Bloodridge Continent, the Skyrite Mountains.
From high above, one could see that a vast, densely packed army had completely surrounded the Skyrite Mountains.
At the very front of the army stood eight figures, each wearing an excited smile.
"At last, the day has come!"
Shengnaer, his red hair streaming in the wind, wore a resolute expression.
"Everyone, I assume you're mentally prepared?"
Bolin, whose white hair and withered-looking hands gave him a haggard appearance, was the first to look over the others. He asked in a grave voice.
"Of course we're prepared. So what if we die? Anyone afraid of death wouldn't have come here!"
Barbary clenched his fist. His emerald armor rumbled, and he looked immensely agitated.
The eight clan leaders knew that after this battle, some of them would likely—no, certainly—fall. Even without the protection of their Sovereigns or the support of Sovereign Envoys, the Four Divine Beasts Clan still had six Asura-level experts.
Though they held an overwhelming advantage in numbers, killing their enemies would still cost them. Yet none of the eight would retreat today. Their blood feud with the Four Divine Beasts Clan had made them put their lives second.
"Good. Then let's go, everyone. Today, the Four Divine Beasts Clan will be wiped from the map!"
Bolin raised his right hand and shouted. His words set off an uproar.
"The Four Divine Beasts Clan will be wiped from the map!"
Countless voices rang out from the army behind them. Their tremendous roar filled the sky and earth. Seven-Star Fiend elders and ordinary clan members alike were worked into a frenzy, their eyes bloodshot.
At the same time, inside the Skyrite Mountains, six figures sat around a circular table in the Azure Dragon Hall, listening to the earth-shaking roar outside.
"Big Brother, it looks like today will be the decisive battle. They're here!"
Gus, the White Tiger Clan Leader, looked up at Gaislesen. His arms had transformed into silver-white tiger claws, and his eyes burned with fighting spirit.
"That's right, Big Brother. Even if we die, we'll make them pay!"
Morei, the Black Tortoise Clan Leader, raised his head. A trace of resolve showed on his usually composed face.
"Big Brother, I've already sent the talented younger generation to the Material Plane. We have nothing left to worry about."
Gaia slowly removed the mask from her face. Her dark hair drifted loose as she spoke gently to Gaislesen.
"Good. Brothers and sisters, today we live or die together. The Four Divine Beasts Clan's glory will never fade!"
Gaislesen sprang to his feet, wiping the tears from his eyes as he spoke with a stern expression.
"Rumble—"
The massive army surged forward and reached the Skyrite Mountains in one push.
Inside the mountains, members of the Four Divine Beasts Clan rose into the air. Their fierce masks turned toward the invaders, while a large group of Seven-Star Fiend elders in red robes gathered together.
"Gaislesen, get out here!"
Barbary stepped forward first and let out a deafening roar.
"Hmph! Barbary, you were like a stray dog in the Water Elemental Plane back then. And now you dare show your face here?"
At the sound of a cold snort, six figures descended from the horizon. Gaislesen led them.
"Hahaha, Gaislesen, do you think things are still as they were? Today is the day the Four Divine Beasts Clan is destroyed!"
Barbary's right hand moved, and a whip that radiated a terrifying aura appeared. It was a Sovereign Artifact.
"Then let's see!"
Gaislesen's hands transformed in an instant. Blue scales covered them as his dragon claws swung through the air.
"Bang!" "Whoosh!"
The sound of something tearing through the air rang across the land. But the next moment, everyone present froze.
At some point, a figure with dark teal hair had appeared between Gaislesen and Barbary. One hand gripped Barbary's Sovereign Artifact whip; the other held Gaislesen's dragon claw.
The newcomer made no other movement, yet both Gaislesen and Barbary felt a crushing pressure. It was as if an absolute force held them immobile.
"Mr. D-Dannington?"
The confident smile on Barbary's face instantly stiffened. For a moment, he didn't know what to do.
"That's enough!"
Dannington snorted. Then he exerted force with both hands, and Barbary and Gaislesen were sent stumbling backward, unable to control their bodies.
"Dannington? Is he the man hailed as the strongest beneath the Sovereigns in the Chaos Sea?"
Gaislesen came to his senses and murmured in disbelief.
"Big Brother, this..."
The others hurried to his side. Gus spoke at once, his gaze flicking to Dannington. He was completely bewildered.
"Let's see what happens first."
Gaislesen shook his head slightly. He was just as confused by this unexpected turn of events. Still, Dannington seemed to be on their side. He didn't know why, but it was good news.
The Four Divine Beasts Clan members were in a complicated mood. The Eight Great Clans, on the other hand, were stunned. After a brief silence, Barbary and the others stepped forward and bowed.
"Greetings, Mr. Dannington!"
Dannington gave a slight nod in acknowledgment, then spoke coldly:
"Your hatred for the Four Divine Beasts Clan runs deep, but they are descendants of Sovereigns. To some extent, they represent the Sovereigns' dignity. If you wipe them out like this, it won't reflect well on the Sovereigns."
As Dannington finished speaking, the Eight Great Clans' leaders all changed expression and jerked their heads up.
"Mr. Dannington, you have no particular connection to the Four Divine Beasts Clan, do you? You shouldn't interfere in this matter."
Shengnaer was the first to speak, his tone somewhat less respectful.
"Mr. Dannington, the Four Divine Beasts Clan may be descended from Sovereigns, but the Sovereigns themselves are gone. What right do they have to represent them? Their Sovereign Envoys have all left. They're just gods."
Reinasi spoke up. He knew the most about the Four Divine Beasts Clan's Sovereign Envoys, since he was in Hell.
"Mr. Dannington..."
"That's enough!"
Dannington's expression turned cold, and his voice carried a note of killing intent.
Barbary and the others opened their mouths, then lowered their heads and didn't dare continue. As veteran Prefects, they knew all too well what a Paragon High-God meant.
"For the next hundred trillion years, no one is to enter the Skyrite Mountains. Anyone who disobeys will be my enemy!"
Dannington's voice rang across the land. Everyone heard him clearly, from the Four Divine Beasts Clan to the Eight Great Clans.
The Four Divine Beasts Clan members were visibly excited, while the Eight Great Clans' forces looked utterly despondent.
Barbary, Bolin, and the others exchanged glances. They were unwilling to accept this, but said nothing more. After all, Dannington hadn't promised to protect the Four Divine Beasts Clan forever, so there was still some room to maneuver. They could wait a hundred trillion years.
"A hundred trillion years? I have to find a way to strike back during that time!"
Gaislesen quickly composed himself and began considering how to train the clan's younger generation so they could retaliate against the Eight Great Clans after a hundred trillion years.
But before anyone could react, a clear female voice came from afar.
"Dannington, you're overstepping your bounds!"
As the voice fell, a streak of purple lightning descended from the sky, transforming into a purple-haired woman with an indifferent expression. She faced Dannington from across the air.
Paragon Highgod of the Lightning Element—Ninisha!