Ashen Dragon

Although the words were full of praise, Carrel knew all too well the true nature of those "Holy Sect Army". These beings, who seemed to be angels with sacred majesty and wings on their backs, were in fact fallen half-devils who had signed contracts with Hell.

Yet now, being amidst them, Carrel couldn't escape. To show his loyalty to the King, he, as a Paladin of Amanata, had even made a pact with a notorious devil himself...

"Oh revered Sun God, I hope you can forgive my sins..." Carrel thought silently to himself, bowing his head.

The gold-plated dome still reflected brilliant light, and the crystal chandelier illuminated the embroidered ribbons of ministers and the silver scale armor of generals brightly.

On the throne, the King, wearing the Holy Thorns Crown, held a golden scepter, with immaculate wings behind him, seemingly bathed in Eternal Holy Light.

But under the True Vision Eye, it was already a terrifying scene like Purgatory, with twisted symbols painted in blood everywhere.

"Dong—"

Suddenly, the bell rang loudly, and hundreds of white shadows burst through the painted dome. Their extended wings covered half the sky, and the hymns and clashing of swords blended into a chilling symphony.

But for some reason, along with the fluttering of wings, feathers stained with blood fell from the sky, exuding a pungent stench, and quickly ignited upon touching the ground.

"Is that... the Holy Sect Army?" The tavern owner's Adam's apple moved with difficulty, his murky pupils reflecting the blood-stained feathers.

The blacksmith drew a circle on his chest with his bandaged hand: "May the Sun's brilliance shelter Thrace."

Outside the great hall, hundreds of "angels," at the King's command, rose into the air in flocks, flying towards the north.

The people in the city looked up one after another. In their diverse eyes, there was reverence and admiration, but deep in those pupils, an indescribable fear was also evident.

But those...

Are they really angels?

Many speculations arose in people's hearts, but no one dared to voice them. After all, the King's trusted aides could appear anytime and anywhere, imprisoning those "defamers" in sunless dungeons.

Over the past year, too many strange things had happened in August City. Twisted, bizarre symbols were seen everywhere on the walls, hundreds of people went missing one after another, and at night, cries of anguish were often heard.

The missing women were found in the sewers, skinned and hung in mid-air, a bloody scene that shocked everyone at the sight.

However, the Kingdom's guards turned a blind eye to this. Not only did they not investigate the situation, but they also strictly prohibited all residents from discussing these strange events, even imprisoning those who privately spread the news.

Almost all the residents lived in unspeakable fear and panic, but it was as if they had collectively lost their voices. They could only daydream in their hearts, and many could not bear the pressure and committed suicide.

Once the "City of Sunrise", August now seemed to have become a huge, foreboding prison.

...

Ashen Empire, Anzeta Great Wilderness, atop Dragon Blood Mountain.

The sulfurous mist slowly billowed on the mountain, a massive figure rising and falling within the fog, sparks erupting all over its body, like a living volcano.

——That was the Emperor of the Ashen Empire, the overlord of the Anzeta Great Wilderness, Wuge Prairie, and North Aisier Plain, Cassius, a figure regarded as a nightmare by all major forces.

In Cassius's claw was a quivering blood-red light — the Divine Power seized from Gush.

And in front of the Red Dragon, there were over a dozen humanoid corpses, all with hideous faces and bodies scorched black.

"Give it to me! I beg you!"

"I beg you, His Majesty Cassius, bestow it upon me! Even if it's just one percent of it, I am willing to become your most loyal servant!"

A heart-wrenching howl came from Dragon Blood Mountain, like the plea of a deranged addict — it was the Chaotic Evil Eye calling; just hearing this voice was enough to drive mortals utterly insane.

"Haha, granting the Orc Divine Power to a creature birthed from Gush's body... do you take me for a fool?"

Cassius's right claw squeezed, and the chains underground suddenly tightened with a clattering sound. Surging Dragonflame erupted from all sides, wantonly incinerating the body of the Chaotic Evil Eye.

A miserable howl came from the ground, but Cassius's tone remained indifferent: "Evnis, stop feigning madness to test my patience. This is not amusing, it only makes me more annoyed.

Have you heard the saying: never provoke an angry Red Dragon. If you truly anger me, even I don't know what I'll do."

"Boom!"

The underground Dragonflame grew fiercer, tongues of fire rampaging, spewing from the cracks in the rocks, as if intending to burn everything to ashes.

The snapping and crackling sound of objects being scorched was heard, and then the Chaotic Slant Eye weakly begged: "Your Majesty, His Majesty Cassius, I won't dare anymore... The fact that you could obtain Divine Power from my main body has already proven your strength..."

Cassius glanced at it coldly and then snapped his claws, reducing the fire that scorched the Evil Eye underground, maintaining it in a half-alive state to prevent its will from extinguishing.

Under the covetous and longing gaze of the Chaotic Evil Eye, he grabbed the blood-colored orb: "Tell me, Evnis, how should I create an Orc subspecies loyal to me alone?"

Cassius coveted those green-skin Orcs with horrifying reproductive abilities and astonishing growth speed, wanting to create his own Orc army.

To this end, Cassius fused Dragon Blood and Land Dragon Beast blood to form bodies and endowed them with souls using Divine Power of the "Orc" domain, conducting several experiments.

But every Orc created would see Cassius as an enemy, rushing at him madly, only to be incinerated to charcoal by flames bursting from the surface of his scales.

The Chaotic Evil Eye cautiously said: "Your Majesty Cassius, my main body holds the Racial Divine Position of [Orc], controlling the laws of bloodline origins. Every Orc born within the Multiverse is imprinted by him from birth.

Now that you have become his enemy, no matter what method you use to create an Orc, as long as it is still an Orc, they will harbor innate hatred towards you. This cannot be changed unless...my main body personally lifts it."

"Damn old Green-skin, so domineering," Cassius cursed inwardly, but he also admired the other's Authority as a Racial Deity.

Across the Multiverse, any Orc born would be branded by the other. What immense power that is!

The avatar of Gush who fought with Cassius earlier probably didn't even have one percent of his main body's strength, yet it could easily injure the Red Dragon severely, even threatening his life several times.

This was the gulf between Divines and mortals, as insurmountable as a chasm.

And the sense of urgency in Cassius's heart grew ever stronger. He must acquire power comparable to the Divine as soon as possible, or his fate would be absolutely tragic!

As the Third Epoch gradually drew to an end, the membrane of the Prime Material Plane would become shattered in successive cataclysms. By then, the Gods would walk the earth with their true forms, just as in Ancient Times!

Relatively more diverse and bustling, there are many lively bars and cheap inns here. The Sea Tower District is where the Flaming Fist Mercenary Group is stationed, near the largest rocky offshore island in the Sea Tower District, where the headquarters of the mercenary group, Bodlan Sea Tower, is built. Branpton District and the Steep District are relatively rundown, serving as living communities for sailors and laborers. The Outer City District sprawls along the Chongsar River, gathering temporary buildings and shanties as slums. The landmark is a stone bridge spanning the Chongsar River — Flying Dragon Crossroad, home to many vendors who have even expanded the bridge with boards, constructing numerous buildings on it. Law and order do not exist here, and even the Flaming Fist Mercenary Group's ability to protect is quite limited. Many impoverished people or criminals who cannot find placement within the city gather here.