Ataneya simply lifted her hand. The space around them shattered like glass. That arrogant Skyfiend from just seconds ago now floated helplessly in the air, his body withered to the point of collapse. Parts of him were already turning to ash, dissolving into the wind. "This… this is impossible! You're just a damn fox—how could you possibly absorb the power of a Skyfiend? Your body should've exploded from the overload! You shouldn't even be standing right now!" He screamed, his face twisted in horror and disbelief. Ataneya didn't even spare him a glance. She slowly raised both hands, and a surge of overwhelming energy burst forth. In the sky above, a massive spectral fox took shape. The phantom fox looked just like Ataneya, with ten long tails fanned out behind it, each one pulsing with terrifying power. Then, with a sharp motion, Ataneya hurled the spectral beast downward like a meteor. "No—!" the Skyfiend's pupils dilated in panic. He stumbled back several steps, scrambling to gather his strength to defend himself. But the moment he raised his hand, the crushing force engulfed him completely. And then—he exploded. Gone. Just like that. "Finally!" Ethan let out a long breath of relief. It had only been one opponent, sure—but that guy was a 16-Tier SSS-class monster. No joke. Honestly, it had been a nightmare. If Ataneya hadn't broken through to 16-Tier SSS right in the middle of the fight—and if her powers hadn't been the perfect counter to the Skyfiend's—this battle could've gone very differently. But now? Ataneya had ascended to 16-Tier SSS and crushed her enemy. A total win-win. Still, the higher levels of the Sky Citadel… the Skyfiends lurking up there were a whole different kind of threat. "What the hell do we do now?" Ethan muttered, unsure of the next move. "Guess we'll just take it one step at a time…" He took a deep breath, ready to finally catch a break—when suddenly, a ripple of energy shimmered through the air around him. Ethan immediately went on high alert. But the spatial ripple didn't form a vortex or open a portal. It just… pulsed. Then, beside him, the Frostwyrm Sovereign's eyes lit up with excitement. "Wait a second… isn't that the entrance to the Adamant Dragon clan's Plane World?" Ethan perked up. "Adamant Dragon clan? Who the hell are they?" The Frostwyrm Sovereign cleared his throat dramatically. "They're the legendary dragons who command the power of metal. Their bodies are insanely tough, their strength is off the charts, and they rule over a vast Plane World. Incredibly powerful. And for ages, no one's been able to find them." Ethan's eyes lit up with excitement. If he could bring the Adamant Dragon clan under his banner, their chances of pushing deeper into the upper levels of the Sky Citadel would skyrocket. Without wasting a second, he barked out a series of sharp commands, his voice echoing across the battlefield with an authority that brooked no argument: "Reform the defensive line! Clear out every last Skyfiend corpse—don't leave a single threat behind!" "Get the wounded to the rear immediately! Medics, do whatever it takes to keep them alive—no matter the cost!" "Split the garrison into three units. Set up a perimeter at the entrance to the fourth-tier fortress. I want eyes on everything—report any movement, no matter how small!" The Emerald Castle forces sprang into action. The clash of armor and weapons rang out as soldiers moved with practiced precision, reforming into a solid wall of steel and discipline in front of the spatial rift. Once everything was in place, Ethan turned toward the pulsing ripple in space, his gaze sharp and focused. "Good. They've got the line secured," he said quietly to Idra, his voice low but edged with steel. "Now it's our turn." With everything set, Ethan and Idra stepped into the rift. Normally, a Plane World created by dragons would reject outsiders—its very essence would push back against any non-draconic presence. But Ethan and Idra weren't just anyone. Both of them carried the immense power of the Dragon God within them. Not only could they enter without resistance—they could stand tall in the heart of it. The light around them shifted rapidly, colors and shapes warping and twisting. Then, in a flash, it all cleared. This Plane World was unlike any other dragon realm Ethan had seen. It wasn't just barren mountains or endless skies—there were rivers, forests, and lush vegetation everywhere. The air was crisp and clean, but laced with a heavy concentration of draconic energy that made Ethan's senses sharpen instantly. Idra was practically glowing with excitement. She clearly loved this place. Her massive wings unfurled behind her as she soared into the sky, drinking in the energy of the realm like it was the sweetest nectar. A thunderous voice boomed from nearby. Several towering figures appeared out of nowhere, as if they'd been ripped straight from the fabric of the world itself. Their bodies were massive, muscles bulging like they were carved from steel. Every breath they took made the air tremble. The raw, violent energy pouring off them was like a storm of blades—sharp, wild, and dangerous. Ethan narrowed his eyes. He immediately activated his system scan, pulling up their stats. As expected, these Adamant Dragons were all about brute force. Their skillsets were heavily focused on physical combat and body enhancement. Pure melee powerhouses. But Ethan wasn't here to waste time on small talk. He let the Dragon God's power surge from his body, a golden aura flaring around him as he stepped forward. "Where's your leader?" he said, voice calm but commanding. "Tell him to come out. I want to speak with him." The moment the Adamant Dragons felt that overwhelming Dragon God energy, their expressions shifted. They exchanged quick glances—then two of them turned and bolted, clearly off to deliver the message. Time passed—how long, Ethan couldn't say. But then, a monstrous pressure exploded across the realm, shaking the very air. A massive figure appeared before them. "Who dares summon me?!" The energy radiating from this dragon was off the charts—wild, violent, and ancient. His eyes burned like twin flames, flickering with a terrifying intensity. "You're the Adamant Dragon Sovereign?" Ethan asked, stepping forward without hesitation. Idra moved with him, her presence just as commanding. The Sovereign's gaze swept over the two of them, lingering for a moment. Then, with a grunt, he reached into his chestplate and pulled out a golden gem, holding it out. "Didn't think I'd ever see a true Primordial Celestial Dragon bloodline again," he said, voice low and gravelly. "Unbelievable. But I don't care why you're here, or what you want…" "Take this. It's one of my power-infused gems. Consider it a gift. Now leave." Ethan frowned slightly. The Sovereign clearly knew—or at least suspected—why they'd come. Otherwise, he wouldn't be so eager to get rid of them. But just as Ethan opened his mouth to respond, he suddenly noticed something strange. There was… something off about the Sovereign. A strange, almost unnatural aura clung to him. ... Latest content published on novel_fіre.net