followed the markers he had left near the field—the markers pointing to a nearby clear, unpolluted ke.

  He hurried along the marked path to the ke.

  When he stood by the ke once more, the water was still crystal clear, like a natural mirror, completely untouched by any contamination.

  Lathus carefully dipped the watering can into the ke, allowing the water to slowly fill it.

  After some time, he lifted the can and saw that it was once again filled with ten liters of sweet, pure water.

  To prevent the precious water from evaporating due to the warmth, he quickly transferred the full can back into the system space, ensuring that not a drop was lost.

  The journey back was smooth and uneventful.

  Soon, he returned to the field he had toiled over, gazing at the carefully cultivated nd with a sense of joy and satisfaction.

  He picked up the watering can and began to sprinkle the clear water evenly over the freshly turned soil.

  The tiny droplets sparkled in the morning light, quickly seeping into every inch of the dry earth, gradually moistening it.

  Lathus observed the field closely—the carrot seeds he had pnted still y quietly in the soil, seemingly not yet sprouted; while on the other side, the area designated for the Sunlight Mushrooms was clearly marked.

  As he bent down to water, Lathus suddenly noticed a faint yellow glimmer in the field.

  He crouched lower, focusing his gaze, and saw that it was a tiny Sunlight Mushroom.

  The mushroom's surface was adorned with delicate yellow veins, interspersed with patches of white, resembling a finely crafted seed.

  Seeing this newly sprouted Sunlight Mushroom, Lathus felt a surge of joy: this was the green-quality Sunlight Mushroom, which had quietly sprouted overnight.

  Although the newly emerged mushroom was still very small, he felt a sense of vitality and hope spreading through the field; he just wasn't sure how long it would take to mature and complete the system's task!

  Lathus turned to the system panel, which dispyed the current pnting task: wait for the seeds to sprout and gradually mature until the task was complete.

  The task refresh time was still uncertain, but at least he now had a clear direction—to patiently wait for the crops to grow.

  However, progress was slow, and the future was filled with unknowns and variables.

  At that moment, Lathus suddenly remembered that the system's starter pack had included a bag of primary energy fertilizer.

  He opened the system's backpack and found the one-pound bag of fertilizer.

  The bag bore a rge logo—a sprout, fresh and full of life.

  Using his sharp cws, Lathus carefully tore open a small corner of the bag and poured the contents into his hand.

  The fertilizer was bck, with a slightly powdery texture. Though it resembled ordinary soil, it was finer and softer, seemingly imbued with some mysterious energy.

  Though he still had doubts about whether the fertilizer could truly promote crop growth, Lathus trusted that anything from the system must be extraordinary.

  So, he carefully took a small handful and evenly spread it over the area where the Sunlight Mushroom seeds were pnted.

  Seeing that he still had some left, he took a bit more and sprinkled it over the 18 carrot seeds in the field.

  To facilitate comparison, he divided the 18 carrot seeds into two groups: one fertilized, the other not, and marked the fertilized area clearly for future observation of the fertilizer's effects.

  Next, Lathus took the three Sunlight Mushroom seeds from his backpack, dug small holes in the soil with his cws, and carefully buried them; then he evenly poured the remaining water from the can over these holes and sprinkled the remaining fertilizer nearby.

  In this way, the handful of fertilizer was quickly used up.

  Standing by the field, Lathus looked at the freshly fertilized and watered soil, filled with both anticipation and doubt: was this fertilizer truly effective?

  Though he wasn't sure, as a product of the system, he believed it must be of high quality.

  After all, the miraculous hoe from the system had easily split a decades-old tree, a testament to the power of system items.

  He knew that only by waiting for these seeds to sprout, grow, and mature could he complete the first task. With this thought, Lathus y beneath a tree, watching the swaying leaves in the sky.

  The morning breeze gently brushed past him, and Lathus sat quietly by the field, letting the wind whisper softly in his ears.

  The sound of the wind seemed like a carefully composed symphony by nature, gentle and soothing, bringing a sense of tranquility to the freshly worked nd.

  Lathus gazed at the overturned soil, the result of his hard bor, and felt a surge of anticipation—he had poured his patience and sweat into this nd, hoping that the pnts would grow silently in this melody, radiating the light of life.

  Just as he was lost in this peaceful and hopeful contemption, his keen senses suddenly picked up a subtle movement deep within the soil.

  Lathus tilted his head slightly, focusing his gaze on the depths of the earth, where a tiny green dot suddenly emerged, pushing aside the soft soil around it.

  It was a carrot seedling, tender and fragile, yet brimming with a resilient and unyielding vitality, as if whispering to Lathus: "Even in this barren nd, I can create miracles."

  Lathus gnced at the clock; it was already noon.

  He decided to wrap up his work and return to the cave, but then he noticed the sticky mud from yesterday's bor still clinging to his cws and scales—a reminder of the ridicule he had faced upon his st return.

  Determined to avoid a repeat, he decided to wash himself thoroughly by the ke.

  He quickly made his way through the field, following the markers he had left earlier, and arrived at the familiar ke.

  The water was still crystal clear, shimmering under the sunlight, and as Lathus stepped into the ke, the surface rippled with tiny bubbles.

  The water, warmed by his body heat, emitted a soft fizzing sound.

  Lathus swam slowly in the water, letting it cleanse the mud from his body.

  With each stroke, the stubborn dirt gradually fell away, until his scales regained their natural luster.

  After climbing back onto the shore, Lathus shook his body vigorously, sending droplets of water flying in all directions.

  As a red dragon, he knew his high body temperature would quickly evaporate the remaining moisture, so he wasn't overly concerned.

  But now, as he inspected his cws and scales, he was relieved to find that almost no mud remained.

  Returning to the field, which was only a short distance from the cave, Lathus knew he could reach home in just over ten minutes without worrying too much about danger.

  Sitting by the field, Lathus reflected on the day's events.

  He recalled his morning trip to the ke, where he had filled the system's watering can with ten liters of clear water, ensuring that the moisture was preserved in the system to prevent evaporation.

  Later, he had evenly sprinkled the water over the field, watching as the tiny droplets seeped into the dry soil, nourishing the nd he had worked so hard to cultivate.

  He observed the field closely: the carrot seeds still y dormant in the soil, not yet sprouted; while in the area designated for the Sunlight Mushrooms, the markers were still clearly visible.

  In this area, Lathus suddenly noticed a tiny yellow speck on the soil.

  Bending down for a closer look, he saw that it was a newly sprouted Sunlight Mushroom seedling, its surface adorned with delicate yellow veins and white spots, like a tiny seed brimming with the magic of nature.

  Lathus felt a quiet joy: this green-quality Sunlight Mushroom had sprouted overnight, and though it was still small, it was a sign of burgeoning life.

  As he immersed himself in visions of a bountiful harvest, Lathus suddenly remembered the primary energy fertilizer from the system's starter pack.

  He opened the system panel, checked his backpack, and found the bag, now only one-fifth full.

  According to the system, this bag of fertilizer could be used three times, and with only a small amount left, he estimated he had about fourteen uses remaining.

  Lathus examined the fertilizer closely; the bag bore a rge sprout logo, a testament to the system's quality assurance.

  Using his cws, he tore open the bag and poured the bck, fine, slightly powdery fertilizer into his hand.

  He tasted a bit of it; though it was bnd, even slightly bitter like soil, he could feel a pure energy coursing through his body, like a faint fme igniting within.

  Lathus pondered: since eating meat increased his malevolence value, possibly leading to negative consequences, perhaps this primary energy fertilizer could serve as an alternative food source.

  After all, the system was not human and couldn't answer all his questions; he had to figure things out step by step.

  But as he looked at the dwindling amount of fertilizer, he hesitated.

  Though it seemed ordinary, this fertilizer was valuable; the exchange store hadn't yet unlocked, making it a precious resource. He decided to use it sparingly, taking only a small handful each time, and divided the carrot seeds into two groups—one fertilized, the other not—as a control to observe the fertilizer's effects.

  Lathus had also considered foraging for wild fruits or gnawing on tree bark to stave off hunger, but the wild fruits were sour and unripe, and the bark was unpatable, making them poor substitutes for this precious energy source.

  It was now spring and summer, and the nearby trees bore no ripe fruit, so he could only stay by the field and wait for the future harvest.

  Though the cave was only a short distance away, and even if he encountered more powerful beasts or humans, he wasn't worried, as this was his most familiar territory.

  After a morning of hard work, Lathus had finally brought order to the field.

  The wooden fence still stood guard over the newly pnted crops, and the sunlight filtered through the sparse tree branches, casting dappled shadows on the freshly turned soil.

  Exhausted, he y beneath a towering ancient tree, letting the breeze cool him and dispel the day's heat.

  At that moment, his heart was filled with mixed emotions as he recalled the chilling scene from the morning—when he had gazed upon his sister, her ethereal beauty had suddenly pierced his cold heart.

  Lathus felt a shiver run through him, a chill that came not only from the breathtaking beauty of his sister in the dawn light but also from the deep-seated fear and desire inherent in his dragon bloodline.

  From the moment of their birth, dragons possessed an aesthetic sense that surpassed that of ordinary beings, allowing them to perceive the essence of beauty hidden within all things—not the superficial beauty of humans, but a primal beauty that blended power and wildness, close to the source of life.

  That beauty seemed to transform into a captivating painting, and the emotions it stirred were not just desire but also a craving for power, a longing to possess beautiful things, and an insatiable hunger for endless wealth.

  Lathus thought to himself: "If I succumb to this endless desire, how mad and terrifying my future will become!"

  He couldn't help but think of those dragon predecessors who had lost themselves to power: arrogant, overbearing, and dismissive of all living beings, believing themselves to be born kings; while the desires flowing in their blood were like invisible whirlpools, constantly dragging them into an abyss, causing them to lose themselves and become sves to their desires.

  At this thought, he trembled, a cold fear rising from the depths of his heart, making it hard to calm the turmoil within and the hidden worries about his own fate.

  Lathus struggled to suppress the tide of desire, forcing himself to cast aside those temptations and illusions.

  He knew that as a red dragon, he must always maintain crity and nobility in his heart, not allowing the superficial allure and greed of the outside world to disturb his mind.

  Finally, he lifted his head and gazed once more at the field bathed in sunlight.

  Through the dappled shadows cast by the swaying trees, though his heart was still filled with chaotic thoughts, Lathus forced himself to let go of the distractions and no longer cling to worldly desires.

  Time passed, and soon it was afternoon.

  Standing by the edge of the field, Lathus gazed at the nd he had so carefully tended, his heart filled with anticipation.

  After a while, he decided it was time to return.

  Perhaps, in the end, returning to the safety of home was the most comforting thought.