Five days later, Serathus slowly awoke from his long slumber.


    The volcanic cave was still filled with the familiar residual warmth, and the faint, eerie red glow on the rocky walls seemed unchanged. Everything appeared as it had been before.


    Only his younger brother, Agnas, and sister, Kartilia, had visibly grown stronger. Their former frailty had vanished, replaced by the marks of growth.


    He examined himself closely, a complex mix of emotions welling up in his heart.


    Though he had hatched slightly earlier than his siblings, aside from that cold, mechanical system, he had yet to awaken the legendary, earth-shaking combat talents he had hoped for.


    The system was neither an exhilarating catalyst for power nor a mysterious artifact capable of defying fate—it was merely an ordinary farming tool.


    At this thought, a hint of resignation and self-mockery appeared on his young dragon face. “Farming it is, then. At least it’s better than nothing.”


    He turned his attention to the system’s task panel.


    It clearly stated: Complete the planting task—plant and harvest crops.


    However, a critical issue loomed before him: he didn’t even have the growth cycle settings for carrots!


    He tapped the system panel and retrieved a carrot seed from his inventory.


    The small, oval seed was smooth and slightly glossy, its surface a deep black, no more than 1 to 2 centimeters in diameter, resembling a finely carved jade pendant.


    As he gazed at the intricate and peculiar patterns on the seed, he couldn’t help but marvel. “Is this really a carrot? Perhaps it holds secrets yet unknown…”


    With his heightened perception, he noticed the seed slowly absorbing the faint magical energy around it, as if a silent and solemn ritual of孕育 was taking place.


    This subtle and mysterious transformation could only be detected through meticulous observation.


    Thinking of his fondness for carrots, a gentle smile crossed his face. “Well, planting a carrot might yield a uniquely sweet flavor when it’s time to harvest.”


    The system prompt displayed: ‘Carrot planting—requires 60 days to mature.’ Serathus pondered for a moment, thinking to himself: On this magical land, perhaps the ambient magical elements could accelerate the seed’s growth, shortening the cycle to half of 60 days, roughly 30 days.


    Compared to the 60 days required for early-maturing varieties on Earth and the 120 days for ordinary carrots, there was a hidden art to farming here.


    He couldn’t help but think of the hardworking farmers who toiled daily for meager earnings of a few coins per pound.


    For him, even small-scale farming offered a path to steady growth without the need for life-and-death battles.


    Now, such a task had fallen upon him.


    Serathus felt a pang of frustration, a sense of helplessness washing over him.


    Since the system had assigned him a farming task, and this “farming” wasn’t the simple monster-slaying and leveling-up kind but rather a tedious endeavor requiring him to study plant growth cycles, he couldn’t help but sigh. “Can’t even farming be simpler?”


    He chuckled bitterly, his heart filled with resignation toward this cumbersome task.


    He casually opened the system’s attributes, the cold numbers reminding him that while his potential was limitless, he was still a fledgling.


    “Still, this gives me a path to grow without risking my life.”


    After a moment of contemplation, he looked toward the cave entrance, where sunlight filtered through the rocky crevices, as if calling to him—a new world awaited his exploration.


    He glanced down at his [Attribute Panel]—“After two periods of slumber, though he had yet to display true combat prowess, he had quietly accumulated a foundation for growth.”


    The interface clearly displayed his stats: stamina, strength, and intelligence were slowly increasing, and system points were steadily accumulating… Perhaps this was his only chance to change his fate.


    Serathus took a deep breath, calculating how to proceed with this “farming task.”


    Though the system seemed unremarkable, even somewhat “humble,” it at least offered him a path to growth without the need for battle.


    Holding the peculiar carrot seed in his hand, he made up his mind: Even if the road ahead was long, he would plant it and let this barren volcanic cave nurture a touch of green奇迹.


    “Farming it is,” he muttered to himself, a glimmer of determination in his eyes. “At least it’s better than nothing.”


    This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it.


    Serathus slowly exhaled and opened the system panel. The [Attribute Panel] on the right side of the screen unfolded, displaying rows of numbers and text:


    ---


    **Farming System**


    [Attribute Panel]


    -**Name**: Serathus


    -**Race**: Red Dragon


    -**Gender**: Male


    -**Current Strength**: Gold


    -**Current Virtue**: 10


    -**Current Sin**: 1


    -**Current Stamina**: 25 [Average human: 10. Your strength is still very weak; mountain beasts could tear you apart.]


    -**Current Intelligence**: 16 [Above average, providing a solid foundation for future cultivation.]


    -**Current Power**: 25 [Compared to large magical beasts, you are at a significant disadvantage.]


    -**Skills**: Flame Burst, Minor Dragon Breath


    -**Special Ability**: Dragon Inheritance (0.11%)


    -**Description**: [As a red dragon hatchling, your strength is weak, but your potential is limitless. A small magical beast could easily overpower you.]


    Serathus scrutinized the numbers, his brow furrowing slightly.


    The “Current Sin: 1” puzzled him—what action had increased his “sin”?


    Though he didn’t fully understand its implications, he knew it wasn’t a good sign and could likely have negative consequences.


    After a moment of thought, Serathus closed the system panel and turned his attention to the carrot seed in his hand, no larger than a baby’s finger.


    The seed’s surface was smooth, its纹理 peculiar, as if it were slowly absorbing the surrounding magical elements.


    He knew that, for now, there was nothing more important than completing the farming task—after all, he had only just awakened.


    Looking toward the cave entrance, the scorching sunlight filtered through the rocky crevices, illuminating the flowing lava on the ground.


    At that moment, a strong yearning and curiosity for the unknown world outside surged within him.


    Perhaps only by venturing out could he truly understand the vast world beyond this volcanic cave.


    Serathus clenched the tiny seed in his hand, silently resolving to plant this carrot first and then explore the outside world.


    After all, he understood that while the system was unremarkable, it was still better than nothing.


    Having steeled his resolve, he stepped onto the stone path leading to the cave entrance, determined to venture out and pursue his new future.


    At that moment, Serathus’s sister, Kartilia, lay at the edge of the warm nest, her gaze gentle yet tinged with confusion as she watched Serathus’s figure gradually fade into the distance.


    “Look at him… he doesn’t seem like a proper red dragon,” she murmured to herself, her tone laced with bewilderment and concern.


    She turned to her younger brother, Agnas, who had been by her side. “Agnas, don’t you think he’s a bit odd? His behavior lacks that pure—well, neither foolish nor evil—quality.”


    Agnas slowly opened his dragon eyes, a sharp glint flashing in his golden pupils. “Indeed, there’s something unusual about him… like the ‘variant dragons’ from the legends. Compared to us, he seems to lack the wild ferocity we’re supposed to have.”


    Kartilia fell silent for a moment, recalling the details of Serathus’s recent actions:


    - The reluctance in his demeanor as he ate—he clearly disliked raw meat but had to swallow it, his frustration and helplessness evident.


    - His peculiar mannerisms, even the smallest gestures, made him seem different from them.


    Yet, she eventually snorted. “Well, a variant dragon is a variant dragon. What does it matter to me? Let him fend for himself.”


    With that, as Serathus’s footsteps faded into the distance, Kartilia stretched out comfortably and curled back into the cave, gradually drifting into sleep.


    ---


    The moment Serathus stepped out of the cave, it was around eight or nine in the morning.


    The sky was bright, and the warm golden sunlight bathed his red scales, making them shimmer with dazzling, iridescent hues.


    The volcano he resided in towered into the clouds, its cave embedded high in the mountain.


    From here, he could overlook the vast forest below—a forest unlike any on Earth, its trees faintly glowing with magical纹路, as if absorbing the faint magical energy of the world, making them lush and mysterious.


    Serathus slowly moved his four-meter-long dragon body, his steps steady and cautious.


    Though his form was massive, the rugged, weathered volcanic terrain made the journey anything but easy.


    His clawed feet, covered in hard scales, gripped the rocks firmly, ensuring each step was secure. Even if he stumbled, he could quickly regain his balance.


    With his keen eyes, he surveyed the surroundings, silently memorizing every detail of the landscape:


    - The cave entrance faced east, where the magical beast forest stretched endlessly, its trees dense and teeming with life that absorbed magical energy.


    - To the north lay an unbroken mountain range, its peaks towering into the sky like a dragon resting on the horizon.


    “This volcano is even larger than I imagined,” he muttered to himself. “If measured by a human’s height, it would be just over a meter tall, but for my size, circling it would take half a day.”


    He looked up at the sky, the warm sunlight not only illuminating the volcano but also reflecting off his crimson scales, casting golden glimmers.


    “I still have plenty of time. I need to observe this area carefully,” Serathus thought to himself. “If someone were to attack our home one day, it would be disastrous.”


    As he slowly patrolled, his mind involuntarily drifted to legends of dragon slayers:


    In ancient tales, it wasn’t a single hero who could easily slay a dragon but rather a team working together, like a coordinated raid, to subdue the beast and reap the rewards and glory.


    “If I were captured so young, wouldn’t I just become a mount or a source of scales and bones?” Serathus mused with a bitter smile.


    These thoughts made him even more vigilant, constantly alert for potential ambushes and dangers, as the presence of a dragon on the volcano had long attracted covetous eyes.


    He knew well: On this magical and wondrous land, any careless move could spell disaster.


    Serathus continued along the volcano’s rim, carefully noting the landmarks of his territory:


    - **East**: The vast magical beast forest, its trees adorned with faint magical纹路, brimming with life yet fraught with danger.


    - **North**: The unbroken mountain range, stretching like a slumbering dragon across the horizon, exuding an awe-inspiring威严.


    As he focused his gaze, a majestic sight came into view: The distant mountains rose and fell in waves, their peaks staggered like a dragon coiled across the land, its presence both grand and humbling.


    “If only I could fly and see all this from above…” Serathus thought wistfully. He spread his still-underdeveloped wings, flapping them a few times, but he remained grounded—according to his inherited memories, he was still in the “wrinkled dragon” stage, and true flight would only awaken in his youth.


    He glanced at his system prompt. Though filled with reluctance, he had to let go of his dreams of soaring through the skies.


    “For now, I’ll have to stay on the ground and wait for the right opportunity to break through.”


    After walking for a while, he began to realize the risks of circling the volcano:


    Attempting to traverse its entire perimeter could easily lead to ambushes—hunters or opportunists drawn by the Dragon Mother’s presence.


    And the Dragon Mother might not always arrive in time to rescue him, especially in such treacherous terrain.


    Thus, after weighing his options, Serathus decided against a full circuit and changed direction.


    He glanced eastward, where the magical beast forest lay, but the risks there were no less than in other directions.


    Finally, he decided to head south.


    “The terrain to the south seems more open. Though there are trees, it’s not as dense as the forest. Perhaps I can find a hidden and safe spot there.”


    He silently noted the coordinates in his mind: the magical beast forest to the east, the mountain range to the north, and his current position on the volcano’s southern side.


    As he moved southward, he occasionally looked up at the endless blue sky and down at the terrain beneath his feet, proceeding with caution.


    After about ten minutes of trekking, he finally emerged onto a relatively flat plain on the volcano’s southern side.


    Though not a vast grassland, this open area was dotted with scattered trees, a stark contrast to the dense magical forest.


    “This plain might be a good place to settle… Maybe I can even try planting the seeds mentioned in my inheritance,” Serathus thought to himself.


    He planned to find a safe corner here to plant the seeds, hoping to cultivate crops that could enhance his survival abilities.


    Standing at the edge of the plain, Serathus watched the warm southern sunlight bathe his scales, his heart filled with turmoil.


    On one hand, he longed to master flight and soar through the skies; on the other, he knew he was still a young dragon and had to start from the basics of survival.


    He recalled the legends of dragon slayers—stories not of lone heroes but of teams working together, coordinating raids to subdue the mighty beasts.


    “If I act recklessly now, I’ll eventually be hunted down and become a target for all.”


    He smiled bitterly, knowing that only caution could preserve his still-dormant power.


    Thus, he decided against taking unnecessary risks on the plain, instead focusing on observing and recording the terrain, vegetation, and climate of the area.


    At that moment, Serathus silently vowed: No matter how uncertain the future, he would survive, even if it meant starting from the humble beginnings of farming!


    As time passed, Serathus finally returned to the vicinity of his birthplace, the volcanic cave.


    He looked back on his journey—from the treacherous heights of the volcano to the openness of the southern plain, and the distant magical forest and mountain range—all etched into his memory.


    This was his first impression of the world, a precious map for his future travels.


    Standing at the cave entrance, he lowered his head, his gaze resolute.


    “This is my starting point. From here, I will explore this magical and perilous land step by step.”


    Though the dream of flying and soaring through the skies still burned within him, he knew that for now, he had to hone his skills between the volcano and the plain before he could truly break free and take to the heavens.