Zhang Yuan opened his eyes.
All was peaceful within the [Water Calamity Hall]. Lamplight flickered, the statue of the Silver Dragon Goddess stood with its back to the wall, and Xie Jingxin dozed half-reclining against a pillar.
There seemed to be no danger.
Zhang Yuan did not lower his guard. Unless a True Lord interfered, his celestial-human resonance could never be wrong. If the danger was not inside the [Water Calamity Hall], it had to be outside!
Bang!
A tremendous crash rang through the Palace from its main gate, jolting the dozing Xie Jingxin awake. She instantly scooped up [Gazing into the Netherworld] from beside her and looked around warily, bewilderment in her eyes.
Bang!
Another tremendous crash followed.
Zhang Yuan and Xie Jingxin both turned their eyes toward the gate.
Clearly, the danger lay just beyond it.
"Something is ramming the gate."
Zhang Yuan rose from the floor and took the Nether-Illuminating Sword in hand, his gaze darkening, divine abilities and spells poised to strike.
After the first two impacts, the Palace gate was already on the verge of collapse. With the third thunderous crash, the incredibly sturdy gate shattered, and an enormous dragon head wreathed in ghostly blue flames thrust inside.
River water laden with third-origin heavy water poured wildly into the Palace. The dragon head was hideous. Though ghostly blue flames engulfed it, crimson scales and skin were still faintly visible beneath them. It was clearly a fire dragon.
Xie Jingxin reacted fastest. Zhang Yuan had only just made out the dragon head when she charged forward with her sword.
With a swish, silver light flashed.
Xie Jingxin struck the dragon squarely between the brows. The force unleashed by the collision instantly vaporized the river water that had just rushed inside.
Then she was hurled backward, having