On the walls of Cloudhaven City, the wind howled, and killing intent flooded the air. Roland and Godric faced each other from far apart, standing between heaven and earth. One stood on the city walls; the other hung high in the sky. One guarded the city; one led an army to its gates.
Their eyes slammed into each other in midair. It was like invisible sparks were bursting between them, until even the air seemed to freeze and the tension wound so tight it could snap at any second. A cold light flickered in Godric’s eyes. His voice came down hard and frozen, carrying one final ultimatum. “Roland, I’ll ask you one last time. Will you hand him over, or not?!”
“Hand over Jared, and this ends here. Refuse, and today will be the day your Sky Dragon Clan is wiped out. Today will be the day Cloudhaven City runs with blood!”
Roland gave no answer. He only raised his right hand, slow and steady, with not a trace of hesitation in it.
Roar! A dragon’s cry ripped out of his mouth and shook heaven and earth. Behind him, hundreds of Sky Dragon champions stepped forward in unison. Golden draconic energy surged wildly around them and shot into the sky, turning into giant golden dragons of every shape as they coiled across the heavens. Dragon roars rolled over the battlefield, loud enough to shake the world, and their presence rose in one crushing wave.
They gave their answer with action: fight!
Fight to the death! They would never hand him over! At that, the last trace of patience in Godric’s eyes vanished completely. All that remained was cold killing intent and contempt.
“Stubborn to the end…” The words fell from his mouth like ice. He flicked a hand and spoke with ruthless indifference. “Since you’re in such a hurry to die, then I’ll grant it… form the array! Heavenlock Array! Kill!” That one command went out like the blast of a war horn.
In the sky, more than a thousand Celestial Palace disciples moved at the same time. They spread out according to a formation they had practiced countless times. Their hands flew through complex seals, and every kind of spiritual art gathered in their palms, light surging upward. Golden spiritual power wove, gathered, and twisted together in the air.
In no more than an instant, a massive golden array took shape, broad enough to cover all of Cloudhaven City. Golden light blazed from the array. Mysterious sacred sigils flowed across it like a huge golden net cast from the sky. It slammed down over Cloudhaven City and locked the whole city inside, cutting off every path out.
Buzz!
The city-ward array of Cloudhaven City began to shudder violently. Cracks instantly spread across the pale golden barrier, fine and dense like shattered glass, as if it could collapse completely at any moment. Against the Celestial Palace’s Heavenlock Array, the city’s defense couldn’t even hold for a blow.
Roland’s face changed at once, and his chest sank. He knew there was no road left to retreat on. He let out a fierce shout, his voice reaching every clansman of the Sky Dragon Clan. “All clansmen, hear my order! Prepare for battle! Follow me and kill!”
Roar! Hundreds of dragon cries exploded at once and rang through the clouds. The hundreds of Sky Dragon champions stopped holding back their power.
All of them reverted to their true forms as golden giant dragons shot into the sky. Dragon claws spread wide, dragon tails swept through the air, and with unstoppable force, they charged straight at the Celestial Palace army.
No one fell back. No one showed fear. There was only the resolve to fight in blood to the very end. The war fully erupted! The crash of spiritual power, the roars of dragons, the battle shouts, the explosions of spells—within an instant, they filled heaven and earth. Golden light and blood-red killing intent tangled together.
At the entrance to the hidden chamber at the city lord mansion, Luther stared at the brutal battle breaking out in the sky. He felt the terrifying waves of spiritual power, and he felt the auras of the Sky Dragon Clan’s clansmen weakening little by little. The weight in him dropped hard.
He tightened his grip on the black wraith blade until his knuckles turned white. Under his breath, in a low voice that did not waver, he said, “It’s here… it finally came…”
Vivian said nothing. She only gripped the longsword in her hand tighter, and a hard finality flashed through her cold eyes. Grace closed her eyes, pressed her hands together, and moved her lips in silent prayer. She prayed for Jared to come out of seclusion soon. She prayed that everyone would survive.
Evelyn lifted her head and looked at the savage battle in the sky. Tears slipped down before she could stop them. Over and over, she repeated it to herself. “Young Lord, you have to wake up soon… we… we can’t hold on much longer. Cloudhaven City is still waiting for you. We’re all waiting for you. I need you…”
