102: Northern Plateau

Star Sea Castle, Lord's study.

After Linn returned from the Sea God Tribe, he immediately immersed himself in the backlog of administrative affairs. As he was reviewing a report on the construction of irrigation canals for newly reclaimed farmland, the study door was gently knocked.

"Come in."

The door opened, and Clay, dusty but with sharp eyes, walked in. He was still wearing his leather armor convenient for movement, but between his brows, there was fatigue from a long journey and cautious investigation, as well as a hint of gravity.

"My Lord, I have returned." Clay clenched one fist against his chest and bowed.

Linn immediately put down his quill, leaned forward, his gaze burning: "Hard work, Clay. How is the situation in the Northern Highland Plateau? Sit, tell me in detail." He pointed to the chair opposite the desk and signaled for the attendant to bring tea.

Clay did not stand on ceremony. After sitting down, he took the cup and drank it in one gulp, let out a long sigh, and began to report, his tone steady but every word clear:

"My Lord, the situation in the Northern Highland Plateau... is more complex than we anticipated, but it is clear. Occupying that plateau is a group of Griffins."

"Griffins?" Linn raised an eyebrow. This was a well-known powerful Demonic Beast, fierce, proud, usually regarded as one of the overlords of the Sky, and also an aerial mount or totem dreamed of by many human kingdoms. "How many are there? What is their specific strength?"

"The number is not particularly large," Clay recalled, dipping his finger in tea and simply drawing a contour map on the smooth tabletop, "I lurked and observed for four days. Their nests are mainly built on the most precipitous cliffs on the east side of the plateau. The adult individuals that can be observed are between thirty and forty. In addition, there should be some juvenile beasts and female Griffins hatching deep in the nests."

He paused, his voice lower, with a trace of lingering fear: "However, their strength... is very unusual. A normal adult Griffin, according to the continent's common standards, has a stable maturity at Fourth-Order Advanced, which is already a leader. But this group of Griffins... I sensed at least ten with auras firmly reaching Fourth-Order Peak, or even stronger."

Linn's eyes also became serious. A dozen Fourth-Order Peak Griffins—this power was enough to easily destroy a human town without top-tier experts sitting in command.

Clay's next words made Linn's heart tremble: "The most troublesome thing is... in the deepest part of their nest, in the area with the highest terrain and the strongest magic fluctuations, I vaguely felt a... extremely subtle, but completely different level of pressure. Although the other party seemed to be in some kind of deep slumber or deep restraint, the trace of aura leaked out..." Clay looked up at Linn, saying word by word: "It definitely reached the Fifth-Order (Earth Rank) realm. I didn't dare to get too close for fear of causing alarm, so I withdrew immediately after confirming this aura and the general situation of the Griffin group."

The study fell into a brief silence. A Fifth-Order Demonic Beast! This already exceeded the category of 'Advanced Demonic Beast' in the conventional sense and stepped into the level of a 'Demonic Beast Lord'. Its strength was comparable to a human Earth Knight or Grand Mage, a terrifying existence capable of affecting the ecological balance of an entire region. Moreover, this was a Fifth-Order Griffin, the king among the overlords of the Sky!

"Fifth-Order Griffin..." Linn repeated, tapping his fingers on the desktop unconsciously, thinking rapidly, "This is indeed unexpected. According to reason, the individual strength limit of the Griffin population is indeed mostly at Fourth-Order Peak. Those who can break through to the Fifth-Order are one in ten thousand, requiring extremely special opportunities or environments."

He looked at Clay, his tone full of relief: "It's also thanks to your caution that you didn't alert it. However, this also explains why this group of Griffins occupies the Northern Highland Plateau but has hardly ever moved south to harass the villages and towns of our Star Sea Territory. The intelligence of a Fifth-Order Griffin is already extremely high; it may have sensed the changes in the overall magic environment of Shattered Star Island, or simply felt that our initial territory was barren and not worth a major mobilization. More likely... it is guarding something, or is at some critical period and has no time to care about other things."

Clay nodded in agreement: "My Lord's analysis is correct. During my observation, the range of activities of this group of Griffins was basically limited to the Sky above the plateau and hunting within the plateau, rarely crossing the ridge line of the southern foothills. They seem very satisfied with that territory."

"Satisfied? Perhaps." A sharp light flashed in Linn's eyes, and the previous shock and gravity were gradually replaced by a kind of eager excitement. "But Shattered Star Island must be complete. The Northern Highland Plateau is rich in resources, with dangerous terrain and great strategic significance; it is impossible to leave it occupied by an uncontrolled powerful Demonic Beast group forever. Moreover..."

He stood up, walked to the window, looked at the thriving territory outside the castle, and said slowly: "A group of Griffins with extraordinary strength, likely possessing a Fifth-Order leader... this is not only a threat, but an unprecedented opportunity! If they can be subdued, Star Sea Territory will immediately possess an unrivaled aerial force! Whether it is territory defense, rapid maneuverability, high-altitude reconnaissance, or future... even greater plans, it will be a huge help."

Clay felt his heart heat up, but immediately reminded him calmly: "My Lord, taming Griffins, especially a Griffin group with a Fifth-Order leader, is extremely difficult. They are naturally proud, value strength, and will never submit easily. Forcing an attack, even if victorious, will inevitably result in heavy losses, and it is difficult to make them truly submit."

"I know." Linn turned around, a look of mixed confidence and determination on his face, "Therefore, we cannot attack by force, we can only take it by strategy, or... 'persuade' them. I will go to the Northern Highland Plateau myself."

"My Lord, that is too dangerous!" Clay stood up immediately.

Linn raised his hand to stop him, smiling: "Don't worry, Clay. I am not being reckless. You mentioned just now that the Fifth-Order Griffin seems to be in some special state? That is the key. And, why do you think I have the confidence to face a group of Demonic Beasts that may have a Fifth-Order leader?"

Clay was stunned for a moment, then remembered that the Lord was already at Earth Rank Peak, plus his endless methods, and his tense body relaxed slightly: "You mean..."

"Some trump cards are time to be revealed. When negotiating with highly intelligent creatures, especially the kings among Demonic Beasts, strength is the basis for dialogue." Linn did not say it explicitly, but the meaning in his eyes was very clear. "Prepare, Clay. Leave the Northern Highland Plateau to me, you are responsible for the territory's defense. I will set off tomorrow morning to the Northern Highland Plateau. The goal this time is not to start a war, but to make contact, and... try to tame them."

He walked to the map and pointed his finger at the location of the Northern Highland Plateau: "If successful, Star Sea Territory will grow wings. If it is impossible..." His eyes turned slightly cold, "Consider other plans. But in any case, the northern problem must be completely solved before my wedding."

Clay straightened his back, clenched his right fist against his chest again, and all his doubts turned into firm execution: "Yes, My Lord!"

Looking at Clay's departing back, Linn sat back at his desk, his eyes deep. Taming the Griffin group is undoubtedly a tough battle, but compared to future benefits, it is worth the risk. Besides, he is not alone.

"Griffin... Fifth-Order..." He murmured to himself, the corners of his mouth curling up, "Shattered Star Island, indeed hides quite a few secrets. Let me see why you are so special."