"Human Race, hand over Kun, who received an SSSS-tier rating this time, or Jiangnan Base City will be flooded!"
This furious roar was like rolling thunder, resounding through heaven and earth!
Hundreds of millions of humans in Jiangnan Base City felt their ears ring and their hearts race at the same time. Minors who had not awakened talents were even knocked unconscious the instant the voice rang out!
This was the terrifying pressure of an expert!
Hao Zhong reacted quickly. Golden light appeared in his palm and enveloped Xu Kun and Hao Jian, shielding them from the terrifying pressure in time!
The door was hurriedly thrown open. Chen Gu and Mu Qingxuan had barely changed into their new clothes when Chen Gu asked gravely, "Brother Zhong?"
"Let's go take a look!" Hao Zhong had just raised his foot when he turned to the two children. "Stay put and don't move around!"
Protected by the golden light, the two children immediately nodded foolishly.
After his initial panic, Xu Kun quickly composed himself.
Had an expert invaded human territory?
Then the person he had referred to just now... was him, wasn't it?
Thinking of that, Xu Kun's face turned slightly pale.
Hao Jian, beside him, failed to notice the change in Xu Kun's expression. He patted his chest in lingering fear, then looked in surprise at Mu Qingxuan, who was calmly arranging her fox-fur coat.
"Auntie, you... are okay?"
That made no sense. Hao Jian had only felt the pressure accompanying that voice for an instant, but he knew he had been utterly powerless against it!
With Mu Qingxuan's level, having barely passed the novice trial, and her own F-tier talent, how could she look as though nothing had happened?
Mu Qingxuan merely shook her head calmly and offered no explanation.
Then she gave Xu Kun a meaningful look. "Don't be afraid. The Human Race of today will not abandon its people over a mere threat!"
Xu Kun blinked. Mu Qingxuan's words seemed to possess some kind of magical power, instantly dispelling the trace of panic that had just risen in his heart.
Once he calmed down, Xu Kun looked at his mother's face, as placid as an ancient well as always, and felt more and more that the mother he had lived beside for eighteen years was a stranger to him!
It was as if nothing in the world could stir even the slightest ripple in her heart!
A question inevitably rose in Xu Kun's mind: was his mother truly the F-tier talent holder in his memories, unable to reach higher floors of the Haotian Pagoda?
"Come on, let's go take a look." Having finished arranging her coat, Mu Qingxuan spoke to the two children.
"But my dad..." Hao Jian wanted to say that Hao Zhong had told them to stay behind.
Before he could finish, Xu Kun patted his shoulder. "Listen to my mom!"
The two children followed Mu Qingxuan out the door.
The moment that voice rang out, alarms had already sounded across Jiangnan Base City, warning the public to make every possible defensive preparation.
In barely a dozen seconds, the entire Jiangnan Base City had become like a high-powered machine in motion. A thin barrier of light rose from all around the city like an inverted bowl. It was the defensive formation that formation masters had set up around Jiangnan Base City at tremendous cost!
However, that defensive formation was meant to resist ordinary enemies. Against a powerful foe, it was like paper and could not offer the public much sense of security!
"That is..."
The two children reached the corridor and looked up. Beneath the moonlight, they could vaguely make out a figure occupying half the sky, flickering in and out of view amid the thick clouds!
A dragon?
That was the first word that came to the minds of every citizen who looked up at the sky!
Inexorably, a terrifying thought emerged in everyone's hearts—the one descending above Jiangnan Base City was a member of the Dragon Race, leader of the Myriad Races!
Seeing Mu Qingxuan emerge with the two children, Hao Zhong swallowed the words that had reached his lips.
With a grave expression, he said, "It's East Sea Dragon King Ao Guang!"
A Dragon King?
Xu Kun and Hao Jian exchanged a look. This was an expert on the level of a Human Race War King!
After the initial chaos, the clamor throughout the city gradually quieted down as well!
Then, they clearly saw streams of light rise from the base city into the air, steadily ascending to confront that terrifying figure.
"Jiangnan Base City Chief Commander Sikong Zhen greets the East Sea Dragon King!"
"May I ask why the Dragon King has descended upon us?"
Among the streams of light rising into the sky, the leader spoke with authority. His clear voice echoed through the air, sending ripples outward and smoothing away the pressure brought by that figure's arrival.
"Little brat, are you the top person in charge of this base city?"
Its pronunciation differed slightly from that of humans. Like thunder and the bellow of an ox, it made everyone's eardrums tremble.
"That would be me!"
"You are not qualified to speak with me. Tell your Human Race higher-ups to hand over the human who obtained an SSSS-tier rating in this novice trial, the one with the ID Kun. Then all will be well. Otherwise, the Human Race will bear the wrath of the Dragon Race!"
Sikong Zhen, the Chief Commander floating in midair, wore an ugly expression. He said solemnly, "May I ask how Kun of the Human Race has offended the Dragon King or the Dragon Race? If he has done anything wrong, I, Sikong Zhen, am willing to atone for him!"
"You? You are not qualified!"
Roar!
The other party had no intention of wasting words. From within the clouds, a dragon claw that blotted out the sky descended. Sikong Zhen's expression changed, and he hurriedly organized a defense. The other followers beside him, including the principal of Xu Kun's First Middle School, attacked at the same time to resist the claw!
Boom!
The entire city shook twice. Of the eight figures that had been floating in the air, three were instantly sent flying by that claw. Of the remaining five, only Sikong Zhen managed to withstand the claw's might steadily!
"This..." Xu Kun and Hao Jian exchanged a look, each seeing shock in the other's eyes!
The eight who had appeared were the eight strongest experts employed by Jiangnan Base City. Aside from Sikong Zhen, his deputy, and the director of the City Public Security Bureau, the other five were the principals of Jiangnan Base City's First, Second, Third, Fourth, and Fifth Middle Schools!
Yet with only one claw, the principals of the Third, Fourth, and Fifth Middle Schools had been effortlessly swatted away like ants.
Sikong Zhen, his deputy, the director of the Public Security Bureau, and the principals of the First and Second Middle Schools now faced the enemy as though confronting a great foe.
Mu Qingxuan said calmly, "Ao Guang came from the Flood Dragon Race, but he possesses an S-tier talent and is a thirty-ninth-tier supreme War King-level expert."
"Of the five still airborne, Sikong Zhen has an A-tier talent and is at the thirty-fifth tier. His deputy only has a B-tier talent, but his level is the highest among the five. He possesses the strength of the thirty-sixth tier. The director of the Public Security Bureau also has an A-tier talent, but he is only at the thirty-second tier."
"As for the principals of the First and Second Middle Schools, not only do they have only B-tier talents, they are merely at the twenty-ninth and twenty-eighth tiers. Facing Ao Guang's casual claw just now, the two had already used life-saving measures to avoid being knocked from the air!"
Xu Kun and Hao Jian were stunned. Why did Mu Qingxuan know the strength of Jiangnan Base City's upper ranks so well?
Mu Qingxuan had no intention of explaining. Hao Zhong and Chen Gu, beside her, listened attentively as well.
"With their strength, they will likely find it difficult to withstand Ao Guang, much less since this place is near the East Sea and Ao Guang can draw on its power. If they insist on resisting head-on, they could fall at any moment!"
"There are no other experts stationed in Jiangnan Base City at the moment. It seems only you two can step in!"
Hao Zhong and Chen Gu exchanged a glance, then nodded.
They looked at the two children. "Stay beside your sister-in-law. We're going to meet the enemy!"
Xu Kun and Hao Jian's eyes instantly lit up. Were they about to witness a battle at the War King level?
That was right. Naturally, they knew Hao Zhong and Chen Gu's strength!
The husband and wife were both War King-level experts, and among Human Race War Kings, they were among the very best. Moreover, their talents and skills complemented one another perfectly. When they joined forces, even a supreme War King with the same level of talent might not necessarily be their match!
The couple usually either fought on the Myriad Races Battlefield or climbed to higher floors of the Haotian Pagoda. They rarely traveled outside!
The couple had few friends in all of Jiangnan Base City. Thus, aside from those present, no one knew their identities!
Even Xu Kun and Hao Jian's classmates did not know that Hao Jian possessed such terrifying backing!
Two War Kings in one family was far more illustrious than the War King grandfather supporting Zhan Rourou's entire family!
As they spoke, Ao Guang, who had established his dominance with one claw, laughed wantonly. "Is this the defensive strength of one of the Huaxia War Zone's six major base cities? With you rotten garlic heads, you think you can stop me?"
"Get lost at once. Today, I only demand that you hand over the human with the ID Kun. If you cannot make the decision, go ask your Human Race higher-ups. I will give you only fifteen minutes. When the time is up, if you have not handed him over, do not blame me for beginning a massacre!"
Sikong Zhen and the other major experts of Jiangnan Base City wore extremely ugly expressions. Compared to Ao Guang's relaxed manner, none of them dared let down their guard in the slightest!
"Old Dragon King, it has been a long time. Your reputation precedes you, so why do you bully my Human Race brethren? Do you truly think the Human Race has no one?"
Ao Guang, concealed in the clouds, poked out his dragon head and shouted, "Who dares act so presumptuously!"
After speaking, he spat a blast of dragon breath toward the five people in midair. The five scrambled to defend themselves, but before the dragon breath could approach, golden light appeared and shielded them.
The dragon breath struck the golden light like a clay ox entering the sea, vanishing without a trace!
"This is..." Ao Guang, who had displayed an invincible bearing ever since he appeared, changed expression at this moment.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
A series of muffled drumbeats rang out, transforming into waves of Sound waves attacks. Seeing this, Ao Guang did not hesitate at all. His dragon body shook, and he used his tail to disperse the Sound waves attack.
"So it is you, the Evening Drum, Morning Bell couple!"
Upon hearing Ao Guang's words, Sikong Zhen revealed a delighted expression. Looking at the figure standing before them, encased within a giant golden bell, he said in surprise, "Brother Hao, why are you here?"
"Brother Zhong and I only wanted to have a quiet meal. Who would have thought someone blind enough to offend our Human Race territory would come along?"
A voice sounded from behind them. The five turned and saw Chen Gu in her fiery red fox-fur coat. She no longer possessed the gentle warmth she showed Xu Kun and Hao Jian. Her face was filled with killing intent!
A large drum stood before her. The attack that had forced Ao Guang to respond hurriedly just now had come from that drum.
Roar! "Evening Drum, Morning Bell, do you intend to stop me?"
With Hao Zhong standing in front of them, Ao Guang's furious roar could not stir the slightest ripple.
Relying on the protection of the golden bell around him, Hao Zhong impatiently dug at his ear. "Isn't that obvious? You invaded Human Race territory. Were we supposed to stand by and watch you bully our kin?"
"Fine, then! Today, I, Ao Guang, will see exactly what the famed Evening Drum, Morning Bell couple is capable of!"
Ao Guang was no longer as relaxed as he had been when dealing with Sikong Zhen. His dragon face was utterly serious as a pair of dragon claws extended through the air, condensing an enormous sphere of water!
"Brother Hao, we'll help you!" Sikong Zhen and the others were about to step forward.
"No need. It is only a water ball. What is there to fear?" Hao Zhong grinned confidently.
"Gu!" Hao Zhong stretched out his arm, and the golden bell that had floated beside him immediately enlarged!
Hearing Hao Zhong's voice, Chen Gu nodded. The couple had worked together for many years and understood each other's intentions without needing further words!
As the massive water sphere condensed by Ao Guang came crashing down, Chen Gu moved as well. She raised her drumsticks with both hands and struck the great drum before her!
Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom!
At the horizon, thunder serpents surged under Chen Gu's drumming as dark clouds scattered away!
The invisible Sound waves attacks all locked onto the immense figure coiling in the sky. Under Chen Gu's advancing drumbeats, the watching humans below finally saw Ao Guang clearly!
His dark scales shimmered. His enormous, snake-like body coiled through the sky and blotted out the sun. He had four limbs, each bearing four claws, while horns grew from his savage dragon head. Without close inspection, he looked no different from the dragons people imagined!
But the difference was that his horns were long and straight, without branches!
Ao Guang gathered every trace of water vapor within tens of thousands of square meters, leaving the air extraordinarily dry. The gigantic water sphere seemed capable of flooding the entire base city!
The next moment, the water sphere carrying terrifying impact crashed down in full force. Hao Zhong transformed into a golden bell, like a lone boat at sea, swaying unstably—but that was all!
After the terrifying force struck the golden bell, it only created faint ripples. It could not force Hao Zhong back even half a step, much less break his defense!
Once Chen Gu had finished building momentum, the thunder serpents across the sky gathered in one place and transformed into the Spear of Dawn, charging toward the vast waves!
The frightening water surge paused briefly the moment it came into contact with the thunder serpents. In the next second, the Spear of Dawn pierced through the massive waves without losing momentum, passing through Ao Guang's dragon body!
Roar!
Ao Guang let out a heart-rending roar. The towering waves he controlled were shattered by Hao Zhong taking advantage of the opening.
Rumble!
Thunder rolled again and again. The water sphere Ao Guang had condensed became a torrential rain, mixed with dragon blood that had fallen after Chen Gu's attack injured him, drenching Jiangnan Base City in a rain of blood.
"What a pity. I heard dragon blood is quite valuable. Though this one is not a true dragon, if we could collect it, we could still sell it for quite a bit, right?"
Hao Jian widened his eyes and looked at Xu Kun.
Listen to what you're saying. Is that something a human would say?
They're fighting a battle, and you're worried about wasting dragon blood?
What, do you want to go up there and pick some up?
Chen Gu's attack had not only broken Ao Guang's terrifying wave attack, but also stabbed and injured him. His enormous dragon body immediately withdrew far into the distance, letting out deep, repeated roars.
Water vapor condensed around the wound as Ao Guang used the Flood Dragon Race's powerful recovery ability to erase the injury Chen Gu had just inflicted!
"The Evening Drum, Morning Bell couple, both offense and defense complete. You are indeed formidable!"
Was this... backing down?
Sikong Zhen and the others, securely shielded behind Hao Zhong, revealed delighted expressions. Let's see you act arrogant now!
"Jian Jian, what levels are Second Dad and Second Mom now?"
At that, Hao Jian proudly puffed out his chest. "Before Dad came back this time, he had successfully cleared the thirty-seventh floor. He is now at the thirty-seventh tier. Mom is a little weaker, but she is still a mid-tier War King at the thirty-fifth tier!"
"No wonder." Xu Kun nodded.
The couple, joining forces, had not only withstood Ao Guang's high-impact water sphere attack but had also injured his dragon body in return. Besides their similar levels, the more important factor was that the couple both possessed S-tier talents!
Hao Zhong, rugged in appearance and fierce-faced, so large that he could make children stop crying just by standing there, possessed a defensive S-tier talent!
Meanwhile, Chen Gu, always gentle and graceful, dignified in appearance, and carrying the image of a kind mother who felt like a spring breeze, possessed an S-tier talent focused on Fa Star and attack!
One attacked while the other defended. The couple complemented each other perfectly. Not only had they achieved excellent results in the Haotian Pagoda, they had also earned a resounding reputation on the Myriad Races Battlefield!
Evening Drum, Morning Bell was both the title bestowed upon them by the Myriad Races and the honorific personally granted by the Human Race higher-ups based on their achievements and talents!
With the two working together, even an old supreme War King like Ao Guang could only suffer!
After taking Ao Guang's attack head-on, Hao Zhong activated his power. The golden bell expanded without end until it finally covered the entire sky above Jiangnan Base City, leaving Ao Guang outside!
Chen Gu came to Hao Zhong's side. The great drum by her side filled Ao Guang with apprehension!
"Old Dragon King, we have no desire to be your enemy, but neither will we allow you to bully the Human Race. Please leave at once!"
As the torrential rain ceased, the humans below could once again clearly see the confrontation above.
The golden bell covering the entire sky above the base city gave everyone an immense sense of security!
"What if I refuse?" Ao Guang asked.
"Then die!" Chen Gu said with overwhelming killing intent.
"Cough, cough..." Hao Zhong waved his hand and stepped forward. "With my wife and me here, Old Dragon King, though you are powerful, there is nothing you can do. Before the Human Race higher-ups take action, I hope you will leave as soon as possible!"
"Dream on! I came under the Dragon Race's decree. If I cannot bring him back, would that not make me, Ao Guang, a laughingstock to the Myriad Races?"
Hao Zhong's expression darkened. Chen Gu, beside him, brimmed with fighting spirit. "Brother Zhong, why waste words with this old dragon? A flood dragon that only dares cower on the thirty-ninth floor of the Haotian Pagoda and does not dare advance any further has long been a laughingstock among the Myriad Races. What face do you have left to speak of?"
"Oh? I never knew Second Mom had such a fiery temper." This was the first time Xu Kun had seen this side of the gentle and graceful Chen Gu.
"Cough, cough. Don't be fooled by how big and rough Dad looks. At home, Mom is the one who calls the shots!" Hao Jian scratched his head.
Chen Gu's refusal to yield drew earth-shaking cheers from the Human Race. Those with discerning eyes could see that with Evening Drum, Morning Bell present, no matter how forceful Ao Guang acted, there was nothing he could do!
Just as everyone thought Ao Guang would leave in disgrace, Mu Qingxuan, standing beside Xu Kun and Hao Jian, sighed.
"Sigh, Chen Gu still cannot change that temper of hers. When scolding someone, do not expose their weaknesses. What Ao Guang cannot stand most is being mocked over what happened back then. Though Ao Guang is no match for the couple, he still has a trump card capable of overturning the table!"
Xu Kun and Hao Jian were startled. What did Mu Qingxuan mean?
Sure enough, just as Mu Qingxuan finished speaking, Ao Guang in the sky released a furious roar.
"Evening Drum, you have gone too far! Today, I, Ao Guang, will make you regret this!"
"Rage, East Sea! In the name of Ao Guang, today, flood Jiangnan!"
As his words fell, everyone heard a deafening rumble. When they followed the sound and looked up, every one of them trembled in terror!
Towering waves surged from the East Sea. Ao Guang swam through the sea, stirring wind and rain, sweeping in with a curtain of water and rolling forward!
Before you continue