"Clang!"
A tremendous metallic crash suddenly erupted, making their eardrums throb and filling their ears with a ringing buzz.
Wan Lan covered her ears and looked up. On the raised platform shrouded in shadow, Gerard's sword had reached [Iron Prison]'s head, but the figure seated on the throne had caught the blade overhead between two fingers.
[Iron Prison] raised its eyes slightly, turning an icy gaze on Gerard.
Its two fingers shifted slightly. With a snap, the blade broke in two and abruptly shot toward the three people below.
Gerard's expression changed slightly. He darted in front of the three and flicked his broken sword, knocking the blade away and driving it into one of the palace's steel pillars.
That brief exchange made Gerard's expression turn grave.
The Level Ten Calamity's abilities were even more formidable than he had expected.
In the pitch-black space, [Iron Prison]'s icy eyes stood out starkly, and the oppressive presence it exuded was suffocating.
The figure seated on the throne did not rise. It rubbed the cut on its fingertip and spoke unhurriedly.
"Welcome, Changsi's students, and Wan Lan, member of Hold Up the Heavens."
Slyder's expression changed drastically. "Shut up! You have no right to say her name!"
[Iron Prison] lowered its eyes, its inhuman gaze sweeping over Slyder.
"To reach the Seventh Tier so quickly even after your foundation was destroyed-it seems you've adapted well to that ability. Is that ability called [Iron Control] useful?"
Slyder laughed in his fury. "Useful. Of course it's useful. If I could use it on you, I could die without a single regret."
[Iron Prison] spoke regretfully. "Unfortunately, you've come too soon."
"Wait."
At that critical moment, Wan Lan stepped forward.
She really could not take it anymore. Listening to this jumbled mess was like trying to