At the edge of the platform, Zong Shen's gaze swept over the scene below, which had already frozen solid.
The Flame Lord's massive dragon body was enveloped by that blue-white beam, suspended motionlessly in midair.
Like an insect trapped in amber.
The dark crimson scales across her body still shimmered with molten-gold radiance, but the pulsing of that light had become exceedingly slow, as though each wisp of energy required several epochs to flow.
The fury on her ferocious dragon face, frozen just before she unleashed her dragon breath, remained intact.
Yet her pale golden slit pupils reflected unimaginable shock.
It was the suppression of a higher power, so overwhelming that even thought itself was nearly frozen.
Below, the Red Dragon Legion was deathly silent.
The Dragon Blood orcs stared upward with their mouths agape, their weapons hanging limply at their sides.
The volcanic dragon beasts pawed uneasily at the ground, yet did not dare make too much noise.
Sulfurous smoke and dust drifted through the air, but the scorching, boiling aura within the rift had been completely subdued by the fortress's icy pressure.
Zong Shen turned his head slightly and looked at Little Blackie, hovering some distance away.
The ferocious black dragon had folded its wings and lowered its massive head. Reverence flickered in its pale golden dragon eyes, along with a trace of barely restrained excitement.
It could sense the intangible, formless aura around its master—an immense presence that seemed capable of encompassing and evolving the end and origin of all things.
"Little Blackie."
Zong Shen's voice rang directly within the black dragon's consciousness, calm and unruffled.
"Master."
Little Blackie responded at once, focusing its mind to the utmost.
"Watch carefully."
"I will fulfill the promise I made to you."
Zong Shen's gaze returned to the Flame Lord.