Ashen Dragon

Cassius and Zarriel faced each other from afar, two immense powers of laws clashing against one another, standing in equal measure, golden brilliance and crimson glow interwoven in the sky,

The sky was obscured by sulfuric smoke, the scorched earth cracked like a web, magma flowing through like veins.

At the level of demigod strength, even Ninth Tier Spells—let alone Forbidden Curses—are difficult to play a decisive role. Sometimes the battle returns to its most primitive state, evolving into a physical struggle.

But in truth, every contact between them hides killing intent, and ordinary mortals, even just approaching the battlefield, could easily be obliterated into smoke and ashes.

Zarriel's expression was bizarre, her eyelids drooping, yet the corner of her mouth exaggeratedly raised, showing both sadness and joy on her still delicate face.

She murmured, "Why, why are you all so selfish? Heaven is like this, those mortals are like this, you are like this...

If we sacrifice the billions of souls of the Material Plane, wouldn't the eternal blood war be completely over? Everyone would achieve eternal peace."

"Madwoman." Cassius gritted his teeth, breathing heavily, beams of golden light continuously mending the wound on his shoulder.

Meanwhile, Cassius was also observing Zarriel carefully from afar.

Be it angels, demons, or devils, these extraterrestrial creatures can only exert their full strength within their own planes.

And under the illumination of the Fallen Sun, Augustus gradually fell into Hell, making this place almost half of Aphernas, where Zarriel possesses authority like that of a Divine.

"Wanting to confront Zarriel directly in such a state makes victory almost impossible. Fortunately... I still have that plan." Cassius thought to himself, swinging his dragon wings.

With this thought, Cassius sent a message through a pact to the Great Devil far in Aphernas.

"Piere, when will you be able to assassinate Zarriel's true form?"

"Not yet, Your Majesty Cassius..." Cassius could discern the suppressed excitement, anxiety, and tension in Piere's voice.

"Not yet?"

"Indeed, Your Majesty Cassius, I only have this one chance. As you say: we are grasshoppers on the same rope.

Currently, Zarriel has the backing of Aphernas's will, incredibly strong. We must wait for an opportunity—when Augustus is between the Material Plane and Barto Hell, when Aphernas's will becomes preoccupied. That's when Zarriel is the weakest."

"What are the signs of that moment?"

"The sky will be torn, an eye will open on that black sun, and by then, we'll seize the opportunity... to kill her."

"I understand."

Cassius nodded in agreement, then refocused on the tense battle.

Scarlet power of Hell descended, the Burning Sky Wings recovering at a speed visible to the naked eye, restored to perfection within a few breaths.

"If so..." Zarriel's expression grew increasingly crazed, a frenzied, wanton smile spreading across her face, "let me complete everything for you!"

With countless eyes converged, Zarriel's momentum rose higher, blood red light staining the sky, those Burning Sky Wings continuously expanding, obscuring everything, gradually evolving into wings thousands of meters long.

Flames tore open crimson gaps in the sky, Zarriel hovering beneath boiling clouds, her fingers entangled with chains from Hell.

"Whoosh—"

Numerous Hell Steel Chains erupted from the earth's cracks, soaring skyward, piercing the heavens and earth, as if seeking to firmly lock the entire world.

A melodic, eerie female voice echoed in the blood-red sky, all hellish creatures present gleaming in delight, faces full of madness.

Aphernas's will slowly descended, weighing on Cassius's shoulders like a heavy mountain, leaving him almost breathless.

"Screech—"

The whistling stench of wind swept the sky, rushing forward, even the dragon wings' flapping seemed feeble.

"Her power is still rising, even imposing a status suppression on me!" Cassius's face changed abruptly, muscles tense, barely maintaining balance, "I can't continue this way, must act swiftly, or it will be too late when here falls into Aphernas!"

He beat his wings with effort, stirring a strong, scorching wind, his massive form transforming into a scarlet shadow, streaking across the sky.

"Come, Red Dragon, I will chop off your head and embed your skull into my Iron Throne!" Zarriel's voice trembled, but not from fear, rather from extreme excitement.

"Clang, clang, clang—"

A clear sound resounded through the sky, the Hell Demonic Chain like frenzied serpents, wildly flying in the air, coiling towards the Red Dragon.

But the Red Dragon repeatedly swung its dragon wings, performing various high-difficulty maneuvers—stalling, climbing, diving—flexibly evading the Hell Demonic Chains, reaching to within five hundred meters of Zarriel.

"Roar—"

The Red Dragon's roar shattered the mountains and rock walls below, magma gushed like blood.

"Zarriel! Meet your end—" Cassius spread his broad dragon wings, brewing dark red dragon flame deep in his throat, the surrounding air twisting with heat.

Molten gold pupils of the Red Dragon suddenly shot fiery flashes, chaos flames from its mouth cascading like a waterfall, rushing towards Zarriel not far away.

Under the burn of this fire, even the magma flowing on the ground boiled, emitting muffled rumbles.