"Your Majesty, do not underestimate the enemy. The fact that they placed this letter before us proves formidable power."

At that moment, a deeply hunched old man in white robes shuffled forward, a black staff clutched in his hand.

"Elder Nie, you've arrived," Emperor Juelian said with a warm smile. Even as ruler of the Aran Empire, he held this elder in highest regard.

Grand Sage—Lie Nie. For a century, the empire's strongest powerhouse, the very cornerstone of Aran's might.

"Then, Elder Nie," an official asked, confusion in his voice, "how powerful is the one who delivered this letter?"

"In my judgment," Elder Nie replied gravely, "that individual is very likely a Transcendent Tier-Two mage—like myself. The spell used to send this letter is unmistakably Transcendent Tier-Two."

"What?!" someone gasped. "Elder Nie, Transcendent Tier-Two? Impossible! I've never seen another human wield even Tier-Two magic besides you!"

"Exactly! Don't jest. No one can command Transcendent Tier-Two magic—it defies reason!"

...

The court fell into stunned silence, faces etched with disbelief.

"Elder Nie," Emperor Juelian sneered with arrogant confidence, "do you think I fear a mere Transcendent Tier-Two mage? Holy Shield aside, my eight hundred thousand troops alone will crush him beyond the gates." He was utterly convinced no one could kill him.

"True! Your Majesty is safe!"

"Even if he comes, we'll hold the line!"

Officials voiced fierce resolve. To them, Aran's defenses were unbreakable: vast resources, an 800,000-strong army, a national defense array untouched for a century. No wonder Aran was hailed humanity's strongest nation. Their pride had foundation.

"*Sigh*... Still, caution is wise," Elder Nie murmured, letting out a soft sigh. A quiet dread coiled in his chest—a premonition of coming storm.

"So this is their answer..."

High above the Aran Empire, I whispered to myself, having witnessed it all.

Honestly? Their reply left me utterly indifferent—like swallowing flavorless water.

Why? Because soon, they'd all be corpses.

Whoosh!

I teleported to a nearby mountain peak, drew the Transmogrification Orb, and gazed coldly down at the distant national defense array—the very pride of the Aran Empire.

Time for the world to taste the terror of the Abyssal Dragon Xie Long.

Channeling the orb's energy, my body began its draconic transformation. Thanks to prior experience, the shift was terrifyingly swift. Within a minute, I stood restored in my full, fearsome Dreadwyrm form.

"Captain—look! What *is* that?!" a guard stammered.

"Gods! Report immediately—the Dreadwyrm's appeared!" another cried in panic.

"An illusion? I thought the Dreadwyrm was long..." a third voice trembled.

"Never mind! Battle stations—*now*!" the captain barked.

Witnessing my sudden manifestation, the wall guards erupted into shock and chaos.

"Stay calm! The national defense array holds! Even the Dreadwyrm can't breach it—this barrier survived thousands of magical bombardments!" one soldier declared, though his voice shook.

"Right... but we must inform command. The Dreadwyrm *alive*? This will shake all humanity."

Relieved by the shimmering barrier, the soldiers exhaled as one. In their hearts, not even the mightiest Dreadwyrm could shatter it.