Chapter 016: Dragon’s Might

The crack was pitch black, yet it seemed even brighter than the scorching sun. At the same time, an overwhelming pressure surged from within the crack, making everyone feel extremely heavy and unable to react at all.
Nicholas and Chris were the most affected—they fainted without even making a sound. The rest also staggered, unable to muster any strength.
Though this pressure wasn’t as astonishing as divine power, it was still terrifying. Du Fan’s dense combat energy and magic formed a protective layer around his body, but it couldn’t withstand this pressure either.
Finally, the storm seemed to cease.
In the previously empty void, faint red hues suddenly appeared. As these hues appeared, the dark crack gradually expanded, and foul winds blew out from it, yet they couldn’t dispel everyone’s fear.
Dark white lightning flashed along the edges of the crack, increasing in number as it grew wider.
Eventually, a loud noise erupted, accelerating everyone’s heartbeat and causing pain in their ears. Their expressions changed drastically as they wondered what awaited them next.
At such a moment, all thoughts of national hatred, personal grudges, and loves and losses were forgotten. All that remained in everyone’s hearts was an instinctive fear of the unknown ahead.
Du Fan was even more worried. Just now, the faint connection he shared with Chenchen deep in their souls had been abruptly severed. He had no way of knowing whether Chenchen was safe or if she still existed in that dark crack.
With the loud noise, the entire black crack expanded several times over, its size matching that of the ruined statue. The cries coming from within grew clearer.
Finally, blood-red hues filled the entire space, yet the scene inside the black crack remained unclear.
At that moment, the crack trembled again, and a blinding black light suddenly flashed.
Everyone was blinded, unable to see or hear anything. Countless flashes of black and white seemed to swirl before their eyes. After a while, these strange colors gradually faded.
After the intense light, a beautiful figure appeared in midair, her stunning appearance breathtaking, with long hair gently fluttering in the wind.

Her robe was tattered, but it barely covered her vital areas, preventing her from being exposed. There was no aura emanating from her body, yet she could float there as if it were the easiest thing in the world. It took Aldas and the others a moment to realize she was the same mysterious woman from before, while Du Fan had already sensed that the connection between the two had reestablished the moment she appeared. After being unconscious for a long time, Chenchen disappeared again. Du Fan had many questions, but he knew it wasn’t the right time to say anything. He could only suppress his racing heart and follow Chenchen’s gaze ahead. By now, the dark fissure had vanished, but the immense pressure remained. Everyone felt too overwhelmed to lift their heads, as if delicate sheep had encountered fierce lions. Finally, Chenchen turned to look at Du Fan. A rare look of panic appeared on her face. Staring at him, she said slowly, “Run… run now… or… you’ll never get another chance!” Du Fan’s expression changed. He had never seen Chenchen so serious. Could the appearance of that dark fissure have brought some deadly force? But before Du Fan could ask, a long howl sounded. At the location of the vanished fissure, space suddenly twisted violently, leaving no time for reaction. The statue and the surrounding scenery shattered like reflections in a mirror. What kind of power could destroy even space? Everyone’s faces turned pale. Chenchen turned and fled, darting to Du Fan’s side, grabbing his clothes, and running back the way they came. The remaining people weren’t fools either. Tasia waved her hand, and a gust of wind and snow swept her and Ferre back. As for Kris, she didn’t even bother to try to escape. Aldas, seeing Kris free, should have been happy, but his expression was grim. He rushed to Kris’s side, holding her in his arms. Though he wanted to leave, it was already too late. Alfred’s legs gave way, and he knelt down, holding Nicholas.

A huge, deep, majestic, yet extremely cold voice rang out: “Wretched humans! What gives you the audacity to disturb my slumber? Has the passage of time made you forget that in this city, I am the sole ruler?” A wind filled with a foul smell blew through the temple. Du Fan and the others, who were halfway there, couldn’t help but stop. A massive figure flew out from that crack; its wings were almost as large as the temple itself, instantly darkening the entire structure under their shadow. Its delicate scales shone with light, its sharp claws and fangs glinted with menace, and its enormous body was a symbol of immense power. After the wind passed, the people in the temple realized it was a gigantic green dragon! The green dragon slowly spread its wings, causing the ground to shake once again. Half of the massive temple collapsed under its movements. The people there paled—who would have thought they would end up facing not an enemy, but a dragon? Legends said dragons were extremely rare on the continent, and any dragon mentioned in legends was undoubtedly above the sacred rank. Moreover, all magical beasts above the sacred rank shared one trait: they could speak human language. This giant dragon not only exuded terrifying pressure but could also speak—what else could it be if not above the sacred rank? The green dragon, Isela, seemed quite satisfied with her appearance. Those humans, terrified and pale before her, were like ants. Though they weren’t worth Isela’s personal punishment, she couldn’t just let it go. Isela let out a long sigh. Her wings flapped, sending more foul winds blowing. Seeing those humans terrified of her, her vanity was once again satisfied! She gently exhaled, and a pale green breath sprayed from her nostrils, instantly melting several bone birds flying around her. Satisfied, Isela folded her wings. Her solemn eyes swept over the humans below again, and she said in a deep voice, “Wretched humans, though I promised to protect this city, if you cannot give me a satisfactory answer to awaken me, I will tear you all to pieces.”

The people below were not at all united. If it weren’t for Isella’s appearance, another battle would likely have ensued. How could anyone among them dare to answer this question now?
Seeing no one respond, Isella instinctively felt that her dignity had been insulted!
I am the mighty green dragon Isella. Though some call me the “Offline Dragon” or the “Auspicious Dragon,” the people of this city revere me as the Dragon God. How could I be insulted by these humble beings?
Silence reigned in the temple.
“Well then… humble beings…” Isella spoke again at last, “Prepare to endure the wrath of Lord Isella!”
Amidst roars, another dragon’s cry echoed. Isella flapped her wings, and a fierce wind arose. As if to showcase her power, she slowly rose and circled within the cave before diving downward in a magnificent plunge, targeting the nearest one—Oldas.
Even in mid-air, Isella opened her mouth and spat out another blast of dragon breath, seemingly capable of melting everything at any moment.
Alfred’s expression changed drastically. He wasn’t far from Oldas, but he knew he was no match for the green dragon Isella in a single clash. He grabbed Nicholas and ran away.
Oldas, holding a sword in one hand and cradling Kris in the other, had no chance to escape. All he could do was gather all his combat energy to withstand the overwhelming pressure.
With a resolute expression, Oldas swung his long sword downward, sending a crescent-shaped blade of energy skyward. The energy was a blend of yellow and white, extremely sharp. At the same time, a soil-yellow combat energy shield emerged around him, as he had mastered the Earth Spirit Combat Energy to its extreme.
The crescent-shaped blade of energy pierced through the dragon breath, splitting it in two. The green dragon Isella in mid-air seemed stunned that these humble humans dared to resist her. She raised her wings just in time to avoid the blade of energy, but sweat poured down her back.
Yet even so, Isella’s dragon breath was no trivial force. As it descended, the ground around Oldas melted inch by inch, and even his combat energy shield began to waver.