Chapter 2015: 0441 Promoted to seven-circle! (Long chapter asking for monthly tickets and subscriptions)_3

…

Godforsaken Continent.

The cavern that once belonged to the Black Dragon Empire had now become the base of the Burning Expedition Army.

The searing and blistering underground world, with its magma and sulfur, set the tone for this place.

An imposing Flame Demon, towering three thousand meters high, clutching a flaming scepter and draped in molten armor, slumbered upon its throne.

This was Nova, Army Commander of the Burning Expedition Army, a Flame Demon Lord with peak Level 8 power.

Suddenly, it opened its copper bell-like eyes, and its violent aura caused the Lava Sea to surge wildly.

A streak of pitch-black lightning crashed down ahead, transforming into a black Demon Dragon with a wingspan exceeding a thousand meters.

Atop the Demon Dragon’s head, a Level 7 Intermediate Flame Demon Lord dismounted.

“Lord Nova, the one who killed Diego has been found–it happens to be the same three human wizards who slew Rogner years ago. They are said to be renowned prodigies of the Wizard World, all possessing Sixth Circle Perfection cultivation, and are called the [Gondor Three Heroes].”

Nova replied in a buzzing voice:

“Xi Mu, since the culprits have been identified, surely you already know what must be done next.”

The Flame Demon Lord called Xi Mu responded:

“I understand. I’ve already dispatched Mind Flayers to Gondor City to gather intelligence. When those three dare to show themselves, I will reduce them to ash with fire and lightning!”

Nova said:

“Go.”

This blood battle… the Wizard Council seemed to have mastered a method to detect energy fluctuations above Level 9.

Whether it was the Abyss Well or the stealthy appearance of Level 9 demons, the Council could accurately pinpoint their locations and summon Grand Wizards in an instant to strike. Otherwise, killing a few prodigies would not be such a hassle.

The greatest threat still lay in the Legendary Dragon Flame Sorcerer.

Despite being situated in the Central Realm, this Legendary Wizard could, through legendary means, unleash terrifying Dragon Flame Magic across all of Nora’s territory.

In truth, Nova’s actual power wasn’t just Level 8 Peak–it was Level 9.

However, it had forcibly suppressed its strength with secret techniques to hide within the Godforsaken Continent, making it easier to command the Burning Expedition Army.

As for Xi Mu, it was itself a Level 7 Intermediate Flame Demon that had tamed a Level 7 Early Stage [Black Flash Demon Dragon] in the Abyss as its mount.

The Black Flash Demon Dragon was a warped product of the [Black Flash Dragon].

The Black Flash Dragon was a sub-dragon species descended from the pure-blooded Dragon Clan’s [Black Annihilation Dragon].

This was a Dragon Clan born with innate mastery of exotic thunder.

Upon undergoing demonization, the Black Flash Dragon grew even stronger.

With Xi Mu alongside its mount, striking down those so-called Gondor Three Heroes should pose no difficulty.

To Nova, the Gondor Three Heroes were merely a trivial distraction.

Its true adversary remained the Wizard Council’s ace battle group stationed on the Godforsaken Continent: the [Deep Blue Expedition Army].

The leader of the expeditionary forces was an Eighth-Circle Perfect Wizard who had participated in the Five Sector Expedition.

It was said that this army had been established in tribute to the Legendary Wizard known as the Deep Blue Sage.

Its members were all veterans from that historic Five Sector Expedition.

From commanders to Warband Wizards, every one of them was battle-hardened.

The [Burning Expedition Army] had suffered multiple humiliating defeats at their hands on the battlefield.

Sworn opposites.

One day, Nova swore it would burn that ace battle group to nothingness!

…

“Ancient One, you failed?”

The Snake Envoy’s tone suggested it had already predicted this outcome.

The Ancient One lay lazily across the wilderness, chuckling:

“Indeed.”

The Snake Envoy sighed:

“I told you to cooperate with the Cave Wizard. But alas, you didn’t listen. Sheer brute strength alone is no match for Fire Dragon Ais.”

The Ancient One replied:

“The brute strength simply wasn’t strong enough. Our Amethyst Race will not cooperate with wizards, even Cave Wizards.”

Emperor Pangong snapped angrily:

“Absurd! The Council of Ten Thousand Clans requires teamwork; otherwise, how can we stand against the wizards? Your actions have tipped them off, and now Fire Dragon Ais is probably hiding like a coward in Gondor City, avoiding any risks.”

The Ancient One said:

“I don’t think so. Those three always appear with the objective of hunting Level 7 Flame Demons, not other Level 7 demons. I suspect they need materials from Level 7 Flame Demons as advancement ingredients. As long as we monitor the movements of Level 7 Flame Demons on the Godforsaken Continent, we’ll encounter them sooner or later–and next time, Ais will meet his end.”

The projection of the Snake Envoy dimmed until it spoke no more and vanished.

In the desolate deep space.

The Snake Envoy gazed ahead at the increasingly radiant light point of Nora and the collapsing crystal wall of the world behind it.

“As expected, relying on others is futile. For what it’s worth, all past grudges and regrets–I, the Ancient Serpent, will burn my life to the bitter end!”

…

Three years later.

Nora Year 285.

The 73rd year of the Blood Battle.

Nightmare World.

The Thousand-Year Locust Plague had passed over thirty years ago.

Black Dragon Territory.

Inside the towering spire, Triss gazed out at the chaotic wilderness.

The newly sprouted Mother Flesh Tree was flourishing.

“The fourth-circle breakthrough potion for the Nightmare Series is ready. The war merits accumulated over these years can be exchanged for a Morning Star-level oddity.”

Throughout the Blood Battle, though she appeared to stay in place, her efficiency in earning war merit surpassed many who fought on the frontlines.

She exited the Nightmare World and awakened in Triss’s cabin at the Witch’s Family base.

Suddenly.

The Magic Tree shook violently, and the colossal form of Fairy Banyan Dragon Lady Izera emerged, coiling around the trunk. She spoke coldly:

“An enemy approaches.”

Indeed.

Looking upward, an ancient city inexplicably mirrored itself across the skies.

An endless ocean engulfed the Witch’s Family headquarters. Within a thousand-mile radius, all was consumed by seawater.