Blade Gorge City, Lord's Mansion hall.
The burly man's earlier assessment was correct: Wu Heng had indeed brought many surprises, but more often than not, they had been clever balancing measures within the existing order.
He used the Association to check the Church while buying room for his own growth.
But times had changed. Before absolute Divine Might, any scheme seemed pale and powerless.
The dwarf lord nodded repeatedly, eagerly flattering him. "Yes, yes, yes, my lord, your insight is profound, and your analysis is absolutely right! I only heard merchants passing through make it sound so incredible. You're the one who sees it clearly. How could the might of a deity possibly be shaken by mortals like us..."
The burly man sighed softly and was just about to say something when the Illumination Stones throughout the hall suddenly dimmed without warning.
The next instant, the light returned, but an extra figure stood in the center of the hall, silent and motionless, as if he had always been there.
The burly man reacted faster than anyone could have imagined!
The instant the figure appeared, his body sprang up violently!
His thick arm swelled another size, instantly becoming covered in dark, resilient dragon scales. His five fingers twisted and transformed into savage, terrifying claws.
With a shriek that tore through the air, they shot straight for the suddenly appeared figure's head!
Yet before the claws could reach their target, they seemed to strike an invisible wall.
Bang~!
A tremendous force rebounded at him. The man flew backward, smashing through several pieces of furniture before slamming heavily into the wall behind him with a boom.
Only then did the dwarf lord and the surrounding guards react. Just as they were about to cry out and draw their swords—
Their movements froze instantly.